A guest arrived at General Li Feng's mansion.
It should be noted that Cao Hong had many retainers. Ordinarily, he wouldn't need to treat a common guest with such formality. However, this particular guest was different: it was Grand Herald Lu Yu.
And Lu Yu had come to visit…
Cao Hong had been extremely dejected lately. First, his retainer committed a crime, and his old face was severely humiliated by Xu Du's Magistrate, Man Chong.
Then, due to the "New Agricultural Policy," thousands of mu of land could not find tenant farmers.
What made it worse was that the one who proposed this New Agricultural Policy was Old Master Cao himself, and the one implementing it was also Old Master Cao…
Alas… it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that in front of Old Master Cao, Cao Hong was like a grandson, how could he dare to retort!
Of course… if one thought carefully about these matters, the original instigator could be traced back to the newly appointed Grand Herald Lu Yu.
Now, Cao Hong's mood had calmed down a bit. He pondered why Lu Yu seemed to be targeting him everywhere, as he had never eaten Lu Yu's rice.
Just then, he heard that Dian Wei had sent someone to report that Lu Yu wanted to invite him for drinks tonight.
The drinks would certainly be accepted; after all, it was a free meal. Not going was impossible. But… Cao Hong muttered to himself, wasn't this Lu Yu hitting him and then giving him a date? His mood grew increasingly unpleasant.
He wouldn't go…
Unless Lu Yu came to his door with wine and food to apologize, Cao Hong would endure the free meal… but still wouldn't go for drinks.
Of course, Cao Hong had calculated that Lu Yu was very persistent. Since he had proposed meeting him, he would definitely come. For this reason, Cao Hong hadn't eaten anything all afternoon, just waiting for Lu Yu's treat.
Now, famished, Lu Yu had finally arrived.
But, confound it all, Lu Yu had only brought wine, no food!
Cao Hong felt very hungry… yet, he had to feign stubbornness and strength!
"Ahem… I won't listen to any apologies, General," Cao Hong straightened his back. "My retainers number over a thousand, and the daily expenses are a terrifying figure. Grand Herald Lu, you are cutting off my livelihood, which is no different from killing my parents… This life is unlivable, oh my… oh my, it's unlivable!"
As he spoke, Cao Hong's expression changed, and it seemed as if tears were about to stream down his cheeks.
This iron-boned, true man of the battlefield could only be brought to tears by money.
Was it shameful? In Cao Hong's opinion, not at all. For money… he could truly risk his life!
"..."
How awkward…
Lu Yu tapped his forehead, placed several pots of wine on the table, and quietly watched his performance.
Cao Hong clutched his chest, feigning he was about to faint.
"Pitiful! Cao Hong, loyal and brave throughout his life, when my elder brother fell from his horse on the battlefield, I was the first to offer him my horse! Pitifully, I only have these few retainers and a few acres of land, earning only a meager sum each year. Now, my retainers have been killed by Man Chong, who also gave me a warning shot, and the New Agricultural Policy… has further… further cut off my livelihood! I am miserable! Though I don't say it, my heart is bitter!"
Having said this, Cao Hong wiped away a tear… "Alas…" he sighed deeply, "From now on, I fear I can only eat bran and coarse vegetables, tasteless food! The cause of my tragic situation is you, Grand Herald Lu, Lu Grand Herald… you… you touch your… ah no, touch your conscience, doesn't it hurt?"
Uh…
What exaggerated acting!
Lu Yu listened, his heart breaking, not out of sympathy, but out of fear. He realized for the first time that when Cao Hong shed all pretense of decency, no one else stood a chance!
Alas…
He sighed helplessly.
If it weren't to ease his relationship with Cao Hong, he wouldn't be here listening to Cao Hong cry poverty and complain.
Of course, there must be a reason for this anomaly. Cao Hong's performance might be hiding some ulterior motive.
"Why haven't we started drinking yet? Has General Cao gotten drunk already? Come… try my newly brewed yellow wine! Drink it first, then continue your act, ah no… drink it first, and then get drunk if you wish!"
Lu Yu smiled slightly, "This wine is indeed nectar. If it weren't for a friend, I wouldn't be willing to offer it."
Nectar?
Cao Hong's eyes opened. He "coughed" out, actually wanting to say, I'm hungry… You, damn it, came to apologize, couldn't you bring some food? Wasn't it agreed that tonight we would drink, and the emphasis was on eating!
But… Cao Hong couldn't bear to part with this so-called "nectar."
