Chapter 1358: Heng Brew

At the official post station of Hengshui County, because the imperial entourage was stopping there, it became a temporary traveling palace. All unrelated persons were cleared out—even the station clerks, grooms, and attending servants were all driven away, replaced by field headquarters eunuchs. The Inner Palace guards, following regulations, arranged their defenses tightly, guarding the imperial entourage.

Perhaps reflecting Emperor Liu's mood, the imperial return journey was somewhat hurried. Heading south all the way, there was basically no stopping along the route, until they reached Hengshui County, where they finally truly halted to rest.

In a clean guest room, Yan Tuo, the head of the palace eunuchs, lay like a noble lord, reclining lazily on a couch spread with a brand-new silk quilt. Though he was simply lying there, an intangible aura of authority enveloped the middle-aged eunuch who served him.

These close attendants around Emperor Liu were servile and fawning, humble and well-behaved when serving the Emperor, but before others, they naturally wore a different face, knowing well how to put on airs. And as a grand eunuch who had climbed to the pinnacle of the eunuch profession, his authority over the lesser eunuchs beneath him was naturally even greater, and even more overbearing.

As a servant who served others, being served himself felt quite natural—and even more enjoyable.

"Grand Eunuch, would you try this jar of wine?" The middle-aged eunuch respectfully poured a cup, carefully holding the small wine cup in both hands, and shuffled forward on his knees two steps to present it to Yan Tuo.

Yan Tuo didn't even glance at him. He took the cup leisurely, took a shallow sip, smacked his lips, shook his head, and said bluntly: "No good!"

The eunuch hesitated not at all. He took back the cup, returned to the long table, set it down, swapped it for a clean cup, opened another jar of wine, poured, and repeated the motion, presenting it to Yan Tuo.

Yan Tuo had the same reaction. He tasted a mouthful, savored it, and still said indifferently: "Lacking!"

On the table was a neat row of wine jars. Judging by their appearance, though they had been cleaned up, they carried a sense of age. Three jars had already been opened.

The middle-aged eunuch's service continued—unceasingly opening jars, unceasingly presenting to Yan Tuo, but always being rejected. The air was already thick with rich wine fragrance. Clearly, these were all fine wines, but none suited Yan Tuo's taste.

As time passed, the eunuch could no longer maintain his initial unhurried composure. When he presented another cup, his hand was already trembling slightly, and his voice carried obvious tension.

And after a brief taste, Yan Tuo's tone already carried a hint of impatience: "You'd offer this kind of wine to His Majesty?"

Sensing Yan Tuo's anger, the eunuch immediately prostrated himself in fear, not daring to raise his head, not daring to speak, not daring to make any move. Though he was quite pleased with this kind of awe from his subordinates, Yan Tuo revealed nothing of his feelings, and said coldly: "Finished tasting the wine?"

"N-no, no..."

Sensing Yan Tuo's will, the eunuch returned to the table again and repeated the motions of opening jars and pouring wine. He was helpless and terrified. Yan Tuo gave no clear evaluation—just "no good." When the boss didn't explain, he naturally had no idea what specifically was lacking. He could only continue presenting with a numb, anxious heart, hoping that one would satisfy Yan Tuo.

Otherwise, if he couldn't even handle this small matter, he would likely fall out of favor with the grand eunuch Yan Tuo, and his days in the palace would not be easy afterward. Working beside Yan Tuo, the head eunuch, the competitive pressure was also great. Being personally assigned a task was both an opportunity and a challenge, accompanied by risk—even if it was just finding some suitable wine.

Yan Tuo naturally wouldn't consider his subordinate's feelings. He took the new wine again, habitually took a shallow taste, and this time, Yan Tuo's eyes finally lit up. He smacked his lips, drained the cup, and said: "Acceptable! Choose this wine!"

"Yes!" Hearing this, the eunuch finally breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly acknowledged. He glanced back—this was the second-to-last jar.

