***
All eyes flew toward me and pinned me in place. Just what words would one who had learned drinking in the Western Regions and Wa offer here?
The surrounding gazes, brimming with anticipation at such thoughts.
And I, refusing to betray those eyes.
"They say one cup is just right, two is too many, but from three onward is insufficient. Though I normally drink no more than a single cup well, today the saying huraesambae (後來三杯) catches me by the ankle. Having the sin of a late arrival, I must inevitably drink three cups or more, so let us tilt our cups together until this insufficiency is filled today."
I watched those who had gone before me and calmly let out the words I had prepared. More fluently than expected, and quite plausibly, words related to alcohol flowed out.
Of course, this was not something I had newly learned after coming to the Central Plains, nor after arriving in these lands. Nor was some half-baked learning likely to burst out of me suddenly.
The words I had conveyed were a twist on the expression of the famous cartoonist James Thurber, who depicted the martini—called the king of cocktails.
Since it is an expression that any bartender would know, I had been able to adapt it naturally.
Fortunately, the listeners wore satisfied expressions, so it seemed my words had gone over properly.
"Exactly! The essence of alcohol is that the more excessive it is, the more it is lacking! Is it not so?"
"That is so, Proprietor. The Young Master has seen through to the essence with perfectly apt words. Heh heh."
"By the way, though it is my first time hearing those words directly, Young Master. From which classical anecdote did you quote them? I, this Seokmo, if you permit, should like to use that quote next time."
Seok Duwon's shoulders rose high upon hearing the words I had relayed. It is only natural that when a guest displays his talents at such a gathering, the host takes pride in it.
"It is not a classical anecdote of the Central Plains. I took words I heard from the place I was and reinterpreted them anew."
"Then, you mean it is a classical anecdote of the Western Regions. Hahaha. Today I learn yet another thing. How could I leave the guest hall empty like this!"
His voice rising to its fullest, Seok Duwon excitedly tipped his cup back first.
Only after he set his cup down did the cups of his retainers and guests move toward their mouths.
I too matched him, facing my closest friend after a long while.
'Hm!'
A fine aroma. The fragrance that had been held within was held intact in the taste as well, down to the faint, rich viscosity that only well-aged liquor exudes.
As expected, Seokgajang's Seokhwangju is said to be very famous in Zhejiang Province; it seems that reputation was not built in vain.
It spread thickly in the mouth, so much so that I did not want to swallow it down. The texture, grown viscous from ten years of aging, was likewise superb.
"This may be sudden, but if it is not rude, I wish to ask this Young Master a question."
So it was while the cups went back and forth between the mouths of those gathered, round after round. Once again, the one who first spoke to me was Chief Gu Donghae.
As one who had previously shown great interest in the trade caravans of the Western Regions, he seemed to have many things he wished to hear from me.
Though the words leaving my mouth were unlikely to be of great help.
"Please ask."
"It is nothing else, but might I ask what sort of work this Young Master did in the Western Regions? If you are versed enough to quote classical anecdotes of the Western Regions, it does not seem to have been an ordinary matter. Yet for a trade caravan to have returned from there..."
Gu Donghae deliberately trailed off at the end of his words. Though his words were vague, it was not difficult to know the meaning hidden within the vagueness.
Most likely, it was that I seemed too fair and soft to have returned from a trade caravan.
For in this place where dark skin and robust physique are considered virtues, my moderately built frame could well be called frail.
True, I stood a head taller than others, but that was all. Compared to those here, the word "white jade" would suit my skin as well.
As Chief Gu Donghae's words implied, one who had been on a trade caravan could not even imagine having such skin.
"Hmm."
Seok Duwon, hearing Gu Donghae's words, put on an expression as though he found it amusing. Then, after looking at me once, he made an expression asking what I would like to do.
"If the Young Master does not wish it, you need not reveal it."
"It is fine, Proprietor."
"Is that so? Then, please answer directly. Heh heh. For this Seokmo to boast in your stead would now be unseemly."
Occupation was also an important factor by which status was divided in the Central Plains, so Seok Duwon had not revealed it first.
