Chapter 65: Wine Stirs Jingshi

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Fanyang, the Yuan Family mansion.

After reading the letter in his hand, Yuan Li's expression was extremely ugly.

"That old scoundrel Mo Di actually went to Yan Commandery."

Having said that, he tore the letter into shreds and threw them on the ground.

Standing beside Yuan Li was a scholar, the very same man who had once drunk with Zhang Rang at Tianxiang Lou.

His name was Guo Tu, and he was a strategist under Yuan Li's command.

Glancing at the paper scraps on the floor, Guo Tu lightly shook his paper fan and said, "According to what Zhang Kang says, Mo Di went to Yan Commandery to seek medicine, but how could such a trivial matter require Mo Di to go in person? In the end, it is still to probe the true strength of Yan Wang and see if he can be brought into his own service."

"Hmm, that is indeed the case. I never expected that a mad and foolish Imperial Prince would today become a great threat to Yan Commandery; it truly vexes me." Yuan Li sat down in his chair. "Tell me, was this Yan Wang sent to Yan Commandery by the Emperor on purpose, and is he not actually foolish at all?"

"Just as you say, my lord, it is truly suspicious, though it seems impossible to feign foolishness for three years." Guo Tu frowned tightly. "But regardless, we cannot let Yan Wang continue to grow. Zhang Kang says in his letter that Yan Wang is forging armor and weapons to equip his Personal Army. Although these twenty thousand are not many, they are very dangerous in critical times."

Yuan Li nodded and asked, "In your opinion, what should be done?"

Guo Tu thought for a moment. "Since Mo Di is heading to Yan Commandery, you, my lord, can submit a memorial to impeach Mo Di for privately contacting a feudal prince. There are many in the imperial court who dislike Mo Di, and they will certainly criticize him. If he can be transferred away from Yanguan, it will naturally be advantageous for you, my lord. If not, it may at least stir up controversy in Jingshi."

"This memorial must naturally be submitted, but Yan Wang is right under our noses; what should be done about that?" Yuan Li frowned.

Guo Tu gave a sinister smile. "Your subordinate does have an idea. We can send people north to spread the word among the Northern Di that Yan Wang has recently been brewing Fine Wine and has profited greatly, and that the Prince's Mansion has two million taels of silver hidden away. The Northern Di have tasted the Fine Wine we sent them, so they will certainly not doubt it. This year's Autumn Hunt will surely see them paying extra attention to Yan Commandery."

Hearing this, Yuan Li burst into laughter.

Every year at this time, his Yuan Family would be ordered to suppress the Northern Di Cavalry that entered Yanzhou.

This year was the same.

When the time came, after the Northern Di Cavalry plundered Yan Commandery—and it would be best if they killed Yan Wang—he would then send troops in.

By then, the matter of Yan Wang would be resolved.

Guo Tu also laughed. He continued, "However, to ensure this matter succeeds, we still need to borrow the hand of one person."

"Who?"

"Zhang Kang," said Guo Tu.

Yuan Li nodded slowly. "I will write a letter now, telling him to act according to the situation, and at the same time, I will send a memorial to Jingshi."

Jinling.

The reputation of the Yan Commandery Trading Firm had spread to every corner of Jinling City in just half a month.

Everyone knew that the Yan Commandery Trading Firm had the ability to make ice, and this attracted even more people to come and buy ice.

But in these past two days, the arrival of another Yan Commandery commodity had overshadowed the reputation of the ice.

This was the Fine Wine from Yan Commandery.

At this moment, in a restaurant in the center of Jinling City.

Six young gentlemen sat around a table, all three of them staring at the Wine Jar in the middle.

The gentleman in the middle stood up, beaming with delight. "Do you know the origin of this jar of wine?"

The other five all shook their heads.

"I won't hide it from you, this is the Fine Wine from Yan Commandery—Yan Dream." The young gentleman raised his head with an air of pride.

"What? This is the legendary Yan Dream?" The other five were greatly shocked.

One youth said, "Brother Wang, this is incredible. It is said that this Yan Dream is hard to find in Jingshi now; if you are not a powerful noble, you simply cannot buy it."

"Exactly, exactly. It is said that the British Duke and the Chang State Duke on Jinmen Street even started a fight over the wine, just to snatch it."

