Peninsula: I, a chaebol! I will never follow hidden rules.

The Old Book of Tang, Biographies of the Twenty-Two Sons of Emperor Gaozu, states: "Jiancheng conspired with Yuanji to poison Emperor Taizong and invited him to a banquet in the palace at night. Emperor Taizong then suffered a sudden heart attack and vomited several liters of blood. Prince Shentong of Huai'an helped him back to the West Palace in a sorry state."

This event is also recorded in the "Biographies of the Sons of Emperor Gaozu" in the New Book of Tang and the "Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 129, Tang Annals 7".

Both official histories and one comprehensive chronicle record that in the ninth year of the Wude era of the Tang Dynasty, Crown Prince Li Jiancheng and Prince Li Yuanji hosted a banquet for Prince Li Shimin, intending to poison him by putting poison in his wine.

But is this really true?
Zhen, a famous poison in history, was one of the ten most cruel tortures of the Qing Dynasty.

Li Shimin was poisoned and vomited several liters of blood, yet he didn't die. Not only did he survive, but a few days later he executed Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji at Xuanwu Gate.

With this kind of physical condition, does he look like someone who has been poisoned and vomited several liters of blood?

Therefore, some historians suspect that the story of Li Shimin being poisoned is fabricated. They argue that Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji may have indeed poisoned him, but he must have known beforehand and refused to drink it. Otherwise, he wouldn't have survived the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

Of course, Li Zhixuan doesn't know the truth of this history either.

However, since Li Zhengxian has linked the poisoning of Li Shimin and Li Zhiwu together, does he mean that Li Zhiwu poisoned himself?
So cruel?
Li Zhixuan was shocked.

Seeing his son's wide eyes, Li Zhengxian sighed and explained, "I haven't found any evidence either, but I can't rule out that possibility."

No evidence? Oh well!

"That can't be right. You're probably overthinking it. Could Second Brother be that ruthless? Wouldn't he be afraid of poisoning himself?"

In response, Li Zhengxian smiled faintly: "People who achieve great things must be ruthless, ruthless to others, and even more ruthless to themselves. You can't just dare to break other people's legs; you must also be willing to risk your own legs when it matters."

"Uh……"

Li Zhixuan looked down at his legs. Such good legs, risking everything? Who could risk that?

Of course, he agreed with Li Zhengxian's words. But he still had doubts about Li Zhiwu's courage: "If Second Brother could be so ruthless, what couldn't he succeed at? With that kind of determination, the position of heir to the Li Group would have been his long ago. Why wait until today?"

"Sigh~" Li Zhengxian sighed, then looked at Li Zhixuan and said with emotion, "People are forced to be ruthless to a certain extent."

"You were forced into it by me?"

"What if?"

Seeing that Li Zhixuan was still pretending to be innocent, Li Zhengxian was speechless. Wasn't this just asking a question he already knew the answer to?
But Li Zhixuan truly felt wronged: "I didn't provoke him, I didn't offend him. I just started a business while chasing girls, and he actually poisoned me?"

Could you please promote him? Give him more work, give him a chance to prove himself, and ask him to let me off the hook.

Listen to this! Is this even human language? What do you mean you started a business while chasing girls? It means you haven't even used your full strength yet? Are you trying to kill your older brothers?
After shaking his head with a wry smile, Li Zhengxian said, "I have a way to find out who did this. Do you want to try it? We can also find out which of your women are truly on your side."

"I don't mind, but won't your method frighten the pregnant woman?"

“Uh…” Lee Jung-hyun hesitated for a moment, then shook his head helplessly: “Never mind, let’s wait a few months. When are you going back to Jeju Island?”

"I'll go back in a few days once my cold is better."

Upon hearing this, the old man was displeased: "You had a cold and hid from your wife, then came back to find your father? You really are a very filial son!"

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry, I'll be going now."

As he spoke, Li Zhixuan made a move to get up and leave.

Seeing this, Li Zhengxian said irritably, "Why are you leaving? Your mother will be back soon. Have dinner with us before you go."

"okay!"

After lunch, Li Zhixuan went back to his room for a nap.

He left the Lee family mansion at 1:30 p.m. and arrived at Lee Chi-woo's ward at Seoul Hospital.

Li Zhixuan pushed the door open and entered: "Second Brother, how are you feeling today?"

Li Zhiwu was being served by two pretty female nurses who were wiping his hands and feet.

