Out of the Yushitai together, Wang Su said to Li Dui: "A few colleagues in the Sheren Academy, I heard that I make spirits there, so we made an appointment to try it together." If Zixi is fine, how about joining in the fun? When you first come to Beijing, you should get to know more people. ”

Li Dui readily agreed. At this time, among the several Qing important yamen, the academy was high, and it was not easy to move around with the scholars. The one in the Zhiyuan is rich and dignified, and he doesn't move around much with his colleagues, and even the counselors are alone. Only a few intellectuals in the House House are easier to talk to, and they usually interact more with their colleagues. Most of them had old relations with the king, and when they heard that he had new wine in his house, they coaxed him to be a host.

Seeing that it was still early, Wang Su found a public servant and went to call the superintendent Sun Wei and Xue You. The status of Cheng and Zhiza in the imperial history is too high, and they go out to attract people's attention when they go out to the guard of honor, and they generally do not associate with these middle and lower-level officials.

The supervision of the imperial history is under the imperial history and the imperial history in the palace, and Sun Wei and Xue You are new to the capital, so there is no doubt about it.

When they arrived at Wang Su's house, they didn't sit for long, and the three intellectuals Wang Gongchen, Ye Qingchen and Su Shen arrived together. came with Wang Gongchen, He Zhongli brought Wu Kejiu and Cao Jucheng, and Su Shen brought his son Su Song. These are all people who are going to participate in the next imperial examination, Du Zhongxiao is making wine here, and Ouyang Xiu and others are advocating it, so Su Shen brought his son over to communicate.

Everyone sat down, and Wang Su called a subordinate to ask: "Du Xiaoguan, who came from Xuzhou, is he still making wine there?" ”

The subordinate replied respectfully: "Back to the officials, Du Xiaoguan went to Xiangguo Temple in the morning to buy some books, and then read books in the place where the wine was made." ”

Ye Qingchen said: "It is very magical to make wine from the lees and turn useless things into treasures, let's go over and have a look." ”

Everyone said yes, and they came to the small courtyard where Du Zhongxiao made wine.

Before arriving at the small courtyard, he smelled a strong aroma of wine, Ye Qingchen smiled: "No wonder everyone says that the wine that comes out of the lees is powerful, and smelling this smell is better than when I make wine at home." I don't know what secret method this person used to be so magical. ”

Wu Kejiu, who was beside He Zhongli, said: "Hui Xianggong, it's not magical, it's just steaming the residual wine out of the lees." As long as there is a big pot and a big retort, it will be prepared. ”

Ye Qingchen said curiously: "Ah, don't you also know how to make wine?" ”

Wu Kejiu arched his hand: "The students are also from Xuzhou, where there are many people who sell this kind of wine, and they can learn it by luck." ”

Ye Qingchen was about to ask again, but Li Dui said lightly: "This is a small member of the 'Qixiangju' in Benguan Township, a big family, and he stole the method from the Du family, who made wine inside, so he naturally knows it." Although the saying does not avoid people, it is just that the method of making wine in this wine lees is a means for the Du family to make a living, and it is not good for others to learn it after all. Outside Wu Xiaoyuan, remember not to spoil the Du family's food and clothing, otherwise it will be difficult to talk in the state and county. ”

Wu Kejiu's face was pale, so he had to give up. He thought that when he arrived in the capital, he didn't make money by selling spirits, and no one would say anything to help others make wine. These big families are rich and powerful, as long as they tie up with one of them, they will have infinite benefits in the future. Du Zhongxiao can help others make wine, of course he can, but he doesn't want Li Dui to look at him unpleasantly, so he has to mention from time to time that his method was stolen from Du Zhongxiao.

Cao Jucheng was well-behaved and quietly pulled Wu Kejiu's clothes, and the two slowly fell behind the crowd.

