Chapter 17: Not the Best, but the Most Expensive!

With the arrival of the autumn harvest season, the face of Kuizhou Prefect Zheng Shuqing was also clouded with worry.

The saying goes that the year fears the Mid‑Autumn moon, and the month fears the half‑moon; once the autumn harvest is over, the year is nearly at its end, and next year's Shangyuan Festival follows the New Year back‑to‑back, which could be a turnaround, and now it is the final moment.

Yet Zheng Shuqing still cannot see any sign of vitality!

Kuizhou, aside from Jiangguan, truly has nothing of interest. All economic development is brought by itinerant merchants, and the proportion of permanent residents who own farmland (as recorded by the authorities) is so low that, even without comparing to Fang Chongyong's previous life, it would still rank at the bottom among the Shu lands.

In the "giant" Qinghe Commandery of Hebei, the household count is fifty times that of Kuizhou!

Conversely, Kuizhou's booming tourism has produced a large number of "clients" without farmland, who cluster in the prefectural city, leading to a distorted prosperity in the brewing industry. From Yunyang's Qu Mi Spring to the locally produced Wuxia Spring in the prefectural city, it can be said that good wine has never been lacking since antiquity.

The Song‑dynasty poet Fan Chengda wrote: "Yun'an wine is rich, Qu Mi is cheap; every household can lift a drunken guest home." He was referring to the fine wine of Kuizhou, which is not only cheap but also offers an excellent value.

From this perspective, Zheng Shuqing's worry is not baseless: Kuizhou's fine wine does not meet the aesthetic of Chang'an's aristocrats. Because its value is high, it lacks market competitiveness among the noble class and can only be known as a "regional specialty."

If Du Fu had not been destitute enough to seek refuge in Kuizhou, he would never have even encountered Kuizhou's Qu Mi Spring rice wine in Chang'an.

In other words, although Kuizhou's wine industry is thriving, beyond brewing a little for personal consumption, selling the surplus to taverns for modest profit, or having breweries make some for entertaining merchants, that's about all there is. The local "soil tyrant" that roams freely can never reach Chang'an's grand stage.

Wine that cannot be sold in Chang'an holds no commercial value; other regions also have local fine wines that are equally good and cheap. Kuizhou's wine, outside of places like Chang'an and Luoyang, has no chance of being sold at all.

As for where the massive grain needed for brewing comes from, it obviously comes from the Shu region! Buying it from passing merchants is very convenient, which is one reason Kuizhou, despite not producing grain, has a thriving wine industry.

Thus, easy access to brewing ingredients, good mountain spring water, and decent (though not top‑tier) wine quality are Kuizhou wine's strengths; its low profile among Chang'an's elite circles and the great distance from Guanzhong, which prevents it from competing on volume, are its weaknesses.

Moreover, due to Tang‑era canal transport restrictions, selling wine by sheer volume is unrealistic and would meet resistance.

In the study of the Lotus Pond annex, Fang Chongyong broke these points down for Zheng Shuqing's analysis; the prefectural office has already begun buying this year's post‑harvest grain at low prices to prepare brewing material.

But ideals are one thing; reality is another. Brewing wine isn't hard; the difficulty lies in how to sell it big in Chang'an!

"So, you're saying Kuizhou's wine just lacks reputation?"

After hearing Fang Chongyong's analysis, Zheng Shuqing frowned and, as if to himself, asked back.

He himself comes from Chang'an, hails from an official family, so he naturally isn't short of good things and is considered well‑versed.

The biggest problem with Kuizhou's wine isn't the taste; it's the color! It's the prestige!

In the Tang era, wine without a distinctive color could not make it onto the aristocratic menu! Naturally, it sits at the very bottom of the wine contempt hierarchy.

If you bring a pot of faint milky‑white rice wine to the table, you'd be too embarrassed to greet the guests!

Visually it falls short by three points! It's already lost before anyone even tastes it!

Chang'an's elite are flamboyant, live in drunken reverie, and pursue luxury. Kuizhou's locally cheap Qu Mi Spring and Wuxia Spring are not to their taste!

"Actually, just looking at color, Kuizhou wine already has no advantage; it's far from easy to become famous in the short term. How do you plan to make money from brewing?"

Zheng Shuqing couldn't help but sigh. "Just buy the grain; it's easy to offload, and by winter we can even make a small profit from the wine."

"Moreover, when brewing ingredients are too easy to obtain, people will deem the quality inferior and it won't be accepted in refined circles."

He added another point.

The principle that rarity makes something valuable applies everywhere. If brewing ingredients (including water) are easy to get and the aging period is short, people will naturally consider the quality average. With only a few months left until next year's Shangyuan Festival, this brief 'aging' would try to fool those Chang'an elites who treat wine like water.

That's still a bit too naive!

