The Magistrate's manor was a flurry of panic disguised as preparation.
Servants rushed back and forth, polishing jade ornaments that hadn't seen the light of day in years. The kitchens were roaring, pumping out dish after dish of delicate, intricate cuisine—steamed perch, lotus root soup, braised sea cucumber. It was the standard fare of the elite: refined, visually stunning, and ultimately, predictable.
In the main hall, Magistrate Su Changming sat on a chair, dabbing sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief. To his right sat the Provincial Governor, a stern man in his forties named Li Wei. Governor Li had a reputation for being incorruptible, hard to please, and possessing a palate that tired easily of the usual flattery.
"Su Changming," Governor Li said, his voice bored as he poked at a piece of steamed cabbage. "The county looks... adequate. The tax collection is on time. But honestly, is this all Qinghe has to offer? I have eaten this exact meal in three different counties this month."
Su Changming's heart skipped a beat. "Your Excellency, we have prepared a local specialty... wild mountain mushrooms..."
"Mushrooms," Li Wei sighed, setting down his chopsticks. "I suppose it will have to do."
Suddenly, the heavy wooden doors of the banquet hall were pushed open.
The room fell silent. It wasn't a servant announcing a course. It was Lin Wanshan.
He didn't walk with the shuffling gait of a humble son-in-law. He strode in. He was wearing clean clothes—rough canvas trousers tucked into his polished leather boots, a crisp white shirt, and a dark vest. On his head sat the wide-brimmed hat, tipped back just enough to show his eyes.
Behind him walked Tiezhu, carrying a large wooden tray covered with a cloth. But it wasn't the tray that drew attention; it was the smell.
It was primal. It cut through the subtle incense and the delicate aroma of steamed fish. It smelled of fire, of smoke, of rich fat and charred spice. It grabbed the attention of everyone in the room by the stomach.
"Who dares interrupt?" Su Cheng, the cousin, stood up, his face red. "This is a banquet for the Governor! Guards, remove this beggar!"
"Silence."
The voice wasn't loud, but it commanded the room. It was Lin Wanshan.
"Father-in-law, Governor Li," Lin Wanshan bowed, but it was a bow of equals, not a bow of submission. "I apologize for the interruption. But I heard the Governor sought a delicacy, not a decoration."
Governor Li raised an eyebrow. He looked at this strange man in strange clothes. "And you are?"
"He is my son-in-law, Lin Wanshan," Su Changming stammered, standing up. "He... he has taken up farming."
"Farming?" Li Wei's lips curled into a faint smirk. "And what does a farmer bring to a Governor's table? Turnips?"
"I bring the West," Lin Wanshan said simply.
He turned to Tiezhu and pulled the cloth off the tray.
The gasps were audible.
On the tray sat a massive platter. On it was a pile of dark, glistening slices of meat. It wasn't the pale pink of pork or the stringy brown of mutton. It was a deep, ruby red, edged with a perfect ring of pink smoke. The fat was translucent, quivering slightly, glistening with juices.
"Beef!" Su Cheng shouted, pointing a shaking finger. "You bring beef to the table? Are you trying to get the Magistrate executed? Killing a plow ox is a crime!"
The atmosphere in the room turned icy. The guards reached for their weapons. Su Qingya, standing behind a screen with the other women, covered her mouth in horror. *He promised he wouldn't be reckless.*
Lin Wanshan didn't flinch. He picked up a slice of the brisket with a pair of tongs.
"This is not a plow ox," Lin Wanshan said calmly, looking Governor Li in the eye. "This is a beast that has given its life after a lifetime of service. It was old, injured, and destined for the glue pot. But in the Westland, we do not waste. We honor."
He placed the slice on a small plate and walked forward, ignoring the guards.
"The law forbids the wanton slaughter of viable livestock. This animal was culled for mercy. I have taken that 'worthless' meat and transformed it using a secret technique—Smoke and Time. This is not a crime, Your Excellency. It is alchemy."
"Alchemy?" Li Wei was intrigued now. The smell was driving him mad. It was unlike anything he had ever encountered. "Bold words. But if this meat is tough, and you have wasted my time with this... stunt... I will have you thrown in the dungeons."
"I will take that bet," Lin Wanshan smiled. He placed the plate before the Governor. "Try it. Do not use the silver chopsticks. Use your hands. This is food for men who work, not for birds who peck."
The room held its breath. Su Changming looked like he might faint.
Governor Li looked at the greasy, dark slice. He hesitated, then picked it up with his fingers. It felt soft, yielding. He took a bite.
His eyes widened.
The bark crunched, releasing a burst of salty, peppery flavor. Then, the meat collapsed on his tongue. It didn't chew like beef. It didn't fight back. It melted. The rendered fat coated his mouth, mixing with the savory smoke and the deep, beefy richness.
It was primal. It was powerful. It was delicious.
Governor Li chewed slowly. He swallowed. He picked up another slice immediately.
"More," Li Wei said, his voice dropping an octave.
"Your Excellency?" Su Cheng stammered. "Is it... edible?"
"Edible?" Li Wei looked up, his eyes shining. "This is magnificent. It tastes of... of the hunt. Of campfires. Of strength."
He turned to Lin Wanshan. "You said this was from an old work ox? A glue-pot animal?"
"Yes, Your Excellency."
"Incredible. The tenderness... the flavor..." Li Wei wiped his greasy fingers on a napkin, not caring about the stain. "I have eaten camel hump in the capital. I have eaten bear paw in the North. But this... this has soul."
He looked at Su Changming. "Magistrate Su, you have a hidden gem. A diamond in the rough."
Su Changming let out a breath he had been holding for five minutes. "He... he is my daughter's husband. A unique talent."
"Unique indeed," Li Wei nodded. He turned back to Lin Wanshan. "Can you supply this? Regularly?"
"The old ox was a one-time event," Lin Wanshan said honestly. "But I am raising a new breed. A breed meant for the table, not the plow. They will be ready in two years. Until then, I can supply pork prepared in this Western Style, and perhaps... the occasional cull."
"I want a standing order," Li Wei declared. "When your beef cattle are ready, I want the first cut sent to the Governor's mansion. I will pay double the market price for pork."
He tossed a gold ingot onto the table. "For the feast today. And for the entertainment."
Lin Wanshan bowed. "The Westland thanks you, Your Excellency."
As the Governor devoured the rest of the platter, moaning in delight, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Su Cheng sat down, his face pale, humiliated. Su Changming stood taller, his chest puffing out.
Lin Wanshan turned and walked toward the exit. He passed the screen where the women were hidden.
He didn't stop, but he glanced sideways. Through the lattice, he caught a glimpse of Su Qingya. She wasn't looking at him with disdain. She was staring at him, her beautiful eyes wide with shock and a strange, new curiosity.
He tipped his hat.
"Tiezhu," Lin Wanshan said as they left the hall, the sounds of the Governor slurping meat fading behind them. "We have a customer."
"A rich one," Tiezhu grinned, tapping the gold ingot in his pocket.
"And a deadline," Lin Wanshan added. "Two years. We have two years to make the Governor forget about pork and fall in love with Angus."
The sun was setting as they rode back to the Westland. The ranch looked different now. It wasn't just a piece of land. It was a promise kept.
*[System Alert: Quest Complete: The Governor's Tribute.]*
*[Reward: 50 Gold Coins. Reputation: Famous (Local).]*
*[Unlock: Tier 2 Shop - Livestock Feed Formulas (Growth Boost).]*
Lin Wanshan looked at the horizon. The dream was no longer just a dream. It was a business. And he was open for business.