Chapter 133: The Man in Blue

Gou Ye had pondered these ideas for many days at home. He aimed to transplant modern business models—specifically chain stores and logistics systems—into this era. It was undeniably a bold vision, yet one that far exceeded the understanding and cognitive reach of everyone around him.

When Elder Xiao first heard Gou Ye’s proposal, he frowned. Despite his high regard for Gou Ye, these measures were far more significant than simply creating a "fried chicken" shop. This represented a fundamental restructuring of the entire merchant clan and a transformation of the commercial systems of the current era. If successful, it would be a monumental achievement for the ages, perhaps even worthy of history books. However, if handled carelessly, it could just as easily drive the entire merchant clan into an abyss of no return.

Elder Xiao gestured for Gou Ye to sit, then said, "Master Gou, what you speak of is truly unheard of to me. Systems, chain stores, logistics—I cannot fathom how you conceived of these terms. Your proposal is excellent, but the implications are immense. This is no longer just a matter of an election; it concerns the very future of the merchant clan. Allow me to deliberate with the other guild masters before giving you an answer. Let us set this plan aside for now and proceed slowly."

Seeing that even Elder Xiao had dismissed his proposal, Gou Ye found little more to say. This outcome delighted Lu Yuanheng, who laughed loudly, "Life is much like eating; one must not be overly ambitious yet incapable. Stick to what you can reach. If you try to grasp at everything, you will end up with nothing in your bowl. Isn't that right, everyone? Ha ha! Come, why is no one eating?"

No one echoed Lu Yuanheng’s sentiment, but the atmosphere grew slightly awkward. At his prodding, the room quickly became boisterous as people began to raise their glasses and drink. Observing this, Gou Ye offered a faint smile. He chose not to argue with Lu Yuanheng and simply sat there, eating his food in silence.

Perhaps because his proposal had been rejected by the clan, Gou Ye felt a lingering discomfort. Though he understood he might have been too eager or that his ideas were simply too advanced for them to accept, the sting of rejection was unavoidable. Coupled with Lu Yuanheng’s constant snide remarks, Gou Ye did not stay long. Citing other business, he left the merchant clan’s estate early.

Having neither drunk nor eaten his fill, Gou Ye sent his servant, Laifu, home first and wandered toward a tavern that looked inviting. Upon entering, he found the place bustling with noise and activity. He wondered to himself what sort of special day it might be to draw such a crowd.

After searching for a while and finding no empty tables, Gou Ye prepared to try another establishment. The waiter noticed and hurried over, "Are you looking for a seat, sir?"

Gou Ye nodded. "Yes, but it seems there are none. I’ll try another place next time."

The waiter replied, "Sir, we are on the outskirts of the capital. The next tavern is at least two or three miles away. We do have seats—please, just wait a moment."

With that, the waiter ran over to a young man dressed in green. The man was slightly startled, but after a brief exchange with the waiter and a glance at Gou Ye, he nodded.

The waiter returned, beaming. "Sir, I have found you a seat. That gentleman is also dining alone. I have spoken with him, and he is willing to share the table if you don't mind."

Gou Ye thought it over; it was just a meal and a drink, so the seating arrangement mattered little. Besides, the man in green appeared to be a kind person. He accepted the waiter’s suggestion with a smile.

Approaching the table, Gou Ye smiled slightly and said, "Pardon the intrusion." With that, he sat down.

The young man in green was looking around the room, his eyes filled with curiosity and delight. Seeing that the man did not initiate conversation, Gou Ye said nothing either. He ordered a pot of wine and a small dish, then began to observe the surroundings just as the other man was doing.

The man in green noticed this and asked, "Hey? Why are you copying me?"

"If you weren't watching me, how would you know I was copying you? Besides, how do you know we are looking at the same thing?" Gou Ye replied.

"I am looking at the liveliness of this tavern."

"I, too, am looking at the liveliness of this tavern."

After Gou Ye spoke, the man frowned and said, "You still say you aren't copying me? Aren't you doing exactly what I am?"

Gou Ye laughed heartily. "Do you think the 'liveliness' I see is the same as the 'liveliness' you see?"

Stumped by the question, the man was momentarily taken aback, unsure how to respond. Perhaps to ease the awkwardness, he suddenly asked, "Are you only ordering this one dish? How can you get full on so little?"

Gou Ye was amused by the novel question and replied, "I’m just out for a drink. Why order so much food? It’s better to save the space for more wine."

The man leaned in closer and whispered, "I suspect you don't have the money to eat, do you? It’s fine, you can eat my food. I ordered so much that I can’t finish it anyway."

Finding the man quite interesting, Gou Ye nodded and thanked him, accepting the offer. Soon, the table was covered in dishes—chicken, duck, fish, and meat. Looking at the spread, Gou Ye couldn't help but ask, "My friend, you are dining alone. Why order so much? Can you even finish it?"

The man looked at Gou Ye in surprise. "Finish it? Why would I need to finish it? I have always eaten like this at home."

Hearing this, Gou Ye realized he was likely the scion of a wealthy family; such a display of extravagance was no longer surprising. Gou Ye poured the man a glass of wine and said, "You treat me to the meal, and I will treat you to the wine. Cheers!"

The man seemed to be doing this for the first time; finding Gou Ye’s behavior quite intriguing, he mimicked Gou Ye and downed the wine in one gulp. The drink was apparently too strong, as it sent him into a fit of coughing that brought tears to his eyes.

Gou Ye laughed out loud. "Tell me, friend, is this your first time drinking?"

The man recovered, coughed a few more times, and replied, "Of course. My family is very strict. My... my father never allows us to drink."

Gou Ye chuckled, looking at the man with a sly smile. "I bet you snuck out of your house, didn't you?"

The man panicked, glanced around nervously, and whispered, "Keep your voice down! It’s been years, and this is the first time I’ve managed to get out. Please don't tell anyone; if I get caught, I’ll be in real trouble."