Douluo's Gourd

Chapter 666 Cooperation

The caravan's purpose in this trip was to cooperate with the local chamber of commerce, strengthen ties with various tribes in the far north, and form a mutually beneficial community of interests.

But business matters had little to do with Wang Xiaofeng; he was just someone who hitched a ride on someone else's coattails.

The caravan's heavy wheels rolled over the frozen earth and finally came to a stop under the wooden eaves of the "Birch Tree" Inn.

With over twenty trucks, nearly a hundred mules and horses, and guards who were weary from their journey but had sharp eyes, this caravan was enough to support the hotel for at least half a month.

The sleepiness on the hotel owner's fat face vanished instantly, and he started yelling at the waiter beside him, turning the quiet hotel into a bustling place in a very short time.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, two figures did not rush into the warm embrace of the hotel with the majority of the team members.

Wang Xiaofeng tightened his dark blue travel cloak, which was trimmed with silver wolf fur, and the snowflakes falling from the sky slid to the side, as if there was an invisible wall separating him from the snow.

Nydia, rubbing her sleepy eyes, leaned most of her weight against him from behind. "Where are we going?"

Wang Xiaofeng said, "Go find that guy Oscar. Teacher Shao Xin specifically entrusted me to 'check' whether his lazy disciple has been cultivating properly these past two years."

“Oscar?” Nydia thought for a moment. “That sissy from your team?”

Wang Xiaofeng was both amused and exasperated. "Sissy"... that's a really harsh comment. Oscar would definitely cry if he heard it.

The two strolled hand in hand, eating and shopping, until they reached the location of the Wanwei Chamber of Commerce after crossing the central square, which was covered in ice.

A super shopping mall spanning tens of thousands of square meters was bustling with people.

After showing the token given to them by Victor, the receptionist at the door immediately led them into the building.

In stark contrast to the bitter cold outside, it was warm as spring inside, with a faint scent of some expensive spice blend floating in the air.

The first floor is filled with all kinds of shops, selling everything from weapons and clothing to medicinal herbs.

The second floor is a huge exhibition hall, where an auction is currently being held.

The two were led into one of the private rooms by a waiter.

The private room wasn't large, about 30 square meters, with one of its huge one-way windows facing the exhibition stand below.

Victor was sitting on the middle sofa with his legs crossed. The blond youth next to him was saying something ingratiatingly, but Victor's expression was calm as he looked at the auction items below.

Two years had passed, and Viktor's appearance hadn't changed much, except that he now exuded an imposing and authoritative aura.

Upon seeing Wang Xiaofeng walk in, he immediately smiled and strode forward to greet him.

"Long time no see! What brings such a busy person like you to my place?"

Viktor opened his arms enthusiastically, wanting to give him a hug, but when he saw Wang Xiaofeng holding large and small cups of fruit tea in his hands, he bowed without any embarrassment, smoothly transitioning into an elegant aristocratic manner.

The blond young man, with great tact, took his leave.

After exchanging pleasantries, everyone took their seats, and the waiter served steaming hot spirits with honey and spices.

Wang Xiaofeng didn't waste any time with pleasantries and went straight to the point: "I came to the far north specifically to discuss cooperation with you."

Viktor leaned forward slightly, his expression serious.

Wang Xiaofeng took out a carefully sealed roll of parchment from his soul tool and held it out to Victor.

"I have optimized several of the most commonly used medicine formulas on the market: hemostatic powder, bruise plaster, anti-inflammatory powder... The effect can be improved by at least 30%, while the cost can be reduced by nearly 50%."

Viktor paused almost imperceptibly, his gaze fixed intently on the parchment.

As a businessman who had been in the medicinal herb wholesale market for many years, he knew all too well what this meant.

Huge market, disruptive profits.

He wasn't unaware of the hidden dangers behind it all; it was a huge profit that would tempt even a Title Douluo.

If he accepts this roll of parchment, who knows, tomorrow he might be found with eight stab wounds to his back at home, diagnosed as a suicide, and his entire family might die tragically.

But this may be his only chance in his life to rise from the merchant class to the hereditary nobility.

Viktor's eyes shifted from greed to fear, and finally to determination as he reached out and took the parchment.

The parchment was unfolded, covered with densely written text, recording experimental comparison data between the new and traditional drugs.

The complex data was incomprehensible, but the conclusions were still understandable. After reviewing it, Victor nodded and asked, "How do we cooperate?"

Wang Xiaofeng pointed to several specially marked material names on the parchment, "The optimized formula has replaced the main ingredients and several key auxiliary ingredients with medicinal herbs that can only grow well in the far north tundra."

Victor immediately understood, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table: "You need a stable, large supply of raw materials."

He looked at the medicinal herbs mentioned above again. They were all herbs that were not commonly used. "The local hunters and a few herbalists do collect these herbs, but the quantity is scattered and the quality is inconsistent. They do not meet the requirements for large-scale production at all."

“That’s why I came to find you.” Wang Xiaofeng snapped his fingers lightly. “Your family is in the medicinal herb business and has been operating in the far north for a century. No one can match your channels and connections.”

"We will collaborate to establish standardized plantations and systematically cultivate these herbs. We will be responsible for the technology, seeds, and initial investment, while the land, manpower, local coordination and management, and primary processing of the herbs will depend on your efforts."

Victor leaned back on the soft sofa, closing his eyes in thought.

The pharmaceutical industry is a very special one. It's not just about business. After you grow big and strong, the wealth you reap is only a small part. What's more important is the network and relationships you build.

Of course, the risks are equally enormous: unfamiliar crop cultivation, climate challenges, and huge upfront investments of capital and manpower...

Victor finally let out a long breath, his eyes flashing with the caution and fervor characteristic of a businessman.

At this moment, his identity had changed from friend to businessman.

"Show me your detailed plan and those samples; we need to have a serious talk."

"Follow-up negotiations are not my responsibility."

Wang Xiaofeng's casual remark abruptly halted the tense and oppressive atmosphere in the room.

He patted his pants and smiled at Viktor, whose expression had instantly become incredibly interesting: "I'm not good at, and I'm too lazy to deal with, the specifics of how to plant, how much to invest, and how to split the profits. Old Viktor, you can discuss it with my men slowly."

Viktor opened his mouth, looking at Wang Xiaofeng's relaxed expression that seemed to say, "This matter is settled," and the veins on his forehead throbbed slightly.

The massive plan, which involved an initial investment of at least a million gold coins and could potentially generate hundreds of millions in profits, was described by Wang Xiaofeng as a trivial matter.

This is what they call coming to the far north specifically to discuss cooperation with him.

It hasn't even been half an hour since we met. Is this person really interested in the collaboration?

A sense of absurdity rose from the depths of Viktor's heart.

He suddenly realized that he might never have truly understood this friend who always wore a gentle smile.

Nine months later, I'm sure I'll be able to finish this book this time (serious face).