Chapter Forty-One: Li Shimin in Awe

“Greetings, Your Majesty, Your Grace...”

Li Kong was utterly stunned as he entered. What was happening here? A family gathering?

But... why were there so many people? And most of them were strangers to Li Kong. For instance, the dozen or so imperial consorts seated over there—aside from Empress Zhangsun, Consort Yang, and Consort Ling, who had assisted in the last childbirth, he couldn't recognize any others.

And as for those princes and princesses—couldn’t they introduce themselves before he greeted them? Otherwise, how was he supposed to pay his respects properly?

Fortunately, Li Shimin was aware of this predicament. Before Li Kong could finish speaking, the emperor waved his hand with a stern face and said, “You little rascal, the New Year is almost here! Instead of preparing provisions at home, what are you doing running to me?”

Li Kong was bewildered, looking up at Li Shimin. But when his gaze fell on Li Lizhi, sitting beside the emperor with bright, adoring eyes fixed on him, the realization dawned. He muttered inwardly: “That doting father... how exasperating, that hopeless doting father...”

Still, he cupped his hands and said, “Your Majesty, I’ve come today to deliver your share of the profits... After deducting the costs, labor, and taxes, I’m bringing you one hundred thousand strings of cash. But seeing how you don’t seem to care much, shall I have my men take the money back for reinvestment?”

With those words, silence fell over the entire Hall of Sweet Dew.

How much? A hundred thousand?

Li Shimin was thrilled, Empress Zhangsun was dumbstruck, and all the other princes, princesses, and consorts were left speechless.

They all knew that the entire imperial household’s annual expenses scarcely exceeded twenty thousand strings of cash—a figure already trimmed to the bone by the Ministry of Revenue. Even twenty thousand, though it sounded like much, had to cover a household of nearly a hundred people just among the imperial family, not to mention the countless palace maids and attendants—altogether, no fewer than a thousand souls. On average, each person’s annual expense was less than two strings of cash.

Otherwise, as members of the royal family, they wouldn't be so reluctant to add even a single garment to their wardrobes. If not for the occasional tributes, they might have ended up no better than beggars.

Now, to suddenly hear that Li Kong had brought a hundred thousand strings— even these people, accustomed to storms and tempests, were utterly shaken. Perhaps no word but “utterly shocked” could suffice.

Seeing Li Kong about to leave, Li Shimin slammed his palm on the table and stood up, his eyes fixed intently on the young man as he demanded, “What exactly is going on? Explain everything clearly, or don’t blame me for kicking you out!”

Li Kong finally turned back, satisfied, and said with a smile, “Since Hero’s Drunken Elixir began selling ten days ago, it has brought in profits of one hundred and eleven thousand three hundred and fifty strings in ten days. The glass goblets, sold as a bundle, have made one hundred thousand and three hundred seventy. After ten percent in business tax—twenty-one thousand strings—the remainder was split forty-sixty. I took eighty thousand strings, and the remaining hundred thousand have all been delivered to you. Of course, I kept the small change for reinvestment and expansion of the workshop!”

Li Shimin was stunned again.

Just ten days, and already more than two hundred thousand in pure profit—was this daylight robbery? Even robbery couldn’t bring in money this fast!

But then his brow furrowed. “Isn’t a ten percent business tax a little steep?”

Li Kong paused, then understood. Li Shimin wasn’t concerned about getting less money, but rather that business taxes were essentially nonexistent at this time. Even city gate taxes were collected as a mere formality—this tradition had persisted since Liu Bang of the Han dynasty. By Emperor Wu’s time, as Confucianism became dominant, it was further entrenched: the scholar-gentry rose to the top and paid no taxes, while almost all major merchants were controlled by these elite families. A ten percent tax would drive them mad.

Li Shimin understood Li Kong’s intentions, but the approach was too extreme.

Li Kong shook his head. “After the New Year, I’ll submit a detailed memorial on this to Your Majesty, and you’ll understand. Besides, none of this can proceed for a few years at least. Still, I must be prepared—better that than to leave room for criticism later.”

Li Shimin nodded slightly. “Very well, I’ll leave this matter to you. Send the money straight to the inner treasury. Stay and have a meal with us.”

Though he was displeased that Li Kong had charmed away his beloved daughter, Li Shimin had to admit that this young man, raised in the Prince of Qin’s household, possessed rare talent. With Li Lizhi at his side, she would never want for anything.

Yet, to his surprise, Li Kong declined his invitation.

“Your Majesty, I’ll have to pass on the meal today. I’m meeting two other people shortly, and if all goes well, not only will our future profits multiply, but we’ll also be able to undermine our enemies to the greatest extent.”

Li Shimin regarded Li Kong in puzzlement for a long time before nodding. “Very well. Go on, then.”

Li Kong left, but the imperial family had lost all appetite for their meal.

A hundred thousand strings—and not from the state treasury, but their own household’s coffers. This sum alone would cover five years of their expenses, and it had come from just ten days’ work! Did this mean their household was destined to become the richest in all of Great Tang?

Li Tai, Li Ke, Li You, and Li Yin—the four young princes—were already daydreaming about how much of the money their father would allocate to them, and how many times they could show off in front of others. Just imagining the future, when those usual wastrels who flaunted their riches before them would have to look on in envy, was enough to make them feel elated.

The imperial consorts and princesses, on the other hand, began calculating how many new garments they could acquire with such a windfall—only the finest, of course, for what if someone else outshone them?

The consorts, especially, eyed their sisters with suspicion, each determined to outdo the others and win more of Li Shimin’s favor.

But one person was an exception: Li Lizhi. As the emperor’s cherished daughter, she had little concept of money’s value. Besides, knowing her husband was Li Kong, and that they would share in the hundred thousand strings, she realized that nearly all of Li Kong’s eighty thousand strings would be hers as well. Just thinking about it filled her with delight.

Li Shimin had deeper concerns. The Taiji Palace was in disrepair, and he had long planned to build a new imperial residence. The lack of funds had always delayed the project, but with such immense profits from Li Kong, it was time to move the plan forward.

He resolved to instruct the Ministry of Works to find a suitable site after the New Year. As for labor, the one hundred thousand able-bodied men promised by the Turks had all arrived, now scattered and overseen throughout Guanzhong. They would be put to use when construction began.

...

While Li Shimin’s family was still reeling and making plans for the coming year, at the Fortune Heaven Tavern, Li Kong was already meeting with the two guests he had arranged to see!