Fang Chongyong's earlier scheme of 'customs reform and earmarking canal ships' truly impressed Zheng Shuqing—one could even call it 'turning decay into marvel'—but it is obvious that Fang Chongyong, who knows nothing about drinking, can hardly devise tricks in the realm of wine.

"Lord, actually, we could brew wine using Red Lotus Rice."

Fang Chongyong said with conviction.

He had been a couch‑potato since summer, reading and practicing calligraphy daily, appearing to live a leisurely life, but in fact he had been gathering all sorts of information and preparing a trump card!

Now the treasured sword is drawn; who will contest it?

"Brewing wine from Red Lotus Rice?"

Zheng Shuqing was stunned, having not at all grasped Fang Chongyong's line of thought.

Delicious rice may not be suitable for brewing, and the reverse is also true. The material for brewing sometimes has nothing to do with how tasty it is on its own.

Sorghum is so unpalatable, yet sorghum wine's flavor is completely opposite, standing out uniquely among liquors—that's the principle.

Red Lotus Rice is indeed tasty, but it may not be suitable for brewing, and no one does it!

Such a precious rice is a royal tribute; only the household to whom Li Longji bestows it gets to eat it. Even if there are 'lost' sections along the route, those who obtain the 'Open Road Rice' dare not flaunt it publicly, let alone use the highly prized Red Lotus Rice tribute for private brewing.

There's no demand, they're reluctant to part with the material, and there's already a plethora of ready‑made fine wine; the notion that Chang'an has wine brewed from Red Lotus Rice is downright absurd!

"You're not joking, are you? Where does this Red Lotus Rice come from?"

Zheng Shuqing spread his hands, his face full of surprise, and asked Fang Chongyong.

"Lord, may I ask you a question."

"Please, go ahead."

"The document from Gu Kuang should be among some people in Chang'an; it's no longer a secret, right?"

Fang Chongyong suddenly raised this thread, which somewhat surprised Zheng Shuqing.

"If—if someone in Chang'an is now spreading rumors that Kuizhou's tribute Red Lotus Rice has already been used extensively for brewing, would that not line up perfectly with Gu Kuang's document?"

Fang Chongyong said with a smile.

It seems, perhaps… indeed, that's the case.

Zheng Shuqing nodded slightly, noting that rumors that can be verified spread easily. Gu Kuang's document was not sealed; it passed through many relay stations and officials before finally reaching the desk of the Minister of Revenue.

Anyone along that chain could disseminate the news. If a schemer were to fan the flames, making the whole of Chang'an aware would be no difficulty.

Red Lotus Rice was half destroyed by a 'mountain fire'; is that half truly destroyed, or merely vanished from the court's ledgers? Who can say?

Throughout the ages, those who love a spectacle have always been fans of conspiracy theories!

Those who obtained the 'Open Road Rice' won't speak of it, let alone clarify publicly, while those who didn't will use it as fodder for idle chatter. In the end, the story that Red Lotus Rice was used for brewing becomes the final version of the rumor, also covering up the crimes of some who tampered along the way.

Everyone will be eager: 'Damn, that Red Lotus Rice, as precious as gold—what flavor would its wine have?'

Thus, although Kuizhou currently has no Red Lotus Rice for brewing, it can make Chang'an's elites believe that a batch of Red Lotus Rice has been held back locally and used for brewing!

As long as they think it exists, its non‑existence also counts as existence; those in the know won't expose it, let alone point at their own noses and say, 'Kuizhou has no Red Lotus Rice; the surplus is in my pocket.'

As for Li Longji, even if he wanted an extra hundred thousand guan, knowing the truth, would he still hold the capable henchmen who helped him profit accountable?

Trying to grasp this relationship, Zheng Shuqing excitedly rubbed his hands and asked, "It seems so, but… the mouths of the nobles in Chang'an are hard to please. An ordinary Wuxia spring is hard to win the nobles' eye!"

"That's natural, but I also have a killing move. From now until before next year's Lantern Festival we can finish brewing. We'll transport the wine to Chang'an, exchange it for money there, and hand it over directly as tax!"

Fang Chongyong, brimming with confidence, took a small cloth bag from behind and placed it on the table. He untied the bag, revealing countless red grains of rice.

"Red Lotus Rice!"

Zheng Shuqing sprang up, stunned. He held the red glutinous rice in his hand to examine, looking closely, yet sensed something amiss.

"It is said Red Lotus Rice is as translucent as red jade, but this… doesn't seem so."

Zheng Shuqing said while returning the red rice to the bag, shaking his head slightly.

"Lord, what color do you think the wine brewed from Red Lotus Rice should be?"

Fang Chongyong asked in a deep voice.

"Its hue is red and translucent, lighter than red wine, yet bright and clear…"

Zheng Shuqing closed his eyes, shook his head and swayed, saying with a face full of rapture.

You really do understand the flavor the aristocrats like!

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but mutter inwardly.

