Xi Zhicai took another sip of his wine.

Unless the potential benefits presented to Chu Yan were so great that he had no choice but to act.

And that would depend on Lord Qiao’s skills.

At this moment, Qiao Yan had already led her people to Jinyang.

However, the cart loaded with the new wine remained outside Jinyang, carefully guarded.

Qiao Yan only brought Yang Xiu along.

Yang Xiu, Dian Wei, and Zhao Yun entered Jinyang City, with Dian Wei carrying several wine gourds on his back, filled with the yellow wine produced through the supplemented fermentation process.

Having previously familiarized himself with the city while purchasing ceramic vats, yeast, and researching local wineries, Yang Xiu naturally took on the role of guide.

As they walked, he explained, “The most famous wineries in this city are backed by the influential families of Taiyuan, primarily the Tang and Wang families.”

Coming from the prominent Yang family, Yang Xiu was well-acquainted with such matters.

He continued, “The Taiyuan Wang family is actually divided into two branches: the Jinyang Wang and the Qixian Wang.

The latter has a long history of producing notable officials and talents, with Wang Yun, also known as Wang Zishi, being one of their prominent members.

However, the former has also seen some prosperity recently, particularly with the brothers Wang Shuyou and Wang Jidao.”

“As for the Tang family, if we trace their roots back, it goes all the way to the pre-Qin period.”

“Like the Tang of Tang Ju, the strategist from the Warring States period,” Qiao Yan recalled, referring to the famous “Tang Ju did not disgrace his mission.”

“Exactly,” Yang Xiu confirmed. “However, a branch of Tang Ju’s descendants moved to Peiguo during the early Han dynasty, and another branch relocated to Danyang a few decades ago.

As a result, the Jinyang Tang family has been in decline in recent years.”

At that moment, they passed by the Tang family winery, prompting Yang Xiu to suggest, “In my opinion, if we want to maximize our benefits, we should choose the Tang family.

With their decline, they can’t compete with the Wang family.

If we offer them a unique winemaking technique now, they would naturally be willing to pay a higher price.”

The suggestion sounds somewhat reasonable.

However, Qiao Yan didn’t show any decisive attitude towards his suggestion.

Instead, she said, “Let’s not rush into things. Let’s take a look at the Wang family’s winery first.”

As Yang Xiu mentioned, the emergence of the brothers Wang Shuyou and Wang Jidao, while not providing direct support to the Wang family at the moment, would undoubtedly influence the overall atmosphere of the family.

In these influential families, as long as there are figures capable of upholding their prestige, their impact on the overall atmosphere is undeniable.

The Wang family winery seemed more grandiose from the outside compared to the Tang family’s, and as they arrived in Jinyang near dusk, it was the busiest time for the wineries, highlighting the contrast between the two.

Considering Yang Xiu’s suggestion, it seemed reasonable to choose the Tang family.

It is usually more profitable to entrust competitive products to those who are slightly at a disadvantage but still have purchasing power.

This ensures maximum profit.

However, after observing the two wineries for a while, Qiao Yan made a decision: “Let’s go with the Wang family.”

While she had made a preliminary decision during her time in Le Ping, she wanted to reassess the situation now that they were in Jinyang.

The suggestion sounds somewhat reasonable.

As for why he chose the Wang family instead of the Tang family…

Qiao Yan handed a letter to Dian Wei to deliver to the mansion of the Wang family in Jinyang City.

It wasn’t until the next day when Yang Xiu visited that he learned the answer.

During her meeting with Wang Yang, the patriarch of the Wang family, when he asked with some confusion why Qiao Yan, the Marquis of Leiping County, had come,

Qiao Yan calmly gave an unexpected answer.

“I’ve come to protect the Xiongnu Colonel.”

Wang Yang couldn’t help but be surprised. ” Shu You?”

The Xiongnu Colonel referred to was Wang Shu You, also known as Wang Rou, mentioned earlier by Yang Xiu.

