Chapter Fifty-Four: My Lord, Are You All Right?
“My lord, what’s wrong?” Luo Tong asked.
“It’s nothing,” Sun Jiali shook his head. “I was just being thoughtless earlier. Serving the court is my duty—how could I ask for rewards or recognition?”
“I take back what I said before!”
“I’ll take my leave!”
With a respectful salute, Sun Jiali departed.
...
Both Li Zhi and Luo Tong were left bewildered.
“That fellow must be mad! Just now he wanted a reward, and in the blink of an eye, he refuses it! Is he toying with us?”
Li Zhi chuckled. “Sun Jiali is a clever man. He knows that Changsun Wuji despises him. If he were to be promoted and rewarded, entering one of the six ministries, he’d fall right under Changsun Wuji’s jurisdiction—his situation would only worsen!”
“Given that, it’s better to remain here in Chang’an County...”
“So that’s it!” Luo Tong exclaimed. “He’s quite the sly old fox!”
That night.
Li Zhi lay in the inn, suddenly recalling the distiller’s yeast he’d buried in the backyard some time ago for wine-making. It should be about ready.
“Chubie!”
“Master, you called?” Cheng Chubie hurried into the room.
“Have you checked on the distiller’s yeast I buried in the backyard?”
“Yeast?” Cheng Chubie had no idea there was distiller’s yeast buried in the backyard—nor did he know what it was for. He scratched his head, asking, “Master, what’s distiller’s yeast?”
“Never mind, I’ll check it myself!”
Li Zhi ran to the backyard, opened a jar in the cellar, and found the sealed yeast. Judging by its color, it seemed ready for use.
“Remember when I told you about brewing a high-proof white liquor?”
“I remember!” At the time, no one had believed him. The strongest wine in the realm was said to be the Jade Nectar of Li Shimin’s palace—could there be anything finer?
Li Zhi said, “We’re supposed to be the premier inn in the capital, yet we can’t produce a single bottle of decent wine. Isn’t that laughable? This time, I’ll show you what true wine is!”
...
Li Zhi instructed Cheng Chubie to prepare all the necessary ingredients and tools for brewing.
They worked through the night.
They brewed over a hundred jin of rice wine.
As the wine came to a boil, a heady, intoxicating aroma filled the air.
“What a rich fragrance!” Cheng Chubie exclaimed in wonder.
...
“Master, this is...”
“I’ve given this wine a name—Celestial Wine! As the name suggests, it’s a brew fit only for the immortals; what mortal could hope to taste it?”
What a name!
Luo Tong couldn’t help but laugh. “It certainly sounds impressive—but does it live up to it?”
“Why don’t you try it and see?”
“With pleasure!”
Luo Tong was eager. He picked up a steaming bowl, brought it to his nose, and inhaled deeply. “Just the aroma alone is worthy of the name ‘celestial’—but...”
He took a careful sip.
The fiery liquor burned as it slid down his throat.
A lingering sweetness and fragrance remained in his mouth, refusing to fade.
Luo Tong closed his eyes, savoring the sensation.
Cheng Chubie gulped, asking, “Well, Luo Tong, how is it?”
“It’s wonderful!” Luo Tong replied excitedly. “I’ve never tasted such a mellow, aromatic wine, and it’s far stronger—several times more potent than the Jade Nectar of the palace!”
In short...
He was thoroughly satisfied with this newly brewed Celestial Wine!
“Heh, let me try!” Cheng Chubie, following suit, took a bowl and downed it in one gulp.
A spirit nearly forty degrees strong.
He actually drank a whole bowl at once!
His throat burned as if on fire, so much so he wanted to die.
“Heavens, ah!” Cheng Chubie clutched his stomach, rolling on the floor. “Your Highness, I feel awful—what kind of wine is this? Is it poisoned?”
“You fool, who told you to drink so much at once?”
Li Zhi ordered Luo Tong to fetch a large bowl of cold water and pour it into Cheng Chubie’s mouth.
After much fuss, the pain finally subsided.
Luo Tong asked in confusion, “Your Highness, when I tasted the wine just now, it was delightful—why does Cheng Chubie act like he’s been poisoned?”
“He drank too much,” Li Zhi explained. “This liquor is several times stronger than my father’s Jade Nectar. Once it enters your mouth, it’s like being set ablaze. In that burning, you can’t savor the sweetness—only the pain remains!”
“Only by sipping slowly can you appreciate its flavor.”
...
Luo Tong recalled his own experience. Indeed, even with just a small sip, his mouth had burned fiercely. For Cheng Chubie to gulp down a whole bowl—no wonder he was writhing in agony.
...
After a while, the alcohol’s effects wore off, and Cheng Chubie returned to normal.
He was about to curse the Celestial Wine, but suddenly realized that a lingering aroma remained in his mouth—utterly enchanting.
“Well...?”
“So, how is the Celestial Wine?” Li Zhi asked.
“It’s amazing—truly amazing!” Cheng Chubie grinned. “I drank too much in one go just now. If I’d sipped it slowly, as Luo Tong did, it would have tasted even better!”
“With Celestial Wine on the market, all other wines might as well be plain water... Your Highness, we’re going to make a fortune!”
He pictured himself becoming the wealthiest man in the capital.
The three of them burst out laughing.
...
In the palace.
Ganlu Hall.
Li Shimin received a letter. Upon reading it, he exclaimed in delight, “Someone, summon Changsun Wuji to the palace at once!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” The eunuch outside dared not dally and sped off to Changsun Wuji’s residence.
“What’s in that letter, Your Majesty?” Consort Yang sat beside Li Shimin, her curiosity piqued.
Consort Yang, daughter of Emperor Yang of Sui, was deeply favored by Li Shimin.
She was modest in manner, never quarreled with other consorts, always courteous and dignified, with a grace reminiscent of Empress Changsun. Perhaps this was why Li Shimin was so fond of her.
“Have a look, Consort,” Li Shimin said. “It’s a letter from a southern tribe—the Nanni tribe. They heard our Great Tang is hosting a Grand Culinary Festival and have sent envoys all the way here, volunteering to participate! Hahaha... This is truly wonderful news. I must make preparations so they may witness the grandeur of our empire!”
Li Shimin was so excited, his hands trembled.
Yet...
Consort Yang could not share his joy. She smiled gently and said, “Your Majesty, is it truly worth your attention—just a minor tribe?”
Li Shimin frowned. “Consort, you are mistaken!”
“Never mind... I have affairs to tend to. I’ll visit you again when I have time.”
He’d meant to explain, but seeing that Consort Yang could not understand his feelings, he decided not to bother. Explaining further would be like playing music to a cow. Thinking of Empress Changsun, he got up and headed to the Lizheng Hall.
“Hahaha...”
Li Shimin entered the main hall of Lizheng Hall, laughing, and handed the letter to Empress Changsun.
She was just as pleased, saying, “Congratulations, Your Majesty. The people of the southern frontier may now enjoy lasting peace...”
“Yes, yes! You understand me best!”
Li Shimin nodded.
Hearing this, Empress Changsun realized that Li Shimin must have just visited another consort—otherwise, he would not have worn such an expression.