Liang Yun was overjoyed. He picked up the wine jar and was about to drink when Liang Xiao stopped him.
"This wine is potent. Don't drink it like that; you'll waste it."
Liang Yun said confidently, "How strong can it be? I've drunk a whole jar of Bai Chun Tower's eighteen-year-old Daughter Red!"
As he spoke, Liang Yun raised the wine jar and took a gulp.
"Pfft!"
The potent wine burned his throat, and Liang Yun turned to spit a mouthful onto the ground. He wiped his mouth and placed the wine jar on the table.
"What's Bai Chun Tower's Daughter Red compared to this?" Liang Xiao looked at Liang Yun with a half-smile.
Liang Yun stared blankly at the wine jar, savoring the taste that had already entered his mouth.
It was somewhat… stimulating…
But… it was also incredibly mellow, leaving a lingering fragrance in his mouth!
Liang Yun, who appreciated good wine, felt a lightness spread through his body, his mind filled with the aroma of the wine!
Reluctantly, Liang Yun moved his Adam's apple, swallowed again, and looked at the wine he had just spat onto the ground with a pained expression.
Such excellent wine, and he had wasted a large mouthful!
His heart aching, Liang Yun slapped himself and, with trembling hands, reached for the wine jar again, looking at Liang Xiao with excitement.
"Second Brother, is this the kind of wine you're trying to make??"
He had thought Liang Xiao was talking nonsense earlier, but now, he was starting to believe it!
Liang Xiao nodded, "I plan to mass-produce it. To prevent the process from being leaked, I've commissioned different artisans to craft the brewing tools separately. Production will begin soon."
Liang Yun was filled with excitement and quickly asked, "What's this wine called?"
Liang Xiao pursed his lips, "Let's call it 'One Drunk Hundred Years' for now!"
In the past, when Liang Xiao undertook missions, he had encountered various wineries, some producing renowned wines. However, the wine Liang Xiao produced was still different from those famous brands.
After all, the raw materials, tools, environment, and aging period here were far from those of truly famous wines.
But here, it was enough. Enough to completely outshine countless other fine wines!
"'One Drunk Hundred Years,' a good name! But how can we sell it for a thousand taels a jar?" Liang Yun gazed at the wine jar with delight, already reluctant to drink it.
Liang Xiao burst into laughter.
"Scarcity breeds value! Initially, we'll create a sense of shortage. If I add a little more fuel to the fire, those wealthy and influential figures, seeking face and status, will surely fight tooth and nail for it. Once we have enough capital, we'll mass-produce it, gradually reducing the price from a hundred taels per jar to ten taels, until it's accessible to everyone, and then to a popular price."
Liang Yun was so excited that the fat on his face trembled, "How do we add fuel to the fire?"
Liang Xiao said confidently, "You don't need to worry about that. I have my own ideas. As for you, besides ensuring the technique isn't leaked, you mustn't drink it yourself. If you get drunk and mess things up, I'll have to find someone else for the job."
His cousin, he noted, was not interested in women, nor did he enjoy martial arts. Instead, he focused on eating, drinking, reading, and wine.
Liang Yun was startled and quickly waved his hands, "I'd rather die than sneak a drink, and leaking the technology is even more impossible! After all, you promised me a ten percent share, didn't you? How could I cut off my own source of income!"
Liang Xiao nodded, "A ten percent share. In the future, if necessary, I'll allow you to start your own business and open workshops across the country."
Liang Yun repeatedly shook his head, "No need! I'm not cut out for business. It's easiest for me to help you out and get a share. The money will be enough for me to live as a wealthy man!"
As he spoke, Liang Yun hugged the 'One Drunk Hundred Years' jar, "Second Brother, your health isn't good, so you shouldn't drink. This jar of 'One Drunk Hundred Years,' let me bear the harm to my body for you."
Liang Xiao couldn't help but roll his eyes and generously gifted it to him.
Liang Yun was ecstatic. He drank half the jar of 'One Drunk Hundred Years' on the spot and finally collapsed on the table, fast asleep.
Liang Xiao was taken aback and secretly pleased.
With this capacity for alcohol, his cousin had essentially given up any hope of sneaking drinks.
