Chapter 6: Wine

The crowd burst into laughter, walked to the front of the cart, uncovered the grass mat, and indeed found a cart full of wine dregs. They all buried their heads in it, took a deep breath, and appeared to be in a state of bliss.

Liu Xiaoyi said: "Everyone, be quiet. This is the sweat of the wine obtained from frying, and the lady specifically instructed me to bring it back for the steward. Here you go, can you all drink it?"

Xu Ping knows that the lees are brought back to feed the pigs, so it is not surprising to him

Xu Chang walked over and said to Xu Ping, "Da Lang, you don't really think that this can produce alcohol sweat, do you?"

Gao Dazhuan, standing aside, expressed his disbelief: "What kind of alcohol is so potent?"

Xu Ping was momentarily stunned. What is this? As the sole heir of the family, why should he be constrained by a servant woman in his own home? What kind of rule is this?

Xiu Xiu lowered her head and, after a while, secretly glanced at Xu Ping, murmuring softly: "With the madam present, how can you take charge?"

There is no particular reason for this; it is simply that Xu Ping was so busy that he forgot to trim the heads and tails when steaming the liquor, which is necessary to obtain a uniformly high-quality spirit. However, it is not a loss to put it back in the pot, as it can still be steamed again, resulting in even better quality

The distilled liquor obtained in this manner generally has an alcohol content of fifty to sixty degrees, which is precisely the degree at which the aroma of the liquor is most intense. Typically, liquor must reach an alcohol content of fifty-four degrees or higher to exhibit a distinctive flavor. At this degree, the volume of the liquor is minimized, and its density is maximized; it is not merely a solution of alcohol in water, but rather a unique liquid that is neither water nor alcohol. As for the low-alcohol liquor of previous generations, its aroma was achieved through special methods; otherwise, it would be completely undrinkable.

While the courtyard was bustling with voices, a sudden high-pitched female voice rang out from outside, rising and falling unpredictably, winding and twisting, much like a performance, though the tone remained consistently sharp

Listening to Granny Hong recount the events with tears and snot, Lin Suniang merely smiled, neither nodding nor speaking. She was there to mediate the situation, and since she had not yet entered the door, what could she possibly say

Xu Chang's expression changed immediately upon hearing this, his face flushed as if fire were about to burst forth, and his eyebrows stood upright.

He took the gourd from Xu Chang's hands, and as Xu Ping opened it, a pungent and spicy aroma rushed forth. He tilted his head back and took a small sip; as expected, it was like drinking raw liquor, with no hint of fragrance at all. After finishing it, he felt dizzy, the alcohol's potency surged directly to his head.

Xu Ping was quite unaccustomed to this sound and could not even discern what was being said. He pulled Xiu Xiu aside and quietly asked her, "Who is it outside? Why does it sound like someone is scolding?"

Xu Ping felt a stir in his heart. The so-called "wine sweat" refers to the vapor that rises during the distillation of liquor, which condenses into liquid. In simpler terms, it is the alcohol obtained from the distillation of liquor mixed with water, resulting in a high alcohol content. However, one should not confuse this with the baijiu of later generations. Chinese baijiu has its own unique craftsmanship, involving solid fermentation and solid distillation, which gives it a distinctive aroma. Other high-proof spirits in the world, apart from Chinese baijiu, are directly distilled like wine sweat, but generally cannot be consumed directly after distillation. For instance, they must be aged in oak barrels for many years; otherwise, very few people would be able to drink them.

Sun Qilang said: "Xiao Yige, you came from the town, did you bring any wine for us to enjoy?"

This is yellow rice wine lees, which contains more than 10% alcohol, so it can certainly be distilled into liquor, and what is produced is genuine white liquor, not just the byproduct of distillation. In the past, the lees from yellow rice wine factories had to be distilled in this manner to be processed, and the resulting liquor is called "lees white liquor." In fact, the process of distilling alcohol from lees is known as the "fragrant distillation method." The production of white liquor from edible alcohol in the past utilized this technique, rather than simple blending.

