Chapter 90: A Promise Sealed with Words

“Let me try and see for myself, won’t I?” Li Zhi said with a smile.

At that moment, Cheng Chubi awoke.

Luo Tong handed him the deed to the northern city’s residential district.

“This is something His Highness managed to obtain with enormous effort. Take a look and see if there’s any problem.”

“So many deeds… It only took a few days to settle this? His Highness is truly remarkable!” Cheng Chubi rubbed his eyes, astonished.

“Heh heh!!”

“It’s all thanks to that rascal Lin Gao, who was so frightened by our prince that he practically lost his soul and finally gave in!” Luo Tong briefly recounted what had happened.

Cheng Chubi was utterly impressed.

“His Highness took someone in at random, not only without fault, but actually gaining merit. What luck!”

“This way, we’ve practically picked up a huge plot of land for nothing, heh heh…” Cheng Chubi had prepared over a million coins to acquire the northern city’s residential district.

He’d worried it wouldn’t be enough.

He’d considered diverting reserves from the restaurant.

But as it turned out…

Not a single coin was spent.

“Tomorrow, come with me to the Duke of Lu’s residence. Before we go, cook a few good dishes…” Li Zhi suddenly said.

“Why?”

“Because the restaurant and the merchants’ guild are both short-handed, I need to find you some help. After thinking it over, only Cheng Chumo and Cheng Chuliang are barely suitable. You’re to persuade them, and your father as well!”

…

Cheng Chubi thought it impossible: “My two brothers have never set foot in a kitchen. Every time I go home, they try to stay as far from me as possible—how would they ever stoop to learn to cook from me? Master, I think you’re wasting your time on them; they’ll never agree!”

“How would you know unless you try?”

Li Zhi would never give up as long as there was even a sliver of hope.

Only the three Cheng brothers could be trusted. Anyone else would bring trouble.

The next day.

Before dawn.

Someone knocked at the door.

The vigilant Golden Blade guards went to investigate.

“General Cheng? What brings you here? It’s still dark—His Highness is still asleep!” Lou Yi looked and saw it was Cheng Yaojin.

“You rascal, I haven’t settled the score with you for hitting me last time!” Cheng Yaojin’s anger flared at the sight of Lou Yi.

A dignified Duke of the realm, struck by a mere guard! If not for the bad optics, he would demand his dignity back.

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“Uh… General Cheng, surely you wouldn’t hold a grudge against a nobody like me? You’re a noble Duke after all!” Lou Yi said with a smile.

“Hmph!”

Cheng Yaojin could only accept his misfortune.

The two entered the lounge.

They drank three pots of tea.

Cheng Chubi finally rose, ready to open the restaurant for business.

“Father, what brings you here?”

“Come over here!”

Cheng Yaojin pulled his son aside and whispered for a long time, then solemnly said, “Remember, when we meet the Prince of Jin, we must put on a good show and get things done!”

“Father… What are you up to?” Cheng Chubi smiled wryly. “You needn’t worry about that. The restaurant is short-handed. Last night, His Highness mentioned wanting to speak to you, suggesting that both eldest and second brother should come to work at the restaurant!”

“Is that so?”

“Would I lie to you?”

As it happened, Li Zhi and Cheng Yaojin both had the same idea: one wanted to recruit from the Duke of Lu’s household, the other wanted to send his sons to learn at the restaurant.

It spared a lot of trouble.

“Heh heh…”

“In that case, I won’t be polite. Tell His Highness that if he wants my sons at the restaurant, he must send me fifty bottles of Immortal Wine every month, or else forget it!”

Cheng Yaojin sat calmly, calculating his gains.

The more he thought, the more delighted he became, barely containing his laughter.

Cheng Chubi warned, “Father, best not to provoke the Prince of Jin…”

“Why? You think your old man can’t handle him?”

“I am honestly a little worried!” Cheng Chubi said. “The Prince of Jin never lets himself be taken advantage of. If he finds out you’re sending eldest and second brother here but demanding benefits in return, he’ll surely make things difficult for you in the future.”

“Hmph! I’m not afraid of him!”

“Is that so?” Li Zhi appeared behind Cheng Yaojin without anyone noticing. “Uncle Cheng, that’s rather unscrupulous, secretly plotting to get Immortal Wine behind my back?”

“Uh…”

Cheng Yaojin turned and was startled.

“Well, since you’ve heard, what do you say?” Cheng Yaojin’s face fell; he’d lost hope. Getting perks from Li Zhi—truly difficult.

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“I agree!”

“It’s just a few bottles of Immortal Wine; I’ll have Chubi send them to your residence!” To everyone’s surprise, Li Zhi accepted Cheng Yaojin’s request.

“But I have one condition!”

“Name it, name it…” Cheng Yaojin quickly replied.

“From today, all three of your sons will follow me. You’re not allowed to interfere with their daily affairs, nor to visit the restaurant. You must wait three years before I let them return. In other words, for three years, you won’t see them. Can you accept that?”

The demand was excessive!

What father wouldn’t see his sons? Even in prison, one could visit.

“Well?”

“I need to think…” Cheng Yaojin rolled his eyes, glanced at Chubi, and pulled him aside: “Honestly, what are you scheming lately?”

“Huh? What do you mean, Father?” Cheng Chubi acted innocent.

“Don’t fool me! You’re up to something shady, otherwise why won’t His Highness let me visit the restaurant? You’re not….” Cheng Yaojin imagined dozens of possibilities, but dismissed them all.

“Oh, Father, you’re overthinking! His Highness forbids you from coming to the restaurant because he fears you’ll learn to cook and then spread the skills!” Cheng Chubi made up a lie.

“Is that so?”

“Absolutely! Our restaurant’s business is booming; we’re run off our feet. No time for anything else. Rest assured, after three years, all three of us will be culinary masters! You won’t lose face!”

…

Cheng Yaojin was quickly persuaded.

“It’s just three years—I agree!”

“Good!” Li Zhi clapped his hands. “Uncle Cheng, I promise your Immortal Wine will be delivered to the Duke’s residence on time. But you must keep your word and send Chumo and Chuliang later on!”

“Deal!”

And so…

All three Cheng brothers were coaxed to the restaurant, becoming Li Zhi’s trusted aides. Though Chumo and Chuliang had never worked in a restaurant, nor could they cook or keep accounts, Li Zhi was confident he could train them to be as capable as Chubi. With their help, he gained greater confidence in defeating the aristocratic families.

After seeing Cheng Yaojin off,

Li Zhi granted Chubi half a day’s leave to fetch his two brothers.

For now, the matters of the restaurant and merchants’ guild rested solely on Li Zhi’s shoulders.