Chapter Fifty-Two: The Roar

“You… you… this is robbery!” Zhangsun Wuji shouted furiously.

“Hahaha…” Upon hearing this, Li Zhi and Luo Tong burst out laughing.

There was a hint of triumph in their laughter, which only infuriated Zhangsun Wuji further.

He shot a glance at the officials from the Ministry of Justice.

One of them raised his hand and pointed at Sun Jiali. “You dare negotiate in front of us!”

“Sun Jiali, do you have a death wish?”

The two officials before him were, in fact, Sun Jiali’s direct superiors. Homicide cases in Chang’an, after his judgment, would be submitted to the Ministry of Justice for review. If any mistakes were found, he would bear full responsibility. In this regard, the Ministry had the authority to overturn Sun Jiali’s verdict—and if anything went wrong, Sun Jiali would be held accountable.

“My lords, I have considered Lord Zhangsun’s interests at every turn and have judged the case according to the law, making no error,” Sun Jiali replied. “The best solution now is to compensate First Restaurant for its losses, so the matter may be settled quietly. If there is no willingness to compensate, according to the laws of Great Tang, Young Master Zhangsun might face an even longer prison term!”

“Er…”

The two officials turned back to Zhangsun Wuji.

Only then did Zhangsun Wuji finally realize that Li Zhi’s refusal to leave the county office had been a ploy to extort him. Such greed at such a young age—truly rare!

“Uncle, a hundred thousand coins is nothing to you. Don’t think I don’t know—even Tianyi Restaurant is yours, and that place is worth a million!” Li Zhi said.

“Nonsense!” Zhangsun Wuji would never admit it. He’d had Zhangsun Chong take over the restaurant to give him something to do, lest he waste his life idly. Exposing his wealth had never crossed his mind, for who would dare oppose him? All the officials in court knew the restaurant was his, and in all these years, had anyone ever reported him? Who could have expected that these two reckless youngsters, Li Zhi and Luo Tong, would dare challenge him so directly?

“Uncle, that’s just what people outside say; maybe you’re not really the owner behind Tianyi Restaurant, but that doesn’t matter. The point is, Zhangsun Chong smashed up my restaurant. I boasted to Father that I’d make a success of it, and now it’s been ruined—how am I supposed to do business?”

“So that’s it…” Zhangsun Wuji nodded to himself. He had feared Li Zhi had discovered something else and was here to make trouble, but it was all for the sake of the new restaurant.

“A hundred thousand coins is not a small sum. I simply don’t have it!”

“It’s all right, Uncle,” Li Zhi replied cheerfully. “If you can’t produce it, surely Cousin Zhangsun won’t mind paying such a trivial amount—he can surely afford it!” Li Zhi glanced slyly at the kneeling Zhangsun Chong.

“What do you mean by that, Your Highness?” Zhangsun Wuji was momentarily confused. If even he couldn’t produce a hundred thousand coins, how could Zhangsun Chong? What trick was Li Zhi playing now?

“Tianyi Restaurant is in my cousin’s name, isn’t it? I’ve already checked the household register at the county office—it’s registered to him. I don’t care how he got it; as long as he transfers the restaurant to me, the matter is settled. What do you think?”

Tianyi Restaurant was worth a million! Just to hand it over to Li Zhi like that? The thought alone was suffocating.

“Father, we can’t give that little brat the restaurant!” Zhangsun Chong shouted angrily.

“Shut up!” Zhangsun Wuji barked, then turned to Li Zhi. “Your Highness is truly shrewd—silently seizing Tianyi Restaurant!”

“So, you agree, Uncle?”

“At this point, I have little choice. If I refuse, Chong’er will suffer, and he is my only son—I can’t bear to see him in prison.”

“Hahaha…” Li Zhi knew Zhangsun Wuji would eventually yield.

“However, I have one request. Unless Your Highness agrees, the restaurant cannot be transferred.”

“Speak!”

Zhangsun Wuji replied cautiously, “The transfer deed and the county office records must not mention Chong’er’s name. Tianyi Restaurant must have nothing to do with us.”

Li Zhi was surprised. He had planned to take the transfer deed after the handover and present it to Li Shimin, letting the Zhangsun family explain themselves—teaching them a lesson. But he hadn’t expected that this old fox Zhangsun Wuji was so calculating, not giving him even this chance.

“What does Your Highness think?”

“I agree.” After a brief consideration, Li Zhi did not press further. To gain a restaurant through arresting Zhangsun Chong was already an unexpected windfall. Given Zhangsun Wuji’s deep roots and his connection to the Empress, even if this reached Li Shimin, nothing good would come of it. This would serve as a warning to the Zhangsun father and son not to be so arrogant in the future.

“Magistrate Sun, you may announce the verdict.”

“Yes!” Sun Jiali struck the gavel. “The evidence in this case is conclusive. There is no need for further trial. Given that Zhangsun Chong is willing to pay compensation for the losses and has shown remorse, the punishment will be lenient—seven days in detention.”

“Take him away!”

Two bailiffs stepped forward and dragged Zhangsun Chong away.

“Sun Jiali, I have already reconciled with His Highness. Why—” Zhangsun Wuji was clearly displeased with the verdict.

“Sir, please don’t be angry. The common people are all watching. Even if compensation is made, the crime cannot be excused entirely. A few days in detention will at least quiet public opinion.”

“Hmph!” Zhangsun Wuji ground his teeth. “I’ll remember this!”

…

To save his son and sever all ties with Tianyi Restaurant, Zhangsun Wuji transferred the establishment to Li Zhi and erased all related records. From this day forth, the restaurant belonged to Li Zhi and had nothing to do with him.

The events at the county office quickly reached Li Shimin’s ears. He was astonished—Zhangsun Wuji actually owned a restaurant worth a million coins! Where had all that money come from? Could he really be a corrupt official? No! Li Shimin was unwilling to believe that his most trusted minister had been deceiving him all along, embezzling right under his nose. Such betrayal would not only harm the state but also be a grave personal affront.

The sun rose, casting golden light over the capital, making the streets exceptionally bright.

“Where is Brother Zhi? Tell him to come out and see me!”

“Your Highness, Prince Jin hasn’t risen yet!”

Outside, the voices of Li Lizhi and Cheng Chubi could be heard.

Li Zhi slowly woke up.

“Hmph! I’ve rushed here from the palace, and he’s still sleeping! That lazy pig!” With a shout, Li Lizhi dashed into the rear courtyard.

Li Zhi hurried to get up. At the very moment he opened the door, he bumped straight into Li Lizhi. “Sister, you’re here so early? Is something the matter?”

“I’m here to tell you that Father is planning to hold a cooking competition in a month. The winner will be appointed Director of the Imperial Kitchen and awarded the title ‘God of Cookery,’ along with generous rewards! I must enter and become the God of Cookery. You have to teach me!”

“You? God of Cookery?” Li Zhi curled his lip.