"Huo, Old Bu, what brings you here?"
Yun Siman, his face flushed with joy, strode towards Bu Yi with a spring in his step. "Why have you come to the Northern Frontier instead of staying in the capital to sell my wine? Although the barbarians have retreated, the mountains and plains are still filled with wolves and fierce beasts. What if your delicate frame gets eaten?"
Bu Yi: "..."
It was a long story.
"Siman, quickly get me some water. My throat is parched, cough, cough..." Bu Yi rubbed his throat.
With his good brother here, Yun Siman naturally wanted to host him warmly. He slung an arm around Bu Yi's shoulders. "Come, let's have a couple of bowls of wine in my tent to relax!"
After speaking, he quickly instructed a cook, "Didn't we catch two rabbits this morning? Have the chef roast them and bring them to the tent..."
Half an hour later, laughter echoed from a military tent.
Yun Siman and Bu Yi were seen drinking until their faces were flushed and their tongues were thick.
There were strict regulations in the army, forbidding both soldiers and deputy generals from excessive drinking, or they would face military law...
But what kind of person was Yun Siman? He was the nephew of the Great General who pacified the North, and he was about to marry Princess Xinling and become a consort. The officers in charge of military discipline turned a blind eye and dared not interfere with him.
"It's all sold out? Not a single bottle left?" Yun Siman's eyes widened in disbelief.
Bu Yi smiled and nodded, taking out a silver note from his embrace. "When have I ever lied to you? Here, take it. I've raised the price of that wine to ten taels of silver per bottle. After deducting the sales commission, keep the rest of the money..."
Such clear and sweet wine, perhaps even the imperial palace did not have it. Selling it for only one tael of silver would be a waste of heavenly treasures.
"Old Bu, you're quite cunning to have secretly raised the price yourself!" Yun Siman put away the silver note and poured Bu Yi another cup of wine. "So, what is it you need me for this time in the Northern Frontier?"
Bu Yi didn't beat around the bush and directly stated his idea. Finally, he added with a sincere expression, "Siman, given our relationship, don't you trust me? As long as you have the supply, I can sell the wine at a high price. I'll only take a twenty percent profit, and the rest of the money will be all yours..."
As he finished speaking, Bu Yi leaned closer to Yun Siman and lowered his voice, "If that doesn't work, you can give me the winemaking recipe. I'll find someone to brew the wine myself!"
Yun Siman: "..."
Do I look like someone who knows how to brew wine?
Let alone wine, he couldn't even brew sorghum wine properly.
"This wine was brewed by my sister. I don't have any stock left myself. If you're really in a hurry, you can go to Dashui Village to find my sister. She might still have some stock..." Yun Siman said casually.
Bu Yi's eyes flashed with disappointment upon hearing this.
He had traveled all the way to the Northern Frontier, only to not even get the recipe. Wasn't this a wasted trip?
"What's wrong? Why do you look so down?" Yun Siman asked in surprise.
Bu Yi gave a dry laugh, raised his wine bowl, and clinked it with Yun Siman's. "No... it's nothing. Perhaps I'm too tired from the journey. I'll set off for Dashui Village tomorrow to find your sister!"
If he didn't get the recipe, he would never return to the capital.
That wine was more delicious than the nectar of the gods. If he had the recipe, why would he still run a wine shop? He could just sell wine!
Yun Siman took a sip of wine, a vague sense of unease creeping in. "Old Bu, I'll say this upfront. If you really want the winemaking recipe, you must buy it from my sister with money. If you trick my sister with a few words, I won't let you off..."
Friends are friends, but the winemaking recipe was something his sister had painstakingly researched. Even if she gave it away, she should still charge him a hefty price.
There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
Bu Yi smiled guiltily. "Siman is right. Even if I want the recipe, I won't take it for free!"
He just wondered what kind of person Siman's sister was, and if she was easy to talk to...
If she was someone who was greedy for small favors, Bu Yi felt he could get the recipe for fifty taels of silver.
"Come, Siman, let's keep drinking!" Bu Yi raised his wine bowl and proactively offered a toast.
Unexpectedly, Yun Siman's expression turned serious, and he stood up. "I still have military duties to attend to, so I won't be drinking. Old Bu, you've had a long and tiring journey. You should get some rest. I must take my leave..."
After speaking, Yun Siman left without looking back.
Bu Yi's mouth twitched, and he snorted, "What's so arrogant about him? I traveled thousands of miles to bring him money, and that's the attitude he gives me?"
Hmph, if he had known this, he should have lied and said the wine was only one tael of silver, and kept all the remaining money for himself...
After resting in the military tent for a night, before dawn the next day, Bu Yi mounted his fine horse and galloped towards Dashui Village.
At the same time, on a official road leading to the Daliang Kingdom, three green-cloth carriages were approaching.
Around the carriages walked six or seven burly and imposing men...
The temperature in the southern regions was much higher than in the central plains. Especially in early spring, warm breezes and abundant rainfall prevailed, with flowers blooming and trees lining the official roads, painting a picturesque scene.
Suddenly, a fair and tender little hand lifted the curtain, allowing the warm breeze to blow into the carriage and gently brushing the young man's hair...
Murong Taotao looked out of the window thoughtfully, wearing a golden mask, his eyes filled with a hint of melancholy.
Eunuch Ruan, who was beside him, quickly lowered the curtain and said in a low voice, "Oh dear, National Preceptor, the wind is blowing outside. If you catch a cold, how am I supposed to explain it to His Majesty..."
The National Preceptor was the Emperor's most precious treasure, no, the treasure of the entire Yan Kingdom.
If he fell ill, the people of Yan would mourn with him.
Murong Taotao frowned. "Noisy, you're noisier than that old emperor!"
Eunuch Ruan: "..."
In this world, who would dare to directly call the Emperor noisy?
Perhaps National Preceptor Murong was the foremost person in the world.
Since Murong Taotao disliked Emperor Ming chattering in his ear, they each rode in a separate carriage. The National Preceptor rode at the front, the Emperor in the middle, and the last carriage carried miscellaneous items and servants...
"National, National Preceptor!" Eunuch Ruan said with his head bowed and cautiously, "Your servant, your servant dares to ask, what is your chance of finding your sister this time when you come to the Daliang Kingdom?"
Upon hearing this, Murong Taotao's cold eyes narrowed. "Even if there is no chance, I will find her..."
That was his own sister.
Just then, a commotion arose outside the carriage.