With the arrival of the autumn harvest season, Zheng Shuqing, the assassin of Kuizhou, was also full of sadness.

As the saying goes, the year is afraid of the Mid-Autumn Festival and the moon is afraid of half, and the autumn harvest is over, which means that the year is coming to an end, and next year's Shangyuan Festival is next to the New Year.

However, Zheng Shuqing still can't see where the vitality is!

In this place of Kuizhou, except for Jiangguan, there is really nothing to do. All economic development is brought by merchants coming and going, and the proportion of permanent residents with acres of land in the local area (the government is registered), not to mention compared with Fang Chongyong's previous life, even at this time, it is also Shu land.

In Qinghe County, Hebei Province, the number of household registrations is 50 times that of Kuizhou!

However, on the contrary, because of the prosperity of tourism, Kuizhou has a large number of "customers" who have no acres of land and live in Fucheng, which has also caused the abnormal prosperity of the brewing industry. From the Qumi Spring in Yunyang to the Wuxia Spring in Fucheng, it can be said that there has been no shortage of good wine since ancient times.

Fan Cheng of the Song Dynasty had a great poem: Yun'an wine is thick and the rice is cheap, and the family is intoxicating. It is said that the fine wine here in Kuizhou is not only cheap, but also very cost-effective.

From this point of view, Zheng Shuqing's worries are not groundless: Kuizhou wine does not conform to the aesthetics of Chang'an nobles. Because of its high cost performance, it has no market competitiveness among the aristocracy and can only be known as a "local specialty".

If Du Fu hadn't been downcast and took refuge in Kuizhou, he would not have touched rice wine like Kuizhou Qumichun in Chang'an.

In other words, although the Kuizhou liquor industry is thriving, in addition to brewing a little for yourself, selling more to the liquor shop to make a little money, or brewing some in the liquor shop to entertain merchants, at most, that's all. The local overlord who is rampant in the local area will not be able to get on the big stage of Chang'an after all.

The wine that cannot be sold in Chang'an has no commercial value, and in other places, there are also local wines, which are of good quality and low price, and the wine of Kuizhou has no possibility of being sold in places other than Chang'an, Luoyang and other places.

As for where the large amount of grain needed for brewing comes from, of course, it comes from Shudi! It is very convenient to buy from the merchants who come and go, which is one of the reasons why Kuizhou does not produce grain but has a developed wine industry.

Therefore, the raw materials for liquor are easy to obtain, the water quality of mountain springs is good, and the quality of liquor is high (not top-notch), which is the advantage of Kuizhou Liquor Industry; It has a poor reputation in the elite circle of Chang'an, and it is far away from Guanzhong, and it is impossible to take the lower route by quantity, which is the disadvantage of Kuizhou Liquor.

And due to the restrictions of the Tang Dynasty, it is unrealistic to rely on large-scale volume to sell wine, and it will also be resisted.

In the study of the Lotus Pond Annex, Fang Chongyong broke these open for Zheng Shuqing to analyze, and the government has begun to buy new grain after this autumn's harvest at a low price to prepare raw materials for winemaking.

It's just that ideals are one thing, reality is another. It is not difficult to make wine, but how to sell it in Chang'an!

"In this way, Kuizhou's wine is not famous enough?"

After listening to Fang Chongyong's analysis, Zheng Shuqing frowned and asked to himself.

He himself is from Chang'an, from the family of the eunuchs, naturally there is no shortage of good things, and he can be regarded as well-informed.

The biggest problem with Kuizhou's wine is not in the taste, but in the color! It's out of the forced grid!

In the Tang Dynasty, wine without a special color could not be used in aristocratic recipes! Nature is at the bottom of the chain of contempt for alcohol.

The wine that is bright red as blood, the yellow wine that is as yellow as amber, and the Sanle pulp that is as blue as the lake are all distinctive. If you bring a pot of rice wine with a hint of milky white to the table, you will be embarrassed to greet the guests!

Judging from the appearance, it is inferior by three points! It's already lost before you even start tasting it!

Chang'an's magnates have flamboyant personalities, drunk dreams of death, and pursue luxury. Qumichun and Wuxia Chun, which are not costly in Kuizhou, are not their dishes!

"Actually, just looking at the color, Kuizhou wine has no advantage, how easy it is to become famous in the short term, how do you want to make money by making wine?"

Zheng Shuqing couldn't help but sigh. Just buy the grain, it's not difficult to get rid of it anyway, and you can make a little money for wine in the winter.

"In addition, if the raw materials are too easy to come by, it will also make people feel that the quality is inferior and they will not be elegant."

He continued to make up for it.

The principle that scarcity is expensive is applicable everywhere. If the raw materials (including water) are readily available and the aging time is short, then it is natural to be considered of average quality. Now it is only a few months before next year's Shangyuan Festival, and these few months of "aging" want to fool those Chang'an magnates who drink wine as water.

Still a little too naïve!

