With the arrival of the autumn harvest season, Zheng Shuqing, the governor of Kuizhou, also had a sad look on his face.
As the saying goes, the year is afraid of the Mid-Autumn Festival and the moon is half-destroyed. Once the autumn harvest is over, it means that the year is coming to an end. Next year, the Lantern Festival will be right next to the New Year. It can be said that it is about to turn around. Now is the last moment.
However, Zheng Shuqing still couldn't see where the hope was!
Apart from Jiangguan, there really isn't much going on in Kuizhou. All economic development is brought about by merchants. The proportion of the local permanent population with acres of land (registered by the government), not to mention compared with Fang Chongyong's previous life, even at this time, is the lowest in Shu.
"Big Mac" Qinghe County in Hebei Province has fifty times as many registered households as Kuizhou!
But in contrast, due to the prosperity of tourism in Kuizhou, there are a large number of "customers" without land and they live in Fucheng, which has also caused the abnormal prosperity of the brewing industry. From Qumi Spring in Yunyang to Wuxia Spring in Fucheng, it can be said that there has been no shortage of good wine since ancient times.
Fan Chengda of the Song Dynasty wrote a poem: The wine in Yun'an is strong, the rice is cheap, and every family helps to make people drunk. What I’m talking about is the fine wine here in Kuizhou, which is not only low-priced but also extremely cost-effective.
From this perspective, Zheng Shuqing's worries are not groundless: Kuizhou's fine wines do not meet the aesthetic taste of Chang'an nobles. Because of its high cost performance, it has no market competitiveness among the aristocratic class and can only be known as a "local specialty".
If Du Fu hadn't fled to Kuizhou in despair, he would never have touched rice wines like Kuizhou Qumichun in Chang'an.
In other words, although the liquor industry in Kuizhou is prosperous, apart from making some at home to drink, most of it is sold to wine shops to make some small money, or some wine shops make some to entertain merchants. The local bully who runs rampant in the local area will not be able to get on the big stage in Chang'an after all.
Wine that cannot be sold in Chang'an has no commercial value. There are also local wines in other places that are equally good and cheap. Kuizhou wine has no possibility of being sold in places other than Chang'an and Luoyang.
As for where the large amount of grain required for winemaking comes from, of course it comes from Shu! It is very convenient to buy it from visiting merchants. This is one of the reasons why Kuizhou does not produce grain but has a developed wine industry.
Therefore, the raw materials for making wine are easy to obtain, the mountain spring water is of good quality, and the wine is of high quality (not top-notch), which are the advantages of Kuizhou wine industry; its reputation is not well-known among the powerful circles of Chang'an, and it is far from Guanzhong and cannot rely on quantity to go down the lower class route. Disadvantages of the wine industry.
Moreover, due to the restrictions on water transportation in the Tang Dynasty, it was unrealistic to sell wine on a large scale and would also encounter resistance.
In the study room of the Lotus Pond Villa, Fang Chongyong broke these apart and gave them to Zheng Shuqing for analysis. The government office had begun to purchase new grains after this year's autumn harvest at low prices to prepare raw materials for wine making.
It's just that ideal is one thing, reality is another. Making wine is not difficult, the difficult thing is how to sell it in Chang'an!
"So, Kuizhou's wine is not famous enough?"
After listening to Fang Chongyong's analysis, Zheng Shuqing frowned and asked as if talking to himself.
He himself came from Chang'an and came from a family of officials. Naturally, he had no shortage of good things and was well-informed.
The biggest problem with Kuizhou wine is not the taste, but the color! Out of force!
In the Tang Dynasty, wine without special color could not be included in the aristocratic recipes! Naturally, he is at the bottom of the wine contempt chain.
The wine is as red as blood, the fermented fermented wine is as yellow as amber, and the Sanle wine is as green as a lake. They all have their own characteristics. If you take out a pot of rice wine with a light milky white color and serve it on the table, you will be embarrassed to say hello to the guests!
From the appearance point of view, it is inferior by three points! You’ve already lost before you even start tasting it!
The powerful people in Chang'an have flamboyant personalities, live in intoxication and pursue luxury. Qumichun and Wuxiachun, which are favored locally in Kuizhou at no cost, are not their cup of tea!
"Actually, just looking at the color, Kuizhou wine has no advantage at all. It's not easy to become famous in a short time. Why do you want to make money by making wine?"
Zheng Shuqing couldn't help but sigh. If you want to buy grain, just buy it. It’s not difficult to sell it anyway, and you can still make a little money by selling it in winter.
“In addition, if the raw materials for brewing are too easy to come by, it will also make people feel that the quality is low and that it cannot be considered elegant.”
He continued to make another cut.
The principle that rare things are valuable applies everywhere. If the raw materials for making wine are easily available (including water) and the aging time is short, it will naturally be considered to be of average quality. It's only a few months before the Lantern Festival next year. These few months of "aging" are trying to fool those Chang'an dignitaries who drink wine as water.
Still a little too naive!