Far away, Cao Jucheng complained: "Li Guanren doesn't like you, why are you still making wine in front of him?" ”

Wu Kejiu said: "There are so many big families in the capital, and there is more than one royal servant. If I let people know my methods, and make wine for the rich and powerful, I may have some good luck. Fortune has come, and it may be possible to know the prime minister. ”

Cao Jucheng shook his head again and again, but only whispered to Wu Kejiu to be careful and talk as little as possible. These people in the capital are either rich or expensive, and they are different from the rich landlords in the countryside.

When I entered the small courtyard, I saw a few people burning the fire next to the pot to catch wine, and they were not busy. Under the tree next to him, Du Zhongxiao leaned against the big tree, holding a book in his hand and looking at it. Du Zhongxiao looked at it seriously, and didn't notice that everyone came in.

Li Dui coughed and said to Du Zhongxiao: "Virtuous nephew, come to a few officials to watch you make wine, come and visit." ”

Du Zhongxiao raised his head, put down the book, and saw several people in regular clothes standing at the door, even Li Dui was standing behind the people, and he knew that a big man was coming today. The imperial history is noble, and ordinary officials, even if they are one or two levels higher than them, can only intersect equally. The one who can make Li Dui line up at the back of the crowd must be an important figure in the court.

Putting the book by his side, Du Zhongxiao stepped forward and saluted: "Student Du Zhongxiao, I have seen all the officials." ”

Wang Su introduced the people around him one by one, and said: "Several Xianggong are all wine lovers, and I heard that the wine you make from the lees is very powerful, so I came to try it." It's just that you once said that the original wine is too strong, and it is not easy to taste, I don't know if it is harmful to the body? ”

"As long as you don't drink too much, it's not harmful to your body, it's just a little uplifting."

Ye Qingchen said with a smile: "If you drink too much, how can you not get up, what is this!" Left and right tomorrow will be closed, let's fight to get drunk today, and see how powerful this wine is. Young man, go and find some good wine. Since it is Shilin, come and have a drink together! ”

Seeing Ye Qingchen standing at the front, Du Zhongxiao knew that this was the biggest official today, and arched his hand: "Back to Xianggong, make wine from the lees, the wine that comes out at the beginning can't be drunk, and the wine that comes out at the end is weak and can't be drunk, but now it's just right." ”

Ye Qingchen said: "That's the case, let's take a cup and taste it!" ”

After speaking, he took everyone to the place where the wine was steamed, and saw how the wine was made.

The Wang family's sake lees are piled up like a mountain, and they have been made for two days at this time, and the steamed sake lees have been shipped out of the city to the pig-raising families according to Du Zhongxiao's words, and the rest will still be steamed for two or three days. By this time, the quality of the wine had stabilized, and the place where the wine was received flowed into the jar like a stream.

After turning around the pot and the retort, Su Shen said: "It's weird, the wine was steamed like this." ”

Wang Su ordered someone to take the wine glass, Ye Qingchen took it, and filled the wine jar with the glass. When he took it in front of him, he praised it: "This wine is so clear!" There are many famous wines in the capital, and none of them can compare! ”

After saying that, drink it all.

When the wine went down, it rolled down his throat like a piece of charcoal, and Ye Qingchen's face immediately turned red. After coughing a few times, Ye Qingchen opened his mouth and exhaled a few breaths before he said: "It's so powerful, this wine is like a piece of fire, and it wants to burn through the stomach!" This wine is as powerful as a fire! ”

Du Zhongxiao said: "Don't hide it, the student has tried it, this wine can really be ignited, isn't it just like fire." At first, it was hot, and after a while, it was soothing, fluttering. It is a restaurant in the student's hometown, which sells this wine exclusively and is called 'Drunken Immortal Brew'. ”

Wang Su listened, took another cup, also went to take a small half cup, drank it in one gulp, smacked his lips and said: "It's really weird, I drank the liquor brought by Li Dianzhong that day, but it wasn't so powerful." Is wine different? ”

Du Zhongxiao shook his head: "The wine is the same, but I drank it for a long time that day." The wine is old, and the natural taste of the new wine is a little worse. ”