"Enough talk," he bowed to Zheng Shuqing and said, "Lord, then follow me to Fengxian Tower; I have already made preparations. If we stay silent, fine; but a single cry will startle the world. From today, the road for you to return to Chang'an will begin to gain momentum!"

Fang Chongyong, in a dramatically flamboyant manner, raised his arm and shouted.

Zheng Shuqing couldn't muster any spirit, waved feebly, got up and followed Fang Chongyong. The two entered from the north city gate of the magistrate's office, and on the way were greeted with courteous bows. Seeing this, Zheng Shuqing felt a bit smug.

Outside Fengxian Tower, they saw Fang Laique gnawing on a chicken leg. Fang Chongyong's face darkened and scolded, "Why are you eating again?"

"Uh, it's that the manager of Fengxian Tower was very generous and gave me a lot to eat…"

Fang Laique stammered, seeming embarrassed, causing Fang Chongyong to frown.

"Is everything settled?"

Fang Chongyong asked with a fierce face; if Fang Laique dared to say 'no', he would immediately enforce the family law!

"All set, all set. The young master of Fengxian Tower came from Chang'an, traveling a thousand miles."

Fang Laique leaned close to Fang Chongyong's ear and whispered.

"Good!"

Fang Chongyong walked over to Zheng Shuqing and said, "All settled, please, Lord, go up to the top floor of Fengxian Tower to discuss important matters!"

Zheng Shuqing, seeing his solemn words, nodded calmly. The party reached the top floor and saw a young man dressed plainly, like a farmer, waiting for a long time.

"I, Wang Defu, have met you, Lord. My father Wang Yuanbao conducts business in Chang'an."

Wang Yuanbao?

Zheng Shuqing was momentarily stunned, then politely nodded and, together with Fang Chongyong, sat opposite Wang Defu.

Wang Yuanbao is the richest man in Chang'an, possibly the richest in the Tang Empire, having made his fortune trading glassware. Zheng Shuqing had also heard of this.

Fang Chongyong whispered into Zheng Shuqing's ear, "When I first saw Fengxian Tower using glass tiles, I knew their patron must be Wang Yuanbao. Ordinary merchants couldn't buy glass tiles for houses."

Using factory‑price bricks and tiles to build houses is only natural.

"Today, I wish to speak on behalf of the Lord about this Red Lotus Spring wine."

Fang Chongyong made a welcoming gesture and said, and Fang Laique deftly opened the lid of a wine jar, then poured wine into the porcelain bowls before Zheng Shuqing and Wang Defu.

As Zheng Shuqing expected, the wine was a delicate rosy clarity, clearly not ordinary.

"Please, Lord, taste it!"

Fang Chongyong stood up and said to the two.

The wine smelled fragrant and mellow, with a slight sweetness on the palate, a smooth texture, a faint bitterness, and a lingering aftertaste. Its aroma and flavor were extremely unique; Zheng Shuqing, though not unfamiliar with fine wine, could not recall any wine with a similar taste.

"This is the Red Lotus Spring brewed from Red Lotus Rice."

Fang Chongyong introduced solemnly.

Wang Defu smiled and nodded, his smile seeming to hold meaning; Zheng Shuqing also smiled and nodded, sincerely.

"My father will find a way to distribute and sell Red Lotus Spring in Chang'an, settling there. We won't inquire into its brewing process. May I ask, sir, what price you wish to set?"

In Chang'an, wine prices are quite fixed; it's not a per‑bottle price but a classification system. Different grades of wine have different prices.

For ordinary households, a small dou (2 liters) costs a hundred wen.

For officials and wealthy families, a dou costs a thousand wen (one guan).

For aristocratic banquets, the price varies; it can be ten thousand wen per dou, or a hundred thousand, depending on scarcity.

"Red Lotus Rice is a tribute item; one stone of rice yields one dou of wine. A dou at twenty guan is just cost! We sell to your esteemed shop at twenty‑five guan per dou. For the rest, you may set any price you wish."

"Red Lotus Spring differs from ordinary wine; it doesn't harm the body and can strengthen it, making it ideal for nobles. This jar is gifted to the young master; the young master is well‑versed, so whether my words are true or not, after drinking this jar, the verdict will be clear."

"How many dou do you have? If not many, I'll take them all."

After pondering for a long time, Wang Defu looked up and asked.

"Not many, just wine worth over a hundred thousand guan. Deliver it to Chang'an before next year's Lantern Festival."

"That's too much; such a large sum is beyond my authority. I must first return to Chang'an and discuss with my father before deciding."

Wang Defu clasped his hands and bowed, saying.

Zheng Shuqing and Fang Chongyong exchanged glances; Fang Chongyong shook his head slightly, signaling Zheng Shuqing not to get agitated, to stay calm.

"Since that's the case, I will take my leave with the Lord. When the wealthy Wang decides, just inform us then."

Fang Chongyong respectfully bowed, then pulled Zheng Shuqing out of Fengxian Tower.