He immediately asked, "What? Is this wine of Grand Herald Lu better than my Qiao Pei's Nine Brewed Spring Wine? My Qiao Pei's Nine Brewed Spring Wine is also known as 'Gu Jing Gong Jiu,' which is a fine vintage used by the imperial court!"
Among Cao Hong's many businesses, he owned a wine brewery, and it was quite large.
Therefore… upon hearing the word "nectar," he felt greatly insulted. He knew that even the "Gu Jing Gong Jiu" brewed in his winery dared not call itself nectar; that term was too high-level.
"Alas…" Lu Yu waved his hand. "Your so-called Gu Jing Gong Jiu was originally not bad, but compared to my nectar, it is rather ordinary. Oh dear… why did we start talking about wine? I came to visit General Cao Hong today for an important matter!"
"An important matter?" Cao Hong sat down, putting on airs. "If it's an apology, I won't accept it, unless…"
Cao Hong had intended to say, unless you let me join the Tomb Raider Corps too, letting me lead people to rob tombs, plunder, and dig…
He was calculating the accounts in his mind…
Compared to the profits from farmland, it was clear that joining the Tomb Raider Corps would earn much more.
However, before Cao Hong could speak, Lu Yu's words came out: "Apologize? Why should I apologize? Isn't it just about the matter of 'Prefect Man' and the 'New Agricultural Policy'? No matter how big the issue, can it not be solved with money?"
Speaking of this, Lu Yu said righteously and with integrity, "Actually, I came to visit today to discuss a major money-making matter with General Cao. If we calculate carefully, it is estimated to be ten, or even a hundred times more than the paltry sum General Cao lost due to the New Agricultural Policy!"
"If General Cao is not interested, then I shall take my leave!"
As he said this, Lu Yu was about to leave!
Never would he have expected that a jolt would go through Cao Hong's mind.
Huo…
Ten times? A hundred times more than the money lost due to the New Agricultural Policy? And, and, and… even more!
Cao Hong suddenly became serious. People are afraid of seriousness. Once serious, his hunger vanished!
Cao Hong couldn't help but say earnestly, "Interested… I am interested…"
"Grand Herald Lu, please stay. Please, Grand Herald Lu, enlighten me!"
"Drink first!" Lu Yu smiled slightly and pointed to the wine pots.
Upon hearing about making money, Cao Hong felt elated, his heart surging with excitement.
Furthermore, Lu Yu's knack for making money was already evident.
Xiahou Dun, Xun Yu, and Cao Chun, who were originally poor, all became extremely wealthy by cooperating with Lu Yu to open oil mills. Not to mention the old man Wei Hong, who was almost replacing his spittoon with gold!
Cao Hong had envied this for a long time. He wanted to get a share and join Lu Yu's so-called commercial alliance, but he had no access.
Since Lu Yu had approached him today, this was a godsend.
"What wine are we drinking? It's such a waste of time!" Cao Hong grabbed a wine pot, intending to gulp it down in one go.
Otherwise, if he drank one pot and Lu Yu drank one pot, who knew when it would end? Money-making matters could not be delayed by even a minute or an hour.
"Gulp…"
Cao Hong lifted the wine pot and poured it down his throat.
After a mouthful of wine, logically speaking… the wine of this era, limited by fermentation technology, had a very low alcohol content. Cao Hong could drink a pot without any problem.
But…
Something was wrong!
The wine Lu Yu brought, as soon as it touched his throat, he felt a fire burning all the way down his throat.
Precisely in the cold evening, his whole body became exceptionally warm and comfortable.
Truly…
Smooth on the palate, a line down the throat!
Cao Hong, who had intended to drink it all in one gulp, could only manage to drink three-tenths before he couldn't drink any more!
It was too damn strong…
Burning hot and strong, his throat felt almost torn, yet it was inexplicably refreshing and invigorating.
For a moment, Cao Hong felt… this level of strength was truly wine; what he had drunk before was probably just water.
After pouring it down his throat, Cao Hong wanted to say something, but… he found his throat too hot, and for a moment… he couldn't speak, as if choked, or as if his entire throat was savoring the rich and spicy aroma of the wine.
At the same time, Lu Yu spoke.
"General Cao, how does it feel? Doesn't your throat feel hot and stimulated! And then your whole body warms up! Your belly is burning like fire!"
Lu Yu narrowed his eyes and asked confidently…
It wasn't Lu Yu's fault for asking.
