The red wine became an instant hit, just as Yuan Doudou had expected. To keep the tavern afloat in town, they had to come up with something new, since there were too many taverns in town and it didn't matter which one they went to.

She began planning during her postpartum period how to change her lukewarm situation so that she could survive and establish herself in the long run.

To make good red wine, good grapes are the first step, and proper storage is the second. Without containers and cellars to store red wine, even if you manage to make it, it will quickly spoil and become unsellable.

Therefore, Yuan Doudou sought out Li Dahai, whose craftsmanship made the wine barrel she wanted without any problem.

When Li Dahai saw the blueprints, he was surprised again. Actually, he should be used to it; Yuan Doudou always had all sorts of designs he couldn't have imagined.

Every time Yuan Doudou saw his expression, she felt embarrassed. It seemed that since coming here, she had been copying and pasting everything, without any originality of her own.

"Actually, it wasn't my idea; a winemaker once told me." We can't keep appropriating other people's achievements.

Li Dahai was extremely efficient. In just seven days, he had made twenty wooden barrels. Each barrel was reinforced with iron plates, with an outlet for the liquor, and a wooden stopper on top to ensure a tight seal.

Cellars were easy to find in town, and Yuan Doudou rented one for ten taels of silver for a year.

The first step, the grapes, was entrusted to Sister Juan, who was asked to deliver a message to her distant relative, requesting that three cartloads of grapes be sent by caravan.

The grapes ripen in April, May, June, and July each year, a period of four months. She has to make enough red wine for the whole year within these four months, which is a huge amount of work. She doesn't want to hire long-term workers, so she finds a few capable middle-aged women nearby. As for the moving, An Rong is in charge. He is too busy, so he will find a temporary worker at the labor market to help him move.

July arrived in the blink of an eye, and the last batch of grapes came in. Yuan Doudou and the aunties got busy making wine together.

Each batch of wine requires a 21-day fermentation period. Without stored wine, the tavern would struggle to supply red wine. Fortunately, she prepared red wine in advance, and there has never been a shortage since the wine was launched.

Other taverns, seeing many of their customers being drawn away by DouDou Tavern, petitioned the Ministry of Revenue and complained to the Chamber of Commerce, accusing DouDou Tavern of monopolizing the market.

That day, Yuan Doudou was checking how the red wine was being brewed when she saw several well-dressed people walk in, all with dark faces, and it was clear at a glance that nothing good was going on.

"Are you the owner of DouDou Tavern?" The one in the lead was an old man, with an air of superiority.

Yuan Doudou remained composed and unassuming, replying calmly, "I am Yuan Doudou. What brings you here?"

The old gentleman squinted and looked Yuan Doudou up and down. As rumored, she was indeed a beauty of unparalleled grace. Looking at her face, even the worst wine tasted good, and even the most unpalatable food tasted delicious. Besides, the food and wine at her house were exceptionally good. There was no reason not to come.

"I am Song Taiqing, the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce. We have received a report that you are monopolizing the market, and we are here to investigate. If the allegations are true, we will order you to rectify the situation."

Yuan Doudou suddenly realized that they were the lackeys of those envious people. How much money must they have received from them to come here so excitedly?

"Excuse me, I didn't understand what Chairman Song meant by monopoly." Yuan Doudou was not annoyed, but rather very calm.

Huang Rong and Lu Xi were standing behind her, but An Rong was not there; she had gone out to buy groceries.

“You’re the boss’s wife, and I know you’re very smart. Everyone likes the wine you make, which is a good thing. But you can’t cut off other people’s livelihood. You need to know that if you incur public wrath, you won’t go far.”

Yuan Doudou could hear the blatant threat in his words. It was ridiculous. Doing business was a matter of ability, and they couldn't blame others for their business failures.

“I disagree with Chairman Song’s point of view. I admit that my family’s wine sells well, but I have never stopped others from selling their wine. Their reporting to the Chamber of Commerce is childish behavior. Chairman Song is a highly respected person, and I believe your discerning eye can see that they are just being blatantly jealous.”

Song Taiqing was well aware of the survival of the fittest principle in business, but they all acted like catfish spirits, offering him valuable gifts. As the saying goes, if you take someone's money, you have to do their bidding.

He can't do nothing; he has to at least go through the motions.

“Madam, I can tell you’re very good with words, but it’s a fact that you’re the only one selling wine in the whole town right now. On behalf of the business, I propose a rectification plan: stop selling wine from today onwards, or you will be fined one thousand taels of silver.”

Yuan Doudou thought he could understand human speech, but she didn't expect him to be an idiot. Since that's the case, she didn't need to give him a nice look.

“You say I’m the only one, I admit that, but I’ve never stopped them from selling wine, that’s a fact. They see that my wine sells well, they can buy a bottle and make their own wine, even if they sell it at a low price, I have no objection.”

Yuan Doudou spoke with righteous indignation and unwavering determination in her eyes.

Huang Rong stood at the back for a long time, but finally couldn't hold back anymore. She rushed in front of Dou Dou and said loudly, "Yes, the red wine was made by our sister Dou Dou with great effort. If they are so capable, let them make it themselves. Only incompetent people would think that others will give way to them. Do they really think this is a game for children?"

Huang Rong became more and more excited as she spoke, and almost jumped up.

Song Taiqing was genuinely startled. As expected, women are difficult to deal with. He had a bad start today. Being a middleman meant pleasing neither side.

"Chairman Song, you just mentioned imposing a fine. May I ask who you are representing to issue the ticket, and where you plan to pay the money? It's not like someone from the Chamber of Commerce is embezzling it, is it?"

Almost all the shops, big and small, on the street are managed by the Chamber of Commerce, and there are many instances of people lining their own pockets.

The chamber of commerce chairman liaised directly with the Ministry of Revenue, and they were nominally under the Ministry's command.

Song Taiqing's face turned pale and then red. How could she know what was going on? Indeed, no one does things without a reason, and he wouldn't do anything without a benefit.

“You’re a woman, don’t pretend to know what you don’t. I’m the chairman, and what I say goes.” Song Taiqing had no reason to argue, so he could only use a tough attitude to suppress her.

She's a woman, as timid as a mouse; how could anyone not control her?

Yuan Doudou chuckled, not even giving him a proper look.

"What kind of attitude is this?" Song Taiqing was furious and reached out to hit her.

An Rong happened to return and saw this scene. He dropped the sack in his hand, rushed over, grabbed Song Taiqing's arm, and pinned him down, making him unable to move.

"Let go!"

An Rong didn't move, looking at Yuan Doudou as if to say, "Are you alright?"