Chapter 60

(Almost falling asleep, but I'll finish writing. Please give me some votes...)

The attendants had their boots trampled off and their hats squeezed away, and the ceremonial procession was trampled to pieces. In the early September weather of the Holy Hall, everyone was drenched in sweat, and they used all their strength to escort the magistrate to the Huangjiao Wine Yard.

The blue silk sedan chair that Magistrate Song was riding in had been severely damaged during the breakout, leaving it tattered and leaking light from all sides.

Sitting in such a sedan chair felt like being in a cage, exposed to everyone's gaze. But Magistrate Song found no amusement in it. As soon as the sedan chair landed, he fled from it without waiting for the bearers to lower the poles, but he was immediately dazed...

He saw that the vast courtyard was filled with over two hundred large round tables, and people were standing and sitting everywhere, densely packed.

The wine yard owner, Li Jian, dressed in new clothes, more splendid than on his wedding day, came forward to respectfully invite the magistrate to take his seat.

"Ha ha..." If looks could kill, Li Jian would have been sliced into a thousand pieces. Magistrate Song's face was full of a forced smile as he said, "Mr. Li, you've really gone all out, mobilizing the entire county."

"Magistrate, you misunderstand me," Li Jian said, looking flustered. "I didn't know it would cause such a commotion..."

But no matter how weak his performance, in Magistrate Song's eyes, it was all an act of 'playing the fool to catch the tiger.' As the Cantonese would say, 'looking like a pig but having a clear mind.' Such people were the most despicable... So Magistrate Song didn't believe him at all, and with a forced smile, he said, "If you do something, you should own up to it. Besides, it's not a bad thing. If Huangjiao wine is listed as a tribute, the whole county will be honored, and so will I!"

"The wine yard has come this far thanks to your support," Li Jian said with a double meaning, bowing. "Please accept my humble bow."

"Where, where..." Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Magistrate Song quickly supported him, and the two entered the hall together.

On the way to the main seat, Magistrate Song greeted the crowd warmly while gripping Li Jian's hand tightly, whispering in a voice only they could hear, "Do you want to get yourself killed?"

"I just want to survive..." Li Jian's face contorted in pain, showing a hint of stubbornness. "Why are you forcing me to a dead end?"

"You have a path to bliss, but you won't take it..." Magistrate Song's words were cut short because he saw an old man with a tall hat and wide sash. (Chapter 7*)

"Huangjiao wine is my life. Without it, I'm just a walking corpse," Li Jian, who had been timid and fearful, now showed no retreat. He said with a bitter smile, "Magistrate, treat me like a fart and let me go."

"You are a fart..." Magistrate Song said coldly.

"Then..." Li Jian said with wild joy, "Are you really letting me go?"

"You even invited Mr. Wang," Magistrate Song looked at Li Jian as if he had never seen him before, deeply. "I bet you're planning to file a complaint next?"

"I dare not, and I have no evidence..."

"I don't believe you!" Magistrate Song coldly snorted, let go of Li Jian's hand, and then put on a respectful smile, walking quickly toward the old man. Before he reached him, he bowed deeply. "Sir, such trivial matters should not trouble you. Your presence here is a great honor for our county!"

"Magistrate, you flatter me. I am just a commoner, and I only cause trouble, not honor," the old man, who was the head of Zhongyan Academy and a great scholar of Shu, Wang Fang, stroked his beard and smiled, accepting half of Magistrate Song's bow.

When they entered the hall, they humbly yielded to each other, but in the end, Wang Fang took the main seat, and Magistrate Song the second.

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After sitting down, Magistrate Song was still puzzled. "How did Mr. Li invite the old sir?"

"Ha ha, Magistrate, you don't know..." Wang Fang stroked his beard and smiled. "Thanks to Mr. Li's favor, the four characters 'Huangjiao Meijiu' were written by me years ago. Today, he invited me to change 'Mei' to 'Gong'... Yes, 'Huangjiao Gongjiu' sounds more impressive."

"Is that so..." Magistrate Song was thoroughly impressed by Li Jian. This guy had managed to connect with Wang Fang years ago... Whether intentional or not, he was quite a character. Putting aside his surprise at Li Jian's tactics, he focused on dealing with Wang Fang. "That kid really hit the jackpot. Your calligraphy is priceless!"

"Ah, I'm not losing out either," Wang Fang said proudly. "I've been drinking free Huangjiao wine for years, and I was worried if the good times were coming to an end. Now that Mr. Li has come to me, I can drink it with a clear conscience."

"Sir, as long as the Huangjiao wine yard exists, it will always provide you with free wine," Li Jian, though weak against the government, was still a shrewd businessman.

