usatvline Article 64 silently sends wine
Article 64 silently sends wine
Upon hearing this, Cheng Yaojin immediately bowed and accepted the order, his voice respectful and forceful.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. Upon returning, I will immediately instruct my son to keep this in mind."
"Every year, out of ten jars of Tianlu, the two best jars are reserved immediately, prepared in secret, and never a word is leaked. The secret is kept strictly throughout the entire process."
"We will do everything in our power to protect Young Master Wang and ensure he suffers no injustice or disturbance whatsoever!"
Li Shimin nodded in satisfaction, his expression one of relief.
With Cheng Yaojin's words and the Cheng family's overt and covert legitimate support, Wang Zhihuan was able to live a peaceful life in the countryside.
They need not get involved in court intrigues, nor do they need to navigate the power struggles among the elite.
And he can live a peaceful and secure life, obtaining this unique and exquisite wine, achieving the best of both worlds.
"Go down. This matter must be kept strictly confidential; not a single word must be divulged."
"Your Majesty's command is obeyed. I take my leave!"
Cheng Yaojin bowed respectfully and slowly withdrew from the imperial study, his steps steady, already understanding the situation.
From then on, the Duke of Lu's mansion would be Wang Zhi's most solid and legitimate backer in Chang'an, and no one could touch him in the slightest.
And the top-grade tribute wine Tianlu, which was limited to only ten jars per year, thus became exclusively owned by the emperor.
…………
On the 18th day of the fifth month of the ninth year of Zhenguan, the sky had just begun to lighten with the first hint of dawn, and the entire Duke Lu's mansion was still immersed in the tranquility before daybreak, but Cheng Chumo was already fully awake.
It wasn't the crowing of the rooster that disturbed me, but a major matter weighing on my mind, that kept me tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
He put on his coat, got up, and slipped on his cloth shoes before stepping out of the room.
A faint orange-red rosy dawn floated on the horizon, mingling with the bluish-gray clouds, while the shadows of the trees in the courtyard were deep and heavy.
The servants and attendants were still sound asleep, only the occasional low snorting of a horse from the stable breaking the silence of the early morning.
The cool water drawn from the well splashed onto my face, and the biting chill instantly dispelled the lingering drowsiness.
Cheng Chumo held the cloth in his handkerchief, standing under the eaves and gazing at the gradually brightening horizon in the distance, his heart heavy.
From now on, he will hold the agency rights for the high-end banquet in Chang'an in his own hands. He will no longer be a spoiled brat from a wealthy family relying on his father's name, but Cheng Chumo, who can stand on his own.
Nervousness and trepidation, yet also the joy and anticipation of a young person breaking through the soil.
"Bro, why aren't you sleeping? What are you doing standing here in the wind so early in the morning?"
Cheng Chuliang rubbed his eyes and staggered out, his messy hair looking like a bird's nest, his shirt half-open, and his eyes still sleepy.
Cheng Chumo draped the cloth over the well curb, his expression softening from its previous casualness to a more composed one: "Today we're sending out sample wines. We'll send out four out of ten jars first, to steal the spotlight."
"Four jars? So urgent?" Cheng Chuliang instantly perked up.
"The aroma of good wine waits for no one." Cheng Chumo said confidently, "The sooner the samples are delivered to the noble residence, the sooner the word will spread. Once the first batch of family banquet-grade wine is ready in half a month, the reservation list and the deposit and balance will be completed in one go, without any delay."
At this point, he glanced at his younger brother and smiled slightly: "If this is done, I'll take you to taste all the delicacies and fine wines of Chang'an."
Cheng Chuliang's eyes immediately lit up, and he scratched his head, muttering, "Brother, you're starting to have the same calm and methodical approach to what Brother Wang is saying and doing."
Cheng Chumo paused slightly, silently agreeing in his heart.
Since meeting Wang Zhihuan, he has gradually shed his former impetuousness and recklessness, and no longer acts on a whim. He plans things out before acting and thinks things through before proceeding.
That unhurried and meticulous nature, which involves planning everything in advance, has unknowingly become ingrained in his actions.
After the two brothers had a quick breakfast, Cheng Chumo brought out four small pottery jars from the inner room.