Fang Chongyong's previous routine of "tariff restructuring and calibration of the boat" really made Zheng Shuqing very amazing, and it can even be said to be "turning decay into magic", but it is obvious that Fang Chongyong, who does not know how to drink at all, is difficult to come up with tricks in the area of alcohol.

"Envoy, actually, we can use red lotus rice to make wine."

Fang Chongyong said conclusively.

He has been a salted fish since the summer, reading and practicing calligraphy every day, and it seems that his life is very leisurely, but in fact, he has been collecting all kinds of information and preparing a killer feature!

Now, the sword is out of the sheath, who will fight!

"Red Lotus Rice Brewing?"

Zheng Shuqing was stunned, and he didn't understand Fang Chongyong's train of thought at all.

Good rice may not be suitable for winemaking, and vice versa. Sometimes the ingredients used in sake brewing have nothing to do with whether they taste good or not.

Sorghum is so unpalatable, but the flavor of sorghum wine is completely opposite, which is unique among wines, which is the reason.

Red lotus rice is indeed delicious, but it may not be suitable for winemaking, and no one does it!

Such precious rice belongs to the royal tribute, and whoever Li Longji rewards it to will have his family to eat. Even if there is a "floating" part on the way, those who get the "open road rice" do not dare to show it off publicly, let alone use such a precious tribute as red lotus rice to brew privately.

There is no demand, and there is no reluctance to materials, and there are a lot of ready-made good wines, and the wine made of red lotus rice in Chang'an is really hell!

"Aren't you joking, where did this red lotus rice come from?"

Zheng Shuqing spread out his hands and looked at Fang Chongyong in surprise and asked.

"Envoy, I'll ask you a question."

"Please."

"Considering that official document, it should be among some people in Chang'an, it's not a secret."

Fang Chongyong suddenly mentioned this stubble, which was a bit unexpected by Zheng Shuqing.

"If, I mean, if someone is spreading the news in Chang'an now, saying that the tribute red lotus rice in Kuizhou has been used in large quantities to make wine, then is it just worthy of this official document?"

Fang Chongyong said with a smile.

Like, it seems, may ...... That's true.

Zheng Shuqing nodded slightly, you can find the empirical rumors, it is easy to ferment. Considering that the official document was not encrypted, I passed through many post stations along the way, and also passed through the hands of many officials, and finally arrived at the desk of the household department!

Anyone on this line could spread the word. If someone is willing to help the trouble, then it is not difficult to make everyone in Chang'an City know about it.

Half of the red lotus rice was destroyed because of the "mountain fire", so is this half really damaged, or is it ...... It just disappeared from the books of the imperial court, who knows?

In all dynasties, people who watch the excitement love conspiracy theories!

Those who take the "open road rice" will not say, let alone come out to clarify, and those who do not take it will use it as a talking point before and after dinner! In the end, 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 "put their hands up and down" along the way!

Everyone will look forward to it: what kind of wine should he meow, the red lotus rice that is as expensive as gold, taste like?

As a result, there is indeed no red lotus rice used in Kuizhou to make wine, but it can make the magnates of Chang'an think that a batch of red lotus rice has been intercepted in Kuizhou and used to make wine!

As long as they think that there is, then there is no and there is, and people who know the inside story will not come out to debunk it, let alone point to their nose and say: There is no red lotus rice in Kuizhou, and many of it is in my pocket.

As for Li Longji, he wants to get an extra 100,000 yuan, even if he knows the inside story, will he still hold him accountable for helping him make money?

Thinking about this relationship, Zheng Shuqing rubbed his hands excitedly and asked, "It seems to be the case, but ...... The mouths of the nobles of Chang'an are difficult to serve. Ordinary Wuxia Spring, it is difficult to enter the eyes of nobles! ”

"That's natural, but I still have a killer move here. From now on, it will be brewed just before the Shangyuan Festival next year. We shipped the wine to Chang'an, exchanged money in Chang'an, and paid it directly as a tax! ”

Fang Chongyong was full of confidence, took out a small cloth bag from behind him, and put it on the table. He untied the rope of the cloth bag, and inside it was a grain of red rice.

"Red Lotus Rice!"

Zheng Shuqing stood up and was stunned. He took the red japonica rice in his hand and looked at it carefully, but he noticed that something was wrong.

"It is rumored that red lotus rice is as transparent as red jade, this kind of ...... Not quite like that. ”

Zheng Shuqing said as he put the red japonica rice back and shook his head slightly.

"What color does the envoy think should be if the red lotus rice is brewed?"

Fang Chongyong asked in a deep voice.

"Red and translucent in colour, lighter than wine, but translucent and clear......"

Zheng Shuqing closed his eyes, shook his head, and said with an intoxicated face.

You really know the tone that the powerful like!

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but complain in his heart.

After chatting enough, he saluted Uncle Zheng and said, "The envoy will go to Fengxian Tower with so-and-so, and so-and-so has already arranged it." If you don't make a sound, it has been a blockbuster, so that you will return to Chang'an, and you will start to exert your strength today! ”

Fang Chongyong raised his arms and shouted.

