Chapter 87: Establishing a Distillery
“It seems... it's time to establish a distillery!” Li Zhi made a bold decision. He would build a large distillery in the capital, supplying vast quantities of Immortal Wine.
Only the lure of profit can control merchants and sway the market economy.
“A distillery?”
“That would require a great deal of money, wouldn't it?” Cheng Chubi asked.
“Are we short of funds now?”
“Not at all!”
“Then that's settled...” Li Zhi had already calculated: the income from the First Tavern, plus the recent joining fees from merchants, and the deposits for pre-ordering Immortal Wine.
The funds he could access amounted to no less than two million.
Bear in mind, the Ministry of Revenue’s annual savings rarely exceeded one million, and often, before the year was out, it would be squandered. Li Shimin wanted to build a garden but couldn’t afford it.
Yet the tavern and merchants’ guild he founded had, in mere months, brought in more than the Ministry of Revenue.
This made him wonder.
How deep were the resources of the Guanzhong and Jizhou aristocratic families?
How much did they earn in a year?
“These people... I’ll deal with them sooner or later!” Li Zhi suddenly clenched his fist.
“Master, what are you talking about?”
“Nothing. Keep watching over the merchants’ guild. Register anyone who wants to join. For those seeking Immortal Wine, collect their deposits. Promise them they’ll have their wine in two months.”
“Yes!”
Li Zhi left the merchants’ guild.
He went with Luo Tong to the county magistrate’s office.
Thanks to Li Zhi’s favor, Sun Jiali had received many rewards.
He had gained three estates, and assets over a hundred thousand.
He was, without doubt, the wealthiest county magistrate in history.
However!
Li Shimin had not promoted him, perhaps believing he was best suited as a county magistrate.
“This is Father’s trust in you! Chang’an is the heart of the capital; you needn’t be told of its importance. Since the incident at Wu Hou’s Station, maintaining order has fallen to the ‘Unsavory Ones’ and the magistrate’s office. Wu Hou’s Station is now a mere name, and the ‘Unsavory Ones’ are under your authority... That’s a promotion in itself!”
“If Father entrusts such a vital matter to you, it shows his high expectations!” Li Zhi first sought to reassure Sun Jiali.
He wanted him to understand the reasoning.
Sun Jiali had cared about not being promoted despite his achievements. Now, he was at ease: “It was my own shortsightedness, failing to understand the Emperor’s intention!”
“So you do care about rank?”
“No, not at all...”
Sun Jiali suddenly realized.
By saying so, he would only be admitting his resentment over the lack of promotion. He quickly changed the subject: “Your Highness, what brings you to the magistrate’s office?”
“There’s a minor matter. I hope you can help!”
“Please, Your Highness, speak!”
Li Zhi spread a map on the table, pointing to a large area of housing in the northern city: “Magistrate Sun, what’s the situation here? Are there citizens living?”
“There are, but not many... Recently, thanks to the First Tavern, the people earned some money and many moved out. Most of the houses have returned to the hands of the wealthy.”
“Returned to the wealthy?”
Li Zhi was puzzled.
Sun Jiali explained, “These houses are actually the private property of the wealthy. Outsiders pay rent to live there...”
“I see!” Li Zhi interrupted him, “Just tell me directly, whose property are these houses?”
“The Lin family in the Eastern City.”
“Take me there...” Li Zhi couldn’t be bothered to ask about the Lin family’s background. Regardless of how powerful they were, they’d have to give him face.
As the Ninth Prince, if he came to buy property in person,
Who would dare refuse?
“Your Highness... The Lin family is not easy to deal with. Why are you going?”
Sun Jiali was dragged out, taking a carriage straight to the Eastern City.
“Not easy to deal with? Am I, then, easy to deal with?”
“Uh...”
Sun Jiali gave a bitter smile, “Compared to Your Highness, the Lin family is nothing. However, Lin Gao, the Lin family’s head, is the bondservant of Duke Xing, Su Dingfang.”
“Su Dingfang?”
Luo Tong clenched his fist abruptly.
When he heard the name, his teeth ground in anger.
“You know Su Dingfang?”
“Hmph!”
Luo Tong didn’t answer.
He only snorted heavily.
Li Zhi suddenly remembered. Years ago, Luo Tong’s father, Luo Cheng, had fallen to Su Dingfang’s treachery while campaigning against Liu Heita, dying from a thousand arrows.
As Luo Cheng’s son, how could he not hate the Su family?
Li Zhi patted his shoulder, “The Su family holds a dukedom. After Su Dingfang allied with Tang, he campaigned alongside Li Jing and achieved many military feats. To move against him is almost impossible!”
“I know! But I just can’t let it go!” Luo Tong vowed silently, “Someday, I’ll avenge my father!”
Li Zhi and Sun Jiali could both sense the murderous intent in his gaze.
“Ahem... Magistrate Sun, continue.”
Li Zhi straightened up, “Lin Gao, the Lin family head, is nothing but Su’s lapdog. I am the Ninth Prince—do you think I can’t deal with him?”
“Besides... I only want to buy a piece of land. Would he dare refuse me?”
“Well...”
Sun Jiali truly didn’t know.
For years, the Su family had won honors for the nation, repeatedly rewarded. As their bondservant, Lin Gao’s status had risen as well.
He cared for no one.
“Your Highness, let me speak frankly. The magistrate’s office has dealt with the Lin family many times over land and shops, but every time we end up beaten and humiliated! Besides... To offend Lin Gao is to offend Duke Xing. As a humble magistrate, how dare I provoke them?”
“Absurd!”
Li Zhi scolded, “You really are a coward! You represent the court, the law, and you’re afraid of Su’s dog? If it were me, let him try!”
Li Zhi was already itching for a fight.
If Lin Gao refused him,
He’d immediately call up old grievances and take him down.
Let’s see what happens.
Even if Su Dingfang intervened, and it reached Li Shimin, he wouldn’t flinch!
...
The Lin residence.
Two servants stood before the gate.
They looked arrogant and disdainful.
It was enough to annoy anyone.
Li Zhi lifted the carriage curtain and saw the two servants, snorting, “The Lin family is arrogant to this extent? Even their servants have such airs. I’d like to teach them a lesson!”
“With a word from Your Highness, I’ll deal with everyone in the Lin family!” Luo Tong gripped his sword hilt, eager to draw it and kill all of Su’s lapdogs.
“Hold on!”
“Let’s go inside first. If they don’t give me face, watch for my signal!” Li Zhi’s lips curled into a subtle smile, clearly scheming.
Sun Jiali saw this and thought inwardly, “Looks like the Lin family is in for trouble...”
From his knowledge of Lin Gao,
The man cared for no one.
Even he, the magistrate, was often rebuffed—let alone Li Zhi, who appeared a mere child. Before revealing his royal identity, Lin Gao would certainly be arrogant and overbearing!
“You must all remember—not a word about my identity! I want to see if, by my own merit, I can obtain that land!” Li Zhi suddenly said.
“Understood!”
With Sun Jiali leading the way, the three approached the gate.