Xia Ruofei hurriedly said, "No more! All of his oak wood for this year had been reserved and exported overseas. These two were the only ones he had left! The rest haven't reached the standard for cutting! "
Although there were a lot of oak trees in the space, Xia Ruofei still needed to cultivate truffles. Moreover, the two wineries together had a huge demand for oak barrels. Even if all the oak trees in the space were cut down, there wouldn't be enough. Therefore, Xia Ruofei naturally wanted to dispel Old West's idea of replacing the oak barrels.
Old West was very disappointed. He didn't give up and asked, "Is there really no more?"
Xia Ruofei said firmly, "Not even one!"
"Why don't you ask again?" Old West said expectantly. "Xia, the quality of our grapes is very high. I've always wanted to use new oak barrels, because new barrels have a much greater impact on the flavor of the wine than old barrels. If we can use this high-quality oak to make oak barrels, the quality of our Semillon will definitely go up a level!"
Xia Ruofei smiled and said, "Uncle West, there really isn't any left. I've already asked my friend …"
"Is that so …" Old West couldn't hide his disappointment.
Xia Ruofei thought for a moment and said, "Uncle West, how about this? No matter how many barrels we can make with these two pieces of wood, I only want two of them. The rest will be left for the wineries. We can use the old and new barrels at the same time. When the time comes, we can compare them and have a direct result! "
Xia Ruofei paused and said, "Also, I'll ask my friend to leave us a batch of oak next year to guarantee the needs of the two wineries! You calculate the number needed, and I'll ask my friend to reserve it in advance. How about that? "
Old West said, "That's the only way! Xia, you should contact your friends now! Next year, we'll reserve at least 800 barrels of wood for our wineries! "
"800 …" Xia Ruofei asked in surprise, "Do we need that much?"
"Of course!" Old West said, "Golden Oak Winery is the largest winery in the Hunter Valley, and West Winery is not small either. Eight hundred barrels are just enough for the two wineries!"
Xia Ruofei thought for a moment and said, "No problem! I'll book it with my friend right away! "
Xia Ruofei then asked, "Uncle West, how long does it take to make a wooden barrel? Can we still catch up with this batch of wine? "
Old West said, "If it's just a few, I'll ask Old Carl to stop working for a while. A week should be enough! The main thing is that the new wooden barrels need to be baked. This process is very important to the quality of the wooden barrels. At the same time, it takes a lot of time. One week should be the fastest! "
Old West continued, "The grapes at Golden Oak are a few days late, so we should be able to make it in a week. But … Xia! I still don't understand. Why do you insist on unfermented grape juice? The fermentation process has very strict requirements for the environment and temperature. If you take it away, it's very likely that the two barrels of grape juice will turn into sour and smelly waste water … "
Xia Ruofei laughed and said, "Uncle West, don't worry about that! Anyway, I only need two barrels … Okay, go back and rest! You still have to get up early to pick the grapes tomorrow! I'm going back to the farm too! "
"Okay!" Old West said. "I'll ask Old Carl to come over tomorrow morning. He's the best barrel maker in the Hunter Valley!"
"Thanks, Uncle West!" Xia Ruofei said with a smile.
…
The next day, not long after Xia Ruofei and Feng Jing arrived at West Winery, a cool old man wearing a checkered shirt, riding boots, and a cowboy hat drove a pickup truck to the winery.
After he jumped out of the car, he called out, "West! West! Where's the fine oak you were talking about? "
Old West, who was busy, immediately put down his work and got up to greet him. He laughed and said, "Carl! You're early! Come, let me introduce you. This is the new owner of West Winery, Xia Ruofei from Huaxia! "
Carl nodded at Xia Ruofei perfunctorily and said, "West, take me to see the oak! If the quality isn't good, I won't take it! I have a lot of orders on hand now! "
He didn't care who would become the new owner of West Winery. All he cared about was the top quality oak wood that Old West had praised to the heavens over the phone last night. For a top-notch barrel maker, the attraction of high-quality wood far exceeded that of a Chinese tycoon.
