In my dream of returning to the Tang Dynasty, I snatched Wu Zetian from my lap.

About fifteen minutes.

A motorcade stopped at the Prince of Han's residence, and two people got out of the carriages. One of them was Qin Keyu, and the other was a plump and steady man, over middle age, with graying temples, but one could still vaguely see the handsome appearance he had in his youth.

Led by Fang Weng, the two arrived at the main hall.

Li Yuanchang stood up, his eyes lighting up slightly. He couldn't help but linger on Qin Keyu for a couple more seconds. Today, she wasn't dressed as a man, but rather in a normal lady's outfit: a long skirt that reached the ground, a brocade jacket over it, light makeup, and long hair draped over her shoulders.

This is the real her!

Her long hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and she was so pretty and delicate that it was as if a painting of a lady had come to life. Her almond-shaped eyes always shone with a sly glint.

Beautiful and lively.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Prince of Han."

Li Yuanchang withdrew his gaze and said with a smile, "I am very pleased that Master Qin has come in person."

"No need for such formalities, come, come, take a seat."

"Thank you, King of Han." Qin Zun cupped his hands, clearly a worldly man, not a sycophant, yet without the arrogance of the rich, always keeping his posture very humble.

This pleased Li Yuanchang greatly.

He seeks collaborators who possess substance, not those who have suddenly become rich.

The maids immediately filled the teacups, and the steaming hot tea and fragrant aroma wafted out.

"Master Qin, I had originally wanted to invite you for a chat, but as you probably know, I was very busy with affairs in Liangzhou Prefecture and had to re-examine various wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice, so I didn't have the time."

"I offer you tea instead of wine," Li Yuanchang said, taking the initiative to lift the bowl.

A strange glint flashed across Qin Zun's usually composed eyes, and he couldn't help but exchange a glance with his trusted steward.

In fact, Qin Keyu had already brought up the matter of meeting him long ago. The reason it had been delayed for so long was that it simply couldn't be delayed any longer, and the Qin family was also observing the situation.

But now Li Yuanchang has taken the initiative to take responsibility upon himself and is so polite. Such magnanimity has impressed even a profit-driven businessman like himself.

"Your Highness, I wouldn't dare."

He stood up and held the teacup with both hands.

Li Yuanchang smiled and gestured, then blew on the tea and took a sip of strong tea.

Qin Zun was also in sync.

At this moment, Situ Lan probably knew that it was time to talk about serious matters, so she quietly left with her servants to catch up with Qin Keyu.

The lobby was now empty except for the men.

Li Yuanchang was alone, Fang Weng was waiting, and there were also several people from the Qin family.

As the teacup hit the ground, Li Yuanchang spoke again.

"Master Qin, I don't like bureaucratic talk or beating around the bush. If you have something to say, just say it directly."

"I hope to do business with the Qin family."

A straightforward approach earned Qin Zun, the businessman, a slight favor; roundabout methods, on the other hand, seemed insincere.

"Your Highness, please speak freely."

Li Yuanchang, with a shrewd and unforgettable statement, declared: "I possess something that can captivate every household in the Tang Dynasty, reaching both the imperial court and the common people, and can amass wealth throughout the land!"

boom!

Everyone's eyes widened in surprise.

To amass wealth from all over the world?

Can one be appreciated by both the imperial court and the common people?

Qin Zun was also unable to calm down, and then frowned. This was almost contradictory. The Tang Dynasty had a strict hierarchical system. What could be used in the palace could not be used by the common people.

Even things that are affordable for the rich are unaffordable for ordinary people.

All goods have prices, and prices are inevitably divided into different regions.

But Li Yuanchang didn't seem to be joking. He couldn't help but ask curiously, "Your Highness, what is it?"

Li Yuanchang magically produced a bottle.

Qin Zun focused his eyes and accepted it with both hands.

"Your Highness, what is this?"

"Try opening it." Li Yuanchang grinned. These days, besides handling official business, he hadn't been idle either, tinkering with his first "product" in the backyard.

Qin Zun twisted the stopper open forcefully.

In an instant, a pungent yet rich aroma of alcohol filled the entire lobby!

