The operating methods of the four great salt merchants were eerily familiar, like the capitalists of his past life who were hanged from lampposts.
They had driven a certain industry into a vicious cycle, and calling them a "cancer" was no exaggeration.
Xi Feng said, "Are you planning to go head-to-head with such colossal entities in business? It will likely be... very stressful."
"Perhaps for others, but not for me."
Seasonings...
After the interlude with the Tai Sui God, Zhang Wei led the foreign merchants to the second core area building. Being placed near the Candy Castle was indicative of its caliber.
Zhang Wei addressed the crowd, "Welcome to the Hot Spring Wine Country. Its construction owes much to Mr. Cang Ma, the editor-in-chief of the Gourmet Journal. Without his support, this place wouldn't have been built so quickly. His suggestions regarding the architecture were immensely beneficial to me! Additionally, we have Mr. Sheng Taro, a cabinet minister from the Healing Country..."
A familiar figure appeared in the crowd – Sheng Taro.
After being defeated by Zhang Wei in the gourmet world, he had returned to the Healing Country to recover.
Soon after, he encountered Zhang Wei, who had come seeking help. Zhang Wei wished to purchase more hot spring fish and expressed great interest in the many resurrected ancient species from the Healing Country, proposing an acquisition.
Sheng Taro's eyes flashed with anger, and he nearly attacked Zhang Wei.
However, Zhang Wei affirmed his approval of reviving ancient ingredients and posed a question: "I am well aware of the regenerators' contributions, and your actions are commendable. However..."
"With your approach to rescue, where does the funding come from?"
"Healthcare! The Regeneration Country possesses the most advanced medical system in the human world, capable of generating ample economic resources."
Zhang Wei observed the Healing Country's simple lifestyle and remarked, "A low-desire lifestyle... Actually, I believe that true rescue is not simply about resurrection, allowing them to grow without value in this Eden. That is not truly living."
That day.
Zhang Wei spent a long time with Sheng Taro touring the Healer's Forest.
He saw many ancient beasts, and Sheng Taro spared no detail in introducing them.
Zhang Wei pointed to a lazily lounging Roaring Beast and said, "In the literature, these creatures are extremely ferocious. They face higher-level predators and contend with the natural environment. Yet, look at this one... I can only say that it is not fully resurrected."
Sheng Taro said gravely, "What you speak of, the Healing Country thought of it a hundred years ago. But... have you considered that if they were reintroduced into the current food chain, they would disrupt the habitats of similar fierce beasts and compete for limited resources? Their return is not necessarily a good thing for the natural world."
"Are you afraid to try?"
"There have been attempts in history, but due to various unforeseen reasons, they caused ecological damage. Resurrecting ancient creatures and displacing existing ones is not what we pursue."
It could be said that.
The Healing Country's logic and theories were quite sound. Although it was still a period of contention, the general direction had been decided.
Zhang Wei continued to ask, "Do you have any plans to expand the population size of these species?"
"Yes, but it's difficult!"
"Difficult in what way?"
"Money."
"Didn't you say that the Healing Country's healthcare is very profitable?"
"The money earned must be used for various aspects: research, archaeology, public welfare, and so on. There isn't much left for park construction and feed cultivation."
"Have you considered making money from these ancient ingredients? Large-scale farming and such?"
"There's no competitiveness."
"The cost is too high?"
"Exactly. Currently, the resurrection of ingredients relies primarily on grafting and surrogate cloning. Many species can only reproduce in laboratories. In essence, for ingredients of the same taste, current natural species are vastly superior!"
More cost-effective at the same level.
The taste is not bad.
To spend three to four times the price just for the name of an ancient ingredient?
Occasional novelty might be acceptable, but it's not a sustainable business.
Sheng Taro continued, "Without the ability to maintain large populations, the genes of the species will degenerate due to inbreeding, leading to a high incidence of deformed, unhealthy, and weak individuals. However, the Healing Country cannot afford to maintain super-large populations for all of them."
"Currently, we can only develop species one by one, selecting which ones to expand the population based on funding. But this pace is even slower than the rate at which we lose species. Therefore, this forest is filled with ancient ingredients, each represented by only a few individuals."
Ultimately, it all comes down to money.
Money is forever an unavoidable, objective problem.
This is why countless writers have penned articles filled with hatred for money.
Money itself is not wrong; the fault lies with those who are poor.
Zhang Wei said, "Reproduce, reproduce with all your might! I will purchase your creations and balance your expenditures and income."
Sheng Taro had already guessed Zhang Wei's intentions.
But as a businessman, Zhang Wei would find it extremely difficult to agree to his proposal.