Old West was a little embarrassed, but Xia Ruofei didn't mind. He smiled and said, "Uncle West, take Uncle Carl to see the wood first!"
Old West looked at Carl with some dissatisfaction and said, "Come with me!"
He led Carl to the empty space at the side of the winery building where the two pieces of wood had been unloaded last night.
Xia Ruofei and Feng Jing looked at each other and followed.
When Carl saw the two pieces of wood, he immediately quickened his pace. He walked to the wood and squatted down to examine it carefully. He was much more serious than Old West. Not only did he examine the texture of the oak, but he also used his fingernails to pinch at different parts of the wood. He even dug out a small piece and put it in front of his nose to smell it.
His expression became more and more colorful as he examined the wood.
Finally, Carl stood up and looked at Old West excitedly. He asked in a hurried tone, "West, where did you get this oak? Why are there only two pieces? "
"That's none of your business! I'm just asking you, are you taking this job or not? "Old West asked proudly.
"Of course! Of course! "Carl said without hesitation.
Old West winked slyly and said, "We need it urgently. We hope to get the barrels within a week. If that's the case, you may have to stop all the other work you're doing. Is there really no problem? If not, I'll ask Vasher … "
"Don't you dare!" Carl said with a glare. "West, we've been friends for decades! If you dare to give this job to Vasher, I'll break off our friendship immediately. Do you believe me? "
Old West laughed and patted Carl on the shoulder. "I'm just kidding! Didn't I call you as soon as I got the wood yesterday? "
Then, Old West said seriously, "But I wasn't kidding when I said I'd deliver the goods within a week. Are you sure you can complete it?"
"Of course!" Carl patted his chest and said, "Stop all the other orders first. I'll handle these two pieces of wood personally. I'll definitely finish them within a week!"
Xia Ruofei asked, "Uncle Carl, how many barrels can you make with these two pieces of wood?"
Carl frowned and said, "How would I know? I'll have to go back and do some calculations before I can come to a conclusion! "
Old West said slowly, "Carl, don't blame me for not reminding you. I'm not the owner of this wood. It's Xia …"
Carl said nonchalantly, "I know. Didn't you say it already? He's the new owner of West Winery … "
"You don't understand what I mean!" Old West said with a smile. "I mean … Xia got the wood, and … next year, we'll replace all the oak barrels in the winery with new barrels made of this kind of oak. It's West Winery and Golden Oak Winery!"
Carl was stunned for a moment. Then, he looked at Xia Ruofei. The arrogant expression on his face disappeared and was replaced by a warm smile. His unshaven and slovenly appearance made him look like the leader of the Beggar's Gang when he smiled.
Xia Ruofei felt a little scared. He couldn't help but say, "Uncle Carl …"
Carl immediately said, "Mr. Xia! Mr. Xia is a young and successful man. No wonder he could buy West Winery … "
Old West reminded him, "Carl! Xia also bought Golden Oak Winery … "
Carl choked for a moment. Then, he smiled and said, "Mr. Xia, let me introduce myself first. My name is Carl …"
Xia Ruofei was not used to it. He waved his hand and said, "Mr. Carl, I know that you're the best barrel maker in the Hunter Valley, right?"
"Hehe … That's all thanks to everyone …" Carl said. "Sorry for offending you just now! Mr. Xia, I didn't expect you to have such connections … This kind of high-quality oak is not easy to get … "
Xia Ruofei smiled and said, "Mr. Carl, if you have something to say, just say it! I'm not used to this … "
Feng Jing could not help but laugh. She was very amused by Carl's change of attitude.
Carl, on the other hand, did not mind. He was still all smiles as he said, "Mr. Xia, I have a presumptuous request. If you can still get this kind of oak next year, if you want to make oak barrels, can you give me priority …"
Xia Ruofei looked at Feng Jing and Old West, then said, "Uncle Carl, Uncle West said that you're the best barrel maker in the Hunter Valley. If I can buy oak next year, I'll definitely give you priority!"
