Chapter 68: Ren Pingsheng
Niejiabao
Mid-mountain, Wangjiang Tower!
The four-story Wangjiang Tower can overlook the entire Daozhou City!
Look at the top of the river! Lanyue Pavilion!
Looking at Nie Xiaoqi, who was carrying those hands, standing by his side in a chic manner, and looking at the winding water in the distance, Nie Huzi was full of emotion on the side, where is there still half a shadow of the little guy that day. Pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info
Since he was a child, he grew up in the Nie family's house, and later built Nie Family Fort, which is purely a private place for Nie Huzi, after it was decorated, Nie Xiaoqi never climbed it again. This is the holy place of the Nie family, and it is also a place that the people of Daozhou City talk about. I didn't expect that a small guy that day could stand side by side with the master of the Nie family in this high place known to everyone in Daozhou City.
Looking back, Xianglan was standing on the side with her daughter Sanniang, Sanniang looked at Nie Xiaoqi from time to time with a shy face, her eyes were full of joy. Nie Huzi was a little touched in his heart, if it was on the same day, he would definitely kill Nie Xiaoqi with one palm, and in today's situation, Nie Huzi felt a little lucky.
No one expected such an ending, Nie Huzi couldn't help but look at Nie Zhong, who was already gray-haired on the side, this nursing home that had followed the Nie family for decades. Originally, he was also an insignificant character and role, but the relationship between him and Nie Xiaoqi was destined to be paid attention to in the Nie family in the future.
A little guy who grew up watching him grow up and often wandered around in front of him, never thought about what role he would have in his life. But in the blink of an eye, not only does it seem unattainable to stand in front of him, but he also has the potential to control his own destiny. Ren is Nie Huzi has traveled south and north for many years, and he can't help but sigh at the impermanence of the world, and he is also more determined in the correctness of his decisive choice in this troubled world.
Nie Huzi studied with Lingnan hermits from an early age, because his master had received the favor of his father in the past and agreed to take one of Nie's father's sons as an apprentice. Nie Huzi is one of the luckier ones, and what he learned later, although he did not reach the realm of first-class masters in the rivers and lakes, he is also a rare good player. That's why he relied on this ancestral hometown of Daozhou City, and became an old smuggler of salt and a local snake, it can be said that in Lingnan, Lingbei, black and white, are mixed. In addition, he has some vision and foresight, and constantly absorbs good hands on the rivers and lakes as helpers, even the successive Daozhou city officials have no way to take themselves.
When I followed the master back then, I naturally commented with him on the strange people on the rivers and lakes, and I naturally introduced the characters of the master generation of the five sons of Dadong. Nie Huzi never thought that Mr. Guiyuan, whom he admired very much back then, not only lived near Daozhou City, but was also his neighbor.
The most important thing is that now he is a little girl in his own family, and he actually got in touch with Mr. Guiyuan, and became Mr. Guiyuan's apprentice. Nie Huzi had to be envious and jealous, and afterwards it was more natural to plan, thinking about how to make good use of his identity.
Nie Wujiao had an accident, and then the situation in Daozhou City changed, the Lingnan Han Kingdom settled in, and the identity of the opponent Xie Laohu changed, and he knew Nie Xiaoqi's chance. He also thought about visiting Mr. Guiyuan, but Xie Laohu told him that Mr. Guiyuan didn't want to contact others. Nie Huzi naturally believed Xie Laohu's words, because he played an important role in Daozhou Chengpo. He was actually a person sent by the Lingnan Han Kingdom, and he had some kind of relationship with Mr. Guiyuan.
Nie Huzi chose to respond to the development of the Han Kingdom, although he was in the hands of Zhang Wenxuan, the assassin, and he did not suffer any losses, but the Zhang brothers have always regarded themselves as a thorn in their side, and tried all kinds of ways to make themselves submit and obey. Although he was lucky, he also fought back against Zhang Wenxuan's move resolutely, but in the end, Xie Laohu was the main one who broke the deadlock. The army of the Great Han Kingdom was stationed in Daozhou City, and he had to think about it again for the sake of his family.
In all dynasties, any regime, or local separatist force, after capturing the opponent's state capital city, the first thing to take the knife is the largest local force and family in the local area, which is called killing a hundred examples, and Nie Huzi does not want to become this one.
