Above the mage!

Chapter 560 Flying Moutai
“In Phoenix, they are Phoenix people.” God saw through Elsa and Sunefa’s worries that Rock Steel and Dulin Fire, being from the Sheep Clan, might not be willing to help, and said this with certainty in his tone.

Then he changed the subject, his tone becoming more relaxed: "As for the last layer of anti-counterfeiting measures, there isn't much difficulty in achieving that."

We can simply learn from our good neighbor, referencing the specifications of the broom coin, including its weight and purity.

The standard purity of the gold coin is 95%, and its weight is 26 percent. Based on this calculation, the gold weight of one coin is close to 7 grams.

This gold content is the highest among all gold coins in circulation.

This also reflects, to some extent, the heritage and style of the Plantagenet Dynasty as an ancient dynasty.

As a rising star, the Holy Empire initially looked up to the Plantagenet Dynasty.

However, as the Holy Empire grew stronger, it went a step further, raising the gold purity standard of Imperial Throne Gold to 96%, making it the gold-content gold coin with the highest purity among all circulating gold coins.

“Okay, as long as Master Yang is willing to help, then all three layers of anti-counterfeiting can be implemented.” Elsa went through the process in her mind and agreed.

"Let's go and deal with Master Yan Gang first." After finalizing the general plan, Gao De acted swiftly and decisively, getting up and pulling Sunefa along with him.

"Weren't we looking for Yan Gang and Du Lin Huo?" Sunafa asked, puzzled as she followed Gao De out of the city hall, noticing that Gao De was heading in the wrong direction.

"When asking for help, how can you arrive empty-handed? You should bring a small gift."

Gao De laughed and said, "With Master Yan Gang's strength, Phoenix can't come up with any treasures that will catch his eye, but we can cater to his tastes."

While Sunafa was still pondering what "catering to their preferences" meant, she followed Gaode to a newly built workshop.

The workshop windows were open, and a faint, unique aroma of wheat wafted out.

"My King, War Mother!" In the workshop, Deputy Minister Grant, who was busy at work, received a message from his staff and rushed out.

He was somewhat bewildered to see that Gao De and Sunafa had arrived together. He greeted them with a bow.

what's the situation?
“Let’s take a look at your results,” Gao De said as he walked into the workshop, his gaze sweeping over the neatly arranged wooden barrels against the wall.

The barrel was marked with words like "7th day of fermentation" and "awaiting distillation" in charcoal. He smiled and said, "I saw your report a couple of days ago saying that you had already brewed the first batch of ale?"

The North is currently facing a severe shortage of timber, and the fact that they are able to use this portion of timber to make barrels for brewing demonstrates the significant support they are providing.

Yes, this workshop is indeed a brewing workshop.

When Master Yan Gang first arrived in Phoenix, he expressed his desire for fine wine.

Afterwards, Gao De took a liking to Grant and began to try brewing alcohol with Northwest barley, and told him the basic ideas of brewing.

Grant is also a very perceptive, proactive, and capable person.

He knew how much importance Gaode attached to this matter, and upon returning, he immediately began organizing manpower to try it out.

With a general idea in mind and the aid of magic, the brewing process proceeded very smoothly.

Two days ago, Gaode received a report from Grant saying that the first batch of beer had been brewed and was ready to be taken out of the barrel.

However, Gaode was busy at the time and wasn't particularly interested in alcohol, so he didn't come over to check immediately.

Now that he needed it, the first thing he thought of was this matter.

"Yes! The first batch is ready and is being aged!" Upon hearing what Gao De said, Grant breathed a sigh of relief, then became excited again, his voice rising several decibels.
He beckoned to a staff member and gave him a few instructions: "Bring that barrel of liquor over here!"

Before long, a staff member came running over carrying an oak barrel that was about half a person's height.

The bucket was sealed with a cork and wrapped with a hemp rope. A small wooden sign was hanging on the rope, which read "First Batch of Northwest Barley No. 2".

Grant stepped forward and skillfully removed the cork.

A strong aroma of wheat bursts forth instantly, mixed with the spicy scent of alcohol, like a ball of flame rushing towards the face, making the tip of one's nose tingle.

Unlike the mild flavor of typical ale, this beer has a burning and pungent aroma that makes you feel warm from your throat to your stomach just by smelling it.

"Look, this is ale brewed with Northwest Barley No. 2." Grant carefully poured two glasses of beer and handed them to God and Sunefa.

The wine is a deep blood red, like melting blood crystals, flowing slowly down the glass and leaving fine droplets.

Northwest Barley No. 2 is a hybrid of blood crystal barley and cold-resistant barley. The barley itself is blood red, so the color of the brewed liquor is to be expected.

“Both Northwest Barley No. 1 and No. 2 can be used to brew alcohol. Due to its inherent characteristics, No. 2 produces a stronger spirit, which is more suitable for the North. Besides, Master Rocksteel likes strong spirits, so I specifically tried brewing alcohol with Northwest Barley No. 2 first,” Grant explained.

