The Gardenia family was the undisputed titan of Sinnoh's supply chain, controlling the flow of berries, dicinal herbs, and basic food staples.
If they suddenly cut off the supply, prices across the region would skyrocket within hours. Even if rival factions tried to source materials from Hoenn or Unova, the logistics of transoceanic trade ant a minimum one-week delay—not accounting for the ti needed to gather and store those resources in specialized cold-chain containers.
Feng Che's strategy against the pincer attack from the Temple, the League, and the Bounty Hunters' Guild was simple: Total Embargo.
By hoarding the resources, he intended to force the hand of the other major families—Celestic Town, the Volkner (Sunyshore) Clan, and the Pastoria Shrine. Simultaneously, he planned to poach the most honorable mbers of the Bounty Hunters' Guild to build his own private security force. His primary target for recruitnt? Hunter J.
Ripples Across Sinnoh
The news that the Gardenias had halted all sales hit the region like a tsunami.
In Celestic Town: "This is a '釜底抽薪' (pulling the firewood from under the pot) move," Professor Carolina said, biting her lip. "They supply ninety percent of Sinnoh. This could be a catastrophe for the public. But this isn't Yuan Xiong's style—he doesn't have the guts for a gamble this dangerous."
"Storage costs will bleed them dry, and frozen stock loses its premium value. If other families find alternative suppliers, the Gardenias will be left with rotting mountains of debt. Investigate this imdiately. I want to know exactly who is whispering in Yuan Xiong's ear."
In the League Headquarters: Chairman Bordeaux, a burly man with a distinctive goatee, slamd his fist on his desk. "What are the Gardenias thinking? Do they want to incite a regional riot? Summon the Elite Four to the briefing room. We need to stabilize the grain markets before the looting starts."
In the Bertha (Kikuno) Estate: The elderly Elite Four mber, Bertha, looked at the intel with a sneer. "Hmph. They think they can starve the Temple and the League into submission? Foolish. It will only hasten their execution. Little do they know, our secret deals with that traitor Yuan Jin allowed us to stockpile years of reserves. Now, we sell our stock at double the market price. Let the Gardenias rot while we grow fat on their 'embargo'."
In the Sinnoh Temple: The Pope stared at his reflection in a massive mirror, his eyes cold and ambitious. "I am at the twilight of my life," he whispered to his wrinkled visage. "Only the completed Jewel of Life can return my youth, and the Gardenia's Orb is the heart of it. Yuan Xiong has given the perfect excuse to 'liberate' his estate for the sake of the starving public."
"Spread the news," the Pope commanded. "Ensure every citizen knows the Gardenias are hoarding food. Then, open the Temple's storehouses. We will sell at cost. We will beco the saviors of Sinnoh, and I will be the most beloved Pope in history before I crush the Gardenias once and for all."
The New Order
Back at the Gardenia Estate, Feng Che was buried in a mountain of paperwork.
"Patriarch! It's bad!" Seventh Elder Qi cried as he rushed in. "The news of the embargo is causing mass panic. If we don't act, the public will turn on us!"
"Let them panic," Feng Che said, not even looking up from his files. "The more noise the Temple and the League make, the better. It ans they're playing exactly into the role I've cast for them."
"But the Bounty Hunters... they might raid our storefronts!"
"Then we give them a reason not to," Feng Che said, finally setting down his pen. "We are launching a new rit System. The Gardenia family will issue high-paying contracts to any independent trainer or hunter willing to work for us. Instead of cash, they will earn 'rit Points.' These points are the only way to acquire our top-tier processed dicines and high-quality berries."
"You're... you're stealing the Guild's entire business model!" the Elder gasped.
"Exactly. Why fight the hunters when I can hire them?" Feng Che continued. "Furthermore, close all 'Flowery Garden' treatnt centers across Sinnoh to the general public."
"What?!" Elder Qi nearly fainted. "Patriarch, the Flowery Gardens are our main source of daily inco! We spent years pricing out the Pokémon Centers to dominate the dical market. Closing them now is suicide! Please, reconsider!"
Feng Che's eyes flashed behind his mask. "We aren't closing them. We are making them exclusive. From now on, only those who work for the Gardenias or hold our rit Points get access to our healing. We are no longer a charity. We are an elite club."
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