If it were before, Zhang Xuexian would have been furious and started a fight if he heard someone describe the wine produced by their distillery as "of poor quality".
Especially the young punk he found increasingly unpleasant.
But his next sentence prevented him from getting angry.
What about... strong liquor?
Needless to say, strong liquor is a rare delicacy only found among barbarians, and its production is extremely low. It is supplied to Anguo every year, and only members of the royal family can drink some, making it incredibly precious. This speaks volumes.
If they had strong liquor, their Zhang family distillery would have long been the number one distillery in Jingzhou—no, it should be the number one distillery in Anguo, with an unparalleled status. How could this incident have happened?
Having run his distillery for so many years, he naturally wanted to break through, and strong liquor had been his dream for many years.
But how easy is it to get this strong liquor?
He had sent people to brew it several times, adding more grains and yeast and less water, and brewing for a longer time. However, the resulting liquor not only had a low alcohol content, but also tasted bad, and the cost was much higher. After careful consideration, he had no choice but to reluctantly give it up.
Now, for a mere young man to talk about strong liquor right in front of him seems like a pipe dream to him.
After Jing Zhe finished speaking, he observed Zhang Xuexian's reaction. Although Zhang Xuexian did not agree, he hesitated. Hesitation indicated that the matter was promising, so he decided to strike while the iron was hot.
"Uncle, what if I told you I could make strong liquor?"
Zhang Xuexian sneered, "Young man, I've drunk more alcohol than you've drunk water. Let me give you a piece of advice: don't talk big!"
Jing Zhe smiled and asked, "Uncle, do you not believe me?"
"Heh, let alone me, if you told anyone you could make strong liquor, I doubt anyone would believe you!"
"To be honest, Uncle, I've never told this to anyone else!"
Then, leaning closer to Zhang Xuexian, she said cautiously, "Uncle, my sister lives in Liangzhou. I stayed there for a while and saw some barbarians, so..."
Jing Zhe didn't continue, leaving the rest to Zhang Xuexian's imagination.
Liangzhou is adjacent to the western frontier.
And the strong liquor was made by the barbarians of the western frontier.
Although his words sounded like he was bragging, his appearance didn't seem to suggest it. Could it be that he had some kind of adventure in Liangzhou and learned how to make strong liquor?
After imagining this, Zhang Xuexian's eyes, which had been red from drinking too much, suddenly brightened.
"Is everything you're saying true?"
“Every word I spoke was true; there was never any falsehood.”
"How can I believe you if it's just talk?"
"I'll get all the tools ready tomorrow and then I'll personally demonstrate it to my uncle!"
Why are you helping us? Is it for Xiaoyu?
Zhang Xuexian stared at Jing Zhe with a questioning look in his eyes.
If he said "yes," Zhang Xuexian would immediately send him away.
Although his daughter was beautiful, his eyesight was not bad. The young man opposite him was no less handsome than his daughter, and judging from his brocade robe, his family was probably well-off as well.
Why would someone like that tell him such a top-secret recipe for making strong liquor for the sake of a woman?
Then Jing Zhe shook his head and continued in a low voice, "Actually, I have some personal grudges with the Prince of Jin's heir. I can't stand him, so I want to teach him a lesson!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Xuexian pondered for a moment and nodded in belief.
The two were so close that they spoke so softly that even Madam Zhang and Zhang Xiaoyu could not hear them clearly.
Worried that her father might actually hit her, Zhang Xiaoyu reached out and tugged at her mother's sleeve. Madam Zhang turned around and gave her a meaningful look. Zhang Xiaoyu lowered her head, her cheeks flushed.
"Master, Young Master Kun is just trying to help us. Please speak to him politely and don't resort to violence!"
Madam Zhang offered her words of advice.
"What nonsense are you talking about? Do you think I'm that kind of person?"
Zhang Xuexian, who had a pleasant conversation with Jing Zhe, turned around and gave Madam Zhang a disapproving look, then cheerfully put his arm around Jing Zhe's shoulder, "I had a very pleasant chat with Brother Kun, and it felt like we were old friends. Brother Kun, why don't we become sworn brothers!"
"..."
Holy crap, your daughter is older than me, how dare you become sworn sisters with me?
Zhang Xiaoyu, who was standing next to her, was also stunned by her father's actions and stood there, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Madam Zhang pulled him back abruptly, her imposing manner startling Zhang Xuexian.
"You old fool, have you lost your mind? How old is Young Master Kun? How could he be your brother?"
"I'm not that old..."
Zhang Xuexian was still unconvinced and kept muttering to himself.
"What did you say?"
"I didn't say anything... I drank too much, my head hurts, I need to go inside and sleep!"
Zhang Xuexian, who was clearly henpecked, ran away, clutching his head.
Madam Zhang then turned around and said apologetically, "Young Master Kun, my husband misspoke after drinking. Please don't take it to heart. I apologize to you on his behalf."
After saying that, she bowed to him.
As a woman, how could Madam Zhang not see through her daughter's thoughts? If Jing Zhe and Zhang Xuexian really became sworn brothers, wouldn't he become Zhang Xiaoyu's uncle?
Uncle and niece...
This is simply against all moral principles!
Mrs. Zhang absolutely refused to let such a thing happen!
Jing Zhe quickly returned the greeting with a cupped hand and said with a smile, "Auntie, you flatter me! Uncle was just speaking without thinking; it was just some childish playfulness. I didn't take it seriously!"
Madam Zhang was finally relieved. Looking at Jing Zhe, she noticed his appearance, his manner of speaking, and his attire…
The more I look at it, the more satisfied I become; the more I look at it, the more engrossed I become.
Feeling awkward being stared at like that, Jing Zhe felt embarrassed.
"Cough cough."
To maintain her composure, Zhang Xiaoyu coughed lightly twice, as a reminder to Madam Zhang.
Madam Zhang then came to her senses, but she didn't feel embarrassed at all. She smiled and said to Jing Zhe, "Since you don't mind, then I won't stand on ceremony anymore! How old are you this year, my dear nephew? Who else is in your family? Are you married?"
"mother!"
This time, Zhang Xiaoyu could no longer hold back. She hurriedly stepped forward and tugged at Madam Zhang, glancing cautiously at Jing Zhe. Her cheeks were already flushed red!
Her parents... are such a disgrace!
"Hehe, you're actually embarrassed!"
Madam Zhang smiled. When it comes to their children's important matters, they naturally respect their daughter's wishes. If she is unwilling, even if it is the heir of the Prince of Jin, their family would dare to refuse. But if their daughter is willing, as a mother, she is willing to swallow her pride and not feel embarrassed.
So we changed the subject.
"Nephew, your accent doesn't sound like that of a native of Jingzhou, does it?"
Jing Zhe nodded, "Auntie, my hometown is Pengzhou, and I just arrived in Jingzhou today!"
He came straight to her house upon arriving in Jingzhou. If she said he didn't have any feelings for her daughter, she wouldn't believe it!
Madam Zhang looked at Jing Zhe, her eyes narrowing again.
————
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