Although Nie Huzi hadn't read any books, he still understood this truth.
In the battle of Daozhou City, Nie Huzi's Nie Jiabao held Zhang Wenxuan's many soldiers and horses, so that the army of the Han Kingdom occupied Daozhou City almost effortlessly. Afterwards, Xie Laohu also understood and understood this truth, and truthfully analyzed the situation in Daozhou City with Coach He Guo. Later, he personally led He Guo to visit him, and Nie Huzi inexplicably became a hero of the Great Han Kingdom.
Nie Huzi is not stupid, and he is very smart. He knew that the other party had temporarily occupied Daozhou City by force, and if he wanted to lead the city for a long time, he would not have to occupy it for a long time with troops. In fact, He Guo's mind is not in this, and the facts have also proved that the Great Han State still wants to continue to promote development in Chu, and He Guo's army will be withdrawn. Nie Huzi didn't mind pushing the boat down the river, and seeing that He Guo had no ill will towards him, he was relieved to choose to cooperate.
Nie Huzi could think of this, but he obviously didn't have Xie Laohu's vision yet, because Xie Laohu naturally knew who he needed to manage Daozhou City, but he didn't care about anything else without Xie Laohu, because he knew what Nie Huzi needed.
No one thought that yesterday's opponent would become a minister of the same palace today. Xie Laohu actually put his heart into Nie Huzi, and recommended Nie Huzi to become the temporary boss of Daozhou City, which made Nie Huzi look down on Xie Huzi and be grateful to Xie Laohu.
Naturally, I heard from Xie Laohu that Nie Xiaoqi, the little servant in his family, was not only not killed by Zhang Wenxuan's men, but was actually accepted as a disciple by Mr. Guiyuan. Nie Huzi was surprised and surprised, and the first thing he immediately reacted was to thank Xie Laohu, and then he discussed visiting Mr. Guiyuan, knowing that there was no hope, he asked Xie Laohu to send many heavy gifts.
Although Xie Laohu didn't know if Mr. Guiyuan would accept it, because Mr. Guiyuan had been in seclusion for decades, he just didn't want to be disturbed, but he still took it for Mr.
He shouldered the development of forces in Chu, as the battlefield of the first battle of the Han Dynasty into Chu, Xie Laohu naturally knew his responsibilities and the necessity of the follow-up development of Daozhou City. Liu Jixing said something that had a great impact on Xie Laohu.
At that time, Liu Jixing said in the military academy that if each army occupies a city for the sake of the general development, it must be for the needs of the overall situation. And the purpose; One is to really occupy the city, and the other is to occupy the city for some kind of big strategy, and after occupying it, you can give up again, or even destroy and completely damage the city.
The real occupation means that the people and things in the whole city can all belong to their side. If it's just for a temporary need, then you can give it up at any time, including everything in the city. The real occupation must find a way to make the people and things in this city truly belong to themselves. And if you just need it, you can use the people who can use it, use the things that can be used, and the rest can be discarded.
Wrapping up Nie Huzi is obviously the best way to stabilize Daozhou City now, Xie Laohu has been in Daozhou City for a while, so he naturally knows the role of Nie Jiabao in Daozhou City. If the Nie family belonged to the evil and evil forces in Daozhou City, after leading the army to break through the defense line and occupy Daozhou City, Xie Laohu would not hesitate to destroy Nie Jiabao. And choosing Nie Huzi now is Xie Laohu's best interpretation of rights, and it is also the embodiment of his vision for future development.
With the suggestion of the ghost hand master, Xie Laohu learned about Mr. Guiyuan's residence, and because Mr. Guiyuan looked at the face of the ghost hand, he gave Xie Laohu a point. Because he had a wish many years ago, hoping to find someone who was better than his disciple Lu Shenong to cultivate.
Previously, he had a faint premonition, and sure enough, after Xie Laohu came out, he accidentally ran into Zhang Wenxuan sending someone to arrest Nie Wujiao, wanting to use this to coerce the people of Nie Jiabao and disturb the forces of all parties in Daozhou City. Unexpectedly, Nie Xiaoqi's loyalty not only sabotaged Zhang Wenxuan's actions, but also made Mr. Guiyuan find Nie Xiaoqi.
