Encountering Han Fei (4)

"Click..."

"Click..."

"Click..."

The sound of horses' hooves, both rhythmic and slightly crisp, echoed along the forest path, attracting the attention of the owner of a tavern not far away.

Looking in the direction of the sound.

All that could be seen was the shade of trees.

There was no sign of anyone.

However, the tavern owner was not in a hurry. After glancing at it, he looked away and continued to flip through the ledger in his hand. Meanwhile, he glanced at the other side out of the corner of his eye, which was inextricably linked to the fact that he had no other customers.

The passenger flow is very large.

He didn't have the energy to keep this guest.

The number of customers is very small.

He will do everything he can to keep this guest.

Customer traffic dropped to zero.

Whatever, just God of Destruction it already.

That's human nature.

The former prioritizes making big money over small money. Rather than diverting energy to retain a customer they can't handle, they'd rather serve their existing customers well. The middle approach aims to maximize profits; even a small gain is still a gain. Each customer reduces costs, and the more customers come, the more they earn. Since they can't win through the quality of their goods, they'll focus on their attitude. The latter is a typical example of giving up. They figure they have no customers anyway, so they'll either come or not.

In addition, taverns rarely make money from selling alcohol to passersby.

Most taverns have established sales channels.

In addition, due to the limitations of current brewing technology.

Made from pure grains.

Those who can brew wine are not ordinary people.

Because ordinary people can't get that much food.

Therefore, alcohol is never hard to sell.

As the sound of hooves grew louder, the rider and his fine steed finally emerged from the shade of the trees, revealing their true forms. It was a refined and handsome young man dressed in purple casual clothes, riding a pure white Thousand Mile Steed.

Upon seeing this, the shopkeeper was initially startled, but then lost interest.

What surprised them was that the visitor was no ordinary person.

Whether it's that purple casual outfit or that pure white steed, it's not something an ordinary person can get their hands on, not even if you have money, because many things aren't available on the market.

Take that purple casual outfit as an example.

Zhu Zi, Zhu Zi.

Extremely popular.

In the era before chemical dyes.

Purple is arguably the rarest color.

In some places, there's even a saying that an inch of cloth is worth an inch of gold.

Just look at this outfit.

It can bankrupt a wealthy family.

The fact that someone would wear this as everyday clothing and go to great lengths to wear it shows that this garment is nothing special to them; they would simply change into a different one if it got dirty. They don't consider this garment a treasure or care about its value, which indirectly indicates that this person is extremely wealthy.

But clothes can only prove that the visitor is rich.

Having money is useless in this world.

Therefore, the horse that the visitor was riding proved that the visitor was a person of power and wealth.

Since King Wuling of Zhao Hu Clothing and Archery.

All nations in the world have realized the importance of cavalry.

They come and go like the wind.

It has extremely strong mobility.

Equipped with Chariot and riders, it could rampage across the battlefield with unstoppable force, making it a veritable mobile fortress.

This has led to the development of various terms.

For example, State of Thousand Chariots.

It means a country that can muster a thousand Chariot.

It symbolizes the country's military strength.

Therefore, in this era of constant warfare, warhorses, bows and arrows, armor, spears and halberds have always been controlled items in all countries.

It is something that ordinary people simply cannot obtain.

Only the military possesses a large number of warhorses.

However, given the high attrition rate of warhorses, it was almost impossible for the military to release warhorses outside of official channels, except through connections to the highest levels of authority.

First of all, in a war, a number of warhorses will inevitably die.

Unless cavalry is not used.

This resulted in the number of warhorses remaining low.

Because the losses are greater than the self-production.

Secondly, in the era before horseshoes were invented, horseshoes were subject to wear and tear. Cavalry mobility depended on the running of warhorses, and the keratin layer on the hooves would gradually wear down. Even if it could grow back, it would not have enough time to grow back under the intense warfare between the nations, and various unexpected diseases would occur.

For example, while running...

Suddenly a splinter got stuck in it.

Well then, I'm sorry, this warhorse is now useless.

It can be recycled.

But it would be very, very difficult for him to return to the battlefield.

It's worth mentioning that recycling is the military's unified way of dealing with these obsolete warhorses. The specific method is to put these stallions and mares together, give them some estrus-inducing drugs, and let them give birth to foals. This can reduce the demand for warhorses. Although it takes some time because foals cannot go to the battlefield immediately after birth, as long as this cycle is established, even if it is just a drop in the ocean, it can still reduce some of the burden of external procurement.

Otherwise, everyone would have cavalry.

You're the only one who doesn't have it.

Then everyone will naturally take full advantage of you to bully you.