Gao De smelled the aroma and looked at the color of the wine, and felt that it should be pretty good. In the end, the taste did not disappoint him.

He tried taking a small sip, and as soon as the wine touched his lips, a burning sensation shot into his mouth, as if he had a small piece of burning charcoal in his mouth.

As the liquor slid down my throat, the burning sensation instantly transformed into a fiery serpent, surging down my esophagus and causing a slight tightness in my throat, but without any choking or coughing.

At the same time, the aroma of roasted wheat explodes on the tongue, with a hint of sweetness from the roasting process, without a trace of any off-flavors.

Even when the liquor flows over your teeth, you can taste the natural sweetness of the wheat grains.

After swallowing the wine, a warm feeling instantly spread from my stomach, flowing through my blood vessels and throughout my body, even my fingertips felt warm.

The aftereffects of this wine are not strong, but they are exceptionally long-lasting, leaving a faint burning sensation in the throat, like an ember that hasn't been extinguished, making you want to take another sip to prolong that warmth.

"Not bad, this wine has a strong flavor!" Gao De put down his glass, which still had a little less than half a glass of wine left at the bottom, and it was still bright red when he swirled it.

He wasn't a big drinker, but he could still tell the difference between good and bad taste.

This liquor has a very good base; it doesn't have the harshness of rough liquor, and it's strong yet smooth.

“That’s right!” Grant’s eyes lit up and he quickly replied, “This is still new beer, just out of the barrel. If it’s aged in oak barrels for two or three years, the spiciness will be less, the malt aroma will be more mellow, and it will be smoother on the palate with a longer finish!”

Wine needs time to age and become mellow.

Moreover, the blending process requires blending wines from different batches and years to achieve the best flavor.

Sunafa also took a small bite, and frowned as soon as it entered her mouth.

She didn't like the "intoxicating" taste.

However, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes at the same time.

Although she didn't like the taste, she could clearly feel the wine warming her throat like a cozy stove, instantly dispelling the chill that had accumulated in her chest.

"I didn't expect that the barley wine brewed with Northwest Barley No. 2 would have such a strong effect in dispelling cold. Its effect is almost comparable to a low-level cold-dispelling potion," she commented.

Ordinary cold-dispelling medicines are not only unpalatable, but also bitter and astringent, and their cost is not low.

The ale in front of us, as a top-quality beverage, also possesses effects comparable to a magic potion.

Such things are very rare outside of China, and they can even be exported to earn foreign exchange.

"Well done," Gao De praised.

There are advantages to brewing wine in the North.

For example, the North can provide the purest glacial lake water, which is clear, sweet, and an excellent raw material for brewing.

Needless to say, the Northwest Barley No. 2 variety can be compared to Spirit Rice.

Using a sorcerer's hand to stir the wheat paste ensures even mixing throughout and prevents the introduction of unwanted microorganisms. 【Purifying Food】inhibits the growth of all harmful bacteria, allowing only the necessary yeast to work, ensuring the purity and success rate of fermentation.

However, disadvantages also exist.

For example, music making requires high temperatures, but creating a high-temperature environment in the North is not easy.

This step can only be completed using magic at present, and the current amount of wine brewed is sufficient to handle it.

Once the scale expands, the mage's magic power will not be enough to sustain it.

However, now that Ironforge has been established, Gaode is already considering moving the brewery to Ironforge to use the underground fires of Ironforge for high-temperature brewing.

Industrial cities and alcoholic beverages, whether in movies or in real life, are a perfect match, like radishes and mutton.

“Your Majesty, this wine has not yet been named. We would like to request that you both provide a suitable name,” Grant said respectfully.

“Name.” After a moment’s thought, Gao De blurted out a name, “Let’s call it Flying Moutai.”

“Flying Fairy Moutai?” Grant repeated the name. The first part, Flying Fairy, was easy to pronounce and had a nice image. Drinking this wine did indeed give one a feeling of flying.

However, the two characters "茅台" are very difficult to pronounce, and no matter how you pronounce them, they sound unfamiliar. It is obviously a newly coined word that I have never heard of before.

But he didn't ask any more questions.

After all, it was chosen by Gaode Maps, so it must have a deeper meaning.

He immediately bowed and replied, "A good name, let's call it Flying Moutai!"

Gao De nodded slightly.

No matter how awkward the name "Maotai" sounds in this world, he believes that with its uniqueness and taste, sooner or later the name "Feitian Maotai" will also spread in this alien land.

In Vallar Bay, Gao De met Yan Gang and Du Lin Huo, who had temporarily settled there.

This stone house was temporarily erected by personnel from the Ministry of Construction.

Next to the stone house were several pieces of ore that the two had brought from the lava field.

The Stone House is located at the exit of the Vallar Tunnel at Vallar Bay. Gaode Maps had its own reasons for choosing this location.

The Valar Tunnel connects the bay shore with the inland, and Yan Gang and Du Linhuo are the top forging masters of the Yang family. In case the tunnel walls become loose or something happens, with them around, we can get a feel for their skills.