I expressed my gratitude for such consideration and gave Gu Donghae the answer directly.
"I worked as a jojusa in the Western Regions and Wa."
"A jojusa?"
"A jojusa?"
"What is that?"
"Do you know?"
"No. How would I know?"
What followed were reactions of each person tilting their head in puzzlement. Having expected this, I added a bit of explanation.
"A jojusa is one who makes alcohol more delicious and also helps the drinker have a richer experience."
"Makes alcohol more delicious...? Then, do you mean brewing or distilling?"
"It is related to that as well. However, it is somewhat different. As it is a profession not yet found in the Central Plains, you must all find it unfamiliar."
"Ohh. A profession found only in the Western Regions and Wa? It is fascinating, indeed."
"Heh heh. I too tilted my head when I first heard it, but think on it. Is this not why he recognized false liquor at once and even detoxified the poison caused by it?"
"I see. No wonder! Heh heh. Now everything is understood!"
"For Seokgajang, this is a stroke of fortune. Heh heh. Is not Seokgajang synonymous with alcohol?"
"Indeed!"
When someone tried to ask in a little more detail, Seok Duwon stepped forward first and deflected it.
Fortunately, the retainers were quickly convinced thanks to the feats shown earlier.
Though the atmosphere had begun to flow somewhat around me, I seemed to have properly explained to them what kind of person I was and what I had done.
"Then, Proprietor. Did you create this gathering today in order to...?"
Gong Chonggwan, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, inquired into Seok Duwon's intentions.
The two exchanged meaningful glances several times, and soon Seok Duwon nodded and opened his mouth.
"The truth is, I have gathered you all here today not only for camaraderie but also because I wished to hear an objective assessment. It happens that the guest hall is filled with people from other regions, and with an expert like this Young Master present, I thought now the opportune time to broach this matter."
"An objective assessment...?"
"Precisely, of this Seokhoru."
He was straining to speak as though calmly broaching the subject. Yet what showed was the appearance of one slightly heartbroken.
As if knowing him, Gong Chonggwan too raised his cup to hide his face with a troubled expression.
What was slightly regrettable was that those listening did not seem to fully know the speaker's intentions.
"Heh heh. Proprietor, you speak strange words. Is not Seokhoru sailing smoothly?"
"That is correct. Seokhoru is a place that has not lacked for crowds in the past three months. Please put your worries to rest."
I understand. Everyone has their own domain, their own area of expertise.
However, it remained a pity that they could not read their lord's heavy expression before he spoke.
"Proprietor. Seokhoru must not be viewed as a simple tavern. Recently, brewing licenses have been issued excessively, and accordingly, various liquors are circulating. Seokhoru should be seen as a sort of breakthrough for selling Seokgajang's alcohol in these times."
Even if it was not what Seok Duwon had wished to hear.
"Hmm. Chief Gu's words are correct. However, I, this Seokmo, indeed had great ambitions when I established this Seokhoru. The commercial district around Xihu was already saturated thirty years ago. It has been nearly fifteen years since a new establishment like Seokhoru appeared. Building a tavern by Xihu was a long-held dream of mine. My heart is not so light that I can pass over it so simply."
"I understand what you are worried about. However, the operation of a tavern must be viewed in the long term. Do not judge it short-term, but look at the long term."
Thanks to Gu Donghae's heavy sincere advice, Seok Duwon's expression eased slightly.
He bit his lips slightly, seeming to forcibly swallow down his words.
Because Gu Donghae's words were, in a way, a call to wait and see over a long time, but also an acknowledgment that this could not be undone.
It was the best opinion he could offer, but from my perspective, it would only worsen Seok Duwon's frustration.
"Your words are not wrong. It is merely my hasty heart..."
Seok Duwon made a resigned expression, as though he understood everything, which turned sorrowful. His hand lifting the cup looked especially weak.
"Very well. Even if we look at it in the long term first. I should like to hear the valuable opinions of guests from foreign lands at least once. What does Scholar Du think?"
