Chapter Thirty-Nine: Nectar of the Immortals

"If you want to know what a pear tastes like, you must try it yourself!"

"What others tell you and what you see with your own eyes are never the same! Father, as the emperor, cannot easily reveal himself. Allow me to do it in your stead!"

"When I return from opening the tavern, I will tell you, Father, what a merchant truly is! What merchants need, what they fear! Only once we understand these things can you prescribe the right medicine, cooperating and negotiating with them!"

...

Li Zhi spoke until his mouth was dry, then gulped down the tea on the table.

Li Shimin paced back and forth inside the room, deep in thought.

To be honest, Li Zhi's words were not without reason!

"I could send someone else. Why must it be you?"

"Send someone else? Would you truly be at ease, Father?"

...

Li Zhi promised again and again, "Father, you worry about my safety! But there's no need. Luo Tong will accompany me, and his martial arts are first-rate—few in this age can match him!"

"Besides, with the Martial Command Post, the Constables, and the County Office... so many soldiers. Would they not be enough to protect me?"

After much persuasion, Li Shimin finally agreed.

He wrote an imperial decree.

As the decree was handed to Li Zhi, a series of chimes echoed in his mind: "Congratulations, host. You have completed the task of opening a tavern by imperial order and received a set of silken armor!"

Silken armor?

Li Zhi was delighted. "Is this the legendary silken armor that can resist blades?"

"With this, I need not fear being hacked to pieces anymore!"

"Zhi'er, what are you daydreaming about?" Li Shimin barked.

"Nothing, Father. I will obey your decree. Tomorrow morning, I shall oversee the tavern. Your son takes his leave!" Afraid Li Shimin would reconsider, Li Zhi dashed off.

...

...

Early the next morning.

Li Zhi rose before dawn.

He hadn't eaten, preparing to leave the palace.

Li Lizhi hid behind the door and grabbed Li Zhi. "Don't even think of sneaking out—take me with you!"

"Good heavens... you nearly scared me to death!" Li Zhi shuddered. "It's not even daylight yet—why aren't you sleeping?"

"I knew you were leaving the palace today. Take me with you! Or I'll wake Mother, and neither of us will go!" Li Lizhi clung tightly to his hand until it nearly went numb.

"Fine, fine, I'll take you!"

---

"Also Luo Tong—he promised me last night, he should be here soon..."

Luo Tong emerged, carrying a bundle and a shining silver spear. "Your Highness, why are you up so early? I've just woken and haven't eaten!"

"We'll eat at the tavern!"

Li Zhi looked around; no guards noticed them.

He led them straight to the palace gate.

The distance from the Lizheng Hall to the gate was long.

They walked for over an hour.

When they arrived, it was just right.

"Oh! Brother Zhi, I just remembered... aren’t we supposed to attend class?" Li Lizhi suddenly stopped, looking anxious.

Li Zhi chuckled, "So the little witch is afraid of teachers?"

"Nonsense! Aren’t you scared? Oh... I almost forgot, it's probably the teachers who fear you!" Li Lizhi spoke with equal parts envy and jealousy. If only Fang Xuanling feared her as well.

"Today is our tavern's grand opening. We can't delay! As for classes... we can attend any day, why today?"

Li Zhi had no intention of bothering with Fang Xuanling.

Anyway, they were already out; let things be.

They arrived opposite the Tianyi Tavern.

The door was still shut.

Hong Yuan crouched at the entrance, shivering from the cold.

Luo Tong went over and kicked him. "Innkeeper, why are you sleeping here?"

Hong Yuan woke and knelt, bowing repeatedly. "Your Highness, Princess, you're finally here... Do you still want this tavern?"

"Of course!"

"You want to know when I'll pay you, isn’t that right?" Li Zhi saw right through his little scheme.

Luo Tong opened the door.

Everyone entered.

Hong Yuan spoke awkwardly, "Please don't blame me, Your Highness. Times have been terribly hard. I've run this tavern for years, losing more than I earned—soon I won’t even have food!"

"A tavern keeper without food? Who would believe that!" Li Lizhi rolled her eyes.

"He's exaggerating. Don't nitpick," Li Zhi gestured for Luo Tong to bring the bundle. "Here are five thousand coins. It's not much, but it shows my sincerity. From now on, this tavern is mine. At the end of each month, come here to collect ten thousand coins, until our accounts are settled!"

"Thank you, thank you, Your Highness!" Hong Yuan gratefully accepted the bundle.

He had truly been worried before this.

Someone of Li Zhi’s stature, if he truly wanted to swindle him out of the tavern, there would be no way to seek justice. No one would accept such a case.

Frankly, even if no money was paid, there would be nothing he could do!

---

Their status speaks for itself!

Who would dare object?

Luo Tong seemed to sense Hong Yuan's thoughts and laughed, "Innkeeper, rest assured. Our prince is a man of his word. He hates owing others and will repay you as soon as possible!"

"Thank you, thank you..." Hong Yuan’s eyes brimmed with tears of gratitude.

After he left,

Luo Tong sent someone to the Duke of Lu’s residence to summon Cheng Chubi.

As agreed, Li Zhi was to teach Cheng Chubi how to cook.

"Master!"

"Don’t call me ‘master.’ I’m not planning to teach you seriously—too much trouble," Li Zhi grumbled, clearly unimpressed by Cheng Chubi.

Cheng Chubi panicked. "Master, you can’t burn the bridge after crossing it!"

"What does that mean?"

"Did you forget the eight thousand coins I gave as an apprenticeship fee?"

...

"You certainly remember well," Li Zhi sighed. "Fine—since I’ve already spoken, I’ll honor it. Otherwise, I really would be burning bridges."

"Thank you, Master!"

Li Zhi leaned on the table for a while, deciding to first create a strong liquor. Such spirits were most popular in ancient times and could quickly give the tavern a reputation.

"Tavern, tavern... First, we must have wine! How good is ours? Bring me a bottle—let me taste it," Li Zhi ordered.

Cheng Chubi struggled to carry over a jar.

He opened it and sniffed hard.

"No wonder this is a grand tavern—the wine nearly matches the imperial nectar in the palace," Cheng Chubi said.

Sizzle...

Li Zhi took a sip and immediately spat it out. "Pah, pah!"

"Imperial nectar? You dare call this imperial nectar? It’s more like horse piss—so foul!"

Li Zhi couldn't even be bothered to complain further, waving it away. "Take it away! This wine doesn’t even reach twenty degrees. How can it attract customers? It should be at least forty!"

"Forty degrees?"

"What does that mean?" The others were puzzled.

"Degrees refers to the strength of the wine..." Li Zhi explained for a long time, but failed to make it clear. "Forget it. In a few days, I'll brew some for you, and then you'll understand."

"Your Highness can brew wine?" Luo Tong asked in surprise.

"Of course... I saw it in an ancient book. I’m sure it’ll be better than what’s here!" Seeing Luo Tong’s suspicion, Li Zhi quickly made up an explanation.