After leaving the Molten Plains, Rock Steel became a little bored after the initial excitement wore off: there were no endless forging tasks, and no younger members of the clan surrounding him to ask for advice or "bully" him.

This made him very upset.
For the Yang family, forging has almost become a habit and instinct ingrained in their blood.

This is just the beginning.

The thought of staying here for who knows how many years made Yan Gang feel melancholy, and he vaguely felt that there seemed to be some kind of "conspiracy" hidden in the clan's decision to send him here.

When Yan Gang saw Gao De enter, he subconsciously straightened his back, trying to adopt the demeanor of an "elder" in the Yang family.

He was highly respected and skilled in his clan, and even after arriving in Phoenix, he didn't take anyone seriously.

But just as he was about to put on airs, his gaze suddenly fell on Gao De's shoulder, and he instantly deflated.

A little figure was sitting on Gaode's shoulder.

The little one was staring at him with wide, dark eyes, his gaze clear and earnest.

This made Yan Gang's Adam's apple bob, and he immediately fell silent.

One thing brings down another thing.

In the Loompurin, he was able to act with impunity due to his seniority and experience. Even in Phoenix, he remained unbridled because of his background and strength.

But none of these things mattered at all in front of this little one.

Lady Flora only believes in reason!
"Master Yan Gang, how have you been staying at the Bay Shore these past few days?" Gao De suppressed a laugh as he brought Flora along, a deliberate act to keep Yan Gang in check.

"It's alright, but there's nothing to do here, which is a bit unsettling," Yan Gang replied in a muffled voice, struggling to suppress the urge to mutter.

“If possible in the future, I still hope to be able to hammer iron from time to time.” Du Linhuo, who was standing next to him, nodded in deep agreement.

“What a coincidence,” Gao De said, clapping his hands. “I happen to have a forging project that none of the craftsmen in my territory can handle. I would like to ask Master Yan Gang and Master Du Lin Huo for help.”

“Our Yang family generally does not allow the manufacture of weapons for outsiders,” Du Linhuo stated in advance, misunderstanding Gao De’s intentions.

Their skills are so exceptional that the extraordinary weapons they create possess terrifying power. If they were to be made indiscriminately for outsiders, it could easily lead to war and chaos.

This was a scene that master craftsmen disliked seeing, hence the strict restrictions imposed.

Yan Gang nodded in agreement. His earlier anxiety had vanished, replaced by vigilance.

“Master Dulinhuo, you misunderstand. I don’t intend to forge weapons.” Gao De waved his hand, gesturing for the two to sit down, and placed the two wine jars he was carrying on the table.

"What's that?" Du Linhuo glanced at the two jars curiously and then asked.

Yan Gang, whose skill was even greater, held his breath and his nose twitched rapidly, as if he had smelled something unusual.

“The situation is a bit complicated, let’s sit down and talk it over,” Gao De said with a smile, reaching out to untie the burlap covering the wine jar. “Also, I brought some wine for you two.”

"Alcohol?" Master Yan Gang instinctively asked in disbelief.

Do they serve alcohol here?
“This was recently brewed by the clansmen. Master Yan Gang should be very knowledgeable about it, so I brought some over specifically to have him taste and evaluate its quality,” Gao De explained.

"Oh? Even if the taste isn't great, it's already quite remarkable that you can brew any alcohol at all, considering your circumstances." Yan Gang's tone carried a hint of "charity."

“That’s right, that’s right.” Gao De didn’t argue, but slowly unwrapped the burlap.

The next instant, a strong aroma of liquor exploded out, as if a small fireball had sprung out of the liquor jar, mixed with the heat of roasted wheat, and rushed straight into the nostrils.

Yan Gang's eyes lit up instantly, his previous indifference completely forgotten, and his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily: "This...this fragrance..."

Before he could finish speaking, Gao De picked up a rough earthenware bowl and poured half a bowl of deep blood-red wine into each of them.

"Taste it?"

Yan Gang couldn't resist any longer and took a big gulp from the bowl.

The next moment, his eyes widened in disbelief.

Immediately afterwards, Yan Gang took another big gulp and drank it all in one go.

"Good wine!" He put down his bowl and gave a positive review.

Du Linhuo also took a sip, and his originally serious face showed surprise. He was then conquered by the strength and mellowness of the wine.

Although he wasn't as fond of alcohol as Yan Gang, few members of the Yang family didn't enjoy drinking, and he was no exception.

"It seems that the Flying Fairy Moutai brewed by our clansmen can still satisfy the palates of the two masters," Gao De said with a smile when he saw that the two were captivated by his Flying Fairy Moutai. "Then I will have my clansmen send over more in the future."

Immediately, while pouring the two men another bowl of Moutai, he struck while the iron was hot, taking out a piece of parchment from his robes and spreading it on the stone table. "This is the forging project that my clan couldn't handle. Take a look, you two?"

(End of this chapter)