This wine was a distilled spirit that he and Guo Jia had tried to brew, which was recorded in the Ben Cao Gang Mu –
"Burned spirits are not an ancient method; they began in the Yuan Dynasty. The method involves mixing strong liquor with lees, steaming it so the vapor rises, and collecting the dripping dew with a vessel. All sour or spoiled liquor can be steamed!"
Simply put, it was about creating specific fermentation mash, preparing ingredients commonly used in yellow wine fermentation, such as glutinous rice, barley, etc…
Then ferment it in a wine vat for seven days, and then distill it using a bottle.
As for the principle.
It is because during the winemaking fermentation process, a highly concentrated "ethanol solution" is produced, which can kill the yeast, causing it to be unable to continue fermentation!
Therefore, during the Han Dynasty, ordinary fermented alcoholic beverages had an ethanol concentration of only 10 to 15 degrees, similar to beer!
However… the boiling point of alcohol is 78.2c.
By heating it to a temperature exceeding the boiling point of alcohol but below the boiling point of water, the alcohol vapor escapes. After condensation, an ethanol solution with a concentration of 80-90 degrees or more can be obtained.
After blending, high-concentration distilled spirits can be produced.
This is considered the simplest method. Brewing distilled spirits is easy with basic skills.
Of course… compared to Lu Yu's enjoyment of the results, Guo Jia was still pondering how to achieve secondary distillation and fermentation, tertiary distillation and fermentation!
For Guo Jia, a wine enthusiast, the distillation method in winemaking was like a new world opening up.
And the economic benefits that distilled spirits could bring in this era were another story.
"Cough cough cough…"
Finally, Cao Hong could speak. After several coughs, he was quite excited. "Grand Herald Lu, the money-making matter you mentioned is this strong liquor?"
"Correct answer." Lu Yu looked at Cao Hong with a smile and said earnestly, "A gentleman loves wealth and obtains it righteously!"
"General Cao's methods of exploiting tenant farmers are outdated and don't earn much. Instead of sticking to the old ways, why don't we… expand our territory together and discover new economic growth points… No, discover new ways to make money! General Cao, do you think this wine… can make money?"
This…
Cao Hong's face tightened.
How could it not make money? After drinking this strong liquor, who would ever drink… ordinary liquor that felt like water.
Compared to this "nectar," Gu Jing Gong Jiu suddenly lost its appeal.
Cao Hong's eyes darted around. He owned many wineries and was already calculating how much profit could be made if this "nectar" were to be widely promoted.
This unique spicy, rich, and mellow aroma, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it could monopolize the entire wine market.
Even…
Cao Hong was already lost in thought.
Lu Yu continued to ask, "General Cao, answer me, this wine? Can it make money?"
"Of course it can!" Cao Hong blurted out, but immediately realized he shouldn't express it so easily…
"Ahem…"
He cleared his throat and continued, "What I mean is, this wine is good, but it still requires some effort to promote it. Only I, Cao Hong, have numerous wine shops… that can carry out this promotion and popularization. Otherwise… Grand Herald Lu, your idea of making money with this wine is very naive and foolish!"
"Ahem… Of course, although promoting it will be strenuous for me, I won't let Grand Herald Lu earn less. We are friends! How about this! Let's do a seven-three split!"
Cao Hong turned to look at Lu Yu.
Since it could definitely make money, he had to get a larger share. Cao Hong looked like a general, but in reality, he was a shrewd businessman.
"Seven-three?" Lu Yu blinked his eyes, then shook his head. "No… how about two-eight!"
"Grand Herald Lu is so generous!" Cao Hong's eyes were practically glowing green. At this moment, he felt Lu Yu was righteous…
From now on, who would dare to obstruct the New Agricultural Policy? He, Cao Hong, would be the first to object.
Of course, Cao Hong felt he wasn't *that* shameless. He waved his hands repeatedly. "Elder brother, seven is enough for me. Ah, it's not easy for you to brew this wine. Three is the minimum, no less!"
Ah… ah…
Upon hearing this, Lu Yu was dumbfounded.
After a brief moment of confusion, Lu Yu retorted… "General Cao? Did you misunderstand? When I said two-eight, I meant you get two, and I get eight. We'll have fair trade, no deception!"
Huo…
Upon hearing this, Cao Hong's face turned foolish. He… he would promote it, sell it, and only get two?
So… Lu Yu brewed a wine and wanted eight?
This was robbery, blatant theft!
