Chapter Four: The First Pot of Gold

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Making money is the foundation of survival...

Yes, the system has given me a distillery, so why not brew wine? Zifan hurriedly instructed Xiao Qiao to buy alcohol, placing it into the distillation apparatus. By exploiting the differences in volatility among the components of the liquid mixture, he partially vaporized the liquid and condensed the steam, thereby achieving separation of its constituents.

He heated the liquid until it boiled, turning it into vapor, then cooled the vapor to condense it back into liquid. The flask containing the liquid was set on an asbestos net, but lacking one, they used some simple cloth instead.

Once everything was ready, Zifan increased the heat until it reached the boiling point. Soon, droplets began to fall, the scent of wine filled the air, and foaming (wine bloom) from the alcohol wafted through the room.

Now, all that remained was to wait quietly. Xiao Qiao, her cheeks flushed, watched Zifan and the strange contraptions, her mind a confused jumble, unsure what to do—she was so adorable that Zifan couldn’t help but pinch her cheek.

Dian Wei, standing nearby, could hardly contain himself...

“Master, when will the wine be ready? I can't wait any longer!”

He swallowed again.

“All right, all right, let’s see how this wine tastes.” Zifan looked at Dian Wei, whose longing eyes seemed to pierce him.

Dian Wei wasted no time, grabbing a cup and gulping it down, one after another, then seized the barrel and drank straight from it in huge swigs.

His dark face quickly turned red, satisfaction written all over it, as though he were utterly intoxicated—a burly man, impressive in appearance but not much else.

“Excellent wine, excellent wine…” He staggered a few steps, drunkenly swaying, then fell with a thud and began snoring, utterly unconscious.

It seemed the wine was successfully brewed. Zifan immediately sent some to Guo Jia. After tasting it, Guo Jia exclaimed, “Such fine wine! To drink this is a blessing beyond measure. Strong and fierce—if we sell it, we’ll make a fortune. A barrel of this could fetch a king’s ransom. This is no loss, not at all.”

“Why not compose a poem for it, Master? With such good wine, its fame will soon bring us fortunes untold.”

Zifan, beaming with joy, recited:

“No price too high for a treasured blade,
Fur robes traded for wine—what boldness displayed.
Cherish the blood that burns bright within,
Spilled, it becomes waves of jade, no sin.
May our dreams and aspirations rise ever higher.”

How delightful, how exhilarating! Congratulations, host, you have brewed fine wine and earned a mysterious grand reward. Congratulations, host, you have gained one thousand Golden Armored soldiers, earned one hero draw, and received fine calligraphy paper.

Zifan ordered the wine to be sent to Liu Yan, Governor of Youzhou. Liu Yan was thrilled, as the Mid-Autumn Festival approached and the Emperor was preparing a grand banquet. The wine could be offered to His Majesty, especially with recent victories in battle—an ideal gift to welcome and honor the Emperor.

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As the Mid-Autumn Festival neared, Emperor Ling of Han hosted a grand banquet to reward the civil and military officials of the court.

Announcement…

Zifan from Liangcheng County presents fine wine for His Majesty to taste, wishing the Emperor blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea and longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountains.

Long live the Emperor! May he live ten thousand years!

“Oh? What kind of wine could inspire such praise from Minister Liu? Bring it to me.”

Ah! Truly excellent wine—robust and strong. Does it have a name? It has not yet been named. I hope Your Majesty might bestow a name upon it. Since this fine wine comes from Liangcheng and our great Han, why not call it ‘Sacred Wine’?” The ministers below offered a round of flattering suggestions.

“Long heard of Sacred Wine, yet only now do I taste its essence. Open the bottle, pouring golden nectar. Holding it brings delight, savoring it yields lasting pleasure.”

Emperor Ling was overjoyed. Years of defeat had wearied him, but at last, something brought him genuine happiness.

“How should we reward the Sima of Liangcheng, ministers?”

