Tang Dynasty: Consort Wu? Your Majesty, please address her as the Crown Prince's Consort.

Seeing Shen Wansan's look of sudden realization, Li Chengqian asked again:

"How about those distilled spirits?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Wansan did not hide anything and immediately reported the truth.

"Your Highness, the distilled spirits are not selling as well as expected."

This stuff is too strong; most people get drunk after just two glasses, and it's nowhere near as sweet and fragrant as grain-based liquor. Women, in particular, would absolutely reject it.

Although it wasn't that popular, this kind of wine was a favorite among soldiers and generals, and I found that it sold particularly well in the north.

The further north you go, the colder the winters get; this wine can ward off the cold and make you feel warm and invigorated after drinking it.

Hearing Shen Wansan's explanation, Li Chengqian was not too surprised.

He had tasted the wines of the Tang Dynasty, and found them to be better than baijiu in both taste and flavor. Fruit wines were sweet and refreshing, while grain wines were mellow and robust. In Li Chengqian's eyes, these were just sweet drinks containing alcohol.

But that's precisely why everyone is happy to see it.

Those stories in time-travel novels where a bottle of liquor causes a sensation are all complete lies.

Even Li Chengqian, a modern man, actually preferred the wine of the Tang Dynasty, for no other reason than that it tasted better!

"It's alright, I wasn't expecting to get rich from this wine anyway, but distilled spirits do have other uses!"

As he spoke, Li Chengqian turned to Sun Simiao with a smile and said:

"Master Sun, do you know that if this liquor is refined a few more times, it can become a treasure for healing and saving lives!"

"Is this really true?" Upon hearing Li Chengqian's words, Sun Simiao couldn't help but ask instinctively.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian smiled and said:

"This is natural. The liquor that has been purified again is simply called alcohol. Using this to clean a knife wound can prevent infection. Using this to wipe clothes and furniture can effectively prevent the spread of infectious diseases through contact with objects."

Upon hearing this, Sun Simiao's eyes lit up, and he looked at Li Chengqian with great excitement.

"Your Highness, do you have any alcohol? Could you perhaps give this old Taoist some?"

"Hahaha! Master Sun, there's no need to be so polite. I'll give you the method for extracting this alcohol shortly. As for the baijiu (Chinese liquor), if you need it, just ask Shen Wansan!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

……

Only after the two left did Li Chengqian let out a slow sigh.

This business is gradually taking shape. It's all Old Li's fault. Otherwise, I wouldn't have needed to set up all this. You unfilial father, you have no ambition at all!

Time flies, and the end of the year is just around the corner.

Inside the palace, Li Shimin stretched out his hand, feeling the snowflakes falling into his palm, and exhaled a breath of stale air. Looking at the tiles covered by white snow, his eyes were full of worry.

"If this snow continues, I wonder how many more people will suffer!"

Seeing this, Canyue couldn't help but quickly remind him:

"Your Majesty! It's cold outside. Please take care of your health and go back inside!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin nodded, and then asked:

"What has that unfilial son been doing lately?"

"Your Majesty! His Highness the Crown Prince has been staying in the Eastern Palace these past few days, only attending court sessions and not going anywhere else!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin couldn't help but frown.

"This rebellious son is so well-behaved? Something can't be right. Is he planning something big again?"

at the same time.

The Eastern Palace!

A hot pot sits on the table in the hall, its fiery red broth bubbling inside.

"Hiss! Hiss! Husband~ What is this? It's so spicy!"

Qingya was seen gulping down milk while hurriedly piling food into her bowl.

Wu Meiniang's movements were slightly better than Qingya's, but not by much. Her temples were damp with sweat, and her beautiful face was flushed, clearly indicating that she had also been quite burned by the spiciness.

Seeing the two of them like this, Li Chengqian couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! This is called a butter hot pot. It contains a crop called chili pepper, which is why it's so spicy."

How is it? Tastes good, right?

Upon hearing this, Qingya, who was standing to the side, quickly chimed in:

"Delicious! Delicious! Although it's spicy, it's really delicious. After eating it, I feel warm all over and not cold at all!"

As she spoke, Qingya picked up a large piece of mutton from the pot and stuffed it into her mouth, making her cheeks bulge out. She looked incredibly cute!

"Your Highness! Your Highness! Something terrible has happened!"

Just then, a voice broke the rare tranquility of the Eastern Palace.

Just then, a eunuch from the East Palace rushed in with a child.

Upon seeing this, Li Chengqian couldn't help but frown slightly.

"What's going on? Who is this child?"

Upon hearing this, the child spoke in a childish voice:

"Your Highness! I am an apprentice under Physician Sun. A large number of refugees have suddenly arrived in Chang'an City. This morning, a plague broke out in Lantian County and Chang'an County. My master has already passed away. He asked me to come and inform Your Highness of this matter."

"What? Plague?"

Upon hearing the child's words, Li Chengqian immediately became restless.

In this era, the word "plague" carries far too much weight.

"Quickly! Order Xue Rengui to mobilize troops, and have all six guards of the Eastern Palace deployed to surround the area where the plague has broken out. Not even a fly is allowed to escape. Anyone who disobeys will be executed!"

Then he looked at Wu Zetian beside him and said:

"Meiniang, send someone to find Shen Wansan and tell him to buy up all the medicines in the city, as many as he can!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Meiniang dared not delay and immediately left to handle the situation.

"No! I have to go there. I'm afraid Old Sun can't handle it alone. Also, Qingya, send someone to the palace to ask the old man to mobilize troops. With the disaster in the two counties, I'm afraid my forces are not enough."

There's still food! With so many disaster victims, without food, it might trigger a riot!

After saying that, Li Chengqian immediately turned around and went out, heading in the direction where Sun Simiao was.

……

Liangyi Hall.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened! The Crown Princess has arrived, saying that a large number of refugees have poured into Chang'an County and Lantian County, and a plague has broken out!"

Then, Canyue hurriedly led Li Qingya in.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's hand holding the pen froze instantly.

"What did you say?"

He looked at Li Qingya with a bewildered expression and spoke.

The latter looked at Li Shimin with an anxious expression.

"Father, a plague has broken out in Lantian County and Chang'an County. My husband has already led the Six Guards of the Eastern Palace there. Before he left, he asked me to come and find you so that you can mobilize troops and supplies!"

"That unfilial son went to the disaster area? Who let him go? That's a plague! Does he have a death wish?"

Li Shimin could no longer sit still. His eyes were bloodshot, and his face was filled with anger and worry.

"Crescent Moon, hurry! Send orders to Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong to bring the Thousand Bull Guards over there and let that rebellious son do as he pleases."

Furthermore, summon all the imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy to my location. Also, order the Ministry of Revenue to allocate 50,000 shi of grain. And also, summon Du Ruhui, Fang Xuanling, and Changsun Wuji! Go now!!!