My Promotion Story Through Time Travel

Chapter 172 Greed for Wine

Lin Ziping followed Constable Qi for several more days, visiting several villages.

Just like in the first village, the grain requisition had turned into an officially authorized robbery.

Everyone in the county government office was completely absorbed in it.

Lin Ziping was powerless and could do nothing.

Later, he applied for a job guarding the grain, pretending to be unaware of the situation.

The collected grain is now stored in the county government's granary, which is guarded 24 hours a day.

In just a few days, the granary in the county government office was filled with grain, but it was only a transit point and had to be secretly transported to the granary in the prefectural city.

This is similar to the current National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, used for life-saving purposes in times of crisis.

"Xiao Lin, the grain will be transported away tonight, you don't need to guard it anymore," said Constable Qi. "You've worked so hard for so many days, you deserve a good rest."

Doesn't this handover require security?

Lin Ziping thought this way and asked the same question.

"This grain delivery is a matter for the households, it has little to do with us," Officer Qi explained casually.

Oh, I see.

During the days he went out with Constable Qi, Lin Ziping also figured out some things.

The waters of grain requisitioning are too deep; bloodshed and injury are commonplace.

From the past to the present, Lin Ziping has always been a humble working man, his power too insignificant.

They can't do anything, so they can only stagnate.

Thinking of this, Lin Ziping didn't ask any more questions, packed his things, and left work early.

As I walked out of the county government office, the weather grew colder, and the streets were deserted. Occasionally, one or two people would pass by, but they were always in a hurry.

Lin Ziping wandered aimlessly through the crowd, appearing somewhat out of place.

Before we knew it, we had arrived at Fuchunlou.

The sun hadn't set yet, and Lin Ziping didn't want to go back, so he went into Fuchunlou, ordered a few dishes and a pot of wine, and found a secluded corner by the window on the second floor to sit down.

There weren't as many seasonings available in this era, but the ingredients were fresh and additive-free, especially at Fuchunlou, which was the top restaurant in Fuchun and had some skilled chefs.

Even without chicken bouillon, cooking wine, or oyster sauce, the food still tastes quite delicious.

The wine is rice wine, with a low alcohol content and a slightly sweet taste. Compared to 52° baijiu (Chinese white liquor), this can only be considered a beverage.

Delicious food truly is the best medicine for healing your mood, and when paired with a sweet drink, the effect is doubled.

A bite of food, a sip of drink, and before you know it, you've had too much.

Lin Ziping stood up, supporting himself on the table, but his steps faltered and his body went limp. He took two steps back and sat down on the stool.

Is he drunk?!

Indeed, rice wine is good, but one should not overindulge.

Fortunately, Lin Ziping propped his head up and looked at the bustling scene downstairs with blurry, drunken eyes.

"Lin Ziping, what are you doing here?"

The curtain was lifted, revealing Gao Chi and Li Qiongying's faces.

How did we end up meeting them here?

Lin Ziping was momentarily stunned and did not respond.

Gao Chi glanced at the wine pot on the table, smiled, and shook his head: "I wonder how much he drank. I think he's drunk."

Xiaochunzi stepped forward and gently nudged Lin Ziping, calling out, "Young Master Ziping, Young Master Ziping..."

Lin Ziping's mind was clear, but his body wouldn't obey him, and he stared blankly at Xiaochunzi.

Seeing that Lin Ziping did not react, Xiaochunzi walked to Gao Chi's side and said, "Your Highness, Young Master Ziping may really be drunk."

“Lin Ziping just left Hong Lao Er with me and ignored him, while he went out drinking and drowning his sorrows,” Li Qiongying said, frowning.

"Forget it, Qiongying, we'll talk to him tomorrow. He probably won't know anything now." After saying that, Gao Chi walked over and sat down next to Lin Ziping. He turned to Xiao Chunzi and said, "Go and tell the manager to tidy up this place and send up some more vegetables."

"Your Highness, let's change the table. I'll have someone escort Young Master Ziping home," said Xiaochunzi.

Gao Chi waved his hand: "It's alright, this guy knows how to pick a spot, the scenery here is quite nice."

Xiaochunzi bowed and withdrew.

