GBP Chapter 31 Grasping the Lifeline
Chapter 31 Grasping the Lifeline
Soon, many restaurant owners returned to the horse farm with generous gifts.
After arriving, the servant led them directly to the secret room.
This time, they met Li Mao directly.
"This humble citizen, Wang Fugui, greets Your Highness, Prince Shou."
"This humble citizen, Liu Youcai, greets Your Highness Prince Shou."
The others bowed in greeting, but Li Mao simply nodded indifferently.
The group handed their gifts to Li Mao's servant, then stood there awkwardly.
After all, they were in the wrong first.
There's no reason to ask someone for a favor empty-handed.
Li Mao glanced at them indifferently and said, "Since you are all here, I will go around in circles."
"Those who are willing to cooperate with me, please stay. The rest of you may leave."
The shopkeepers exchanged glances, none of them willing to leave.
A single birthday banquet for the emperor had already made it difficult for them to survive.
If other restaurants also learn His Highness Prince Shou's recipes, then they will have to close down completely.
Wang Fugui was the first to step forward, bowed, and apologized, saying, "Your Highness Prince Shou, we were all very rude before, please forgive us."
"We are ignorant of etiquette, please forgive us, Your Highness Prince Shou."
Li Mao waved his hand dismissively and said, "Gentlemen, there's no need to be so polite. I'm just a merchant now."
"The way of business is to make money through harmony."
"Since you have all come with such sincerity, it means you all wish to cooperate with me,"
Wang Fugui nodded hurriedly and said, "It is my honor to cooperate with His Highness Prince Shou. If only..."
Li Mao waved his hand to interrupt them, saying, "There's no need for formalities."
"Please sit down, everyone, and listen to my proposal."
"This humble citizen is all ears."
As they spoke, the shopkeepers carefully took their seats.
Li Mao went straight to the point, saying, "The overwhelming popularity of my Prince Shou's banquet is evident to all of you."
"Therefore, you are all welcome to join us."
"Join?"
Several restaurant owners looked at Li Mao with some confusion.
According to their ancient way of thinking, they really don't understand what this "franchise" means.
Li Mao patiently explained, "Joining a franchise is like an established brand opening a branch."
After this explanation, everyone's faces showed a look of sudden realization.
"I see. If we can join Prince Shou's ranks, we will surely make a fortune."
"We'd probably be laughing in our sleep."
"As long as Your Highness Prince Shou doesn't mind, we are willing to join us,"
Just kidding, who wouldn't want to make a fortune every day?
Such a great opportunity is right in front of you; if you don't seize it, you'll regret it for the rest of your life.
Besides, this is doing business directly with the prince.
Even if the commission is high, it's still much better than following those court officials.
If something happens one day, at least the prince will protect me.
This deal looks like a win-win situation no matter how you look at it.
Li Mao waved his hand, signaling the people present to be quiet.
"Listen up, all of you!"
"The recipes can be given to you, and even the chefs can be sent over to impart knowledge."
"But there is one thing: you must be loyal to me."
Wang Fugui was the first to kneel on the ground, cupped his hands and said to Li Mao, "This humble subject, Wang Fugui, is willing to follow His Highness Prince Shou, even at the cost of going through fire and water."
This scene completely baffled everyone present.
Li Mao was almost caught off guard.
He knelt down as soon as he finished speaking.
It even makes people feel that this was something he had planned all along.
The other shopkeepers were stunned for a while before they reacted.
They hurriedly followed behind Wang Fugui, knelt down neatly, cupped their hands and clasped their fists before Li Mao, and said, "This humble subject is willing to follow His Highness Prince Shou to the death. If I disobey, may I die a horrible death."
Li Mao sneered, not believing them at all.
Even if someone makes a solemn oath, they will still go back on their word if they want to.
Only by controlling core technologies can we truly control the lifeline of all of them.
"Everyone, get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After the numerous restaurant owners thanked him, they slowly stood up and returned to their seats.
Li Mao continued, "I already understand your loyalty."
"Since you are willing to pledge allegiance to me, I have only two requirements: first, be obedient; second, be loyal."
The two requirements seem to be no different.
In reality, being obedient is being obedient, and being loyal is being loyal.
Obedience is about making them strictly follow your plans.
Loyalty is meant to keep them in check and prevent them from revealing their plans.
"Your Highness, rest assured, this humble subject is willing to serve you to the death..."
"stop."
Li Mao waved his hand to signal a halt.
Then he sneered and said, "If you all want to prove your loyalty, then send your wives, children, and elderly parents to the horse farm."
"The horse ranch is spacious enough to accommodate people like you."
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the restaurant owners present changed slightly.
Originally, I just wanted to cooperate.
It now seems that to cooperate, one must risk the lives of their entire family.
If you want to back out now, you probably won't even be able to leave this secret room.
How can this be good?
Wang Fugui once again took the lead, knelt on the ground, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your subordinate is willing to send his wife, children and elderly parents to the horse farm."
"Your subordinate guarantees that His Highness Prince Shou will not have to worry about his daily food, clothing and other necessities in the slightest."
Li Mao nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to the remaining people.
Clearly, some people are hesitating.
Li Mao did not make things difficult for them.
"If you find this difficult, you are welcome to leave. I will not stop you."
The restaurant owners exchanged glances, wanting to leave but not daring to.
Li Mao saw through their concerns and simply snorted coldly, saying, "Show them out."
The waiter immediately walked up to the restaurant owners, raised his hand, and said, "Gentlemen, please."
The restaurant owners lowered their heads in shame and quickly bowed, saying, "Please forgive us, Your Highness Prince Shou."
After saying this, the restaurant owners quickly left, afraid that Li Mao would remember their faces.
Li Mao had already anticipated this situation.
It would be abnormal if everyone could stay.
Then, Li Mao instructed his servant, "Go, send someone to bring these men's wives, children, and elderly relatives to the horse farm."
"I obey my orders."
The servant left after receiving the order.
Li Mao took out a sheepskin map and looked at the restaurant owners present, saying, "Everyone, come here."
"From now on, your restaurants will no longer be called by complicated and fancy names, but will be called Shouwang Banquet Branch."
“Each semicolon corresponds to a number, and I will periodically send my accountant to check the accounts.”
"If anyone dares to embezzle funds, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Wang Fugui immediately bowed and said, "Your Highness Prince Shou, please rest assured. I was already struggling on the edge of life and death. It is my great fortune to be able to drink a bowl of soup from Your Highness."
Li Mao glanced at the remaining people present and asked, "And you?"