The state-owned brewery is now showing initial success, producing at least ten jars of Maotai every day.
But even the best wine needs advertising, and Qin Yu couldn't possibly have his men carrying wine jars around the streets to sell it.
After all, Maotai is aiming for a high-end market.
In the Great Xia Dynasty, the elite were naturally the civil and military officials of the imperial court.
Only they can afford Maotai.
Therefore, Qin Yu's gift today is meant to make them feel that after tasting Maotai, other wines will taste bland and tasteless.
"How did Your Majesty obtain this wine?"
At this moment, Sima Lie spoke up and asked.
Such fine wine, yet he, the dignified prime minister, had never heard of it before!
But under his heavy surveillance, where did Qin Yu obtain this fine wine from?
These are all things Sima Lie wanted to know.
All the civil and military officials present looked at Qin Yu.
Facing the questioning gazes of the crowd, Qin Yu smiled slightly.
"This wine was obtained when I and Abbot Liu were cultivating the Longevity Technique together, so it must be a divine wine bestowed by Heaven."
After Qin Yu finished speaking, he observed the reactions of Sima Jing and Sima Lie.
Sima Jing had witnessed his distillation and purification process of the hair product beforehand. If she were still loyal to Sima Lie, she would have reported this matter to him.
And his lies will be exposed instantly.
However, he noticed that Sima Jing just secretly pursed her lips.
Sima Lie frowned.
"It's that Liu guy again!"
Sima Lie was secretly dissatisfied.
At this moment, he also guessed that the wine must have been made by Liu Caiqing.
If it were anyone else, he might be able to force them to get the secret formula, but if his opponent was Liu Caiqing, he would be helpless.
Although Liu Caiqing held no official position or post in the court and seemed to have no real power.
However, this person was highly valued during the reign of the late emperor and had accumulated a great reputation in the court and among the people.
If he were to make a move against Liu Caiqing, it would definitely draw criticism from all over the world, and the loss would outweigh the gain.
Thinking of this, Sima Lie could only sigh in disappointment.
It seems he won't be able to get his hands on the Maotai secret recipe for the time being.
"Your Majesty, you have just recovered from a serious illness, why don't you rest early!"
At this moment, the imperial physician spoke up.
Qin Yu nodded as well.
"Very well, since we're resting, which of my beloved concubines will serve me tonight?"
Qin Yu looked at the group of beauties in front of him with a sly smile.
The officials, who were just about to take their leave, almost spat out a mouthful of blood.
This tyrannical emperor almost died from playing around with women, but now that he's awake, he still dares to summon his concubines to his bedchamber.
"Empress, Your Highnesses, step back!"
At this moment, Sima Lie spoke up.
His tone was filled with an unquestionable coldness; at that moment, it was as if he were the emperor.
Yu Zhu and Sima Jing immediately got up and left.
Zhao Yan, however, became dissatisfied.
Although she was a stand-in, her title of Empress was genuine.
Sima Lie was merely a subject; what right did he have to order her around?
But at that moment, Zi Yan hurriedly pulled her back.
Seeing Zi Yan's gaze, Zhao Yan abandoned her idea of scolding Sima Lie.
Now that her sister is not in the palace, she cannot cause trouble for her sister.
"Your Majesty, please get some rest."
With that, the two got up and left.
"Oh, my beauty, don't go! My beauty!"
Qin Yu reached out her hand, trying to hold them back, her face full of reluctance.
Seeing the incompetent ruler in such a state, the officials present were filled with disdain.
It's just one night without a woman, yet this tyrant is making it sound like a life-or-death separation.
Sima Lie then spoke coldly.
"Your Majesty is unwell, please exercise restraint."
After saying that, Sima Lie reached out to take the unused Ganoderma lucidum.
He couldn't leave such a miraculous medicine to Qin Yu.
But as soon as he reached out his hand, Qin Yu grabbed it.
“Prime Minister, Anfu just told me that I was able to wake up entirely because of the Prime Minister’s miraculous medicine. The Prime Minister’s loyalty is evident to heaven and earth, and I am at peace with myself.”
Qin Yu looked at Sima Lie with gratitude.
Sima Lie sneered inwardly.
The foolish emperor has no idea that his reign will only last a few more days!
"It is my honor to serve Your Majesty."
Sima Lie gave a perfunctory reply, trying to break free from Qin Yu's hand and leave with Lingzhi.
But Qin Yu was still talking to himself.
"The Prime Minister is so kind to me, I must show my appreciation. Anfu, go and fetch my jade ribbon and give it to the Prime Minister as a reward. Also, give the Prime Minister an extra set of Mao Tai and Hua Zi."
Seeing that Qin Yu had added more rewards, Sima Lie felt disdain, but he could only suppress his impatience and accept the imperial decree to express his gratitude.
"Your Majesty, this Ganoderma lucidum..."
Sima Lie got up, intending to retrieve the Ganoderma lucidum.
Upon hearing this, Qin Yu seemed to have just noticed the Ganoderma lucidum placed on the tray.
"Does the Prime Minister mean that I should accept this Ganoderma lucidum? Very well, since it is the Prime Minister's kind intention, then I will accept it!"
As Qin Yu spoke, he quickly stuffed the Ganoderma lucidum into his bosom, then grabbed Sima Lie's hand with a grateful expression and said...
Seeing this, Sima Lie was so angry that his face turned red and his fingers trembled uncontrollably.
shameless!
This tyrant is utterly shameless!
That's his thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum!
"What's wrong, Prime Minister? Are you feeling unwell?"
Seeing Sima Lie trembling with anger, Qin Yu asked with a puzzled look.
Seeing this, Sima Lie had no choice but to suppress his anger.
Since things had come to this, he had no choice but to let Qin Yu take the Ganoderma lucidum.
"You tyrant, I'll let you keep this Ganoderma lucidum for a while. When the time comes, I'll make you return it crying!"
Sima Lie gritted his teeth inwardly.
But he still forced a smile onto his face.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am fine. Your Majesty, please rest well."
After Sima Lie finished speaking, he turned and left without hesitation.
The officials all bowed and took their leave.
Qin Yu only breathed a sigh of relief when Anfu and he were the only two left in the palace.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! This thousand-year-old Ganoderma is extremely valuable. Even those critically injured and on the verge of death can rely on it to prolong their lives. This time, that old thief Sima has really suffered a huge loss!"
Anfu immediately smiled and cupped his hands in greeting.
Qin Yu nodded and took out the Ganoderma lucidum to examine it.
He didn't know if this Ganoderma lucidum was a thousand years old, but its deep patterns and extremely strong medicinal fragrance meant it was at least several hundred years old.
Moreover, his physical condition returned to its peak state instantly after taking it, which shows how strong the medicine is.
"By the way, Your Majesty, how did you manage to prevent the imperial physicians from detecting anything about your health just now? If you hadn't informed this old servant beforehand, this old servant would have almost thought you..."
At this moment, Anfu couldn't help but ask.
Actually, he had wanted to ask this question from the very beginning.
Qin Yu's feigned unconsciousness was so convincing that not only were the officials and imperial physicians fooled, but even Qin Yu, a master alchemist, couldn't detect the slightest flaw.
Seeing Anfu's puzzled look, Qin Yu smiled slightly.
"This is actually a secret technique that my father taught me in a dream."
Upon hearing this, Anfu's expression immediately became excited.
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