Chapter 105: Drunken Immortal Valley

Early the next morning, Duke Le Yin arrived promptly to meet Zhu Buhuo. Each brought their own attendants and guards, totaling over thirty people, and set off for Baixi Village.

All were practitioners, traveling swiftly, so it wasn’t long before they reached Baixi Village. They paid respects to the elder clan chief and explained their purpose. The elder, delighted to receive a recommendation from the Yang family, summoned the villagers to prepare a hearty meal in warm hospitality. Over recent months, the villagers had maintained close ties with the Yang family, growing familiar and prospering, feeling deeply grateful to the young master of the Yang family.

After dining and a brief chat, the elder arranged about a dozen experienced hunters familiar with the mountain paths to serve as guides for Duke Le Yin’s party.

The farther they traveled from the city-state, the wilder the land became, with faint cries of beasts echoing in the distance. Fortunately, the group was large and included experts like Duan Zhiwu, so they were undeterred. After more than ten miles, they reached a gorge whose entrance was several dozen zhang wide, wide enough for four or five horse-drawn carts to travel side by side. The interior was hidden from view.

Overgrown with weeds and possibly inhabited by monsters, they proceeded cautiously. They encountered wild animals and pythons, which could not harm Duan Zhiwu and the others but were actively driven away by the Baixi hunters.

Once inside the valley, the landscape suddenly opened up: sheer cliffs on both sides and a broad, flat plain in the center.

The party found a vantage point to survey the scene. The valley was shaped like a gourd, encircled by high mountains, with a basin roughly ten miles long and wide, stretching beyond sight. Several waterfalls cascaded down the cliffs, forming a river several zhang wide that meandered through the valley. There were also several serene, sapphire-blue lakes, like jewels scattered across the landscape.

Zhu Buhuo noticed the rampant weeds and occasional wild beasts, feeling disheartened by the raw wilderness and lurking dangers.

But Duke Le Yin studied the surroundings carefully for a long while, stroked his beard, and laughed heartily. Zhu Buhuo asked what amused him.

Le Yin said, “This is a treasure land. Look at this gorge — so spacious inside, it has everything we need. It’s perfect for settlement. It’s also an ideal site for a distillery. We can source construction materials locally. Once we build a proper road, raw materials for brewing can be transported here from the city in three or four hours. The valley is near the main road, so finished products can be shipped directly onto official routes to other city-states without returning to Wuzhou City.”

Zhu sighed, “The problem is, this place is too wild. Starting a business here will be tough.”

Le Yin chuckled, “If managed well, within a few decades, we could build a small city of over a hundred thousand people. The location is easy to defend but hard to attack. Even in times of chaos, we could live peacefully here — truly a utopian land. Free from overseers, how delightful! On a larger scale, we could grow our power here without restraint, protecting our family like a small kingdom.”

Hearing this, Zhu Buhuo’s worries turned to joy. “Excellent! The world is vast, and here we can live freely, no longer bothered by petty troubles. Ha ha!”

The two laughed heartily, gazing ahead, a surge of entrepreneurial zeal rising within them.

They ventured deeper, mapping the terrain, choosing a site for initial development, then returned.

Late at night, at the Yang residence in Nanqiu.

Yang Shule and two others gathered to discuss the details. Yang Cheng looked at the map and said, “As you said, this place is excellent. Our original intention was just to establish a distillery; it doesn’t matter if it’s inside the city or not. Since we have such a treasure, we should plan carefully. ‘A cunning rabbit has three burrows’ — when things progress well, I could build a residence here as a contingency.”

Old Zhu and Duke Le Yin exchanged a smile. “We had similar thoughts. This wild place is unnoticed. From now on, it belongs to us. How about we give it a name?”

Le Yin pondered briefly and said, “This place feels like a utopia. When I entered, I imagined living here in seclusion, indulging in nature. Let’s call it ‘Wangyou Valley’ — the Valley of Forgetting Worries.”

