SLH | Chapter 58

A Great Start

Everyone was jostling to get in, and those who couldn’t squeeze in had to stand outside the crowd anxiously, including the three small tavern shopkeepers who had followed Chen Laoda here. After waiting for nearly the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the crowd finally dispersed, only to hear the young boss of Liu Ji Tavern cheerfully announce that they were sold out!

The shopkeepers shook their heads in regret, then quickly stepped forward to inquire if there would be more for sale tomorrow and if they could place an order in advance.

Song Tingzhu said, “You can pre-order, but there’s not much Qingjiu left at home, only about sixty jin more.”

The three of them didn’t mind the small amount, paid the deposit, and returned to their shops with beaming faces.

“Brother Zhu really called it right, the wine was all sold out in less than an hour,” Tang Chunxing counted the copper coins in the money box, saying with a smile.

Liu Xiaomei was also full of excitement, “Sister-in-law, it was less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Not even that long, and everything was sold out, including what was left at home, which was all pre-ordered. Brother-in-law is amazing!”

Song Tingzhu smiled, “It’s not all my doing. If it weren’t for you and Sister-in-law shouting out loud, we wouldn’t have attracted so many people. And thanks to Sixth Aunt Yang for bringing in Chen Laoda. If it were someone else, it might have taken more time to sell everything.”

Tang Chunxing, while tidying up the stall, said, “We should really thank Sixth Aunt later.”

Song Tingzhu nodded, “Indeed, we should.”

With the wine sold out, the three of them packed up the stall and wandered around the street for a while before heading back.

In the Liu family courtyard, Ruan Xiulian was basking in the sun and doing embroidery with Zhao Chunfang and Yang Liumei. Seeing the group return, she quickly got up to greet them.

“Why are you back so soon? Was it hard to sell, or did someone cause trouble and drive you back?”

Ruan Xiulian frowned, regretting not going with them.

Liu Xiaomei came forward, holding Ruan Xiulian’s arm, and said with a smile, “We sold everything! Not only the dozens of jin we brought, but even what was left at home was pre-ordered by several tavern owners!”

“Really? You guys aren’t just pulling my leg, are you?” Ruan Xiulian looked skeptical.

Tang Chunxing lifted the blanket covering the cart, saying, “Mom, it’s true. Look for yourself.”

Ruan Xiulian glanced up to see the cart empty, except for two empty wine jars. Her frown instantly relaxed, and a smile crept up.

“How did it sell so fast? I thought you were chased back by the town’s hooligans.”

Song Tingzhu laughed, “We have to thank Sixth Aunt for that.”

Yang Liumei was puzzled, “Why thank me?”

Liu Xiaomei quickly explained about Chen Laoda, and after hearing it, Yang Liumei waved her hand dismissively, “Oh, it was nothing. I just mentioned it casually. Chen Laoda is famous in Shanghe Village for his love of wine. I just said a word, and he immediately agreed.”

Zhao Chunfang was also delighted. Her family had invested money in the Liu family’s business, and now that they had a great start, she was naturally very happy.

“It’s getting late. I should head home to make lunch and share the good news with the family.”

Yang Liumei said, “Sister Chunfang, let’s go together.”

The two of them left the Liu family courtyard hand in hand, faces full of joy.

Some villagers saw them and, after a little thought, understood what had happened. Filled with envy, they hurried home, and by lunchtime, the entire Yunxi Village knew that the Liu family’s wine business had made money. Everyone was green with envy.

The Liu family didn’t go out at noon. The whole family was busy dividing the wine, unaware of what had happened. After finishing, they gathered in the main room, counting the money they earned in the morning, grinning from ear to ear.

Tang Chunxing looked at the heavy copper coins and said happily, “Just over a hundred jin of wine sold for nearly four taels of silver. The family still has three large vats of more valuable distilled wine, which could sell for dozens of taels!”

Song Tingzhu reminded, “Sister-in-law, you miscalculated. We still have to account for the cost of the wine grain. Right now, we don’t have to pay the wine tax, but three months later, besides the cost, we also have to account for a three to four percent wine tax.”

“Oh right, I forgot about that,” Tang Chunxing muttered quietly, and after recalculating, she smiled brightly, “Even so, we can still earn a lot! Brother Zhu is really clever. In the past, we worked hard all year and could only save five or six taels at most, but in less than half a day’s work, we’ve already earned over two taels. It’s much better than farming!”

Ruan Xiulian heard this and disagreed, “That’s like forgetting your roots. The whole family relies on those few acres of land to live. Now you’re looking down on it. One must not forget their roots.”

Song Tingzhu said, “Mother is right. Brewing wine also requires grain. In the future, when we open a wine shop, the demand for grain will be even greater. By then, we’ll need husband and brother to go to the villages to collect grain.”

Liu Meng said, “No problem. Before the New Year, I already talked to Landlord Zhang. Once he finds suitable laborers, I’ll quit and come back to help the family.”

Liu Hu also nodded, agreeing that whatever his wife said was right.

The family was harmonious, and in the west courtyard, Liu Laoer was also beaming with joy. Because the youngest in the family was going to the county to take the imperial exams, once he returned, he would be a scholar, and even the head of the academy in town would have to regard him highly!

The next morning, Liu Cuie got up early, busy steaming rice and stewing chicken, spending money without a care. Thinking of the eldest son’s family, she turned her head and spat on the ground in disdain.