If you want to build a cavalry, you can only buy them from the border powers at a premium. The reason why Zhao Kingdom was able to compete with the Qin Kingdom was that even when Qin destroyed the six states, Qin Kingdom could not defeat Li Mu. In fact, Li Mu was like a fishbone stuck in Qin's throat, making Qin Kingdom unable to win. In the end, Qin only won by bribing the War God Guo Kai to kill Li Mu. This was all thanks to the Zhao Kingdom's border cavalry, which was an elite force on par with Qin Elite Warriors, Wei Martial Soldiers, and Qi Skillful Strike's elite troops. The reason why Zhao 'Zhao Border Cavalry Zhao Border Cavalry was so strong was because they were close to the grasslands. When they lacked warhorses, they could go to the grasslands to plunder them. They would often plunder the strongest warhorses. The warhorses that were eliminated could then be exported and resold domestically.

In the history of the rise of the Zhao Kingdom.

Warhorses are a profound element that cannot be ignored.

Therefore, if your output cannot keep up with the losses, you have no choice but to give up.

They spent a lot of money to buy warhorses from outside.

This is to make up for the deficiencies in its own military strength.

Finally, the expenses of warhorses are enormous. A good horse eats better than a person, and it cannot lack eggs and hay. Otherwise, after a long period of running, the warhorse will also become physically depleted.

Losses on the battlefield are nothing special.

The wear and tear on the warhorse itself is not unacceptable.

However, if casualties occur due to insufficient fodder, any general would draw his sword and kill, because without warhorses, cavalrymen are truly nothing, but if warhorses are lost, cavalrymen can be trained again.

Although there is also a saying about a slow horse.

That is, the horse responsible for pulling.

It can't run fast.

But the difference between a nag and a warhorse is immediately apparent.

There is a wildness in warhorses.

Moreover, they are all male.

Most of the nags are female and are relatively docile.

In addition, when a slow horse walks, its head droops slightly.

The warhorse always walked with its head raised, as if it were about to transform into a dragon and fly into the sky.

Therefore, anyone who can obtain warhorses must have close ties with the military. In the present day, this represents a kind of power, because not just anyone can get involved with this violent institution.

And like the fine horse that this young man in purple was riding.

It is pure white, without any other colors.

Even generals in the military wouldn't dare say they could achieve the standard equipment.

Because multicolored warhorses are common, but solid-colored warhorses are extremely rare.

It's either pure black, so black it shines.

It's either pure white, dazzlingly white.

In any case, these are not things that one can obtain with a little power.

And the two combined.

Great wealth, high status, great power, and great profit.

It is likely that only kings, nobles, generals, and their descendants meet the criteria.

So here's the question: Would such a noble young man buy wine to drink?

What kind of quality is his roadside stall?

Don't you have any self-awareness?

He's not one of his potential customers, is he?

"Buy some alcohol!"

The sound of horses' hooves gradually subsided.

They stopped in front of the tavern.

He possessed a refined and scholarly air, but the moment he opened his mouth, it all crumbled. The purple-clad youth, resembling a complete drunkard, dismounted from his horse and uttered a sentence that instantly stunned the tavern owner. Then, seemingly noticing the owner's dazed expression, the purple-clad youth placed his hands on the table and solemnly emphasized, "I want good wine. Do you have any here?"

"Uh... young master..." The tavern owner waved his hand. Of course he had wine; otherwise, what would be the point of running a tavern? But to say he had any fine wines was obviously out of the question. To avoid any misunderstanding, he explained, "We don't have any expensive wines here, only our own homemade spirits. If you can accept that, perhaps... maybe... it can be considered a decent wine?"

This is no exaggeration.

However, there is an element of self-deprecation in it.

Strong liquor was often supplied to the military because most soldiers enjoyed drinking it.

on the contrary.

That kind of mellow wine is what the powerful and wealthy drink.

This is the meaning of the saying "living in a drunken stupor."

Therefore, based on the boss's crude and superficial judgment, he did not believe that the young nobleman in front of him was someone who could accept strong liquor. As for ordinary drinks, that is, soft and mellow wines, he did not have the secret recipe and could not brew them.

Therefore, let's explain it clearly.

This will also help avoid future trouble.

However, the young man in purple suddenly brightened up.

With great interest, he pressed on, "How intense?"

"Hmm... drinking it feels like swallowing a knife."

"Raise your voice."

"It burns like fire once it enters my stomach."

Seeing that things seemed to be going well, the tavern owner immediately overturned his previous assumptions, mentally slapping his past self twice to warn himself not to judge a book by its cover. Then, he brought out two wine jars from the inner room and gestured for the other person to look at them.

The young man in purple didn't stand on ceremony either.

He rubbed his nose.

He moved closer.