Yizhou Sihu, placed in the peaceful and prosperous era, is not a state or a row of high-ranking officials, or in the late Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties period, he is only a subordinate of a state assassin or a governor, an insignificant household registration official. However, Daozhou City was originally the border fortress of Chu, and as a necessary city to break through the frontier of Chu, it has now become an important state capital of the Lingnan Han Kingdom and an important state capital after attacking Chu. At present, it quickly belongs to the Guizhou Mansion and is under the jurisdiction of King Gui.
King Gui had just arrived in the Guizhou Prefecture to take up his domain, and many affairs between the states had not yet been sorted out. As the newly occupied state capital, the report of the commander He Guo was sent together with the secret report submitted to the Xingwang Mansion. He received a military report from He Guo, which made him happy and worried. The good thing is that you can temporarily arrange your own people to manage Daozhou City, which is a great joy for yourself who wants to cultivate power. Another point, the worry is naturally that the final management of Daozhou City, as well as the final personnel appointment, still need the permission of the emperor of Xingwangfu.
King Gui's subordinates immediately reacted, no matter what the emperor arranged in the future, at least for now, he wanted to control Daozhou City in his own hands. Therefore, King Gui sent his own Changshi Feng Qing to Daozhou City to manage it in person, and at the same time slowly sent people to the capital to report to Emperor Liu Jixing. However, the secret party set up by Liu Jixing in each state, this organization has its own system, and anything can be reported directly, which makes King Gui more depressed and entangled.
Nie Huzi, who has been in and out of Guangxi all the year round, naturally knows the distance from Guizhou to Daozhou City, and there are also a few eyeliners in the Guizhou Mansion to naturally strengthen the cultivation of his own forces. In addition, He Guo's army entered Xiaoshui from Tuoshui with all its might, and Xie Laohu also had to evacuate Daozhou City, and now Daozhou City is Nie Huzi's world.
What's more, Xie Laohu also passed the secret party, and with Liu Jixing's consent, Emperor Liu Jixing's appointment of Nie Huzi will come down soon, which makes Nie Huzi, a salt lord, extremely excited. Although Xie Laohu and He Guo both left people, these people came out of the Guozijian and the Military Academy. But Nie Huzi naturally knew that this was the best time for him to strengthen the Nie family and master Daozhou City.
There are many children of the Nie family in the Nie family fort, and Nie Huzi himself also has four sons, plus a generation of sons and nephews, and a generation of his own brothers, and there are some capable people in the family, no less than twenty or thirty people are arranged to various positions. Then it was to contact all the forces in various states and counties in Daozhou, and the literati and high-ranking families everywhere, each of them gave some sweetness, and invited a few prestigious celebrities and scholars to come out, and actually stabilized Daozhou City in an orderly manner.
As the commander of the Lingnan Emperor Liu Jixing's ace army, He Guo gave Nie Huzi absolute rights, that is, all forces and families in Daozhou City were required to absolutely obey the rule of the Great Han Kingdom. All families and individuals who gather together to cause rebellion, or who divide the various powers, will be killed.
Before leaving, He Guo, on behalf of the emperor of the Han Kingdom, met and invited people from all walks of life in Daozhou City, and naturally accompanied him was Nie Jiabao, the head snake of Daozhou City. At that time, there were actually a few families who couldn't wait and see, and they had already been sent by He Guo's staff officers and guest generals to reform and criticize the land ruthlessly in accordance with the usual practice. Although there was no blood flowing like a river, it was also a real example of killing a few people and families who were led by a hundred and usually had some bad deeds. So it can be said that today's Daozhou is the world of Nie Jiabao and Nie Huzi.
Nie Huzi, with the assistance of several doormen, contacted the two big families in Daozhou, the Jianghua Cai family and the Lianzhou Lu family. First, he promised various interests and power, and then he became an ally. After discussion, the first thing was to arrange for the children of several large scholarly families to serve in various states and counties in Daozhou. Obviously, everyone feels that there is soup to drink, regardless of whether people sincerely accept it, at least these people are obviously compromised.
Nie Huzi also understands that he arranged these people under his own hands to be responsible for managing the population of each county, counting the number of personnel and resources in various places, and reporting them to the capital of Xingwangfu for approval. Because of the fall of Zhang Wenxuan and Hong Feng, all the officials in various states and counties are missing. Although He Guo and Xie Laohu entered the army strongly, and appointed staff officers and civilians with the army to temporarily act as the county governor and county order, the final commission still needs to be approved by the Xingwang Mansion.
