Old Gods, Rapid-Fire Guns, and Prohibition

Chapter 305 [Southerners]

Ethan has been receiving more invitations these past two days.

The reason is obvious: it's the climate of the capital.

The warmth and coldness reside entirely in one's heart.

This time, he was much more careful in his selection than before.

He used to have no say in the matter; he could attend anyone's banquet as he pleased.

Now, however, it is necessary to exclude those who favor the eldest prince.

Then, from the remaining people, choose someone who is safe enough to meet.

Besides the nobles and dignitaries of the capital, there were also some people who came from outside the capital.

For example, there's Wes Costner, a Southern rancher who has already attended two of Ethan's auctions and clearly wants some private contact with Ethan.

This guy is really unlucky; something went wrong at both auctions.

First it was the Winster rain incident, and now it's Johnny Blackbird's assassination attempt on the eldest prince.

He spent a lot of money both times, but didn't have time to say much to Ethan.

After the last auction, many people returned a lot of paintings because Ethan was in danger of being blacklisted. Only Wes Costner accepted them all and refused to return any.

After seeing the news of Ethan's escape from the capital, Wes Costner also briefly left the capital.

He waited until the wind in the capital had died down before he returned to the capital from the south.

"He wants to invite you to dinner tonight to talk about something."

Jackson spoke on the phone with a hint of pleading in his voice.

"Of course, Jack, no problem."

Jackson was pretty good too.

After Ethan's accident, he did not intend to abandon Ethan. He continued to try to help Ethan find connections and solutions. Even when Ethan said he wanted to leave the capital temporarily, he only said that he would maintain Ethan's reputation in the capital.

So, after Ethan returned, they continued to work together.

"Thank you, Ethan, it's so good to see you back."

Jackson seemed somewhat sentimental.

“Jack, I have to remind you that I’m not the same person I was when I came back this time.”

Ethan and Jackson have had a fairly pleasant working relationship, so it's best to clarify some things sooner rather than later.

If Jackson doesn't want to get involved in these things anymore, it's better to withdraw as soon as possible.

"I see."

Having spent so many years in the capital, how could Jackson not know the complexities of the situation?

"Ethan, we're all in the same boat now. What do you think people outside are thinking of me?"

"Ok."

Ethan didn't say anything more.

"See you tonight then."

"See you tonight."

That evening, Jackson arranged for us to go to a Southern-style restaurant in the harbor area.

Lingang Avenue is the most bustling area in the port district.

Its name is Robin.

In the South, farms and estates are the most common places, and robins are often the favorite birds of gardeners and farmers.

This restaurant specializes in southern Chinese style, and the entire restaurant is decorated with a very rustic charm.

As soon as you step inside, you feel like you've entered a wheat field.

Under a scarecrow, Ethan met Wes Costner.

Despite being a top rancher with a massive fortune, Wes Costner is actually quite low-key and unassuming.

He actually came to the appointment alone, and he wasn't dressed in anything too fancy, just a suspender outfit with a vest over it, as if he had just returned home from inspecting his farm.

"Ethan, it's good to see you again."

Wes stood up and shook hands with Ethan. Then, while guiding Ethan to his seat, he said, "The Southern food at this restaurant is very good and authentic. What would you like to eat, Ethan? I recommend the smoked pork, as well as the walnut pie and smoked shrimp."

Ethan had never eaten Southern cuisine before, but he was quite interested. After ordering some recommended dishes, he started chatting with Wes.

The topic of conversation was nothing more than Ethan's paintings.

To Ethan's surprise, Wes wasn't just a nouveau riche; he also had an understanding of art, even more profound than the average person.

"Actually, I studied at the Wang Guo Academy of Fine Arts when I was young. If it weren't for my family's business, I would probably be an artist now."

"Then I should call you senior brother."

Ethan joked with him.

"I haven't graduated, so I don't count."

Wes smiled and shook his head, then sighed as if somewhat sentimental.

"Actually, I envy you, Ethan. You're really amazing. You can manage the family business and also pursue art. You're a true genius."

"A genius? I wouldn't dare call myself that."

Ethan, upon hearing his words, knew that the real drama was about to begin.

This Wes really has a very different style; he got straight to the point before even starting the meal.

Unlike the powerful and wealthy people in the capital, who always speak in secret and cover up their true intentions.

Is this a habit of people from the South?
“I want to work with you, Ethan.”

Sure enough, Wes got straight to the point in his next sentence.

"What cooperation?"

Ethan picked up a drink from the table and took a sip, only to discover to his surprise that it was alcohol.

The wine, however, tasted rather mediocre.

“I own several vineyards, but as you’ve tasted, I don’t have a good winemaker.”

Wes also picked up his glass and took a sip.

That's pretty direct.

Ethan said nothing.

Weiss continued, “Your wine is excellent, and your distribution channels are excellent, but Winster is in the North, where transportation is inconvenient. My estate, on the other hand, is in the South, with convenient transportation to both the capital and the Central Region. I also have connections throughout these areas. All I lack is a good partner, someone who can make good wine, and an already well-known reputation.”

After he finished speaking, he raised the wine glass in his hand.

It's still a business of selling alcohol.

That's true. With the prohibition still in effect, bootlegging remains the most profitable business in the world.

It's indeed hard for a farmer like Wes not to want a piece of the pie.

Ethan, on the other hand, has a huge advantage; his liquor is already a well-known name in the moonshine world.

It seems like you can find good wine from the North everywhere.

"It's too early to say that a deal is made now, but I am indeed very interested."

Ethan raised his glass and clinked it with his.

Wes Costner is right. Winster is too remote, with poor transportation, and Ethan doesn't really have a good foundation in the central region, the capital, or the south.

Cooperation benefits both sides.

We can talk about it.

The premise is that Wes's appetite cannot be too big.

"Let's eat first. Try some of the good food from my hometown. I think you'll be satisfied."

After Wes finished speaking, the dishes Ethan had ordered began to arrive one after another.

As Wes said, the food at this restaurant was indeed very good and delicious.

But what pleased Ethan even more was the taste of the other dish that Wes had provided.

That meal should have belonged to Ethan.

That share was enough for Ethan to go back and actually start preparing to build a distillery in the South.

(End of this chapter)