Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 280

Chapter 280
“Yes, and it must be an extremely potent baijiu.”
“How potent do you need it?”
“The more potent, the better.”
“The more potent, the better?”
“That’s correct.”
Upon hearing the request for such a strong distilled spirit, Geum Gi-ryung and Chief Ha glanced at each other.
Chief Ha ventured cautiously, “Um… Young Lord, you aren’t intending to pour the liquor straight onto the grain, are you? Moisture can cause the grain to mildew or spoil…”
Did he think I was unaware of that?
Finding his concern somewhat excessive, I responded, “Certainly not. I won’t be handling the liquor or the grain directly, so you needn’t be concerned.”
“Pardon?”
At this, Chief Ha blinked, looking bewildered.
His expression showed he couldn’t grasp my meaning—why ask for liquor if I didn’t plan to use it directly?
But Geum Gi-ryung, likely recalling the trust I had earned earlier, bypassed the skepticism and inquired about the quantity needed.
“What amount will you require?”
“One moment. I must first assess the inside of this storage.”
Responding to Geum Gi-ryung, I focused on evaluating the grain storage’s interior.
“Let’s see… one small window, and a single wooden door… It’s fortunate the ceiling is well-sealed.”
The structure was built like a stronghold, with a stone ceiling. The only openings were the wooden door and the small window.
The grain was stored deep within, but the total area wasn’t overly large.
Approximately ten by twenty paces—about three by six meters. This size was ideal for effectively dealing with the pests ruining the grain.
“For each grain pit, I’ll need roughly one large clay jar, similar to those the Tang household uses. Ah, and some paper and glue would also be useful.”
I used my hands to indicate the jar size I meant. Geum Gi-ryung nodded in acknowledgment.
Then Chief Ha, his worry still evident, spoke up.
“Lord of the Merchant Guild, perhaps we should test this method on just one storage area first.”
He seemed to be proposing a trial to prevent a potential catastrophe. However, Geum Gi-ryung objected.
“Is that really necessary?”
Chief Ha then quickly clarified in a respectful tone, mindful of my reaction.
“Oh, it’s not that I doubt the Young Lord, not at all. It’s just that obtaining that quantity of baijiu will take a few days. We have one jar on hand that was meant for drinking, so while we gather more, I thought we could try it on a single pit.”
His caution was understandable for someone responsible for a grain warehouse.
Since his explanation was sensible and not disrespectful, I agreed.
With so much grain at stake, caution was prudent.
“Very well. Can the one jar of baijiu, along with the paper and glue, be prepared quickly?”
“We can grind wheat and rice to make paste, and we have ample paper in supply, so it will be brief. Please give us a moment.”
Chief Ha hurried off and directed several workers, who promptly started grinding wheat and rice into paste.
Being a grain warehouse, rice was plentiful, and tools like mortars and millstones were ready in a corner.
After a short wait, a few workers carried large jars to the warehouse entrance.
They weren’t big enough to hold a person, but they were sizable enough to be heavy. There were five of them.
Their combined volume was about equal to the large jar I had described.
—Clatter.
“We’ve brought five smaller jars—will this be acceptable, Young Lord?”
“Yes, that might even be preferable.”
First, I carefully peeled back the oiled paper sealing one jar and dipped a finger in to taste the liquor.
I needed to verify its strength.
Its alcohol content was crucial for the method to work.
—Tchup.
The moment the liquor touched my tongue, a sharp, burning sensation spread through my mouth.
It slid down my throat and settled in my stomach, generating a warm bloom.
A powerfully strong spirit that vividly traced the path down my esophagus.
Even in my previous life, Chinese baijiu like kaoliang could be between 40 and 60 percent alcohol—this felt similar.
‘Yes. This is strong. Feels like at least 50%.’
A higher concentration was better, but this would be more than sufficient.
I pointed into the storage.
“Please place all these jars directly in the center of the wheat storage.”
“Yes, understood.”