Upon seeing Li Zhixuan arrive, the two nurses quickly bowed and greeted him before continuing their work.

Li Zhiwu was extremely dissatisfied with his impolite younger brother, but on the surface he could only smile and reply, "Not bad, I can feel my waist today."

"That's a pretty quick recovery."

Li Zhixuan's face lit up with joy, as if he were very happy for his second brother. He then walked over and took the towel from a nurse's hand: "Here, give it to me. You can go and rest for a while."

"Yes."

The two nurses left obediently, and Li Zhixuan began to wipe Li Zhiwu's hands and arms.

Li Zhiwu was a little nervous about this, fearing that Li Zhixuan might suddenly put a towel on his face or wrap it around his neck, suffocating or strangling him.

Because he was nervous, he quickly forced a smile at Li Zhixuan and said, "Zhixuan, thank you for your hard work."

Li Zhixuan laughed heartily and said nonchalantly, "Hey! Second Brother, you're playing such a big game, what's a little hardship for me?"

Li Zhiwu was taken aback, frowned, and asked in confusion, "I'm playing this big? What do you mean?"

Li Zhixuan smiled but didn't say anything. After wiping Li Zhiwu's hands, he put the towel aside and then placed his hand on Li Zhiwu's chest.

Li Zhiwu was startled, and his eyes instantly became panicked as he looked at Li Zhixuan.

Seeing this, Li Zhixuan smiled slightly, glanced at the surveillance camera in the corner, then leaned down and whispered in Li Zhiwu's ear, "Second brother, are you really willing to risk everything to get rid of me? Putting aside the fact that what you're doing won't affect me, even if Mom and Dad dislike me because of this and I lose my inheritance rights, aren't you afraid of ending up like the snipe and the clam fighting while the fisherman benefits? Or have you already figured out how to deal with eldest brother?"

Thump thump thump thump!
Li Zhiwu was stunned, but Li Zhixuan could feel his heartbeat suddenly accelerating.

Immediately afterward, Li Zhiwu hurriedly denied it, saying, "What are you talking about? Are you saying I poisoned myself? How could that be? Even if you can't find the murderer, you can't pin this on me! I'm the victim! Are you trying to bully me to death?"

The more Li Zhiwu talked, the less flustered he became; instead, he grew increasingly angry.

Seeing this, Li Zhixuan, who had already gotten the answer, stood up and stood beside him, and said with a smile, "Second brother, don't get excited. I was sleepwalking and talking in my sleep. Take good care of yourself. If you can sit up on the 7th of next month, I'll push you in your wheelchair to the movie theater to see 'Train to Busan'."

Li Zhiwu was no longer in the mood to watch the movie. He hurriedly explained, "I really didn't poison myself. Can you please investigate this properly?"

Li Zhixuan nodded seriously: "Don't worry, Second Brother. I will definitely investigate thoroughly, and I really will treat you to a movie."

After saying that, Li Zhixuan wanted to leave. But after hesitating for a moment, he sat down on the edge of the bed and said to Li Zhiwu with some weariness, "Second brother, I hope you can think this through. Even if I die, the Li Group will not be yours. If you really want to sit in that position, then show our parents what you're capable of."

Throughout history, how many people have succeeded through scheming and trickery? Even if they did, it was only temporary, not permanent. Think about it carefully.

After saying that, Li Zhixuan turned and left. Li Zhiwu didn't explain anything further, but just looked at his back and gave a faint, cold smile.

……

[A Powerful Arrival! China's First Zombie Blockbuster is Coming! "Train to Busan" Officially Opens Pre-sales!]

[During the preview screenings of "Train to Busan," acclaimed screenwriter Li Zhixuan still failed to appear!]

[With a 9.9 rating in preview screenings, "Train to Busan" sets a new record!]

[Train to Busan's opening day screenings exceeded 45%, and pre-sale tickets surpassed one million!]

[Star Era Entertainment is like a god! Li Zhixuan is like a god!]

[Train to Busan's first-day presale box office surpasses Admiral: Roaring Currents' first-day box office! Is China's first film to break 20 million admissions about to be born?]

The major cinema chains agreed to Li Zhixuan's request to increase the screening share of "Train to Busan" to 40%, with no less than 45% of screenings during prime time. However, they also made their own demands.

First, "Train to Busan" will have preview screenings. Second, "Train to Busan" will have pre-sales.

