Zhao Cheng's previous suspicions about Qi Bainian were basically based on intuition, but in reality, he had some doubts, which formed the basis of his suspicions.

First, when leaving Han Nancheng, Liu Da said that Qi Bainian was a good official who was respected by the people and united with the powerful families in Jiangcheng, led by the Lu and Tu families.

This alone made Zhao Cheng suspicious.

Zhao Cheng's memories from both lifetimes taught him the same lesson: it's incredibly difficult for a good official to gain the support of both the common people and the powerful clans. Those who maintain good relations with the powerful often end up colluding with them to exploit the people, thus incurring their resentment. Conversely, those who maintain good relations with the common people often harm the interests of the powerful. The only exception is someone who is exceptionally shrewd and manipulative, able to collude with the powerful to harm the people without their knowledge, thereby achieving a win-win situation.

At first, Zhao Cheng only had slight doubts, but when he saw the public's fervor for Qi Bainian when he executed Miao Shang and others, which almost made him a myth, he became even more suspicious.

Qi Bainian's upbringing in Jiangcheng, where he was fed by many families, gave him an advantage, and the people's deification of him also brought him a halo. This meant that it was even easier for Qi Bainian to deceive the people.

Although all of this is Zhao Cheng's speculation so far, as things progress, Zhao Cheng feels he is getting closer and closer to the truth.

He was almost certain that Qi Bainian was definitely not that simple.

Especially Qi Bainian's reply to Xu An this time.

This rhetoric is nothing more than a scheme by which officials and businessmen collude to deceive the common people.

Xu An said indignantly, "It's good that you made two preparations. If we had waited for the government to solve the problem, we would have been led by the nose by that bastard Tu Wanhu."

"We know what's going on, let's go back first."

Zhao Cheng turned around and said, "At least we've proven one thing now: the waters of Jiangyang County are indeed very deep."

The day after the soap and cologne issues were resolved, Zhao Cheng was making lip balm alone in his room in the villa. This was something he had thought of long ago, intending to finish it before establishing the chamber of commerce, but considering that lip balm was not as essential as immortal wine and bras, he had kept putting it off until now.

Although we missed one winter, I figured even if we got it done before the chamber of commerce was established, it would be almost Chinese New Year, and we wouldn't be able to promote it quickly before winter, so the impact wouldn't be too great. If we get it done now, we still have a year to promote it, and there will be a chance to sell well in winter, so the loss of time isn't that big.

Anyway, if he doesn't make it, no one else will think of doing it.

Just as I was getting into the swing of things, there was a knock on the door.

"Master, Ma Cong has something urgent to discuss with you."

Upon hearing Zhao Wu's voice, Zhao Cheng knew they wouldn't bother him unless it was something truly urgent, so he quickly put down what he was holding and went to open the door.

Where is Ma Cong?

"forecourt."

"Walk."

Zhao Cheng put on a coat and walked out. When he arrived at the main hall in the front yard, Ma Cong said anxiously, "Boss, the immortal wine has been confiscated by the government!"

Zhao Cheng glanced at Xia Qi, who understood and quickly went to make tea.

Zhao Cheng asked, "What's the reason?"

Ma Cong said, "The people in charge said that our Xianjiu (a type of Chinese liquor) has too high an alcohol content and has been reported."

Xu An, standing to the side, shouted, "What kind of lame excuse is that? If you can't hold your liquor, don't you know to drink less?"

Zhao Cheng then asked, "Is the wine shop still open?"

Ma Cong shook his head and said, "I won't let you pass."

Did they tell us how to resolve this?

"They didn't know either, saying they were just following orders."

Zhao Cheng thought for a moment, took a sip of the tea that Xia Qi had brewed, and stood up, saying, "It's time to visit Qi Bainian."

Prefectural Governor's Office.

Zhao Cheng's second visit was different from the last one, when he brought Miao Shang. The last visit was for important official business, but this time he brought Zhao Wu and Ma Cong, which was more like a private visit. However, Qi Bainian still approached him in the main hall of the case.

On either side of the main hall stood junior officials, exuding an imposing aura.

Zhao Cheng looked at Qi Bainian sitting behind the courtroom, cupped his hands and said, "Lord Qi, I have come here simply to have a private chat with you over tea. Why don't we move over and talk?"

Qi Bainian calmly said, "You're here because of the Immortal Wine, right? How can such a matter be resolved over a private tea party?"

As he spoke, Qi Bainian looked at the boxes that Ma Cong was carrying in each hand and asked, "Are the things in these boxes for me? Are they meant to bribe me?"

Zhao Cheng remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he felt a lump in his throat.

I never expected Qi Bainian to act this way. Lu Yuan is tough, but he's even tougher than Lu Yuan.

Ma Cong's two boxes contained gold and silver in one box and calligraphy and paintings in the other.

Since things had come to this point, Zhao Cheng ignored the box containing gold and silver, and instead opened the box containing calligraphy and paintings, taking out a piece of calligraphy from it. He smiled and said, "Knowing that Lord Qi is a scholar who passed the imperial examinations and is exceptionally talented in literature, I imagine you enjoy poetry and prose. This piece of calligraphy is an authentic work by the Wine Immortal. There are also authentic works by Jin Yong and Yi Shen in the box, each with a different style. I didn't know which style Lord Qi preferred, so I brought all the pieces I had. These things from cultured people can't be considered bribery."

"I don't like these things; they're flashy and superficial. Of course, I still appreciate the young prime minister's kind intentions, and I accept the favor, but I'll waive the gifts."

Zhao Cheng immediately put the letter back, cupped his hands and said, "Lord Qi is an honest and upright official, I admire him."

"Let me tell you the truth, your 'Immortal Wine' business can't survive in Jiangyang County."

Zhao Cheng chuckled inwardly.

How familiar those words are.

Same recipe!

Zhao Cheng said solemnly, "Lord Qi is enforcing the law normally. I have no intention of obstructing him, nor do I have the right to stop him. However, I do not agree with this reason. Alcohol, regardless of its strength, can make people drunk. The key is whether the drinker can control their intake. It's like a knife that can hurt people, but if the person carrying the knife is evil, then the knife is a weapon. If it's only for self-defense, then it's harmless and can even save lives. What crime has alcohol committed? What crime has high-proof immortal wine committed?"

Qi Bainian had always given Zhao Cheng the impression of being very serious, but in reality, he had a kind face. Hearing Zhao Cheng's words, Qi Bainian smiled slightly and waved his hand with a relaxed expression.

"Young Prime Minister, you may have misunderstood. I ordered your immortal wine to be confiscated and your wine shop to be closed, not because of the wine's alcohol content."

"But that's what the person in charge said."

"Indeed, someone reported it, but that's not the root cause."

Why is that?

Qi Bainian stood up, walked out from behind the desk, and said, "Because I have already issued a ban on alcohol."

"Not only in Jiangcheng, but throughout the entire Jiangyang County, alcohol is banned!"