I smelled it through the red cover.

It seemed to have caught a whiff of the aroma from the jar.

The intestinal tract is haunted by alcohol worms.

So much so that I unconsciously moved closer, as if I wanted to tear open the packaging and savor it properly.

The tavern owner was so frightened that he quickly reached out to protect the wine jar.

Use your actions to signal to the other party to calm down.

Although this powerful figure could easily crush him, based on his observation, this powerful figure clearly liked his family's strong liquor and was inclined to reason. As long as he didn't speak too bluntly or ask for exorbitant prices, this powerful figure was unlikely to get angry with him.

However, the tavern owner intervened.

The young man in purple also realized the problem.

He smiled sheepishly.

He subconsciously reached into the wide sleeve and touched the inner lining.

Then, he froze completely.

Unconvinced, he touched it again.

He even raised his arm and shook it.

Under the tavern owner's questioning gaze, he awkwardly explained, "I was hungry earlier, so I went fishing... and caught a big fish, but I accidentally got pulled into the river... Anyway, the fish got away, and my purse is gone... Could you please help me?"

no?

Big brother!

I think you're a decent person!

The sons of the powerful and wealthy!

Two jars of strong liquor, are you asking me to give them to you for free?

Are you kidding me?

To be honest, the tavern owner was stunned, but he really couldn't bring himself to refuse, because refusing would inevitably be unpleasant, which would likely hurt the other party's feelings and invite retaliation. But to say that it was free was something he couldn't keep track of; he had relationships behind him that he needed to maintain, so he couldn't just give away benefits for free.

Therefore, he instinctively hugged the two jars of strong liquor.

Then, I was blinded by the light.

"How about I pay with this?"

The young man in purple had removed a gold-inlaid jade necklace at some point. It even had a sapphire set in the center, its blue color as clear as a mirror. Even the silk thread used to wear it was woven from gold thread. It could be said to be extremely luxurious and clearly had a special meaning.

This also relieved the owner who was holding the wine jar.

He wasn't afraid of others offering things as payment.

They weren't afraid to use such valuable items to settle the debt.

How much would a few jars of strong liquor cost?

One or two taels of gold.

Flowers that can't be spent.

How much is this necklace worth?

He didn't know.

Anyway, the gold in there was enough to buy his tavern.

A jade ring tied with a gold thread and a gemstone in the center.

Everything about this demonstrates its value.

Therefore, he was willing to bet that someone would take the necklace back from him within a month, and the necklace would definitely be returned to its rightful owner. His previous worries were naturally unnecessary.

So the tavern owner loosened his grip.

A humble attitude.

He replied repeatedly, "That's enough, that's enough. It's enough to buy this small tavern..."

"Okay."

"Give me two jars of strong liquor."

"Give me a jar."

"Fill these gourds."

"Give it another jar."

The young man in purple said this, pointing to the white horse behind him.

However, before the tavern owner could agree...

Then another sound of horses' hooves suddenly rang out.

A warhorse that looked like it had come out of hell galloped over, pulling a trailer, and even did a rather flashy drift and sudden stop.

The voice also came from the young man riding on the back of the warhorse.

"This drink is on me, my friend."

"And while you're at it, give me a pot to try too."

The young man flipped down and strode to the table. He glanced at the necklace on the table, sighed noticeably, and tapped the table with his index finger. In an instant, the wooden table turned into gold!

Everyone present was stunned at the same time.

Even the Startled Salamander in the trailer was no exception.

"God... a divine being?"

"No, not sir, but a divine grandfather!"

"Grandpa God, have you appeared to me?"

The tavern owner immediately knelt down and bowed his head in worship.

Midas touch.

What else could this be but a deity?

And that horse.

Made of stone.

He's not blind.

It was crystal clear.

Could it be that their wine is so delicious that even the gods have descended to earth?

Should we rename it "The Immortals Are Drunk"?

"Then thank you very much, brother."

"My name is Han Fei."

"May I ask your honorable name, brother?"

Han Fei, the young man in purple, did not show any signs of being shocked, although he had indeed been startled for a moment.

Bowing with hands clasped.

He performed a Confucian School ritual.

Then, he asked very politely.

"Me?"

"My name is Ye Qingcang."

"Leaf is the leaf of a tree."

"Qingcang, it might be a bit complicated to explain, but it's basically a soaring eagle."

"Nice to meet you."

Ye Qingcang extended his hand, and Han Fei, seemingly lost in thought, withdrew his own hand, shook hands with Ye Qingcang, and then lowered his hand as Ye Qingcang released it, smiling with a hint of doubt, "Brother Ye, where are you headed? If you're not in a hurry, my home is not far ahead. May I entertain you?"