Chapter 83
Xuanshi Palace.
When Liu Ju came, Wei Qing and Huo Qubing were also there, so he simply let them stay.
Five transparent glass bottles were lined up in a row. Liu Che and Wei Qing were curiously observing them. Huo Qubing's lips curled slightly. "You spent a month and a half in Bowang Garden just to make this? What is this? Water?"
“Like water, but not water.”
Liu Ju shook his head and opened the bottle cap.
A strange smell hit their noses. They didn't know what it was, but all three of them were sure that it was definitely not water.
Liu Ju didn't try to hide anything and let them guess. He said bluntly, "This substance is called alcohol, also known as ethanol."
All three were stunned. Alcohol, ethanol? What the hell?
Liu Che: "Wine, I understand. But what is this alcohol? Is it related to wine?"
"It's related. Alcohol can be purified by distilling wine."
Liu Ju took out the only clay pot from the wooden box and poured the liquid inside into the cups.
It is also transparent and clear like water, but it smells softer and has a strong aroma of wine.
There were three cups in total. Liu Ju presented the first cup to Liu Che, and the remaining two cups were given to Wei Qing and Huo Qubing.
He also kindly reminded us: "Drink slowly, take small sips, don't just swallow it in one gulp."
The three of them felt strange, so they raised their glasses and took small sips as they were told. The liquid went down their throats and flowed into their stomachs.
Wei Qing's expression changed slightly, and he said with certainty, "It is indeed wine."
Huo Qubing's eyes sparkled. "It's stronger and more potent than ordinary wine. It's a good thing!"
Liu Che swirled his wine glass, looking at the remaining liquid. "Ordinary wine is milky white, but this wine is as clear as mountain spring water."
Then he looked at the alcohol next to it: "It looks the same as the alcohol."
"They look the same, but the alcohol content is different." Liu Ju chuckled and began to explain, "Alcohol, Your Majesty, can be understood as the intoxicating essence of wine. The alcohol content represents its purity.
"The wine we usually drink is fermented glutinous rice wine, also known as turbid wine. It has a very low alcohol content. Even I can drink some, it's not very intoxicating. But what do you think of the wine in your glass right now, Father?"
He had just taken a sip, but now Liu Che raised the cup and drank it all in one gulp. The strong liquor went down his throat, and it tasted spicy and refreshing.
Liu Che coughed lightly, finally understanding why Liu Ju had reminded him to take a sip. If he drank it all in one gulp without any preparation, he would probably choke. "This wine is spicier, stronger, and more powerful."
Liu Ju nodded and said, "I call this wine clear wine. It is brewed in a slightly different way from turbid wine. It is filtered to make it clear in color, and purified to make it have a higher alcohol content. That's why it is spicier, stronger, more powerful, and more intoxicating.
"But sake is still wine, and it's still at the 'drinkable' stage. Alcohol, by comparison, has a higher alcohol content and can no longer be called wine, nor can it be consumed. Ingestion by mistake can be fatal."
The last four words were said with a serious expression.
Liu Che was slightly surprised: "If it can't be eaten, what is it used for?"
"That's amazing. It can disinfect and sterilize."
The three of them were full of questions: disinfection, sterilization, what is this?
"It's a bit complicated to explain. Anyway, it's for medical use, mainly for the Shang family."
Where are the most common cases of Shangke? In the army, on the battlefield. The three of them thought of this almost simultaneously, their faces growing increasingly solemn.
Liu Ju took out a document and handed it to Liu Che: "This is what I asked the military doctor to investigate and collect. Casualties are inevitable during marches and battles. Some people died directly due to severe external injuries.
"For some people, the trauma is not actually fatal, but they ultimately die because of subsequent infection, which is the so-called wound deterioration and suppuration. The latter even has a higher mortality rate than the former.
"Alcohol is useless for the former, but it may play a decisive role in the latter. It can be used for wound dressing changes and debridement, and it can also be used to clean the environment where the injured are.
"Generally speaking, the worsening of infection is not only due to the wound itself, but also environmental factors. A poor recuperation environment for the wounded will increase the chance and severity of the infection.
"But this environment is not just about looking clean and tidy. It also needs to be cleaned with alcohol. That is, disinfected and sterilized. It eliminates some hidden dangers that are invisible to our naked eyes. This is the only way to prevent the wound from worsening to the greatest extent.
"As long as the wounds do not worsen, the survival rate of these wounded can be greatly improved."
The survival rate is greatly improved.
"really?"
Huo Qubing sat up straight in an instant, the carefree expression on his face gone. As a veteran of battlefield battles, how could he not know the weight of these words?
