Moma Liangshan

Chapter 8 The 8th day of the twelfth lunar month, the martial arts competition begins.

The restaurant owner said, "As a restaurant owner, how can I make a living if I can't distinguish the quality of wine?" Wang Hao said, "I wish to discuss a business deal with your restaurant. What do you think, Mr. Han?" The restaurant owner was surprised and said, "I'd be delighted!" Wang Hao said, "Mr. Han, please wait a moment." Turning to Chao Gai and Song Jiang, he said, "It's difficult for Chao Baozheng and Song Yasi to divide one and a half jars of fine wine. How about I send two jars of wine to each of you tomorrow? The remaining wine can be given to Mr. Han." Chao Gai was about to decline when Wang Hao said, "Please, Chao Baozheng and Song Yasi, don't refuse!" Song Jiang said, "Brother Chao Gai, Mr. Wang has business to discuss with Mr. Han. We should take our leave now." Chao Gai said, "Thank you for your hospitality today, young master. See you at the arena again!" Wang Hao said, "Until we meet again!" After the two left Xiao Fanlou, Song Jiang asked, "Brother, what do you think of Mr. Wang's character?" Chao Gai replied... "His character is quite good," said Chao Gai. "It's just that his style of doing things is very different from yours and mine." Song Jiang replied, "Brother, I also feel that this young master Wang is neither a scholar nor a merchant. At the age of fourteen or fifteen, he doesn't lose any of his aura to you and me at the same time. It's really strange." Chao Gai laughed loudly and said, "People have different levels of character. Young master Wang likes to be unconventional, so why should you waste your time, brother? Liangshan has already given us a lot of face this time, and even presented us with fine wine that even the emperor has never drunk. On the day of the competition, you and I, brothers, must give the Wang family father and son face." Song Jia said, "Brother is right. However, this fine wine of young master Wang will soon be available in the market. This wine is rare for you and me, but it may be inexhaustible for Liangshan!" Chao Gai laughed and said, "That's perfect. I'll buy twenty or thirty jars of it and keep them at home. I can drink as much as I want whenever I want." Upon hearing this, Song Jiang's face showed a completely different expression.

After seeing Chao Gai and Song Jiang off, Wang Hao poured a full cup of wine and handed it to the innkeeper, saying, "Please, Mr. Han!" Mr. Han dared not be negligent, accepting the cup with both hands. He examined it for a quarter of an hour, tasted it for a quarter of an hour, and then cautiously asked, "Is the business you wish to discuss with me this wine?" Wang Hao replied, "Indeed! I wonder if Mr. Han is interested?" Mr. Han said, "The profits from this wine are no less than those from salt, iron, or military horses. Is Mr. Wang truly willing to share these profits with me?" Wang Hao said, "Only in Dongjing (Kaifeng) is this wine truly famous. If Mr. Han has the connections, he can manage the sale of this wine in Dongjing entirely." Mr. Han was puzzled and said, "Manage entirely? I have some doubts!" ​​Wang Hao explained, "I only manage the brewing, not the sales." Boss Han obtains wine from the Wang family and sells it in Tokyo. Except for the final price of the wine, which must be negotiated with the Wang family, all other matters are decided by Boss Han himself. Boss Han asked, "What if I ultimately fail to fulfill my duties?" Wang Hao replied, "Each time, the Wang family signs a two-year contract with Boss Han. Whether to renew the contract upon its expiration depends on the actual circumstances at that time." Boss Han then asked, "Will I be the only one selling in Tokyo then?" Wang Hao replied, "Of course." Boss Han further asked, "Can I buy wine in counties outside of Tokyo?" Wang Hao said, "No. Each person can only buy wine within their designated territory. If anyone dares to violate this, the Wang family will terminate the cooperation." Boss Han solemnly said, "I am willing to sign a contract with the Wang family."

Wang Hao nodded and said, "I wish us a pleasant cooperation!" Boss Han said, "Thank you for your appreciation, Young Master Wang!" Wang Hao shook his head and smiled, saying, "We are business partners, so we should treat each other as friends. Boss Han, there's no need to be so modest. I have a question for you, Boss Han!" Boss Han said, "I wouldn't dare ask for your help, please speak, Young Master!" Wang Hao asked, "What is the most famous restaurant in Tokyo?" Boss Han replied, "Fanlou." Wang Hao then asked, "What is the place in Tokyo where the most famous scholars and officials hold banquets?" Boss Han replied, "Fanlou." Wang Hao continued, "Who is the most popular courtesan in Tokyo?" Boss Han's eyes widened, and he said, "Li Shishi." Wang Hao nodded and asked, "Where does Li Shishi entertain guests and perform?" Boss Han replied, "Fanlou." Wang Hao suddenly lowered his voice and asked, "It is rumored that Li Shishi has a relationship with the current emperor..." "Ran, I wonder if Boss Han has heard of this?" Boss Han glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then said softly, "It is indeed true." Wang Hao closed the distance further and said, "In Boss Han's opinion, what are the chances of success if I send this fine wine to Li Shishi, and then Li Shishi presents it to the Emperor?" Boss Han understood Wang Hao's intention and said, "Ninety percent." Wang Hao was incredulous and asked, "Are you trying to tease me? How can you be ninety percent sure?" Boss Han said, "The Emperor's fondness for Miss Li is something I wouldn't believe if I hadn't witnessed it myself. And how can a man and woman's love be complete without fine wine? Your fine wine is exactly what the Emperor and Miss Li crave. Therefore, my estimate of ninety percent is already quite conservative. Besides, the Emperor is proficient in everything—music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and prose. His knowledge of wine is unparalleled in the Song Dynasty."

