Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 18 It's Not Wine That's Selling, It's Prestige

On the way back to the Lianhuachi other courtyard, Zheng Shuqing didn't say a word, as if he was preoccupied.Fang Chongyong's face was very relaxed and relaxed, and he followed the other party without saying a word.

The two of them came to the study tacitly, dismissed many servants, and began to discuss the important matter of selling "Red Lotus Spring"!

"This wine is not made from red lotus rice, why is it red?"

After sitting down, Zheng Shuqing couldn't help but ask.

"It's just a secret that is not passed down by the Fang family. It's called red yeast wine. The brewing method is the same as that of Wuxia Chun. They both produce fast wine. But because of the red yeast, the color and flavor of this wine are completely different. .

Can you still enter the envoy's eyes? "

Fang Chongyong opened the bag containing red yeast rice and handed it to Zheng Shuqing.

"Good! Excellent! It's really... very good!"

Zheng Shuqing couldn't help applauding.

This Red Lotus Spring is indeed wonderful, but what’s even better is Fang Chongyong’s previous series of operations!

The first is to use anti-poetry routines to look after the situation, and let the latter leak the corresponding news through official channels to improve the authority of Red Lotus Rice Wine.Coupled with the secret propaganda of Wang Yuanbao, the richest man in Chang'an, everyone will have unlimited expectations for the so-called wine made from red lotus rice.

Because of these serial routines, people naturally think that koji wine brewed from red lotus rice must be red and clear.

Finally, Fang Chongyong grandly launched "Red Lotus Spring", implying that it is brewed with red lotus rice. Otherwise, why would it be named "Red Lotus"?

In addition, this is Kuizhou’s wine, and the red lotus rice, a special product of Kuizhou, is not grown anywhere else. There is also a rumor that a lot of the red lotus rice was burned by wildfires set on fire by the Liao people this year.

A series of hints and explicit indications will make people think that Fang Chongyong and Zheng Shuqing used red lotus rice to make wine. The wine they brewed is called Honglianchun, and the wine is bright red and translucent!

In fact, Fang Chongyong and Zheng Shuqing never said anything about using red lotus rice to make wine!There is no saying that Honglianchun is brewed with red lotus rice.

Similar techniques, Zheng Shuqing can be said to be unheard of and unseen.But he had to accept it!

Zheng Shuqing could fully predict that Hong Lianchun would become an instant hit in Chang'an.Because as long as the quality of the wine is in place, as long as its taste is not so strange that it is classified as "exotic good wine", then it will definitely be able to occupy a place in Chang'an's huge wine market.

People who drink at banquets never drink wine, but the worldly feelings.The quality of wine does not have an overwhelming advantage, so whichever wine can bring you more face will be more likely to appear on the wine table.

In Fang Chongyong's previous life, if he invited his friends to drink Moutai, the effect would be completely different from that of Niulanshan.

Zheng Shuqing never expected that Fang Chongyong, at such a young age, would know this very well, and it can no longer be described as "a person cannot be judged by his appearance".

The rebellious son of Fang Youde's family is really terrifying!
A situation similar to that of Hong Lianchun is like saying that there is a person surnamed Gu, and then attends an important meeting that has nothing to do with him.

During the meeting, the moderator asked: "Is the consultant here?"

This person impersonates himself on stage and completes the speech.In fact, the word "consultant" in the host's words is not asking who is the person whose surname is Gu!Red lotus spring is not necessarily made of red lotus rice, just like the person surnamed Gu Mingwen is not necessarily a consultant!
If Fang Chongyong declares to the outside world that he named the wine "Honglianchun" because the color of the wine is like a red lotus, who can say that the name is inappropriate?

"On the Lantern Festival, there must be a big drink. If Red Lotus Spring can be made the designated drink of the big drink, this battle will be a sure thing."

Fang Chongyong sighed with emotion, before Zheng Shuqing and the others drank this wine, his heart was hanging.Although Fang Laique said that the wine tasted good, the boy seemed to have no choice in what he ate, and his words were not convincing at all.

"So, what are we going to do now?"

Zheng Shuqing asked doubtfully, now that Fang Chongyong was his life-saving straw, the Kuizhou governor no longer wanted to do what he wanted. He would do whatever Fang Chongyong said. Only in this way could he go ashore.

"The method of red yeast rice will become famous all over the world in a few years. It cannot be hidden. But before you return to Chang'an, this method must not be leaked. Please send capable people to participate in the production of red yeast rice." song.

With red yeast rice, the brewing method is quite ordinary, and many of the famous wineries in Kuizhou can participate in the production.