What's more, if these people go down, they will quickly grasp the local situation. The only way to get the government up and running is to appoint local people to manage it. He Guo and Xie Laohu obviously agreed with Nie Huzi's approach, and Nie Huzi even made a move, that is, to call on young people from all over the country to join the army, recruiting young and middle-aged people from various states and counties, and about 3,000 people enthusiastically signed up to join the Lingnan Han army led by He Guo.
Although he is only the biggest official in Daozhou City at present, the secretary of Daozhou City. In fact, Nie Huzi shouldered all the affairs of Daozhou City. Because Zhang Wenxuan and Hong Feng were captured, officials at all levels either suffered together or fled. As for the officials of the state and county, all the birds and beasts are scattered, and the power of Daozhou City is hollow. Therefore, it can be said that Nie Huzi went from a local snake and a salt dealer to suddenly became the soil emperor of Daozhou City overnight.
One person ascended to heaven with a chicken dog, and all capable clansmen and doormen, because of Nie Huzi's flying popularity, became useful talents in a state for a while.
Seeing Nie Xiaoqi's appearance now, Nie Huzi's eyes were actually more proud, but thinking that he and Xie Laohu were brothers, and they were even more disciples of Mr. Guiyuan, the sense of superiority in his heart was much lighter.
"Xiao Qi! I heard Master Xie say that you stayed in Daozhou to complete the homework left by Mr., and then you will rush to Yongzhou to practice in front of General He's tent, I don't know if this matter is true or not! Nie Huzi said lightly, but his eyes looked at Nie Xiaoqi tightly.
Nie Xiaoqi seemed to be handsome, but his heart was really boiling. When he returned to Nie Jiabao, he was worried. Being recognized by Nie Sanniang was already extremely exciting for Nie Xiaoqi. Before he had time to digest this happiness, what he didn't expect was that Nie Huzi gave himself another major surprise. Not only did he destroy the name deed of his slave in front of him, but he also invited himself to the secret room of Wangjiang Tower and promised to hand over his daughter Nie Sanniang to himself.
If there is no foreshadowing from Xie Laohu every day, he is called a brother and a brother's sparring partner. Even if Nie Xiaoqi followed Mr. Guiyuan, he would not believe that Nie Huzi would be so good-looking, and he would be so calm when he stood in front of Nie Huzi. After all, the difference in identity in this era will determine all the fate of a person.
Even if he looked at ease at this time, Nie Xiaoqi was still a little nervous in his heart, after all, he grew up in the Nie family, and Nie Huzi was the master of the high. At this time, not only did Nie Huzi speak to himself with a pleasant face, but he also clearly showdown everything to himself. But the education and life that came from a young age made Nie Xiaoqi still a little cautious.
Nie Xiaoqi glanced at Nie Sanniang, there were two pairs of nervous and inquiring eyes, he couldn't help but stir up in his heart, and Qiang Yan smiled slightly and nodded. At this time, I thought to myself, you can rest easy, I will definitely work hard. Looking at Nie Zhong beside Nie Huzi again, the old man also looked at himself with a cautious face, thinking of his past teachings and gray hair, Nie Xiaoqi's heart couldn't help but warm.
"Old ,,,,,,!" He just wanted to call the master, but remembered that he was in the secret room just now, and Nie Huzi cautiously told himself that he was now a free body, and he didn't say anything about being a brother and brother to Xie Laohu, he was still a disciple of Mr. Guiyuan, and his identity was already very noble. If you give face and continue to call him the castle lord in the future, or share a surname Nie and call him Uncle Seven.
Nie Xiaoqi thought about it, and he had heard Xie Laohu say countless times that Nie Jiabao might see more of his color now. Nie Xiaoqi knew that this was already a fact now, so he removed the entanglement in his heart. couldn't help but clench his fists and straighten his body that bent slightly to salute, looking at Nie Huzi, his eyes were full of encouragement, which was completely consistent with what Xie Laohu said every day. There was no longer half an obstacle in his heart, and he said with a straight eye: "Xiao Qi has completed the entrustment of Mr. yesterday, and he should indeed promise Brother Xie that day, and he will go to General He's tent to train!" Because Mr. was invited by General He, Xiao Qi must follow the master, and he will leave tomorrow! ”
"Ahh
Nie Sanniang and Xianglan exclaimed almost at the same time, looking at Nie Huzi's eyes, they hurriedly stopped.