The jar has a warm and delicate glaze, and its size is just right to be held in one hand. The mouth of the jar is tightly sealed with mountain yellow clay mixed with straw. The jar is decorated with elegant ink strokes and the seven characters "National Guest-Level · Chen Huazhong" are written on it.
Last night, he carefully wrapped the bag in layers of hemp cloth and padded it with soft cotton, fearing that it might be bumped or damaged during the journey. Only after he was sure that everything was in order did he gently place it into the bamboo basket lined with dry grass.
"Originally, four altars were to be presented to the three dukes and prime ministers, Yuchi Gong, Qin Shubao, and Fang Xuanling."
Pharmacist Li is away from Chang'an on orders to inspect the northern border. The remaining jar will be kept for now; I'll deliver it to him upon his return to the capital.
Cheng Chumo carefully arranged the bamboo basket, raised his hand to indicate, "Let's go, let's go to the Duke of E's mansion first."
As the two led their horses out of the mansion, the sun had already climbed to the top of the city wall, its golden rays spilling onto the long street, giving the bluestone pavement a warm glow.
Street vendors set up their stalls one after another, and the steamer baskets of the steamed bun shops were stacked one on top of another, with white steam rising up and mingling with the aroma of breakfast, filling the streets of Chang'an in the early morning.
Cheng Chumo rode on his chestnut horse, one hand gently holding the bamboo basket beside the saddle, afraid of it wobbling. He gripped the reins very tightly and walked much slower than usual.
Cheng Chuliang, riding a black horse beside him, looked at his tense profile and couldn't help but tease, "Brother, just say you're nervous. Your knuckles are white from gripping the reins so tightly."
Cheng Chumo's face stiffened slightly, but he refused to admit it: "Don't talk nonsense, I'm just being careful with the wine jar."
Despite her stubbornness, her fingers unconsciously loosened their grip a little.
Wang Zhi entrusted him with the exclusive agency rights for the entire Chang'an project, trusting his character and sense of propriety. He couldn't betray this weighty trust, much less botch it.
The Duke of E's Mansion is located in Anxingfang, right next to the east wall of the imperial city. The mansion gate is grand and imposing, with two stone lions guarding the gate with fierce eyes, looking majestic and awe-inspiring.
The gatekeepers were all strong and robust, veterans who had followed Yuchi Gong from the battlefield, and their eyes and brows exuded a fierce aura.
Upon seeing Cheng Chumo arrive, the servants quickly cupped their hands and smiled, "Young Master Cheng, you're here so early. The Duke was just mentioning it; I reckon you should be here by now."
Before the words were even finished, a deep, booming voice erupted from inside the courtyard, like a resounding bell: "Is that the Cheng family boy? Don't dawdle at the door, come in now!"
The Cheng brothers exchanged a bitter smile and stepped into the mansion.
Inside the main hall, Yuchi Gong stood shirtless, his bronze skin bulging with muscles, as imposing as a mountain.
Holding a stone lock weighing forty or fifty pounds in each hand, he rose and fell with the steady hand, his breathing long and calm.
Upon seeing the two enter, he lowered his arm, and the stone lock slammed heavily to the ground with a dull thud, causing the blue brick floor to tremble slightly.
"You brat, showing up at my door so early in the morning, you must have brought me some good wine."
Yuchi Gong raised a thick eyebrow, sniffed twice, and keenly smelled a mellow fragrance that penetrated the hemp cloth and mud seal. His eyes instantly locked onto the bamboo basket, and he strode forward, snatched the small pottery jar in his hand, and brought it to his nose for a deep sniff.
Those eyes, which were usually as sharp as an eagle's, suddenly shone like starlight.
"That's right! It's the base of that legendary strong liquor from last time!" He glared at Cheng Chumo, his tone filled with impatience.
"Uncle Yuchi not only has excellent hearing, but also a very good nose; he can tell just by smelling it."
Cheng Chumo calmly cupped his hands, his tone neither humble nor arrogant, "The drink you had at the Duke of Lu's mansion last time was the first batch of freshly steamed liquor, which was strong and pungent."
This jar contains state-level aged liquor. With time and aging, the liquor has become increasingly mellow and smooth, with a long and lingering aftertaste, far surpassing that of freshly brewed liquor.