Chapter 96: The Craft of Distilling Spirits

In the blacksmith’s workshop, a group of men, bare-chested and sweating profusely, pumped the bellows while rhythmically hammering iron with clanging sounds. The final iron lid had been forged, and several pipes were connected to the two furnaces—though no one quite knew their purpose.

The princess had instructed that once completed, the equipment should be sent directly to the brewery without delay. Several blacksmiths hoisted the two furnaces and made their way to the brewery.

In charge of the brewery was the red-nosed old man, Du Zhiteng—a man utterly devoted to alcohol, who drank three jars of barley beer a day while brewing. He was familiar with the distillation method the princess had described to him. Although it was strange and novel, this was the first time he had seen such peculiar furnaces.

After tapping on the furnaces delivered by the blacksmiths, he called over a few strong young brewers to begin the distillation process. It took a long time studying the instruction manual to fully understand the new brewing equipment. Du Zhiteng was eager to know what the burning sensation down the throat would feel like—just one bowl could cause intoxication, marking a potent brew indeed.

At Tianci Pavilion, Wu Yueling was surrounded by Xiaochun and Xiaomi, who were busy taking measurements of her waist and bust. Spring had arrived, and as the princess’s attendants, they naturally had to prepare new clothes for her.

“Princess, what color do you prefer for your clothes?” Xiaochun asked after measuring.

Helping the princess into her clothes, Xiaochun felt a touch of embarrassment seeing Wu Yueling’s slender and delicate frame. Her own round, chubby face flushed slightly with shame. Comparing with the previous measurements, she was surprised to find almost no change. Counting on her fingers, she realized it had been several months already. Despite various tonics given to the princess, she had not gained an ounce. Crossing her arms over her own soft, full chest, she felt she herself had grown more.

“Color? Black!” Wu Yueling answered without hesitation, saying only black looked comfortable.

“Princess, you cannot wear black. That color is reserved for those of low status—like me and Xiaochun, servants of the princess’s household,” Xiaomi immediately explained, disapproving of the princess’s choice of black or gray, emphasizing that status came first.

“Yes, Wan’er agrees too, but emerald green and red suit the princess well. Xiaochun, Xiaomi, your sewing skills are excellent; Wan’er can only learn from you on this!” Li Wan’er helped tidy up the clothes and added a word.

Seeing them look at her as if waiting for a decision, Wu Yueling waved her hand, saying, “I don’t mind! Both emerald green and red are fine!”

After Xiaochun and Xiaomi left, Wu Yueling began reviewing the brewery’s accounts. Excluding several other taverns run in cooperation with the princess’s household, the profits were considerable. The taverns in the eastern and western markets brought nearly three pieces of gold in income. Sales of barley beer were also thriving, helped by a scarcity-driven marketing strategy and some unsavory characters. There was no need to worry.

Leaning back in her chair with eyes closed, Wu Yueling pondered the expansion of the Journey to the West tavern across the entire Tang territory. Beyond profit, its most vital role was the spread of news and novel ideas.

Moreover, it might one day help counter unnecessary wars. Taverns were undoubtedly the best sources of information and intelligence, the very roots of the princess’s household tree.

Therefore, selecting personnel had to begin. To cultivate talent to manage the taverns, recruits would have to come from the household militia—after all, these men had undergone ideological reform, showing greater loyalty and suitability for such roles.

“Young lady, the Qin siblings request an audience in the hall!” Wan’er’s voice interrupted Wu Yueling’s thoughts. She opened her eyes.

“I understand. I’ll be there shortly!”

Soon in the main hall, Qin Huairen and Qin Muyu appeared before the princess.

“Brother Qin! Muyu! Judging by your looks, are you preparing to take your leave?” Wu Yueling asked, noticing their travel-worn attire and packs.

“Princess, you honor me. This time we leave to take my sister to the Daoist temple, where she will become a Daoist nun, and then we will return to Xiang Prefecture! After all, my father awaits news there. Please continue to look after Muyu after she enters the temple,” Qin Huairen said, bowing respectfully. In the past, there might have been some disdain, but now, with her status as princess, attitudes had changed. Besides, in Chang’an, she was the only trustworthy friend he had—a true companion beyond titles.

“No need for formality, Brother Qin. The Journey to the West tavern in Xiang Prefecture relies on you, and you can rest assured that Muyu will be well cared for here at the princess’s household,” Wu Yueling promised, producing several documents and tavern regulations. They had negotiated these matters before the new year. Some decisions were beyond Qin Huairen’s authority, but through pigeon post, the Qin patriarch in Xiang Prefecture had also agreed.

For now, there was no trusted shopkeeper appointed. The Xiang Prefecture venture was a trial, and entrusting it to Qin Huairen was no problem.

After some more discussion and settling tavern affairs, a few days later, Qin Huairen returned his sister to the princess’s household and left Chang’an, heading back to Xiang Prefecture. He knew that returning to his father would bring furious wrath. Only the princess’s household could grant his sister freedom to choose her own path.

At the same time, the first batch of distilled liquor was completed. The red-nosed old man, Du Zhiteng, had foolishly drunk two large bowls and nearly passed out into the mash vat.

Thankfully, there were many people present. Upon hearing the news, Wu Yueling hurried to the brewery and found Du Zhiteng lying sprawled on a wooden plank, snoring, the smell of alcohol thick in the air. Helpless, she arranged for goat’s milk to be fetched from the nearby sugar workshop and had the mischievous Du Zhankong feed it to his grandfather. Meanwhile, she sent someone to the kitchen to brew several bowls of sobering tea, a recipe purchased from the abbot of Wuxiang Temple that proved quite effective.

Pouring a cup of the white liquor and taking a gentle sip, the warmth rolled from her tongue to her throat—a fiery heat. The white liquor was finally ready. This drink would surely delight the Tang’s many drinkers. Besides this pure white spirit, there was also a yellow distillate infused with ginseng and wolfberries. However, crafting a single distillation device had taken so long, mass production would require much more time.

Taking a bottle to the kitchen, she found Ye Shi and asked her to try cooking with the white liquor, especially with meats. It turned out the flavor was quite good. So far, the kitchen had developed a few dishes, including pig and sheep trotters cooked in a pressure cooker; the rest were simple stir-fries. Using white liquor was an experiment in creating new culinary styles.

In Luoyang, Du Fu and Gao Shi left the small thatched hut they had built. Gao Shi had initially brought some money, but it was all spent. Now they prepared to travel to Chang’an, each carrying a book case and a bundle of bedding, wearing straw hats and walking on foot.

With no money to buy horses or even donkeys, their tattered clothes and straw sandals left their toes exposed. A wealthy family in Luoyang, who had planned to sponsor them, looked down on their shabby appearance and instead gave them a few copper coins like beggars, chasing them away.

Their journey to Chang’an was mainly to see if the Protector Princess might be a worthy patron. With nowhere else to turn, their hopes rested on this newly appointed princess.