Chapter Thirty-Six: Better to Resolve Enmity Than to Foster It

This was the main entrance of the Zhao Family Winery, and behind Zhao He stood a dozen or so burly workers. Normally, these men were responsible for the heavy labor around the winery, but whenever the master needed something done, they were more than willing to roll up their sleeves for other tasks as well—such as helping the master vent his anger.

Now, the person making Zhao He so furious was standing right in front of them, and if it came to blows, all it would take was a single word.

Gu Jun quietly warned Jiang Chen, “I told you it was a bad idea to come here.”

Jiang Chen was unconcerned. He called out directly to Zhao He, “Zhao He, after all our public and private skirmishes, isn’t it about time we settled things? I’m here with sincerity today. Would you like to hear what I have to say?”

Suppressing his rage, Zhao He retorted, “You came all this way just to see me make a fool of myself! And now you expect me to believe your nonsense? You’re truly malicious!”

“Do you believe that, with just one command from me, I could have these men beat you so badly you wouldn’t get out of bed for three months—no, for a whole year?”

The steward snickered, “Master, you’re too kind. If it were up to me, I’d have his legs broken. Let’s see if he dares act arrogant then.”

Jiang Chen’s expression remained calm. He asked Zhao He, “Even if you take your anger out on me, will that turn the swill you call wine into nectar and honey?”

“You—!”

Jiang Chen had struck right at the heart of Zhao He’s troubles, exposing a wound that had never healed. In truth, Zhao He had run out of options. The men behind him, eager as they were, grew dispirited when Zhao He hesitated; the wine problem was indeed a tough one. Their master, so dominant in the marketplace, might just be outmaneuvered by this upstart.

“What do you want?” Zhao He demanded, his tone less forceful than before. “You’d better speak plainly, or I’ll make you pay dearly.”

Jiang Chen offered him a choice, straightforward and unruffled. “I can help you get rid of those 1,353 barrels of worthless wine. That way, at least you won’t lose everything.”

Zhao He’s eyes brightened, but suspicion quickly followed. “Wait, why would you want to help me? You’re a sly one, and I’m sure you’ve set another trap for me.”

Jiang Chen shook his head with a sigh. “Is that really how you see me? It seems you’d rather handle this yourself. Perhaps I’m just meddling.”

“We’re leaving,” Jiang Chen said to Gu Jun, and the two of them made as if to go. Zhao He was torn, unable to believe Jiang Chen’s good intentions yet unwilling to let him leave just like that. As he hesitated, Jiang Chen handed him something.

“What’s this?” Zhao He instinctively caught the crumpled piece of paper Jiang Chen tossed him. It was a recipe for brewing wine, but unlike the previous one, this formula was filled with valuable medicinal herbs.

“If you follow this recipe, you can turn that swill into medicinal wine. But you need to act quickly—once the wine settles, not even the gods can save it.”

Zhao He scrutinized the recipe, unable to find any hidden tricks. His only question was why Jiang Chen would help him.

“What’s your game?” he demanded.

“Just a token of sincerity,” Jiang Chen replied. “After all, enemies should be reconciled, not deepened.”

With those words, Jiang Chen and Gu Jun strode away, leaving Zhao He and his men standing there, conflicted.

On the way back, Gu Jun couldn’t help but ask, “Why did you give Zhao He the solution? Won’t this let him recover? Once he’s out of trouble, he’ll come after us with even more vigor.”

“I know,” Jiang Chen replied.

“Let’s just wait and see, then.”

Jiang Chen’s composure reassured Gu Jun. He always tackled problems in unexpected ways, yet managed to resolve even the toughest situations with a smile.

The next day, an astonishing scene unfolded. Zhao He arrived at Jiang Chen’s house at dawn, leading a large entourage—not to start trouble, but instead bearing baskets of fruit and gifts.

Wu Yue and Wu Qingshan were nervous at first, but when they saw Zhao He’s ingratiating smile, they were left bewildered.

“What’s going on? Is Jiang Chen not home?” the steward asked Wu Qingshan.

“He’s probably still asleep,” Wu Qingshan replied.

“Master, it’s been half an hour already. Are we just going to keep waiting here?”

The steward, embarrassed by Jiang Chen’s delay in opening the door, turned to Zhao He for instructions. As the richest man in Shanguan Town, Zhao He had never suffered such humiliation—waiting humbly at someone else’s doorstep for this long.

Yet today, Zhao He was unusually persistent. He said stonily, “Everyone stay quiet and wait. We’ll wait until Jiang Chen opens the door.”

The steward was baffled. “Master, why don’t we just take the door off its hinges? Wouldn’t that be simpler?”

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Zhao He slapped the steward across the face. Just then, Jiang Chen finally opened the door, bleary-eyed from sleep.

“Oh? What’s this? Zhao He, what brings you here?” Jiang Chen asked, feigning ignorance.

In truth, after Jiang Chen gave him the recipe yesterday, Zhao He had immediately rushed to the city in search of the rare ingredients it required, only to discover that not a single one could be found in the small town of Shanguan. At that moment, Zhao He realized Jiang Chen’s true intent—he had calculated precisely that these rare medicinal herbs were unavailable locally. Even with the recipe, Zhao He could only stew in frustration.

Faced with reality, Zhao He had no choice but to swallow his pride and come to Jiang Chen. He knew Jiang Chen must have a solution.

“Brother Jiang, you said yesterday that it’s better to make peace than enemies. I’ve brought you some small gifts today—how about we shake hands and make up?”

Wu Yue was completely at a loss. The once domineering Zhao He had suddenly become so approachable and humble.

“It looks like you were quite busy yesterday, Zhao He. But I seem to have forgotten to mention—those rare medicinal herbs can’t be found in this town.”

“Yes, yes, exactly! So please, Brother Jiang, give me a hand. Whatever conditions you set, just name them.”

Zhao He looked at Jiang Chen, inwardly seething. For the first time, he found himself completely at another’s mercy. All he could do was curry favor with Jiang Chen, hoping to escape his predicament first and worry about the rest later.

Jiang Chen smiled and said, “There’s always a way. As for my condition, it’s quite simple—just host twenty banquet tables at Drunken Immortal House and invite the entire town to a feast.”