Chapter Forty-Nine: Wei’s Distillery

“This wine is still produced in small quantities, and even its name has yet to be decided, so for now it cannot be sold,” Wei Renshi replied in a clear voice. “If you are interested, just wait a month or so—then both Fuchang and the city of Luoyang will have this white wine for sale.”

“Clear and pure as water…” Meng Dongye glanced into his bowl and said, “White wine is indeed an apt name.”

Someone nearby called out, “A month or so? How will I know then that what’s being sold is your wine?”

At this, Wei Renshi feigned hesitation, pretending to ponder a moment, then said, “Very well, I still have two gourds here. I’ll share them with everyone to taste. In the future, should you come across this white wine, you’ll recognize it with a single sip.”

Everyone agreed that the youth was still young, for this wine was as limpid as water—unparalleled in the world—what need was there for any other distinction? Yet he actually offered it for all to taste! Thus, the patrons in the hall cheered in unison and hurriedly called for the waiters to bring bowls.

The waiter, with no other choice, brought out a stack of bowls. Wei Renshi untied the gourd from his waist and poured a mouthful into each bowl. Meng Dongye reached out to help, and the middle-aged man and the burly fellow joined in as well. Soon, several tables were filled.

Everyone rushed forward to sample the wine, and without exception, they all praised it incessantly, exclaiming that all the wine they’d drunk before was wasted.

The burly man, watching the crowd scramble for a taste, found the scene familiar. He scratched his head, then clapped his hands and said to Wei Renshi, “Ah! Now I see! Young master, you’re truly cunning. Once again, I’ve helped you gain fame! Isn’t this just like when you defeated Old Man Wang with your seasonings last time—stirring up renown for your wares!”

Wei Renshi looked up and, seeing Meng Dongye and the middle-aged man smiling knowingly, realized they too had seen through his intentions.

He laughed and said, “Thank you, Master Dongye, sir, and elder brother, for your help. I invite you all to my family’s distillery for a drink as an apology—will you accept?”

“Excellent! That’s just perfect!” the burly man agreed at once. “Since that’s the case, let me help you once more.”

With that, he called out in a booming voice, “Young master, your wine is truly unique. After tasting it, I fear no other wine will ever suit me. What is your family’s distillery called?”

His voice was so loud it drowned out all others, drawing everyone’s attention.

“My surname is Wei,” Wei Renshi replied. “My family’s distillery is called Wei’s Distillery. At present, we have only a small hut outside the South Gate, but in the future, we’ll open a shop in Luoyang.”

When Wei Renshi finished, the middle-aged man who had accompanied Meng Jiao asked, “Such a fine wine must be expensive, I imagine?”

Wei Renshi knew he was helping him, so he replied with a smile, “Gentlemen, as lovers of wine, you must know how troublesome brewing can be. To produce a wine of this quality involves no small hardship. However, just like other wines, this white wine also comes in different grades. The ordinary loose wine will not be much more expensive than common wines, so an average family can afford it. As for the higher grades—naturally, the better the taste, the higher the price.”

Within Lanchang Tower, the wealthy and noble came and went like clouds. To elicit such a reaction among them was proof enough that the white wine’s prospects were bright.

Today’s events served as a modest bit of publicity for his wine, giving Wei Renshi greater confidence about promoting it in Luoyang.

Afterward, the dishes arrived, and Wei Renshi and Li He feasted heartily, ignoring the ongoing discussions about the white wine around them.

Leaving Lanchang Tower, Wei Renshi led Meng Jiao, the middle-aged man, and the burly fellow toward his distillery.

Not far along, Wei Renshi felt as though someone was following them. Curious, he glanced back.

The burly man noticed and said, “No worries—those are my men. Let them follow as they please.”

Wei Renshi regarded the man and thought, So, he’s someone of some standing. But he asked no more and continued toward Chang Valley.

He and Li He rode a donkey cart, while the others rode horses, and before long, they arrived at Chang Valley.

From within the distillery wafted the rich aroma of wine. They sat beneath the shade of an old pagoda tree.

Old Sun brought out a wine jar, and after setting it down, said to Wei Renshi, “Young master, a servant from the Jiao family came by earlier to deliver a message—what you’d asked them to do is done. Xier came looking for you as well, but not finding you, left word with me.”

“So soon?” Wei Renshi was surprised. “Grandpa Sun, is there any marinated chicken feet left from before? If so, bring some for us to enjoy with our wine.”

Old Sun answered and hurried off, soon returning with a large plate piled with marinated chicken feet.

The others eyed the dish with some curiosity.

Only Meng Jiao laughed and said, “This is delicious—a chicken foot to nibble and suck, leaving not a scrap of meat behind. It’s full of flavor and takes a long time to eat.”

With that, he picked up a chicken foot.

“Ah! Delicious!” Meng Jiao praised, urging the others, “Try it, it’s truly good.”

The middle-aged man seemed helpless at Meng Jiao’s actions and shook his head, saying, “Thank you for your hospitality, young master, but may I ask your name?”

“My surname is Wei; my home is here in Chang Valley, and I go by the courtesy name Renshi,” Wei Renshi replied with a smile. He then gestured to Li He and said, “This is my childhood friend, renowned as a prodigy and favored by Scholar Zhang of the Imperial Academy—Li He, styled Changji. Master Dongye, you two should have much to discuss.”

Li He gave Wei Renshi a tug, but Meng Jiao looked at Li He and said, “Since young master has earned the scholar’s favor, he must be exceptionally gifted. I, old as I am and down on my luck, am not your equal.”

“Both of you have courtesy names? Young master, you can’t be very old?” the middle-aged man asked.

“We both lost our fathers young, so we were granted courtesy names early,” Li He replied.

“I see—I was presumptuous,” the middle-aged man said. “I am Yin Qingfeng, from Chang’an.”

“I am Zhang Gan, from Luoyang,” said the burly man.

Meng Jiao, holding a chicken foot, laughed, “I am Meng Jiao, styled Dongye, just a rustic from the countryside.”

Wei Renshi smiled as he opened the wine jar and poured for everyone. “Back in Lanchang Tower, the three of you saw through my intentions but didn’t expose me. For that, I thank you.”

With that, he drank first to show respect. The others all followed suit, and except for Li He, the three men’s faces instantly showed great satisfaction.

“Hahaha, young master, you are truly clever. After you bested Old Wang, your seasonings became known throughout Fuchang. Now, after today, the name of white wine will surely spread through Fuchang and Luoyang alike,” Zhang Gan laughed heartily. “And with such excellent wine, your future is assured.”

Wei Renshi smiled and said, “My family is poor, so I have no choice but to try my hand at business. But with no foundation, I must forge a new path!”