Wei Qing listened attentively, his expression growing increasingly serious. But unlike Huo Qubing, he wasn't as optimistic. He slowly glanced at the wine glass in his hand and asked, "Your Highness, this wine I'm drinking seems to be brewed from wheat."
"Yes. The pot you are drinking is indeed brewed with wheat. I know what my uncle means. Nowadays, grains are mostly used in brewing wine.
"How much wine can be produced from a pound of grain? And if we distill it and purify it into alcohol, even less than one tenth of it will remain. Our Han army has many soldiers. If we want to ensure sufficient food for medical treatment, the amount of grain required must be enormous.
"If all the grain is used to make alcohol, it will lead to a shortage of military rations and even cause famine among the people. This is neglecting the main goal and choosing the trivial over the important. It is unacceptable."
After he finished speaking, he winked at Liu Che playfully and said, "So I thought of a way to use other raw materials instead."
Liu Che's expression flickered, and he immediately understood: "Straw?"
"Yes. Straw. Wheat straw, rice straw, etc. will do. This year's wheat and rice harvests were good, so there's a lot of straw left over. We can temporarily use straw to replace grain and make alcohol."
"As for this wine... In recent years, we've improved agricultural tools, saving time and effort for the people. We've also reclaimed some wasteland, and grain output has increased significantly, basically making up for the losses from the wars of previous years.
"Now we have Zhao Guo's method of replacing fields, which can directly increase the yield per mu by a quarter. In a few years, my Han Dynasty's national reserves will be full.
"So, although grain is still not suitable for large-scale brewing of alcohol, there is absolutely no problem in brewing some sake for your father's daily enjoyment or as a precious reward."
As he spoke, Liu Ju raised the clay wine jug and filled another cup for Liu Che.
Liu Che did not drink it directly, but thought about another layer: "How much does it cost to make alcohol from straw?"
Liu Ju nodded: "Even more than food."
Ten kilograms of grain can't produce one kilogram of alcohol, and the number of straws is even lower.
Liu Che's face darkened.
Wei Qing touched upon the key point: "Although straw is not food, it won't cause a famine. But Your Highness, don't forget about poultry and livestock. A few years ago, Your Highness proposed slaughtering pigs and raising chickens in dark rooms, and now many people raise pigs, chickens, and ducks."
"These animals cannot waste food, and their food is often mixed with other things, including bran, chaff, straw, etc., in addition to what is dug in the mountains.
"It's not just these poultry, but also cattle, sheep, and horses, all of which have straw mixed into their fodder. If straw is used to make alcohol, Your Highness, have you ever considered whether this consumption will affect poultry and livestock farming?"
Liu Ju chuckled. "Uncle is very thoughtful. I understand. That's why I just said we should use straw for now, rather than using straw all the time or only straw."
Huo Qubing was surprised: "Besides straw, is there anything else?"
"Yes. I've thought of a more suitable alternative. But it's not yet mature, so I'll have to wait another month or two. I'll then conduct another experiment. If it proves feasible, it will provide an additional raw material and reduce the pressure on straw."
"If we mix them together and increase our cultivation, we won't have to worry about raw materials in the future. Especially since this stuff has other uses. On the day of Cao Zong's full moon, I presented a new method for salt production, mentioning salt as a strategic resource. But strategic resources include more than just salt."
Liu Che raised his eyebrows: "What is it?"
Liu Ju said nothing, his eyes rolling around with a cunning look in them.
Huo Qubing clicked his tongue twice: "Are you keeping us in suspense again?"
Liu Ju blinked and said nothing.
Over the years, everyone has become accustomed to his style. Given his trust in his "big son," Liu Che stopped asking questions and simply let him go: "Okay, then I'll be waiting for another big surprise from you."
After draining the wine in his cup once more, Liu Che pointed at a few bottles of alcohol and said, "We need to have the Imperial Medical Bureau and the military doctors discuss and try it out. You go and teach them how to do it."
Liu Ju nodded, and decided to experiment with the effect.
He rolled his eyes and thought, since he was going to teach, could he teach something else?
As he was thinking, Huo Qubing patted him on the shoulder and said, "If alcohol really has such a miraculous effect, it will be another powerful weapon for our army."
Weapons don't just include frontline warriors. Who says those who rescue the wounded and save the lives of others don't count?
Huo Qubing was overjoyed. Liu Ju looked at him with a gloomy gaze and said, "So, remember to be nice to me from now on. Don't argue with me all the time. God knows how hard I've worked for you!"
This is absolutely true.
In order to save Huo Qubing's life, Liu Ju worked hard and racked his brains.
Who knew what kind of hidden illness was involved in the speculation about the so-called hidden illness left behind after the war? He didn't understand the other hidden illnesses, but the comments mentioned that wound infection had a chance of causing sepsis.
