CHAPTER 1037: CHAPTER 1036: SUCH A TROUBLESOME SON, UNHEARD OF!

Sitting in the house to rest for a while, Zhang Yinbao explained the situation with the tea from Capital City.

Wang Yongzhu took the opportunity to formally apologize to the two of them for all the trouble he had unintentionally caused.

Before Zhang Yinbao could speak, Ninth Master Lee grew impatient: "For such a trivial matter, how many times must you blame yourself? What does this have to do with you? Your intentions were good; it’s those greedy villagers to blame, not you!"

"Moreover, didn’t every household in Yingzi Gully receive twenty taels of silver? That’s quite generous! The money to settle them and build houses was originally from your share of the profits, and we didn’t contribute even a single tael. How have you wronged us?"

"Besides, this incident is rather beneficial as it weeded out the troublemakers from Yingzi Gully; we can’t afford any mishaps on Tea Mountain."

"Speaking of it, since matters in Yingzi Gully are resolved, that one-tenth share of the profits is yours again!"

Zhang Yinbao eagerly nodded in agreement.

Wang Yongzhu wanted to refuse, but Ninth Master Lee waved his hand: "No need for more words. Even disregarding everything else, with the discovery of the Tea Mother Tree, the profit-sharing must be renegotiated. You’re the reason the Cloud Mist Tea was discovered; you named it, and the Tea Mother Tree owes itself to you; all credits belong to you."

"Whether you want the profit or not, you must accept it, otherwise, how would it look if people heard you partnered with me, Ninth Master Lee, achieved such a great contribution yet received only a small share? Wouldn’t that damage my reputation? Would I still have a place in the business world? How could I attract talent? Should I be accused of being stingy and petty behind my back?"

"This matter is settled. If the Tea Mother Tree is verified, you’ll get another ten percent!"

Ninth Master Lee concluded decisively.

Wang Yongzhu wanted to say something, but Ninth Master Lee impatiently interrupted: "Why wouldn’t you accept the silver? Why should you care? It’s not even out of my pocket. Before I came here, my father instructed that if the Tea Mother Tree is confirmed, more benefits must be given to you."

"My father’s silver is so abundant that he can’t spend it all. Why not take advantage of it? I don’t mind spending my father’s money, so why should you care?"

Wang Yongzhu was dumbfounded; such a son is unheard of!

Does Patriarch of the Lee Family know?

Zhang Yinbao, standing by, looked on at Ninth Master Lee with a complex expression. Honestly, with a partner like Ninth Master Lee, there’s confidence and joy!

Who wouldn’t love profit shares handed out so freely?

But assuming the perspective of his father, such a son would surely deserve a good thrashing!

Wiping away sweat, Zhang Yinbao decided to act like a piece of wood, pretending not to have heard a thing.

Hearing Ninth Master Lee’s tone, Wang Yongzhu had no choice but to change the topic: "Shall I take you to see the Tea Mother Tree?"

Getting down to business, Ninth Master Lee went into the house to change into a crisp short outfit, shedding the luxurious robe and revealing some charisma.

Unfortunately, Ninth Master Lee was frowning, complaining that the outfit wasn’t grand enough to match his identity and beauty.

Wang Yongzhu couldn’t help but retort: "Why dress so lavishly to go into the mountains? We’re walking mountain paths, trekking through woods. Wearing long robes and wide sleeves, you’d likely get your clothes torn after a few steps. Would you, Ninth Master Lee, walk around half-dressed?"

Ninth Master Lee looked at Wang Yongzhu, then at his own clothes, and suddenly his ears turned ruby red, as if made of white jade. Trying to maintain composure, he exclaimed: "Hmph! You woman, simply—"

Before finishing his sentence, he stomped his foot and turned to leave.

Wang Yongzhu was bewildered. What did I do? What happened?

Why does Ninth Master Lee seem to be offended by me?

Feeling like vanishing into thin air, Zhang Yinbao looked at Ninth Master Lee leaving, then at the still-confused Wang Yongzhu. He couldn’t help but comment: "Sis, you really need to be cautious! After all, you’ve already married, some things shouldn’t be said carelessly—"

Wang Yongzhu felt wronged to the extreme! What did she say?

Wait? She only mentioned being half-dressed! Seriously, was that necessary?

After such an incident, Wang Yongzhu decided it’s best to keep quiet unless necessary.

Ninth Master Lee and Zhang Yinbao, being wealthy individuals, wouldn’t head into the deep mountains without proper company. At least a dozen trusted guards followed them.

Accompanying them were Master Qi and another master with the surname Lu, there for evaluating the Tea Mother Tree, showing the significance they placed on the tree.

They marched majestically into the mountains.

Apart from occasionally glancing at Wang Yongzhu, Ninth Master Lee surprisingly didn’t complain about the harsh environment along the way.

Upon reaching Tea Mountain, taking a couple of glances, Wang Yongzhu proceeded with business talk: "My tea mountain is prepared; just waiting for the branches rooted here to be transplanted. I estimate three to four hundred branches yearly at best; my mountain needs about a thousand."

"This year, transplant these rooted branches. If they thrive, there’s no problem; after next year’s harvest, another batch can be rooted. Three years will suffice! This period will also test whether the tea trees can be successfully transplanted, and if the tea quality changes. If successful, we can slowly plant branches nearby and expand."

Wang Yongzhu had discussed this with Ninth Master Lee and Zhang Yinbao previously, without encountering any objections.

Good tea naturally relies on its tree strain and growth environment; both are indispensable. Many outstanding teas lose their distinct taste when transplanted elsewhere.

Moreover, the survival rate of rooted tea branches isn’t high. Ninth Master Lee and Zhang Yinbao, even with the desire to expand the planting area, could only fantasize until long-term experiments prove successful; otherwise, it’s a total financial loss.

Having Wang Yongzhu volunteer for experimental planting naturally posed no harms to them; they had no reason to decline.

Besides, at this moment, their focus was predominantly on the Tea Mother Tree.

Recognizing their anticipation, Wang Yongzhu refrained from further talking, leading them through the forest to the Tea Mother Tree.

Before Wang Yongzhu could speak, Master Qi and Master Lu’s eyes lit up, rushing to the trees.

Each took a tree, examining it for quite a while, then picked tea leaves to chew on.

Subsequently, they huddled, whispering mysteriously; judging by their ecstatic expressions, it seemed the Tea Mother Tree was confirmed real.

Wang Yongzhu wanted to interject, stating: nonsense, it was scanned by Xiao Tiantian; although unreliable at times, his scans were irrefutable.

After consulting briefly, the two masters brought findings back to Ninth Master Lee, smiling exuberantly: "Indeed, it’s the Tea Mother Tree, judging by tree age, it’s several centuries old. I never expected to see a Tea Mother Tree in my lifetime, and two of them!"

Ninth Master Lee and Zhang Yinbao, holding their breath until then, finally exhaled in relief. Although they knew Wang Yongzhu wouldn’t deceive them, the Tea Mother Tree was crucial; without affirmation from their trusted experts, their tenacity remained.

Now with results confirmed, the entire crew radiated joy, anyone could recognize the implications of the Tea Mother Tree!

Ninth Master Lee immediately commanded: "Secure this area, ensure not a single leaf falls!"

He then asked: "Have I acquired this mountain?"

A trusted aide consulted the land deeds: "According to the deeds, this mountain is listed on the boundary—"

"Buy it tomorrow, secure all surrounding mountains!" Ninth Master Lee proclaimed grandly.

"Yes!" The aide understood it’s a crucial matter, promptly nodding in agreement.