“Sire, the world is in chaos, but Sima Zifan of Liangcheng has offered fine wine to Your Majesty, and he is both learned and valiant. I, Liu Yan, am advanced in years. Youzhou is a vital territory for our dynasty; Zifan can shoulder this responsibility if Your Majesty agrees. Appoint Zifan as Sima of Youzhou, making him the second most powerful official there. I am too old to continue serving, but having him as my subordinate ensures any ambition can be swiftly checked. If necessary, I can quickly eliminate him, should he prove dangerous.” Liu Yan knelt in submission.

Youzhou is vast and rich, its territory roughly corresponding to modern Beijing, northern Hebei, and southern Liaoning. Since Liu Yan approves…

“Very well. Now is the time to use talented individuals, and we must promote young men to let them know the court rewards merit.”

“I hereby appoint Sima Zifan of Liangcheng as Sima of Youzhou, Tiger General, with five hundred taels of gold and silver, and two hundred horses.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your boundless grace…”

Youzhou is a military stronghold, transportation hub, and commercial metropolis, with fertile lands. It was one of the Nine Provinces and thirteen prefectures of Han, and a vital northern bastion. Now that Zifan has become Sima of Youzhou, he is a major court official, second only to the governor in Youzhou—a position of immense power.

Congratulations, host, you have become Sima of Youzhou and earned a General Card...

Li Bai

Courtesy name Taibai, pseudonym Qinglian Hermit, also known as “Banished Immortal.” A great romantic poet of the Tang dynasty, revered as the Poet Immortal by later generations. Though highly talented, he can be assigned to manage provisions for the host.

Li Bai is a poet immortal, but not the talent needed at present. Youzhou’s vastness demands capable administrators, and aside from Guo Jia, none are fit to manage Youzhou.

Every day, Guo Jia works diligently, tirelessly, but grows thinner and weaker.

Zifan felt a pang of sympathy, realizing he urgently needed many more talented people to help govern Youzhou and assist Guo Jia.

Xu Maogong

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A famous general of early Tang, ranking alongside Duke Li Jing of Wei. Han boasted Wei Qing, Huo Qubing, and Zhao Chongguo; Tang had Li Jing and Li Ji, both exemplary generals. Han had Han Xin, Ying Bu, and Peng Yue; Tang had Xue Wanche, Hou Junji, and Sheng Yanshi, all talented commanders.

It seemed Xu Maogong was truly extraordinary—a versatile genius. Zifan murmured, “If only I could obtain Xu Maogong, managing Youzhou would be within reach.”

Qin Qiong

A famed general from the late Sui and early Tang, renowned for incomparable bravery. He could reinforce cavalry, inspire three armies, break mighty foes, and as a lone rider with sword, forge ahead for the king—a perfect vanguard.

Hint: Qin Qiong comes with two thousand soldiers, ready to serve the host.

Zhao Yun

Eight feet tall, imposing in appearance, a legendary general of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms, skilled and courageous, fierce and mighty. As an elite cavalry commander, he could charge effectively.

Hint: In times of danger, his courage surges, vastly increasing his combat power.

Zhao Yun followed Liu Bei for many years, exceptionally bold, but was often relegated to menial tasks—transporting grain, cleaning battlefields, protecting families—wasting his heroic talent.

Wei Zhongxian

Ethnic Han, a eunuch of late Ming. After self-castration, changed his name to Li Jinzhong, then reverted to his original surname when appointed chief eunuch. The emperor gave him the name Wei Zhongxian.

System prompt: While Wei Zhongxian seized power, embezzled funds, framed loyal officials, and caused many deaths—cruel as wolves and tigers—the system has corrected and magnified his administrative ability, reducing his ambition to zero. Host may rest assured.

Why would the system give me a eunuch? Is it mocking me?

Host, please do not doubt the system’s capabilities. The system always acts impartially.

Beep!

Congratulations, host, you have acquired hero Xu Maogong.

May you continue to strive onward.