If the preview screenings receive good reviews and pre-sales are strong, the number of screenings for "Train to Busan" on its opening day can naturally be increased.

Li Zhixuan readily accepted both requests.

Starting December 1st, preview screenings and pre-sales for "Train to Busan" will begin simultaneously.

There were three preview screenings: one in Seoul, one in Incheon, and one in Busan. All three screenings were sold out, and the preview screenings received a rating of 9.9.

These audience members included not only ordinary viewers, but also a group of film critics.

These film critics are expected to provide spoiler-free reviews after watching the movie.

So, after the preview screenings ended and professional film reviews were published online, various voices of doubt arose.

What are you suspicious about? Of course, you're suspicious that these film critics are being paid to do their jobs. Otherwise, why would all the critics say that Train to Busan is an exceptionally good movie?
In fact, these film critics did receive a "tea money" payment.

However, their film reviews weren't written against their conscience; Train to Busan is truly a great movie.

Therefore, faced with netizens' doubts, film critics began to explain and refute, and some even made bets with netizens: if everyone says that "Train to Busan" is not good after it is officially released in a few days, I will retire from the film industry!
Following that, the voices of ordinary viewers who had seen the preview screenings were noticed, and these people also said that "Train to Busan" was good.

Now netizens are starting to believe that "Train to Busan" is really good.

Later, Park Hyo-min, Park Ji-yeon, and Jung Soo-jung, the three leading actresses of "Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum," spoke out: Although they didn't want to admit it, "Train to Busan" was really better than "Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum."

Their fans and Tara's group fans expressed their support for this.

Meanwhile, Jung Beom-sik, the director of "Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum," retweeted Park Hyo-min's post and wrote a pitiful comment: "Don't compare like that! 'Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum' only had a budget of 3 billion won, I've done my best! [crying emoji]"
Everyone can see that this is a publicity campaign for "Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum" in conjunction with "Train to Busan," but the campaign is quite fun, so everyone likes it.

As word-of-mouth spread, pre-sales for "Train to Busan" began to increase.

On December 1st, the pre-sale tickets for "Train to Busan" reached over 200,000.

This is pre-sales; the movie won't be released for another five days. In a country with only 50 million people, over 200,000 pre-sale tickets in a single day is quite a lot.

But Li Zhixuan felt it was still lacking, so he had Xingji Entertainment's official account post a message on his behalf: "Please believe me, it's really good. Please believe that South Korea can also make top-notch zombie movies!"

Although Koreans are shameless, they still have a strong sense of national identity.

Lee Chi-hyun's statement, "South Korea can also make top-notch zombie movies," really hit the nail on the head.

In addition, Li Zhixuan has quite a few fans.

As a result, on December 2nd, the pre-sale box office for "Train to Busan" exceeded 12!

No. 3, 700,000!
Number 4, 830,000!

Number 5, 920,000!

On the 6th, the day before the official release of "Train to Busan", its pre-sale box office officially exceeded one million!

This is a first in South Korean film history! The film is already setting records even before its release!

Train to Busan officially premiered at 9:00 AM on the 7th!
Two hours later, the earliest screening ended, and the viewers who had seen it went online to post their reviews of "Train to Busan"!

Thousands of reviews can be summed up in just two words—it's beautiful!
Absolutely stunning, and definitely worth the ticket price!

Then tickets for "Train to Busan" became extremely difficult to obtain.

Around 11:00 p.m., the premiere results for "Train to Busan" were released: over 1.37 million viewers and 10.3 billion won in box office revenue!

Although everyone was mentally prepared, they were still shocked when they saw the number.

The film grossed 10.3 billion South Korean won on its opening day, of which the production company, Star Entertainment, received one-third, or 3.4 billion South Korean won. The total cost of "Train to Busan" was 12 billion South Korean won.

In other words, if things continue like this, "Train to Busan" will recoup its costs in less than four days, and anything beyond that will be a huge profit.

In reality, it should only take three days to recoup costs. Because of its outstanding opening performance, theaters have increased the number of screenings of "Train to Busan".

On its second day of release, "Train to Busan" already accounted for over 55% of screenings, with prime-time slots exceeding 60%. Pre-sale tickets for tomorrow have already surpassed one million.

To be honest, Li Zhixuan never expected this kind of scene.

The way the three pregnant women looked at Li Zhixuan changed.

No way! You're making money way too fast! This is practically robbery!

(End of this chapter)