"liquor!"

"What a fragrant wine!"

"What a unique flavor!"

Everyone's eyes widened in shock, because it smelled so good, so pungent and so unique, far beyond their comprehension.

"Master Qin, you can give it a try. The best part isn't just the smell, you'll know once you drink it," Li Yuanchang said with a smile.

Qin Zun's interest was piqued, and his eyes became serious. He immediately poured himself a glass.

During the Tang Dynasty, drinking was a widespread and deeply ingrained habit, with almost everyone from the imperial court to ordinary people drinking.

"Cough cough cough!!"

Qin Zun had just taken a sip when he choked, his face turning red, coughing incessantly, and he almost burst into tears.

"Boss, you!"

Qin Zun stopped them from helping him, and stood there for several breaths with his eyes wide open before he calmed down. His eyes were red and he looked somewhat frightening.

It felt as if a flame was burning in his throat and chest, dispelling the cold of winter.

The unusual situation left onlookers completely bewildered.

After a long time, finally!

Qin Zun recovered, exhaled a breath of stale air, and excitedly exclaimed, "Good wine! Good wine indeed!"

"This wine should only exist in heaven; how often can one smell its fragrance on earth!"

"Your Highness, what kind of wine is this?"

"How come it's completely different from other wines? Could it be a gift from the imperial court?"

"I feel burning hot all over! It's amazing!" He was excited, losing his composure from before, as if he had opened up a new world.

Li Yuanchang smiled and shook his head: "No, it's not a royal gift. This is called distilled liquor, a fine wine brewed by Princess Consort Situ in her spare time."

"The princess is truly a divine being!" Qin Zun exclaimed in amazement.

Li Yuanchang chuckled and said, "Master Qin, do you think this wine has the potential to become a sensation in the Tang Dynasty?"

"Yes, absolutely!"

"If this wine were to be produced, all the fine wines in the world would be nothing but dust!"

"All the brothels, restaurants, and inns in the Central Plains will be eager to have this!" Qin Zun exclaimed, as a merchant he knew all too well the power of this wine.

It will absolutely lead the pack by a wide margin, entering the imperial court and reaching the common people—this is no exaggeration.

Upon hearing this, the Qin family members were shocked. Was it really that exaggerated?

"Hahaha."

"That's good."

"I wonder if Mr. Qin would be interested in cooperating and making big money together?" Li Yuanchang first offered his best products, and then extended an olive branch.

Qin Zun's eyes gleamed.

"have!"

"How does Your Highness wish to cooperate?"

The two of them understood each other without saying a word.

In the Tang Dynasty, both princes and governors were officially prohibited from engaging in commerce.

However, nothing is absolute. Although they cannot engage in business directly, they can have their attendants and subordinates do business on their behalf to earn wealth.

This involves agents, or white gloves.

"It's very simple. I will provide the technology, the management, and the trademark."

"Your Qin family is responsible for processing, production, transportation, and sales, through the tea-horse trade..." Li Yuanchang spoke eloquently, showcasing his business acumen from his previous life.

Qin Zun probably understood, but the mention of trademarks left him stunned.

"I have already conducted market research, checked prices, and roughly calculated that this small bottle of distilled liquor weighs about half a jin, and the cost is about three copper coins."

Qin Zun was surprised again. What kind of wine could have such a low cost?

In the Tang Dynasty, a dou (a unit of volume) of wine cost about 130 to 140 wen (another unit of currency). One dou was equal to 12 jin (another unit of weight), which was equivalent to 24 bottles of such distilled liquor.

In other words, the cost of distilled spirits is actually half that of ordinary spirits!

When the taste and price are both superior, wouldn't it be a game-changer to sell it in a restaurant?

"I want to price it at five coins."

"The rich have plenty of money, and the poor can also afford it if they grit their teeth. Most importantly, this wine is completely different from other wines."

"Take Liangzhou as an example, an ordinary person can drink at least ten jin (5 kg) of liquor."

"But drinking ten catties of distilled liquor can kill a person instantly!"

"Moreover, this wine has many additional benefits, such as providing warmth and disinfection..."

"..."