Chapter Fourteen: Mao Town Wine

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The distillery Chen Yuchong referred to was none other than the recently renowned "Mao Town Liguo Distillery."

Nestled beside the picturesque Chishui River, whose waters are crystal clear and climate temperate, this locale is ideal for brewing yellow and white liquors.

It was said that during his early years in commerce, Chen Yuchong had formed many connections with Dutch traders and was well-versed in Western knowledge. Even during the tenure of the Ye Tusi, Chen Yuchong had already presented profitable brewing strategies.

After taking control of the Ye estate, he further expanded the distillery, boldly yet cautiously innovating traditional brewing techniques by integrating both Chinese and Western methods. Chen Yuchong introduced finer raw material selection, temperature control, and aging technologies, resulting in Mao Town liquor with a crystalline hue, rich aroma, and mellow taste, surpassing other spirits by far.

Soon, Mao Town liquor from Liguo Distillery became a coveted treasure among nobles and literati. Its unique flavor and exceptional quality elicited widespread admiration. In no time, Mao Town liquor became a symbol of status and taste, sparking unprecedented frenzy across Sichuan and Guizhou.

Chen Yuchong also extended its reach nationwide—and even to frontier regions—through caravan trade and waterways.

Mentioning Mao Town Distillery now was clearly a show of force by Chen Yuchong—the distillery generated enormous revenue for Chishui Prefecture and paid substantial taxes to the Ming court. The name of Chen Yuchong as Tusi was truly well-earned.

Simultaneously, this added significant weight to Ye Yiwen’s bid for power, as the distillery's profits involved many interests, forcing many to reconsider their positions.

From the perspective of a time traveler, Yun Zheng had to admit Chen Yuchong showed some foresight—after all, in his original world, Maotai liquor only rose to fame during the Qianlong reign of the Qing dynasty. Chen Yuchong had preemptively transformed Maotai Village into Maotai Town more than a century earlier.

But that was just a bit of foresight.

Yun Zheng spoke with biting sarcasm: “The southwestern border is ravaged by endless wars; the people suffer through fire and water, barely scraping by. Vast fertile fields lie fallow due to conflict, and countless souls teeter on the edge of starvation, their misery beyond words.”

“Yet in such hardship, some indulge in luxury, squandering precious and scarce grain on brewing liquor.”

“‘Behind red mansions, wine and meat rot; on the roadside, frozen bones lie’—this is nothing less.”

“The reigning emperor is infinitely wise; such wanton waste will surely be punished severely. When that day comes, Chief Manager Chen will have no choice but to reap the bitter fruits and walk the path of ruin.”

Having said this, Yun Zheng boldly twisted open the bottle before him, bypassed a cup, and gulped down a large mouthful. Afterward, he cracked open some peanuts. Indeed, the liquor was soft and smooth on the palate, crisp and refreshing, with a fragrant aroma and lingering aftertaste—a truly fine wine, no less exquisite than the modern Maotai he had tasted before crossing over.

Though criticizing Chen Yuchong, with such good liquor at hand, how could he not enjoy it? Moreover, if Chen Yuchong fell, the distillery would belong to Miss Ye anyway. If one wished to gauge the people's plight and reduce production, that was a matter for after the dust settled.

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Everyone in the Tusi mansion changed their expressions: How did this black-faced young officer come with a tongue sharper than even the censors?

Chen Yuchong saw Yun Zheng drinking honestly yet speaking with such venom and inwardly resented it, but he understood it was deliberate provocation.

He then said, “Young General, you jest. Most raw materials for the distillery come from Sichuan, which was historically known as the Land of Abundance. Even in years of famine, there was surplus grain. If one were to transport such grain to the arid northwest or the rugged heartland of Yunnan and Guizhou, it would be expensive and suffer losses en route. Yet Chishui Prefecture lies at the westernmost edge of Zunyi, adjacent to the Sichuan plains, with smooth waterways that allow grain to be transported cheaply and efficiently. It is a benefit without great cost.”

This was plainly a flimsy excuse, yet barely plausible. Indeed, in Chishui Prefecture, grain could be imported from the Sichuan plains via the Jinsha and Chishui Rivers. During the reign of Ye Tianwang, large quantities of Sichuan grain were purchased to compensate for the poor soil.

“True,” Yun Zheng stroked his chin and blinked, “Ye Tianwang already procured much Sichuan grain. Yet the previous two generations of Ye Tusi sold grain cheaply to the people or even distributed relief grain to the poor. You instead use the surplus entirely for brewing, leaving the people impoverished—how do you justify that?”

“Brewing is an industry; it cannot be built in a year or two. Our Chishui land is barren, and our only asset is the purest river water under heaven. We must create our own signature product. This is a small temporary cost; as the industry grows robust, the people's livelihoods will improve,” Chen Yuchong replied.

“Improve? I know Ye Tianwang rebuilt Chishui City, enriching the prefecture. Yet recently I have seen the city’s population declining. How long do you say it will take for things to improve?” Yun Zheng countered.