Upon seeing Lin Suniang, Granny Hong felt as if she had encountered a savior and hurriedly approached her. This young girl is the future matriarch; after all, in the household, isn't it the women who hold the power? Not only in the Xu family, but even in the imperial palace, it is the same. As long as she wins the favor of both the senior and junior matriarchs, what does Granny Hong have to fear?

Xu Chang was unaware of what Xu Ping was up to, yet he could not ignore it, so he took two people to the kitchen

Liu Xiaoyi agreed and hurriedly returned with the ox cart

This year has seen a severe drought, and the farmers are bored every day. When there is work to be done, they are quite eager; upon hearing Xu Ping's command, some start scrubbing pots while others go to fetch water

The bucket was brought over, and Gao Daqian did not need a carrying pole. He carried a wooden bucket in each hand and fetched more than ten buckets of water from the nearby river, stopping only when Xu Ping called for him to halt. He was only slightly out of breath.

Retrieve the gourd, Xu Ping said to Liu Xiaoyi: "Xiaoyi, you bring the wine dregs to my yard, I still have use for it, and I will take it to feed the pigs tomorrow"

Xu Ping shouted, "If you dare to insult me again, I will take a knife and turn you over, chop you into filling, and wrap you into buns. Do you believe it or not?"

After pondering for a while, I let out a sigh of resignation; this is the custom of my Song Dynasty

After speaking, he turned around and returned to his own courtyard

With me around, I am the one in charge of the household matters. Whatever I say goes. If you dare to disobey, be careful, as someone might accuse you of being disrespectful, and you could end up getting beaten severely.

Xiu Xiu said: "My lord, have you forgotten? Yesterday, the lady instructed that all matters of this estate should be decided by Granny Hong. Today, you have hired that Gao Daquan without consulting Granny. She is now scolding Xu Duguan for taking advantage of your influence to usurp her authority"

Xu Ping is fifteen years old this year, which happens to be the same age as the current emperor, yet even the emperor cannot make decisions! Currently, Empress Dowager Liu is in power, and everything is decided by her; does the emperor not have to obediently listen as well

Xu Ping left the kitchen and sat down to rest under the large poplar tree in the small courtyard, looking for a jar to catch the wine at the mouth of the bamboo tube

Xu Ping gave a wry smile, pouring the wine from the jar into the pot. The two of them stared in astonishment, almost rushing forward to snatch it from his hands

Xu Ping shook his head and said nothing

Upon seeing Xu Ping holding half a jar of fine wine, Gao Daqian squeezed in beside Xu Chang, and the two of them gazed intently with shining eyes.

Outside, the incessant scolding of Granny Hong filled the air. The more Xu Ping listened, the more infuriated he became. Unable to contain himself any longer, he turned around and stormed out, startling Xiu Xiu, who hurriedly followed him out.

Agricultural machinery and food machinery are sometimes not clearly distinguished, which is also considered Xu Ping's specialty. In fact, in his previous life, the use of food-grade alcohol to produce liquor was a significant government project aimed at conserving grain. However, there has never been a perfect process, and it could only be used to produce low-grade liquor. Even with the strength of the nation, this was the best that could be achieved, which illustrates that Chinese liquor is far more complex than simply mixing alcohol with water.

Without caring about anything else, he took the gourd, tilted his head back, and took a big gulp. Then, with his mouth wide open, he kept sticking out his tongue, all the while exclaiming how satisfying it was.

The people around could not help but stare in astonishment; this fellow was simply like an ox, possessing an immense amount of strength throughout his entire body

Xu Ping led everyone back to his small courtyard, entered the kitchen, and instructed, "Two of you, wash the pot clean, then go fetch a few buckets of water to fill the water tank over there."

The so-called prosperous era, for the wealthy and powerful, is naturally filled with romance and joy; while for the most marginalized people, it is a suffering of hunger and cold, and an oppression with no hope of relief. In the shadows of every lantern in Tokyo, there lie the bones of the lowest strata of society

After steaming for a while, you will know how it turns out

Before long, the steamer was nearly full. Xu Ping instructed to cover it with a lid, ordered someone to bring firewood, and then started a fire beneath the pot. In a moment, the aroma of the wine filled the air

Xu Ping angrily said: "What nonsense is this! Am I not in charge of this estate?"