Five servants strained as they moved the jars inside.
Once all jars were positioned on the grain, Chief Ha approached with the paste and paper.
“I have the paper and glue here, Young Lord.”
“Good. Let’s start immediately.”
With Chief Ha present, I entered the storage room.
I then tore off all the oiled paper seals from the jars of liquor.
—Rip.
As the lids came off, the pungent aroma of alcohol quickly filled the air.
Leaving the jars open, I exited the storage and gave an instruction.
“Now, please close the door and seal every crack around the windows and door with glue and paper. Not even the smallest gap can remain.”
“Yes, Young Lord! You heard him—seal the windows and door completely!”
“Yes, Chief!”
Spreading glue and paper over the gaps was a fairly easy task.
Soon, the workers had finished sealing the door and windows with the pasted paper.
I conducted one final, thorough inspection of everything.
With it all done, I smiled at Geum Gi-ryung and said,
“There. It’s finished. Now we wait for approximately three days.”
“That’s all?”
“Just that?”
At my words, Geum Gi-ryung and Chief Ha stared at me, astounded. I nodded and explained.
“Yes. The pests that infest grain cannot tolerate the fumes of strong liquor. Within three days, they will all be dead. We simply need to be patient.”
“Hoho…”
Everyone seemed taken aback by the method’s simplicity.
But this would indeed eradicate every single grain pest—completely.
The reason I requested liquor was specifically for its ethanol content.
Ethanol is highly effective at exterminating pests, particularly those that infest grains.
‘Nothing works better against weevils and grain moths, truly.’
People often underestimate alcohol because it’s common and consumed, but the ethanol that gives it potency is toxic and a known Group 1 carcinogen.
Furthermore, when the liver metabolizes ethanol, it becomes acetaldehyde, which is also highly carcinogenic.
Naturally, when diluted and drunk, it merely causes intoxication—it isn’t severely toxic to humans in modest amounts.
But for insects, ethanol is a definitive poison.
In my past life, cargo ships carrying grain were mandated to perform fumigation before export or import to eliminate any pests.
Fumigation means sterilizing grain using insecticidal agents safe for humans, to prevent infestation by any present insects.
The agent most frequently used for this fumigation was ethyl formate.
Ethyl formate is a volatile compound present in grapes and wine—an environmentally safe substance.
It is a compound of ethanol and formic acid, and being highly volatile, it leaves no residue. Upon contact with food, it instantly decomposes into ethanol and formic acid.
Thus, having both ethanol and formic acid provides excellent sterilization. But without access to high-purity ethanol or formic acid, even strong liquor is perfectly adequate for domestic sterilization.
In fact, acetone, more readily available domestically, is about six times more effective than ethanol against grain pests—but it was hard to acquire in this era, so ethanol alone was enough.
‘Sealing the space is essential when using ethanol like this.’
“Then we will plan to open it in three days. Ah, and please do not open it out of curiosity—it will reduce the effect. And absolutely no oil lamps inside. It could ignite a fire.”
“Understood, Young Sir So.”
“I will ensure the workers are properly cautioned.”
The flash point of ethanol vapor is around 120 degrees Celsius.
In three days, the ethanol vapor would saturate the storage interior. A careless opening could lead to tragedy, so I issued the necessary warning and intended to return after three days.
***
From the grain warehouse, I went back to the third floor of a luxurious inn situated right next to the Yellow River.
This was one of Geum Gi-ryung’s personal inns. After sharing a meal with him, I returned to my room and went to the window, getting ready to explain the day’s events to Hwa-eun.
They say married men have no freedom, but I wasn’t even married yet, and I already had none.
‘So you’ll return in three days, correct?’
‘Yes, Hwa-eun.’
The distance from here to her location was about one sijin—a two-hour journey—but I still needed to return in three days.
And because the harbor was so busy, we had decided I would stay here for those three days, so I was explaining the situation.
