Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 17 Not seeking the best, but seeking the most expensive!
With the arrival of the autumn harvest season, Zheng Shuqing, the governor of Kuizhou, also had a sad expression on his face.

As the saying goes, we are afraid of the mid-autumn moon and half of the year. Once the autumn harvest is over, it means that the year is coming to an end.

However, Zheng Shuqing still couldn't see where the vitality was!

In Kuizhou, apart from Jiangguan, there is really nothing wrong with it.All economic development is brought about by merchants. The proportion of permanent residents with acres of land (registered by the government), not to mention compared with Fang Chongyong's previous life, even at this time, Shu is counting backwards.

"Big Mac" Qinghe County in Hebei Province has fifty times as many registered households as Kuizhou!
But in contrast, due to the prosperity of the tourism industry in Kuizhou, there are a large number of "customers" who have no land and acres, and they live in Fucheng, which also caused abnormal prosperity in the wine making industry.From Qumichun in Yunyang to Wuxiachun in Fucheng, it can be said that there has been no shortage of good wine since ancient times.

In the Song Dynasty, Fan Chengda wrote in a poem: "Yun'an wine is rich in koji and rice is cheap, and every family will be so drunk that they will return home."What I'm talking about is that the fine wine here in Kuizhou is not only cheap, but also extremely cost-effective.

From this point of view, Zheng Shuqing's worries are not groundless: Kuizhou's fine wine does not meet the aesthetics of Chang'an nobles.Because of its high cost performance, it has no market competitiveness in the aristocratic class and can only be known as a "local characteristic".

If Du Fu hadn't gone to Kuizhou to take refuge in poverty, he would never have tasted rice wine like Kuizhou Qumichun in Chang'an.

In other words, although Kuizhou's wine industry is prosperous, apart from brewing a little for oneself to drink, selling a lot to wine shops to earn some small money, or brewing some in wine shops to entertain merchants, that's all there is at most.The tyrants who run rampant in the local area will not be able to make it to the big stage in Chang'an after all.

Wine that cannot be sold in Chang'an has no commercial value. There are also local wines in other places, which are equally good and cheap. Kuizhou wine has no possibility of being sold in places other than Chang'an, Luoyang and other places.

As for where the large amount of grain needed for winemaking comes from, of course it comes from Shu!It is very convenient to buy from merchants who come and go, which is one of the reasons why Kuizhou does not produce grain but has a prosperous wine industry.

Therefore, easy access to raw materials for wine making, good quality of mountain spring water, and high-quality wine (not top-notch) are the advantages of the Kuizhou wine industry; it is not well-known in Chang'an elite circles, and it is far away from Guanzhong. Disadvantages of the wine industry.

Moreover, due to the restrictions on water transportation in the Tang Dynasty, it was unrealistic to sell wine on a large scale and would also encounter resistance.

In the study of the Lianhuachi other courtyard, Fang Chongyong broke them apart and analyzed them for Zheng Shuqing. The government office has already started to buy new grain after this autumn harvest at a low price to prepare raw materials for wine making.

It's just that ideal is one thing, reality is another.Making wine is not difficult, the difficult thing is how to sell it in Chang'an!

"So, Kuizhou's wine is not well-known enough?"

After listening to Fang Chongyong's analysis, Zheng Shuqing asked rhetorically, frowning and talking to himself.

He himself came from Chang'an, and he came from a family of officials. Naturally, he did not lack for good things, and he was well-informed.

The biggest problem with Kuizhou wine is not the taste, but the color!Out of force!
In the Tang Dynasty, wine without a special color could not be used in noble recipes!Naturally, it is at the bottom of the alcohol contempt chain.

Red wine like blood, yellow fermented grain wine as yellow as amber, and sanle jelly as blue as a lake, all have their own characteristics.If you bring out a pot of light milky rice wine and serve it on the table, you will be ashamed to say hello to the guests!
Judging from the appearance, it is inferior by three points!It's already lost before you even start tasting it!

The dignitaries in Chang'an have flamboyant personalities, are drunk and dreamy, and pursue luxury.Qu Michun and Wu Xiachun, which are locals in Kuizhou, are not their favorites!
"Actually, just looking at the color, Kuizhou wine has no advantages. It is not easy to become famous in a short period of time. How do you want to make money by making wine?"

Zheng Shuqing couldn't help sighing.Just buy the food, anyway, it's not difficult to get rid of it, and you can make a little money for wine when you get rid of it in winter.

“In addition, if the raw materials for brewing are too easy to come by, it will also make people feel that the quality is low and that it cannot be considered elegant.”

He went on to make another cut.

The principle that rare things are valuable applies everywhere.If the raw materials for wine making (including water) are readily available, and the aging time is very short, then people will naturally think that the quality is average.It is only a few months before the Shangyuan Festival next year, and the "aged wine" of these months is intended to fool those Chang'an dignitaries who drink wine as water.

Still a little too naive!

