For Ethan, this was just the first step. His next goal was to present the new product to his father and, with it, gain the necessary approval to scale production.
"Move the jugs to the warehouse. Zhao Ren, take one and follow me, we're going to see my father," Ethan ordered with precision, ensuring that each action was executed according to plan.
During the distillation process, Ethan meticulously separated the fractions of the product. The heads, which contained volatile compounds, were stored for potential chemical applications and as a disinfectant. On the other hand, he decided to keep the heart, the purest and best-tasting fraction, intended for the business. He still didn't have a clear use for the tails, but he considered the possibility of selling them as a lower-quality liquor in the future. With each decision, he optimized resources and minimized waste.
Before entering his father's study, Ethan formally and calmly announced his presence.
"Father, it's me. May I enter?" he asked in a calm voice.
"Come in," his father replied after a few seconds, his tone tired.
Upon sliding the door open, Ethan found him seated behind his desk, looking exhausted and worried while reviewing a letter. A rare detail; according to his memories, his father rarely let his thoughts show.
"Father, is something wrong?" he asked cautiously.
His father sighed before answering.
"Some wine shipments sent to nearby cities have suffered incidents," he explained in a controlled tone.
After a brief pause, he continued, "A few days ago, a cargo convoy bound for Yongfeng City was attacked by bandits. All the goods were lost, and the hired guards and mercenaries were killed."
Ethan frowned. A convoy was a group of merchants who organized to travel together and reduce risks through shared security. The fact that an entire convoy had been annihilated was an anomaly. This wasn't just a simple robbery.
"Has the county taken any action?" Ethan asked, maintaining his logical approach. Under normal circumstances, the authorities should have intervened, investigating and eradicating those responsible to restore security to the trade routes.
"They've only said they'll investigate, but the situation is worrying. They haven't taken any real action, as if they want to ignore it. Even the Han family suffered losses and demanded answers, but received the same empty response," his father replied, frustrated.
Ethan couldn't help but show surprise. The Han family wasn't just any group of merchants; they were a family of cultivators with significant influence in the region. Their main business was mining, and they controlled a Black Iron mine, a mineral used in the manufacturing of weapons and spiritual artifacts due to its superior hardness.
If even a family with their influence couldn't get a response from the county, then the situation was more complicated than it seemed. The lack of action from the authorities could mean incompetence, corruption, or a larger-scale problem. Ethan understood that he would need more information before jumping to conclusions.
"Things have been tense lately," his father said, folding the letter with a heavy sigh. "There are rumors of a possible war to the east of the Yun Dynasty. For now, they're nothing more than whispers, but if they turn out to be true…"
Ethan felt a shiver run down his spine. Underground currents might be stirring.
"How reliable are these rumors?" he asked, his tone measured.
"Some merchants have mentioned that caravans from that region are transporting more weapons than goods. And now these attacks on our shipments… It might not be a coincidence."
Ethan narrowed his eyes, processing the information. If a war broke out, trade would become unstable, and security would be a scarce resource. He couldn't afford to get caught in the middle of a crisis without a plan.
"We need to accelerate our plans," Ethan thought to himself.
"By the way, what did you come to see me for?" His father broke the silence with a slightly more relaxed tone.
Ethan snapped out of his thoughts and signaled Zhao Ren, who had been waiting outside.
"Bring me the jug," he ordered calmly.
When Zhao Ren returned with the container, Ethan opened it with precision.
"I want to show you the new product I developed," he announced, with a calculating gleam in his eyes.
His father raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected his son to achieve results so quickly. Any change in wine production was a risk, especially when trying to innovate.
As soon as the seal was removed, a powerful, intense aroma flooded the room. It wasn't the soft, fruity scent of traditional rice wine, but a robust fragrance.
Ethan took a ceramic cup and poured the transparent liquid with precision. His father, without taking his eyes off it, took the cup and examined it with an expert eye. The clarity of the liquor was flawless, with no impurities.
With a slight flick of his wrist, he brought the drink to his lips and took a sip. Instantly, a scorching heat descended his throat like a river of fire, expanding through his chest and limbs. It wasn't just alcohol... it was a spark that ignited the senses, as if the blood itself were burning.
"Wonderful!" his father exclaimed, feeling how the liquor dispelled the accumulated fatigue. "This isn't just a drink, this is a wine worthy of warriors and emperors. This is how a man should drink!"
Ethan watched his father with satisfaction, a faint smile forming at the corner of his lips. The plan had been 80% successful. Only the sale remained.
"This is rice liquor," he explained in a measured tone. "I obtained it through a process called distillation. Essentially, it involves separating the purest essence from the wine through heat, concentrating its flavor and potency. It can no longer be considered wine, but a completely different liquor."