"Xiao Qi was born in Nie Jiabao, Nie Jiabao is Xiao Qi's home, the great kindness of the castle owner raised Xiao Qi to grow up, and the teachings of Grandpa Zhong in the past are vivid. The relatives up and down the Nie family, the help to Xiao Qi bit by bit, Xiao Qi will never forget! He looked at Nie Sanniang and Xianglan with a nervous expression, and then said, "The Nie family will always be Xiao Qi's home!" Xiao Qi died, it was the ghost of the Nie family! ”
"Hehe, with the verboseness of the ground, a certain family believes in Xiaoqi's future!" Nie Huzi happily held Nie Xiaoqi's hand tightly, and as soon as he saw Nie Xiaoqi, he found that the world had changed drastically, and he had more cultivation in plain detail, which strengthened Nie Huzi's confidence. Seeing Nie Xiaoqi say this, he knew that he had made the right choice. smiled happily: "Listen to Lord Xie, Mr. gave you a name, and you will be the future of the Nie family in the future." Originally, a certain family had the cheekiness to think that when you came back to the Nie family, they would ask for your consent to write you into the family tree! ”
He looked at his daughter, whose face was a little pale, and couldn't help but say to Nie Xiaoqi again: "You grew up with Sanniang and Xianglan since you were a child, Sanniang also likes swords, guns, swords, and sticks, and the Nie family was not a scholarly family before, and there were not so many stinky rules!" Now I don't think I need to put it into your family tree! I don't know what will happen in the future, there are not so many rules now! Looking at his daughter, whose face turned red again, he actually sighed and said lightly: "A certain family has been recommended by your righteous eldest brother Lord Xie, and now he has become a state secretary, and he can be regarded as living up to the ancestors of the Nie family and becoming an official." Many ambitions have long been extinguished, but you are young and at the age of hard work. It's just that there are no eyes in front of the battle, you have to protect them well! ”
Quiet!
For a while, Wangjiang Tower was silent!
Tuoshui is long, the sky is clear, the water is clear and the sky is blue.
"The ,,,,,, is surging on both sides of the strait, the ups and downs are recorded with the waves, the sky is smiling, the tide is in the world, who loses who wins the heavens,,,,,, the rivers and mountains laugh, the smoke and rain are far away, and the waves are all over the world. The breeze smiled, but it was lonely,,,,,, pride still had a night photo left, and the people were smiling ,,,,,,,,,,,,,"
Listening to the melodious and melodious sound, the rhyme is graceful and listening, the sound seems to come from afar, although the people in the distance feel a little intermittent, but it is also inexhaustible. Especially for those who know a little bit about lyrics and songs, listening to the tone of this song, they only feel that the melody full of charm of the ancient song is extraordinarily intoxicating!
What is especially surprising to those who know a little bit is that this kind of tune seems to be a gong Shang tune, which is very different from the style and charm of the music that has been circulated in the past. And between the heroic and flamboyant meanings of the words, as well as the style of tunes that have never been heard, it is even more exciting.
Especially this singer is full of sincerity, and his throat is full of breath. Hearing it from afar, it is as if it is close at hand; Those who are close to hear it will not be deafening, which is really amazing.
I saw him hitting the table and hitting the bowl and the can, and the dingdong rhyme was moving, and with the singing, people couldn't help but get up and watch.
The man was dressed in a linen-colored cloth robe, with long hair tied behind him casually, looking only in his thirties, but his eyes seemed to be full of vicissitudes, but his eyes were even more unscrupulous. Although he usually sits there, his body is straight and proud, which makes people feel that he is looking up and not stopping. And there wasn't much on the table in front of him, just a wine bowl and a few jars of rice wine.
This was originally the entrance of Yongzhou City near the river, usually gather a lot of painting boats, the painting boat has to sell wine and roast wine and food, provide everyone to visit the river and view the scenery. Because the river is directly connected to the city, it is very convenient for smaller boats to enter the city. Because of the convenience, everyone paid more attention to the painting boat and this place, so this place gradually developed into a famous place for leisure.
