If I traveled back to the Tang Dynasty, all I really wanted to be was a carefree prince.

As the wine business grew, Cheng Yaojin's pockets became increasingly bulging, and Li Shimin's treasury became increasingly full.

One hundred jars of the first distillation "Jade Liquor" and fifty jars of the second distillation "Fine Wine" were sold out daily, constantly out of stock. Orders were piling up from Changping to Luoyang, from Luoyang to Taiyuan, and from Taiyuan to Yangzhou. Cheng Yaojin was incredibly busy, constantly monitoring the stills in the workshop, dealing with the wealthy and powerful who came seeking his wine, and also figuring out how to open branches in Luoyang, Taiyuan, and Yangzhou. But he enjoyed it all—who wouldn't be happy counting money until their hands cramped?

Qin Qiong wasn't in charge of selling wine; he just oversaw things. His reputation preceded him, and with him there, no one dared to mess around. With Cheng Yaojin's shrewish face and Qin Qiong's prestigious name, anyone in Chang'an who wanted to take over a winery would have to think twice.

But some people are so powerful that even Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin can't suppress them.

On this day, Li Shimin was reviewing memorials in the imperial study when Zhang De came in to report.

"Your Majesty, the Duke of Qi requests an audience."

Duke of Qi—Changsun Wuji, the elder brother of Empress Changsun, the brother-in-law of Li Shimin, and the foremost meritorious official of the Lingyan Pavilion. He was thirty-six years old this year, in the prime of his life. Born into a prominent family in the Guanzhong Plain, he had been close to Li Shimin since childhood, and they later became related by marriage. He followed Li Shimin from the time of the uprising in Jinyang, and was the mastermind behind the Xuanwu Gate Incident. Over the years, he had served as Minister of Personnel and Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, a figure of absolute authority in the court.

"Let him in," Li Shimin said, putting down his pen.

Changsun Wuji walked in. He was tall and imposing, with a square face and shrewd, deep eyes. He wore a purple official robe, a gold fish-shaped pouch at his waist, and walked with a steady gait, each step exuding the air of someone who had long held a high position.

"Your subject, Changsun Wuji, pays his respects to Your Majesty." He knelt down and kowtowed.

"The auxiliary machine is here? Get up and sit down." Li Shimin pointed to the chair next to him, his tone friendly.

Changsun Wuji stood up and sat down in a chair. Zhang De served tea and stepped aside.

"What brings the auxiliary machine here today?"

Changsun Wuji picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, put the cup down, and smiled.

"Your Majesty, I've come today for no great reason. It's just that it's been quite a while since I've spoken with Your Majesty alone, and I've been thinking about it."

Li Shimin glanced at him and smiled. He knew his brother-in-law well—he wouldn't come unless there was a reason.

"Speak, what is it?"

Changsun Wuji hesitated for a moment, seemingly considering his words.

"Your Majesty, I've heard... that Cheng Zhijie's wine sales are doing quite well lately?"

coming.

Li Shimin's eyebrows twitched slightly, but he remained expressionless.

"Yeah. Zhijie, he can always make a name for himself no matter what he does. He made a fortune selling ice, and now he's selling alcohol. Business is pretty good."

Changsun Wuji nodded, picked up his teacup, and took another sip.

"I've heard that the recipe for that wine... came from the palace?"

Li Shimin's fingers paused slightly.

The news spread really fast.

"Auxiliary machine? Who told you that?"

Changsun Wuji smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I heard it from someone. The ministers in the court are all talking about it privately, saying that Cheng Zhijie's wine is even better than the imperial wine in the palace. Where else could wine that is better than the imperial wine come from but from the palace?"

Li Shimin leaned back in his chair, looking at Changsun Wuji.

"Auxiliary machine, what exactly are you trying to say?"

Changsun Wuji put down his teacup and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, I am acting in Your Majesty's best interests. The profit margin of this wine business is too high. Some people in the court are already envious, saying that Cheng Zhijie is monopolizing the wine market and competing with the people for profits by relying on Your Majesty's favor. Although these words have not yet reached the Censorate, they will sooner or later. When that happens, Your Majesty will not look good either."

Li Shimin remained silent, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.

Changsun Wuji continued, "I am not against Your Majesty engaging in business. It is a good thing that Your Majesty's treasury is full. However, Your Majesty, this business is ultimately registered under Cheng Zhijie's name. Cheng Zhijie is a meritorious official and a military general. If he were to sell wine, it would easily attract gossip. If someone were to impeach him, would Your Majesty protect him or not?"

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Li Shimin asked.

Changsun Wuji remained silent for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, I have a preliminary idea. Rather than having this wine registered under Cheng Zhijie's name, it would be better to entrust its management to the court. We should establish a Wine Administration to specifically oversee the brewing and sale of the wine. The profits could go partly into the national treasury and partly into the imperial treasury. This way, it would be both legitimate and we wouldn't have to worry about being impeached."

Li Shimin did not answer immediately. He picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and put the cup down.

"Auxiliary Machines, who's in charge of this Wine Affairs Department you mentioned?"

Changsun Wuji glanced at Li Shimin, as if he had been waiting for this question.

"Your Majesty, I am unworthy, but I am willing to share your burdens."

The Imperial Study was silent for a moment.

Li Shimin looked at Changsun Wuji with a deep gaze. He recalled Changsun Wuji's actions over the years—the Xuanwu Gate Incident, the Zhenguan Reforms, the rectification of officialdom—every single one bore his mark. He was capable, loyal, but also power-hungry.