Yang Cheng said, “Le Yin’s name is poetic, but the valley’s wide terrain inspires more. Besides the distillery, we could develop other industries like theme parks and tourism. Although ‘Wangyou Valley’ sounds lovely, it doesn’t fit other industries. Since we aim to create the largest liquor production in Liuyun Country, I suggest ‘Zui Xian Valley’ — the Drunken Immortal Valley. The name will be memorable, making it a sacred place for merchants and connoisseurs, attracting visitors annually and generating significant income to support residents.”

Le Yin agreed. “Very good. I also thought that relying only on farming wouldn’t sustain settlers here. No one wants to live in a remote gorge. With commerce, people will be drawn to profit and eventually settle down.”

Zhu Buhuo was curious. “What is a theme park? I understand tourism literally but don’t know how to develop it.” Le Yin nodded, sharing the confusion.

Yang Cheng smiled mysteriously. “That depends on the liquor industry driving ancillary businesses. When the distillery grows and employs many workers, we provide conveniences so their families can live here too. We can create a comprehensive entertainment complex offering food, drink, and recreation, giving workers income and ensuring they settle comfortably.”

“When Zui Xian Valley becomes famous, we could build a wine-themed park and hold a half-month wine-tasting festival annually. It would offer various amusements, attracting sellers and enthusiasts from across the land for several days. This will boost liquor sales and local commerce. We can also create beautiful scenery and entertainment suitable for all ages, attracting visitors from Wuzhou City for leisure and lodging. All this money will be spent in Zui Xian Valley,” Yang Cheng said with a mischievous grin.

Zhu clapped his hands, exclaiming, “Brilliant! I was worried about how barren this place is and the massive investment needed, but with this plan, the funds won’t just come from us—others will unknowingly contribute, speeding development immensely.”

Le Yin stroked his beard approvingly. “Indeed marvelous. Then the name shall be ‘Zui Xian Valley’.”

Yang Cheng added, “The valley is gourd-shaped. The inner part will develop industry, while a smaller area will be our private land. Once funds permit, we can establish a militia for Zui Xian Valley, protecting it in times of need.”

Le Yin nodded, “I had the same thought.”

Though they were wealthy merchants, they knew the world valued strength. If anyone coveted Zui Xian Valley and tried to seize it, all their hard work would be lost.

After further discussion, they pooled fifty thousand coins. Zhu Buhuo would oversee construction, hiring five hundred workers to start building. Le Yin would prepare and procure all necessary materials.

Before accommodations were built, they would use Baixi Village for lodging and meals, which was convenient. Le Yin’s ceramics business could relocate some staff here, offsetting costs and easing the transport of wine vessels.

Yang Cheng assigned fifty guards, adding to Old Zhu’s thirty, to escort people and supplies and to garrison the site.

Additionally, they would pay one hundred thousand spirit coins to a reputable mercenary company to clear beasts and monsters within ten miles of Zui Xian Valley, since none of the three had the strength to do so themselves.

Having finalized their plans, Yang Cheng said, “The academy’s students will soon have a break. I have selected sixty bright students for internships: twenty in my business, and forty under your care. The younger ones will observe, while the older will participate in business and construction to gain experience.”

Zhu asked, “What do you mean by ‘internship’?”

Yang Cheng explained, “I want to cultivate talent. When the business expands, we’ll need managers. Selecting perceptive students to train now may yield capable leaders later. Zui Xian Valley will have many industries; ordinary people lack vision and cannot manage independently. True talent must be nurtured from youth to aid development.”

Le Yin sighed, “Brother Yang, your wisdom and foresight surpass mine.”

Zhu pondered and said, “Your idea is excellent. I suggest establishing a ‘School of Commerce’ at the academy. The children of the Le family and I will send ours there too.”

Yang Cheng agreed, “Good. Next spring we’ll set it up. In a few days, have them report to you. Ensure their safety so their parents won’t worry.”

The two nodded in agreement. After further discussion, they took their leave.