Chapter 727: Two Invitations

Outside, the sky had already brightened. Downstairs, merchants sat in twos and threes, having come down for breakfast. Along the streets, vendors had already set up their stalls.

The busiest place in the morning was the port. A wide variety of fresh seafood was available, and nearly every merchant who came to Dayu City would head over first thing to purchase large quantities of fish and shrimp to transport to other regions.

Around noon, merchants from all nations received invitations to Old Prince Feng’s birthday celebration. At first, they didn’t pay it much mind, but when they saw the date on the invitation, they found themselves in a difficult position.

June 12th, at the Immortal Sea Building?

Isn’t that the same date as the invitation we received yesterday?

"Whoa, so Elder Chen and Old Prince Feng are celebrating their birthdays on the same day?"

"The time is the same, and they’re both at the Immortal Sea Building. Could they have planned to celebrate together?"

"How could they have planned it? Elder Chen isn’t what he used to be. How would he dare celebrate his birthday with a grand old prince?"

"True. So these invitations... which one are we supposed to go to?"

Several heads of various regional agencies looked at the invitations in their hands, utterly perplexed. With two invitations, they couldn’t possibly attend both celebrations at once.

"Of course, we’re going to Old Prince Feng’s banquet," another merchant said as he walked over, also holding an invitation from the Old Prince.

"But what about Elder Chen...?"

"Can’t you tell who is more important between Elder Chen and Old Prince Feng?"

"What do you mean?"

"Elder Chen doesn’t even have a nationality now. If it weren’t for the Gu family’s support, who would even remember him? Old Prince Feng, on the other hand, is royalty. The Phoenix Royal Mansion controls all of Nanyuan’s commerce. If you don’t go, do you still plan on doing business in Nanyuan?"

"But we all get our seafood through Boss Gu. And Boss Gu deeply respects Elder Chen. The venue choice of Dayu City was, in all likelihood, Boss Gu’s decision. I’m afraid it wouldn’t be right not to go."

"Tsk, you still don’t get it."

"What?"

"Elder Chen sent out his birthday invitations yesterday, and today Old Prince Feng sends out his. One after the other. What do you think that means? Isn’t it obvious he’s trying to make Elder Chen lose face?"

As soon as he said this, the merchants gathered around had a moment of realization.

"Well, now that you mention it, that does seem to be the case."

"It’s just that we’ve worked with Boss Gu for many years. It feels a bit wrong to slight him like this."

"What’s the big deal? After the Four Countries Chamber of Commerce meeting, Nanyuan might stop working with Boss Gu anyway. Why worry about him? Siding with Old Prince Feng is the path to long-term success."

"Mmm, that makes sense."

"We have to go to Old Prince Feng’s banquet."

"Then it’s settled. On June 12th, we’ll go congratulate Old Prince Feng."

After hearing this argument, the crowd of merchants all decided to attend Old Prince Feng’s birthday celebration.

「Yangchun Inn, Third Floor.」

Li Mu of the Beili merchant guild had also received an invitation from Old Prince Feng. He immediately ordered his men to prepare a lavish gift, planning to win the Old Prince’s favor at the banquet on June 12th.

"Lord Li, many people downstairs are saying that Elder Chen also sent out birthday invitations yesterday to the merchants and dignitaries in the city. His is also on June 12th at the Immortal Sea Building," his accompanying Guard Commander reported.

"Elder Chen? You mean Dean Chen?"

"Yes."

"He’s still alive?" Li Mu was rather surprised. "By my count, he must be nearly a hundred years old."

"Lord Li, should we prepare a gift for him as well?"

"A gift for him? The man doesn’t even have a nationality. How dare he celebrate his birthday?" Li Mu scoffed.

"Understood."

"And General Zhan?"

"General Zhan seems to have been gone ever since he entered the city yesterday."