The Rain-Listening Pavilion and Three-Pot Head

Fengchuan City, one of the most prosperous cities in Quezhou.

Luo Yu walked through the bustling streets, marveling at how provincial he was. The traffic and thriving shops far surpassed Yungyang Pass, leaving him in awe.

"Before, I thought Yungyang Pass was the largest city in the world. Now seeing Fengchuan City, I realize there's always someone better, always a bigger city. I'll definitely bring my parents here someday."

Little Wu, carrying a wine jar, followed behind, his eyes wide with wonder, taking in everything around him.

"When your parents arrive in Cangqi, I'll take them here to let them enjoy life."

Luo Yu smiled, knowing that all the soldiers who followed him to Cangqi had families. He had already arranged for everyone to bring their families to live in Cangqi.

Firstly, to reunite the soldiers with their families, and secondly, to boost Cangqi's population.

Xiao Shaoyou didn't understand Luo Yu's decision, thinking it would be difficult to feed three or four hundred people. How could they have enough food with their families coming too?

But Luo Yu was confident - his wine would definitely sell well! The food problem would be solved.

After wandering around, they finally stopped in front of a four-story tavern. A sign hung above the entrance, reading in large characters:

The Rain-Listening Pavilion.

The red-lacquered, carved doors had red silk lanterns hanging on either side. The eaves were adorned with blue tiles and ancient patterns. The tavern flag fluttered in the wind, revealing a drunk "Wine" character.

The waiter, with a white towel over his shoulder, greeted customers at the door with a broad smile.

"Here we are."

Luo Yu stopped, his expression strange. Using "Rain Listening" as a tavern name was indeed unusual.

The waiter quickly approached:

"Sir, are you here for a meal or to stay? Our Ten-Mile Fragrance wine is quite famous in Fengchuan. Would you like to try?"

"I don't want wine or a room. I'm an old acquaintance of your owner. I'm here to see him."

Luo Yu took out a piece of silver and tossed it to him:

"It's important business. Don't delay."

Seeing the silver, the waiter's eyes lit up. He didn't care about the truth and quickly stepped aside:

"Please come in, sir. I'll fetch the owner right away."

...

In an antique private room, Luo Yu sat alone, his posture straight and proper. The jar of wine that Little Wu had carried was placed in the center of the table.

Luo Yu kept recalling the information he had gathered over these days. Whether he could make the deal depended on today.

After a moment,

Footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by a question:

"Who's here?"

"The owner, he's inside."

"Creak."

The door opened gently, and a young man in brocade clothing with clear features walked in. For such a large tavern, the owner was surprisingly young.

"We've never met before?"

A hint of confusion flashed in the young man's eyes:

"I am Jiang Shu of the Rain-Listening Pavilion. May I ask who you are?"

"Everyone outside says the Rain-Listening Pavilion's owner is very young. Now I see it's true."

Luo Yu introduced himself:

"Cangqi, Luo Yu."

"You're Luo Yu!"

Jiang Shu was instantly surprised:

"The centurion who killed the Western Qiang general Wanyan Chang, the city lord of the new city Cangqi?"

Luo Yu's battle against Wanyan Chang and his defense of Yungyang Pass had already spread throughout Quezhou. Who in Fengchuan City didn't know the name Luo Yu?

"I came unannounced. Please forgive me."

Luo Yu gestured with his hand: "Owner Jiang, please sit."

Though it was someone else's territory, Luo Yu acted as if he were the host, his presence already putting Jiang Shu at a disadvantage.

Jiang Shu was slightly nervous but very polite:

"I didn't know City Lord Luo was visiting. What brings you here?"

"Not worthy of that title. I just want to make friends with Mister Jiang."

"Make friends? I understand."

Jiang Shu's eyes flickered, and he softly called: "Someone, bring fifty silver taels."

Soon, a servant brought five large silver ingots. Jiang Shu gently pushed them forward:

"From now on, I am friends with City Lord Luo. A small gift, not worthy of mention."

Looking at the gleaming silver, Luo Yu's lips curled upward:

"What, do you think I'm just a bullying military thug?"

Jiang Shu's expression tightened, but he didn't speak.

Border military commanders often caused trouble when they returned to the mainland - breaking taverns one day, sitting in the hall with knives the next, acting like bullies.

Shop owners without power dared to be angry but didn't dare to speak. They could only give away silver as a way to avoid trouble. Such incidents were common.

"To be honest, fifty silver taels isn't enough for me."

