“Ask Yang Xiu to come see me.”

Being forced to admit to Qiao Yan that he was lacking in preparation because one necessary condition for the plan he had thought of had not yet been fulfilled,

Yang Xiu felt incredibly frustrated.

But upon hearing Qiao Yan affirm his train of thought as something not just anyone could come up with,

he couldn’t help but show a hint of delight.

However, as soon as Qiao Yan looked his way, he instinctively composed his expression.

Qiao Yan: “What’s there to be proud of about a plan that hasn’t even been implemented yet?”

Yang Xiu stubbornly retorted, “I’ve tasted countless fine wines in the capital. If I were to enter the wine business, I could naturally discern the qualities within.”

“But how many people can afford the kind of wine you’re talking about?” Qiao Yan’s words silenced Yang Xiu.

In reality, wine was undoubtedly a luxury item nowadays.

Even for commoners, being able to indulge in rough wine was already quite remarkable, let alone the exquisite wines Yang Xiu had encountered.

Even in such circumstances, during the Three Kingdoms period, both the Cao Wei and Shu Han camps had at one point implemented bans on alcohol.

For the distilleries today, suggestions from distinguished guests from Luoyang to improve the taste had no effect on them.

A more practical approach was clearly to improve the brewing techniques.

During the Northern Wei period,

Jia Sixie wrote a book considered a comprehensive agricultural technical treatise called “Essential Techniques for the Welfare of the People,”

In which he recorded eight methods of making yeast and over forty methods of brewing.

Qiao Yan wasn’t a computer, how could she remember all of it?

However, she did recall one method.

In the original history, a brewing method known as the Nine-Fermentation Spring Wine Method was invented by a county magistrate in Qiaojun, Peiguo.

After his death, this method spread and eventually reached Cao Cao.

Cao Cao then presented it to Emperor Xian of Han, Liu Xie, and later it was widely promoted under the rule of Cao Wei.

This method of brewing wine is known in later generations by a special name: the supplementary fermentation method.

In this process, the raw materials are not added all at once during a single fermentation cycle but are divided and added in nine separate increments.

This technique results in a wine that is richer and more mellow without significantly increasing the cost, giving it a competitive edge over similar products.

In the original memories of “Qiao Yan,” her father Qiao Yu, who served as the magistrate of Rencheng, had indeed met with this county magistrate.

Although Qiao Yu was not fond of drinking, he was deeply impressed by this wine.

The jar he bought was only brought out for small sips during New Year celebrations and other festive occasions.

If they were to use the wine workshop’s purchasing routes as a means to buy corn at a lower price, it would undoubtedly be a worthwhile bargaining chip.

However, since they have this bargaining chip, Qiao Yan thought it would be a waste to use it just for a one-time purchase of grain.

Why not seek a long-term development path instead?

While she pondered over this, considering it as a comprehensive plan for the future,

Yang Xiu misinterpreted her silence as a sign that she intended to send him back home.

He quickly said, “If this doesn’t work out, I’ll think of another way.”

He didn’t want to be sent back to Luoyang!

But the next moment, he heard Qiao Yan say, “No, it’s not that I think your approach is wrong. Mr. Zhongde and I also considered this method before, only…”

“We were just lacking some preparation,” she concluded.

“I have two tasks for you,” Qiao Yan said.

Upon hearing there was work to be done, Yang Xiu felt somewhat reassured that he might be able to stay. “Just tell me what needs to be done.”

“First, I need you to procure enough food to last for a month for our more than two hundred people, along with the pottery jars and grains needed for brewing wine. You can estimate the specific quantities required.”

This task was essentially a math problem, and Yang Xiu was confident he could handle it.

“The second task is to hire two or three people, preferably those with some understanding of the local wine brewing trade,” she added after a moment’s thought. “The cheaper, the better.”

Although they were planning for the long term, the initial investment couldn’t be too high.

With these two instructions, Yang Xiu could roughly deduce her plan.

Even though he had a sense of what she intended, he couldn’t help but ask, “If I handle these two tasks well, does that mean I can stay?”

Qiao Yan gave a particularly cautious response, “Unless your grandfather sends someone to fetch you, that is.”

