20demayo Chapter 47 One Arrow, Two Eagles
Chapter 47 One Arrow, Two Eagles
Cheng Chuliang burst in, sweating profusely, carrying braised meat and sweet cakes. He was impatient and immediately looked towards the backyard.
Cheng Chumo followed behind, his temperament more composed, but his eyes couldn't hide his eagerness.
Carrying an empty wine flask, and having also brought glutinous rice and millet, he dismounted and bowed to Wang Zhihuan, saying, "Brother Wang."
"Brother, stop putting on airs. You've been nagging the whole way here, why are you pretending to be so refined now!" Cheng Chuliang bluntly exposed him, looking around. "Where's the distillery? Take me there!"
Before Wang Zhihuan could reply, he had already dashed off to the backyard.
As soon as they entered the distillery, Cheng Chuliang exclaimed in surprise, "Brother, come and see! Incredible! Absolutely incredible!"
This winery is so well-maintained; it's a hundred times better than any of the wineries owned by officials in Chang'an!"
Upon hearing his brother's words, Cheng Chumo did not rush forward. He put down the grain and wine bag he had brought, and placed a bundle of fine palace silk on the stone table, explaining the reason with a smile.
It turned out that the strong liquor from before had been used by Cheng Yaojin to entertain guests. The aroma of the liquor had attracted the attention of the palace. After tasting it, the inner court was full of praise and even took the liquor jar with them, and specially rewarded the Duke of Lu's mansion with a lot of palace silk.
Cheng Yaojin didn't keep a single penny, but had his two brothers give four of the bolts of silk to Wang Zhihuan intact as payment for wine.
Cheng Chuliang quickly echoed, insisting that Wang Zhihuan accept it.
Wang Zhihuan's fingertips brushed against the delicate and smooth palace silk, and he understood.
Just as Chen Zhihuan had expected, this strong liquor had alarmed the powerful and influential people of Chang'an, and even the imperial court. With the Cheng family's connections protecting him, his situation was more stable than he had anticipated.
Even if the Wang family of Taiyuan knew that he was brewing wine in the countryside, they would only think that he had no ambition and wasted his time, and would completely lower their guard.
Killing two birds with one stone, everything is under control.
"Since that's the case, I'll gladly accept your offer. I won't refuse, and please convey my thanks to Master Cheng." Wang Zhihuan calmly accepted the gift.
Cheng Chumo then took out a bag of fresh ginger, saying that his mother had specially instructed him to bring it to Wang Zhihuan, as it was a very sincere gesture.
Wang Zhi thanked them with a smile and casually invited them to cook meat together sometime in the future, which made the two brothers even happier.
"Brother Wang, don't delay any longer. The new distillery is ready. Let's start brewing and make it a great start!" Cheng Chuliang was focused on the spirits and couldn't wait.
"Alright, let's start steaming today and brew this first batch of raw mash."
Wang Zhi didn't linger any longer and led the two into the winery.
Cheng Chumo carefully examined the layout of the distillery, from the stove to the cellar, and couldn't help but sincerely praise, "Brother Wang, your distillery is full of craftsmanship, far more exquisite than ordinary distilleries in the world. I've never heard of the secrets to storing and brewing wine before."
"Fine wine is 30% brewing and 70% nurturing. If the environment and timing are even slightly off, the taste will be ten times worse," Wang Zhihuan said calmly.
Upon hearing this, Cheng Chumo admired him even more, feeling that the person before him was a man of great talent and not an ordinary village owner.
Cheng Chuliang had no interest in listening to these principles; he was only eagerly waiting to brew the wine. Seeing this, Wang Zhihuan said no more and brought out the properly fermented mash.
As soon as the mud seal was broken, the rich aroma of wine mixed with the fragrance of grains wafted out, refreshing and enticing, making the Cheng brothers swallow hard and their eyes fill with anticipation.
Cheng Chuliang took the initiative to fetch firewood, while Cheng Chumo squatted in front of the stove to start a fire. The two helped each other out, working quickly and efficiently.
Wang Zhi poured the fermented wine into the copper still, sealed the lid, and connected the bamboo tube for condensation. The whole process was smooth and seamless.