Seok Duwon assumed a deeply contemplative expression for a moment, then turned his body to look at the opposite side.
The one his gaze reached was the well-built scholar Du Yeonghae.
Du Yeonghae stopped the hand that had been inhaling food and quickly wiped his mouth.
"Ahem. Ahem. What would a humble student know of commerce? However, personally, neither the food nor the scenery of Seokhoru has any fault. Moreover, as they say, ambition is will, so where there is will, there will be a way."
"Hmm. Is that so?"
"This student believes so."
"I too earnestly wish it may be so. Thank you."
Seok Duwon replied bitterly to Du Yeonghae's answer and raised his cup to hide his expression.
He could have attached at least one classical anecdote about good fortune. It was an answer utterly disappointing for a student of such renown.
"How does Miss Mae see it?"
"I too know nothing of commerce, so I worry that I might cloud the Proprietor's discernment."
"Heh heh. Is not Miss Mae a musician at a tavern called the best in Beijing? Having experienced much, you cannot have seen less than I, this fresh newcomer to taverns, so please speak without reserve."
Seok Duwon passed his gaze past Du Yeonghae to Mae Chohyeon, seated beside him.
After pondering the repeated request, Mae Chohyeon finally opened her mouth.
"I simply... think that Seokhoru is certainly a fine tavern. However, I have heard that excess is worse than lack. Though the exterior and interior splendor are magnificent, I have the impertinent thought that this may conversely be a burden to common folk."
As her answer was heard, Seok Duwon's expression brightened slightly. He nodded and chewed over Mae Chohyeon's words.
Even to my ears, it was far more substantial than the words of Scholar Du Yeonghae.
"Good words. Hearing Miss Mae's words, they seem correct. Then, might there be a way to overcome this?"
"I believe that not adding further opulence from here may be the only solution."
"Is that so? Hmm. Thank you for your valuable opinion, Miss Mae. I am indebted to you every time."
"I am ashamed that my inadequacy prevented me from giving a satisfactory answer to the Proprietor."
"No. It was sufficient. Heh heh. I merely could not compose my expression due to my stifled heart."
The problem had been identified, but the answer had not come out. I had expected such an assessment from Mae Chohyeon's words.
It was not as though the building could be torn down immediately; how could one fix what Mae Chohyeon had pointed out?
Identifying the immediate problem was good, but raising a problem without an answer was always hollow.
Out of frustration, Seok Duwon raised his cup and drank repeatedly.
"Proprietor. Since this Young Master learned of alcohol in the Western Regions and Wa, why not ask his valuable opinion? Though different from the Central Plains, do not all rivers eventually flow to the same sea?"
Once again, it was Gong Chonggwan who comforted such a proprietor. At Gong Chonggwan's words, Seok Duwon's eyes moved to me.
"Quite right. I grew afraid of asking the expert and so circled around. Though alcohol and the operation of a tavern differ, would this Young Master not have seen many taverns in the Western Regions and Wa? Young Master. I humbly request your valuable opinion."
Was it because the previous two exchanges had yielded little result? Or because he thought alcohol and taverns were different?
Seok Duwon looked at me with eyes whose anticipation had died out. An expression as if pity were about to arise hung on his face.
"I have been in Hangzhou for only three months. It has been merely a week since I came to Seokgajang. Therefore, I fear whether I can properly know the circumstances of Seokgajang and speak of them."
"Heh heh. Seeing your words grow so long, it seems you intend to offer harsh criticism, Young Master."
Yeom Hang, who handled the battlefield, pressured me with an attitude as though he disliked this atmosphere, telling me to gloss over it.
I deliberately pretended not to know and ignored it.
"Please consider it loyal advice."
!
The expressions of the retainers twisted all at once. They put on expressions as if they had never seen such a tactless person.
Since the moderate consensus had been to follow Gu Donghae's sincere advice and move on, they were not pleased that I was about to utter something new.
Nevertheless, I did not let my gaze drift elsewhere but looked only at Seok Duwon and opened my mouth boldly.
"I believe Seokhoru will not last long."