Translator: Ink Hub

Editor: Yoog

The first rain of early spring arrived.

The pitter-patter of raindrops splashed against the brick tiles and flying eaves of Fengchuan City, sounding like a soft whisper in one’s ear.

Luo Yu stood by the window of Tingyu Restaurant. Below, the commoners wove through the streets and alleys clutching umbrellas. The rhythmic dripping of the rain echoed in his ears, bringing an inexplicable sense of peace and tranquility.

Even on a rainy day, the stream of guests at Tingyu Restaurant remained constant. Many came specifically to taste Sanguotou, and one could often see drunken fellows swaying unsteadily as they staggered out the door.

Luo Yu had come today for two reasons: first, to see just how popular Sanguotou had become, and second, to give Jiang Shu some peace of mind by informing him that the second batch of wine was being brewed day and night.

“I used to wonder why this place was named Tingyu Restaurant.”

Gazing at the curtain of falling rain, Luo Yu said softly, “Today, I think I finally understand.”

“A small building listening to the spring rain all night; an old cellar drunk on the evening breeze for ten years.”

Jiang Shu stood with his hands behind his back and let out a light chuckle. “In my view, drinking on a rainy day is the most pleasant experience. A jar of cloudy wine, two small side dishes, and three or five close friends, that is enough to satisfy a lifetime.”

“I didn’t realize Manager Jiang possessed such refined tastes. You don’t seem like a vulgar businessman at all.”

“Making money is indeed vulgar, but without money, one doesn’t even have the right to talk about being vulgar. That is simply how the world works.”

Jiang Shu turned and asked, “Is City Lord Luo interested in a drink? I’ll have the kitchen whip up a few signature dishes.”

“Next time. There are still many matters in Cangqi City that need my attention. It’s time for me to head back.”

Luo Yu turned to bid him farewell. “The second batch of wine will definitely be delivered before the wine market begins. I’ll leave the rest to you. Once Sanguotou becomes a massive hit, we’ll have that drink.”

“It’s a deal!”

Luo Yu pushed through the crowd and walked out of the restaurant. The noisy guests surrounding him remained completely unaware that the Sanguotou they craved came from his hands. All of Fengchuan City believed it was brewed by Tingyu Restaurant using a secret ancestral method.

Propping up a bamboo umbrella, he strolled down the street. Before he could even leave the alleyway, an elderly man blocked his path, acting very politely.

“May I ask if this is City Lord Luo of Cangqi?”

The unfamiliar face made Luo Yu furrow his brows. “And you are?”

“The butler of Dingxiang Residence.”

The old man smiled and stepped aside, making a gesture of invitation. “My manager would like to request a chat with City Lord Luo.”

* * *

Just as he left Tingyu Restaurant, he entered Dingxiang Residence. The two establishments were actually on the same street, one at the east end and one at the west, serving as each other’s greatest rivals.

Under the old butler’s guidance, Luo Yu arrived at a private room filled with classical elegance. Along the way, he saw many young and beautiful maidservants, and antique porcelains were displayed on both sides of the window frames. Its grandeur certainly surpassed Tingyu Restaurant by a wide margin.

“City Lord Luo’s presence brings light to my humble shop, haha!”

As soon as he entered the room, a burst of hearty laughter rang out. A pot-bellied, middle-aged man stepped forward to greet him.

“I am Du Gang, the manager of Dingxiang Residence. To meet the City Lord Luo, whose name shakes the border, is truly the fortune of three lifetimes. Speaking of our Que Prefecture, it is truly a land of heroes to produce a young talent like yourself. Now you have even become a city lord, soaring to the heavens in a single bound, haha! City Lord Luo, please, take a seat!”

Luo Yu didn’t stand on ceremony and sat down, saying nonchalantly, “It is merely a small town in the wilderness. How could it compare to Manager Du’s grand business?”

“Heh, I’m barely scraping by.”

Du Gang gestured for a beautiful maid to pour wine while offering his apologies, “Inviting City Lord Luo so abruptly was truly presumptuous. But it is rare for you to visit Fengchuan City, and such an opportunity is hard to come by, so I had to take the liberty. I hope City Lord Luo doesn’t mind.”

“Manager Du even knows when I rarely visit Fengchuan City?”

The corners of Luo Yu’s mouth curled slightly. “Could it be that you sent people to tail me?”

“City Lord Luo must be joking. Wasn’t this just a coincidence? Heh.”

Du Gang smoothed over the topic without leaving a trace, shifting the conversation to the local customs and people of Fengchuan City. He was indeed a silver-tongued talker, and before long, his way of addressing Luo Yu had shifted to ‘Brother Luo.’

Luo Yu’s palm lightly rubbed the rim of his wine cup. “Manager Du didn’t invite me here today just to chat about family matters, did he? If there’s something on your mind, speak plainly.”

“Brother Luo is a straightforward man, so I won’t beat around the bush.”

Du Gang finally pulled back his smile and said seriously, “Dingxiang Residence wants to do business with you. A big business.”

“Do business with me? Cangqi City is a desolate place where even the birds don’t shit, poor and barren. What business could we possibly do with Dingxiang Residence?”

