Chapter Forty-Seven: Lanchang Pavilion

Ordinary wine has always been given elegant names based on its characteristics since ancient times. For instance, names like Filtered Clear and Emerald Wave are derived from the color and appearance. Old Sun, usually quiet, became eloquent when speaking of wine. “There are also distinctions based on brewing techniques, such as Drunken Green Ants and Threefold Syrup. Or classifications according to ingredients, like Grape Brew... Well, though these wines taste different, they are all clear as water. I don't know what to call them.”

“We make distilled spirits, so let's call it White Spirit,” Wei Renshi replied with a smile. “Pristine and clear as water—White Spirit. Then, depending on flavor, we divide them into different aroma types.”

As he spoke, Wei Renshi gestured to the first glass by his side. “This one is rich in cellar aroma, mellow and sweet, harmonious in fragrance, with a clean and lingering finish. I call it the Strong Aroma type.”

Pointing to the second glass, he said, “This one is pure and mellow, well-balanced, soft and sweet, with a refreshing aftertaste. I call it the Light Aroma type.”

He continued, indicating the third glass. “This one stands out for its sauce aroma, elegant and delicate, rich and full-bodied, with a long-lasting aftertaste. The fragrance is not flamboyant, subtle yet not faint, lingering overnight, and even the empty glass retains its scent. I call it the Sauce Aroma type.”

Finally, he gestured to the last glass. “This final one is clear and transparent, with a bouquet of aromas, mellow and sweet, full-bodied, harmonious in flavor, and a lingering finish. It combines the previous three types in one. I call it the Rich Aroma type.”

Old Sun listened and exclaimed, “Young master, you certainly know how to speak. I could sense the differences, but never knew how to describe them!”

“Uncle Sun, remember the brewing methods and flavors. From now on, the spirits produced by our distillery will be divided into these four aroma types, four categories. Each category will have varying grades and different names. The finest will be given elegant, meaningful, and interesting names, while the common ones will have names everyone understands, grounded and approachable,” Wei Renshi said. “You needn't worry about naming them, Uncle Sun. Leave that to me.”

“That’s wonderful!” Old Sun laughed.

Naming was no difficulty for Wei Renshi. Now that White Spirit was being produced, there was another matter to attend to.

He needed to create a reputation for high-proof spirits.

Present-day wines, not being distilled, lacked strong alcohol content. Even the most potent, Threefold Syrup, reached only about thirty degrees at most.

Those who favored strong drink loved Threefold Syrup, but it often caused severe headaches afterward.

The distillery's White Spirit naturally included low-proof varieties, whose clarity and mellow aroma would quickly find a place in the Tang dynasty’s wine market.

But spirits of forty to fifty degrees, even fifty to sixty, might not be readily accepted by the masses.

So he had to build some fame for these high-proof spirits, so people would gradually try them, accept them, and come to like them.

The method was in the books.

There was the “Three Bowls and You Can’t Cross the Ridge” from the novel; Wei Renshi thought he could launch a “Three Bowls and You Can’t Enter the City.”

This city, of course, was not Fuchang, but the Eastern Capital, Luoyang.

Only a metropolis like Luoyang, with its throngs at the gates, could spread the fame of White Spirit fastest.

Yet before that, he could first test the response to White Spirit in Fuchang.

White Spirit had just been brewed, and the distillery had only begun production. There wasn't time to design bottles yet, so Wei Renshi filled gourds with White Spirit and took them with him as he left the distillery.

The place to test the wine had to be somewhere bustling, where many drank, and where patrons could afford good wine.

After some thought, Wei Renshi made his choice.

With two gourds of wine at his waist, he headed to the village entrance, went to Li He’s home, knocked, and upon entering, said, “Come, Changji, let’s make a trip to the county seat.”

Li He, about to go out in search of inspiration, asked, “What are we going to the county seat for?”

“I’m inviting you to Lanchang Tower,” laughed Wei Renshi.

“To Lanchang Tower?” Li He was surprised and asked, “Why suddenly go to Lanchang Tower? What’s the reason? It’s so expensive there…”

“Just to taste it,” replied Wei Renshi. “And let me give this thing some reputation.”

“What’s inside?” Li He eyed the gourds at Wei Renshi’s waist with curiosity.

Wei Renshi grinned, “It’s something good. Who knows, this thing might pay for the two of us to take the imperial exam in the capital.”

Li He was even more intrigued and agreed. Li Rong prepared the donkey cart, and they rode off to Fuchang city.

Lanchang Tower was the finest tavern in Fuchang, said to have started in Fuchang and now with a branch in Luoyang.

Its name was taken from a palace not far from Chang Valley. The place was originally called Lianchang Palace, also known as Lanchang Palace, built during the Sui dynasty’s reign of Emperor Yang. But Emperor Yang never visited, while it was favored by Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, and Empress Wu Zetian.

Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi, Empress Wu Zetian, and Emperor Xuanzong Li Longji all visited and stayed there.

Yet after the An Lushan Rebellion, Lianchang Palace was abandoned.

Still, many scholars and gentlemen enjoyed visiting its old site, reflecting on the past.

Thus, Lanchang Tower’s name attracted many passing through Fuchang, or those specifically touring the old site of Lianchang Palace.

Inside, Lanchang Tower was indeed lavishly decorated. Wei Renshi and Li He arrived at midday, when the place was bustling.

The first floor teemed with patrons; the second floor was for the wealthy, making it the ideal place for Wei Renshi to test his White Spirit.

After waiting for a while, they found a vacant table and sat down. Immediately, a waiter came over, wiping the table and asking, “Gentlemen, what would you like to eat and drink?”

Menus were available, made of wood, with dishes carved and hung at each table’s corner.

Wei Renshi casually ordered a few dishes, and the waiter went to relay the order.

“Renshi, what are you planning?” Li He glanced at the gourds at Wei Renshi’s waist.

Wei Renshi smiled, took one from his belt, pulled the stopper, and a rich aroma instantly wafted out.

Li He sniffed and watched as Wei Renshi set the gourd on the table.

“Just leave it here,” Wei Renshi said to Li He, smiling.

Li He took a deep breath. “Is it wine inside, or something else? It smells so fragrant!”

“It’s my brewed White Spirit,” said Wei Renshi. “Let’s see if anyone notices.”

The aroma gradually spread from the gourd, and people at the nearest tables began sniffing, looking around.

Soon, more patrons caught the scent, turning their heads to seek its source.