When he and his younger brother were only twelve or thirteen years old, they met the renowned critic Guo Linzong from the same county.

When asked about their future, Guo Linzong said that he would become famous as an official.

This assessment did not prove wrong.

In his thirties, he reached the position of Xiongnu Colonel, a position of strength and vigor.

What is the Xiongnu Colonel for?

This is not a position that requires leaving the boundaries of the Han Empire.

It even serves south of Taiyuan, specifically in the southwestern direction of Jinyang, in Xihexian County.

During the Han Dynasty, the Xiongnu were divided into Southern Xiongnu and Northern Xiongnu,

A split that occurred in the year 48 AD, during the 24th year of Jianwu.

The Southern Xiongnu submitted to the Han court and were settled by Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, in the area around Meiji City in Xihexian County.

The position of Xiongnu Colonel was established at this time, tasked with governing and restraining the various Southern Xiongnu tribes who had submitted to the Han Empire’s territory.

In this generation, it was held by Wang Rou, a prominent figure of the Wang family in Jinyang.

Qiao Yan replied, “Exactly, I’ve come for Wang Shu You.”

This was indeed an answer that puzzled Wang Yang.

It’s worth noting that there was no particular relationship between Qiao Yan, the Marquis of Leiping County, and Wang Rou.

They were located on opposite sides of Bingzhou, with hardly any opportunity for interaction, let alone any vested interests or connections.

According to the information received from the Wang family branch in Leiping County,

Qiao Yan had been busy with administrative affairs in Leping and didn’t seem like someone who would suddenly extend their influence so far.

However, Wang Yang was a shrewd individual.

Despite his inner confusion, he didn’t show any hint of it on his face.

He simply asked, “I wonder what matter Marquis Qiao has to convey to Shu You?”

To which Qiao Yan promptly asked in return, “Would the elder care for a drink?”

This was yet another unexpected question for him.

The mention of Wang Rou earlier didn’t seem related to the current conversation.

But he still replied calmly, “A little sip is fine.”

“Then please warm this wine and bring it back,” Qiao Yan gestured, and Dian Wei handed her the wine pot he carried with him.

Wang Yang glanced at the vessel holding the wine.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that this thing didn’t quite match Qiao Yan’s status.

Luckily, it was Qiao Yan who presented it.

If someone else had brought it to him, he might not even have bothered to look at it.

The wine brought afterward, warmed, didn’t seem exceptional in appearance.

In today’s world, the price of wine still distinguished between the quality of ingredients and the clarity of the liquid.

The Wang family had a stake in the wine industry and often used wine to display elegance.

Naturally, they were not ignorant about it.

But with one look, he knew this wasn’t some precious item.

However, as soon as he tasted it, he noticed its exquisite taste.

The rich aroma of this wine far exceeded what was usual for such appearances.

“This is…”

Qiao Yan replied, “The rice and wheat used in this wine come from within the city of Jinyang, as does the fermentation starter.

Since my arrival in Leping, I have been brewing this wine. It can be ready in a month during the summer,

But if the time is extended, the flavor will surely be even better. So, I wonder if the elder would be willing to engage in this trade with me.”

When Qiao Yan mentioned that the ingredients and fermentation starter were from Jinyang, Wang Yang’s attitude, originally assuming the other party was just an ordinary visitor, completely changed.

Now, hearing about this business matter, although talking about money in aristocratic circles might seem a bit mundane,

He couldn’t help but sit up a bit straighter.

However, he clearly couldn’t show his interest so openly.

Instead, he asked, “What does this have to do with uncle you mentioned earlier?”

Qiao Yan replied, “The meaning of business lies in profit.

The elder understands this principle better than I do.

If the benefits of a matter are not confined to one aspect, or if one side is clearly superior upon comparison, a choice can naturally be made.”

