The private room fell silent. Mo Zhengxing looked at Wu Shuangren, waiting for his reaction.
Wu Shuangren picked up his teacup and slowly took a sip.
"Twenty percent is too little."
Xie Jingshan's smile froze, "Then... what does Militia Commander Wu mean?"
"Sixty percent."
Wu Shuangren spoke calmly, as if discussing a trivial matter, "Sixty percent of the profits from the Xie Clan Boxing Arena go to the Fist Academy. The Fist Academy is responsible for training Xie Clan Family boxers, designing competition procedures, and rotating Fist King Championship. However, the Fist Academy must send personnel to the gym to assist with the accounting."
Xie Jingshan's expression finally changed; a blush rose on his fair face, and anger flashed in his narrow eyes.
"Militia Commander Wu, I've come today with sincere intentions to cooperate."
Xie Jingshan's voice turned cold, "Isn't it a bit inappropriate for the Fist Academy to demand 60% of the profits right off the bat?"
Wu Shuangren met his gaze, her eyes calm yet carrying an undeniable sense of pressure:
"If Chairman Xie is unwilling, the Fist Academy will open two new rings after the Fist King Championship. Chairman Xie can continue to waive admission fees, but I wonder if the Xie Clan family is willing for the Chamber of Commerce to keep only spending money on boxing matches without earning any?"
Xie Jingshan's expression shifted rapidly as he stared intently at Wu Shuangren: "Militia Commander Wu, are you truly unwilling to compromise?"
Wu Shuangren pondered for a moment, "... We can't refuse Chairman Xie's request, so I'll compromise and only ask for 50% profit."
"..."
Finally, Xie Jingshan let out a long breath, a smile returning to his face, "Alright, as Militia Commander Wu said, fifty percent!"
After saying that, he raised his teacup and gestured to Wu Shuangren, saying, "I hope our two families can have a pleasant cooperation and make a fortune together."
"It's a pleasure to cooperate with you; let's make money together."
"..."
After seeing Xie Jingshan off, Mo Zhengxing closed the door, turned to Wu Shuangren, and said, "This Xie Jingshan is indeed a man of character; he can take things in stride."
Wu Shuangren: "He's a businessman; he knows how to do the math."
If the Xie Clan is determined to continue this stalemate with the Fist Academy, it will indeed be difficult for the Fist Academy to expand its business, since there has always been a free boxing match to watch there.
But if they did that, the Fist Academy would only make less money, while the Xie Clan would continue to lose money.
By contributing 50% of the profits, the Xie Clan was able to turn a loss into a small profit.
Xie Jingshan certainly knew how to calculate this.
"I thought you'd ask for an exorbitant amount, like 70% or 80% of the Xie Clan Boxing Hall's profits."
Mo Zhengxing said.
Wu Shuangren shook his head. "If that's the case, it might push the Xie Clan too far. If I give in a little today, they can still make a profit; at least we can cooperate for now."
"This 10% profit is what I'm buying—time."
As he spoke, he looked out the window.
"We only have two hundred men right now, barely enough to hold the line. Let's wait a few more months until we have more manpower..."
Wu Shuangren didn't finish speaking, but Mo Zhengxing understood what he meant, his eyes sharpened, and he nodded vigorously.
Wu Shuangren won the competition on the twenty-eighth day.
The news that Xie Clan Boxing Hall would send top fighters to participate in the Fist King Championship spread West River Market.
This undoubtedly adds fuel to the already heated competition!
Everyone's talking about it now, discussing who will ultimately become the champion.
Even the nearby West River County and more than a dozen other villages and towns have heard that West River Market is about to host Fist King Championship.
According to Wu Shuangren, the hype surrounding this event has truly taken off!
In the open space in the center of West River Market, a fighting platform had been erected. It was three zhang long and three zhang wide, four chi off the ground, and the surface was covered with a thick felt carpet, with a hemp rope around the edge.
Everything is ready, just waiting for the game to begin.
