Old Heng and the others gave Lin Xuan Qi a smile before they glanced around at each other.

It was the first time they had heard something like this.

None of them could decide whether it was a good deal for them to be involved with.

Lin Xuan Qi expected this and he said, "It’s fine.

"We can arrange for a time to have a look at what the ’Old Lin’s Rice Noodles’ is about.

"It’s much better for you to see and taste it for yourselves."

He didn’t expect to be able to get them onboard as franchisees on the spot.

Letting them see it for themselves was necessary.

Old Heng and a few others nodded their heads and said, "That would be great."

"Make sure to keep it a secret that I’m giving you the offer of joining the franchise with only a hundred and fifty taels of silver." Lin Xuan Qi went on and said to make them feel that they were the selected few.

It worked as it got Old Heng and the others very happy.

"We will definitely keep mum about it." Old Heng raised his wine cup and proposed a drink to Lin Xuan Qi again.

Lin Xuan Qi returned their toast and said, "It’s winter right now, and it might not be the best weather for moving around right now.

"I would suggest that we can maybe gather around and have a look at my ’Old Lin’s Rice Noodles’ store when it is spring time?"

"Sure, old folks like us have our bones aching, being out in the cold for too long.

"Spring time sounds good to me." Old Heng said to the laughter of others sitting beside him.

"Apparently you are not too old to get another concubine recently."

"Shhh... That’s not something to be spread around."

They bantered among themselves and after they had settled down, Old Heng gave his address in case Lin Xuan Qi needed to contact him.

He would then help contact the others afterwards.

That would help save a lot of time and hassle for Lin Xuan Qi, and he was more than happy to do so.

If Lin Xuan Qi had his way, he wouldn’t want to go around looking for franchisees now.

It would be optimal if he had the first store and stores for Sima Long and the others ready before doing so.

Nothing beats enticing others to join as franchisees with a bustling shop front.

As the saying goes, a picture paints a thousand words.

But he didn’t want to miss out on such a gathering with all the Clans and Families around.

Sometimes you would just have to work around things a little.

And so far, it was going well for him.

Others from the neighboring table who had overheard what they were talking about couldn’t help it anymore and some of them came up to him.

"I’m so sorry to intrude, but I’ve overheard what you were talking about.

"I know it’s impolite for me to do so, but I’m very interested in joining the so-called franchise too." One of the young masters cupped his hands at Lin Xuan Qi and said.

Lin Xuan Qi didn’t expect to have a second round of interest so soon and he briefed them on what he had said earlier to Old Heng and the others.

And of course, the joining fees that he mentioned were now two hundred taels of silver.

That got Old Heng and the others at the table even happier.

As businessmen, nothing beats getting a better deal than other competitors for them.

All of them tried their very best to keep their smiles in while Lin Xuan Qi talked to the young masters about having a look at the store when it was spring time.

It didn’t take long and the young masters got back to their table after they had what they wanted.

This went on with words spreading around the dinner.

Many were intrigued to see the person behind the soap and Lin Clan Taste Transcendent Essence and all of them were surprised to see that the person behind it was so young.

And when they got to know about the franchise business, they wanted to find out more about it too.

If you weren’t aware, you might have mistaken it to be a dinner that was hosted by Lin Xuan Qi instead of Zhao Geng Nian.

"So nice for me to see that you are having a good time." An old man’s voice boomed in the air suddenly and everyone stopped what they were doing.

It was the host arriving at the garden with a familiar face standing beside him.

Xiao Feng glanced over at Lin Xuan Qi for a moment before he turned his focus back onto Zhao Geng Nian.

His master Zhao Geng Nian had a head of gray hair, with eyebrows that were sharp at their ends like a sword.

Zhao Geng Nian stroked his long gray beard while he glanced around at the attendees to his dinner.

And despite the aura of an elder, his lips were curled up with a huge smile.

Lin Xuan Qi felt that his smile somehow looked out of place.

Was Zhao Geng Nian faking such a smile?

He couldn’t know so he sat where he was and observed from afar.

Even now, he wasn’t so sure about the real purpose of this dinner by Zhao Geng Nian.

"I believe that it has been tough on Hong Feng City for the past few months, after the rebellion, there was the Six Pulse Sword Sect creating havoc in the city.

"Thankfully, it is all over now.

"The emperor had agreed to appoint me to be the Guardian for Hong Feng City and I promise to you, that the same things wouldn’t happen again.

"I assure you that Qing Feng Sect, as the biggest sect in the Da Qian Dynasty, have the resources and capabilities to do so."

Everyone let out a loud cheer after they heard what Zhao Geng Nian had said.

"Come, let’s have a toast to our new Guardian for Hong Feng City." Someone shouted and everyone stood up with their wine cups in their hands.