This was Gu Lin, the son of the wealthy grain merchants, the Gu family.
Stepping forward through the path cleared by the crowd, Gu Lin hastily bowed to greet Zhao Jing. Carrying a jar of wine, he scratched his head and said sheepishly, "My lord, I heard you had returned. I specifically brought this jar of wine to congratulate you on your new beginning."
Afraid that Zhao Jing might look down on the gift or think he was merely trying to curry favor, Gu Lin hurriedly added, "This is no ordinary wine. It was brewed by my ancestors. They were highly skilled winemakers, but since the craft was wasteful of grain, they eventually changed professions. They only brew three to five jars a year to give to relatives and friends during the holidays. I am gifting this jar to you to wish you a smooth career, good health, and a life free of worries for the rest of your days."