Wang Yang nodded, listening to Qiao Yan continue, “The only thing that makes me choose between the Wang family and the Tang family is benefit.

The Wang family has branches in Leping County and is also prominent in Jinyang City.

However, it cannot surpass the potential benefits that the Tang family may offer with higher stakes.

The reason I chose to come to the Wang family is because of Shu You.”

Wang Yang understood.

Just Wang Rou’s talent and abilities alone were obviously not enough to make Qiao Yan make such a decision; there must be some other reason.

Sure enough,

Immediately, Wang Yang heard Qiao Yan continue, “In the second year of Guanghe, General Zhang Xiu unlawfully killed the Chanyu Huzheng and supported the Righteous King Qiangqu as the new Chanyu.

In the fifth year of Guanghe, Wang Shuyou took over Zhang Xiu’s position as the Protector General of the Xiongnu.”

However, Qiangqu, being the Righteous King, did not adhere to the Xiongnu rule of favoring the left.

In the past, Qiao Yan’s grandfather served as the General of Duli,

Supervising troops in Wuyuan, and had a keen interest in the situation in Bingzhou.

Even before I came to Bingzhou, I had heard that Zhang Xiu killed the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu simply because Huzheng was not close to our Han Dynasty.

On the other hand, Qiangqu was more compliant.

However, Qiangqu’s ascension was not legitimate, and there were many grievances among the Southern Xiongnu.

This was the dilemma faced by Wang Shuyou.

In fact, this dilemma was exacerbated later on.

After the Southern Xiongnu surrendered to the Han Dynasty, the Protector General often used his power and military force to interfere with the appointment of the Chanyu among the Southern Xiongnu, ensuring that the leaders were pro-Han.

This was to have the Southern Xiongnu as a subdued ally when needed.

The situation of appointing Qiangqu after the killing of Huzheng by Zhang Xiu was such a case.

So, in the fourth year of Zhongping, when Zhang Chun and Zhang Ju of Youzhou colluded with the Wuhuan in rebellion, the local military forces were insufficient, and the court directly conscripted troops from the subordinates of Qiangqu of the Southern Xiongnu.

But it was precisely this conscription that caused a big problem.

The son of Qiangqu, Yufuluo, led his troops away from the court of the Southern Xiongnu in Xihexian County.

Dissatisfied with the need to sacrifice the lives of their people, he immediately united with other noble families of the Southern Xiongnu Left Division and killed Qiangqu.

They then proceeded to kill several officials in Bingzhou, sparking the beginning of Bingzhou’s division and invasion by the Xiongnu and Xianbei.

Now, Wang Shuyou of Taiyuan’s Wang family is facing a potential crisis that has not yet erupted, but there are already grievances within the Xiongnu against the Han Dynasty.

Wang Yang was certainly well aware of this situation, but hearing Qiao Yan mention it suddenly still surprised him.

It didn’t seem like something someone her age would be considering.

However, Qiao Yan felt that since she was already in Bingzhou, she should at least thoroughly consider how to make the most of her five years without having to pay tribute.

While the nearby Black Mountain bandits were one aspect, another potential crisis on the western side of Bingzhou couldn’t be completely ignored either.

From the initial idea of buying grain to the deeper exploration of the bargaining chips in the brewing method, it had become much more than just a test for Yang Xiu.

From buying grain supplies for Leping and establishing a long-term supply chain,

To how much profit she could gain,

How much she needed to take the lead in the early development of Leping,

How much she needed to rely on other forces,

And whether she needed to balance the relationship between fame and profit,

all became issues she had to reconsider deeply within this month.

So now, she said to the decision-makers of the Wang family in Jinyang, “If we choose the Tang family, we’ll only be seeking small gains. But if we choose the Wang family, we aim for something greater, both in terms of reputation and profit.”

Qiao Yan smiled and asked, “From the elder’s perspective, leaving aside other sales channels, is it possible for this wine to be sold to the Southern Xiongnu?”