Translator: Ink Hub

Editor: Yoog

Fengchuan City was one of the most renowned and bustling urban centers within Que Prefecture.

As Luo Yu walked through the streets, he could not help but feel like a country bumpkin who had never seen the world. The sight of heavy traffic and the sheer prosperity of the shops far surpassed what he had seen at Yunyang Pass. It was a dizzying spectacle for the eyes.

“Before this, I thought Yunyang Pass was the greatest city gate under heaven. Now that I have seen Fengchuan City, I realize there is always a higher mountain and a greater city. I must bring my parents here to see this in the future.”

Little Wu followed behind, clutching a wine jar and finding everything fascinating. They looked left and right, their eyes barely able to take it all in.

“When your parents arrive at Cangqi, bring them here to see the sights. Let the elders enjoy some good fortune.”

Luo Yu spoke with a faint smile. The soldiers who followed him to Cangqi all had families, and he had already instructed everyone to find time to bring their kin to Cangqi to live together.

Firstly, it allowed the soldiers to reunite with their families; secondly, it served to bolster Cangqi’s population.

Xiao Shaoyou did not quite understand Luo Yu’s decision. He felt that feeding three or four hundred people was already difficult enough. If they brought all their families over, how could there possibly be enough grain?

But Luo Yu was confident. His wine would definitely sell! The grain problem would be easily resolved.

The two of them circled around before finally stopping outside a four-story restaurant. A plaque hung high above the entrance with two large words:

Tingyu Restaurant.

Red gauze lanterns hung on both sides of the vermilion carved gates. The flying eaves and green tiles were etched with ancient, simple patterns. A wine banner fluttered in the wind, revealing the character for “Wine” written in a drunken, flowing script.

The shop attendants, with white towels draped over their shoulders, were busy welcoming and seeing off guests at the entrance, their faces plastered with smiles.

“This is the place.”

Luo Yu stood still with a strange expression. Using the words “Tingyu,” meaning “listening to the rain,” as a name for a restaurant was truly peculiar.

A waiter with sharp eyes immediately hurried over to greet them.

“Honored guests, are you here for a meal or to stay the night? Our house specialty, Shili-xiang, is quite famous in Fengchuan City. Would you like to try some?”

“I am not here to drink, nor am I here to stay. I am an old acquaintance of your manager. I have come to see him today.”

Luo Yu fished out a piece of broken silver from his robes and tossed it to him.

“This is official business, so do not delay.”

Upon seeing the silver, the attendant’s eyes lit up. He did not care whether the claim was true or false and quickly stepped aside to make way.

“Young Master, please come inside. This lowly one will go fetch the manager immediately.”

* * *

Inside a refined, antique private room, Luo Yu sat alone in a dignified posture. The jar of wine that Little Wu had carried in was placed in the center of the table.

Luo Yu was constantly recalling the information he had gathered over the past few days. Whether this business deal would succeed depended entirely on today.

A short moment later.

Footsteps echoed outside the door, followed by an inquiry.

“Where is the person?”

“Manager, they are inside.”

Creak.

The door was gently pushed open, and a young man dressed in brocade robes with delicate features walked in. For such a large restaurant, the manager was unexpectedly young.

“It seems we have never met before?”

A flash of doubt crossed the young man’s eyes.

“I am Jiang Shu of Tingyu Restaurant. May I ask who you are, brother?”

“The rumors say the manager of Tingyu Restaurant is very young. Seeing you today, it is indeed true.”

Luo Yu introduced himself.

“Luo Yu of Cangqi.”

“You are Luo Yu!”

Jiang Shu was instantly stunned.

“The centurion who slew Western Qiang’s General Wanyan Chang and the city lord of the new city, Cangqi?”

Luo Yu’s deeds of fighting Wanyan Chang and defending Yunyang Pass to the death had already spread throughout Que Prefecture. Who in the entire city of Fengchuan did not know the name Luo Yu?

“I apologize for the abrupt visit.”

Luo Yu gave a slight wave of his hand. “Manager Jiang, please, have a seat.”

Even though it was the other man’s territory, Luo Yu acted as if he were the host, suppressing Jiang Shu’s momentum from the start.

Jiang Shu acted somewhat constrained but remained very polite.

“I did not know City Lord Luo was visiting. To what do I owe this honor?”

“You are too kind. I simply wished to make a friend of Young Master Jiang.”

“Make a friend? I understand.”

Jiang Shu’s eyes flickered as he called out softly, “Someone, bring fifty taels of silver.”

Soon, a servant arrived carrying five large ingots of silver. Jiang Shu pushed them forward gently.

“From now on, I am friends with City Lord Luo. This small gift is a token of my respect.”

Looking at the gleaming white silver, the corner of Luo Yu’s mouth curled slightly.

“What? Do you take me for one of those soldier-ruffians who only know how to extort and blackmail?”

Jiang Shu’s expression froze slightly, and he said nothing.

Military leaders of all sizes from the border often caused trouble when they returned to the interior. They might wreck a restaurant today or sit in the lobby with a blade tomorrow to act like a rogue.

Shopkeepers without powerful backgrounds could only swallow their anger and offer silver, treating it as the price for peace. Such occurrences were common.

“To be honest, I do not care for a mere fifty taels of silver.”

Luo Yu crossed his legs. “I came today to discuss a business deal with Young Master Jiang.”

