Chapter 47: Chapter 47 East Entrance
The spring cold was sharp, and Old Man Wu, wrapped in a cotton coat, sat on the ashen wooden chair gasping for breath. The alcohol-flag fluttered high in the chilly wind like a mudfish dancing weakly for a mont before hanging limp.
"There should be good business today."
In Yue Country, located in the south where the climate is warm and humid, snow in winter is a rarity. Last year’s heavy snow was even more unusual; it had compressed the entire ancient Lidao Road, making it impassable for horses and carts. Old Man Wu had only received three groups of guests all winter, but now that spring had arrived and the snow had lted, with a bit of cold still lingering, it was an excellent ti for a drink.
Old Man Wu leaned back lazily in his wooden chair, scratching his back. The dilapidated chair creaked a chorus of complaints underneath him. Squinting his eyes, he peered through the window to see a cloud of yellow dust rising from the road in the distance.
He hurriedly got up, limping to the door, and shouted:
"at—— Wine——, Mutton——"
Seeing the carriage approaching slowly and stopping near him, Old Man Wu eagerly called out:
"Sirs in front, our inn has aty wines and the sour and spicy side dishes are quite refreshing..."
But as the carriage curtain was lifted, two n clad in fur cloaks erged.
The man in front looked no older than seventeen, exuding youthful vigor, holding a long saber, his visage still sowhat tender, smiling radiantly at the sight of the tavern.
The man behind appeared to be in his mid-twenties, a precious sword hanging at his waist, decent-looking with bright, alert eyes, watching Old Man Wu cautiously.
"It appears to be an elder guarding a junior on an excursion. The young one seems to have so experience in the jianghu, quite cautious. And judging by that precious sword, they must be the young masters of two wealthy noble families. Today’s prospects look profitable!"
With this thought, Old Man Wu imdiately devised a plan, offering a flattering smile, he said:
"Please co inside, sirs. Our inn’s specialty Snowflake aty Wine is a delicacy in these parts."
Having said that, he turned his head and called out loudly:
"Guests have arrived——"
The two guests took their seats at the table, and from upstairs two n ran down thumping, bowing and grinning obsequiously, standing behind Old Man Wu.
"Bring us a pot of Snowflake Wine and a few dishes."
Wan Yuankai placed his long saber aside and, watching Old Man Wu order his staff to prepare the food, cheerily explained to Li Tongya:
"This Snowflake Wine, you see, is made by thinly slicing the pri cuts of lamb and cooking them in fine wine until tender, finely chopped into a paste; it’s then mixed with lamb spinal marrow and kidney fats lted in a pot, and when serving, warm wine is used for soaking."
Wan Yuankai swallowed, speaking in a low voice:
"Five years ago, I ca here with a clan brother and we ordered this pot of Snowflake Wine. It was so amazing that I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. Back ho, we go through the sa few recipes over and over again, and I’ve grown utterly tired of them!"
Li Tongya, having endured the shaking carriage ride for several days and subsisted on dry rations and cold water, was excited by these words and couldn’t help but look forward to it.
After the two chatted for a bit, a clamor arose from outside the door, and several n dressed in cotton jackets swaggered in, boisterously taking their seats and loudly saying:
"Old Man Wu, bring out the wine!"
"Ah, the lords are here."
Old Man Wu hurried over with a smile, fawning over them one by one.
"This spring chill really gets to you, we’ve been guarding the eastern gate all night and nearly froze our balls off! Took advantage of the shift change to co up for a couple of drinks.
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