Carl was overjoyed. He quickly said, "Good, good, good! Mr. Xia looks like a straightforward person! Then let's make a deal! Next year, I will decide on the oak barrel business for your winery first! "
Xia Ruofei smiled and nodded. "No problem! But these two pieces of wood … "
Carl quickly said, "Mr. Xia, don't worry. I'll stop all orders and give priority to your two pieces of wood! Oh, right … You asked just now … "
"How many barrels can you make with these two pieces of wood?" Xia Ruofei said with a smile.
"Yes, yes, yes!" Carl quickly said. "I've made a preliminary calculation. It can make at least five barrels. If we use less wood, we can make six barrels …"
Xia Ruofei smiled and said, "Then I'll leave it to you, Uncle Carl! Anyway, you should first guarantee the quality of our oak barrels. Don't force it … "
Carl looked as if he was insulted. He immediately said, "Don't worry. I've been doing this for decades. Even if you don't tell me, I'll guarantee the quality of the oak barrels first. You can ask Old West if you don't believe me."
Xia Ruofei looked at Old West. Old West nodded and said, "Xia, don't worry about Carl's character! He's been making oak barrels in the Hunter Valley for decades. The quality is definitely the best! "
Xia Ruofei nodded and said with a smile, "Uncle Carl, I'll have to trouble you then!"
Old Carl smiled and said, "It's no trouble at all. It's my honor to be of service to you!"
Then, he immediately said to Old West, "West, what are you waiting for? Why aren't you calling a truck for me? "
"Oh, oh, oh, oh! Wait for me! I'll get it right away! "Old West quickly said.
After a while, a flatbed truck drove over. Under Carl's command, the workers loaded the wood onto the truck and moved it away.
Xia Ruofei and Feng Jing also began to work on the winery. The main work was still the early stage of breaking the skin and removing the stalks. The later stage of settling would take too long. Xia Ruofei and Feng Jing might not be able to wait that long.
At noon, the workers finished processing the white grapes and went home.
Xia Ruofei and Feng Jing also said goodbye to the West couple and prepared to return to Wonderland Farm.
Xia Ruofei got into Wonderland Farm's Mercedes-Benz. When he was about to start the car, his cell phone rang.
Xia Ruofei looked at the caller ID. It was Tang Yitian's private cell phone number.
He pressed the answer button and said with a smile, "Hello, Brother Tang!"
Tang Yitian said on the other side of the phone, "Ruofei, where are you now?"
Xia Ruofei hesitated and said, "Brother Tang, I'm sorry … I'm in Hunter's Valley now! Because the winery here is urgent, I didn't contact you when I arrived in Sydney two days ago … "
Tang Yitian said, "Brother Xia, you're really good! You didn't contact me when you arrived in Australia. You're treating me as an outsider! "
Xia Ruofei quickly said, "No, no … Brother Tang, you misunderstood …"
Tang Yitian pretended to be angry and said, "Hmph! I saw the news and knew that the flight you took had an emergency landing in Saipan. I thought you were in Saipan to cooperate with the investigation! Who knew that you actually sneaked to Australia! You didn't even say hello to me. It seems that you really don't put me in your eyes! "
Xia Ruofei said with a smile, "Brother Tang, you misunderstood … The winery is waiting for me to come back to preside over the wine-making ceremony because the grapes are about to be harvested. So, I rushed back to Hunter's Valley as soon as I arrived in Australia. I didn't have time to contact you, did I?"
Tang Yitian snorted and asked, "Then are you free now?"
Xia Ruofei froze for a moment and said, "I'm pretty busy these two days. Brother Tang, I'll go to Sydney to visit you in the afternoon!"
Tang Yitian said with a smile, "That's more like it! Brother Xia, I'll ask Ah Hu to send a car to pick you up! I happen to have a friend I want to introduce to you! "
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