Chapter 131: The Deal Is Sealed

Moutai Distillery.

“How are you feeling, Brother Lu? Did you rest well last night?” Ji Keliang looked up and saw Lu Kun walking in, still half-asleep. He couldn’t help but ask.

“Don’t mention it. I drank too much; the aftereffects are strong. My head still hurts!” Lu Kun rubbed his head and yawned.

“Ah, no worries. I’ll have someone brew you a cup of tea right away,” Ji Keliang smiled. “When I first came to Guizhou, my tolerance for alcohol wasn’t as good as yours. Every time I drank too much, I’d end up vomiting all over the place.”

Lu Kun felt a bit embarrassed. Early this morning, Cheng Yuan, Cheng Hao, Li Changfu, and the others had recounted everything that happened last night in detail.

At first, Lu Kun and Ji Keliang had just been urging each other to drink. But somehow, it escalated to them blowing on the bottle.

Ji Keliang, having practiced drinking for years, naturally had a much stronger constitution than Lu Kun.

As expected, Lu Kun got drunk.

And he even threw a drunken tantrum.

Thankfully, he didn’t embarrass himself by dancing awkwardly on the street.

“Like a piece of seaweed, seaweed, seaweed, swaying with the waves, seaweed, seaweed, dancing in the surf...”

“Later, I’ll have my assistant take you all around. There are quite a few places worth visiting here in Guizhou. I’m really tied up right now, otherwise I’d act as your tour guide,” Ji Keliang chuckled.

“Please don’t. I was just joking with you yesterday. My wife is pregnant, and the baby should be born in a little over two months. I don’t have the heart to go sightseeing,” Lu Kun said as he took a cigarette out of his pocket, intending to share it with Ji Keliang.

“Brother Lu, try mine,” Ji Keliang stopped Lu Kun’s Zhonghua cigarette and carefully pulled one out from a torn pack, handing it to him.

Lu Kun took the cigarette, sniffed it, and caught a faint herbal tobacco aroma.

He pulled out a lighter from his pocket, lit it, took a puff, and his eyes lit up as he praised, “Good smoke!”

“Is this the ‘Blue Panda’ special supply cigarette that’s popular among the upper echelons?” Lu Kun asked, puzzled.

“Ha! You know your stuff!” Ji Keliang grinned and lit one for himself.

“Ji, you’ve really made it to that level?” Lu Kun shook the cigarette in his hand in surprise.

“Hey, you’re overthinking it. This cigarette was stuffed into my pocket by the provincial governor when he came for an inspection,” Ji Keliang said.

“Back then, I didn’t know any better and even cursed him for being stingy,” he laughed heartily.

The ‘Blue Panda’ cigarette brand has always been a prestigious gift from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to foreign leaders.

Not only among ordinary people, even local officials in power rarely get the chance to smoke such a special supply.

“Today, I’m really fortunate to bask in your glory, Ji. Otherwise, I’d never have had the chance to smoke this top-tier special supply,” Lu Kun said with a smile, though a shadow crossed his mind.

Back in his previous life, Lu Kun had heard rumors that Ji Keliang had powerful connections—not only was he tightly linked with every local government in Guizhou, but he also maintained significant ties with the central authorities.

Of course, the combined support from local and central governments accelerated Moutai’s resurgence. This was also highly beneficial for the Huakun Group, which was about to establish a strategic partnership with Moutai.

Why do large chain supermarkets dedicate exclusive counters to certain big brands?

It’s not just about commercial transactions; it’s a way to bind interests tightly.

Why did Old Ma have more confidence than Young Ma in later years?

Because the millions of merchants on the Taobao platform were all his allies!

Messing with Old Ma meant dealing with enormous complications.

The Huakun Group was prepared to open exclusive counters for major brands.

On the surface, this move would raise Huakun’s status. Internally, by forming strategic partnerships with well-known brands, they would create a real “firewall” of mutual interests.

“Brother Lu, Moutai truly wants to cooperate with your Huakun Group. As for the terms, just put them forward, and we’ll make sure to give you a satisfactory answer,” Ji Keliang said, putting his right hand on Lu Kun’s shoulder and shaking it with a smile.

Lu Kun was no greenhorn; in business negotiations, he wouldn’t easily reveal his bottom line.

If it were just about commercial profits, other liquor companies might offer more than Moutai could.

What Lu Kun valued more now was Moutai’s strength beyond mere business.

In his previous life, he had overheard from insiders that Moutai had distributed benefits to many powerful factions to gain massive support...

Whether it was true or not?

Well, maybe, probably, it was false.

Lu Kun nodded silently.

...

As the Huakun Group continued to seize market share in Angui, displeased voices began to emerge from the provincial government. Even Vice Governor Zhao faced considerable pressure.

“It’s time to bring Moutai’s branches under the Huakun umbrella,” Lu Kun thought secretly.

“Well then, Brother Ji, what kind of cooperation would you like to choose?” Lu Kun’s smiling face turned serious.

“Oh?” Ji Keliang asked, intrigued.

“There are two options. The first is that Huakun allows Moutai liquor to be placed on its shelves for sale. Besides the usual sales commission, every bottle of Moutai stocked must pay Huakun a substantial deposit as a guarantee of authenticity.”

Ji Keliang’s expression gradually darkened. If it came to this, he thought, it would be better to build their own sales channels. At least then, they wouldn’t be continuously drained.

The goods would be at their place, the sales staff would be theirs, so who would decide what’s genuine or counterfeit? Besides, Moutai was eager to recover funds; where would the money for deposits come from?

Ji Keliang took a deep breath and asked in a low voice, “What’s the second option?”

“The Huakun Group and Moutai form a strategic partnership, opening exclusive Moutai counters in every Huakun store at county level or above,” Lu Kun said confidently.

“Phew—” Ji Keliang’s breathing grew heavier, but he suppressed his excitement. “What price would Moutai have to pay?”

“Besides the usual commercial profit transfers, Moutai must do its utmost to resolve political difficulties for Huakun, establishing a partnership where they share both honor and adversity,” Lu Kun looked Ji Keliang straight in the eye and said solemnly.

Ji Keliang lowered his head and pondered.

“Not enough!” he shook his head.

Lu Kun’s heart skipped a beat.

Was this going to be a ruthless deal? Though the Huakun Group couldn’t match Moutai, it wasn’t powerless either.

“The Huakun Group will open exclusive Moutai counters, but no other high-end domestic liquors are allowed to be sold in any Huakun stores,” Ji Keliang stood up and declared loudly.

“That’s impossible,” Lu Kun said firmly. “Opening exclusive counters is simple. The display area can be chosen by Moutai. Moreover, as long as Huakun promises to permanently deny other liquor companies equal treatment during the cooperation period, that’s acceptable.”

Lu Kun thought for a moment and added a few more concessions.

“Deal!” Ji Keliang stood up without hesitation.

“Deal!” Lu Kun rose as well and slapped his hand in agreement.