On the eve of the match, Xie Jingshan sent an invitation to the Fist Academy. The invitation, embossed in gold and politely worded, invited Wu Shuangren and Mo Zhengxing to a banquet at Xie's residence.
Be careful, the other party may have ill intentions.
Mo Zhengxing, holding the invitation, immediately reminded him.
Wu Shuangren nodded to indicate that he understood.
However, now that the Xie Clan has started cooperating with the Fist Academy and the other party has taken the initiative to host a banquet, it would not only be detrimental to the future cooperation, but it would also seem petty and cowardly if they did not attend.
Xie Jingshan dared to visit the Fist Academy, yet you, Wu Shuangren, the top master of West River Market, dare not attend the banquet?
In the end, Wu Shuangren decided to bring several guards from the Mo Family, fifty militiamen, and Xu Yu.
The people sent to Wang Clan Village in Cang County to gather information have not yet returned, but Wu Shuangren has seen Xu Yu's performance over the past Xu Yu days.
This sixteen-year-old boy is pure of heart; every day after waking up, he just waits for dinner to be served.
The most satisfying thing for me every day is having a full meal; I don't care about anything else.
This kind of person doesn't seem like an undercover agent sent by the enemy at all...
As dusk fell, Wu Shuangren and his group set off.
The Xie Clan's residence is located near the central area of West River Market. It is a large four-courtyard house with blue bricks and gray tiles, upturned eaves, and two majestic stone lions in front of the gate.
As dusk approached, lanterns were already lit inside and outside the house, their warm yellow glow standing out prominently in the twilight.
When Wu Shuangren and the others arrived, Xie Jingshan personally greeted them at the door with a smile and a warm attitude.
In the end, only Xu Yu followed the two into the Xie residence, while all fifty militiamen remained guarding the gate, keeping a watchful eye on things.
Wu Shuangren maintained a distance of no more than three steps from Xie Jingshan throughout, ensuring that he could subdue his opponent at any time.
Xie Jingshan led the group through the front yard, where they saw artificial hills and flowing water, winding corridors, and an atmosphere of luxury.
The banquet was held in the backyard flower hall, a spacious hall with carved wooden windows on all four sides, overlooking a meticulously maintained garden. It was late summer, and the osmanthus flowers were just beginning to bloom, their subtle fragrance filling the air.
An eight-immortal table was placed in the hall.
"Militia Commander Wu, please take a seat."
Xie Jingshan led Wu Shuangren to the head of the main table.
Wu Shuangren declined a few times, but in the end, he let Xie Jingshan sit in the main seat and sat on the left.
After everyone was seated, maids filed in, bringing out cold platters and fine wine. The dishes were extremely lavish.
Crystal pork knuckle, chicken slices with egg white, steamed sea bass, braised deer tendon... many of the dishes were unfamiliar even to Mo Zhengxing. The wine was aged Shaoxing wine, its color like amber when poured into the glass, and its aroma was irresistible.
Xu Yu stood to the side, looking at the table full of dishes, swallowing hard.
Xie Jingshan raised his glass, stood up, and said with a smile, "Militia Commander Wu, Boss Mo, the Fist King Championship officially begins tomorrow. Let's drink to this together, wishing the boxing match a complete success, and also wishing our two businesses booming and lasting prosperity!"
After saying that, he first drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.
Wu Shuangren didn't have much experience in this area, so he specifically sought out the seasoned veteran Mo Zhengxing for some extra lessons before coming.
There is no completely colorless and odorless poison in this world, so you can determine whether the tableware has been poisoned simply by smelling it before eating to see if there is any unusual odor.
For martial artists who have practiced Internal Skill, their five senses are stronger than ordinary people, making it easier for them to detect special scents.
As for poisoning drinks or food, the smell of the poison might be masked by the taste of the liquid or food, requiring careful observation.
I drink before others drink, and I eat before others eat.
Wu Shuangren had already checked that his tableware had no unusual smell as soon as he sat down. Seeing that Xie Jingshan had drunk some wine, he and Mo Zhengxing then picked up their glasses to drink.