Fang Chongyong's previous routine of "restructuring tariffs and calibrating tank boats" really surprised Zheng Shuqing, and it can even be said to "turn decay into magic". tricks.

"My lord, actually, we can use red lotus rice to make wine."

Fang Zhongyong said firmly.

He has been working as a salted fish since summer, reading and practicing calligraphy every day. He seems to be living a leisurely life, but in fact, he has been collecting various information and preparing a killer!

Now, with the sword out of its sheath, who will fight for the front!

"Red lotus rice wine?"

Zheng Shuqing was taken aback for a moment, completely unable to understand Fang Chongyong's train of thought.

Delicious rice may not be suitable for wine making, and vice versa.Sometimes the materials used for wine making have nothing to do with whether it tastes good or not.

Sorghum is so unpalatable, but the taste of sorghum wine is completely opposite. This is the reason why it is unique among wines.

Red lotus rice is indeed delicious, but it may not be suitable for wine making, and no one does it!

Such precious rice is a royal tribute. Whoever Li Longji rewards it will be able to eat it.Even if there are "floating" parts on the road, those who get the "road-opening rice" dare not show off publicly, let alone use such a precious tribute as red lotus rice to brew privately.

There is no demand, and the materials are reluctant, and there are a lot of good wines ready-made. The wine made from red lotus rice in Chang'an is the hell!

"Aren't you joking, where did this red lotus rice come from?"

Zheng Shuqing spread his hands, looked at Fang Chongyong in surprise and asked.

"My lord, I asked you a question."

"please say."

"Gu Kuang's official document should be among some people in Chang'an. It's not a secret."

Fang Chongyong's sudden mention of this incident was somewhat unexpected to Zheng Shuqing.

"If, I mean, if someone spreads news in Chang'an, saying that the red lotus rice, a tribute from Kuizhou, has been used in large quantities for wine making, does it just match up with Gu Kuang's official document?"

Fang Chongyong said with a smile.

As if, it seems, maybe...it is.

Zheng Shuqing nodded slightly. It is easy to ferment rumors that can be found out.Gu Kuang's official document was not encrypted, and he passed through many post stations along the way, and also passed through the hands of many officials, before finally arriving at the desk of the Minister of the Household Department!

Anyone on this line may spread the news.If someone with a heart contributes to the flames, it is not difficult to make it known to everyone in Chang'an City.

Half of the red lotus rice was destroyed because of the "mountain fire", so is this half really destroyed, or... just disappeared from the imperial court's account books, who knows?

Throughout the ages, people who watch the excitement have been fond of conspiracy theories!

Those who have taken the "pioneering rice" will not speak up, let alone come out to clarify, while those who have not taken it will use it as a talk before tea and after dinner!In the end, the red lotus rice was used for wine making, the final version of the rumor!It also covered up the crimes of some people "up and down" along the way!

Everyone will look forward to: Hey meow, what kind of wine should the wine brewed from the red lotus rice that is as expensive as gold be?

Therefore, there is indeed no red lotus rice used to make wine in Kuizhou, but the dignitaries in Chang'an can believe that a batch of red lotus rice was intercepted in Kuizhou and used to make wine!

As long as they think there is, then there is no. People who know the inside story will not come out to expose it, and it is even more impossible to point their noses and say: Kuizhou does not have red lotus rice, and I have a lot of it in my pocket.

As for Li Longji, if he wants to get an extra [-] guan, even if he knows the inside story, will he still go after the capable dog who helped him make money?

Wanting to understand this relationship, Zheng Shuqing rubbed his hands excitedly and asked: "It seems so, but...the mouths of the nobles in Chang'an are very difficult to serve. Ordinary Wu Xiachun, it is difficult to get into the eyes of the nobles!"

"That's natural, but I still have a killer move here. From now on, the brewing will be completed before the Shangyuan Festival next year. We will transport the wine to Chang'an, exchange it for money in Chang'an, and hand it over directly as taxes!"

Full of confidence, Fang Chongyong took out a small cloth bag from behind and put it on the table.He untied the rope of the cloth bag, and there were grains of red rice in it.

"Red lotus rice!"

Zheng Shuqing got up abruptly, and was completely stunned.He held the red japonica rice in his hand to observe and inspected it carefully, but he noticed something was wrong again.

"It is rumored that red lotus rice is as transparent as ruby. This kind...is not very similar."

Zheng Shuqing said while putting the red japonica rice back, shaking his head slightly.

"Your envoy thinks, if red lotus rice is used to make wine, what color should it be?"

Fang Chongyong asked in a deep voice.

"The color is red and transparent, lighter than wine, but transparent and clear..."

Zheng Shuqing closed his eyes, shook his head, and said intoxicated.

You really understand the tone that the rich and powerful like!
Fang Chongyong couldn't help complaining in his heart.

Having chatted enough, he bowed to Zheng Shuqing and said: "I will go to Fengxian Tower with a certain one, and I have already arranged it. If I don't sing, I will become a blockbuster. I will start my journey back to Chang'an from today." force!"

Fang Chongyong raised his arms and shouted loudly.