Some sepsis kills people quickly, but some can last a year or two.
In short, everything is possible.
Liu Ju knew that he couldn't be perfect, but at least he had to do his best to plug all the gaps that could be plugged.
However, despite all his hard work and efforts, Huo Qubing, the person involved, knew nothing about the matter and kept arguing with him.
Liu Ju snorted, quickly put the alcohol into the wooden box, put on the shoulder strap and left. Before leaving, he did not forget to glare at Huo Qubing with a vicious look, as if the other party owed him millions of gold.
Huo Qubing was completely bewildered and asked Wei Qing, "What does he mean? Didn't I just praise him? Why is he angry? And why is it all for me? Isn't he making alcohol for all the soldiers of the Han Dynasty?"
Wei Qing sipped the sake in his cup and said calmly, "Aren't you one of the soldiers?"
Huo Qubing paused and said unconvincedly, "How is this the same? I..."
Wei Qing knew what his nephew, whom he had watched grow up and even taught from childhood, was about to say as soon as he opened his mouth. He spoke first, "How is it different? No matter how brave you are, can you say you will never get hurt or need alcohol?"
Huo Qubing was speechless.
"So what's wrong with what Your Highness said?"
Huo Qubing: ...Uncle, if you say so, then there is nothing to talk about.
Liu Che chuckled.
Well, Zhongqing said it well, and his logic is perfect.
Hahaha.
Huo Qubing...What else could Huo Qubing do except hold it in?
********
Lanlin Hall.
Liu Hong murmured softly, "Alcohol...it turns out to be alcohol. Bran, chaff, and straw can actually be made into alcohol?"
In his understanding, alcohol wasn't just made from grain. He vaguely remembered that coal and oil could also be used to make alcohol, but the production process seemed complicated and he wasn't sure of the details. He guessed it wasn't possible under the conditions of the Western Han Dynasty.
Although the food could be produced, it was not applicable in the ancient times with weak agricultural production capacity and environment, so he never thought about it.
He had never expected that straw would work. This was beyond his expectation.
Especially according to the information I got, Liu Ju said that if we don't need grain or straw, there are other alternatives? What are they?
Liu Hong didn't know this and became more and more annoyed.
It's not that he was impatient and couldn't get the information. Even if he did, given his current situation, it would not be appropriate for him to do it before Liu Ju, which would directly expose his cards and attract murderous intent.
His irritation stemmed more from the feeling of powerlessness he felt right now. This feeling of watching Liu Ju soar higher and higher while he himself was stuck in the shallows, unable to do anything, with no idea where the road ahead lay.
Liu Hong gritted his teeth and couldn't help but scold the system again.
The system is not a human being and does not have emotions such as anger and grievance, but it cannot stand reminders.
—Host, the root cause of today's situation lies with you. If you hadn't insisted on possessing Liu Ju's body, the system wouldn't have been damaged, and you wouldn't be without support. Reincarnating as Liu Hong, you'd also be a prince, with the same advantages of status. The system has chosen the best body for you, and planned the best path for you.
Liu Hong disagreed: "Even though they are both princes, they are different. How can others compare with Liu Ju? Even if there was the witchcraft incident, Liu Ju was already in his thirties when it happened.
"With over thirty years of accumulation and SSR-level allies like Wei Huo, I only need to keep them alive, or at least delay their death. With the system's help, there's no need to worry about not being able to rewrite their fate.
"What's the best candidate? What's the best route? Liu Ju is the best. He's the crown prince, and I'm too outstanding. What will he think? He controls Wei and Huo. No matter how strong you are, I need to grow up before I can get my hands on military power.
"Before this, how could the princelings tolerate a threat like me? They had plenty of ways to kill me. How could this be considered optimal?"
——Host, why do you insist on putting yourself in opposition to Liu Ju? Liu Ju may not be intolerant, and Wei Huo may not be either...
"That's enough. I don't want to hear any more of this nonsense."
The host is stuck in a dead end, and the system is helpless and can only shut up.
After a while, Liu Hong's expression flickered: "I remember when we first bound the contract, you showed me the binding terms and explained them to me one by one.
"It states that, under normal circumstances, I need to complete system tasks and meet certain conditions to utilize the system's assistance. However, I have two opportunities to utilize emergency procedures and bypass the task mechanism to obtain information when I'm in dire straits. Is that correct?"
——Yes. However, the emergency procedures require the host to pay a huge price, sacrificing ten years of lifespan at a time. Here, the host should be reminded that although the price is lifespan, the actual cost is more than just lifespan.