The stove fire roared, and the pine firewood crackled. In no time, a wisp of clear, fragrant wine aroma wafted out.
Immediately afterwards, the crystal-clear liquid dripped slowly down the bamboo tube, making a tinkling sound.
The aroma of the wine grew stronger and stronger, clear and mellow, without being pungent or harsh, filling the entire distillery and permeating the whole estate. Compared with the cloudy wines on the market, it was simply worlds apart.
The first bowl of raw liquor is ready. The liquor is clear and bright, without any impurities, and its appearance is excellent.
Wang Zhihuan first handed the wine bowl to Cheng Chumo, inviting him to taste it first.
As he handed it over, he seemed to casually add, "This wine is strong. Besides drinking it, it can also be used to clean wounds and prevent them from festering. It's more effective than ordinary cloudy wine."
Cheng Chumo accepted the wine with both hands, took a small sip, closed his eyes to savor it, and only opened them after a long time, his eyes filled with astonishment: "This wine is even more mellow and invigorating than the last one. It's smooth on the palate and has a long-lasting aftertaste. You won't find another jar of this fine wine in the entire Tang Dynasty!"
Cheng Chuliang immediately took the bowl, took a small sip, and his eyes lit up. He exclaimed, "It was worth it! All this travel was totally worth it! This wine is truly unparalleled in the world!"
The two brothers sat on the threshold of the winery, sipping their wine slowly, reluctant to drink it in large gulps, their faces full of appreciation.
As the sun sets, the evening breeze rustles through the rice paddies, frogs croak, and the aroma of wine fills the air—a scene of tranquility and contentment.
Cheng Chumo gazed at the clear wine in the bowl, recalling his father's instructions and pondering Wang Zhihuan's words, feeling increasingly confident.
This wine can disinfect and heal wounds, making it a rare and precious life-saving treasure for soldiers who are prone to injury due to constant warfare.
He put down his bowl and said, "Brother Wang, this wine is amazing. My father is thinking that if the army could keep some on hand, it might save the lives of soldiers in a critical moment. I wonder... could I take a small jar back home? I certainly won't let you suffer any loss."
Wang Zhihuan had anticipated this question and readily replied, "I admire General Cheng's concern for his soldiers. If this wine can contribute even slightly to the country's border defenses, then it is its good fortune."
After saying that, he personally took a small jar weighing three jin (approximately 1.5 kg), filled it with the best raw liquor, sealed it tightly with yellow mud and oil paper, and then handed it over.
Keep it low-key, don't over-give, and strike the right balance. A steady, gradual approach is key to lasting relationships and mutual benefits.
The instant the wine jar was sealed, the long-silent, cold system notification suddenly sounded in Wang Zhihuan's mind:
[Ding! Host has successfully brewed a high-proof distilled spirit!]
High-proof liquor can be used for wound cleaning, disinfection, and antibacterial purposes, filling gaps in current medical care and benefiting the country and its people!
[Achievement Criterion: A Convenient and Beneficial Invention!]
[Reward: Merit Points +800]
Wang Zhihuan paused slightly, but his face remained calm, as if he had simply sealed an ordinary jar of wine.
Merit, support, popular support, and a solid foundation are all now in my hands. All the arrangements made since my transmigration have finally yielded their first decent reward.
From then on, he was no longer the weak and helpless member of the collateral branch of the family who could be manipulated by others and whose life and death were left to fate.
Although the road ahead is still treacherous, at least we now have the qualifications and resources to barely protect ourselves and maneuver in the cracks.
As for tracing the clues to the tragic deaths of his parents and seeking justice from that powerful family shadow, there is still a long and dangerous road ahead.
The Cheng brothers held the sealed wine jar as if it were a priceless treasure, filled with gratitude. After bidding it farewell repeatedly, they rode back to Chang'an in the last rays of the setting sun.
Wang Zhihuan stood alone in the gradually darkening courtyard, watching the two figures disappear at the end of the road. His hands, hanging by his sides, clenched slightly, then slowly relaxed, finally falling into silence.