This was because the actual price of these laboratory ingredients was more than eight times higher than comparable ones!
An ingredient of edible level 10 might only cost 15-75 Beli on the market, whereas the wild animals here would cost at least 140 Beli, and some even reaching 480 Beli.
However, this was not absolute. Once the animal populations developed and could reproduce naturally, their prices would be no different from wild or farmed ingredients.
The only difference was the initial investment.
But the initial investment was simply too substantial!
"The price I'm asking, any reasonably sane businessman would refuse. I suspect your idea will not come to fruition."
Zhang Wei smiled, "My head is perfectly normal, but I'm not a 'proper' businessman."
How much profit can business bring?
The replication ability of the Treasure House completely disregarded such minor costs.
When purchasing rare collectibles, it was only natural to spend a bit more money.
Besides.
Since Zhang Wei's return from the gourmet world, money had lost much of its significance to him.
He couldn't possibly spend it all anyway...
By the time Sheng Taro snapped back to reality, Zhang Wei had already signaled everyone to change into their designated bathing attire.
For men, it was shorts; for women, a more modest robe.
These bathrobes were designed for bathing and miraculously expelled water quickly after leaving the water.
"I didn't expect Mr. Zhang Wei to be so well-versed in leisure and wellness, to have built such a wonderful place in the heart of the Food Academy. A bath after tea and meals, truly a heavenly pleasure!"
"I don't think it's that simple. When Zhang Wei acts, there's always a reason. Otherwise, this Hot Spring Wine Country wouldn't be built on par with Candy Castle."
"I heard Cang Ma provided creative ideas? Isn't he a chef? Does he know about this?"
As everyone wondered, Zhang Wei was the first to step into the pool, a wave of hot steam greeting him.
Zhang Wei urged, "What are you all waiting for? Come down!"
Just then, a school of small fish swam up from the bottom of the pool and began to nibble at Zhang Wei's legs.
Doctor fish!
A perfect species from the Healing Country, they loved to eat dead skin and grime, providing exfoliation effects comparable to a skin peel. Though they had no edible value, their therapeutic effects were quite impressive.
Furthermore, doctor fish possessed strong heat resistance, swimming freely even in 42-degree hot springs.
This was one of the support species brought by Sheng Taro, a selection of the most practical resurrected creatures from the Healing Country.
The price for this was Zhang Wei agreeing to loan funds from the Gourmet Bank to the Healing Country, with the first disbursement reaching a staggering 150 billion!
This was a loan between nations, and a substantial sum, equivalent to the GDP of the Northern Territories for ten years.
It was also the GDP of the Healing Country for 19 months.
Indeed, the healthcare industry was quite lucrative.
However, while this money sounded like a lot, to Zhang Wei, it was but a drop in the ocean. The Red Sugar Gargoyle alone could generate an additional 160 billion in assets daily.
After all, the effects of Crimson Sugar were even more potent than those of the Silver Apple.
In addition to superior energy, it possessed mild medicinal properties, treating gynecological ailments such as cold uterus, and could be used to make syrups for respiratory illnesses, as well as for treating external wounds... each with boundless medicinal effects!
The others entered the hot spring one by one. The water was crystal clear, with no impurities visible. Besides the doctor fish, other species were present.
Coal Boss whispered, "I never expected Mr. Zhang Wei to have private dealings with the Healing Country, and to have such good relations. He can even acquire these unique products from the Healing Country."
Another person said, "Perhaps this is a display of his social network? An alliance between a nascent organization and an established nation?"
"I don't think so. With Zhang Wei's current reputation, why would he need to show off? Being able to freely enter and exit the gourmet world is a testament to his strength in itself."
Coal Boss sighed, "However, with Zhang Wei's talent, how long will he remain in the human world..."
Whether they were gourmet hunters or chefs, once they possessed sufficient strength, their focus and energy would shift towards the gourmet world. Ordinary food in the human world would no longer satisfy them.
In terms of both nutritional requirements for sustenance and the satisfaction of their palates, the human world could no longer hold them.
For instance, after reaching level 100, consuming ordinary food daily would result in a pile as large as a small mountain, which even twenty to thirty chefs working simultaneously might struggle to fulfill.
But when switching to gourmet food, as the edible level increased, the nutritional density would also rise, typically by 5-15%.
Gourmet food of level 10 possessed more than four times the nutritional density of ordinary food.
For example, the Rainbow Fruit, with a capture level of 18, had an edible level close to 35 and its nutritional richness was 400 times that of ordinary food, not only in taste but also in compressed nutrition.