“The Sanqi Mountains are a bit desolate, but you know how to brew wine.”

Du Gang spoke with deep meaning, “Sanguotou has taken Fengchuan City by storm in just half a month. With such skill, why would City Lord Luo worry about not being able to do business with Dingxiang Residence?”

Luo Yu’s brow twitched slightly. “Manager Du seems to know more than I imagined.”

No one in all of Fengchuan City knew where Sanguotou came from. How did Du Gang find out?

“Heh, to be able to stand firm in Fengchuan City for so many years, one must have some capabilities.”

Du Gang spoke with great confidence, “Although Dingxiang Residence is ranked first and Tingyu Restaurant is ranked second among the restaurants in Fengchuan City, if we truly compare, Tingyu Restaurant is far behind us. Our business is better, and the background of Dingxiang Residence is much deeper than theirs.”

“I know. The city lord of Fengchuan, Yao Lin, is your sworn brother. You share a profound bond.”

Since Luo Yu intended to do business with wine in Fengchuan City, how could he not investigate the background of Dingxiang Residence? Besides, this matter was common knowledge in the city and was hardly a secret.

“Since Brother Luo knows this, then you should understand that we are your best partner.”

Du Gang smiled. “Collaborating with Dingxiang Residence will guarantee you earn so much that your pockets will overflow. I am sincerely looking to make a friend and do business with you.”

Luo Yu crossed his legs. “Then let’s hear it. How does Manager Du want to cooperate?”

“It’s simple. You brew the wine, and we sell it.”

Du Gang held up one finger. “In ten days, on the third day of the third month, it will be the Fengchuan City wine market. It is a great opportunity for every restaurant to expand its customer base. I assume Tingyu Restaurant has already ordered a batch of wine from City Lord Luo?”

“That’s right.”

Luo Yu admitted frankly, “Two hundred jars, at eight taels of silver per jar.”

“Dingxiang Residence will pay ten taels per jar. This entire batch belongs to us. City Lord Luo, do not give a single jar to Tingyu Restaurant.”

“That wouldn’t be appropriate, would it? Manager Jiang has already paid the deposit. How can I not act according to our agreement? If word got out, my reputation would be ruined.”

“One more tael per jar. How about that?”

“No.”

“Another tael!”

“Sheesh, next time, next time.”

Luo Yu remained unmoved. “I see Manager Du’s sincerity. I will give this batch to Tingyu Restaurant, but next time, I will definitely cooperate with Dingxiang Residence!”

Facing Luo Yu, who refused to budge an inch, Du Gang gritted his teeth and made a bold decision.

“Dingxiang Residence will pay double! Fifteen taels per jar! Three thousand taels for two hundred jars! We will also pay double the deposit that Tingyu Restaurant gave you! How about it?”

Luo Yu didn’t refuse again. Instead, he fell into deep thought.

Seeing that Luo Yu was finally wavering, Du Gang struck while the iron was hot. “City Lord Luo, in terms of strength, scale, and background, Dingxiang Residence is your best choice. You have so many people in Cangqi City to feed; naturally, the more silver you have, the better. We businessmen have a vulgar saying in private: money left unearned is a bastard’s game.”

After saying this, Du Gang personally stood up, poured a cup of wine for Luo Yu, and pushed it forward.

“Brother Luo, you will definitely not regret cooperating with Dingxiang Residence!”

The wine rippled gently in the cup. If he drank this wine, it would mean Luo Yu had agreed to cooperate with Du Gang.

After a long silence, under Du Gang’s delighted gaze, Luo Yu picked up the wine cup and drained it in one gulp.

“You’re right. Money left unearned is a bastard’s game!”

The spring rain continued to fall. Jiang Shu stood by the window, a faint trace of worry hidden between his brows.

A moment later, a butler walked in and bowed. “Manager, City Lord Luo has left the city. He spent a full hour chatting with Du Gang inside Dingxiang Residence.”

“I see.”

Just two words, but the sense of melancholy within them grew much stronger.

“Manager, should we send someone to Cangqi to hurry the wine along? We should bring back as much as they have. If Du Gang intercepts them…”

“There is no need. If someone doesn’t want to cooperate with us, you won’t get a single jar of wine even if you ask. Why go looking for humiliation?”

Jiang Shu let out a long sigh. “Sigh!”

NOTES

“Birds don’t shit” (鸟不拉屎): A Chinese idiom for a desolate, godforsaken, or remote place. 

“Money left unearned is a bastard’s game” (有钱不挣王八蛋): A very common, blunt Chinese saying implying that passing up a clear profit is not just a mistake but a sign of being a fool or a “bastard.”

Translator’s Note: Luo Yu, my man! Did he really just sell out Jiang Shu for double the price? Fifteen taels a jar is a massive jump from eight, and with Cangqi City needing every copper to survive, it’s hard to blame him. But Jiang Shu seems like a genuine guy—that “sigh” at the end really stung. Do you think Luo Yu is actually betraying his first partner, or is there a “city lord” level scheme brewing that we haven’t seen yet? Drop a comment—are you Team Tingyu or Team Dingxiang?

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