Inside another bunker.
Gang Nan took out an exquisite, plump bottle.
"This is twenty-year-old Crystal Cola, have a taste."
*Dong~*
The cork was pulled out.
The quality of this cola was no less than that of top-tier red wine.
Poured into a stemmed glass, a cool aroma wafted forward, and a large amount of foam made a rustling sound...
Zhang Wei took it and took a shallow sip.
"This refreshing sensation... it's nothing like cola, even the highest quality champagne can't compare."
Tie Nan chuckled, "Of course. It's made from the fruit of the Crystal Tree, each bottle a rare work of art."
The Crystal Tree, strictly speaking, was a type of stone.
It grew only an inch every thousand years, and transplanting and cultivation were extremely difficult.
According to the original work, only the mellow cola within the Gourmet Pyramid was far superior to it.
Zhang Wei said, "You're using such a precious treasure for our first meeting? I'm flattered."
"Given your status, I believe this level of courtesy is merely standard."
"Alright, if you have something to ask of me, just say it."
"Nothing much. I feel honored to be able to collaborate with the King of Northern Chefs."
Gang Nan stood up and pointed at a photo on the wall, "In fact, the Barbecue Castle should have been mine!"
"Since childhood, I've been the heir to the Wolf Butcher. In terms of martial prowess, management, strategy, leadership, and even strategic vision, I far surpass my uncle. If you're willing, I can find a way to handle the market share issue."
"I haven't even told you what the Gourmet Bank is yet."
"That's not important."
"What is important?"
Gang Nan said word by word, "Your cooperation, that's the most important!"
Gang Nan was not as careless as he appeared. On the contrary, his words were flawless.
They were filled with hidden details and implications.
Even if Zhang Wei refused, these words would pose no problem.
Zhang Wei chuckled, "Gang Nan, it's not that I look down on you, but the Wolf Valley Vanguards follow the Wolf Butcher's lead. How much authority do you really have?"
"That was before."
"Since my uncle went to the battlefield, the military strength of the Barbecue Castle has been weak, and the troops protecting the citizens have been severely insufficient. For the safety of the hunters, the Wolf Valley Vanguards have been significantly expanded."
"And my uncle returned seriously wounded, with his personal guards decimated. He should require a long period of recovery. I believe it's not advisable for him to handle Wolf Valley affairs for some time."
This was still an impeccable speech.
Although his wolfish ambition was evident, masked by feigned sorrow, the underlying meaning was quite clear.
Zhang Wei pondered for a long time...
"Then, what's the price?"
"I should at least do something, shouldn't I?"
Gang Nan said, "To be precise, you don't need to do anything. You just need to return to Mo City and wait for news."
Return to Mo City...
"Why Mo City?"
"A slip of the tongue. It doesn't have to be Mo City. As long as you do nothing and leave Wolf Valley to wait for news."
Leave Wolf Valley.
Meaning, don't treat the Wolf Butcher.
It seemed that this Gang Nan was planning something big.
Seeing Zhang Wei's silence, Gang Nan smiled, "So, Mr. Zhang Wei, what are you thinking about now?"
"Oh, nothing."
"I'm thinking about what the Wolf Butcher should eat to recover quickly."
*Crack~*
The crystal wine glass was crushed.
Gang Nan stood up and said with a smile, "I'm very happy that Mr. Zhang Wei is so concerned about my uncle's health."
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
Zhang Wei stood up.
He turned and walked towards the door.
"Mr. Zhang Wei."
"Speak."
"The future of Wolf Valley will ultimately be mine. Don't you think long-term?"
"How long is this future?"
"Who knows? But I hope Mr. Zhang Wei won't underestimate me. Even now, I can still decide most matters in Wolf Valley."
Zhang Wei pondered for a moment and said, "As I said, business is business, and friendship is friendship. After I finish attending to important matters like friendship, I'll have time to consider business."
With that.
Zhang Wei turned and left.
Looking at the spacious skinning courtyard, Zhang Wei sighed helplessly, "Wolf Butcher, I... I've sacrificed too much for you."
Rarely, Zhang Wei let out a vulgar word.
Having offended the future leader of Wolf Valley, he would have trouble ahead.
...
The battle in Yun Country.
Although it brought considerable profit to Wolf Valley, the Wolf Butcher lost all his elite forces, and his control over Wolf Valley plummeted.
Most importantly, the Wolf Butcher returned severely injured. Facing Gang Nan's encroachment on his power, the Wolf Butcher was completely unable to resist.
A bowl of medicinal soup was simmered.
As it solidified, the aroma filled the entire skinning courtyard.
"With my current condition, I can only roughly estimate the efficacy... I hope that based on past experience and intuition, I can maintain sufficient effect."
Seeing countless people looking sideways, and hearing the sound of throats bobbing and swallowing, Zhang Wei knew the soup was made quite well.
In addition, Zhang Wei had prepared a mysterious dish, but he didn't know if it was ready.
"Mr. Zhang Wei, could you come here for a moment!"
"Something wrong?"
The胖将领 (fat general) rushed over, smiling, "The gift from the Wolf Butcher has arrived for you."
"Please wait a moment, I need to deliver this soup to the Wolf Butcher."
"This... you should hurry. After the Jellyfish Deer is slaughtered, its meat will decay and spoil very quickly..."
Jellyfish Deer!
It was one of the ten top-tier meats of Wolf Valley!
This pot of medicinal soup had already finished simmering and required no further preparation.
"Alright... then let's hurry."
...
The胖将领 led the way.
The group passed through a long corridor and directly to the underground slaughterhouse.
It was equipped with all the necessary tools, as well as Wolf Valley's largest underground ice cellar, to preserve the meat to the greatest extent.
The ice here was painstakingly transported from the Ice Hell Plains.
Ordinary low-temperature freezing would severely damage the meat's cellular structure, greatly reducing its flavor after thawing. Moreover, low-temperature freezing could not prevent spoilage; at minus forty degrees Celsius, meat would become completely dry and withered in about seven years.
The ice blocks from the Ice Hell Plains had a unique charm. Made from special snowmelt, these ice blocks could preserve the flavor to the maximum extent, remaining bright and fresh for decades.
In the original work, the ingredients in the Gourmet Display Window had been preserved for hundreds or even thousands of years.
"Mr. Zhang Wei, we've arrived."
Following the direction pointed by the胖将领, several butchers were about to cut open the Jellyfish Deer's throat with their knives.
"Stop!"
Zhang Wei quickly shouted!
Just a little more, and it would have been a great waste.
The butchers said, "What? Is there a problem?"
"If the Jellyfish Deer is frightened, it will die within 12 hours and melt into a lower-grade juice. We must proceed."
"No, let me do it."
One butcher said unhappily, "Chef Zhang, although you are of noble status, do not question our professional ability."
"We are the most skilled butchers in the Barbecue Castle, and our skills have been passed down through generations. We process even precious Jellyfish Deer several times a year, so we are very experienced!"