"Fuji," Li Shimin finally spoke, "you're already Right Vice Minister, a position equivalent to Prime Minister. Aren't you already burdened with managing the Wine Affairs Bureau?"

Changsun Wuji smiled: "Your Majesty, I am not afraid of having a lot of work to do for you."

Li Shimin smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

"I'll think about this some more. You should go back now."

Changsun Wuji stood up and bowed, saying, "Your subject takes his leave."

He turned and took a few steps when Li Shimin suddenly called him back.

Auxiliary machine.

Changsun Wuji stopped and turned around.

"I ask you this: When you say you'll share my burdens, are you truly sincere?"

Changsun Wuji looked into Li Shimin's eyes with a calm expression.

"Your Majesty, we have known each other since childhood and are also related by marriage. I am where I am today entirely because of Your Majesty's trust. When I say I will share Your Majesty's burdens, every word is sincere."

Li Shimin looked at him for a while and nodded.

"Go."

Changsun Wuji left. Li Shimin sat in the imperial study, his fingers lightly tapping the table, remaining motionless for a long time.

After Changsun Wuji left, Li Shimin summoned Li Ke.

Li Ke was learning to identify newly arrived medicinal herbs from Wang Yongzheng at the Imperial Hospital when he heard that his father had summoned him. He put down the herbs and rushed over.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Get up," Li Shimin said, gesturing to the chair beside him. "Sit."

Li Ke sat down and noticed that his father's expression was not quite right, which made him feel a little uneasy.

"Ke'er, do you know who just came?"

Li Ke shook his head.

"Your eldest uncle is here."

Li Ke was stunned for a moment. His maternal uncle? It took him a moment to realize—Changsun Wuji, Empress Changsun's brother, his nominal maternal uncle.

"Changsun Wuji?"

"Yes." Li Shimin leaned back in his chair and looked at Li Ke. "He came to tell me that the wine business should be handed over to the court for management."

Li Ke's heart sank.

really.

He had long known that the profits from selling wine were too high, and sooner or later someone would become envious. He just hadn't expected that the first person to come knocking on his door would be Changsun Wuji.

"What did Father Emperor say?" Li Ke asked.

"I said I'll think about it some more." Li Shimin looked at him. "Ke'er, tell me, what should I say to him?"

Li Ke remained silent for a while.

Changsun Wuji was no ordinary man. He was the representative of the Guanlong Group, the head of the meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion, and the elder brother of Empress Changsun. His words carried far more weight than those of Cheng Yaojin.

"Father," Li Ke said slowly, "What Uncle Changsun said makes sense. It is indeed easy for people to gossip if this business is registered under General Cheng's name. But it is also inappropriate to hand it over to the court."

Why?

"Because if it's handed over to the imperial court, it has to go through the procedures of the court. The Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Personnel, the Censorate, layer by layer, it has to be approved and reviewed. By the time it's approved, it's too late. Moreover, matters under the jurisdiction of the imperial court have many rules and regulations. If Father Emperor wants to use the imperial treasury to do something, he still has to consider the whims of the Ministry of Revenue. Then wouldn't this wine be sold for nothing?"

Li Shimin nodded.

"Then what do you suggest we do?"

Li Ke thought for a moment and said, "Father, this matter cannot be rushed. If Uncle Changsun wants to get involved, let him. But not now."

"What do you mean?"

"Father can tell Uncle Changsun that the current production of this wine is still small, just a trial run. Once the production increases, we can discuss handing it over to the court. This way, we can save face for Uncle Changsun without delaying our profits."

Li Shimin glanced at him and smiled.

"You're just procrastinating."

"Father, it's not a delaying tactic, but a stalling strategy." Li Ke also smiled. "Uncle Changsun is a smart man. He knows that Father won't give up this prize. He came to test the waters to see Father's attitude. Father neither refuses nor agrees, letting him guess, so he won't act rashly."

Li Shimin remained silent for a moment, then nodded.

"You know how to handle people better than your father."

Li Ke lowered his head: "Your subject dares not."

"Alright, stop being modest." Li Shimin waved his hand. "Go back and get back to work. I understand the situation."

"Yes."

Li Ke stood up, bowed, and turned to leave.

"Ke'er," Li Shimin called out to him.

Li Ke turned around.

"Your eldest uncle is capable and loyal, but he also has a strong desire for power," Li Shimin said in a lower voice. "Be careful when you deal with him in the future."

Li Ke felt a chill run down his spine and nodded.

"Your subject has remembered."

Li Ke emerged from the imperial study and let out a long sigh.

An autumn breeze blew in, carrying a hint of coolness. The surface of Taiye Pond was rippled by the wind, reflecting the hazy sky.

He knew that Changsun Wuji's matter wouldn't be over so easily. That man was the leader of the Guanlong Group, a figure of absolute authority in the court. He wouldn't easily give up what he had set his sights on.

But Li Ke was not afraid.

The recipe for this wine is his, the still is his, the technique is his. Changsun Wuji wants to take it? Not so easy.

"Ang Lee," he called out.

"exist."

"Go to the workshop and tell General Cheng to keep a low profile lately. Don't show off everywhere and don't make people envious."

"Yes."

Li An turned and left. Li Ke stood by the Taiye Pond, looking at the water, and remained silent for a long time.

Changsun Wuji was just the first. There will be a second, a third. More and more people will be envious and covetous.

He had to find a way to make these people give up on that idea.