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Chapter 120 Double Ninth Festival Gathering
Early in the morning of the fifth day of the ninth lunar month, the catchy tune of "Erlang the Wine God Song" resounded throughout Taiping Town.

Today is the day of the Erlangjiu (a type of Chinese liquor) order fair. There's a reason for holding the fair in September: firstly, the weather is gradually getting cooler, and it's the season for drinking baijiu; secondly, merchants will also stock up on goods at this time, hoping to make a fortune at the end of the year; and thirdly, with the arrival of the dry season, the Chishui River can be barely navigable again.

Taking all factors into account, the proprietress set the date for today and even spent a fortune to book the largest restaurant in town—Hongyunlou!

She led her team to set up the venue as soon as the store closed last night, working through the entire night until dawn before finally finishing.

She slept for less than an hour after returning to the shop, then got up, washed and dressed, and reappeared at Hongyunlou looking radiant.

"Why don't you rest a little longer, sister-in-law?" Su Youjin had also come early to keep an eye on things, as he had to guard against anyone causing trouble.

However, he wasn't wearing his general's robe, but rather a brand-new black silk hat. The blue silk robe he wore was neatly pressed, and the soft sheen of the silk flowed along the folds in the morning sun. Although it wasn't made of the finest material, few people could afford to wear it in those days.

Because the imperial court stipulated that even wealthy merchants and commoners were not allowed to wear silk or satin. In those days, society hadn't yet reached a point of moral decay, and few dared to openly violate the prohibition. Therefore, my uncle's attire clearly indicated his official status.

"If you can't sleep, come over early and keep an eye on things," the landlady replied in a hoarse voice, but her gaze involuntarily fell on Su Youcai, who was writing.

Although Su Lao Er couldn't wear silk and satin, he certainly looked much better than his eldest uncle. He wore a black veil, a lake-green Taoist robe made of Songjiang cloth underneath, and a dark blue shawl on top. The outfit the landlady had put on him was no cheaper than his eldest uncle's.

As the saying goes, clothes make the man, and this only made Brother Youcai appear even more handsome, with a fair complexion and extraordinary temperament. He possessed both the dashing looks of a young man in his twenties and the charm of a mature man.

Feeling the familiar, ardent gaze, Su Youcai turned and exchanged a glance with the proprietress, flashing a charming smile. Then, he picked up his large brush and wrote a powerful and vigorous inscription on the red and gold-flecked plaque on the right:

Enjoying chrysanthemums on the Double Ninth Festival!

"Second Brother's calligraphy is really impressive." On such a day, the third brother would naturally join in the fun. He was as good-looking as Ma and as talented as Ma, and he dressed up quite well.

However, his behavior was somewhat frivolous, and he was always laughing and joking without any seriousness. He only pleased young girls and could not win the hearts of young women like the steady, melancholic, and poetic Su Youcai...

"It doesn't feel like a trade fair at all; it feels more like a gathering of intellectuals?" He casually remarked, examining Su Youcai's masterpiece.

"What's the rush?" Su Youcai walked to the other side of the gold-flecked red paper and wrote four more large characters:
'Erlang Jiaji. '

"Erlang Jiajiu! Erlangjiu's grand gathering! Haha, this is perfect!" Uncle really knows how to create emotional value. "And a great achievement! Erlangjiu's first major success, a good omen!"

"Hehe." Su Youcai put down his pen and asked, "Third brother, what brings you here?"

"What are you saying? What have I ever neglected at home?" Su Youma laughed. "Besides, I'm a VIP today!"

As he spoke, he pulled out a gold-embossed invitation from his sleeve and showed it to Su Youcai, saying, "Be polite to me today!"

"Don't be so polite, I'll give you a good taste!" Su Youcai gripped the large pen, making a gesture as if to throw it away.

"No way, I didn't bring any spare clothes." Su Youma laughed and ran into the restaurant, only to be dumbfounded.