Fang Chongyong's previous routine of "tariff restructuring and calibrating canals" really amazed Zheng Shuqing, and could even be said to be "turning decay into magic". However, it is obvious that Fang Chongyong, who does not know how to drink, would find it difficult to do anything in the area of drinks. Come in tricks.
"Your Majesty, actually, we can use red lotus rice to make wine."
Fang Zhongyong said firmly.
He has been working as a salt fish since the summer, reading and practicing calligraphy every day. It seems that he is living a very leisurely life, but in fact, he has been collecting all kinds of information and preparing a killer move!
Now, the sword is unsheathed, who can compete with it?
"Red Lotus Rice wine?"
Zheng Shuqing was stunned and didn't understand Fang Chongyong's train of thought at all.
Rice that tastes good may not be suitable for making wine, and vice versa. The ingredients used to make wine sometimes have nothing to do with whether it tastes good or not.
Sorghum is so unpalatable, but the flavor of sorghum wine is completely opposite. This is why it is unique among wines.
Red lotus rice is indeed delicious, but it may not be suitable for making wine, and no one does it!
Such precious rice is a royal tribute. Whoever Li Longji rewards it will be able to eat it. Even if there are "floating" parts on the road, those who get the "road-opening rice" dare not show off publicly, let alone use such a precious tribute as red lotus rice to brew privately.
There is no need, and the materials are reluctant to part with, and there are a lot of ready-made good wines. The wine made by Honglian Dao in Chang'an is really damn good!
"Are you kidding? Where does this red lotus rice come from?"
Zheng Shuqing spread his hands and looked at Fang Chongyong in surprise and asked.
"Your Majesty, I have a question for you."
"Speaking."
"Gu Kuang's official document should be among some people in Chang'an. It's not a secret."
Fang Chongyong suddenly mentioned this, which was a bit beyond Zheng Shuqing's expectation.
"If, I mean, if someone is spreading news in Chang'an now, saying that the red lotus rice produced as a tribute from Kuizhou has been used in large quantities to make wine, wouldn't it be consistent with Gu Kuang's official document?"
Fang Chongyong said with a smile.
It seems, it seems, maybe... that is indeed the case.
Zheng Shuqing nodded slightly. Rumors that can be verified are easy to ferment. Gu Kuang's official document was not encrypted. It passed through many inns and passed through the hands of many officials along the way before finally reaching the desk of the Minister of Household Affairs!
Anyone on this line could spread the word. If someone is willing to add fuel to the flames, it won't be difficult to make everyone in Chang'an City aware of it.
Half of the red lotus rice was destroyed due to the "mountain fire", so whether this half was really destroyed, or... it just disappeared from the court's account books, who knows?
Throughout the ages, people who watch the excitement have been fond of conspiracy theories!
People who have taken the "road-opening rice" will not speak out, let alone come out to clarify, while those who have not taken it will regard it as a conversation piece before tea and after dinner! Finally, these red lotus rice were used to make wine, which is the final version of the rumor! It also covers up the crimes of some people who "raised and lowered their hands" along the way!
Everyone will be looking forward to: Damn it, what will the wine brewed from that red lotus rice, which is as expensive as gold, taste like?
Therefore, there is indeed no red lotus rice used to make wine in Kuizhou, but the dignitaries in Chang'an can believe that a batch of red lotus rice was intercepted in Kuizhou and used to make wine!
As long as they think there is, then there is even if it is not. People who know the inside story will not come out to expose it, let alone point their noses and say: There is no red lotus rice in Kuizhou, and there is a lot of it in my pocket.
As for Li Longji, if he wanted to get an extra 100,000 yuan, even if he knew the inside story, would he still hold accountable the right-hand man who helped him make money?
Wanting to understand this relationship, Zheng Shuqing rubbed his hands excitedly and asked: "It seems so, but... the mouths of the nobles in Chang'an are difficult to serve. Ordinary Wuxia spring is difficult for the nobles to discern!"
"That's natural, but I still have a killer move here. I'll start brewing it now, and it will be ready before the Lantern Festival next year. We'll transport the wine to Chang'an, exchange it for money in Chang'an, and pay it directly as taxes!"
Full of confidence, Fang Chongyong took out a small cloth bag from behind and placed it on the desk. He untied the rope of the bag, which contained grains of red rice.
"Red Lotus Rice!"
Zheng Shuqing stood up suddenly and was stunned. He took the red japonica rice in his hands and inspected it carefully, but he noticed something was wrong.
"It is rumored that red lotus rice is as transparent as ruby. This kind...is not very similar."
Zheng Shuqing put the red japonica rice back as he spoke and shook his head slightly.
"In your opinion, if red lotus rice is used to make wine, what color should it be?"
Fang Chongyong asked in a deep voice.
"The color is red and transparent, lighter than wine, but translucent and clear..."
Zheng Shuqing closed his eyes, shook his head, and said with a face full of intoxication.
You really understand the tone that the rich and powerful like!
Fang Chongyong couldn't help but complained in his heart.
Having had enough of chatting, he bowed to Zheng Shuqing and said, "I will follow you to Fengxian Tower. I have already arranged it. If you don't sing, you will be a blockbuster. Your journey back to Chang'an will start from today." force!"