Yan Tuo now sat up and gave forceful instructions: "Prepare twenty jars of this wine first. They must be exactly the same—same vintage, even the same cellar location. There can be no difference whatsoever!"

"Yes!" The eunuch nodded repeatedly.

"Be quick about it! I can wait, but His Majesty cannot!" Yan Tuo put on his airs.

"This one will see to it immediately!"

The two of them were here, so solemn and meticulous, for no other reason than to select wine for Emperor Liu. Emperor Liu, passing through Hengshui for a temporary stop, had taken a sudden interest in tasting Hengshui's wine. After all, Heng brew had deep historical roots and some reputation. Since he was passing through this treasured place, sampling it and learning about local specialties was also a way of observing local customs and folkways.

Though this was merely the Emperor's passing whim, for Yan Tuo it was a matter of the utmost importance. People like them had no dignity before the Emperor—they devoted themselves wholly to pleasing Emperor Liu, and matters the Emperor commanded must be accomplished with high efficiency and perfection.

This presented Heng brew first had to pass Yan Tuo's mouth. He would taste and screen it, select the best, and then present it to Emperor Liu. Yan Tuo performed this servant's role thoroughly. At Emperor Liu's side, to demonstrate his loyalty, he would often take on the task of tasting food himself. He had eaten delicacies from land and sea, and tasted coarse tea and plain meals. His palate was discerning, and he possessed extremely refined tasting skills.

Wine, naturally, was no exception.

Emperor Liu's lodgings naturally looked more comfortable, though of course, this was merely a county guest station—ultimately crude. Sharing quarters with Emperor Liu was Noble Consort Gao. Even while traveling, one had to mind the matter of distributing favors evenly.

Of course, at Emperor Liu's age, with his current body, physical desires had already faded considerably. Noble Consort Gao was past forty. Though she still possessed a moving, mature charm, her allure to Emperor Liu had indeed inevitably declined.

Between the two, there was greater emphasis on emotional connection. Noble Consort Gao, as usual, attended to Emperor Liu attentively, washing his feet and giving him massages.

"This wine is quite good. It should be a famous local vintage—superior Heng brew!" Emperor Liu took a taste, lowered his head to examine the wine in his cup. This might well be the predecessor of Hengshui Laobaigan.

He glanced at Yan Tuo: "Finding such fine wine must have taken considerable effort on your part!"

Upon being asked, Yan Tuo immediately said: "Your Majesty, Hengshui abounds in wine production, with no shortage of old cellars. Though there was some trouble, it was nothing difficult—so long as Your Majesty is satisfied!"

Emperor Liu smiled: "I merely wished to taste the flavor. You haven't made a great fuss, disturbing the people, have you?"

"I would not dare. I only had my subordinates purchase it at the proper price!" Yan Tuo replied.

Nodding, Emperor Liu instructed that a cup also be poured for the Noble Consort, and said: "You should taste this Heng brew too!"

Noble Consort Gao also smiled: "I've heard that Heng brew has the fine reputation of 'opening the jar, fragrance for ten li.' It seems today I too am in for a treat!"

Noble Consort Gao normally didn't care for wine, but to cater to Emperor Liu, she put on a delighted expression.

"Surely you've prepared more than one jar. Send word down—to every civil and military official accompanying the entourage, grant each one jar, so they may taste it too!" Emperor Liu looked at Yan Tuo: "Especially Duke Rong—he loves wine and will surely be delighted by this prey. Give him an extra jar!"

"Yes! This one will arrange it at once!" Yan Tuo acknowledged.

As for Emperor Liu, he truly did as he had said—simply tasting it, a shallow sip and no more, paying it no further heed. But for that single taste of his, Yan Tuo and his subordinates had racked their brains and made every effort, seeking nothing more than a word of approval from Emperor Liu.

When the leader says one word, those below run their legs off. And Emperor Liu had merely shown a passing interest—yet his close eunuch attendants might well throw everything below into chaos.