The reason for this smooth process is that he is currently in charge, managing Silver Creek Ming City, the Martial Arts Shop, and the Government Office along with Zhao Chunxin.
Previously, when Tributor Wu Lian was around, he would naturally reject all applications for "brewing rights" from restaurants, since there were quite a few "connections" in Silver Creek, each protecting their own interests. Wu Lian wouldn’t touch these matters.
As soon as the "brewing rights" were issued, Hengwu Restaurant posted a notice, causing a commotion in the area.
Soon, Yichan Pavilion got wind of the news.
In the restaurant, though seemingly quiet, there was already a stir behind the scenes.
A steward hurriedly rushed upstairs and called out a few times in front of a private room, "Master," until there was a response from inside, then he pushed the door open and entered.
Inside, a middle-aged man dressed in luxurious clothes and wearing a dome-shaped hat was drinking with a guest at the table.
This man was Zhu Tongji, the Black-faced Elder’s younger brother.
Seeing the steward’s arrival, Zhu Tongji slightly frowned and said, "What is it?"
The steward hastily whispered, "Master, Hengwu Restaurant has been established as an official shop."
Zhu Tongji locked his brow and said, "Let’s wait and see."
Only then did the steward hurriedly withdraw.
...
A few days later.
In front of Hengwu Restaurant.
The waiter, who also doubled as the Wine Scholar, shouted at the doorway, "New wine at Hengwu Restaurant~~~
New Snow Brew, seasonal limited~~~
One cup to get tipsy, one pot to fall, come and try~~~"
It was midday, and after shouting for a while, soon there were customers asking about the price.
The Wine Scholar said with a smile, "One cup of Snow Brew is two large coins; one pot of Snow Brew is one tael of silver..."
"Why is it so expensive? Normally one pot costs only three large coins, right?"
"Today the Snow Brew is newly launched. Customers can try half a cup first, and if you like it and think it’s worth it, then buy more."
"Well... I’ll give it a try."
Inside the restaurant, many people watched the customer.
The customer lifted the cup, looking at the clear and mellow liquor inside, and said, "Just this little, I’m afraid there won’t be any taste once it hits the mouth."
The Wine Scholar smiled and said, "Please try it, sir."
The customer took the cup and downed it in one go, smacking his lips, "Very mellow, the taste is alright, but..."
Suddenly, he stopped talking, his cheeks flushed, and his body trembled with excitement.
This distilled spirit made with winter snow water carried not only the flavor of nature but also the rich aroma of strong liquor.
It entered like frost, seemingly with no sensation, but once it went down the throat, the frost faded, leaving only a fiery knife in the stomach.
This knife stirred the five organs, giving those used to drinking low-alcohol dilute liquors an immediate sensation of dizziness — novel and invigorating.
"Good... good wine!!" The customer seemed to forget his previous arrogance, shakily taking out one tael of silver from his pocket, and said, "I’ve been your regular; can it be a bit cheaper?"
The Wine Scholar, smiling, said, "In winter, there’s but a few snowfalls. New snow brews new wine, and the quantity is limited; one tael of silver for one pot of wine is not expensive."
"Alright then, I’ll take one pot!" The customer didn’t say more, immediately ordering a pot along with two plates of side dishes, then began to dine.
In front of Hengwu Restaurant, more people gathered.
Those who came were drawn by reputation, and those who left were inebriated.
Men who claimed they could drink several jars of dilute liquor without getting tipsy, here, with just one pot, had flushed cheeks, began to giggle, and muttered "good wine, good wine," as they were led away from the store.
Even by dusk, people continued to arrive.
That day, Hengwu Restaurant closed only very late at night.
The lady boss, with her legs crossed and wearing embroidered shoes on her small feet, happily turned the pages of the account book with her fingers, smiling at Li Yuan, joyfully saying, "Husband, this batch of a hundred pounds of Snow Brew, we’ve already sold ninety pounds, bringing in 180 taels. After deducting costs, we’ve netted over one hundred and fifty taels...
This is just the first day, the first day...
The money came so easily.
This is just trial Snow Brew; if we can make a high-end wine in the future, won’t we earn even more?"
Li Yuan laughed and said, "Trouble will come tomorrow."
The lady boss asked, "What should we do then?"
Li Yuan replied, "I’ll handle the civil matters, and Old Zhou will take care of the martial ones. I want others to know... Old Zhou is from my sect."
"Hmm..." The lady boss understood her husband’s meaning and asked, "Is the sect of your husband really big?"
"Not big, probably just Master Li, Old Zhou, and me left," Li Yuan said.
The lady boss was taken aback, "Then... then this can’t be a shield."
Li Yuan said, "I never said; you didn’t know, right?"
The lady boss nodded.
Li Yuan laughed, "If you don’t know, who else will? They’ll only assume my sect is supporting me.
My sect once had Master Li, and now there’s an Eighth Grade Powerhouse; who would know my sect has only this few people?"
The lady boss: ...
Li Yuan thought for a moment and added, "In a few days, we’ll set up a couple more porridge shops, with two lanes, one normal and the other exclusively for women, children, and the elderly.
I’ve struggled before and know life can be hard.
Since we now have some ability, we should help those who are still suffering.
We may not be able to help much, but we can do what we can."
"Great, in a few days, I’ll have someone open two more at the workshop entrance..." The lady boss looked at her husband happily, softly added, "It’s late, husband, we can’t return to the Inner City today, let’s spend the night in the restaurant."
"Hmm..."
A moment later, the candlelight was blown out, and the bed emitted slight creaking sounds.