As everyone submerged themselves in the water, Zhang Wei scooped up a handful of water and asked, "Everyone, do you know why this water is so clear?"
Mr. Luo, Tian Zui's partner, sniffed and said, "Why do I smell sulfur and charcoal powder? And this water seems a bit light, not like normal water."
"This is thanks to Mr. Cang Ma," Zhang Wei said, raising a glass of wine and gesturing to Cang Ma, who was lounging comfortably in the pool.
Cang Ma waved dismissively, "I only brought some air water; the rest has nothing to do with me."
"Air water!" Mr. Luo repeated.
"That's right, air water!"
Air water is classified as a beverage with a capture level of 68, and it is extremely expensive.
It is said to originate from the pure spring water of Mount Quan, a peak over 10,000 meters above sea level. Although it poses no danger in terms of capture, its treacherous origin has given it an extraordinary capture level.
Its smooth texture upon entering the mouth is said to rank within the top 5 globally. It is swallowed as easily as air, providing unparalleled freshness.
Furthermore, as a cooking water for various culinary dishes, its extremely transparent and pure quality is treasured by top chefs worldwide.
Mr. Luo had heard of this wondrous spring water but had never had the opportunity to see it.
However, using such a precious culinary ingredient for bathing seemed like a terrible waste!
Mr. Luo couldn't help but object, "Even with your vast wealth, you shouldn't be so wasteful!"
Zhang Wei waved his hand, "You've misunderstood. This isn't air water I'm using, but the most ordinary Yuan Shui."
Yuan Shui!
This was also quite famous! However, Yuan Shui is known to be exceptionally heavy, causing even iron weights to float on it, whereas air water is classified as weak water, where goose feathers sink.
The difference in their properties was immense.
Zhang Wei explained, "Whether it's air water or Yuan Shui, they are essentially mutated forms of water, high density... low density..."
"Coincidentally, Yuan Shui, perhaps due to its heaviness, can expand ten times its volume under certain conditions, releasing this form. I thought, could it be possible to make Yuan Shui, after release, directly bypass the form of ordinary water and transform into the state of weak water!"
Holy cow!
What a magnificent concept!
Looking at the pool filled with weak water... there was no doubt, Zhang Wei had succeeded!
Yuan Shui is like a high-pressure deep well, and weak water is like low-pressure sky, right?
Zhang Wei said, "You all wanted to ask why the water is so clear, right? The key is this weak water!"
Zhang Wei vigorously rubbed off some grime from his body. With normal water, the grime would float, making the water murky.
However, here, the air water had very low density, causing the grime and other impurities to sink directly to the bottom.
The bottom of the pool was not made of tiles or other materials but was soft and muddy, feeling like stepping on sand at the beach.
"It's imitating the natural structure of a hot spring!"
"This soil is unusual; it feels gritty when I tread on it..."
"On the golden sand, there are also a large amount of black powder..."
Mr. Luo gasped, then asked, "Could it be sulfur stone?"
"You guessed correctly. It's sulfur stone mined from a volcano and then ground into fine sand."
In some public baths, enzymes, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sulfates are added to clarify the water and enhance the bathing experience.
The most effective of these are sodium bicarbonate and sulfur.
Natural sulfur is the most popular.
With this sulfur stone and other minerals forming the bottom of the pool, it could maximally imitate a genuine natural hot spring.
Truly high-class!
"And this dark, black stuff, is that charcoal?"
"Is it for removing stains..."
"Charcoal has water purification and filtration properties in the wild, and it can have a cleansing effect at the bottom of a hot spring!"
"I didn't expect Zhang Wei to have researched bathing culture!"
Zhang Wei shook his head, "I haven't. However, the Gourmet Collection Academy embraces all schools of thought, and four of our members are chefs from hot spring hotels. Thanks to their selfless contributions, they've taught me many little tricks."
In return, Zhang Wei has entered into deeper cooperation with them.
This includes ingredients, technology, and even financial injections with extremely low interest rates and long repayment periods.
Hot spring hotels...
To create a unique Gourmet Expo Park, Zhang Wei would even conjure a hot spring where there wasn't one.
Just then, bubbles began to rise from the center of the pool...
Gurgle...
Gurgle...
Suddenly, the water temperature rose slightly.
"Everyone, the main event is here. This is the masterpiece created by Mr. Cang Ma and me."
After the bubbles, the center of the pond began to bulge with water, like a spring!
The newly emerged water was very hot, but after dissolving into the entire pond, it did not cause a burning sensation.
A spring!
A heat source!
At the very center of the spring, on a thick stone pillar, a large, circular metal object rose from beneath the pool!
Could this be...
Everyone exclaimed, "A pot?"