However, Zheng Shuqing couldn't cheer up, waved his hands weakly, got up and followed Fang Chongyong.The two entered from Fuya Beicheng, and when they saw them on the way, they greeted them kindly.Seeing this scene, Zheng Shuqing felt somewhat complacent.

When he came outside the gate of Fengxian Tower, he saw Fang Laique eating a chicken leg.Fang Chongyong's face turned dark, and he scolded in displeasure, "Why did you eat it again?"

"Uh, it's like this, the shopkeeper of Fengxianlou is very enthusiastic, and gave slaves a lot of food..."

Fang Lai said awkwardly, he seemed a little embarrassed, and Fang Zhongyong frowned.

"Is it done?"

Fang Chongyong asked with a sullen face, as long as Fang Laique dared to say no, he would immediately serve him in his own way!

"It's all right, the young owner of Fengxian Tower has come all the way from Chang'an."

Fang Laique leaned into Fang Chongyong's ear and whispered.

"it is good!"

Fang Chongyong walked over and said to Zheng Shuqing: "It's settled, please let you enter the top floor of Fengxian Tower to discuss important matters!"

Seeing his seriousness, Zheng Shuqing nodded calmly. When the group arrived at the top floor, they saw a young man in ordinary clothes like a farmer who had been waiting for a long time.

"My lord, Wang Defu, has met the envoy, and my father, Wang Yuanbao, is doing business in Chang'an."

Wang Yuanbao?
Zheng Shuqing was slightly stunned, then nodded very reservedly, and sat down with Fang Chongyong opposite Wang Defu.

Wang Yuanbao is the richest man in Chang'an, and most likely the richest man in the Tang Dynasty. He made his fortune by trafficking colored glaze.Zheng Shuqing had also heard about this.

Fang Chongyong leaned into Zheng Shuqing's ear and murmured: "When I first saw Fengxian Tower using glazed tiles, I knew that his family must be Wang Yuanbao as the owner. Where can ordinary merchants buy glazed tiles to build a house?"

It is only human nature to build a house with factory-priced bricks and tiles.

"Today, on behalf of the envoy, I want to talk about the wine of Honglianchun."

Fang Chongyong made an invitation gesture and said, Fang Laique quickly opened the lid of a jar of wine, and then filled the porcelain bowls in front of Zheng Shuqing and Wang Defu with wine.

As Zheng Shuqing expected, the color of the wine was bright red and clear, and it didn't look ordinary.

"Please taste it!"

Fang Chongyong stood up and said to the two of them.

This wine smells mellow, but is slightly sweet in the mouth. It tastes soft and refreshing, with a light bitterness, and has a long aftertaste after drinking it.The aroma and taste of this wine are very unique. Zheng Shuqing is not someone who has never tasted good wine, but there is no other wine that tastes similar to this wine.

"This is the Red Lotus Spring brewed from red lotus rice."

Fang Chongyong introduced solemnly.

Wang Defu nodded with a smile, which seemed to have deep meaning; Zheng Shuqing also nodded with a smile, which was sincere.

"My father will find a way to operate and sell Honglianchun in Chang'an, and settle the settlement in Chang'an. We don't ask about the brewing process. Dare I ask what price you want to set?"

The price of wine in Chang'an is actually very fixed. It is not a price for each wine, but a "category" of wine.Different grades of drinks have different prices.

The wine used in ordinary people's homes is a hundred dollars per bucket (small bucket, two liters).

The wine used by bureaucrats and wealthy families is worth a thousand dollars per bucket (yiguan).

As for the wine used for the banquets of the powerful class, the price is hard to say.It can also be a bucket of ten thousand coins, or one hundred thousand coins, it all depends on the degree of scarcity.

"Red lotus rice is a tribute, and a stone of rice yields a bucket of wine. A bucket of 25 guan, that's just the cost! We sell it to expensive shops for a bucket of [-] guan. Others, you can sell them as expensive as you want.

Honglianchun is no different from ordinary wine, it does not hurt the body, and it can also strengthen the body, it is most suitable for the nobles to drink.This jug of wine will be given to Shaodong's family, the Shaodong family is a well-informed person, whether or not what a certain person said is true, after drinking this jug, one will have their own conclusion. "

"How many buckets do you have? If not many, I'll ask for everything."

After thinking for a long time, Wang Defu raised his head and asked.

"Not many, that is, a bar worth more than [-] guan. Send it to Chang'an before the Shangyuan Festival next year."

"It's too much. With such a large amount, I can't make the decision. I have to go back to Chang'an and discuss it with my father first."

Wang Defu bowed his hands and said.

Zheng Shuqing and Fang Chongyong looked at each other, and Fang Chongyong shook his head slightly, signaling Zheng Shuqing not to get excited, and stay calm.

"Since that's the case, then I will take my leave first with the envoy. When the richest man has decided, just let us know."

Fang Chongyong saluted respectfully, then pulled Zheng Shuqing out of Fengxian Tower.

(End of this chapter)