The young gentleman holding the wine became even more smug. "So, you are fortunate to be able to drink it today."

After finishing, he opened the Wine Jar, and a rich, fragrant aroma of wine immediately spread throughout the restaurant, attracting the attention of countless guests.

Especially those who loved wine; their Adam's apples bobbed continuously.

"Taste it, taste it." The young gentleman only poured a little into each person's cup before putting the Wine Jar away.

Seeing this, the other five immediately showed expressions of disdain.

"Brother Wang, this isn't even enough for one mouthful," someone complained.

The young gentleman sneered. "You want to drink your fill of such precious wine? It's good enough that you get to taste the flavor."

The five were helpless and could only lift their cups to take a sip, after which exclamations of praise rose up one after another.

Liang Mansion.

Liang Cheng looked at the crates of Yan Dream wine, his eyes squinting into slits, and his gaze toward Guan Zhong became increasingly favorable.

In these past few days, the hottest thing in Jinling was the Fine Wine from Yan Commandery.

Most importantly, even with money, you might not be able to buy it.

"I like this straightforwardness of Yan Wang. Tell me, what is the matter this time that you need my help with?" Liang Cheng lowered his head to sniff the wine's aroma, his expression intoxicated.

For those who frequented Jingshi, who didn't love to drink?

If there was no wine at a banquet, could it even be called a banquet?

Therefore, the amount of Fine Wine consumed in Jingshi every year was enormous.

Now that this Yan Dream had suddenly arrived and its reputation had spread, no household would be embarrassed to host a banquet without having Yan Dream.

"These are a tribute for the Chief Steward, but these are for His Highness to offer to the Emperor. I hope the Chief Steward can facilitate this," said Guan Zhong.

The first time he came to the Prince's Mansion, his goal was to befriend Liang Cheng.

Because without befriending Liang Cheng, it would be very difficult to enter the palace to see the Emperor.

After all, Liang Cheng was a close minister before the Emperor of Great Song, and all matters, big or small, had to pass through Liang Cheng before they could reach the Emperor.

Therefore, that was why Yan Wang had him go to the Liang Mansion first.

Now that the Prince's Mansion had some contact with Liang Cheng, he decided, according to Yan Wang's wishes, to take a step further and make contact with the current Emperor.

Liang Cheng was also a shrewd person; upon hearing this, he understood what Guan Zhong meant.

He nodded, "Mm, you go back and wait for word; this matter still requires me to be on duty tomorrow to speak for you."

"Then many thanks, Chief Steward." Guan Zhong expressed his thanks, then immediately withdrew from the Liang Mansion.

The next day.

Liang Cheng went to the palace early in the morning; after the morning court session concluded, Liang Cheng said, "Your Majesty, there is an interesting piece of news in Jinling City recently."

"What interesting news? Tell me about it." Zhao Heng revealed an interested expression.

"Everyone is saying there is a type of Fine Wine that is even better than the imperial Wine in the palace," Liang Cheng said.

"Simply nonsense." Upon hearing this, Zhao Heng was no longer interested.

Liang Cheng laughed, "This old servant knew Your Majesty would not believe it, but this old servant tasted it personally, and it is indeed extraordinary."

Hearing this, Zhao Heng had no choice but to believe it, because Liang Cheng would not lie to him.

"Is this really true?"

"It is really true; this Wine was even brewed by Yan Wang, and now Jingshi is scrambling for it like crazy; some officials and nobles have even fought over it," Liang Cheng said cautiously.

Zhao Heng's expression suddenly froze; some time ago, an interesting story had emerged in Jingshi.

Upon investigation, he had not expected it to be Yan Wang's Merchant Association making ice in Jingshi.

Now he had not expected another interesting story to emerge, and it was still about Yan Wang.

"Yan Wang." Zhao Heng's heart stirred; during this period, the name he had heard the most was that of this Ninth Viscount.

"Although His Highness Yan Wang is in Yan Commandery, he has not forgotten his filial piety toward Your Majesty, and has had people send over a thousand jars of Fine Wine. I do not know if Your Majesty wishes to allow his household servant to enter the palace," Liang Cheng probed.

Zhao Heng was silent for a moment, as if he had figured something out, and said, "Let him come in."

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