Liang Xiao sealed the lid and had guards carry Liang Yun and the 'One Drunk Hundred Years' back to Liang Yun's residence before heading towards the depths of the courtyard.
Zhen Mi was at the door, held in Yue Lian's arms, tears streaming down her face.
"Mi'er, who bullied you?" Liang Xiao asked.
Zhen Mi looked at Liang Xiao and replied with a sob, "Mi'er is just too happy, too touched… How can Mi'er ever repay Brother Xiao enough in this lifetime?"
Liang Xiao chuckled speechlessly, and after a long pause, said, "You don't need to repay me! As long as you and your sister Yue Lian are happy, safe, and carefree, I will be content. However, you still need to read. After all, reading makes one wise and can cultivate your temperament."
"But, this isn't repaying Brother Xiao…"
As Zhen Mi was about to say more, Liang Xiao interrupted her.
"I also wish to be a wealthy man, living a carefree life. But I can foresee that the days ahead will not be peaceful. To protect you all, and the millions of common people in Da Gan, I cannot remain detached forever. When I return home with a weary body and see you all, my mood will improve, and I'll feel that everything is worth it. That, is enough."
These were Liang Xiao's heartfelt words.
On the day of the decisive battle, he had barely clung to life. Waking up and seeing Liang Qing and Yue Lian, he had felt a great sense of relief.
His family was safe, the common people were safe, it was worth it!
If it could bring peace and prosperity to the nation, this mere physical injury was nothing to be concerned about!
This was the eternal military spirit inherited by Chinese soldiers, something that even Liang Xiao, having lived two lives, could never extinguish.
Even Yue Lian's beautiful eyes were filled with tears as she looked at Liang Xiao with emotion, nodding obediently.
After giving a few instructions, Liang Xiao hurried away.
The two sisters gazed intently at the doorway where Liang Xiao had left.
After a long while, Yue Lian came back to her senses and sighed softly.
"Young Master is the best in the world."
Zhen Mi nodded in agreement and asked, "Then how is Sister Yue Lian repaying Brother Xiao? Will she give herself to him in the future?"
Upon hearing this, Yue Lian's heart fluttered, her face flushed crimson. She stammered, "How can this sister hope for such a thing? He is the best man in the world. Apart from Miss Luo, if there is anyone else who can match him, it would only be that widely renowned Princess…"
Zhen Mi, seemingly understanding but not quite, fell into thought.
Court session.
Xiao Qing held Liang Xiao's book, "Refutation of the Spring Revival Sect," and smiled as he looked at the officials below.
"My lords, I have something to announce."
The officials looked at Xiao Qing with confusion, not understanding at all.
At some point, their Emperor had stopped addressing them as "My dear ministers" and had begun using "My lords."
This change, though seemingly minor, had not gone unnoticed by these shrewd individuals.
"The Spring Revival Sect has always been a cancer in our country, difficult to eradicate, even troubling His Majesty the former Emperor. Now, guided by a wise master, I intend to promote this book. I have discussed this with the Prime Minister, and he also believes this is an excellent and feasible approach!"
Everyone looked towards Wang Canghai.
Wang Canghai stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty is wise! This book is sufficient to prevent the Spring Revival Sect from misleading people. Even if it cannot eradicate the sect, it will be enough to bring clarity to the entire Da Gan nation and make the populace deeply abhor the Spring Revival Sect!"
The officials became even more perplexed, and they all inquired about the contents of "Refutation of the Spring Revival Sect."
Ou Yangji, the Minister of Revenue, stepped forward and asked, "I humbly ask, who is the wise master that authored this book for Your Majesty?"
"For me?" Xiao Qing blinked, a flush appearing on his face before he quickly regained his composure. "To avoid retaliation from the Spring Revival Sect, it is temporarily inconvenient to reveal the wise master's name."
Although the officials were filled with doubt, with Wang Canghai's endorsement, they all expressed their support.
Ou Yangji stepped forward again, "I have something to report! Liang Xiao, the grandson of the Left General, recently assaulted refugees in the refugee camp and then selected six hundred people from among the refugees with significant compensation, appearing to be harboring and training death warriors. I implore Your Majesty to grant permission for his punishment!"