If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

"Scholar, the wine you just delivered has already received an order."

"Oh, who placed the order?"

"It was Manager Hu Dong of Xingrentang, and Prefect Chen of An'an. Each of them ordered one hundred jars."

Although Zhou Wu had anticipated that the party would soon generate orders, he didn't expect it to happen so quickly; the party was only sent out yesterday, and orders were placed today.

Moreover, it is obvious that these two ordered one hundred jars each not for their own consumption, but as gifts. Why is Zhou Wu so sure? Because if they were drinking it themselves, they wouldn't order one hundred jars. You know, each jar of wine weighs ten catties, so one hundred jars would weigh one thousand catties. It's ridiculous for one person to drink it all.

"That's great news."

"Scholar, should we start promoting this now?"

"Uncle Niu, listen to me, there's no need. Good wine needs no bush. People will come to us to buy our wine when the time comes. Right now, even if people come to buy our wine, what are you going to sell them?"

Upon hearing this, Master Niu realized that Zhou Wu's words made sense; even now, Manager Hu and Prefect Chen hadn't raised enough for the two hundred jars of wine.

. . . .

Zhou Wu only went to the distillery for a few days. After resolving some issues with the workers, he completely let go of the work. Anyway, with Master Niu around, Master Niu would come to him if anything came up.

Today is the day the new magistrate of Qingyang County takes office. Although Zhou Wu is a military officer and not under the magistrate's jurisdiction, his Qingyang Army still makes a living in Qingyang County. So, having more friends means having more options, and Zhou Wu understands the principle of mutual protection among officials.

However, during the internal gift-giving ceremony, while the gifts from others were undoubtedly valuable (if not priceless), Zhou Wu presented the new magistrate with a ten-pound jar of wine.

"Thank you all for your kind words. I am a newcomer here and will have to rely on your joint efforts to serve the people well in the future."

The newly arrived magistrate looked even younger than An Du. Zhou Wu couldn't help but wonder why the magistrates in TV dramas were all white-bearded old men, while in the real world, the magistrates were so young.

"Your Excellency is very kind."

"I am willing to serve you like a dog or a horse."

Apart from Zhou Wu, the room was filled with flattering voices.

It was almost noon, and Zhou Wu thought he could get a free meal, but to his surprise, the new magistrate accepted the gifts and then dismissed everyone, saying he had official business to attend to.

The back hall of the county government office.

"Was this wine a gift from the commander of the Qingyang Army?"

"Yes sir."

"His name is Zhou Wu?"

"Yes sir."

"As expected, just a mere warrior."

Kang Wen was somewhat disdainful. He was a newly appointed Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) and thought that His Majesty would keep him in the capital to serve in a position. However, he was unexpectedly sent to this remote and impoverished mountain village. Thinking about this, Kang Wen was filled with resentment. He must have failed to pay tribute to the emperor, so this was a case of someone taking revenge on him.

"In this remote and impoverished place, when will I be able to realize my ambitions?"

Kang Wen stood alone in the study of the county government office, looking out the window, and sighed to himself.

To be honest, Zhou Wu's first impression of the new magistrate wasn't good, but it wasn't bad either. Zhou Wu could sense that the man was probably just an inflexible bookworm, and dealing with such a person would be quite tiring. Zhou Wu immediately decided to minimize his interactions with the man in the future and focus on managing Niujia Village and Qingyang Army.

Niujia Village.

"The scholar is back. How is the new magistrate?"

"Okay."

Zhou Wu didn't say much, mainly because he was afraid that Master Niu would overthink things and cause unnecessary trouble.

"By the way, scholar, someone is looking for you."

"Who?"

"You're an old acquaintance, right? Manager Hu Dong from Xingrentang."

Zhou Wu still remembers that when he dug up the century-old ginseng, he sold it to Manager Hu and earned his first pot of gold. Because Manager Hu did not take advantage of his misfortune, Zhou Wu had a very good impression of him.

"My apologies, my apologies. Manager Hu, you've come all this way and you haven't even come in. You're being too polite."

Since Zhou Wu wasn't home, only the women were left. Therefore, Manager Hu couldn't very well enter their house, so he could only park his carriage at the door and wait inside.

Besides Manager Hu, there was another middle-aged man in the carriage whom Zhou Wu did not recognize.

"Lord Zhou is too kind. I apologize for coming uninvited and disturbing you."

"Shopkeeper Hu, are we still talking like this between us? And who is this gentleman?"

"Oh, let me introduce you. This is my friend, Chai Anguo from the Fuxiang Chamber of Commerce."

"Greetings, Lord Zhou."

Zhou Wu had also heard of the Fuxiang Chamber of Commerce. Its main business was to engage in various trades. It could be said that the Fuxiang Chamber of Commerce would do any business that was profitable.

"Brother Chai, I'm sorry, please come inside."

Zhou Wu wasn't sure why Manager Hu would suddenly bring people from the Fuxiang Chamber of Commerce, but since they were guests and from the Chamber of Commerce, there might be future business dealings, so Zhou Wu was very hospitable and invited them inside.

"It just so happens to be lunchtime, let's grab something to eat together."

Zhou Wu greeted them warmly, and Li Baiwei and Yang Chun, seeing that there were guests, very sensibly went straight into the kitchen to get busy.

"That's annoying."

Manager Hu naturally didn't mind, but Chai Anguo seemed a little embarrassed for the first time.

Li Baiwei and Yang Chun quickly served a table of dishes featuring the specialties of Niujia Village.

"Lord Zhou is truly a man of good taste. I, Chai Anguo, have traveled all over the country for many years, but I have never seen the dishes prepared by Madam Zhou."

"Old Chai, it's normal that you don't know this since you're new here. Lord Zhou is the number one gourmet in Qingyang County. Of course you've never seen these dishes before. They were all invented by Lord Zhou. You're in luck today."

"Old Hu, don't flatter me. It's our first time meeting Brother Chai. Let's have a drink first."

Chai Anguo opened his glass of wine, lost in thought.

After a few rounds of drinks, the group became acquainted.

"Lord Zhou, the reason I've come to visit today is that Old Chai has a favor to ask of you."

"Oh, Brother Chai, since you are Lao Hu's friend, and I trust Lao Hu, then naturally you are my friend too. Please feel free to speak your mind."

"Lord Zhou, it's like this. The Fuxiang Chamber of Commerce didn't have a branch in Qingyang County before, but this year most areas of Dalong have suffered from disasters, which has greatly affected the Chamber's business. That's why we've established branches in many remote areas."

"Oh, so you're casting a wide net, huh?"

"Hehe, you're right, sir. Old Chai is the head of the Qingyang County branch. Since he's out of Qingyang, he naturally has to come and pay his respects to you, sir, and hope you can look after him in the future."

Manager Hu also chimed in from the side.

"Old Chai, Old Hu, you two have chosen the wrong side of the empire."

"Um, what do you mean by this, sir?"

Chai Anguo immediately assumed that Zhou Wu was hinting at something, but Manager Hu knew Zhou Wu well, so he didn't think much of it.

"Hasn't our new magistrate already taken office? Old Chai, you should go see him."

"My lord, to be honest, I will certainly pay a visit to the magistrate, but I have other matters to discuss with you."

"Oh~~~"