“A business deal?”

Jiang Shu was truly curious now.

“City Lord Luo is a man of the military. What business could you possibly have with my restaurant?”

“I have a type of fine wine that I wish to sell to you.”

Luo Yu pointed at the wine jar on the table.

“Every restaurant in the city has its own signature brew. Tingyu Restaurant’s Shili-xiang is also somewhat famous, but I dare say my wine surpasses that of any other establishment in the city. Manager Jiang can inspect the goods.”

Jiang Shu was skeptical but reached out to unseal the jar. A wave of wine fragrance instantly filled the room.

His expression finally changed. He poured half a cup and took a light sip. Immediately, his cheeks flushed, and his face filled with astonishment.

“This is truly fine wine. The aroma is mellow, the taste is spicy, it hits the throat with a sharp chill, and the aftertaste is powerful.”

“Young Master Jiang truly knows his goods. This wine is brewed using an ancestral secret method, and I am the only one in the entire Longxi region who possesses it.”

Luo Yu’s lips curled up.

“Manager Jiang is a businessman, so you should understand how much benefit this wine can bring you. Five taels of silver per jar. How does that sound for a deal?”

Jiang Shu’s mind raced. Ordinary rice wine cost at most one tael per jar, and even Shili-xiang did not sell for two taels. Five taels was a high price.

However, this wine was worth it!

With fine wine, the restaurant would have more and more customers. Based on his intuition, this wine would definitely become a sensation in Fengchuan City.

“I have a question for City Lord Luo.”

Jiang Shu did not answer directly but raised his own doubt.

“There are dozens of restaurants, large and small, in this city, and countless smaller taverns. Why choose to sell this wine to Tingyu Restaurant?”

Luo Yu replied casually.

“Tingyu, Tingyu… My name contains the character ‘yu.’ It sounds familiar and friendly.”

Jiang Shu was stunned and gave a bitter laugh.

“City Lord Luo, please do not joke. I wish to hear the truth.”

Only then did Luo Yu turn serious.

“This is a major business deal, and ordinary small shops cannot handle it. In this city, only Dingxiang Residence and your Tingyu Restaurant have the best business and the largest scale. If I am to cooperate, it must be with one of you.”

Jiang Shu’s brow twitched.

“The whole city knows the best restaurant in Fengchuan is Dingxiang Residence. According to City Lord Luo’s logic, you should have sought them out for cooperation instead.”

“I heard something.”

Luo Yu suddenly changed the subject.

“The manager of Dingxiang Residence has a background, which is why they can dominate Fengchuan City. Since your father passed away and you took over the restaurant, they have been constantly suppressing Tingyu Restaurant. Your business has been declining for the past year. Is that correct?”

Since he intended to do business, Luo Yu had naturally investigated Tingyu Restaurant’s background.

“Yes.”

Jiang Shu admitted it frankly without any concealment.

“With this wine, Tingyu Restaurant’s business will rapidly improve. You need this wine more than Dingxiang Residence does.”

Luo Yu’s expression was playful as he spoke just enough to make his point.

“I believe that providing charcoal in the snow is better than adding flowers to a brocade. Are you satisfied with that reason?”

“I understand.”

Jiang Shu asked no more and was decisive.

“Five taels, it is. How much stock does City Lord Luo have?”

“One hundred jars.”

Luo Yu held up his right hand.

“Five hundred taels. Can you handle it? Also, I will put the unpleasant words first: the price of five taels is a discount for our first cooperation. After this, it will be eight taels per jar.”

“A small matter.”

Jiang Shu pushed the fifty taels of silver over again.

“Consider this the deposit. As long as the wine is good, my Tingyu Restaurant is willing to spend this money.”

“Very good. I like straightforward people.”

Luo Yu stood up leisurely.

“Then I wish us a pleasant cooperation. By the way, you may sell this wine, but you must never reveal to anyone that I am the one who sold it to you. Keep it strictly confidential!”

Luo Yu was worried that Jun Mozhu would play tricks behind his back again, so he chose to keep it a secret for now.

“Rest assured, I know what to do.”

Jiang Shu smiled, then suddenly remembered something. “Ahem, City Lord Luo, what is the name of this wine?”

Luo Yu’s expression stiffened. Dammit, I forgot to name it!

“Let’s call it… Sanguotou.”

“Sanguotou?”

Jiang Shu was bewildered. Why did this name feel like it was made up on the spot?

“That is right. Sanguotou.”

Luo Yu pushed open the door and left, leaving behind a poem:

“Three pots of strong spirits brewed through years and seasons, a single sip of mellow fragrance dissolves ten thousand sorrows. Heroic spirit dwells within the cup, the world is vast, and I am free to roam within.

“Whoever drinks it will get a head rush!”

NOTES

Sanguotou (三锅头): A play on the real-world Chinese spirit Erguotou (二锅头, “Second-Pot Brew”), with “san” (三) meaning “three.” Luo Yu is essentially branding his moonshine with a name that implies a triple-distillation process.

Translator’s Note: Luo Yu out here playing the “underdog savior” card while basically inventing a brand on the fly. “Sanguotou” sounds exactly like something a soldier would name a drink after a few too many jars. Also, can we talk about how he just casually bribed the waiter with silver? The man knows how to get things moving. Do you think Jiang Shu is going to stay loyal, or will the pressure from Dingxiang Residence be too much?

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