Fang Chongyong raised his arms and shouted loudly.
However, Zheng Shuqing couldn't cheer up, waved his hands feebly, stood up and followed Fang Chongyong. The two of them entered the government office from the north city, and everyone who saw them on the way bowed to them cordially. Seeing this scene, Zheng Shuqing felt a little proud.
When they arrived at the door of Fengxian Tower, they saw Fang Laique holding a chicken leg and chewing on it. Fang Chongyong's face darkened and he yelled in displeasure: "Why did you eat it again?"
"Well, it's like this. The shopkeeper of Fengxian Tower is very enthusiastic and gave me a lot of food..."
Fang Laique said nonchalantly, seeming a little embarrassed, which made Fang Zhongyong frown.
"Is everything done?"
Fang Chongyong asked with a sullen face, as long as Fang Laique dared to say no, he would immediately serve him in his own way!
"Okay, okay, the young master of Fengxian Tower has come all the way from Chang'an."
Fang Laique leaned into Fang Chongyong's ear and whispered.
"good!"
Fang Chongyong walked over and said to Zheng Shuqing: "It's settled. Please let me go to the top floor of Fengxian Tower to discuss important matters!"
Seeing that he spoke solemnly, Zheng Shuqing nodded calmly. When the group arrived at the top floor, they saw a young man dressed in ordinary clothes, like a farmer, who had been waiting for a long time.
"I, Wang Defu, have met the envoy. My father, Wang Yuanbao, is doing business in Chang'an."
Wang Yuanbao?
Zheng Shuqing was stunned for a moment, then nodded very reservedly, and sat opposite Wang Defu with Fang Chongyong.
Wang Yuanbao was the richest man in Chang'an, and most likely the richest man in the Tang Dynasty. He made his fortune by selling colored glaze. Zheng Shuqing also heard this.
Fang Chongyong leaned into Zheng Shuqing's ear and whispered: "When I saw Fengxian Tower using glazed tiles, I knew that his family must be owned by Wang Yuanbao. Where can an ordinary businessman buy glazed tiles to build a house?"
It is only human nature to build a house with factory-priced bricks and tiles.
"Today, I just want to talk about the Honglianchun wine on behalf of the envoy."
Fang Chongyong made an invitation gesture and said, Fang Laique quickly opened the lid of a jar of wine, and then filled the porcelain bowls in front of Zheng Shuqing and Wang Defu with wine.
Just as Zheng Shuqing expected, the wine was bright red and clear, and it didn't look like ordinary wine.
"Please taste it!"
Fang Chongyong stood up and said to the two of them.
This wine smells mellow, but is slightly sweet in the mouth. It tastes soft and refreshing, with a light bitterness, and has a long aftertaste after drinking it. The aroma and taste of this wine are very unique. Zheng Shuqing is not someone who has never tasted good wine, but there is no other wine that tastes similar to this wine.
"This is Honglianchun brewed with red lotus rice."
Fang Chongyong introduced solemnly.
Wang Defu smiled and nodded, his smile seemed to have deep meaning; Zheng Shuqing also smiled and nodded, which was sincere.
"My father will find a way to sell Honglianchun in Chang'an and settle the bill in Chang'an. We don't ask about the brewing process. May I ask what price Lang Jun wants to set?"
In fact, the price of wine in Chang'an is very fixed. It is not a price for each wine, but the wines are "categorized". Different grades of drinks have different prices.
A dou (small dou, two liters) of wine consumed by ordinary people at home costs a hundred liters.
The wine consumed by the families of bureaucrats and wealthy people is worth a thousand coins per dou (consistently).
As for the wine used for the banquets of the powerful class, the price is hard to say. It can be a bucket of ten thousand coins, or it can be a hundred thousand coins, it all depends on the scarcity.
"Red lotus rice is a tribute. One stone of rice produces one dou of wine. One dou is twenty-five guan. That's just the cost! We sell it to your store for one dou-five guan. For the rest, you can sell it as much as you want. .
Honglianchun is no better than ordinary wine. It does not harm the body and can also strengthen the body. It is most suitable for noble people to drink. This jar of wine was given to Shaodong's family. Shaodong's family is a well-informed person. Whether what someone said is true or not, you can decide for yourself after drinking this jar. "
"How many fights do you have? If not, I will take them all."
After thinking for a long time, Wang Defu raised his head and asked.
"Not much, just a bar worth more than 100,000 yuan. It will be sent to Chang'an before the Lantern Festival next year."
"It's too much. With such a large amount, I can't make the decision. I have to go back to Chang'an to discuss it with my father first."
Wang Defu bowed his hands and said.
Zheng Shuqing and Fang Chongyong looked at each other. Fang Chongyong shook his head slightly, indicating to Zheng Shuqing not to be excited and to stay calm.
"In this case, I and the envoy will take leave first. When the richest man Wang decides, he will let us know when he does."
Fang Chongyong saluted respectfully, then pulled Zheng Shuqing out of Fengxian Tower.
