"Mian Licang, sir, actually the business cooperation we are currently engaged in regarding the Dragon Power Riding Potion is quite similar to the tea business..." Zi Di subtly shifted the conversation from tea to the Dragon Power Riding Potion, a smooth and natural transition.
She then went on to discuss the current state of the Dragon Power Riding Potion, its future prospects, and the subsequent substantial profits, among other things.
Zong Ge couldn’t help but inwardly praise the cleverness of her approach.
Zi Di’s tactic was undoubtedly a clever entry point. Although she hadn’t touched upon the mysterious forces yet, Zong Ge could already foresee it.
Mian Licang, sipping his tea, also had this realization.
He wore a smile on his face but his eyes were calm and unfathomable, quietly waiting for Zi Di to broach the real subject of discussion.
But Zi Di didn’t rush. Instead, she suggested revising so of the specific terms of their previous agreent regarding the Dragon Power Riding Potion.
Firstly, Zi Di sought to test Mian Licang’s negotiation skills through the talks, and secondly, by being familiar with the specifics and coming prepared, she could significantly drain Mian Licang’s negotiating energy and patience.
Especially the latter, as patience in business negotiations is an important factor that influences outcos.
To Zi Di’s surprise, Mian Licang was also quite familiar with these specifics! No matter what Zi Di proposed, Mian Licang could accurately judge, and his objections were always well-reasoned.
"He is so thoroughly knowledgeable about these specifics. Initially, I had finalized the terms of cooperation with Mage Kong Pan. Mian Licang’s well-founded rebuttals are not sothing that can be achieved rely by rembering the details; he must have been briefed by Kong Pan," Zi Di felt a slight sinking in her heart.
"Perhaps, his late arrival was because from the mont we took the initiative to visit, he had already been in communication with Kong Pan."
For the Clan Leader of the prestigious Lijian family to make such extensive preparations for this negotiation significantly increased the psychological pressure on Zi Di.
Zi Di focused her spirit and engaged in a debate with Mian Licang over these terms.
At this point, Zong Ge, who was observing, noticed the huge difference in negotiation styles between the leader of the Axe Gang and Mian Licang.
The leader of the Axe Gang was forceful in his attitude and would absolutely not budge on certain terms once he’d latched onto them. There was no possibility of him giving in an inch. But Zi Di had cleverly fabricated reasons and deliberately used various concepts to successfully confuse the leader of the Axe Gang, smoothly protecting her own interests.
Mian Licang was different.
He was always smiling, speaking very amiably, and even seed a bit demure. Compared to him, Zi Di, who was at the Silver Level, seed sowhat aggressive.
Mian Licang wouldn’t doggedly adhere to a baseline in a domineering way, but whenever he gave up so advantage, he always used it as a pretext to encroach on so benefits in other areas.
In short, dealing with him was like kneading dough.
It seed like the dough was easy to manipulate, but in reality, when Zi Di pressed down hard, the dough would bulge out in another place, reclaiming the space for Mian Licang’s benefits.
"Mian Licang is even tougher to handle than the leader of the Axe Gang!" Zong Ge gained a deeper understanding.
However, as ti passed, Zi Di, with her exceptional eloquence and even more skilled negotiation tactics, still gradually gained the upper hand.
"People’s minds dull with age... ah..." Mian Licang said with a wry smile, rubbing his temples, "Mage Yao Ma, what did you just say again?"
"I forgot again, my apologies."
"No, what I an is, what was your last question?"
Mian Licang used these retreats as advances, always causing Zi Di’s pressing argunts to return without success.
He was a Golden Level powerhouse, and using such tactics against a Silver Level opponent might seem a bit shaless, but he didn’t feel the slightest bit of remorse when employing them.
This was his style of conduct, and exactly why he was so difficult to handle!
Zi Di grew increasingly frustrated, feeling like attacking Mian Licang was like punching a ball of water, unable to make an impactful hit, her attack quite stifling.
But she showed none of this on her expression.
She knew that Mian Licang was wearing down her patience.
The negotiation continued.
Mian Licang showed even more tricks.
"Oh, it’s starting to snow," Mian Licang suddenly changed the subject in the face of Zi Di’s aggressive approach.
They looked toward the window and noticed that light flakes of snow had begun to fall outside.
Mian Licang looked towards the two of them and said kindly, "You may not be aware, but such unsettling weather is common here in Ice House City."
"From my experience of many years, despite the light snow now, it’s likely to get heavier."
"My study here doesn’t have any heating either. As the Clan Leader, I have to be mindful of appearances. So, would you like a blanket?"
"The snow is getting heavier, and it will beco quite cold sitting here in the study."
Faced with such concern, Zi Di and Zong Ge really couldn’t refuse directly.
Zong Ge shook his head to decline, whereas Zi Di smiled and said that if she had a blanket over her legs, it would surely be warm.
Mian Licang stood up, took a blanket out from the cabinet, and handed it to Zi Di personally.
Who knows why a ghost would feel cold.
"Let add so tea for you, I wasn’t wrong, was I? This study has its flaws."
"Sigh, I’ll grab a blanket for myself too. As one ages, one must take care of their body."