After the drink entered his mouth, Wu Shuangren did not rush to swallow it. He waited for a while, and only swallowed it after confirming that there was no unusual taste and his tongue did not feel any discomfort.
The banquet will now officially begin.
Tonight, Xie Jingshan is hosting a dinner for the two of them; there's no fourth person at the table, but the atmosphere isn't awkward.
Xie Jingshan kept the atmosphere lively and humorous throughout, never letting a single word slip by.
After a few rounds of drinks, Xie Jingshan clapped his hands.
As the music began, eight dancers emerged from behind the screen, dressed in light gauze and holding feather fans, and danced gracefully to the music.
The eight dancers had beautiful figures, exuded a captivating fragrance, and their dance moves were extremely alluring. Every now and then, one of them would deliberately walk up to Wu Shuangren and flirt with him.
Xie Jingshan had been observing Wu Shuangren's expression.
People who practice martial arts have abundant qi and blood, and their sexual needs are often stronger than those of ordinary people.
Furthermore, Wu Shuangren is a hot-blooded young man, so this scene must have had a great impact on him!
The result, however, greatly surprised Xie Jingshan—
Wu Shuangren remained calm throughout, like a highly accomplished monk who had cultivated himself for many years, completely unmoved!
'Has he gotten used to a life of debauchery in Yi Province and seen something better?'
Xie Jingshan thought to himself.
But he also thought it was unlikely, since he had spent a lot of money to buy these eight dancers from Yu Province through a caravan along the canal.
The brothels and dancers of Yu Province are famous throughout the land; no other place can compare.
For the first time in his life, Xie Jingshan felt that he couldn't understand a person at all.
Wu Shuangren sat calmly in his seat, enjoying the dance of the eight dancers.
Based on his profession in his previous life, his appearance, physique, wealth, and the fact that he had dated several so-called "top beauties" in his past life.
Modern, meticulously crafted beauties are incomparable to those women of ancient times with their pitifully limited makeup skills.
These eight dancers were far inferior to the girlfriends Wu Shuangren had dated.
So even Mo Zhengxing to the side, was watching intently, but he remained calm and composed.
Wu Shuangren even had the leisure to observe Xu Yu standing to the side, wanting to see how this ' Lean Tiger ' would react.
The result made him laugh.
Xu Yu didn't glance at the seductive dancers Xu Yu from beginning to end; instead, he kept staring at the food on the table, swallowing hard...
The banquet ended with everyone enjoying themselves.
Before leaving, Wu Shuangren suddenly asked, "President Xie, may I take these dishes with me?"
Mo Zhengxing was stunned.
Xie Jingshan was also stunned, and even felt a sense of defeat.
The dancers I've carefully prepared aren't as appealing as this table of food?
"There are still some prepared dishes in the kitchen. Why don't I have someone pack them all into food boxes and give them to Militia Commander Wu?"
Xie Jingshan reacted quickly and immediately spoke.
Wu Shuangren in thanks. "Then I'll trouble you, Chairman Xie."
Xie Jingshan smiled and said, "It's nothing, Militia Commander Wu, you're too kind. If you like the food at your residence, please come visit often. I would be more than happy to welcome you."
Next, he instructed the kitchen staff to pack all the prepared ingredients into boxes and send them outside the mansion to the militiamen.
He himself escorted Wu Shuangren and the others out of the mansion.
Wu Shuangren led a group of militiamen back to the Fist Academy without incident.
Once back at the Fist Academy, Mo Zhengxing finally relaxed completely. "It seems the Xie Clan set up a honey trap for you tonight, but you didn't fall for it."
Wu Shuangren smiled but didn't say anything.
Late at night, Wu Shuangren personally carried the food box that had been packed from the Xie residence into Xu Yu's room.
"Eat."
Wu Shuangren opened the food box and said to Xu Yu.
Xu Yu looked at him with surprise. "These are for me?"
Wu Shuangren nodded. "I saw you staring at these dishes for a long time at the banquet, so I packed them up for you to try as well."
He had already checked everything beforehand, making sure all the dishes were fine, and had the cook reheat them before carrying the food box into Xu Yu's room.