Wang Hao, fearing Han's boasting, asked, "How do you know this?" Han replied, "His Majesty has been on the throne for nearly twenty years, and the country is peaceful and prosperous. Each time he visits Fanlou, although he is disguised, he doesn't conceal himself much. His Majesty and Miss Li's favorite pastime is enjoying wine and music under the moon. My uncle, the owner of Fanlou, often sends people to search the world for fine wines for His Majesty to taste. I have done this wine-finding job many times." Hearing this, Wang Hao was overjoyed and said, "If this succeeds, Han will manage the business in Kaifeng Prefecture alone." Han was delighted and said, "Don't worry, young master, this will surely be a happy ending for everyone." Wang Hao considered this the most difficult step and was very happy. He bid farewell to the innkeeper, took an oxcart back to the mountain stronghold, and instructed his subordinates to send two jars of fine wine to Chao Gai and Song Jiang each the next day.

In Wang Lun's courtyard at Liangshan Marsh, Wang Hao sat on a wooden chair and said, "Today, I met Chao Gai and Song Jiang, and we had a drink together at Xiao Fanlou. Both of them have agreed to attend the martial arts competition at Wuliu Shazhou." Wang Lun asked, "What were your impressions of drinking with these two?" Wang Hao pondered for a moment and said, "Chao Gai is forthright, and Song Jiang is profound. They have a close relationship, but there's always been a certain distance between them and us." Wang Lun inquired, "Were there any unpleasant words exchanged?" Wang Hao shook his head and said, "No! Both are heroes, and I treated them with courtesy; the atmosphere was harmonious from beginning to end. However, in my conversations with them, I always felt a difference in their principles." "It feels like we're not on the same page," Wang Lun nodded, saying, "I've considered getting to know you two before, but after hearing about your lives, I realized we're not kindred spirits. We were originally a family of farmers and scholars, and I myself was once eager for fame and fortune, but fate had other plans, and I was forced to become an outlaw. Although I've become an outlaw, I've never forgotten the integrity of a scholar." Wang Hao looked at his father, dressed as a scholar, and said, "If our wine can be successfully sold in various prefectures, these hundreds of brothers on the mountain can lay down their weapons. We can also bribe the government, and we won't have to worry about washing away our outlaw reputation."

Wang Lun pondered for a moment, then said, "Your fine wine will surely bring you wealth, but in this corrupt court, money alone is not enough; without power, the ultimate consequence is likely the destruction of your family and the loss of your home. Therefore, we must never put down this knife, not to kill, but only to protect ourselves. Do you understand?" Wang Hao wasn't entirely clear on the specific reasons why Wang Lun had joined the outlaws, but he knew Wang Lun's conclusion was a lesson learned. He replied, "I will remember." Wang Lun nodded and continued, "A knife can be used openly or covertly. When the time is right, we'll use a hidden knife."

Several days later, Zhu Gui had set up the arena. After Wang Hao informed Chao Gai and Song Jiang, the duel was scheduled for the eighteenth day of the twelfth lunar month. Invitations to the heroes were sent in the names of Wang Lun, Chao Gai, and Song Jiang to dozens of villages in the Liangshan area. More than ten restaurants and teahouses in Yuncheng County also placed invitations to the heroes in advance.

The eighteenth day of the twelfth lunar month was fast approaching, but to Wang Hao's surprise, the heroes of Yuncheng County, seeing Song Jiang's name on the invitation, all sought him out beforehand and went together to Wuliu Sandbar; the heroes from outside Yuncheng County had gathered at Chao Gai's manor beforehand; only a few went on their own in small groups. Wang Hao and Wang Lun stood on the high platform they had set up, watching Song Jiang and Chao Gai each lead dozens of wooden boats and hundreds of heroes, and they were all shocked. Wang Lun's expression instantly changed, and he said, "These two are truly hateful; they've lured away seventy percent of the heroes." Wang Hao, however, was more open-minded, saying, "Song Jiang and Chao Gai truly live up to their reputations. While we didn't anticipate this situation, Father is the host, so there's no need to be weak. We should simply treat them well, offering them fine wine and meat, and none of these hundreds of heroes will dare underestimate Liangshan. Once Liangshan's name is known, today's plan will be largely complete." Wang Lun sighed and gritted his teeth, saying, "Let's use the wine and meat of my Wang family to entertain all the heroes of the world, and see how long you two can remain so arrogant." Wang Hao shook his head helplessly, thinking to himself, "My father is indeed rather narrow-minded!"

The snow in December fell suddenly, but fortunately without strong winds. Wang Lun and Wang Hao arrived at the dock to greet Chao Gai and Song Jiang. The initial pleasantries and flattery were unnecessary. Looking at the heavy snowfall, Song Jiang said, "This heavy snow has made the lake water cold. The arena was originally grand, but unfortunately, the weather is uncooperative. Should we make some changes?" Wang Lun was displeased and remained silent. Wang Hao said, "What Clerk Song says makes sense, but whether to change the rules should be decided by the heroes themselves." Song Jiang raised his arm, intending to ask for everyone's opinion. Unexpectedly, Wang Hao interrupted, saying, "Clerk Song, please wait a moment. Let each hero drink a bowl of strong wine before we talk." He then instructed his men to serve each person a bowl of fine wine. Many of those present were heavy drinkers, and Wang Hao's wine made them shout, "Delicious!" Wang Hao seized the opportunity to ask, "Heroes, how do you feel about the wine in your cups?"