Life is full of unexpected events, and fortune and misfortune can come at any moment. Even if the system can estimate the lifespan based on the host's physical condition, there is still uncertainty.
Therefore, lifespan is often linked to physical health and one's own luck. Subtracting ten years from one's lifespan automatically causes a ten percent decrease in health and a ten percent decrease in luck. This decline lasts a lifetime and is irreversible.
Therefore, while emergency procedures exist, they are marked as extremely dangerous to warn the host. This is an emergency measure, not a shortcut, and is not recommended for use by the host.
——Its setting is merely a way of survival left by the system creators for all hosts, so that when the host is in a desperate situation and all other means are hopeless, he can obtain useful information through this channel, use the information to reverse the situation and regain his life.
—The host is not in dire straits at this moment, and is far from needing to use this weapon. Please consider this carefully and do not disregard your own safety.
Physical health value, luck value...
If it were just lifespan, it would be fine, but linking these two things is fatal.
Liu Hong hesitated. But then he thought, it was only 10%, it shouldn't be decisive. The emergency procedure allowed two chances, not just one. This also proved that one chance wouldn't be that serious, at least not enough to break him.
He endured the pressure every day to improve Liu Che and Liu Ju's favorability, and he had to put on a show all the time, but the effect was limited. Seeing Liu Ju becoming stronger and the situation becoming increasingly unfavorable for him, his psychological defenses were on the verge of collapse, and he could no longer hold on.
At this moment, he desperately needed to grasp something to hold on to his hopes, otherwise he was afraid that he would go crazy as the gap between him and Liu Ju widened day by day.
Liu Hong took a deep breath and said, "It's me who deducted my lifespan, and it's me who is affected. So whether or not this is a desperate situation shouldn't be assessed by you, but by me."
The system remained silent. This made perfect sense; it couldn't make decisions for its host from its own perspective.
"Buckle it. I need to use emergency procedures."
——Okay, I received the instruction. What information does the host need to retrieve from the database?
Liu Hong sneered: "No, I don't call the information database."
What use was there in calling upon the knowledge in the database at this point? Would it help him turn the situation around? No. So he had to find another approach.
"When you proposed your first plan, you said you could search the world for information and compensate me for my losses in the form of lottery tickets or stocks. In other words, you do have the ability to search the world for information."
--Host, do you want the system to search for information about this world for you? With the targeted search mechanism broken, the system can only resort to indiscriminate searches. This guarantees that the information being searched will be important, but it doesn't guarantee that it will be what the host wants. Even so, will the host continue?
—Host, the system once again advises you to give up. You can maintain your current friendly and respectful relationship with Liu Ju, and in the future, be granted a fiefdom, journey to your fiefdom, and become a free and unrestrained prince. This is the plan the system has calculated to be the least risky and most beneficial for you.
Least risk, most beneficial?
Liu Hong frowned, clenched his fists, and looked struggling.
He didn't want to choose the solution given by the system, but if he paid such a high price and the information he got was not what he wanted...
Was he going to gamble? Would he gamble ten years of his life, ten percent of his health and luck?
Liu Hong was hesitant, as if there were two little people fighting in his mind.
One said that you can’t gamble because the cost is too high and the information you get is uncertain, so you may end up losing both the wife and the army.
One said, "What's the harm in taking a gamble?" The information might not be certain, but it was guaranteed to be crucial. As long as it was crucial, he could use it.
The two sides argued so much that Liu Hong felt like his brain was about to explode.
Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "Are you sure? Go ahead and use the emergency procedures."
Two chances, one missed, but there's still one left. Big deal... Big deal...
He still has one last chance, a chance to turn the tables, right?
Being indecisive and hesitant will not lead to great success. In times of crisis, decisive action is the key!
——Okay, confirm the host's instructions, deduct the host's lifespan, and search for world information for the host.
Time slipped away little by little. Liu Hong didn't know how long it had been, but it felt like several centuries. Finally, he received a reply from the system.
——The world information search is completed, please check it.
As soon as he finished speaking, a virtual screen appeared in front of Liu Hong. On the screen were lines of text.
There aren't many words, and if I copied them down on paper I wouldn't be able to fill up a whole page.
Liu Hong was a little annoyed that he had exchanged ten years of his life for such a small amount of information, but after reading the entire content, he was stunned and dumbfounded.
This... this information is too shocking.
As expected, the so-called "important" of the system was truly important, without a trace of need. Although the direction of the information was indeed not what he wanted most, as he had previously guessed, as long as it was important enough, it would be useful.
Liu Hong curled his lips, and a smile just crept onto his face, but before it could fully bloom, he suddenly felt a pain in his chest, and fell to the ground with a thud.
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