"Your wine, Logan, is truly a revelation, an artful defiance of the conventions set by traditional vintners. It's a rare blend that could indeed revolutionize the entire wine industry," remarked Pleti, his voice a mix of admiration and calculated intent.
Logan nodded, yet a shadow of concern lingered in his eyes. "I appreciate your words, Pleti, but you must realize that with such innovation comes great risk. Wine merchants and covetous rivals will go to great lengths to uncover and usurp my methods."
Pleti's expression turned serious, his tone grave. "I'm well aware, and believe me, the bandits lurking on the outskirts of Canyon City are merely the vanguard. They're the first of many who will come sniffing around, like jackals drawn to a feast."
"And such jackals will keep coming, relentless and unyielding," Logan interjected, a hint of weariness in his voice. "I'm but one man against a tide."
"Which is precisely why an alliance with the Wind Walker Chamber of Commerce could safeguard your interests. My family, as you know, wields considerable influence. With our resources and connections, we can fend off any threats to your craft, be they mortal or otherwise," Pleti declared, his confidence undiminished.
Logan remained contemplative. He knew of Pleti's heritage, a lineage of high elves renowned for their honor and might. It was a compelling proposition.
"And how do I know you're not another jackal in disguise?" Logan asked, a playful smirk touching his lips.
Pleti chuckled softly. "Because, my friend, you saved my life once. And as a descendant of the elven god-king, my word is my bond, unbreakable."
Acknowledging the sincerity in Pleti's eyes, Logan nodded. "There is honor among your kind, true. We might indeed forge a partnership, but I must be clear, I cannot grant you exclusive rights to my entire production."
Pleti's brow furrowed in confusion. "Why ever not?"
"Because I have existing commitments. Fisher, my brother-in-law, and David of the Templeton Royal Court have my word and my loyalty. I cannot and will not forsake them. Moreover, the future may hold new ventures for me, like forming a caravan with the Silver Mane Tribe. It's imperative I keep my options open."
For the next half-hour, the two delved into discussions about the intricacies of trade and politics in both the human and elf kingdoms, each sharing insights from their respective realms.
Eventually, Pleti rose, his mind buzzing with plans and possibilities, and took his leave from the Kasha Hotel, the wheels of commerce and alliance turning ever forward.
As the days swiftly passed, Logan found himself deeply engrossed in the bustling activity of the Canyon City Winery. He had been diligently managing the winemaking and sugaring operations, all the while ambitiously scaling up production to meet the growing demand.
Meanwhile, Jane's second steamed bun shop had opened its doors and was already drawing crowds. Under Logan' guidance, Jane had expanded his offerings to include a variety of pastas and unique snacks that were quickly becoming the talk of the DC area.
Each morning, a lively queue of Beastmens, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, snaked its way in front of the shops, eager to taste these novel delights.
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After covering costs, the profits from the steamed bun and snack shops were flourishing, easily netting ten to twenty gold coins daily. Despite frequent visits from the envoys of major wine merchants, Logan remained resolute in his refusal to negotiate with them.
Back at the winery, Logan was inspecting the latest batch of wine. In anticipation of Pleti's substantial demands, he had significantly increased the production capacity. Now, the winery could produce 50,000 kilograms of wine in one go. Accounting for multiple brewings throughout the month, the total output was projected to reach between 160,000 to 170,000 kilograms.
A few days earlier, Logan had also made a quick trip back to his tribe, a journey made swift and effortless by the lion scorpion, a magical flying beast. This brief visit was not only to procure a large stock of supplies, including the tribe's rye liquor, maltose, and perfumes, but also to oversee the tribe's expansion.
The Silver Mane Tribe, now boasting nearly 15,000 Beastmens, had recently absorbed another thousand from the nearby Luochuan tribe, which had been on the brink of starvation. Their chieftain had proactively reached out for integration, a move largely credited to Carl's influence.
Carl, whom Logan had tasked with forming the Shadow Blade, had been effectively spreading the word among smaller tribes. He promoted the Silver Mane Tribe as a sanctuary capable of supporting Beastmens in need, regardless of age or health. This initiative was beginning to bear fruit, drawing more Beastmens under the Silver Mane banner and strengthening the tribe's numbers and resources.
Indeed, the effects of these strategic moves were beginning to manifest, promising a robust future for Logan' enterprises and his tribe.