Chapter Thirty-Two: It Doesn’t Take Much
“What kind of soldiers could a small county office possibly muster? Just call up a few men at random... Isn’t it just arresting a handful of people? Won’t take many. I don’t believe that, right under the Emperor’s nose, there’s anyone bold enough to enforce an arrest!”
“And even if someone dares, with Nephew Luo Tong and me, we’ll apprehend them on the spot!”
Cheng Yaojin’s words were not without reason.
It didn’t matter if the force was large or small.
The main thing was to put on a show and trap that tavern!
...
Li Zhi drafted fifty elite soldiers from the county office and headed for the Wuhou Post.
The Wuhou Post.
It was scattered throughout every corner of the city.
Wherever there was a city gate, their presence could be seen.
“Uncle Cheng... How many men does the Wuhou Post have?”
“About several thousand!”
“And what about the Irregulars?”
“They number in the thousands as well... The entire security of Chang’an relies on them! Moreover, the Irregulars are formed from the city’s own petty criminals and riffraff. In this sense, forming the Irregulars is tantamount to restraining the majority of those who’d break the law—killing many birds with one stone!”
...
Li Zhi couldn’t help but complain inwardly again!
So the so-called Irregulars were just a gang of small-time hoodlums?
This completely overturned his expectations.
Very well!
Now he was truly impatient to see the legendary Irregulars for himself...
Time flew by.
Soon, evening fell.
Li Zhi selected fifty men each from the county office, the Wuhou Post, and the Irregulars, forming a sizable enforcement squad.
They were tasked with arresting anyone who violated the curfew.
“Your Highness, when do we make our move?”
“It’s still early... We’ll wait until night, when the curfew begins. Anyone we see roaming the streets, arrest them all!”
“Yes!” Luo Tong relayed the orders, and everyone went to rest at the nearest Wuhou Post, ready to act at a moment’s notice.
There was still time.
Li Zhi brought Cheng Yaojin to the tavern opposite Tianyi Tavern.
There was another tavern there.
The proprietor’s surname was Hong, given name Yuan.
“Manager Hong, is business good here?” Li Zhi asked.
Hong Yuan sighed heavily and shook his head. “Good? I’m about ready to close down...”
“That bad? Is it because the food isn’t good?”
...
“It is,” Hong Yuan replied. “We’re too close to Tianyi Tavern, and compared to us, their dishes are much tastier. So all the customers go there instead!”
Li Lizhi let out a snorting laugh. “Manager, are you joking with us?”
“Not at all!”
“We just went to Tianyi Tavern yesterday. The food... was terrible! I lost my appetite for the whole day. And you say their food is good?”
Li Lizhi’s face was full of distaste.
She looked at Luo Tong.
Luo Tong curled his lip as well. “Really nothing special!”
Hong Yuan said in surprise, “Impossible! Tianyi Tavern is renowned, and many wealthy young masters dine there. Even I... sneak over occasionally myself!”
Cheng Yaojin laughed, “Manager, you have no principles at all. You run your own tavern, yet you go eat at a rival’s? If even you don’t like your own food, who would come here?”
“Uh...”
Hong Yuan knew this well enough.
But he simply couldn’t help himself.
“Esteemed guests, please wait a moment while I tell the kitchen to prepare a sumptuous dinner for you—all on the house! Please, help me see where my tavern falls short compared to the one across the street!”
“Wait!” Luo Tong stopped him. “Manager Hong, there’s no need for that, is there? If you yourself have no confidence in your own food, how are we supposed to eat it?”
“How about...” He looked at Li Zhi, eyes glinting.
Li Lizhi instantly understood. “Brother Zhi, how about you show us your skills? I hardly ate yesterday, and only had a bowl of porridge this morning. I’m starving.”
Li Zhi rubbed his slightly sunken stomach and stood with a smile. “Alright, I’m hungry too...”
Just as Luo Tong said, if even Hong Yuan didn’t like his own tavern’s food, it must be truly awful.
To eat well, he’d have to cook himself.
“Manager Hong, may I borrow your kitchen? I’d like to make a few small dishes,” Li Zhi said with a smile.
“You?” Hong Yuan was amused.
How old could Li Zhi be? Barely out of toddlerhood, yet he could cook?
“What’s the matter... don’t think I can do it?”
“I wouldn’t dare!” Hong Yuan frowned.
Cheng Yaojin clapped him on the shoulder. “Manager Hong, don’t judge by appearances. Our young master here is a culinary genius—even the palace chefs can’t compare. Just let him use the kitchen and wait for a feast.”
“Alright, alright...” Hong Yuan didn’t really believe Li Zhi could cook.
But!
Li Zhi, Luo Tong, Li Lizhi...
All of them looked noble and elegant, their clothing exquisite!
Especially Cheng Yaojin—he looked familiar, someone important for sure.
They were definitely people of influence! Perhaps they could revive his tavern. Before that, he must treat them well and wait for a chance to ask for help.
...
Li Zhi went to the kitchen.
He drove out all the chefs.
Only Luo Tong stayed to tend the fire and wash the vegetables.
Half an hour later.
A rich aroma wafted into the main hall.
Li Lizhi sniffed eagerly, delighted. “Oh! I don’t think I’ve ever had food like this before! It must be a new dish!”
Slurp...
Cheng Yaojin’s mouth watered uncontrollably, then he quickly swallowed.
“Uncle Cheng, you’re so gross!” Li Lizhi happened to see this and looked at him with utter disdain.
Manager Hong Yuan was also astounded. “This was really cooked by that young master?”
“Of course!”
“Who else could make such a feast?” Li Lizhi said proudly.
“Manager Hong, I told you not to judge by appearances. Our young master’s cooking is truly divine!”
There was another table of guests in the hall.
They too smelled the delicious aroma.
Bang!
A burly man with a fierce face slammed the table and roared, “Manager, get over here!”
“Yes, sir, what can I do for you?”
“How come the kitchen smells so good, yet what we’re served is so awful? What tricks are you playing? If you’re hiding the good food from us, no wonder business is bad—just close shop already!”
“Please, sir, don’t be upset. The dishes just now weren’t made by our kitchen staff...” Hong Yuan explained at length, but the man wouldn’t believe him and demanded a better meal.
Hong Yuan was beside himself with distress!
“Dinner is served!”
Luo Tong bustled in, carrying a large tray of dishes. “Uncle Cheng, try today’s food—it’s fantastic! I just had half a bowl and still couldn’t get enough!”
As the dishes were placed in the hall,
the fragrance grew even richer.
The guests at the next table began to drool uncontrollably.