Chapter Thirty-Four: Utter Panic
“It’s not about getting something for nothing—it’s about giving you a chance to free yourself!” Li Zhi forced himself to appear calm. “Think about it: this restaurant of yours loses money every day under your management. You’d be better off letting me have it!”
In truth, his heart was pounding with anxiety.
After all, we’re talking about a property worth hundreds of thousands, and he hoped to take it without spending a penny. How could that be possible?
“No, no...” Hong Yuan shook his head repeatedly.
At that moment, the wily old Cheng Yaojin’s eyes shifted as he said, “Your Highness, there’s only half an hour left before the curfew begins. When are we going to act?”
Your Highness?
Hearing those words, Hong Yuan’s mind went blank. “You... who are you?”
“This is His Highness the Prince of Jin!”
“Princess Changle!”
“And I am Cheng Yaojin!”
“Manager, you should count yourself lucky to know us! Let’s be frank: the Emperor sent us here to investigate your restaurant, because the Ministry of Justice has reported that many criminals have escaped and disappeared without a trace. Your restaurant is in the busiest district of Chang’an—it doesn’t make sense for business to be so poor. Could you be hiding fugitives? Since we’re acquainted, if you confess honestly, you might avoid punishment!”
Cheng Yaojin wore a stern expression, intimidating Hong Yuan.
And, truth be told, Hong Yuan was truly frightened!
He’d always suspected these people were not ordinary, probably from the palace, but he had never imagined their identities were so daunting—a prince, a princess, and even a duke!
Faced with such powerful figures, he was powerless. If they wanted to accuse him, it would take no more than a word.
Terrified, Hong Yuan fell to his knees. “Your Highness, Princess, General Cheng... How could a humble commoner like myself dare to harbor criminals? My restaurant’s poor business is simply due to the competition across the street, and the food is terrible. It has nothing to do with criminals!”
“Is that so?” Li Zhi shook his head. “I don’t believe it!”
...
“Luotong, go and summon the troops! Seal off this restaurant and search it thoroughly!”
“Yes, sir!”
Luotong cupped his hands and left.
Hong Yuan, already shaken, was now stricken with terror as he saw Li Zhi truly meant business. He kowtowed repeatedly, pleading, “Spare me, Your Highness! Have mercy!”
“Who wants your life? I just want your restaurant... But I won’t take it for nothing. You’ll get every coin you deserve, though I can’t pay it all at once. I’ll have to give it to you in installments. What do you say, Manager?”
“This...” It was still a ploy to get something for nothing, and Hong Yuan was unwilling, his face full of hesitation.
Soon, the curfew hour arrived.
Luotong led two squads into the street, surrounding both Tianyi Restaurant and Hong Yuan’s place.
“Your Highness, the troops have arrived!”
“Good! No time to lose. Arrest everyone in Tianyi Restaurant, regardless of their status or background, and detain everyone on the street. The curfew has begun, and anyone still wandering about clearly has no respect for us. Arrest them all!”
“As you command!”
Under Hong Yuan’s anxious gaze, Luotong led his men back to the street.
Without further ado, they arrested over a hundred people! These people were on their way to the East and West Markets, but hadn’t made it yet—after all, the curfew had just started, and no one could evacuate so quickly. The soldiers caught them red-handed.
The guests and manager at Tianyi Restaurant were also arrested.
Everyone wore the same look of misery and confusion.
“Who are you? How dare you barge into my Tianyi Restaurant!”
“Are you blind? Can’t you see our uniforms? We’re from the Wuhou Office, in charge of enforcing the curfew! According to regulations, all businesses must close and turn off their lights after curfew. Why are you still open?”
“This...” The manager of Tianyi Restaurant was stunned. He knew the rules of the curfew, of course.
But he had powerful connections, and had already informed the Wuhou Office, the constables, and even the county offices in Chang’an and Wannian. They would never raid the place without warning. In the past, there was always advance notice.
“You... you...”
“Enough talk—take him away!” Luotong ordered sternly, and two soldiers pinned the manager to the ground.
At this point, Hong Yuan was drenched in cold sweat.
Seeing the opposing manager arrested, he no longer doubted Li Zhi and the others’ identities. He had truly kicked an iron wall this time—one wrong move, and his life was forfeit.
Compared to his life, what did money matter?
In that moment, he made a major decision.
“Your Highness, I have long wanted to sell this restaurant, but couldn’t find a buyer. If Your Highness wants it, please take it—just let me have enough to eat and I’ll be satisfied!”
Success!
Li Zhi was elated.
Though Hong Yuan’s restaurant couldn’t compare to Tianyi Restaurant and hardly attracted customers, being able to buy it for less than twenty thousand was an absolute bargain!
Most importantly, it was legal. Even if Emperor Taizong found out, so be it.
It was far better than seizing Tianyi Restaurant by force!
“This prince has said: I will not take your restaurant for nothing. You will get every coin you’re owed. From now on, come here every month and collect ten thousand until the full sum is paid!”
“Thank you, Your Highness!”
...
Cheng Yaojin sidled up to Li Zhi and whispered, “You rascal... such a big restaurant, and you’re not paying a single coin upfront? Isn’t that too much? At least give the man something to put his mind at ease!”
“I have no money! All I have is the batch of silk you gave me, which sold for eight thousand.”
“Then give him eight thousand. At least show some sincerity!”
Li Zhi considered this. If he had to hand over such a large restaurant without seeing a penny, even if there was the promise of monthly payments, that would only start in a month’s time.
“Very well!” Li Zhi gritted his teeth. “Tomorrow at noon, come to the restaurant and I’ll give you five thousand as a down payment, to show my sincerity. Now, you may go.”
“Yes, sir!”
Hong Yuan stood, fleeing the restaurant without looking back, not daring to utter another word.
At a time like this, survival was all that mattered.
“Uncle Cheng... do you think he’ll report us to the authorities?” Li Lizhi asked.
“Not at all!”
“Why not?”
“Because he’s afraid!” Cheng Yaojin chuckled. “With our identities, who could he report to? No ordinary magistrate would dare take the case. Unless he appeals directly to the Emperor. But even then, he knows His Highness is the Prince of Jin—he’s bound to lose!”
“Uncle Cheng, you know so much... You haven’t made a habit of this, have you?” Li Lizhi teased.
“Princess, you jest!”
...
Li Zhi wandered through the restaurant, thoroughly pleased.
The establishment had two floors: the upper level was filled with private rooms and guest chambers, more than twenty in all, with a vantage point overlooking the distance. Behind, there were two courtyards—one was the kitchen, which Li Zhi had already visited earlier that day.
The other was for lodging.
It resembled a traditional courtyard house.
In the yard stood a large scholar tree, perfect for shade in the summer.
All in all, the place was spacious, relatively luxurious, and had the makings of the capital’s finest restaurant! Moreover, it was nestled between the East and West Markets, ensuring a constant stream of passing customers.