Nowadays, red yeast rice is still a valuable thing, and you can make a lot of money in Chang'an by taking advantage of the bad news.Once the method of making red yeast rice spreads, red yeast wine will definitely fly into the homes of ordinary people. Please don't worry about gains and losses.

The purpose of the envoy is only to return to Chang'an. "

Fang Chongyong was afraid that Zheng Shuqing would think too much, so he explained it patiently.

The governor of Kuizhou thought very little before the incident happened and was completely unaware of it.After what happened, he thought too much and kept making random mistakes.

Just talking about the unification of the standards for canals last time, Zheng Shuqing actually targeted the imperial canals and wanted to use the same tactics used to deal with merchants to deal with the imperial canals. I really don't know what he was thinking.

Fang Chongyong was really afraid that Zheng Shuqing would use Honglianchun as a tool to make money, so he kept holding on to it.

"It's a pity, but I didn't think too much about it."

Zheng Shuqing said reluctantly and with a sense of nostalgia. It was obvious that he had been thinking a lot just now, and he sobered up after hearing Fang Chongyong's words.

"Without further delay, your Majesty will arrange the production of red yeast rice and brewing wine. This wine is brewed in autumn and matures in spring, just in time."

Fang Chongyong's urging voice interrupted the dreamy Zheng Shuqing, who was still thinking about how to save some Honglianchun to give away favors.

"I understand, I will make arrangements right now."

……

As the autumn harvest passed day by day, the follow-up news about Kuizhou Red Lotus Rice began to slowly ferment. Various rumors spread in the wineries and brothels in Chang'an City about a peerless wine "Honglian" brewed from Red Lotus Rice. "Spring" is gradually spread by word of mouth among people who like wine, and the more it spreads, the more magical it becomes.

The preciousness of red lotus rice already guarantees enough gimmicks!For those big guys who have to eat "crystal rice" every day, why don't they try some Hong Lian Chun? Are they worthy of their face?
For those "good young men of the Tang Dynasty" who want to cling to the powerful, is it called saving face to give gifts to the nobles without mentioning a pot of red lotus spring?

The less we see it, the more we look forward to it.The more expensive the raw materials, the more exquisite it is.

I heard that this wine is as bright red as blood, clear and translucent, without any impurities or sourness.Just thinking about it in my head makes me feel drunk.

But in addition to the continuous spread of news about this fine wine, there is another more important rumor that is also spreading among the public!

It was already late autumn. In the Nanxun Hall of Xingqing Palace, Gao Lishi was washing Li Longji's feet, while the latter was sitting on a high stool reading a letter, his hands trembling slightly.

A copy of Wang Zhongsi's reply letter to Prince Li Ying actually appeared in Li Longji's hands!

"The loyal heir is worthy of being raised by me. He really understands the righteousness and does not follow the prince's group of people. He knows my painstaking efforts."

Li Longji sighed deeply. The old problem of fighting among the same roommates in the Li Tang royal family seemed to break out every more than ten years, and it never really calmed down.

"Why can't the prince and the others learn the brotherly respect that Zhen and King Ning have?"

He slapped the armrest of the high stool bitterly and scolded him angrily.Of course, there is a fine line between being angry at the air and incompetent rage.

A year ago, the relationship between Li Longji and Prince Li Ying was already in a state of rupture.

At the beginning, his beloved concubines Zhao Lifei, Huangfu Deyi and Liu Cairen gave birth to Prince Li Ying, King E Li Yao and King Guang Li Ju respectively.Due to various reasons, Li Ying was granted the title of Crown Prince.

But the young, beautiful and well-behaved concubine Wu Hui was favored, while the three concubines fell out of favor one after another.

So Li Ying, Li Yao, and Li Ju were often unhappy about their mother's disfavor, and held together under the same hatred, chatting in private and complaining a lot.

Yang Hui, the consort of Princess Xianyi, the daughter of Concubine Hui, had always known about Concubine Wu Hui's ambition, which was to support her son Li Xuan to become the crown prince.

So they secretly sent someone to observe Li Ying's movements every day and report to Concubine Huiwu.

Unable to bear the loneliness, Concubine Wu Hui cried to Li Longji and complained that the prince formed a clique for personal gain and wanted to murder their mother and son.Li Longji was furious and wanted to depose the prince, but Zhang Jiuling dissuaded him on the grounds that "the foundation of the prince's country must not be touched lightly".

Although the matter ended in nothing, Li Ying had completely understood what Li Longji was thinking and no longer had extravagant hopes.

Now seeing Li Ying wooing Wang Zhongsi, and seeing Wang Zhongsi sternly scolding Li Ying in his letter and sternly refusing to form a party, Li Longji also had mixed feelings in his heart.