Each painting boat here is of different sizes, and it is nothing more than a few guests having a good time, ordering a few side dishes, drinking two pots of wine, and finding a few friends to talk about the world and recite poetry. As long as it is a family with a little more affluent life, it must have come here for recreation, and the arrogance and hospitality of the Tang people have been prosperous for a long time even in the five generations. Because of the existence of these painting boats, many people have careers. Usually, because there are too many painting boats, the distance between these painting boats is also very close.
There is a medium-sized painting boat here, and only three or four tables can be set, and there are also two literati sitting there drinking at this time. Listening to the singing of this man in cloth, I couldn't help but applaud the table, and my mouth was full of joy, I don't know whether to say that the lyrics are good, or to sing comfortably. So he got up and took the rice wine in the bowl, and drank it to the man.
And the man didn't care, laughing at the two of them, but his presumptuous appearance didn't make people feel rude. Although he is dressed in cloth, he feels elegant.
At this time, after the song, I saw that the singer in cloth stood up, but I saw that he was long and jade, and his figure was straight, and he was really a chic character, and his uninhibited appearance was enviable.
But I saw that he put the wine jar beside him with his right hand, and slapped the mud-sealed stopper again, and a smell of rice wine came, and he praised that it was really good wine. But when he saw him, he lifted up the jar of wine, and it was not more than a foot away, and the wine was poured directly into his mouth in a line of its own. The wine splashed everywhere, and the aroma of wine wafted out of the distance, which made people feel indescribably free and easy.
For a while, everyone was dumbfounded, and they only looked relaxed, and they only felt that the wine fairy was in the world. I had never seen anyone drink like this, and I didn't know where this person came from, and everyone admired him.
"Good! What a song Ren Pingsheng! ”
There seemed to be another applause on the side, but this person didn't care, still drinking the wine in his hand. The people on the side couldn't help but smell the sound and looked over, only to see that on a small painting boat not far away, a little wine lady was pouring wine for a man, and this small painting boat was slowly shaking over.
This man sat cross-legged in the bow of the boat, and he actually looked magnificent, much taller than ordinary people, and he had a beard and a tiger's eyes. He took a slow drink with a wine glass, and looked at the man in cloth motionlessly.
"Ren Pingsheng! This is the first time I've heard of it, but it's right! Smiling proud of the rivers and lakes Ren Pingsheng, the game life crosses the afterlife! The man in cloth seemed to be drunk and slightly drunk, and whispered softly in his mouth, looked at the tiger-eyed man here, and saw the other party looking at him with a smile, and couldn't help arching his hand and said: "Brother Tai Yaxing is not shallow, when it is difficult to know the sound of the world, I don't know how to call it!" ”
"A certain Shuzhong Qinzhuang!" The tiger-eyed man said lightly, seeing that the man in cloth had clear eyes, he actually smiled and put down the wine glass, and arched his hand: "A certain family has something to come to Yongzhou for more than a month, and after nothing else, they will drink in this Xiaoshui head all day long, tasting the feelings and artistic conception of Liu Gong in the past." I have also seen a lot of characters, they are nothing more than some turbidity in the world, I didn't expect today's luck, but I can meet such a free and easy character as Brother Tai, it is really a blessing for three lives! I don't know if I can get on the boat and get together! ”
"Thank you!" The man in cloth responded lightly and looked at the tiger-eyed man again. Unexpectedly, he didn't refuse, he stayed a little closer to the painting boat, and with a slight step, he had already arrived at the tiger-eyed man's boat, and the tiger-eyed man's eyes lit up.
The man in cloth didn't care, and it was rare to give in with a smile to the tiger-eyed man.
The two sat down opposite each other at the painting table, and a teenage boy stepped forward, holding a wooden plate with a small jar of wine and glasses on the plate. After watching the man in cloth sit down, he also put a cup on the man in cloth.
This cup is actually carved from a kind of wood, and its appearance is no more than the size of a child's fist, and its height is only two inches, exuding a faint fragrance. The color of the whole wooden cup is like yin wood, and the outer wall is actually a natural bark, which is clumsy and shapely, but it is beautiful.
The man in cloth showed a different color, and when he saw the wine in front of the tiger-eyed man, it actually looked blood-red in the wooden cup, and a strong smell came to his nose, although it was mixed with wine, it was a kind of wine that he had never seen before.