Chapter 86: Ensuring Quality

“It’s better if Father remains in the dark!” Li Zhi was truly unwilling to reveal the truth.

Previously, he had confided the real story to Cheng Chubi, which led to Cheng Yaojin finding out as well. The result was immediate nausea. If Li Shimin were to learn the truth… Who knew what might happen then!

“You’re unwilling to tell your father? Why?”
“It’s a secret!”
But Li Shimin pressed on relentlessly.

With no way out, Li Zhi finally said, “Very well! General Cheng knows the main ingredient of chocolate. You can ask him! I assure you, you’ll be astonished!”

Zhangsun Wuji entered the imperial study, once again bringing up the issue of the Guanlong aristocratic clans. Li Zhi was about to leave, when suddenly the system’s prompt sounded in his mind: “Ding, Mischievous Child System releases a main quest. The host must topple the Guanlong aristocratic clans within three years!”

As for the reward, the system didn’t specify. But based on past experience, the harder the task, the greater the reward. Since destroying the Guanlong clans would take three years, it was certainly no small feat. The reward would be substantial!

“Father, please entrust the matter of the Guanlong clans to me!” While Li Shimin and Zhangsun Wuji were discussing action against the clans, Li Zhi hurried back.

“Hmph!”
“Your Highness would do better to focus on your studies. Leave such affairs of state to your elders,” Zhangsun Wuji said, barely restraining himself from confrontation. This time, however, he could no longer hold back. A child barely old enough to walk, daring to meddle in the affairs of the great clans—what a joke! If it weren’t for Li Shimin’s presence, he would have ridiculed Li Zhi mercilessly.

Li Shimin was also displeased. “Zhi’er, return to the Hall of Lisheng. Do not interfere in the affairs of the clans! And do not speak of this, or I will be very angry!”

“I…”
“Well, what are you waiting for?”

Li Zhi had never seen his father so stern. Clearly, the matter of the aristocratic clans was of immense importance. Li Shimin would not hand it over lightly, especially since Li Zhi was so young and inexperienced. In contrast, Zhangsun Wuji had been dealing with the clans for decades; naturally, he would handle it more prudently.

“Very well. Your son withdraws.”

Li Zhi bowed and took his leave. As he departed, he cast a provocative glance at Zhangsun Wuji, thinking, “Old fox… Just wait and see! Let’s see which of us destroys the clans first!”

Even without Li Shimin’s support, Li Zhi was determined to act. Only by competing would it be clear whose method was superior, who could truly bring down the aristocratic families.

…

At the First Restaurant, Li Zhi arrived with Luo Tong and convened a meeting with great solemnity. After securing the doors and windows, he sat upright and announced, “Listen well, the old man Zhangsun Wuji is bullying me for my age and stealing my merit. I must teach him a lesson!”

“Your Highness, how has Lord Zhangsun offended you this time?” Cheng Chubi thought to himself, “The Zhangsun clan really is unlucky. Time and again they encounter Li Zhi, ending up battered and bruised. Even their only heir’s locked away forever. Truly miserable!”

Li Zhi disclosed everything about the clans, then cautioned, “You two are the ones I trust most. You must understand how serious this is. If the clans get wind of our plans, they’ll be prepared. So you must tell no one!”

He shot a glare at Cheng Chubi. “Especially you! Yesterday at the God of Cookery competition, you betrayed me in an instant! No loyalty at all!”

“Uh…” Cheng Chubi hurried to explain, “Master, don’t be angry. I only told my father about the dirt because he tasted the chocolate!”

“That’s enough! The chocolate matter is past; I won’t hold a grudge. This time, we must destroy the Guanlong clans before Zhangsun Wuji does. You must help me!” Li Zhi declared.

Both men swore immediate allegiance—no word would leak out, not even to Cheng Yaojin. Every action would follow Li Zhi’s command.

Li Zhi continued, “First, we must understand where the clans’ strength lies. It’s nothing more than their control over the economy and connections. In every province and commandery, even the three central ministries and six departments, they have their people. They control seventy percent of the nation’s grain. If we break with them, famine could follow…”

“So we must be fully prepared! At present, two things are essential: one, stockpile grain and amass wealth; two, track every move of the clans. Know the enemy and know yourself—only then can you be undefeated.”

Li Zhi’s words pierced straight to the heart of the matter, opening Cheng Chubi and Luo Tong’s eyes to the true menace of the clans. Even the nation’s economy and grain were firmly in their grasp. What was left for the state? Wasn’t the country already under the clans’ control?

“These clans are truly despicable!”
“Why doesn’t His Majesty order their property confiscated and have them executed?” Cheng Chubi asked.

“Do you think my father doesn’t want to? He simply doesn’t dare! Consider—how many years have the Guanlong clans held power? Since the Warring States, they’ve manipulated the fate of the realm. Every emperor, in every dynasty, only ascended the throne with their support. So it was in the Sui, and so it is in the Tang!”

“In truth, what we call dynastic change is nothing but a transfer of power within the aristocratic clans!”

As Li Zhi spoke, he felt a chill down his spine. The system’s assignment was no trivial task.

“Your Highness, just tell us what to do! As long as it’s for the good of the court, we will follow you—no matter the cost!” Luo Tong replied solemnly.

“I have devised several plans…” Li Zhi leaned in and whispered his strategies. The two nodded repeatedly.

A few days later, across from the First Restaurant on Chang’an’s main street—at the site of the former Tianyi Restaurant—a new sign was hung: “Capital’s First Chamber of Commerce.”

Why turn the restaurant into a chamber of commerce? Because only a chamber can do business with merchants from all over, gradually influencing the market economy.

On the day the chamber opened, numerous merchants joined, expressing their willingness to affiliate. All prices would be set by the chamber, with a single requirement: they must wholesale Divine Wine from the restaurant.

Li Zhi welcomed all comers, recruiting a substantial number of merchants.

“Master…”
“The orders for Divine Wine are overwhelming. We simply can’t meet the demand. And from what we hear, even more merchants want to join. At this rate, even if I forgo sleep and food, I can’t produce enough Divine Wine. You must think of something!” Cheng Chubi reported anxiously to Li Zhi on the second floor of the chamber.

“This is a tremendous blessing. Why the long face?” Li Zhi laughed. “Our Divine Wine’s influence will be decisive for our future plans! You must persevere!”

Cheng Chubi sat down with a sigh. “Master, it’s not that I don’t want to, but the numbers are simply too great. We can’t just take their money and not deliver the goods!”

“Of course not! We must not only supply the goods, but ensure the quality remains impeccable!” Li Zhi replied.

At this moment, nothing was more urgent than expanding production.