"Honghong, why don't you go with Xiaochunzi and see what she wants to eat?" Li Qiongying said to the door.

"Okay, sister." The footsteps outside gradually faded away.

Gao Chi pointed to the chair next to him and beckoned to Li Qiongying, "Didn't you say you wanted to eat out? Why don't you come and sit down?"

"Sixth Brother, let's go somewhere else," Li Qiongying said.

"It's alright. Lin Ziping isn't an outsider, and besides, he can't be left unattended in his current state," Gao Chi said.

Li Qiongying also sat down next to Lin Ziping.

Seeing this scene, Lin Ziping burst into tears and cried out, "Who will save me?"

My hands are so sore, my head is so heavy, half of my body is numb, and my back is a little itchy. Why aren't those two leaving yet?!

"The New Year is almost here, Sixth Brother, when are we going back to the capital?" Li Qiongying asked.

Gao Chi sighed: "The cave we were in was only cleared out these past two days. It's full of people who couldn't escape. Now we have to find a new mine."

"Has the Ministry of Works not sent anyone yet?" Li Qiongying asked.

Gao Chi stood up and walked to the window, his hands behind his back: "There are too many people watching Fuchun now, and even Father Emperor can't make up his mind. I can only stay here and keep watch for now."

"That's the only way," Li Qiongying said.

Gao Chi turned to look at Li Qiongying: "Qiongying, you've had a hard time. You should be living a life of luxury in the capital, but now you're stuck here with me, eating and sleeping in the open."

Li Qiongying smiled and shook her head: "I also want to thank Sixth Brother for bringing me out. The local customs and culture along the way are not described in books. The ancients were right. Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles."

“Qiongying’s idea is good, but I seem to have heard that Ji Xun has joined the Ministry of Works and may be sent to Fuchun,” Gao Chi said.

Li Qiongying laughed and said, "Really? I've never heard of that before."

"Didn't I tell you already?" Gao Chi laughed.

Li Qiongying was taken aback, then covered her mouth and smiled, "Sixth Brother, please stop teasing me. Why isn't Xiaochunzi here yet? I'll go check on him."

"Your Highness, the meal is ready. I'll have someone come in and tidy it up," came Xiaochunzi's voice from outside the curtain.

“Let them in,” Gao Chi replied.

At this moment, Lin Ziping loosened his grip on his head and slammed it onto the table with a "thud".

"Ouch—"

Lin Ziping clutched his forehead in pain.

Ouch, that hurts so much! Pretending to be sober is a bit too much of a price to pay.

"Sixth Prince, Miss Qiongying, what are you doing here?" Lin Ziping asked in surprise.

Gao Chi asked, "Are you sober now?"

Lin Ziping quickly stood up, almost tripping over the chair.

"I...I...This humble servant was unaware that Your Highness was here. I have been disrespectful. Please forgive me, Your Highness." Lin Ziping clasped his hands in a salute.

"Your Highness?" Xiaochunzi asked.

"Come in," Gao Chi said.

Xiaochunzi lifted the curtain, and the waiter brought in the food.

Lin Ziping quickly stepped forward to clear the table of leftover food.

Xiaochunzi also came in and helped tidy up.

"Brother." Hong Lao Er followed Xiao Chunzi in and squeezed next to Lin Ziping.

"Young Master Lin, are you going to take Hong Lao Er back today?" Li Qiongying asked.

Lin Ziping didn't speak but looked at Hong Lao Er.

"Sister, I want to play with Chen Feng," Hong Lao Er replied.

Li Qiongying said, "Never mind, Young Master Lin, you should go back first."

Lin Ziping looked at Gao Chi.

"Young Master Ziping, let Xiaochunzi handle things here. You should go back early. Do you need someone to take you home?" Gao Chi asked Lin Zi.

Lin Ziping put the wine pot aside and clasped his hands in a fist and said, "No need, no need. It's only a short walk away. It'll be just right to sober up."

Gao Chi nodded, and Lin Ziping bowed and withdrew.

When he reached the entrance of Fuchunlou, Lin Ziping finally breathed a sigh of relief, tightened his clothes, rubbed his hands, and walked home.