His father nodded slowly, understanding the idea. He looked at the cup in his hand with a thoughtful expression.
"Uhh... I understand the general idea," he murmured, before taking another sip. "This liquor can be sold for a much higher price than wine. How do you plan to market it?"
Ethan narrowed his eyes, his mind already calculating the next steps.
"We can start by offering this liquor as a luxury product. Nobles and wealthy merchants will always be willing to pay for exclusive goods. But that's just the first step."
Ethan paused briefly, organizing his thoughts before continuing.
"I plan to increase production, but for that, I'll need more capital. Part of the profits and initial capital will be allocated to protection. After all, carrying a treasure without the strength to safeguard it only invites the greed of others. If the external situation continues to deteriorate, we can't rely on the county to ensure our security. We need loyal guards and a more secure transport system."
His father drummed his fingers on the table, evaluating each word.
"In the medium term, we can also diversify," Ethan continued. "The distillation process not only creates this liquor I showed you, but also a lower-quality version. We could use that to supply taverns, selling it at a more accessible price and expanding the market without wasting anything."
His father let out a slight laugh.
"It seems you've already thought it through."
Ethan held his gaze seriously.
"We can't afford to depend on others. If the world becomes chaotic, those who aren't prepared will be the first to fall."
There was a long silence. His father observed him carefully. Finally, he exhaled slowly and nodded.
"Alright. We'll do it your way." His eyes narrowed with a mix of pride and reflection. "I'm getting old... From now on, the business is yours. If something goes wrong, let me know."
Then, he reclined with a satisfied expression and drank another cup of liquor with delight.
Ethan stood frozen for a moment, surprised. He hadn't expected his father to hand over the reins of the family business so soon. However, this was an invaluable opportunity. With authority over the business, expansion would be much easier.
"Thank you, Father. I promise I'll make the family business grow," Ethan declared with determination.
"Hahaha, then the future depends on you," his father let out a satisfied laugh.
As Ethan exited his father's study, his expression was one of resolve. With control of the family business, his plans could now accelerate. The conversation with his father had not only given him authority but also a peculiar sense of urgency.
He didn't believe in coincidences. The recent attacks, the increased arms traffic in the east of the Yun Dynasty, and the county's lack of response formed a troubling pattern. Someone was pulling the strings in the shadows. For Ethan, this was not just a warning—it was a reminder: security was an illusion if you didn't have control over it.
He turned to Zhao Ren, who followed him in silence.
"Zhao Ren, gather information on the guards working for the family. I want a detailed report of their history, origin, and any suspicious loyalties."
If he planned to expand his operations and recruit more men, the first thing was to eliminate internal problems. Most of the guards had served the family for years, but that didn't mean they were unbreakable. Greed, desperation, or fear could turn anyone into a traitor.
"Understood, Young Master." Zhao Ren bowed seriously before leaving.
Ethan remained in the courtyard, gazing at the sky darkened by clouds. His thoughts were cold and calculating.
A single thought triggered AION.
[Analysis: The current security structure lacks the ability to respond to external threats. There are no efficient internal control mechanisms.]
Ethan closed his eyes for a moment. He knew this. The current guards were just a temporary barrier—men hired for money without a real reason to risk their lives for the family. Loyalty wasn't something you bought with coins; it had to be built.
[Possible solution: Creation of an incentive system based on rewards and penalties.]
The idea lingered in his mind. If he wanted a stable structure, he needed to build a chain of command, something that could scale over time.
Rewards, discipline, fear.
If wealth attracted greed, then he had to use it to his advantage. It wasn't enough to just pay wages; he had to establish a system that made his men feel that ascending was the only acceptable path and failure was unthinkable.
"AION, record the concept."
[New entry: Militarized Merit System.]
Ethan reflected as he walked slowly through the courtyard. It had to be simple at first, but scalable.
"Point allocation based on contributions. Merits for service, loyalty, combat achievements, or valuable information. Points are exchanged for better conditions: higher salary, equipment, authority."
AION responded in its impersonal tone.
[Record updated.]
"But incentives alone aren't enough. Incompetence and betrayal must come at a steep price," Ethan continued.
Fear and ambition, two forces that drove humans.
Ethan felt the plan starting to take shape. This system wouldn't only serve the guards. Eventually, his entire structure would follow. A world of cultivators respected power, and power had to be managed with precision.
[Concept established.]
"First, I need suitable candidates."
Ethan opened his eyes. The cold evening wind rustled his tunic, but his determination remained unwavering.
"Everything starts by securing the foundation."
He knew this system would be the backbone of his future army.