In the hall, strings of colorful balls of varying heights hung suspended, their frames made of bamboo strips and their outer layers of colorful gauze, resembling pearls and rosy clouds, stretching endlessly. Adorned with numerous famous quotes related to wine, such as:

"Enjoy life to the fullest when you're successful; don't let your golden goblet stand empty before the moon."

'Singing and drinking freely in the daytime, youth accompanies me on my return home.'

"When will the moon be clear and bright? I raise my cup to ask the blue sky." and similar phrases.

The colorful lanterns and poems, along with the various chrysanthemums on the table, created an elegant atmosphere throughout the venue.

"The proprietress has decorated it beautifully!" Su Youma exclaimed to his uncle. "I've never seen such a high-class place in the whole county!"

"What places have you been to?" the uncle asked, seizing on the key point.

"I don't have any money, I can only admire it from afar." Su Youma quickly changed the subject, "Why don't our wives have this kind of taste?"

"Just complain about your wife, don't drag your sister-in-law into it." The uncle rolled his eyes at him and said, "Your eldest sister-in-law is like a mother to you, she's practically your second mother!"

"Haha, that's right! We won't allow anyone to talk behind our backs!" Qiu Ge'er's laughter rang out from the second floor.

The uncle looked up and saw Su Lu carrying a flowerpot, busy at work.

Su Man and Su Tai also appeared beside him. Chun Ge'er was still as handsome and outstanding as ever, but he had become more gentle... Perhaps the mischievous students had worn him down and made him lose his temper.

Xia Ge'er had lost weight, making his eyes appear larger. He was still as composed as ever, but several months as the second-in-command had given him more confidence and made him look more mature.

But the biggest change was in Qiu Ge'er. In just one year, he was a completely different person from head to toe. He had grown taller, now reaching Xia Ge'er's ear, and his entire demeanor had undergone a dramatic transformation. He possessed Chun Ge's vigorous growth like a spring pine, Xia Ge's maturity and composure, and a confidence and radiance that neither of them had ever had!
"That's wonderful!" Su Youma exclaimed. "My Su family is thriving!"

"You just found out?" Su Youjin laughed smugly. "We knew a long time ago!" "Big brother's excluding me again..." Su Youma said with a wry smile. He'd missed the most important part; now it seemed like a huge loss...

~~
At dawn, men and women of the Su clan, carrying 20,000 catties of Erlang wine, came from Erlangtan in a grand procession!

Today is the day that will determine the fate of Su's Winery, and even the entire clan!

For months, the entire clan worked together with one heart and one mind to brew Erlang wine. Su Daji not only refused to pay any wages, but also owed each household sorghum and wheat on credit. The entire clan exerted every ounce of their strength, squeezing out the last drop, to finally brew 40,000 jin of wine!

But even the best wine needs advertising. No matter how good the wine is, it's useless if you can't sell it! Whether the distillery can be revived depends on today!

Even at this time of year, the Chishui River is not entirely navigable. At least for dozens of miles upstream and downstream from Taiping Town, boats can still navigate if one is careful; otherwise, the town would not have developed into a wharf and market.

The section of the river from Erlangtan to Taiping Town is considered a moderately dangerous shoal. At this time of year, it's barely passable for boats, but you'll have to pay extra.

The clansmen decided to carry the Erlang wine, which they had placed all their hopes on, to town on a shoulder pole, partly to save money and partly because they were afraid that something might go wrong with it.
Fortunately, when there was no work at the distillery, they all went to the mountains to carry salt for a living. The men could carry 120 or 130 jin (60-65 kg) in one load, and the women could carry 70 or 80 jin (35-40 kg). These two hundred or so people managed to carry 20,000 jin (10,000 kg) of salt for ten li (5 kilometers) to the town!
And not a single jar was broken.

Su Tai also brought over two hundred catties, but he arrived half an hour earlier than them. He's now the second-in-command at the distillery, so he had to come first to align... that thing, the grain size.

Upon seeing the large group arrive, he quickly directed his people to neatly arrange the wine jars in front of the inn.