Luo Yu crossed his legs: "I'm here today to discuss a business deal."

"Business?"

Jiang Shu was genuinely curious:

"City Lord Luo is a military man. What business could you have with a tavern?"

"I have a good wine I want to sell you."

Luo Yu pointed at the wine jar on the table:

"Every tavern in the city has its own specialties. The Ten-Mile Fragrance is also quite famous. But I dare say my wine surpasses any tavern in the city.

Owner Jiang can check the quality."

Jiang Shu was skeptical, casually removing the seal from the wine jar. An instant fragrance filled the room.

His expression finally changed. He poured half a cup and took a sip. His cheeks flushed red, and he looked surprised:

"Truly excellent wine! Rich fragrance, spicy flavor, smooth throat, and strong aftertaste."

"Mister Jiang really knows good wine. This wine is brewed using a family secret recipe, unique to our family in all of Longxi."

Luo Yu's lips curled upward:

"Owner Jiang is a businessman. You should understand how much this wine could benefit you.

Five silver taels per jar. What do you think of this deal?"

Jiang Shu's mind raced. Ordinary rice wine cost at most one silver tael per jar. Even the Ten-Mile Fragrance couldn't sell for two taels. Five taels was expensive.

But this wine was worth it!

With good wine, the tavern would get more customers. By his intuition, this wine would definitely become popular in Fengchuan.

"I have a question for City Lord Luo."

Jiang Shu didn't answer directly but asked his own question:

"There are dozens of taverns in the city, and countless smaller wine shops. Why choose to sell your wine to the Rain-Listening Pavilion?"

Luo Yu answered casually:

"Rain Listening... I have a single character 'Yu' in my name. Sounds friendly."

Jiang Shu was taken aback and laughed bitterly:

"City Lord Luo, don't joke. I want to hear the truth."

Luo Yu finally became serious:

"This is a big deal. Ordinary small taverns can't handle it. In the city, only your Rain-Listening Pavilion and Dingxiang Pavilion have the best business and largest scale.

If we're to cooperate, it can only be with you."

Jiang Shu raised an eyebrow:

"Everyone knows that the best tavern in Fengchuan is Dingxiang Pavilion. According to City Lord Luo's reasoning, you should cooperate with them."

"I heard something."

Luo Yu suddenly changed the subject:

"The owner of Dingxiang Pavilion has connections, which is why they dominate Fengchuan.

Since your father passed away and you took over the tavern, they've been constantly suppressing the Rain-Listening Pavilion. Business has been getting worse every year.

Is that right?"

Since he was doing business, Luo Yu naturally investigated the Rain-Listening Pavilion's background.

"Yes."

Jiang Shu admitted frankly, without any concealment.

"The Rain-Listening Pavilion will quickly improve with this wine. You need this wine more than Dingxiang Pavilion."

Luo Yu's expression was playful, stopping at the right point:

"I think helping in a crisis is better than adding flowers to brocade.

Is this reason satisfactory?"

"Understood."

Jiang Shu didn't ask any more questions, being straightforward:

"Five taels for five taels. How much wine do you have?"

"One hundred jars."

Luo Yu held up his right hand:

"Five hundred taels. Can you handle it?

And let me say this - the five tael price is a discount for our first cooperation. After that, it will be eight taels per jar."

"No problem."

Jiang Shu pushed the fifty taels forward again:

"This will be the deposit. As long as the wine is good, my Rain-Listening Pavilion will be willing to spend this money."

"Very good, I like straightforward people."

Luo Yu stood up leisurely:

"Let's wish for a pleasant cooperation. Oh, when you sell this wine, absolutely don't tell anyone I sold it to you.

Keep it secret!"

Luo Yu was worried about Jun Muzhu causing trouble behind his back, so he kept it secret for now.

"Rest assured, I understand."

Jiang Shu smiled, then suddenly remembered something: "Cough, City Lord Luo, what's the name of this wine?"

Luo Yu's expression froze - oh no, he forgot to name it!

"Let's call it... Three-Pot Head."

"Three-Pot Head?"

Jiang Shu was surprised. This name sounded like it was made up on the spot.

"That's right, Three-Pot Head."

Luo Yu left, leaving behind a poem:

Three pots of strong wine brew spring and autumn,

One sip of rich fragrance solves ten thousand worries.

Heroic sentiments are all in the cup of wine,

Heaven and earth are vast, letting me wander freely.

Whoever drinks it gets drunk!