102. The Fine Wine of Jiangzhou, Spring on the Lan River

On August 14th, the streets of Jianglin suddenly filled with children handing out a new kind of flyer called a newspaper, named the Lanjiang Monthly. Instantly, every alley and street buzzed with lively chatter. Printed materials were typically the domain of noble families or the imperial court, rarely seen by ordinary folk. Yet this newspaper was priced so cheaply it was virtually free.

At first, some were confused and hesitant, unsure what the newspaper was for. But as a few purchased copies and read the contents, word spread swiftly. Ten thousand copies sold out within a single morning.

Groups gathered in threes and fives, eagerly competing to read and discuss the contents, savoring every detail.

The opening story announced a free tasting event for a fine wine called Lanjiang Spring on the Mid-Autumn Festival, August 15th. Anyone dining at the Qingfeng Mingyue Pavilion or the Drunken Immortal Inn that day would receive a complimentary pot of Lanjiang Spring per table.

On the same day, both establishments would also host a “Immortal of Wine” contest. Visitors could pay a tael of silver to sample Lanjiang Spring.

If you could finish one jar, you’d be awarded a tael of silver, effectively drinking for free.

Finish two jars, and you’d receive two taels, earning money while drinking.

Should you manage three jars, the reward was five taels—earning a net profit of four taels. Such a sum was considered a windfall.

But that wasn’t all. A third event was a poetry contest themed around Lanjiang Spring, open to all literati. The grand prize was a thousand taels, the second place five hundred, and the third two hundred.

Compared to the drinking contest, the poetry competition was a chance to strike it rich overnight—if one possessed the talent, of course.

In truth, Lu Jin’s urgency in distributing the newspapers was primarily to promote Lanjiang Spring. The newspaper itself was secondary, though launching both simultaneously was advantageous.

The rest of the paper consisted mainly of poems, advertisements, and a serialized ghost story—quite thrilling, which sparked endless discussion in the streets.

On August 15th, when Lu Jin arrived at the Qingfeng Mingyue Pavilion, the streets were packed with crowds. Everyone had their own reasons for coming, hoping for a chance at unexpected fortune.

Lu Jin hadn’t brought Shen Yanxi today. Despite all preparations, such a large gathering posed risks—if things got out of hand, it would be disastrous.

“Yan, is everything ready?” Lu Jin asked.

“Rest assured, nothing will go wrong,” Jiang Shaonian replied with a smile, never anticipating the scale of today’s turnout.

“Then let the drinking contest begin!” Lu Jin declared. The event had started as soon as the doors opened, with wine being served freely. Inside, there were no seats left, and no other activities planned—the main focus was on the drinking contest and the poetry competition.

Jiang Shaonian twitched at the phrase “drinking contest.” As the top candidate of Jiangzhou, he thought the “Immortal of Wine” contest was more fitting. Still, he said no more and hurried off to make arrangements.

After a short wait, the manager of Qingfeng Mingyue Pavilion stepped onto the stage.

“People of Jiangzhou, I am the manager of Qingfeng Mingyue Pavilion,” he announced clearly and loudly. “We have brewed a new wine, the jars of which you see before you. This wine surpasses any you have ever tasted.”

“Manager, you must be joking! I, Chen San, have drunk every kind of wine—how dare you claim yours is the best?” came a clamor from the crowd.

“That’s right, this manager is boasting!” another voice added.

“What about our Jiangnan Spring? How dare you speak so shamelessly?” someone else shouted.

“Quiet, please! Folks, you’ll know if the wine is good once you taste it,” the manager soothed the restless crowd. With staff maintaining order, he was not overly concerned.

“The rules once more—listen carefully! Now, open the jars!” he commanded.

At his signal, the lids of a dozen jars were lifted, releasing a rich, intoxicating aroma that swept over the eager crowd. The scent alone was unlike any ordinary wine.

“Now that the wine is open, those who wish to drink must register and pay silver…” The manager explained.

Lu Jin had designed this to filter participants, not to profit. A poor drunkard, no matter how skilled at drinking, would gain no advantage. Of course, some would cheat, borrowing money to drink, but if they profited, so be it. If they lost, that was their problem.

Those intent on causing trouble would reconsider upon seeing the armed guards and summoned officials present. Lu Jin’s confidence stemmed from his position as a son-in-law of the Shen family. Without that backing, he wouldn’t dare.

Many shouted, but few actually paid to drink.

The first brave soul was a bearded man, a habitual drinker who saw today’s event as free money.

“Manager, be warned—I’ll drink ten or eight jars, don’t blame me if you lose money!” his voice thundered.

“Fear not, good sir. As long as you remain sober after drinking, what we promise, we deliver!” the manager replied. Any loss was not his concern.

“Then watch and learn!” The man sneered and downed a jar in one gulp, only to spit it out immediately. “Is this poison? Fire poison?”

“Good sir, think again. If we intended poison, would you still be standing? Taste it carefully,” the manager said calmly.

The man hesitated, then realized it was indeed wine—just extraordinarily strong. The sudden burn left him dazed.

Embarrassed, he drank more cautiously. Still, he failed to finish the second jar, his vision blurring. He could only claim one jar. Though unwilling, he at least enjoyed a free drink.

With a leader set, the crowd grew louder, yet no one surpassed three jars all morning. Most had never encountered such potent liquor; few could endure it.