Her eldest son was making money, and the neighbors didn’t miss a chance to rub it in her face yesterday. She was envious, but right now, her precious grandson’s exams were the most important thing. Once Yushu passed the exams and became a scholar, wouldn’t the eldest family come running to her? By then, wouldn’t the wine recipe be hers?

The old lady thought happily.

She didn’t believe for a second that the eldest daughter-in-law was as tough as she claimed. After all, a scholar was a big deal. Not only could he exempt the family from land taxes, but he could also make a name for himself in front of the county magistrate. How many in the village had seen the county magistrate? Such honor wasn’t something everyone could have.

When the time came to mention it to the officials, wouldn’t the eldest family’s wine sell itself? They could just sit at home and count silver until their hands were sore!

If Song Tingzhu knew what the old lady was thinking, he would have laughed.

It’s just a small scholar. In town, they might be regarded highly, but in the county, it’s nothing special. To get the county magistrate’s favor, you’d need to be at least a juren.

“Brother-in-law, Shopkeeper Wang and the others are here to pick up the wine.”

Song Tingzhu was in the cellar checking on the distilled wine, and saw Xiaomei peeking in, full of excitement.

“Got it. You go ahead and invite them in. I’ll be there shortly.”

“Mother has already invited them in, and Sister-in-law is preparing tea.”

“Alright.”

Shopkeeper Wang and the others had keen noses. When Song Tingzhu came in, they smelled the wine on him and couldn’t help but inquire.

Liu Hu poured water for them, and Song Tingzhu gestured for them to sit, saying, “We’ve also brewed a few vats of distilled wine at home. If the three of you are interested, I can offer a discount.”

“What, you have distilled wine too!”

The three were shocked but shook their heads in regret.

“Distilled wine is only sold in the big taverns in town. For small businesses like ours, even if we buy it, it’s hard to sell.”

“Shopkeeper Xiao is right. Those wealthy landlords prefer to go to Sifang Zhai and Four Seasons Tavern, rarely visiting ordinary taverns.”

Seeing that the three had no interest, Song Tingzhu didn’t push. After a short rest, he had his husband help load the wine onto the ox cart and sent the three shopkeepers off.

Perhaps they were too cautious from past suppression, Shopkeeper Wang and the others had no ambition, just wanting to run their current business steadily. Being cautious was fine, but to make big money, being overly cautious wouldn’t work.

Song Tingzhu thought while copying the “Shen Tong Shi,” frowning slightly.

He had planned to bring the three shopkeepers on board, but since that plan fell through, he had to look for others.

His thoughts shifted to something else.

The Qingjiu at home was sold out, and they had signed a contract with the three shopkeepers for 240 jin, to be delivered in the second half of the year.

There was enough time, but more attention needed to be paid to the wine grain. With more grain collected, there might be those looking to take advantage, and he couldn’t let one bad apple spoil the bunch.

At night, after some playful antics, Liu Hu brought warm water to clean up his wife, and they cuddled, whispering.

“The distilled wine in the cellar will be ready to open in a few days. Tomorrow, we’ll spread the word and see if anyone comes to us. If not, we’ll have to go door-to-door.”

Song Tingzhu leaned against his husband’s chest, his voice lazy, “There aren’t many who brew wine in town, but there are some. Our family will need a lot of grain this year, so we should talk to the farmers early. Waiting until the harvest might be too late.”

Liu Hu massaged his wife’s sore waist, agreeing, “Tomorrow, I’ll go with my brother to other villages to check. We’ll secure a batch of grain first, and let Mother and Sister-in-law handle our village.”

“Alright.”

The next morning, just as the Liu family opened their gate, a little guest arrived.

“Hello, Granny Ruan,” Yin Shuyang called out, carrying a bamboo basket almost as tall as himself.

Ruan Xiulian quickly took it and led him inside.

“Look at your little face, all frozen. Come in and warm up.”

“Okay,” Yin Shuyang hopped inside.

Ruan Xiulian turned to ask, “Is your father feeling better?”

“Much better. Daddy took me ice fishing by the river yesterday and caught two big fish. He asked me to bring one over to Granny Ruan.”

Only then did Ruan Xiulian realize the basket contained fish. She didn’t refuse, asking her eldest daughter-in-law to take it to the kitchen to make fish soup for lunch, and invited Yin Shuyang to stay.

The little guy nodded happily, “Thank you, Granny Ruan.”

Ruan Xiulian adored well-behaved and cute children. Patting Yin Shuyang’s head, she smiled, “No need to thank me. Later, bring your parents over. The more, the merrier.”

Yin Shuyang looked towards the east room, saying, “My mom went to town to sell eggs, and Daddy went to the neighboring village for work. They’re not home.”

The Yin family of three moved to the village five years ago, with no maternal or in-law family. When the couple went out, there was no one to look after the child, which made Ruan Xiulian feel sorry. Patting Yin Shuyang’s hastily tied hair bun, she said lovingly, “From now on, if no one’s home, come to Granny’s.”

Yin Shuyang scratched his head, a bit embarrassed, “Mom always says I’m noisy. I’m afraid of bothering Granny Ruan.”

“Granny doesn’t mind. Just come.”

Yin Shuyang’s eyes curved into a smile, “Okay, I’ll come often then.”

Catching sight of Xia Ge’er rubbing his eyes as he came out, Yin Shuyang immediately waved and greeted him.

“Xia Ge’er, I brought you something fun. It’s something you can’t find in town~”

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Author’s Note: I have a massage appointment tomorrow, but I won’t be taking a leave. I’m working on tomorrow’s update [throws confetti]