‘Please don’t do anything dangerous just because I’m not there, alright? Even with Sister Seol accompanying you, I can’t be completely at ease unless I’m there too.’
‘Really, Hwa-eun, since when have I ever done anything dangerous…’
…
Was silence always so frightening?
Hwa-eun’s silent pause sent a shiver down my spine, bringing back buried memories.
Right… I had done dangerous things before. I quickly replied before I made it worse.
‘Ah, r-right. Of course. I won’t, Hwa-eun.’
Seemingly content with that answer, I could sense her mood lighten.
Even after our business discussion ended, I still had to talk with her for another two hours.
In my past life, couples would stay on the phone until they fell asleep—how did they ever manage that?
Thinking I had been wise to avoid dating in my past life, Hwa-eun finally concluded her thoughts.
‘Alright. Then take care and work hard while you’re there. I’ve also asked the children not to use the group channel while you’re away, in case it breaks your concentration.’
‘Ah, you mean the group chat?’
‘Group chat? Oh, I see what you mean. Yes, that space.’
Managing the group chat for me while I was working—Hwa-eun was truly looking after me like a wife.
Yeah… if she was going to these lengths, I felt obliged to respect her wishes and steer clear of danger.
Just as I was solidifying my resolve to be cautious, her voice came through again.
‘Then rest well, and we’ll speak again tomorrow.’
‘I will, Hwa-eun. You sleep well too.’
The goodnight ritual was over—freedom, at last.
She wasn’t officially my wife yet, but if you don’t have a wife, what’s the next best thing?
Fried chicken and beer!
After two hours of talking, I felt hungry, so I pulled the cord in my room to summon a servant.
Geum Gi-ryung had assured me I could order room service at any time.
—Ding.
“You called for me, honored guest?”
It was late, when most people would be asleep, yet the moment I pulled the cord, a servant appeared outside my door as if she had been waiting.
Now that was service worthy of a high-class inn.
I opened the door and asked with a smile, “Yes, would it be possible to get a roast duck?”
“Of course, honored guest. Would you like anything else?”
Just then, Hyang, who had been perched behind me, tried to peek out.
I swiftly pulled her back with one hand and formed an X with two fingers.
‘Hyang, no! You’ll frighten the kind lady!’
—Tssrit? What is that, Dad?
‘It means no.’
—Tsrurur… Ahh…
As I was teaching Hyang that the X sign meant “no,” the servant spoke again.
“Honored guest?”
“Oh, could I also get something to drink? Something… cold and sweet, perhaps?”
“We have sanmaetang, chilled with ice. It’s made with plum and sugar—very sweet and refreshing.”
Sanmaetang?
It sounded like it might be plum tea.
‘Ah, it must be plum tea then.’
“That sounds excellent.”
“Understood. It will be just a moment.”
Iced plum tea seemed like a fine choice.
I would have preferred makgeolli to beer, but I wasn’t as young anymore and had to be mindful of alcohol.
If I could have watched a sports game on the side, it would have been perfect—but I couldn’t have everything, so I just gazed out the window, dreaming of roast duck.
—Gulp.
My mouth watered on its own.
As I was lost in thoughts of duck, Bini crept up to the window and asked what I was doing.
—Tsrur? 『Dad, what are you up to?』
“Just, uh… admiring the moon?”
—Tssrut? 『The moon?』
Hearing my words, Bini looked out the window at the night sky.
While Bini and I observed the crescent moon together, I gradually lowered my eyes to the surface of the Yellow River.
—Blub-blub-blub.
Suddenly, near the large island in the middle of the harbor, big bubbles began to rise from the water.
“What in the world… Methane gas from decaying silt?”
I considered it might be methane bubbling up from the mud—but then Bini’s voice piped up.
—Tsrur? 『Dad, that thing is injured.』
“What!?”
Startled, I whipped my head back toward the water just as Cho approached and asked,
—Tssrut? 『Dad, should I go take a look?』
There was unquestionably something in that water… and it could understand the children.