Chapter 766: Birthday Banquet 11

Old Prince Feng’s expression was indescribably ugly. His aged eyes were gloomy, and his vicious gaze made his sunken eye sockets look all the more frightening.

His own birthday celebration couldn’t even compare to a fraction of the other’s. He was a prince of a nation; in terms of status and position, he was far superior to Elder Chen in every way.

’Why would these people celebrate Elder Chen’s birthday? What are they after?’

"Master, just about everyone has arrived. Let me help you inside," Ye Qianning said, supporting Elder Chen by the arm.

"Alright." Elder Chen nodded and looked at the crowd that had come to celebrate his birthday. "The banquet is ready. Everyone, please, come inside. Come inside."

Ye Qianning helped Elder Chen lead the way toward the Immortal Sea Building, and the well-wishing guests exchanged pleasantries as they headed inside.

"You... You all show me no respect!" Seeing this, Old Prince Feng could no longer hold back. He rushed forward, pointed at the crowd entering the building, and roared.

The crowd, who were heading inside, froze at the sound and turned to look.

"Your Highness, Your Highness..." The steward couldn’t hold him back.

Old Prince Feng shook off the steward. "After ignoring me like this, do you still want to do business with Nanyuan?"

’Nanyuan is currently the most profitable place among the four countries. Are they really not afraid that Nanyuan will cut off all trade with them from now on?’

After a brief silence, the crowd began to chuckle.

The representatives from Beijiang, Guanghai, Loulan, and the desert wastelands watched the old prince, who now looked like nothing more than a posturing clown. No wonder Miss Ye had said Nanyuan’s commerce would have a rocky future.

’Without the Gu family’s constant support, Nanyuan’s future would be bleak with only an old fool like him at the helm.’

’Doing business with a country like this was just asking for trouble down the line.’

’Now that they saw the situation for what it was, they felt a deep sense of gratitude toward Miss Ye.’

"Prince Feng, we do not discuss business at Elder Chen’s birthday banquet," Gu Shuo said coolly as he stepped out of the building.

"Gu Shuo, what are you so smug about? The ten-year contract expires in one month. After the Four Countries Chamber of Commerce meeting, Nanyuan will absolutely refuse to work with you again! We won’t sell you any of Nanyuan’s seafood or fruit!" Old Prince Feng hoped this threat would intimidate the Gu family.

"If Your Highness is here to offer birthday wishes, then please come inside. If this is about business, save it for the Four Countries Chamber of Commerce," Gu Shuo replied, his expression still indifferent, completely unfazed.

This left the crowd puzzled.

’Judging by Boss Gu’s attitude, could he really not care at all about his business in Nanyuan?’

’He was the one who single-handedly established the trade routes for Nanyuan’s seafood and fruit. Could he really just hand all that over so easily?’

"Gu Shuo, you... you... PFFT—"

Trembling with rage, Old Prince Feng’s face went deathly pale. Before he could finish his sentence, his chest seized up, and he couldn’t stop himself from spitting out a mouthful of blood. His eyes rolled into the back of his head, and he fainted dead away from fury.

"Your Highness!" the steward cried in alarm. "Quick, someone! Get a doctor! Get a doctor!"

"Your Highness..."

The scene erupted into chaos. Guards hoisted the unconscious old prince onto their backs and rushed away, leaving his own well-wishers staring at one another in stunned silence.

The crowd for Elder Chen’s birthday paid them no further mind, treating the whole affair as a bit of free entertainment before heading into the restaurant.

The guests at Old Prince Feng’s celebration were mostly minor merchants. Only the emissaries from East Shu and Beili were of any real note. However, with Beili’s Eighth Prince and General both attending Elder Chen’s banquet, it meant General Li Mu had now thoroughly offended the old prince.

Wang Li and the remaining merchants at the prince’s banquet felt their opportunity had arrived.

’All those people who went to celebrate with Elder Chen have basically offended Old Prince Feng. Their businesses are surely finished now.’

’Old Prince Feng will definitely have to partner with us, the ones who actually showed up for him. When that happens, if we can just get a monopoly on even a small portion of the seafood, we’ll make a killing!’

At this thought, many of them lost their appetite for the banquet.

’This was the perfect time to show concern and loyalty to win the old prince’s favor.’