Chapter 1143: Chapter 430: The Landscape and “Trump Card
“Mr. Zhou, everyone envies the bright and glamorous Magic City. For those doing business from elsewhere, if they have the means, they would do anything to get in here, but is it really that easy to establish oneself here?”
After the first round of exchanging toasts, Jian Zhuoran, sitting to the right of Zhou Wang, remarked with a wistful smile:
“I consider myself one of the first batch to dive into Magic City, starting from scratch and working my way up to where I am today. I’ve witnessed too many rises and falls, truly proving the saying right: at least on this battlefield without visible smoke, it’s truly a case of ‘one general’s success built on the bones of thousands…’
“I came to Magic City more than a decade ago. Maybe I don’t feel as deeply about it as Mr. Jian, but it’s similar. Mr. Jian describes it as a battlefield without smoke; to me, it’s just a grand stage…”
Of the five executives here, the only female, the mature and appropriately dressed President Shi, who was specially arranged to sit on Zhou Wang’s left, also smiled and said:
“Just like the ‘Nine-color Moutai’ on this table, it’s really a case of ‘when one finishes singing, the next takes the stage,’ quite wonderful indeed!”
The wine served at today’s banquet was still the reigning favorite among the nation, but now it had been turned into something novel.
Starting in 2015, the Moutai company gradually launched a series of colored Moutai, with eight different colors, which led to it initially being called “Eight-colored Moutai.” This wasn’t an official name but rather a gimmick created by collectors or wine merchants to market it.
Of course, one has to admit this made the otherwise ordinary Flying Moutai, when served at a banquet, bear better auspices, easily gaining favor with leaders or wealthy individuals.
After all, it signifies wealth coming from all directions!
And what Jian Zhuoran and others served Zhou Wang today wasn’t the Eight-colored Moutai—they added one more color, calling it “Nine-color Moutai.”
Its meaning was even more impressive.
After all, in the tradition of Huaxia people, nine represents the ultimate number, symbolizing longevity and completeness, with even emperors referred to as the “Ninety-five Supreme,” so the Nine-color Moutai naturally symbolizes ultimate blessings.
Blue bottles, white bottles, rose gold…
To put it in Zhou Wang’s words, it’s all just flashy nonsense, failing to pique much of his interest.
No matter how it’s packaged, it can’t hide the fact that what’s inside these bottles is just regular Flying Moutai, which hardly surprises Zhou Wang, whose tastes have become increasingly refined.
But you can’t really blame Zhou Wang for that. He’s not easily carried away by success; it’s just that after eating refined food for too long, facing regular coarse grain makes it hard to swallow.
Hmm… “Flying Moutai” has become coarse grain? That might be a bit cocky.
In any case, anyone who’s been through what Zhou Wang has would likely find their heart unmoved when facing these relatively common luxury items with a touch of mass appeal.
However, outwardly, Zhou Wang maintained the necessary courtesy. When others offered him a toast, he didn’t act coy or just “lip” the drink.
After all, Jian Zhuoran had thoughtfully prepared the smallest sip-sized cup for Zhou Wang. It’s impolite to say, but with such a cup, you could easily drink ten in a row without feeling much, while they themselves used regular three-liang cups. Zhou Wang couldn’t bear to skimp either.
The only thing Zhou Wang needed to manage was the pace of their toasting to avoid drinking too quickly and choking himself.
That’s simple enough…
When he didn’t want to drink, he would take a few bites of food to chew leisurely. Naturally, when Zhou Wang was eating, Jian Zhuoran and the others wouldn’t interrupt without being tactful. Only when Zhou Wang put down his chopsticks would they take the opportunity to pour out their prepared praises into their cups.
“Mr. Jian, I have something I’d like to ask you.”
After putting down his chopsticks and before Shi Tian could raise her glass, Zhou Wang wiped his mouth, took out a cigarette from the cigarette case, and asked.
“Mr. Zhou, there’s no need to be so formal. Asking for guidance is too much to bear. If there’s anything you’re uncertain about, anything that I, Jiang, know, I will certainly share without reservation!”
Jian Zhuoran quickly gestured and immediately reached out to light Zhou Wang’s cigarette.
There’s only ‘share without reservation,’ but not ‘say without restriction,’ so you see how these old foxes speak with caution, always leaving some leeway for themselves.
However, Zhou Wang just smiled without exposing it and turned to ask, “Mr. Jian, having been entrenched in Magic City for many years, I assume you’re quite familiar with the place. I’d like to ask, what is the general structure of the business world in Magic City now?”
This question really stumped Jian Zhuoran for a second. He said awkwardly, “Mr. Zhou, this topic is quite broad. I’m afraid it’s beyond me to give an answer…”
“No worries, just think of it as a casual chat. If Mr. Jian finds the topic a bit too broad, you could mention something specific,” Zhou Wang suggested with a smile. “For example, I’m curious, who is the top tycoon in Magic City? Is it really President Huang from Pinduoduo, as the internet says?”
“If we’re talking about this aspect, I do know a thing or two.” Jian Zhuoran breathed a sigh of relief and said with a laugh, “In Magic City, the most famous figures in the general public’s perception are, of course, those tycoons in the internet field. But if you delve deeper, in the business sector of Magic City, the ones who really make a difference aren’t them.”
(The author solemnly declares: The following is a parallel world structure, do not take it seriously. Any resemblance is purely intentional)
“Oh?” Zhou Wang asked, “Then who are they?”
“Those on the billionaire rankings, who truly knows the real extent of their wealth? I don’t think anyone would dare to make an uninformed claim, as no rich person would willingly reveal all their foundations.”