For Yang Xiu, that assurance was enough.

As long as his grandfather’s men didn’t knock him out upon arrival, Yang Xiu felt he still had some room to maneuver.

After passing through Houma and Linfen, Yang Xiu requested the funds needed to accomplish the two tasks from Qiao Yan.

He also handed over the books he had brought from the Grand Commandant’s residence, leaving them in her custody.

Of course, as soon as Qiao Yan received these books, she promptly handed them over to Cai Yong, citing her inconvenience in storing them.

This way, she also gave him something to occupy himself with.

Perhaps this was unnecessary, since Cai Yong had already started thinking about what to inscribe on the cauldron he was making for Qiao Xuan.

Under such circumstances, he wouldn’t find the detour and extended journey boring.

Neither did Qiao Yan.

The route from Linfen to Taiyuan mostly wound through a narrow path between two mountains.

To the left was Luliang Mountain, and to the right was Taiyue Mountain.

The basin between these mountains stretched along a tributary of the Fen River.

Looking to both sides, she could see the distant mountain ridges shrouded in clouds.

Nearby, the river meandered through lush summer fields, presenting a scene of verdant beauty that contrasted sharply with the landscapes of Yanzhou and Jizhou.

It seemed like another world.

Although the natural scenery didn’t guarantee complete happiness, it at least offered a refreshing break from the constant tension of Luoyang.

The picturesque landscape made it really easy to relax.

At least here, away from the political machinations of the court, Qiao Yan could let her guard down somewhat.

Of course, compared to Qiao Yan’s ease, Yang Xiu was much more tense.

He had failed to complete his earlier procurement task, so he felt he had to handle these two tasks perfectly.

With this mindset, as soon as they entered the boundaries of Taiyuan Commandery, he took the team assigned by Qiao Yan and headed straight to the commandery seat, Jinyang.

In modern terms, there’s a story about how a competent employee and an incompetent one approach the same task.

Though young, Yang Xiu clearly belonged to the competent category.

With the aim of completing all possible tasks in one trip to Jinyang, he meticulously recorded the conditions of the rice and wine shops in the city before proceeding with the procurement and recruitment.

When he returned to the main group to report to Qiao Yan, he was visibly proud, confident that he could answer any questions she might have.

After Qiao Yan finished her questions, Yang Xiu began introducing the people he had recruited.

Two of them had been laid off by a local wine workshop due to poor management.

As a result, negotiating wages was relatively straightforward.

Moreover, working in Jinyang or Le Ping was equally distant from their homes, and considering the cost of living, the wage Yang Xiu offered was within their acceptable range.

Yang Xiu explained, “These two are experienced in wine brewing, and they agreed to a reasonable wage considering the living costs. Their previous workshop’s mismanagement worked in our favor.”

Qiao Yan nodded in approval, seeing the practical value in his thorough approach and resourcefulness.

“There’s also one person we recruited for free.”

Seeing Qiao Yan frown at this statement, Yang Xiu quickly explained, “I didn’t use any coercion. This person is not useless either. He’s simply a drunkard who claimed he’d work for wine.”

Following Yang Xiu’s direction, Qiao Yan saw a disheveled young man with a wine flask hanging from his waist, looking somewhat intoxicated.

However, his eyes were still clear, indicating he wasn’t drunk to the point of foolishness.

Qiao Yan couldn’t shake the feeling that this man was more than just an ordinary drunkard.

Driven by this intuition, and after Yang Xiu explained that this man spoke knowledgeably about the wine-making trade,

She asked, “What is his name?”

Although puzzled by Qiao Yan’s interest in a drunkard’s name,

Yang Xiu replied, “He claims his name is Zhi Cai. He says he’s not particularly intelligent or talented, and he hasn’t earned a scholarly title despite being an adult.

The surname is rare, but I recall that during the Spring and Autumn period, Xun Shou was granted the fief of Zhi. His descendants took Zhi as their surname, so it’s plausible he’s from this region in Jinzhong.”

Zhi Cai? The name indeed seemed unusual.

Satisfied with Yang Xiu’s explanation, Qiao Yan didn’t pursue the matter further.

