As for the high-quality persimmons that come from the orchard, Song Anxin suggested that the persimmon cake workshop take some out to make gift boxes. Gift boxes are the best way for dignitaries to save face and give gifts, and they are also very profitable.

Fortunately, there was a carpenter in the village named Brother Lin. Brother Lin, true to his passion for carpentry, improved his skills rapidly. Song Anxin designed adorable persimmon shapes, which Brother Lin carved onto wooden gift boxes, making them even more appealing to wealthy city dwellers. Dried persimmons, however, had an even more unique flavor than fresh persimmons, and their introduction was undoubtedly a huge success.

Song Anxin couldn't help but admire her own cooking skills. She ate a persimmon in the yard, and when she bit into it, it was still molten inside. She couldn't resist eating another one. Of course, she had paid for it herself. Although she was a technical shareholder, she couldn't just take things from the workshop for free. If she set a good example, the people in the workshop wouldn't do anything wrong.

At this moment, a group of people walked in through the courtyard gate. It was the village head and several clan leaders. Upon seeing this, Song Anxin hurriedly went to greet them.

"Uncle, elders, what brings you here?"

Song Anxin's first thought was of the persimmon cake workshop. Had something happened there again? Otherwise, why would these clan elders and the village head come to her place together?

The village head's face was beaming: "Fengnian's wife, this is good news, great news! The persimmon cake workshop has already made back its initial investment several times over in just a few days."

Chief Liu also said with a happy face, "Fengnian's mother, especially those gift boxes, we receive many orders from the county every day. Fengnian's mother, your idea is really brilliant!"

The remaining clan leaders chimed in, "Yes, we never imagined that persimmons could actually be made into dried persimmons and become so popular. Shops in the county town are vying to have us supply them. Fengnian's mother, you're truly amazing."

"Yes, yes, Fengnian's mother, we really admire you!"

"......."

Song Anxin was also pleased about this. She said, "Village head, clan leaders, the success of the persimmon cake workshop is certainly due to everyone's hard work. Please stop praising me. I don't think you all came here just to praise me."

The village head said, "Fengnian is indeed clever. Actually, the reason I came here is to invite you to join our persimmon cake workshop's general affairs department. If you can give us some advice on cashiering in the general affairs department, we will give you an additional ten percent of the persimmon cake workshop's profits."

Song Anxin was somewhat surprised, as she alone accounted for 30% of this. She looked at the other clan leaders.

Clan Chief Liu stepped forward and said, "Fengnian's mother, this is something we all discussed and agreed upon. Please come to our headquarters."

Chief Fang also said, "Yes, Fengnian's mother, without you, there would be no such thriving business for this persimmon cake workshop."

The other clan leaders also invited Song Anxin to join their general affairs department.

At first, the clan leaders looked down on Aunt Lin, a woman, especially since she used to be a shrew. But they never expected that she would not only run her own business well, but also give the persimmon cake business to the village. In the past few days, they have really seen how fast this business can make money. Aunt Lin is really good-natured and capable. With such a capable person in the general affairs department, the money will only keep increasing.

Song Anxin was thinking that if she joined the General Affairs Department, she would have to put more effort into the persimmon cake business. However, the persimmon cake business was already on track, and she estimated that she would be playing the role of a think tank member. Thinking about it, it was not a bad idea. After all, the family leaders and several clan chiefs had personally invited her. If she refused, wouldn't it be too disrespectful to them? Besides, there was still a 10% profit to be made.

So she said, "Uncle, elders, it's settled. I hope you will all guide me in the future."

Lin Lizheng and the clan leaders breathed a sigh of relief. They were really worried that Fengnian Niang would look down on their meager profits, since Fengnian Niang's family was now earning much more than they were. After receiving Song Anxin's affirmative answer, Lin Lizheng and the clan leaders left with smiles on their faces.

After the village head and clan chiefs left, Song Anxin began to teach Lin Fengnian how to brew wine. The sorghum had fermented and was emitting a strong grain aroma. The brewing process was not too complicated. The fermented sorghum was put into a still, and a collection trough was placed inside. An extended bamboo spout was attached to the outside of the still, and the top of the still was sealed with a cloth. Two large pots were placed above and below the still. The lower pot was used to steam the sorghum inside the still, while the upper pot, also known as the "heavenly pot," was specially made by a blacksmith.

Cold water needs to be added to the distillation pot. The principle of distillation is based on the difference in boiling points between water and alcohol. Alcohol has a lower boiling point. When the alcohol vapor rises and encounters the distillation pot with cold water, it will liquefy and then turn into alcohol, which will drip into the distillation tank and finally flow out through the spout.

The liquid that flows out is pure baijiu. In distilled spirits, it is important to discard the head and tail. The head liquor is not acceptable because its alcohol content can be as high as 70 or 80 degrees. It has an extremely spicy taste and contains a large amount of fusel oil, methanol, and other substances that are harmful to the human body. The tail liquor, on the other hand, will taste bitter, sour, and astringent, and the liquor will be cloudy. This kind of liquor is generally considered as waste.

This time, Song Anxin used a total of 20 jin of sorghum, and after removing the top and bottom, the final output was nearly 7 jin of liquor. That is to say, on average, about 3 jin of sorghum can produce 1 jin of liquor.

"The wine is clear and transparent, with a rich and intense aroma. How can your wine be so clear, Fengnian Niang?! This... this... even the imperial palace in Kyoto, which reigns supreme over all others, may not have such pure wine!"

Old Bai was utterly astonished by the wine brewed by Song Anxin, his face filled with disbelief. He had thought that Fengnian Niang was just an ordinary winemaker.

Song Anxin smiled. She had expected Bai Bo's reaction. No matter how high-end or expensive the wine was in this era, it would still have some turbidity due to grain fermentation. Otherwise, how could there be the saying "a cup of turbid wine" in ancient times? The appearance of her distilled wine alone was enough to amaze people.

She smiled and said, "Uncle Bai, try it first."

Old Bai couldn't wait to take a sip of the wine. He let out a long sigh and stood up excitedly, saying, "The taste is mellow and smooth. It goes down smoothly and leaves a slightly sweet and stimulating aftertaste. The lingering aftertaste is intoxicating. Fengnian Niang, this sip of wine is worth more than all the wine I've drunk in my entire life. It is truly a masterpiece!"

"Haha, Uncle Bai, I'm relieved to hear your high praise," Song Anxin laughed heartily, her wine brewing was a great success.

"I've named this wine Tianqing Wine, what do you think, Uncle Bai?"

Old Bai took another sip, and said with a satisfied expression, "What a name! What a name! A cup of heavenly wine, how often can one taste it on earth, hahaha."

Seeing his master so excited, Ah Si secretly took a sip. His face immediately scrunched up and he stuck out his tongue. Oh my god, it was so spicy! He couldn't appreciate this heavenly wine anymore.