"Grand Herald Lu… you can't calculate it like this!" Cao Hong blurted out…
Lu Yu waved his hand, not forcing the issue. "Everyone has their own ambitions. I, this young master, don't like to force people. Oh, right, if it weren't for our friendship with General Cao, I would have directly asked for a nine-one split!"
"Of course, if General Cao doesn't want to do it, it's fine too. I'll let Elder Wei help sell it, and perhaps Elder Wei will take a half-percent, and I'll earn even more!"
Upon hearing this…
Cao Hong was on the verge of tears. If this wine entered the Wei family's shops, he, Cao Hong, would never be able to surpass Wei Hong and become the richest man in Yan Province in his lifetime.
This was his lifelong vision, his lifelong goal!
Of course, only those who were extremely sensitive to money and business could appreciate the immense potential of this strong liquor in the market!
Cao Hong shook his head abruptly.
No, he absolutely could not let the Wei family get there first!
"Grand Herald Lu…" Seeing Lu Yu about to leave, how could Cao Hong give up? He immediately chased after him relentlessly. "Two-eight is truly… truly too little. How about this… three-seven, I get three, you get seven. Just take pity on me… because the Magistrate of Xu Du you recommended, my retainer died! Six people died at once! My heart aches, my liver aches, my heart is broken!"
"And… and, because of your New Agricultural Policy, thousands of my mu of land have no one to farm! You… if you don't agree, then I'll… I'll…"
Then what?
Cao Hong was actually curious… what else could Lu Yu do?
"Ahem…" Cao Hong cleared his throat and said earnestly, "Three-seven, just three-seven. If you don't agree, then I, Cao Hong, will become shameless. From now on, I'll pack my bags and live in your Grand Herald's mansion, eating your food, drinking your drinks. Before you sell the wine you brew, I, Cao Hong, will drink it all clean. I mean what I say!"
Cao Hong said all this with great righteousness. When it came to money, he always displayed an infinite amount of shamelessness.
Especially when he said "eating your food, drinking your drinks," Cao Hong deliberately drooled, showing just how shameless he was. After all, Lu Yu couldn't do anything to him!
If you don't agree, there's even more shamelessness.
At this moment, Lu Yu was helpless. He had seen shameless people, but never one this shameless. As expected, he had come unprepared. However… fine, fine, three-seven it is. It could be considered earning Cao Hong's favor.
"General Cao, don't be like this…" Lu Yu's expression deliberately became serious. "Your shamelessness, ah no… your sincerity touches me. From today onwards, you are my exclusive partner for alcoholic beverages. I will handle production, and you will handle sales!"
"But let's be clear upfront. If you are dishonest or embezzle, this young master will find someone else!"
When cooperating with Cao Hong, it was crucial to be clear from the start…
After all, this was a man who was greedy for money. What if, in the end, Guo Jia worked hard to brew the wine, but Cao Hong made a fortune!
Who is the worker, who is the worker's soul, rules must be established first.
"That is natural, that is natural!" Cao Hong smiled with satisfaction… smiling particularly cheerfully…
This was how he was. If you stole his money, it would be no different from killing his parents. But if you helped him make money, you would be infinitely close to being his parents, not an exaggeration at all.
"Let's go…"
"Don't rush off, I'll treat Grand Herald Lu to a meal at a restaurant. From today onwards, you are my sworn brother!" Cao Hong grabbed Lu Yu's arm, showing great intimacy…
Anyone who could help him make money was his sworn brother.
"I won't eat." Lu Yu waved his hand. "I need to go home. My sister said she'd cook for me tonight!"
Having said that…
There were still many things to do tonight. Eating with Sister Zhao Ji was the primary matter.
Of course, besides that, Lu Yu still had to meet someone and give detailed instructions.
The matter of attacking Chen Country and capturing its hundred thousand strong army required Yao to go ahead and make secret arrangements…
This was a test of intelligence and also a testament to bravery!
As the saying goes, "The wind is blowing in front of the house before the rain arrives!"
Soon, there would be winds and clouds rising in Chen Country, a storm was coming, so… let it be even more violent!
"I'm leaving, no need to see me off." Lu Yu waved goodbye to Cao Hong one last time. "General Cao, you said it yourself, from now on, I am your sworn brother!"
"Prefect Man is your sworn brother's recommendation, and the New Agricultural Policy is also implemented by your new brother. Elder brother, please don't cause trouble!"
Uh…
Upon hearing this, Cao Hong was speechless!
But soon, he shook his head. As long as this strong liquor could make money, whoever dared to bully his sworn brother, Cao Hong would fight desperately!
…
…