She turned her attention back to the tasks at hand and began outlining the next steps for their brewing project.

“Very well,” she said. “Let’s proceed with what we’ve got. Ensure the supplies and personnel are well-coordinated. We have a lot of work ahead of us.”

Yang Xiu nodded, feeling relieved and motivated.

He quickly set about organizing the resources and manpower, ready to make their brewing enterprise a success.

Planning to settle down in Le Ping, Qiao Yan decided she would write down all the information she could remember about the supplementary fermentation method.

Then, she would leave this task to Yang Xiu to continue.

This would serve two purposes: it would provide Yang Xiu with a valuable learning experience and ensure continuity in their brewing project.

Having received Qiao Yan’s assurance, Yang Xiu felt much more confident.

With a settled mind, he began to entertain other thoughts.

For instance…

Although he grew up in a noble family in Luoyang, he had never been trained in horseback riding and archery.

Given his age, both Yang Ci and Yang Zhen prioritized his safety and didn’t let him engage in such activities prematurely.

Now, thinking that he wouldn’t be sent back for the time being, he decided to seize the opportunity to learn.

If Qiao Yan could ride a horse, he shouldn’t be left behind, confined to the carriage. It was time to learn!

Bao Hong was almost at his wit’s end with Yang Xiu.

Taking along the grandson of the Grand Commandant already made him feel like an accomplice in some conspiracy,

With the looming threat of the Yang family causing trouble for them once they returned to Luoyang.

Now, this young master also wanted to learn horseback riding.

He was just an innocent lieutenant, why did he have to deal with so much…

Yang Xiu approached Bao Hong with enthusiasm. “Captain Bao, since we have some time on this journey, I’d like to learn horseback riding. Could you teach me?”

Bao Hong looked at Yang Xiu, feeling the weight of responsibility. “Young Master Yang, riding isn’t something you can learn quickly. It requires patience and practice.”

“I understand,” Yang Xiu replied earnestly. “But I want to try. I don’t want to fall behind Miss Qiao.”

Seeing his determination, Bao Hong sighed. “Very well, I will teach you. But you must promise to follow my instructions carefully. Safety first.”

Yang Xiu nodded eagerly, “I promise.”

And so, amid their journey, Yang Xiu began his lessons in horseback riding under the watchful eye of Bao Hong.

This new challenge provided him with a sense of purpose and excitement, making the journey to Le Ping even more eventful.

Bao Hong cast a pleading look towards Qiao Yan, only to find her currently discussing something with Cheng Li, clearly unaware of the predicament he was facing at the moment.

Qiao Yan was happy to temporarily push this trouble aside.

After all, Bao Hong, due to his roundabout way of traveling, didn’t need to worry about sudden attacks from Black Mountain bandits.

It was better to put the extra energy to good use.

Besides, after passing through Jinyang, they weren’t too far from their final destination, Le Ping.

He just needed to endure these two days.

Ever since Yang Xiu went to Jinyang to recruit people to buy grain, the elevation of Taiyue Mountain along their route had gradually decreased.

Taiyue Mountain, with a peak altitude of over 2,500 meters, had now dwindled to rolling hills at its end.

After they turned east, it became a direct path through the mountains leading to Le Ping.

At this point, Bao Hong finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He could already foresee that the task of safely delivering Qiao Xuan’s body to Le Ping could be accomplished.

This undoubtedly relieved some of the pressure on him.

South of Jinyang, the Dongwo Waters flowing westward into the Fen River almost coincided with their journey.

As for the end of the river, it was the Beishan of Zhanyi County, and once they passed Beishan, they would reach Le Ping.

On this journey, Qiao Yan kept suggesting ways to make the trip smoother.

Awake to the fact that bandits lurk in the Taihang Mountains, and discovering Yang Xiu among Qiao Xuan’s carriages, Bao Hong’s pressure was beyond measure.

So much so that seeing even the somewhat barren Beishan, he felt as if he had stumbled upon a heavenly realm, almost getting too excited.

As he turned to look at Qiao Yan, the always composed Marquis of Leping, he noticed a hint of eagerness in her demeanor, probably because they were about to reach her domain.

That added a touch of reality to the situation.