Chapter 112: Unable to Produce It

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Is Li Zhi’s intelligence too high?
Is his capability too strong?
Yuchi Jingde has always admired talented people, and Li Zhi’s outstanding performance once again refreshed his understanding—it was truly worthy of respect!
This clearly shows!
Li Shimin’s decision to send them to garrison Hongnong Commandery was such a wise move!
Such a miraculous agricultural crop must never fall into the hands of villains. It should be under the control of the imperial court.
“Your Highness... rest assured, with us guarding here, not a single bird will get in!” Yuchi Jingde said.
However!
Just as he spoke, a sparrow flew overhead and dropped a pile of droppings, landing right on his forehead.
“Ugh, ugh...” Yuchi Jingde thought it was something good and curiously licked it, only to immediately vomit violently.
“Ha ha ha...”
Everyone burst into laughter.
Yuchi Jingde awkwardly said, “I was only using a figure of speech! I guarantee, no one will pass through Hongnong. Your Highness can rest assured!”
“Good!”
“With the general’s words, I’m at ease!”
The secrecy of Hongnong Commandery was entrusted to Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde.
Li Zhi finally had time to consider other matters.
To defeat the aristocratic clans,
relying solely on abundant funds and the rice and sweet potatoes planted in Hongnong was far from enough.
Take, for example, the recent “price surge crisis” in Chang’an City. The Tang Dynasty was not yet capable of handling it. In the future, he would definitely have to prepare for such events and must quickly find a solution.
Grain is the foundation of the people.
It concerns the livelihood of millions.
There can be no mistakes whatsoever.
Although sweet potatoes yield astonishingly, they had just begun cultivation and needed time to mature.
Before that, more grain should be stockpiled for emergencies.
“Hongnong Commandery is under strict lockdown, so business at Yunhailou will greatly suffer. Even daily operations are problematic. Unlike the capital’s merchants’ guild, we cannot attract merchants to cooperate here. We must return to the capital and focus on developing the guild—that is the key to counterbalancing the clans!” Li Zhi said.
“Your Highness speaks wisely. When shall we return?” Luo Tong asked.
“Tonight.”
After nightfall,
Li Zhi, accompanied by Luo Tong and the Golden Saber Guards, hurried back to Chang’an without stopping.
They settled at the capital’s merchants’ guild.
Cheng Chumo was responsible for the guild’s business.
He came to report.

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“Recently, the number of merchants cooperating with us has reached six hundred, covering almost every part of the country. I carefully calculated—there is at least one merchant cooperating with us in every county!”
“That does not even include the smaller local guilds, whose purchases of the Divine Immortal Wine are a hundred times larger than ordinary merchants. In just over ten days, we have collected more than seven million coins!”
Cheng Chumo said excitedly.
Previously, when he was idle at home with nothing to do, although he was not short of money, he had never seen such enormous figures. Millions at a time—perhaps even the national treasury’s income could not match this?
Cheng Chumo’s eyes were opened.
“You said what? The guild has already collected over seven million?” Li Zhi exclaimed.
“Yes! And that’s not counting previous profits—altogether nearly ten million…”
“Goodness!”
Li Zhi never expected this.
Such humble white liquor was so popular in the Tang Dynasty!
In just one month, they had raised ten million!
“Chumo, you’ve done well! From now on, the guild’s affairs are all yours!” Li Zhi said.
“Thank you for your trust, Your Highness!”
Cheng Chumo handed the ledger to Li Zhi.
Li Zhi glanced through it casually and said, “I have an important task for you—make sure it’s done well!”
“Please, Your Highness, do tell!”
“I need a large quantity of grain. Whether millet, wheat, or any other kind—all are acceptable. As long as it can fill stomachs, the more the better!”
“For half a year, we need to purchase 200,000 dan of grain. Can it be done?” Li Zhi set a target.
“This…”
Two hundred thousand dan of grain cannot be bought simply with money.
The grain in the people’s hands, aside from what must be given to the court, the clans, and their own needs, leaves little surplus. Even with high prices, it would be hard to gather such an amount.
Cheng Chumo gritted his teeth and said, “Although difficult, I’m willing to try!”
“We need grain for brewing and to counter the clans’ disruptions. Our shortage is great. This is a top priority! From tomorrow, I’ll stay at the guild and help you with the grain purchases. If you encounter any difficulties, come find me upstairs!”
“Yes!”
With Li Zhi stationed at the guild,
Cheng Chumo felt even more reassured.
...
The next day,
at dawn,
Li Zhi was still asleep.
A commotion arose downstairs.
“If we don’t get the Divine Immortal Wine today, we won’t leave!”
“Right, we’re not leaving…” A group surrounded the door, blocking entry and exit.

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Cheng Chumo, following business principles and wearing a flattering expression, suddenly changed his face upon hearing this: “Do you know who I am? How dare you mess around in front of me?”
“I don’t care who you are!”
“We paid you money, so we deserve the goods. No matter where, that’s only fair. Are you planning to renege on the deal? Believe me, I’ll smash your shop today and ruin your business!”
The speaker was a burly man with thick eyebrows and coarse features.
He seemed to know Cheng Chumo’s identity but showed no fear, even provoking him.
“You!”
Cheng Chumo endured again and again but finally lost patience and shouted, “Fine, if you’re capable, smash away! If you dare lay a hand on me, I’ll have you arrested and thrown in jail!”
Cheng Chumo’s threat was not empty.
Considering his status,
all levels of government had to show him respect.
Arresting a few people was nothing.
“What’s going on? Stop all that noise and disturb His Highness’s rest! I’ll throw you all out!” Lou Yi came out from a nearby room.
He had been awake early and was quietly observing the situation inside.
Seeing Cheng Chumo about to suffer losses, he had no choice but to intervene.
“You came just in time—throw them all out!” Cheng Chumo was so angry he was almost confused. How could he order Lou Yi around?
“Wait a moment!”
Lou Yi went upstairs to a private room to report to Li Zhi and Luo Tong.
“Go check and see who is causing trouble!” After washing up, Li Zhi came downstairs with Luo Tong.
At the hall’s entrance,
the arrogant man was still unafraid.
Knowing he’d likely be imprisoned, he still taunted Cheng Chumo: “We came today with no intention of leaving. Either hand over the Divine Immortal Wine, or I’ll keep shouting here and ruin your guild’s reputation!”
Li Zhi understood...
These people had paid the guild and wanted to collect their Divine Immortal Wine.
There was nothing wrong with that.
The guild should deliver the wine to the merchants.
Li Zhi instructed Cheng Chumo, “Send word to the distillery to send a batch of Divine Immortal Wine to this merchant. Our business is legitimate; don’t make it look like robbery.”
“Your Highness...”
Cheng Chumo whispered into Li Zhi’s ear, “Your Highness, you don’t know. This merchant has purchased three million coins worth of Divine Immortal Wine—an enormous quantity we simply cannot provide!”