Qingfeng Mingyue Pavilion, through this method, not only avoided losses but profited handsomely. The crowd marveled; Lu Jin remained indifferent. To him, it was like a lottery.

That afternoon, the poetry contest commenced as scheduled. Qingfeng Mingyue Pavilion invited many renowned scholars from Jianglin to judge. Numerous literati eagerly participated, drawn by the substantial rewards. Even some officials joined, knowing their salaries paled in comparison to the thousand-tael grand prize.

By the afternoon’s Shen hour, over six thousand poems had been submitted. After evaluation by dozens of learned judges, the top three were chosen.

Qingfeng Mingyue Pavilion handed out prizes directly from piles of gold and silver on site, astounding the crowd with real wealth.

The manager confided, “Actually, the prize money came from the morning’s wine fees. The owner is truly a genius!”

As for Lu Jin, he had already left—family matters awaited. He cared little for poetry’s quality; the contest was merely a spectacle.

On August 15th, Lanjiang Spring, a fine wine, swept through Jianglin like a tempest.

-----------------

At the Shen Mansion, in the Xiyuan Garden’s Yuntai Pavilion.

“Darling, how did it go today?” Shen Yanxi greeted Lu Jin warmly upon his return.

“Since the lady named it Lanjiang Spring, naturally everyone is scrambling for it,” Lu Jin smiled, pulling Shen Yanxi into his embrace. They were growing ever more accustomed to one another.

“You’re such a smooth talker. It’s really your wine that’s good, yet you let me take credit,” Shen Yanxi teased happily.

Lu Jin noticed that Shen Yanxi usually referred to herself as “I” in public, but in private moments of affection, she called herself “your wife”—a testament to their mutual devotion.

“No matter what I do, it’s thanks to you. I start things but have no energy to follow through; you’re the one busy tidying up the details,” Lu Jin said gratefully, not just to please her.

“I wanted you to rest, simply tending flowers, playing the zither, reading books—that was enough. I never imagined you would have to shoulder all these burdens. Your personal maid has nearly become an accountant, and you as the ‘financial director’ must spend much time learning to manage resources and finances alongside me,” Shen Yanxi confessed.

“It’s my blessing to help you. You needn’t share everything with me; I understand your intentions. We are one. Even if we lived simply, wearing coarse linen and eating plain food, I would be content,” she said.

“But I cannot bear to see you so burdened. Our family is large; if you choose some clever members or your own kin and teach them carefully, they will be of great use. You have more and more on your plate; I won’t let you exhaust yourself,” Lu Jin said. A few were already learning, but not nearly enough.

“I will remember your words,” Shen Yanxi replied.

“Look what I brought you,” Lu Jin said, entering the study and handing two small bags to Shen Yanxi.

She squeezed the bags, feeling something like fine sand. What mischief was he up to now?

Seeing her curious gaze, Lu Jin smiled, “Open them and taste.”

Shen Yanxi unsealed the bags to find fine, snow-white granules, like tiny grains of sand. She dipped a finger and tasted one, her eyes widening.

“Husband, this… is salt?” Though a noble daughter, she had never seen such fine salt.

“Now, have some tea, then try the other one,” Lu Jin offered a teacup to her lips, enjoying her surprised expressions whenever he introduced something new.

“Sugar?” Her eyes grew even wider. It felt like a dream. A few days ago, he had asked about salt and sugar, and now he had already begun collecting salt wells. She fully understood the value of these two. Even without his other inventions, this salt alone could make a noble family fabulously wealthy. People might refuse wine, but none can live without salt.

And yet, he gave such treasures to her without hesitation, time and again.

“I plan to have the Shen family’s salt ponds operate the sugar business exclusively—not partnering with other noble families. It will be our unique enterprise,” Lu Jin explained. In this era, sugar was a luxury few could afford, so its demand was less than salt’s.

“As for salt, we’ll treat it like the wine—establishing the Jiangzhou Salt Bureau to manage refined salt. You once said noble families’ loyalties vary. I say the world’s hustle and bustle is all for profit. We’ll weave a web to bind them tightly. I’ve written down the details here; take a look when you have time, and discuss with your father to gauge the family’s stance.”

Lu Jin was overwhelmed with affairs and couldn’t manage them all alone. He wanted Shen Yanxi to have a lighter workload, but she couldn’t remain ignorant either. Should anything happen to him, it would be catastrophic. That was why he was gradually allowing her to take the lead.

Shen Yanxi was startled by her husband’s grand vision and ruthless tactics. Once a family was caught in this web, escape would be impossible.

“Also, this salt-making technique must be preserved carefully. It’s our family heirloom,” Lu Jin said, implying much with few words. Shen Yanxi, as a noblewoman, understood perfectly.

“Husband!” With tearful eyes, Shen Yanxi threw herself into Lu Jin’s arms. No words could express the trust and responsibility she felt. She wondered if her simple, honest husband truly understood that every one of his creations shook the realm. Did he not worry?

Did Lu Jin fear? No! When he decided to be with Shen Yanxi and resolve the feud with the Shen family over a single cup of wine, he staked his entire life.

If betrayal was an unavoidable constant, and even their love could not withstand trials, then such a world was not worth cherishing. There was nothing left for him to hold dear.