“A tree takes ten years to grow; a person a hundred. How can one develop a land without a long-term plan? In ten or twenty years, when Chishui prospers as the southwest’s jewel, you all will understand my effort,” Chen Yuchong sighed deeply, adopting the mien of a selfless reformer forging ahead despite misunderstanding.

“Yes, yes,” the maid who had ushered the group into the mansion interjected, “My master’s heart aches to make Chishui Prefecture as prosperous as Suzhou and Songjiang. He has exhausted himself but is misunderstood and must walk alone in darkness…” She became self-moved, bowed her head, and appeared on the verge of tears.

“Please, irrelevant servants refrain from speaking,” Ye Xi’s female clerk An Miaotong shot a glare at the maid, who shivered immediately. Chen Yuchong forced a smile and signaled the maid to be silent.

“Besides, I hear that General Yun, who solved Guizhou’s salt crisis by planting chili peppers, also invented a hotpot called the ‘Peace Under Heaven Pot,’ symbolizing a wish for universal peace. Though I cannot compare to General Yun’s talents, my loyalty to the state is just as sincere. The current emperor is a sage like Yao and Shun, destined to quell external threats and bring great peace. Mao Town liquor is the drink of a prosperous age, born to herald this auspicious era.”

The courtiers at the Tusi mansion listened in awe, switching between agreeing with Yun Zheng’s logic and feeling swayed by Chen Yuchong’s rhetoric.

The verbal duel between Yun Zheng and Chen Yuchong had entered a realm beyond their understanding. Traditionally, Tusi disputes were settled through open combat, ambushes, or midnight assassinations. Afterwards, the victor petitioned the court for formal recognition and inheritance rights.

This was different—words were like hidden daggers and spears, piercing hearts silently.

Yun Zheng chuckled, “You mentioned General Yun. I recall something—General Ye Xi commands a battalion under General Yun and is also a shareholder in his business. Are you trying to join their group with capital? Sorry, General Yun offers more.”

“Also, auspicious omens are not yours to declare; only the emperor can say. Calling it ‘auspicious’ repeatedly, Chief Manager Chen, are you trying to be a sycophantic eunuch like Wei Yan? Do you think His Majesty is a foolish ruler who favors flatterers?”

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Some nodded secretly—this servant Shuangfeng spoke sensibly. The current emperor favored upright and capable ministers, and despised eunuchs and treacherous officials. Especially after Wei Yan’s execution, everyone knew His Majesty loathed those who appeared obedient but wielded secret power.

Seeing Yun Zheng almost dominate the atmosphere, Chen Yuchong took a deep breath and said slowly, “According to Ye family tradition, if the heir is undecided, the adult Ye clan members and the five chief local heads—Tumu—shall discuss. Since only Young Master Yiwen and Miss Ye remain among the clan, the five Tumu will now vote.”

“Three major Tusi—Wumeng, Wusa, and Yongshun—will witness this vote. After the results, they will accompany me to petition the court to formally appoint the winner as the official Chishui Pacification Commissioner.”

After the Ye family massacre, the post of Chishui Pacification Commissioner was claimed simultaneously by Ye Xi and Ye Yiwen. Ye Xi’s claim was recognized only by Guizhou Provincial Governor Zhu Xieyuan, while the court remained neutral, which allowed old Shao from Sichuan to stir trouble so easily.

Yun Zheng knew this rule well—that was why he sought the support of the five Tumu before arriving.

Chen Yuchong had prepared accordingly, inviting the three major Tusi as witnesses to make the vote result indisputable.

Neither Yun Zheng nor Chen Yuchong wanted to start the voting process; bypassing it to seize the Tusi position outright would be ideal.

Whoever spoke first would lose momentum; clearly, this round, Chen Yuchong was on the back foot.

Before the three major Tusi, the five Tumu—Jin Kaijia, Mu Chuansheng, Shui Rouqin, Huo Kuangyan, and Tu Huaichen—each wrote their choice on a palm-sized plaque of golden Phoebe nanmu wood, then revealed them in turn.

First to reveal was Jin Tumu Jin Kaijia. This tall, fierce man was known for his bravery. Even in council, he wore golden chainmail gleaming with magnificence. His square face was purplish-brown, with thick eyebrows, round eyes, and many small pustules.

Over the years, Jin Kaijia had been fiercely loyal to Ye Xi and was a key informant for Yun Zheng and his group in Chishui Prefecture. His choice was thus predictable.

He unfolded his writing, which displayed a large character for “Xi.”

Next was the choice of Huo Tumu Huo Kuangyan. Less known was that this man had once been saved during the Shuixi wars by Yun Zheng, who used the alias Shuangfeng Tree—and was one of the people Yun Zheng had sought support from beforehand.

Yet Yun Zheng sensed that Huo Kuangyan’s gaze flickered nervously and his look toward him felt unnatural.