"Look, the snow is falling harder now."
The snow outside the window had indeed beco heavy, just as Mian licang had anticipated. At the sa ti, the cold wind whistled, causing the glass windows to tremble faintly.
Zi Di’s negotiation rhythm was disrupted over and over again.
"This enemy is tough to deal with," Zong Ge felt, viewing Mian licang as a commander skilled in using feints and confusing tactics.
Every ti his side’s main force launched a full attack, they would miss their target, a very frustrating sensation.
Zong Ge then looked towards Zi Di, concerned that her patience might fall short.
But Zi Di perford far better than Zong Ge had imagined.
From the start to the end, she maintained a smile, not even quickening her pace of speech, displaying remarkable patience and composure.
Such deanor from Zi Di even won Mian licang’s admiration, prompting him to extend a direct invitation, "I wonder, Mage Yao Ma, have you ever considered changing your living and working environnt?"
Zi Di was taken aback.
Mian licang promptly patted his forehead, scolding himself, "It’s my fault for being old; I misspoke."
Then he said, aningfully, "However, being able to drink seven or eight cups of tea with a calm and collected mind is not sothing ordinary people can do."
"Ah, there’s my old habit acting up again. Whenever I see talent, I can’t help but want to bring them into the family."
"I hope the Dragon Lion squad leader will forgive ."
Zong Ge hurriedly expressed his understanding.
Little did he know that this would open the floodgates for Mian licang’s conversation.
With a head shake and a bitter smile, Mian licang said, "Ah, sotis I do envy you young people, always so energetic and full of vigor."
"I’ve held the position of Clan Leader of the Lijian family for many years. To keep going until now, I am utterly exhausted, barely able to hang on."
"The Lijian family might seem prosperous, but maintaining this thriving state is very difficult, with the effort and cost far exceeding what outsiders might imagine."
"In this endeavor, I have reached my limit. Even so, I have not done well."
"I neglected the cultivation of the younger generation, to the point where the next generation only has Yue Qian, a Golden Level fighter!"
"You must be aware of the Inner World Bloodline, which indeed provides extraordinary advantages in cultivation, but it is also notorious for its downside of not having many thriving offspring."
"That’s why I have been trying every possible ans to attract outside talents."
"But it’s not easy to do this well. Talents are rare, and even if they are brought into the family, we need excellent managent to let their full potential shine."
"That’s why I also envy the Dragon Lion rcenary Corps. Your Corps might have been established recently, but you’ve attracted so many talents from all over."
"There’s no need to ntion the Dragon-man squad leader and the Lion Flag Vice Captain. To easily have Silver Level backbones like Chi Lai and nshi is amazing."
"After this negotiation, I’ve co to realize: Mage Yao Ma, your value is not rely that of a Silver Level Mage in combat!"
"And Bu Quan... she is a great alchemy talent, with a definitely promising future!!"
Mian licang praised the Dragon Lion rcenary Corps profusely, putting Zi Di and Zong Ge on high alert.
Mian licang then brought the topic back, "Our family’s motto is to hide riches in emptiness, standing tall amidst snow and wind. But standing amidst the snow and wind is not that easy."
"The larger the snow house, the greater the storm it must withstand and face."
"It’s indeed lonely at the top."
"Just like your Corps, because of the Dragon-man squad leader’s public slaying of Teng Donglang, your renown skyrocketed, and your na spread throughout the country."
"The Dragon Power Riding Potion is also a brilliant comrcial success, earning a fortune daily with overwhelming market reactions."
"Such robust growth has pushed your Corps into the lilight and triggered attacks from mysterious forces."
"First was the ambush in Cold Wind Valley. Then, the convoy transporting Magic Potions was destroyed. To be honest, although those two Golden Level individuals clashed with each other afterwards, their motives seem highly suspicious."
"Being targeted by Golden Level forces, the situation of your Corps really is worriso."
The atmosphere in the study suddenly turned somber.
Mian licang’s sudden attack had laid bare the Dragon Lion rcenary Corps’ plight. It was like an enemy used to feinting suddenly launched a proactive strike. Although it wasn’t a lethal hit, it indeed targeted the Corps’ vulnerability.
Even Zong Ge realized the sharpness of these words!
If Zi Di didn’t handle this properly, she would surely be put at a disadvantage, and the rest of the negotiation would be controlled by Mian licang.
Zi Di and Zong Ge quickly exchanged a glance, each recognizing the gravity in the other’s eyes.
What they didn’t realize was that Mian licang was also driven to a corner.
For the first ti, he encountered an opponent whose patience surpassed his own and whose negotiating skills exceeded his as well.
Yao Ma’s youthful appearance made Mian licang uncontrollably admire her talent. If he knew Zi Di’s real age, he would surely be shocked.
Additionally, always avoiding confrontations with the younger generation was not good.
Mian licang wanted to maintain his dignity, even though he demanded little.
Mian licang often lanted his old age, which was not entirely a pretense. Faced with the young Dragon-man and Mage Yao Ma, he truly felt the moroseness of being overtaken by the next wave.
Thus, after being drained by the minutiae of the previous negotiations, Mian licang couldn’t resist any longer and chose to strike proactively.
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