To Magistrate Song, this statement had a different meaning. He knew that once the Huangjiao wine yard was associated with Wang Fang, the government could no longer use obvious means against Li Jian—this old man had deep ties with the Censorate...

Though his face remained calm, Magistrate Song had already been thoroughly defeated. What was initially a situation where he had the upper hand and could strike first had been turned around by the other party in an unimaginable way. Now, he was in a position where he had to be cautious and careful.

After the VIPs were seated, Lu Leyu, who was in charge of the banquet and acting as the master of ceremonies, loudly said, "Everyone, please quiet down! Today is a big day for Mr. Li, a big day for the Huangjiao wine yard, and a big day for all the people of our county! Huangjiao wine has become a tribute, bringing fame to our Qingshen County, so we must celebrate!"

"Absolutely right..." Cheers and applause filled the venue. "Great honor! We are proud!"

"Next, please listen to the magistrate's speech!" Lu Leyu handed the floor to Magistrate Song.

"..." In this situation, Magistrate Song couldn't refuse. Once the venue quieted down, he stood up, first praising Huangjiao wine to the skies, then praising Li Jian to the skies... But to many, this was all nonsense. They were only concerned about how much would be purchased and at what price!

There were many wine merchants present who, besides showing support for Li Jian, were more concerned about how much production would remain after the purchase and whether it could alleviate the severe supply shortage since spring.

"Next, I will read the document from the Yizhou Road!" After a long preamble, the crucial part was finally reached, and the courtyard was so quiet that a pin could be heard dropping: "...A palace attendant presented Huangjiao wine, and the emperor was very pleased... Therefore, the Ministry of Revenue has ordered Qingshen County to purchase 10 barrels of Huangjiao wine, 6,000 pounds in total, to be delivered to the capital before the New Year. The price per barrel will be 30% higher than the market price to ensure the people are not disadvantaged." He paused and read the signature: "By imperial command, the Yizhou Road Transport Commissioner and Inspector of the Two Sichuan Military Affairs, Tian Kuang."

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Hearing this, Mr. Li Jian's tears welled up, and others thought he was moved. But in fact, what he most wanted to do was curse! Curse Magistrate Song's mother!

He had heard and seen with his own eyes that Magistrate Song said he wanted to buy 100 barrels and showed the relevant documents. Now, in public, with a great scholar like Wang Fang as a witness, Magistrate Song changed his story, saying he only wanted one-tenth of the original amount, and the price would be 30% higher than the retail price!

This change was like the difference between heaven and earth... Shameless, utterly shameless!

If it were the former, Li Jian would have no choice but to hang himself with his whole family. If it were the latter, he could still have the 'tribute wine producer' label after paying the tribute, which would be much more prestigious than the state-owned wine merchants.

Thinking of this, he glanced behind Mr. Wang, where a young man in a scholar's robe, full of vigor, stood.

That young man was Chen Ke. Without a doubt, he was the true brain behind the Huangjiao wine yard.

Actually, at the end of July, his old friend, Censor Chen, had sent a message through his family, telling him that his colleagues in the capital had found out... The Ministry of Revenue only required the purchase of 10 barrels. The additional 90 barrels were likely fabricated by local officials for personal favors, enjoyment, or even resale.

Chen Ke had wanted to confront Magistrate Song and give him a few slaps. But after a moment of calm, he knew he couldn't act rashly... Magistrate Song might be guilty, but he had no evidence.

Without evidence, a civilian lawsuit against an official had a very low chance of success and would label him as a 'troublesome civilian,' making him an outcast in the official world and casting a shadow over his future.

Fortunately, Chen Ke was resourceful. He used reverse thinking—since they feared publicity, he would make a big deal out of it, inviting the whole world to witness.

To make this day a sensation, he mobilized all his connections... Even the street ruffians were recruited to perform lion dances. Worried that quantity alone might not be enough, he also invited the most influential retired person in Meizhou—Wang Fang.

As a result, without further ado, the guilty Magistrate Song revealed the truth, resolving the crisis for the Huangjiao wine yard.

In fact, the smooth resolution of the issue without a confrontation was largely due to Mr. Wang's advice. Otherwise, with Chen Ke's temper, he would have definitely confronted the magistrate.

In any case, the survival crisis of the Huangjiao wine yard was over, and through this grand celebration, its fame was further enhanced, achieving two goals at once.

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I'm updating for you all without rest on the weekend... It's tough being a public author, with no subscriptions or monthly votes. I can only ask for two recommendation votes to satisfy my dry thirst. Please vote, dear readers...

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