Two sturdy wooden frames had already been erected there. Once the wine jars were placed on them, they transformed into two magnificent wine mountains!
The clansmen were all concerned about today's outcome, but they were very careful not to go into the venue. Instead, they stood outside with their carrying poles, watching over the two 'wine mountains' like hawks.

The three elders of the Su family also arrived together with their clansmen.

Su Daxiang and Su Daji sandwiched Su Dacheng between them as they walked into the venue with smiles on their faces.

The old man was dragged here by the old clan chief and the head steward. Even when he arrived at the door, he still looked unwilling and muttered, "Why am I causing trouble? I can't help at all."

“Commander Ma specially invited you, is it appropriate for you not to come?” Su Daji gripped the old man’s arm tightly, as if afraid he would run away.

“This is a grand gathering organized by your children and grandchildren. Don’t you feel regretful if you don’t see it with your own eyes?” The old clan chief also grabbed his other arm.

This stubborn old man has left Erlangtan for the first time since being dismissed from his post. If we don't keep a close watch on him, he might actually turn back…

"Sigh..." The old man sighed and said, "Of course I want to see it, but I don't want anyone to see me."

"Why is that? You're not some unmarried young lady, why are you shy?" Su Daji teased.

"Sigh, you know perfectly well what I'm asking. That guy surnamed Ma was vying with me for the position of deputy commander back then, but he's already a commander now. And all my former men have become important figures. I've just become a commoner. What's the point of seeing them? Do you expect me to flatter them?" the old man said irritably.

"Haha, Sixth Brother, you're overthinking it. Right now, everyone's envious of you." Su Daji laughed and shook his head.

“Yes, before twenty you rely on your father and grandfather, after sixty you rely on your children and grandchildren.” Su Daxiang also laughed and said, “If your children and grandchildren are successful, that’s better than anything else.”

After saying that, the two of them forcibly dragged Su Dacheng inside.

~~
At dawn, guests from all walks of life arrived one after another, drawn by the enchanting "Erlang the Wine God Song".

Everyone was stunned by the spectacular scene!

In front of the restaurant, a three-zhang-tall green bamboo pole was erected, with a huge red silk banner hanging above it, bearing the four characters "Erlang's Fine Wine".

Below that are four smaller characters—"Inscribed by Lu Zhaoye!"
Ordinary people may not know who Lu Zhaoye is, but which of these merchants who travel all over the country does not know the name of Magistrate Lu?

In the eyes of the academy's teachers, Lu Zhaoye was nothing. But to the merchants, he was like a father figure who could decide their fate!

"I never expected Erlang Wine to be so powerful that it could even get the county magistrate to inscribe its name." The merchants looked up at the wine flag and suddenly realized that they had underestimated their host.

Looking at the shop entrance, on either side of the signs "Chrysanthemum Appreciation for Double Ninth Festival" and "Erlang's Gathering," there are two colorful tents, with wine jars piled up like mountains inside. The jars are wrapped with green bamboo strips and each is covered with a red paper that reads "Erlang's Fine Wine"!

A mountain of wine composed of hundreds or even thousands of jars is incredibly impressive! It instantly makes you feel like you've entered a world of wine...

Besides the men carrying wine jars and chanting Dionysus songs, two rows of young women lined both sides of the road to welcome guests. With delicate hands holding white porcelain cups, they smiled and toasted the guests with welcoming wine.

The merchants had never seen anything like this before. They immediately felt like they were being treated as honored guests, and were so flattered that they didn't know what to do with their hands for a moment.

Originally, I was just planning to come and watch the excitement, but now I'm completely wary of Erlangjiu!
"It seems we'll have to order at least two jars, otherwise we'd be letting them down after such a warm welcome." Upon arriving in such a high-class environment, the businessmen didn't even dare to whisper loudly.

They themselves didn't realize that they had been overwhelmed by Erlangjiu's preemptive and imposing aura!
(End of this chapter)