Fortunately, Wang Zhongsi was not raised to be a white-eyed wolf. Unfortunately, Li Ying acted more and more arrogantly, and seemed to be getting closer and closer to "Xuanwumen plus".While Li Longji was heartbroken, he recalled how his elder brother, King Ning Li Xian, had given way to the crown prince and how he was a brother-in-law and brother-in-law.

I couldn't help but feel even more disappointed and hated towards Li Ying.

"I want to depose the prince, what do you think?"

Li Longji asked casually, at this time Gao Lishi was already wiping his feet.

When the footbath was moved away by the palace servants, Gao Lishi bowed and saluted: "This is the emperor's family matter, how can I make irresponsible remarks?"

"Hmph! You are more cautious."

Li Longji snorted coldly and did not ask further.Of course, if Gao Lishi really said it, he might not be happy.Gao Lishi was able to gain Li Longji's deep trust because the other party was cautious in his words and deeds, and would not do anything that he shouldn't do.

"Tell Zhang Jiuling and Li Linfu to Zichen Hall."

Li Longji stood up, flicked his sleeves, turned around and walked out of the hall.Only Gao Lishi was left standing there at a loss, and immediately trotted after him.

……

Zhang Jiuling was a circle older than Li Linfu and Li Longji, and was a prime minister who had studied hard for the imperial examination since he was a child. He had suffered from weather and was not in good health. When he was woken up in the middle of the night to go to the Daming Palace, he was sleepy and energetic.

Li Linfu had already received some gossip from Concubine Wu Hui in advance, and knew what kind of questions Li Longji would probably ask, so he was confident, but seemed much calmer than Zhang Jiuling.

"Both husbands, please help me find out what my traitorous son wants to do."

Li Longji raised the letter in his hand with an angry look on his face. He didn't know if he was putting on a show or if he was really angry. It always felt like he would take action against his "good son" in the next second.

Letters were circulated between Zhang Jiuling and Li Linfu, neither of them spoke.

"Sage, the prince is the foundation of the country and should not be touched lightly."

After Zhang Jiuling returned the letter to Gao Lishi, he still said the same thing.

In fact, the reason for Li Longji's attack today is both strange and not strange.

What is strange is that Li Ying went to the doctor in a hurry and wrote a letter to Wang Zhongsi who had been idled to form a clique.

Not surprisingly, the father and son duo of Li Longji and Li Ying have become incompatible with each other. They share the same hatred and can no longer coexist.

It cannot even be ruled out that a coup d'état is brewing.

What else can Zhang Jiuling say? Can the world be peaceful if the prince is replaced?

I'm afraid not.

"Brother, tell me, what should I do with the prince?"

Li Longji did not look at Zhang Jiuling, but turned his head to ask Li Linfu who looked calm.

"In my humble opinion, this is a saint's family matter. It is not something outsiders can criticize. It's fine that everything is decided by the saint."

Li Linfu bowed and made a trick.

"Saint, I don't agree with the words of Prime Minister Zuo. The crown prince is the foundation of the country, not only His Majesty's family affairs, but also the affairs of the world. It is related to the safety of the people in the world. I dare to say: The prince should not be lightly dismissed."

Zhang Jiuling's words are commonplace and cannot be said to be problematic.

However, Li Longji was still very uncomfortable in his heart. He felt that he was very aggrieved as the emperor, and he was not refreshing enough!

Ninth Five-Year Lord, why do some people make irresponsible remarks even when the crown prince is abolished?

Didn't Huo Guang depose the prince?
Wasn't he considered "shaking the foundation of the country" at that time?

The more Li Longji thought about it, the angrier he became. He gently raised his hand to indicate to Zhang Jiuling and Li Linfu that they could leave!

He had never been so rude to the Prime Minister.

Whether it was Yao Chong and Song Jing in the early days of Kaiyuan, or Pei Guangting and Han Xiu who had a low sense of presence later, he always treated each other with courtesy and never neglected them.

Zhang Jiuling and Li Linfu finally left, each with their own concerns.

Let alone the worried Zhang Jiuling, just talk about Li Linfu.After he returned to his own house in Pingkangfang, he asked the servants in the mansion to inform Concubine Wu Hui's son-in-law Yang Hui to come to his mansion to discuss matters.

After the latter met with Li Linfu in the study room of his residence, Li Linfu solemnly said four words to Yang Hui, asking him to convey it to Concubine Wu Hui.

These four words are: May the king live long!
What Fang Chongyong didn't know was that the political storm in Chang'an City at the end of the Kaiyuan Dynasty had already begun, and actors from all walks of life began to appear on stage!
(End of this chapter)