Chapter Forty-Three: Father and Son

One fought for survival, the other for self-preservation—in any case, the outcome of this negotiation was quite satisfactory. For the first time, tariffs were openly proposed, and the prices of goods were raised by fifty percent. Inwardly, Li Kong gave himself a hearty pat on the back.

This time, the two parties ordered a total of eighty thousand jin of Hero’s Intoxication, which amounted to one hundred twenty thousand strings of copper coins. Adding fifteen thousand sets of crystal glasses—totaling sixty thousand pieces—at seventy-five coins each, that came to forty-five thousand strings. In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the net profit exceeded a hundred thousand strings. Not a bad deal at all.

“It seems I do have quite a knack for business!” Li Kong mused contentedly, rubbing his chin as he stepped out of the restaurant.

Having placed the affair entirely in Laifu’s hands, Li Kong cast aside all worries and returned home to prepare for the New Year—the first he would spend in the Great Tang. It simply had to be a lively celebration. He couldn’t help but wonder how well Cuizhu had done in gathering the holiday supplies.

Duke of England’s Residence.

In a secluded courtyard.

Li Ji and Li Yue’e sat side by side in the place of honor in the main hall. Before them stood fifteen large chests, each one brimming with copper coins.

Heaven bear witness—though a duke, Li Ji had never seen so much money in one place. His annual salary combined with the taxes collected from his fief barely amounted to a few thousand strings. Yet now, his eldest son—usually so headstrong and impetuous—had managed to amass tens of thousands of strings in just over ten days. Was this an open challenge to his father’s authority?

Moreover, word had it that Li Kong had only taken a small share; the larger portion, some one hundred thousand strings, had already been sent to Li Shimin. After taxes and funds set aside for further development, it was as though they had earned two hundred thousand strings in ten days. Was this not a feat fit for the gods?

But then Li Ji’s brow furrowed. The residence was not inhabited by Li Yue’e and Li Kong alone—there was also Lady Wang. Born to a prestigious family with assets numbering in the tens of millions, such a sum as this would hardly impress her. Yet if the nobles learned this fortune had been earned in just ten days, they’d surely go mad.

Most crucially, as the Lady of the House, Wang would never permit Li Yue’e and her courtyard to control so much wealth. Would peace in the household soon be shattered again?

Lady Wang, hailing from a great and ancient house, always looked down on Li Yue’e, the second wife of humble birth. When Li Ji had arranged for Li Yue’e to fake her death, it was partly to account for the entanglements between Shan Xiongxin and Li Shimin, but mostly to quell Wang’s jealousy.

Yet, unexpectedly, Wang’s pride and disdain remained undiminished—a fact made plain by the paltry three strings she allotted to the other courtyard each month, as though she were tossing alms to beggars.

Now, with such an enormous sum suddenly appearing in the other courtyard, Li Ji was sure Wang’s temper would flare. What would happen then, he could not say.

As for Li Yue’e, she was utterly dumbstruck. Ten days prior, Li Kong had promised to multiply her money—by several times, by tens, even by tens of thousands—but she had only laughed it off as a joke.

Just then, Li Kong strode into the hall, his voice ringing out: “Why leave the money here? Take it to the cellar in the back. Do you think we have space to spare?”

“Yes, sir!” Several servants answered at once, quickly hefting the chests away. As for the Duke himself—perhaps it was best for him to deal with his son first.

Li Kong then caught sight of Li Ji, whose face was dark as thunder, but he ignored him and walked straight to Li Yue’e.

He bore no animosity toward Li Ji, but neither did he feel any particular respect—he was only staying here for Li Yue’e’s sake. After the New Year, he intended to move out; daily squabbles with the household were the last thing he wanted.

Of course, his main aim was to leave Li Shimin with a good impression. He had no wish to repeat the disaster of half a year ago.

“Mother, how are the holiday preparations coming along?”

Li Yue’e started, then replied, “The holiday supplies? Oh, they’re nearly ready. Cuizhu is still out making purchases, but everything should be in order by the end of the day.”

Only then did she remember, and said, “Kong’er, go greet your father properly—what kind of manners are these?”

Li Kong looked at Li Ji, a faint smile on his lips. “Father, your son has returned.”

Li Ji sighed deeply at this perfunctory greeting, then stood up and said, “Kong’er, it seems we need to have a proper talk.”

Li Kong sneered, “About what? If you want to talk, let’s do it here. But first, let’s discuss my mother…”

With a cold snort, he waved for everyone to leave the hall before continuing, “You wanted my mother to enter the Duke’s residence as the principal wife, but I refused. I don’t want our household torn apart, nor do I wish to provoke a conflict with the Lady of the House—not yet, at least. But I didn’t expect you to be so indifferent, to offer not even a token gesture!”

“What do you mean?” Li Ji looked at Li Kong in puzzlement. Though he could command armies and strategize with ease, he was at a loss now.

“What do I mean? We’ve given up on the position of principal wife, but at least make her a secondary wife, yes? I should be asking you what you mean by this! And this courtyard—what is it? Not even a proper rear hall. In another family, this would be servant quarters. What do you take my mother and me for? Do you think your occasional visits here will earn my respect? Duke of England, let me tell you plainly: you’re dreaming!”

Li Ji was left utterly bewildered.

He had never really considered this matter. He’d thought Li Kong wanted him to wait for the right moment to oust Lady Wang and then give Li Yue’e her rightful status. Now it seemed he’d misunderstood entirely.

In ancient times, a man could have three wives and four concubines—a principal wife and two secondary wives. The status and treatment of a secondary wife were almost equal to those of the principal, except the household finances were controlled by the principal wife. Otherwise, their rights were nearly identical.

Li Kong no longer hoped for Li Yue’e to become the principal wife, but at the very least she should be a secondary wife. He was confident that, in time, she could prevail over Lady Wang—perhaps even make Wang submit entirely to her.

Most importantly, a child born to a secondary wife would be a legitimate son—not, as now, considered illegitimate wherever he went. Li Kong didn’t care much, but being called such a thing was still grating.

What is an illegitimate son? The phrase “illegitimate son” was synonymous with “petty villain,” “scoundrel,” and “riffraff.” Li Kong, a young man of good standing in his own time, naturally bristled at such a title.

Even if the words differed, the sound was the same!

So, his dissatisfaction with Li Ji’s neglect was intense.

After a long silence, Li Ji exhaled heavily and rose to his feet. “I understand. I’ll see to it. Before the end of the New Year, you and your mother will have the recognition you deserve.”