Chapter 64

Han Yuan opened the first lock, and Liang Fangzhu followed to open the second one. Su Linlang was the last to go up and open the third lock. After the three locks were opened, Liang Fangzhu immediately called two people to come up and slowly open the extremely heavy door. As the door opened, a more intense aroma of wine sprayed out from inside. Many of the assistants sniffed the air with their noses, their faces filled with contentment.

"First, take the inner cellar!" Master Han Yuan called out loudly.

Linlang saw Chu Huan in the crowd, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitated. However, Su Bo, who was nearby, saw this clearly and waved to Chu Huan, saying, "Chu Huan, you go into the inner cellar with us!"

Upon hearing this, many people looked at Chu Huan with envious eyes. Niu Jin whispered beside him, "Brother Chu, you're really impressive. Not many people can enter the inner cellar!"

Chu Huan didn't understand the significance but smiled faintly and went over. Another twenty or so people emerged from the crowd, each with a look of satisfaction, as if entering the inner cellar was a great honor.

Han Yuan had already summoned several assistants to enter the wine cellar, and soon, the dark cellar was lit up with lamps.

Liang Fangzhu approached Manager Yuan, glanced at him inconspicuously, and Manager Yuan nodded slightly. A smile appeared on Liang Fangzhu's lips, and without saying more, he entered the wine cellar.

Linlang waited until the lights inside were bright before leading the assistants, including Chu Huan, into the wine cellar.

As soon as Chu Huan entered the wine cellar, he was immediately amazed. Although he had seen the vastness of the wine cellar from the outside, he hadn't truly felt it until now. The ceiling was very high, and the air was filled with a strong aroma of wine. Looking around, countless carved large jars were neatly arranged, like soldiers waiting for inspection, creating a grand and impressive sight.

The outer cellar had several levels, and as they walked further in, Han Yuan led the way, lighting the wall lamps one by one.

When they reached the innermost part of the outer cellar, they saw Han Yuan and Liang Fangzhu waiting there. At their feet was a copper plate with a keyhole.

Linlang went over and softly instructed, "Once inside the inner cellar, everyone must be careful and not ignite any fire!"

"The boss, don't worry, we know!" the assistants responsible for lighting the fire immediately replied.

Linlang nodded slightly and took out a golden key from her sleeve. She stepped forward and inserted the golden key into the keyhole on the iron plate. Han Yuan immediately ordered two strong assistants to slowly open the iron plate, revealing a large, dark hole. Manager Yuan, holding a torch, looked at Linlang, and upon seeing her nod, he went down first, followed by two assistants holding torches. With the light of the torches, Chu Huan could see clearly that there were stone steps at the entrance, and Manager Yuan and the others were descending along these steps.

After a few people went down, Linlang personally followed, and Chu Huan and the others also went down. As Chu Huan walked down the stone steps, he felt the design was very ingenious, indicating that Shengquan had put a lot of effort into the inner cellar.

When Chu Huan stepped onto the ground of the inner cellar, several places were already lit with lamps. Countless carved large jars were like a sleeping army of ghosts, mysterious and solemn.

At this moment, Chu Huan could also feel that the air in the inner cellar was filled with two kinds of fragrances: one was the aroma of wine, and the other was a faint, earthy scent.

He had heard Huang Fu and Niu Jin mention the inner cellar before, knowing that the ground and walls of the inner cellar were covered with a layer of golden soil. Now, with the help of the torchlight, he could see clearly that the walls of the inner cellar were indeed golden yellow. Although they were not as pure yellow as real gold, they were significantly different from ordinary soil. Chu Huan, seeing this for the first time, was amazed and wondered where the old boss of Shengquan had found such soil.

However, he also knew that such golden soil must be very rare; otherwise, Shengquan would not have been able to dominate the wine industry in Yunshan Prefecture.

Everyone knew what they should do. Linlang walked to Chu Huan's side and whispered, "Follow me!" She led Liang Fangzhu and Master Han Yuan further inside, and after hesitating for a moment, Chu Huan followed.

After a few steps, Liang Fangzhu turned around and looked at Manager Yuan, who nodded again.

Chu Huan, standing nearby, saw this and frowned, feeling that these two were up to something.

The assistants had already started to orderly transport the Zhuqing wine out of the cellar. At the entrance, others were waiting to receive the wine, and the people above were moving the Zhuqing wine out of the cellar.

Chu Huan and four or five others followed Linlang to the innermost part of the inner cellar, where they reached an iron door. Inside the inner cellar, there was another room, and the iron door was tightly closed. Linlang stopped in front of the iron door, turned around, and said softly, "When I left the city, I received news that next year, someone from the capital will come to Yunshan Prefecture to select the Yunshan tribute wine!"

Han Yuan immediately showed excitement and said, "Boss, five years ago, the young minister of the Guanglu Temple was unfair, causing us to fail at the last moment. I hope this time a fair official will come to evaluate!"

Linlang said calmly, "Fairness lies in people's hearts. We should do our best. Even if we are not selected next year, what about five years later? Ten years later? As long as I, Su Linlang, am still alive, I will not stop. I must fulfill my father's wish!"

Han Yuan sighed, "The old boss had only one wish in his life, which was to have our Shengquan wine become the imperial wine... Unfortunately, the world was unfair, and the old boss never achieved this wish."

Chu Huan listened without speaking, but from these words, he seemed to understand something.

Linlang, a gentle woman, supported the Su family's business and managed such a large wine cellar. It seemed that she was not just doing business but also fulfilling her father's wish.

