Spoiled and mad critic of powerful ministers

This was a new method she devised based on the brewers Wen Xiujie had recruited in her previous life; the temperature control was extremely effective.

But for these villagers who don't know anything about brewing, this is quite easy to judge.

Shen Huaide stared at the ruined wine vat and finally managed to stammer, "...Will this stuff even work?"

"Whether it works or not, we'll know after trying one tank."

Shen Qiongju smiled, a smile that exuded a sense of confidence in controlling the situation. "Uncle, the three hundred catties of 'first-grade roasted meat' we received is an urgent order. If we mess it up, losing money is a small matter, but ruining our reputation is a big one."

When the order for 300 kilograms was mentioned, Shen Huaide's expression turned serious.

It was decided by the people in the military camp; although it wasn't explicitly stated, he could tell.

"Alright! We'll do as my niece says!"

Shen Huaide tucked the wooden spoon in his hand into his waistband and roared at his men, "Did you all hear that? You do exactly what the young lady says! If anyone lets me down again, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

"yes!"

The responses from below were sparse, but at least there was a sense of energy and spirit.

Aunt Wang picked up the apron from the ground, dusted it off, and tied it back on. As she passed Shen Qiongju, she gave an awkward curtsy and said, "Miss, I acted impulsively just now."

"Auntie, you're a good cook. You've got the timing for steaming rice just right. From now on, you'll be in charge of those young girls in this area," Shen Qiongju encouraged. "If you do a good job, you'll get an extra hundred coins at the end of the month."

Aunt Wang's eyes widened instantly. One hundred coins! That's the price of five catties of pork!

"Oh, Miss, don't worry! I guarantee I'll steam the rice until every grain is translucent!" Aunt Wang replied loudly, then hurried off to work.

With rules, there is order and boundaries.

The once noisy and chaotic distillery, as if guided by an invisible hand, began to operate in an orderly manner.

The shouts of water carriers, the splashing of rice being washed, and the crisp sound of chopping firewood mingled together, no longer jarring, but instead exuding a vibrant energy.

Shen Qiongju stood on the steps, watching all of this, and gently exhaled.

"Young Miss".

Manager Wang walked over quickly, holding an account book, his face somewhat grave. "Someone just delivered a message."

"Who?"

"It's that doctor who ordered 300 catties of 'first-pressed liquor'," Manager Wang lowered his voice. "He said the liquor needs to be ordered in advance. He'll be taking it away in three days."

"Three days?" Shen Huaide, who was overhearing this, widened his eyes. "He's dreaming! The fermentation of this 'first distillation' takes a long time. When distilling, the beginning and end are cut off. Three hundred catties of lees would require distilling at least three thousand catties of lees! How could three days be enough?"

Shen Qiongju's eyes flickered slightly.

Three days.

Counting the days, it will be three days from now, the day the northern border troops will change shifts.

In her previous life, she vaguely remembered that this troop rotation was not peaceful; it seemed that a small-scale battle had broken out, and many people had died.

Therefore, she must hand over this batch of wine. Moreover, she must hand it over gracefully.

"Second Uncle."

Shen Qiongju turned her head, her eyes resolute, "Add more people and pay them more, add more stoves. Shift shifts day and night, the stoves never stop even when people rest."

"Three days later, I want to make sure that 300 catties of 'first-pressed liquor' is placed at the door, not a drop missing."

Looking at his niece's confident tone, Shen Huaide swallowed back the words "impossible" that he had originally intended to say.

He gritted his teeth and said, "Fine! I'll risk it all, even if it's just an old man like me! I'll fight to the death!"

.

As night fell, the Shen family's winery remained brightly lit.

In the newly built large stoves, the fire was burning brightly, illuminating half the sky.

Steam rose from the huge wooden steamer, white mist swirled around it, and the whole courtyard was filled with the rich aroma of rice and wine.

Shen Qiongju did not go home, but stayed in a side room of the winery.

She changed into a neat coarse cloth outfit, her hair was tied up with a single wooden hairpin, and her sleeves were rolled up high, revealing her two forearms that were as white as snow.

Although the tasks were divided, she didn't just talk the talk.

She was on patrol.

"Aunt Wang, this pot of rice is a little undercooked; the heat was too high." She lifted the lid, glanced at the pot, and immediately pointed out the problem.

Aunt Wang touched her forehead, looking ashamed: "Oh dear, I was so busy rushing that I didn't know what to do! I'll just gather two pieces of firewood right away!"

"Uncle Li, when sealing the mud, you need to mix in some chopped straw, otherwise it will easily crack when it dries, the aroma of the liquor will escape, and the liquor will lose its soul." She squatted down next to Li Laosan and even grabbed a handful of mud to demonstrate.

Looking at the young lady's hands, which should have been used for playing the zither and embroidering, now covered in yellow mud, Li Laosan was deeply shocked, and his work became even more meticulous.

The workers initially thought this young lady was just giving orders haphazardly, and that she was only enthusiastic for a short time.

But seeing her working until the wee hours of the morning without ever complaining of being tired, and even more energetic than those of them who were used to hard labor, their contempt vanished and was replaced by admiration.

This eldest daughter of the Shen family is truly knowledgeable and hardworking.

At three quarters past 1:45 AM, the first batch of fermented lees was ready.

Shen Huaide personally took charge of the distillation process.

This is the most crucial step.

A huge cauldron is placed over the still, and cold water is poured into it. The steam condenses into liquid upon contact with the cold water and flows out slowly through the bamboo tube.

Everyone held their breath, staring at the thin bamboo tube.

"Tick-tock".

The first drop of wine, clear as water, fell into the white porcelain jar.

Then, they merged into a thin line.

A domineering and intense aroma of liquor exploded in the air, rushing straight to the top of one's head.

"Excellent wine!"

Shen Huaide took a small bowl, sipped it, and his eyes lit up instantly.

The liquor was extremely strong on the palate, like a fire burning down the throat, but the aftertaste had a sweet grain flavor, so pure that there was not a trace of impurity.

"This is the first roast!"

Shen Huaide exclaimed, "I've been brewing wine for thirty years and I've never seen such pure first-press liquor before! Qiongju, your... egg temperature control method is amazing!"

In the past, relying on feel always resulted in inaccuracies.

This time, I followed the measurements exactly, and the fermentation process was absolutely perfect.

Shen Qiongju took the bowl and took a small sip.

The spiciness stimulated her taste buds, instantly clearing her muddled mind.

It became.

As long as you follow this process, 300 jin in three days is no problem.

She put down her bowl, looked at the tired but excited faces in the courtyard, and said loudly, "Everyone has worked hard tonight. Shen Song, get ten catties of pork, and open two jars of our own good wine to warm everyone up!"

"Okay!"

The cheers nearly lifted the roof off.

Shen Qiongju stood outside the bustling crowd, watching this scene with a slight smile on her lips.

This is what she wants: not just to make money, but to win people's hearts.

This group of people will be the foundation for her business expansion in the future.

Just then, someone knocked on the courtyard gate.

"Who is it? In the middle of the night?"

The doorman grumbled as he went to open the door.

As soon as the door opened, the wind and snow, along with the cold air, rushed in.

A tall figure stood at the doorway, wearing a black cloak with the brim of his hat pulled low, obscuring his face.

But behind him was a carriage without any markings.

"I've heard that the Shen family's distillery can brew extremely pure 'first-pressed liquor'?"

The man's voice was deep, carrying an air of authority born from years of issuing commands.

Shen Huaide, who was gnawing on a pork knuckle, was taken aback. He put down the meat and walked over warily: "Sir, our wine isn't fully ready yet. If you want to buy wine, come back in a couple of days."