Zheng Shuqing couldn't lift his spirits, waved his hand weakly, got up and followed behind Fang Chongyong. The two entered from the north city of the mansion, and when they saw them on the way, they all saluted them cordially. Seeing this scene, Zheng Shuqing was still a little complacent in his heart.

When I came to the door of Fengxian Tower, I saw Fang Laique holding a chicken leg and gnawing on it. Fang Chongyong's face turned dark, and he scolded in displeasure: "Why did you eat it again?" ”

"Well, that's right, the shopkeeper of Fengxian Building is very enthusiastic and gives the slave a lot of food......"

Fang Laique's words sneered, as if he was a little embarrassed, and he frowned when he saw Fang Chongyong.

"Is it done?"

Fang Chongyong asked with a tiger face, as long as Fang Laique dared to say a word, he would soon use the family method to serve!

"It's all right, the young owner of Fengxian Tower has come from Chang'an thousands of miles away."

Fang Laique leaned into Fang Chongyong's ear and whispered.

"Good!"

Fang Chongyong walked over and said to Zheng Shuqing: "It's done, please make Jun enter the top floor of Fengxian Tower to discuss important matters!" ”

Zheng Shuqing saw that he said solemnly, and nodded calmly, and when the group came to the top floor, they saw a young man dressed very ordinary, like a farmer, who had been waiting for a long time.

"The contemptible Wang Defu has seen the envoy, my father Wang Yuanbao, doing business in Chang'an."

Wang Yuanbao?

Zheng Shuqing was slightly stunned, then nodded very reservedly, and sat opposite Wang Defu with Fang Chongyong.

Wang Yuanbao is the richest man in Chang'an, and it is very likely that he is the richest man in the Tang Dynasty, and he made a fortune by trafficking in colored glass. Zheng Shuqing has also heard of this.

Fang Chongyong leaned into Zheng Shuqing's ear and muttered: "When I saw Fengxian Tower using glazed tiles, I knew that his family must be Wang Yuanbao as the owner. Ordinary businessmen, where can they buy glazed tiles to build a house? ”

It is human nature to build a house with bricks and tiles at factory prices.

"Today, I want to represent the envoy and talk about the wine of this red lotus spring."

Fang Chongyong made a gesture of invitation and said, Fang Lai quickly opened the lid of a jar of wine, and then poured wine into the porcelain bowl in front of Zheng Shuqing and Wang Defu.

As Zheng Shuqing expected, the wine was red and clear, and it didn't look ordinary.

"Please taste it!"

Fang Chongyong stood up and said to the two.

This wine smells mellow, but it is slightly sweet in the mouth, soft and refreshing, with a faint bitter taste, and a long aftertaste after the stomach. The aroma and taste of this wine are very unique, and Zheng Shuqing is not a person who has never drunk good wine, but there is no kind of wine that tastes similar to such wine.

"This is the red lotus spring brewed with red lotus rice."

Fang Chongyong solemnly introduced.

Wang Defu smiled and nodded, his smile seemed to have a deep meaning; Zheng Shuqing also smiled and nodded, that was sincere.

"My father will find a way to operate and sell red lotus spring in Chang'an and settle in Chang'an. We don't ask about the brewing process. Dare to ask Lang Jun what price he wants to set? ”

In fact, the price of Chang'an's wine is very fixed, not one price for each wine, but "classified" the wine. The price of different grades of wine is also different.

The wine used by ordinary people at home, one bucket (small bucket, two liters) Baiwen.

The wine used by the bureaucrats and the rich is a thousand words (consistent).

As for the wine used in the banquet of the elite class, the price is not easy to say. It can also be a bucket of 10,000 or 100,000 yuan, depending on the degree of scarcity.

"Red lotus rice is a tribute, and a stone of rice produces a bucket of wine. One bucket and twenty runs, that's just the cost! What we sell to your store is a bucket of twenty-five times. For the rest, you can sell as much as you want.

Red lotus spring is not like ordinary wine, it does not hurt the body, it can also strengthen the body, and it is the most suitable for nobles to drink. This jar of wine was given to the young owner, the young owner is a well-informed person, whether a certain statement is true, after drinking this altar, there is a conclusion. ”

"How many fights do you have? If not much, I want it all. ”

After pondering for a long time, Wang Defu raised his head and asked.

"It's not much, it's a bar worth more than 100,000 yuan. It will be sent to Chang'an before the Shangyuan Festival next year. ”

"It's too much, such a large amount, I can't call the shots, I have to go back to Chang'an and discuss it with my father first."

Wang Defu bowed and said.

Zheng Shuqing and Fang Chongyong glanced at each other, Fang Chongyong shook his head slightly, signaling Zheng Shuqing not to be excited, and not to be impatient.

"Since this is the case, then so-and-so and the envoy will take their leave first. When will the richest man decide when he will inform us. ”

Fang Chongyong saluted respectfully, and then pulled Zheng Shuqing out of Fengxian Tower.