SLH | Chapter 60

Dou Family’s Servant

After breakfast, Song Tingzhu and his husband carried the wine to town. Although Liu Ji’s wine had only been sold in town for a day, many townsfolk already knew that the clear wine at Shopkeeper Wang’s tavern was sourced from the Liu family. The wine jars even had the Liu family brand engraved on them, and people often mentioned the couple while drinking.

“Liu Dongjia and his husband are here. Are you delivering wine to Shopkeeper Wang today?” Just as they arrived on North Street, a man who had previously bought wine from their stall greeted them.

Song Tingzhu smiled and replied, “The clear wine from our home was taken back to the shop by Shopkeeper Wang and Shopkeeper Xiao yesterday. If you want to buy some, just head to the tavern.”

“Alright, I didn’t buy much last time. I’ll swing by and get half a jin after work. You two go ahead; we still have to get to the dock for work.”

After the man left, Song Tingzhu and his husband headed to a few familiar taverns.

Liu Hu suggested, “Let’s go to Yuelai Building first. Shopkeeper Zhu has bought a lot of game from me before. He’s the easiest to talk to among the shopkeepers.”

“Okay.”

But when they arrived at Yuelai Building, Shopkeeper Zhu wasn’t there, only the waitstaff was.

The waiter, while wiping tables, didn’t even look up and said, “Our Dongjia is not here. You two should come back another day.”

After the two left, Shopkeeper Zhu lifted the bamboo curtain and came out from the back hall. The waiter turned his head, puzzled, and asked, “Shopkeeper, why did you turn away a good business opportunity? I’ve tasted the wine from the Liu family, and it’s indeed better than our Bai Ri Chun.”

Shopkeeper Zhu, with his hands behind his back, looked relaxed, “Most taverns and shops with some standing in town get their supplies from the same place. Even if they don’t, the owners know each other. The Liu family from the countryside wants to cut in and take a share; they should see if they have the capability.”

No matter how good Liu’s wine is, without backing, they can’t make waves in this industry. Even in this small Lianxi Town, wealthier families, even if they know Liu’s wine is good, would still go to the tavern to drink, and wouldn’t lower themselves to compete with common folks.

Shopkeeper Zhu watched their figures disappear into the distance and sighed, “Little Liu, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but I really can’t. I have a family to support and can’t afford to offend people and end up closing shop.”

Unaware of the situation, Song Tingzhu and his husband went to several wine shops and eateries but achieved nothing, feeling a bit disheartened.

“I didn’t think it through. I should have built connections beforehand.”

His hand was gently held, and Liu Hu squeezed his fingertips comfortingly, “If we can’t sell to taverns, my brother and I will take it to other towns to sell. Didn’t you say before, good wine doesn’t fear a deep alley? There are so many villages and towns in Changshan County; there will be people who recognize its worth.”

Song Tingzhu thought, “If there’s no other way, we’ll have to do that.”

Before returning to the village, Song Tingzhu called over some street children, gave them a few copper coins, and asked them to spread the word that they were looking to collaborate on selling wine. If no one came in a few days, they would take it elsewhere with his uncles from the Ruan family.

Once Liu Ji’s wine gained some reputation, they would be able to negotiate with major taverns.

Prepared for the worst, Song Tingzhu didn’t see anyone come for two days. He planned to visit Granny Ruan with his husband the next morning. To their surprise, the next day brought a change. As Ruan Xiulian opened the courtyard gate, she saw an ox cart stopping outside.

The young man driving the cart, dressed in coarse cloth, looked like a servant or worker from some household.

The man jumped off the cart and asked, “Aunt, is this Liu Hu’s house?”

“Yes, it is. Who are you?”

“We’re from the town’s tavern, here to discuss business with your family.”

Hearing the word “business,” Ruan Xiulian immediately welcomed them in with a smile and called into the house, “Tingzhu, Huzi, someone from town is here!” Her voice was filled with excitement.

The two men followed into the courtyard, noticing several large wine jars lined against the wall, with the aroma of wine wafting through the air, catching their attention.

Inside the main room, Song Tingzhu asked, “Which tavern are you from?”

The two men, one fat and one thin, seemed to defer to the thin man, who sipped his tea before responding.

The thin man took his time, spitting out tea leaves with disdain, “Is this how you treat guests, serving such low-quality tea?”

Hearing this, Song Tingzhu’s expression cooled slightly.

But he still replied politely, “We are just a rural household with nothing better to offer, only this rough tea. Please excuse us.”

“Fine, I’ll make do.” The thin man poured himself another cup, finishing almost the entire pot before speaking leisurely.

“We’re the chief clerks from the North Street Pawnshop. Our Dongjia is surnamed Dou. The Dou family is wealthy, owning taverns and eateries in the county. Our shopkeeper thinks your wine is good and sent us to discuss cooperation.”

The thin man raised his eyebrows, looking down on them, “Let me make it clear, being able to work with the Dou family is a blessing for you. Don’t think about asking for too much. Right now, besides our Dongjia, few would dare to do business with your Liu family.”

Liu Xiaomei, passing by the window, couldn’t help but run into the kitchen, angrily telling Ruan Xiulian what she heard.

“How shameless! Acting all high and mighty, calling himself a chief clerk when he’s just a worker.” Ruan Xiulian added wood to the stove, spitting angrily, “Just wait, your second brother and sister-in-law won’t agree to work with them. They’ll kick them out.”

Sure enough, in less than a quarter of an hour, the two men were thrown out of the courtyard by Liu Hu.

“Ungrateful country bumpkins, missing such an opportunity. Those wine jars will just spoil in the courtyard!”

The two men, kicked on their behinds, scrambled up and cursed all the way back to town.

“Shopkeeper, that Liu family is arrogant, not only rejecting your offer but also disrespecting the county’s Dou family. It’s infuriating!”

“Yes, Dongjia, Liu Hu was even more arrogant, resorting to violence when the price wasn’t agreed upon!”

The two reversed the truth, adding fuel to the fire, making Dou Zhengxiang’s face darken like a pot’s bottom.

He slammed the table in anger, “Good for the Liu family, let’s see how they stand in town!”

Meanwhile, at Pan Family Pawnshop in the deep alley of North Street.

“Shopkeeper, any other instructions?” The clerk asked, holding a bundle.

Pan Youquan waved his hand, “Just be polite.”

“Got it.”

The clerk harnessed the ox cart and headed straight for Yunxi Village.

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Author’s Note: I’m here～

Everyone, take care of your health, don’t stay up late unless necessary.

I’ve stayed up too much, leading to a weakened immune system, constant eczema, and sacroiliac joint disorder. It’s a nightmare when it flares up [crying emoji].