Xiu Xiu observed everyone busy with their tasks and quietly asked Xu Ping: "Sir, do you intend to steam the leftover wine lees for consumption? Although the lady mentioned yesterday that the family is facing financial difficulties, it shouldn't come to the point of resorting to such humble means, should it?"

Liu Xiaoyi smiled and said: "There is no wine, but there is a cart of lees, do you want some?"

Clean up, Xu Ping instructed to pour water into the pot, then place the steamer on top of the pot, and let Xu Chang take people to the courtyard to load the lees from Liu Xiaoyi's cart into the steamer

Handing the gourd to Gao Daquan, Xu Ping said: "You worked hard just now, have a sip of this wine to refresh yourself, but don't drink too much. In the future, you should avoid drinking this stuff; it is harmful to your health."

Turning his head, he found Gao Daqian staring at him intently, continuously licking his tongue. Xu Ping smiled wryly; true alcoholics must dare to face the fiery nature of alcohol. In the historical records of his past life, those alcoholics who directly consumed medical alcohol were indeed a never-ending tale.

This is the tone of a dandy, with an innate bachelor demeanor; at this moment, Xu Ping spoke out, and it was so perfect that it seemed as if it were naturally formed

The so-called "miserable people" is a heart-wrenching term that refers to some extremely impoverished families in Tokyo who survive by consuming the leftover mash from the city's sake breweries.

Grandma Hong was filled with trepidation; she knew that this little beast had been unruly since childhood. If it truly provoked her, it was hard to say whether it would dare to resort to violence. Feeling guilty, she lowered her head.

The crowd clamored, all saying that Liu Xiaoyi was currying favor with those in power

Grandma Hong was taken aback when Xu Ping came out, stopped scolding, and glared at him fiercely

Xu Ping could not vent his anger at Lin Suniang, yet his irritation remained. He said to Granny Hong, "Go and kill a sheep; today I want to treat everyone to a feast, as there will be more work to do in the future"

Xiu Xiu looked around and then whispered, "It's Granny Hong, scolding Xu Duguan."

Xu Ping instructed Xu Chang again: "Du Guan, go to the kitchen and find a steamer for me, it needs to be a larger one."

Xu Ping was taken aback: "What are you scolding for?"

In no time, the other guests in the front room also rushed over, as if playing a game, bustling and clamoring, even more lively than a market fair

When Lin Suniang entered from outside while Zheng Jiang was there, she looked at everyone and said softly: "What happened in the village? It's making a noise as loud as a mountain; what would outsiders think if they heard it?"

How can this be allowed? With such a large estate, how can it be dictated by a woman who only knows how to curse? Is that acceptable? Xu Ping, with his gentle yet stubborn temperament, cannot tolerate this. He took the time to go to the town and discussed the matter with his parents, asserting that he must take charge of the affairs of the estate himself

When there was no more wine flowing out, Xu Ping had another batch of wine lees replaced. After the wine began to flow again, he instructed to change to another wine jar after a short while

Liu Xiaoyi took out a small gourd from his side and handed it to Xu Chang, saying: "Here, this is a small token of respect for you. It is not much, so please drink it sparingly"

While the commotion was ongoing, Liu Xiaoyi drove a bullock cart over and came to a stop in front of the crowd

Lin Suniang said: "Father asked me to tell you that school starts tomorrow, do not forget."

Here, everything was tidied up, and Xu Chang also found a large steamer used in the village for steaming buns. Xu Ping personally took action, making an opening at the top of the steamer and inserting a bamboo tube into it, sharpening the end of the tube.

In less than half an hour, the white liquor began to flow out of the bamboo tube, emitting the distinctive aroma of the liquor. The guests watched Xu Ping eagerly, but he remained unperturbed, leaving everyone else to endure the wait