At that moment, the assistants were orderly transporting the Zhuqing wine under Manager Yuan's leadership, and the few people here were whispering without being affected.

Liang Fangzhu occasionally glanced at Chu Huan, his eyes filled with a complex mix of disgust and fear.

After a moment of contemplation, Linlang finally said, "No matter what, we must do our best for the imperial wine selection next year. We will bring out the best of Shengquan and do our best, leaving the rest to fate!"

"There isn't much time left, only three or four months," Han Yuan said softly, then remembered something and asked, "Boss, did you... did you manage to negotiate successfully on your trip to Taiyuan?"

Linlang's face under the veil showed a smile, "Old Boss Lu and my father have done business for many years. When Old Boss Lu was in trouble, my father helped him. Our families are old friends. This time, Old Boss Lu was very willing to help us get through the difficulties!"

"That's good, that's good!" Han Yuan showed a happy expression and nodded repeatedly.

Chu Huan, standing nearby, understood only partially. He knew that Linlang had gone to Taiyuan Prefecture, and they had met for the first time at Fenglin Ferry outside Taiyuan Prefecture.

Now it seemed that Linlang had gone to Taiyuan to seek help from the Lu family.

However, Chu Huan didn't quite understand what kind of trouble Shengquan was facing that required Linlang to personally seek help from so far away.

Liang Fangzhu also smiled, "When the boss takes action, everything is accomplished. The Lu family owes us a favor, and it's time for them to repay it!"

Linlang frowned, "We shouldn't say it like that. Throughout history, there have been many who forget kindness and repay it with enmity. Old Boss Lu's willingness to help this time is his kindness, and we should remember it in our hearts!"

Liang Fangzhu's face turned red, and he awkwardly smiled, "The boss is right!"

Linlang finally looked at Chu Huan and smiled, "Chu Huan, this time Shengquan could avoid a crisis thanks to your help. I... I don't know how to thank you!" In her heart, she thought, "So his name is Chu Huan... Chu Huan!"

Chu Huan smiled faintly, nodded slightly, and didn't say anything.

Liang Fangzhu frowned, looked at Chu Huan with disgust, and moved his lips but didn't say anything.

Linlang said to Liang Fangzhu, "Go to the kitchen and tell them to prepare a few dishes. Chu Huan helped us today, and I want to thank him!"

Liang Fangzhu hesitated for a moment and finally nodded.

Linlang then turned her gaze to the tightly closed iron door, pondered for a moment, and murmured, "Father, rest assured. Your daughter will fulfill your wish one day!" Her eyes were slightly red.

Chu Huan also looked at the iron door, wondering what was behind it. He knew that whatever was inside must be very important to Su Linlang, otherwise, it wouldn't be so well-protected.

Liang Fangzhu looked over and saw the assistants transporting the Zhuqing wine, squinting his eyes. He then said to Linlang, "Boss, there are many customers waiting outside. Should we... should we go out and greet them? They are all old customers of Shengquan, and your presence will strengthen our business relationships!"

Linlang thought for a moment and nodded, "That's a good idea. You take care of things here..." She glanced at Chu Huan and smiled, "I'll treat you to a meal later!"

Chu Huan chuckled but didn't say more.

It took a while to move over a thousand jars of Zhuqing wine out, and new wine had to be added inside. Fortunately, the assistants of Shengquan were familiar with the routine and worked efficiently.

Linlang and Su Bo greeted the customers outside, while Liang Fangzhu directed the assistants in the inner cellar to transport the wine.

Although every wine merchant wanted more, the quantity was limited, and Shengquan had to keep a batch of Zhuqing wine for the cellar. Therefore, only about six hundred jars could be released. Linlang had a clear idea of the allocation for each merchant.

These customers had come from afar, and while Zhuqing wine was the main product, they wouldn't only buy Zhuqing wine. The wines in the outer cellar of Shengquan, though not as good as Zhuqing wine, were also famous, and each customer would buy a considerable amount.

Shengquan was busy all day, and it wasn't until the afternoon that over a thousand jars of Zhuqing wine were moved out. In the midst of the busyness, Linlang finally had Su Bo invite the sweating Chu Huan to the kitchen in the back yard.

The kitchen had a separate dining room, which, though not large, was comfortable and elegant. It was where Linlang usually dined when she came.

After all, she was a woman and couldn't dine with a group of men.

When Chu Huan entered the dining room, Linlang was already sitting at the table, having taken off her hat, revealing her beautiful face, charming and alluring, exuding the grace of a young woman.

To avoid gossip, Su Bo was also present.

Seeing Chu Huan enter, Linlang slowly stood up, smiled, and said, "So your name is Chu Huan... My name is Su Linlang. You know now, right?"

Chu Huan entered gracefully, first bowing to Su Bo and smiling, "Su Bo, it's been a while since we last met. How have you been? I still remember the pastries you gave me!"

Su Bo waved and smiled, "Don't say that. The pastries were a gift from Miss, not me!" Although Linlang was married, due to certain reasons, the title "Madam Fan" was avoided, and everyone in the Su family called her "Miss."

Chu Huan turned to Linlang and sighed, "It seems the world is not so big. After all the twists and turns, we meet again!"

Linlang smiled, also gracefully, and said, "Are you unwilling to see me?" In fact, she was in a very good mood. The figure that had lingered in her mind, whom she thought she would never see again, had reappeared after a short separation. Perhaps this was what people called fate.

And fate was a blessing that only those with a connection could enjoy.

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