Chapter Ninety-Two: Gaining the Upper Hand

In just a few days, the popularity of the merchant guild and the tavern had reached an unprecedented peak. Not only were merchants and guilds from all over flocking in, but countless members were also forging partnerships with Li Zhi. Cheng Chumo did a quick tally: now, over five hundred people were sourcing goods from the guild. More than thirty regional guilds had entered into collaboration, including influential families from Guanlong and Hebei. Their local sway was not to be underestimated.

“At this rate… we’ll soon be able to control the market economy!” Cheng Chumo exclaimed, his excitement barely contained.

“Control the market economy? Ha! That’s far from reality,” Li Zhi replied, dousing his enthusiasm. “Do you think toppling the great families is that easy? That a few bottles of Immortal’s Wine will bring them down? How naive!”

“Master… what exactly is your plan? I’m still in the dark,” Cheng Chumo admitted, scratching his head. In matters like this, he was a novice, feeling for the first time like a useless fool—less capable even than the three-year-old Li Zhi.

“I know what needs to be done. You just manage the guild for me. Remember: never turn anyone away! Cooperate with all who come,” Li Zhi instructed.

“Yes!” Cheng Chumo replied, sensing Li Zhi’s intention but not daring to press further.

At midday, Cheng Chubi handed the tavern’s business over to Cheng Chuliang and went to the East Market to recruit a large number of able-bodied men.

“Chubi…”

“Here!”

“How many have you recruited?” Li Zhi stepped from the carriage outside the northern residential district and gazed into the distance. On the lawn, a large crowd of young men sat.

A conservative estimate put their number at four or five hundred.

Cheng Chubi grinned, “I’ve brought all the laborers from East Market—over six hundred. We provide two meals and two coins of Kaiyuan Tongbao each day.”

Roughly calculated, it cost 1,500 coins per day.

“The price isn’t high, but building a factory won’t be possible with just them. I’ve sent for craftsmen from the Ministry of Works to lead the construction. That will speed things up severalfold!”

The Ministry’s artisans specialized in architecture, responsible for the annual upkeep of palaces and officials’ mansions. Building a single factory was a trivial matter for them.

“They’re here…” Luo Tong pointed to the distance.

The Ministry’s craftsmen arrived by carriage and soon stopped along the roadside.

A fourth-rank deputy director from the Ministry of Works strode forward and knelt, “Your Highness, Dong Lin, your humble servant, pays his respects.”

“Please rise, sir.”

“Today, I’ve summoned you not for an imperial task, but to seek your help in building a factory. Are you willing?” Li Zhi asked directly.

Given the Ministry’s capabilities, they could easily find this out; there was no need to hide anything.

Dong Lin was the elder brother of Dong Fu. Previously, Dong Fu had been thoroughly won over while studying movable-type printing. Upon returning, he discussed it with Dong Lin and gained much from the exchange. He had long wanted to pay his respects to Li Zhi, and now the opportunity had finally arrived.

Dong Lin inquired, “May I ask what kind of ‘factory’ your Highness has in mind? Is there a blueprint?”

“There is,” Li Zhi replied, producing a fresh construction drawing. It was filled with strange lines and numerical notations.

Dong Lin could not make sense of it.

“Your Highness, what is this?”

“It’s a blueprint. Can’t you read it?” Li Zhi had anticipated this issue while drawing, deliberately keeping it simple—just outlining the factory’s shape with lines and removing any elaborate embellishments. With the Ministry’s professional skills, they ought to understand.

Yet, Dong Lin stared at it for a long time, unable to grasp what the drawing represented.

“Forgive me for being blunt, but this doesn’t look like a building!” Dong Lin ventured.

“Your Highness, could you describe what the factory should look like? I can sketch it based on your description—it would save much trouble.”

Li Zhi sighed, understanding at last. In the Tang Dynasty, architectural plans required a full panorama; for instance, a palace’s drawing had to depict its entire appearance before construction could begin. Li Zhi was no artist—how could he render such detail?

He pointed to the drawing, “The Ministry’s blueprints are too complicated. How long do those take? Let me teach you how to read this simplified plan.”

…

In half a cup of tea’s time, Li Zhi taught Dong Lin to interpret the blueprint.

Dong Lin marveled, “Your Highness, you are a genius in the field of architecture!”

“That goes without saying. I’ve always been a genius,” Li Zhi declared, lifting his chin.

“Yes, yes…”

“Have you really mastered it?”

“I have, but… your drawing shows just a dozen wooden sheds. Isn’t that too simple?” Dong Lin studied the blueprint carefully; it was far removed from his idea of a factory.

“It’s much too basic!”

“With the six hundred laborers, how long will it take you to build?” Li Zhi asked.

“If we construct according to your plan, three days will suffice!”

“So quick!” Li Zhi was astonished; this was beyond his expectations.

Cheng Chubi cupped his hands, “Then we leave the task in your capable hands. Please begin as soon as possible—our need for the factory is urgent.”

“Very well!” With Li Zhi’s approval, Dong Lin organized his men and entered the residential district.

“This matter is yours now. Once the factory is ready, hire a team of workers to manage the brewing. At present, the guild is like an empty shell—it needs a steady supply of Immortal’s Wine. Do not be careless!” Li Zhi instructed Cheng Chubi.

“Yes! Please rest assured, Master. I will handle it properly.”

“Good.”

Li Zhi felt at ease entrusting the brewery to Cheng Chubi, who had served faithfully for so long without a single misstep.

…

The three brothers of the Cheng family managed the guild, tavern, and brewery respectively. All ran smoothly, marching toward the status of commercial magnates.

Luo Tong practiced martial arts behind the tavern, with the Golden Blade Guards observing and learning.

“Today, we have an important matter to attend to. Prepare yourselves—we’re heading back to the palace!” Li Zhi stepped out, stretching lazily.

Luo Tong stood at attention, spear in hand, “Your Highness, what is it?”

The Golden Blade Guards also looked over.

“We’re going to raid the Ministry of Revenue. Heh heh…” Li Zhi was evidently excited.

The Minister of Revenue, Tang Jian, was one of the twenty-four founders of the Lingyan Pavilion—a notable figure—but in his old age, he was disgraced and demoted.

By Li Zhi’s reckoning, the time for Tang Jian’s downfall was near.

Li Zhi was deeply curious: what crime had Tang Jian committed to provoke Emperor Taizong’s punishment of such a meritorious official? Taizong’s grand ambition was to be a sage ruler through the ages, abhorring wanton killing—especially of one of the twenty-four founders.

“A raid?” Luo Tong covered his face, nearly bursting into laughter. “The Ministry of Revenue is in trouble again! But Your Highness, that department is no pushover. Don’t let the boat capsize!”

“Why target the Ministry?” Lou Yi couldn’t help but ask.

“Because they oversee land distribution. I want a large tract for planting grain!”

To challenge the great families, money alone was insufficient. If the families controlled the grain supply, the Tang Dynasty would plunge into famine. In such times, whoever possessed the most grain would hold the advantage.