Border Soldiers: My granaries are full of grain and meat, and I guard this region.

Qi Feng returned to the restaurant and told Ye Zhiwan and Ye Lingshuang the news.

Both women were a little nervous after learning about Ma Shuo's news.

"If Huang Dingyuan really does something underhanded behind the scenes, what if...?"

Ye Ling Shuang didn't continue speaking, her eyes filled with uncontrollable worry.

Qi Feng said in a deep voice, "Ma Shuo is doomed; it's already the end. Zhong Shao investigated the military supplies and equipment of Duma Village and found that there were many shady dealings involved. Ma Shuo, a mere village head of Duma Village, would never have the audacity to sell the military supplies and equipment of eight hundred men to other places. There may be a huge chain of interests hidden behind this, perhaps related to Huang Dingyuan."

"If that's the case, then Huang Dingyuan would rather Ma Shuo die, so we can get anything out of him. Of course, this is just my speculation. But for now, with Zhong Shao handling this, things shouldn't go wrong. What we need to do now is increase the production of Qi wine."

After saying that, Qi Feng told Ye Ling Shuang and Ye Zhi Wan about the Zhong family's plan to cooperate with him.

The two women were somewhat shocked when they learned that the Zhong family wanted to cooperate with them.

Ye Zhiwan couldn't help but cheer.

"The Zhong family is a top-tier wealthy family in Shuofeng County. If even they want to cooperate with us, then Qijiu will surely make a name for itself sooner or later!"

Qi Feng nodded: "That's true, but if the Zhong family opens a shop in Linzhao City, our current production capacity simply won't be able to keep up. The most urgent task is to find a way to increase Qi Wine's production capacity. Either we find other wineries, break down the process, and have them help us, but that would risk leaking the brewing formula, or we can hire more people and expand production ourselves, but that would be more expensive."

Upon hearing Qi Feng's words, Ye Ling Shuang immediately replied:

"Then let's hire a few more people ourselves! As long as we have the brewing recipe, we can earn the money back sooner or later. The only problem is if something goes wrong, it might be too late to regret it then."

Qi Feng nodded.

"That's what I was thinking too. I'll optimize the brewing recipe and break it down into several steps. Zhiwan, go and recruit a few more workers. Ling Shuang and You Rong, you two should also go to Fuxing County and rent a shop specifically for brewing wine, to create our own winery."

The four of them discussed some more details, and after refining them, they went back to their rooms to sleep.

However, Ye Ling Shuang insisted that Qi Feng accompany Yu You Rong tonight. According to her, she had already accompanied Qi Feng last night, so Yu You Rong should accompany him tonight.

Yu Yourong blushed and wanted Qi Feng to spend more time with Ye Ling Shuang.

Seeing the two women declining each other's invitations, Qi Feng touched the tip of his nose: "What are you both shy about? Come on over tonight."

After saying that, Qi Feng put his arm around the two of them and led them into the room.

The two women, embraced by Qi Feng, blushed instantly.

Although they knew of examples of two women sharing one husband, they were still somewhat nervous when facing Qi Feng for the first time.

Feeling the two women's bodies stiffen slightly, Qi Feng laughed and pulled them straight to the bed.

Before long, the nightingale began to sing, and the three of them went to Wushan together, which made Ye Zhiwan toss and turn in bed, unable to sleep.

......

Early the next morning, Qi Feng went out to find Zhong Shao to further refine the cooperation matters discussed the previous day.

When they arrived at the county government office, Zhong Shao had already prepared a carriage.

"Brother Qi, I would like to trouble you to come with me to Linzhao City today. The cooperation is of utmost importance, and I also need you to meet with your elders at home."

Qi Feng nodded: "That's natural."

Before leaving, Qi Feng had already told Yu Yourong that he was going out and it would probably take two days.

These two days are just enough time for Ye Ling Shuang and her sister, along with Yu You Rong, to finalize the plan to expand Qi Jiu's production capacity.

Zhong Shao and Qi Feng boarded a carriage and headed towards Linzhao City.

It takes about half a day to travel from Fuxing County to Linzhao City by official road.

Throughout the journey, Zhong Shao leaned against the carriage wall and dozed off, while Qi Feng lifted the curtain and looked at the fields on both sides.

Spring is just around the corner, and the snow in the fields has almost melted, revealing the brown earth.

Occasionally, a few farmers who were bending over and hoeing in the fields would stop what they were doing and look at the horse-drawn carriage that was coming from the official road.

In his half-awake state, Zhong Shao mumbled, "If the harvest is good this year, grain prices should come down a bit. Now that the war is raging, grain prices are soaring, but those despicable grain merchants are making all the money, and these farmers haven't earned a single penny."

Qi Feng didn't reply. He noticed that every few miles along the official road there was a low mound, like a sentry post.

But most of them collapsed and no one repaired them. If the Great Rong really attacked, they wouldn't even be able to get the enemy's information out.

About half a day later, the carriage finally arrived at Linzhao City.

From a distance, Linzhao City appeared to be more than three times larger than Fuxing County, and its city walls were more than two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters) higher.

People were coming and going at the city gate, with oxcarts, horse-drawn carts, and donkey carts all crammed together, and the ground was covered with excrement.

The driver kept shouting to clear away the people blocking his way, occasionally interspersed with curses.

However, they did not need to queue here to enter the city. Zhong Shao showed his token and entered Linzhao City directly through a side gate.

Zhong Shao did not take Qi Feng to the Zhong family first, but instead led him through two streets to a two-story shop facing the main street.

Qi Feng looked at the shop with some surprise: "Young Master Zhong, did you already guess that I would cooperate with you? You even picked out the shop so early."

Zhong Shao smiled gently: "Brother Qi is a smart man, and he naturally understands the benefits of cooperating with us. Before I left, I repeatedly assured my father that Brother Qi would definitely cooperate."

After saying that, Zhong Shao took out his key and unlocked the door.

The shop wasn't small; the main entrance was about two zhang wide. Inside, it was empty, with a layer of dust on the ground. There was also a small courtyard connected to the back, with three side rooms, a well, and a crooked tree.

"This used to be a cloth shop, but the owner went back to his hometown and was in a hurry to sell it. I had someone come and take a look, and the beams and pillars were all in good condition, so I took over the shop." Zhong Shao said, patting the dust off the door frame.

Qi Feng walked around upstairs and downstairs, pondering how to arrange the decorations.

The first floor can be used as a storefront to sell wine. A row of wine cabinets can be built against the wall, just like in the previous life, for people to see, and a few tables and chairs can be placed in the middle for customers to taste the wine.

The second floor can be used to expand the store and accommodate more customers; it can be converted into private rooms.

The backyard can be used as a temporary warehouse to store the wine from Fuxing County once it arrives, or it can be turned into bedrooms for the staff to live in.

However, the final plan will depend on the Zhong family's arrangements.

As he gestured the dimensions and pondered how to design it, a face suddenly peeked into the shop.

"Big brother, you're back!"