Chapter 107: Favor

Emperor Taizong hesitated for a moment, then immediately put on a stern face. "Nonsense! Do you realize how grave the consequences would be if this matter is botched? The Tang Dynasty would face an unprecedented catastrophe! How could a mere child like you handle such a complex situation?"

No matter how he put it, Li Zhi was deemed too young, unworthy of trust.

"If that is the case... then I am powerless to help," Li Zhi shook his head. "Father does not trust me but trusts that old Longsun Wuji instead. It truly breaks my heart."

"Enough!" Taizong took a deep breath and smoothed Li Zhi’s hair thoughtfully. "When you grow older, I will surely entrust you with important responsibilities. But not yet. For now, you should focus on your studies."

Compared to the other princes, Li Zhi already enjoyed supreme favor. Given that, it was only natural for Li Taizong to lend him support.

"Father, regarding the merchant guild I established, if it were handed over to Longsun Wuji, not only would it fail to fulfill its purpose, but it would likely also alert the enemy. It would bring no benefit."

"Then how about this," Li Zhi proposed, "by the end of the year, I will present you with three million coins as a token of filial respect. You can then give that money to Longsun Wuji; it should have some effect."

Upon hearing the figure "three million," Li Taizong’s eyes widened in astonishment. He asked excitedly, "Zhi’er, can you keep your word?"

"Of course!" Li Zhi replied.

"Very well," Li Taizong said, "I will no longer interfere with the guild’s affairs. Manage it as you please."

He muttered to himself, "I never thought I, the ruler of a great nation, would have to ask a child for money. Truly, I am going backwards in life..."

Only when he was sure no one was listening did he relax.

"Father, don’t be anxious. I do have a condition for the three million," Li Zhi added.

"Speak," Li Taizong said, knowing there’s no such thing as a free lunch, especially not for three million coins.

"Father, if you accept this money, you must make a written agreement promising not to ask me for any further financial resources or connections in matters concerning the noble families."

"Agreed," Li Taizong readily consented.

From his perspective, Li Zhi’s ventures—the tavern and the merchant guild—making even a few million was impressive; more than that seemed unlikely. He knew that recently the guild had collected several million coins from merchants across the land but hadn’t delivered any goods, meaning the funds were essentially advances.

This money, if handed over to the court, could decisively suppress the powerful noble clans.

Laughing heartily, Li Taizong wrote the agreement and handed it to Li Zhi. "Through this, I see your talent. Throughout history, no matter how brilliant the genius, none compare to you, Zhi’er."

"From now on, if you wish to conduct affairs outside the palace, I will approve it. But be careful—always bring Luotong and the Golden Saber Guards."

"Thank you, Father!" Li Zhi said gratefully, no longer worried about leaving the palace.

Night fell, and the birthday celebration began.

The elegant hall was dark as ink.

"Here it comes!" Li Zhi and Luotong pushed in the birthday cake.

"Happy Birthday!"

Following tradition, Li Taizong, Empress Li Lizhi, Empress Dowager Longsun, and others each held a handful of fresh flower petals and scattered them toward the center of the room.

Li Zhi blew out the candles, clasped his hands, and made a wish.

"I hope to completely crush the noble clans within three years."

Blowing out candles, making wishes, exchanging gifts, and eating cake—the entire event was splendid.

Li Lizhi brought a bowl of preserved meat rice. "I made this myself; it’s authentically delicious!"

"Zhi’er... Mother made you a garment to show her affection!"

"I bestow you a waist token!" Li Taizong announced.

Among all the gifts, only Li Taizong’s waist token was somewhat practical; the rest were rather casual.

Li Zhi accepted them all without complaint and even gave gifts in return—one thousand coins to each person.

One thousand coins might sound little, roughly half a day’s revenue from the tavern, but for Luotong, Li Lizhi, and even Empress Dowager Longsun, all lacking independent income, it was a tempting sum.

"Mother’s monthly stipend is only eight hundred coins, Zhi’er, where did you get this..." Empress Dowager Longsun was stunned.

She began to suspect that Li Zhi was secretly up to something. Otherwise, why would Li Taizong speak to him alone? Such generosity, handing out thousands of coins—where could it all come from?

"Mother, please accept it as a token of my filial respect," Li Zhi smiled.

"Very well."

"Today we bask in Zhi’er’s glory, ha ha... keep it up!" Li Taizong laughed.

Li Lizhi and Luotong quickly put the money away.

The celebration moved on to the literary contest.

Empress Dowager Longsun asked, "Your Majesty, last year you said you wanted to test Zhi’er’s literary talent. What will the test be this time?"

"Ahem," Li Taizong was no fool. Knowing Li Zhi was a prodigy with a photographic memory, what point was there in testing him? It would only bring shame, and worse, if Li Zhi decided to turn the tables and test him instead, that would be problematic.

"The night grows late; I must return to the palace... you may retire," Li Taizong said, making an excuse and swiftly leaving with his guards.

"Heh!" Li Zhi laughed. "Am I really that terrifying?"

Empress Dowager Longsun was bewildered — what was going on? Was Li Taizong afraid?

Li Lizhi smiled. "Mother, don’t you know? Every time the tutor tests Zhi’er, he ends up utterly defeated. Father wouldn’t dare to try."

Empress Dowager Longsun realized she needed to reassess her son. Not only was he gifted, with an extraordinary memory, but his intellect was exceptional. Such a genius would surely achieve great things in the future.

Meanwhile, as Li Zhi and Longsun Wuji energetically prepared to confront the noble clans, one of the Guanzhong aristocratic families, the Liuy family of Hedong, was the first to detect something amiss.

Liu Lin, head of the Liuy family, convened a meeting with two other powerful clans from neighboring counties: the Wei family of Jingzhao and the Guo family of Taiyuan.

In a spacious hall, the three sat separately.

"Brother, you summoned us in such haste. What urgent matter is there?" Wei Tai, head of the Wei family, asked.

"I am busy preparing to negotiate with the First Merchant Guild in the capital about wholesale liquor," Guo Jiang, head of the Guo family, said anxiously. "Speak quickly, Brother."

"Hmph!" Liu Lin’s expression grew grave as he stood. "Just yesterday, I received intelligence that Longsun Wuji has secretly been stockpiling grain—over a hundred thousand dan. Moreover, he has set up grain depots in every prefecture and county, assigning each a quota of three thousand dan of public grain to be fulfilled within three years."

"Additionally, the court has issued a strict order: any transaction exceeding ten thousand coins must be reported to the Ministry of Revenue. All noble families and merchants must register with the Ministry."

"Think about it... why is he doing this?"

The three seasoned businessmen exchanged glances, understanding perfectly the implications.