20demayo Chapter 1001: Newly Opened Wine Vat
Chapter 1001: Newly Opened Wine Vat
The drinking lasted until midnight. Later, Okamura was rarely drunk and sang folk songs from his hometown loudly.
Lin Ze asked Okamura's adjutant to settle him down and went back to the Lin Mansion to rest.
The next morning, Lin Ze got up, took a bath, and felt refreshed, ready to go out for a walk.
Okamura was right about one thing. Lin Ze has been too busy and stressed recently, so it is necessary for him to relax a bit.
Niu Saner came to ask: "Master, do you want to prepare a car?"
Lin Ze waved his hand and said, "You should change your clothes too. Let's go on a secret visit."
Niu Saner knew that Lin Ze was in a good mood today, so he changed into casual clothes. However, he arranged for the security team to spread out and follow him from a distance, so as not to disturb Lin Ze's interest, nor to relax the security in the slightest.
Then the two of them went out. The weather was not too hot in the morning, so they walked south and strolled to the vicinity of the East Gate.
This distance was not close enough, and Lin Ze felt a little hungry. There happened to be a big wine vat on the side of the road. He had never seen it before, so it should have been newly opened not long ago.
Although Lin Ze doesn't have the habit of drinking in the morning, he can order a few dishes and then get a bowl of noodles or mutton soup from a nearby food stall.
After lifting the door curtain and walking in, Niu Saner immediately looked around to get a general understanding of the environment and diners here.
Even though it was morning, there were quite a few people coming to drink. Most of them were workers working at the station unloading yard. After a tiring night, they came to eat something greasy and salty, drink some wine, and then go back to sleep.
The wine shop is a typical big wine vat opened by people from Western Province. There is no partition, just a square main room. The counter of other shops is usually at the door, but it is different here. The counter is on the wall opposite the door.
On the cabinet stood a pile of coarse earthenware bowls, a basket of small wine cups, and a few fine porcelain cups that were rarely used.
On the other side, there is a wine jar several dozen centimeters high, covered with a stopper made of red cloth. Wine is usually poured from this jar. Under the cabinet are plates of ready-made side dishes, including fried pickles, fried peanuts, and salted duck eggs. The best one is the radish bean, which contains red radish, chili peppers, soybeans, and pork skin. It can be eaten with wine or to satisfy your cravings.
This kind of shop does not have octagonal tables, but rather one person-high wine jar after another, half of which is buried underground. The part above the ground is covered with a cover and can be used as a table.
The female shopkeeper looked to be in her thirties. She wore a blue floral dress and an apron. She was neat and tidy and spoke in a sharp voice.
"Wang Laowu! Stop smoking your stinky pipe. Is this room still suitable for people?"
"Brother Zhou, you can't stop talking about that. Stop looking at me and go home to see your mother!"
"San Mazi, we don't accept credit or debt here, so you can't drink for free!"
The man named San Mazi said with a playful smile, "Sister Yun, I'm not drinking for nothing! Look at you, a woman, you've been running a tavern here for a long time, and you still haven't found your father? If I were to ask you, your father might not be in Beiping anymore, and you'd be all alone. I drank your wine, and I'll come and warm your bed tonight!"
The female shopkeeper scolded him, "You can't even stand up straight at home, and you come here to talk dirty? If you really have the guts, take off your pants and show us. If you really have a few guys, you don't need to warm my bed. I'll come find you tonight!"
These words made Sanmazi feel awkward and he left in shame.
Lin Ze walked over and found a place to sit down. Sister Yun quickly took a rag and wiped it a few times symbolically.
"Gentlemen, would you like to drink or eat noodles?"
Lin Ze asked in surprise: "There's still noodles?"
Sister Yun smiled confidently, "I'm from the Western Province. I can't say anything else, but I'll give you a bowl of noodles, and it'll always be enough for you to eat."
"Then I'll have four side dishes, two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes, and two bowls of noodles. If there are toppings, you can stir-fry two of them."
Having said that, Lin Ze smelled the smell of alcohol in the room.
You know what, this wine is quite fragrant.
"Bring us another two ounces of wine, and let's have a morning drink, the best kind."
This was a big customer. Sister Yun brought the dishes quickly, and then used a wine decanter to bring two taels of wine and took two fine porcelain cups.
Then go and light the stove and prepare to cook the noodles.
At this time, a man in a long gown came in from outside.
He is in his forties, with a fair complexion and a refined demeanor.
It seems that this person often comes to this place to eat, and the drinkers around him greeted him one after another.
"Mr. Wen, you are here."
"Editor Wen, you're late today?"
"Editor Wen, your newspaper reported that the daughter of a certain director of the Administrative Committee eloped with someone and ended up joining the Pingxi base. Is that true?"
The news editor responded with a smile, "What the newspaper said is of course true."
Then he nodded to Sister Yun and said, "As usual, a bowl of wide noodles."
Sister Yun smiled and said, "Just because a gentleman wanted to eat noodles, I just turned on the fire. Now it's ready, a pot of noodles is ready."
Someone started to make a fuss, "Madam, Mr. Wen comes here often. He's a scholar, good at making money, and he doesn't have any women around him. Why don't you marry him? It's better than running a big wine vat here!"
Sister Yun became aggressive again and cursed the man a few times, and the big wine jar was filled with a happy atmosphere.
Soon, the noodles were served. They were indeed well made, chewy and smooth, and the soup was very clear, which was rare.
After having their fill, Lin Ze and Niu Saner strolled around the East Gate before heading home.
Before noon, Gao Shengping came to the mansion in person to invite Lin Ze.
"Brother Shengmin, Wang Mengqun has come to me for help, so you have to give me some face. If you have nothing else to do, come over to my place for a drink or two."
Lin Ze drank last night and again this morning. Although he was in good health and didn't feel any discomfort, he didn't want to drink anymore. But Lao Gao came to invite him personally, so he couldn't refuse. "Director, I drank too much with the general yesterday. I'll have dinner, but no wine."
Lao Gao expressed shock again. Brother Shengmin always says shocking things. He got drunk with the general. That’s awesome!
He naturally agreed without hesitation, "Don't worry, Wang Mengqun just wants to thank you. It doesn't matter whether he drinks or not."
Lin Ze followed Lao Gao to the Gao Mansion's villa, where Wang Mengqun had already been waiting.
When he saw Lin Ze, he bowed his head and said, "Master Lin, you are here."
Lin Ze smiled and said, "President Wang has just taken office, and I haven't had time to congratulate him yet."
Wang Mengqun said sincerely, "If it weren't for Master Lin speaking well of me to the General, I wouldn't be where I am today."
Gao Shengping shouted, "If you have anything to say, let's talk about it over dinner. Lao Wang, what do you think? I said to invite Shengmin, and Shengmin came. You were worried that Shengmin wouldn't come this morning, and now he's here, isn't he?"
Wang Mengqun laughed and said, "With the director taking action, why should I worry?"
Lin Ze also said politely, "Brother Director, please come and call me. There is no reason for me not to come."
Middle-aged men like Lao Gao can't drink too much, can't eat much, and can't do anything else. They basically live their whole lives for face. If they have face, they will be radiant and in a good mood. If they don't have face, they will be depressed and unhappy.
Lao Gao was feeling quite proud today, and he said proudly, "Shengmin doesn't drink, Lao Wang, let's drink! After we finish, we can get back to work in the Eight Great Hutongs!"