Chapter 10, The First Encounter in Chang'an

This fellow Fu Er just keeps talking, and he speaks so loudly, as if afraid that Wu Zhao won't hear him. In Fu Er's view, the young prince is meddling in this matter just for the sake of a pretty young girl. At the age of ten, one should understand these things. As a servant, how could one not grasp the little thoughts of the master? Moreover, the daughter of the duke and the young prince are quite well-matched in terms of status.

The man in the brocade round robe, who had been slapped to the ground, was stunned, covering his swollen face, and shouted in a fit of anger and embarrassment. Before he could finish speaking, Liu Dewei stepped forward and kicked the man in the chest, saying as he kicked:

At the moment when tensions were high on both sides, a group of armored soldiers rushed over, quickly blocking the entire West Market. The onlooking citizens were also dispersed to the sides. Approaching from the center was a middle-aged official dressed in a purple robe. Wearing purple indicated that his rank was at least third class, and he had the authority to mobilize troops to maintain order in the West Market of Chang'an. Li Yi thought for a moment and realized who the approaching official was.

I am still the son of a duke! Bring it to me! Bind her and take her back!

The soldiers captured these wicked servants one by one, including the two who had been knocked unconscious on the ground and the one standing in a daze, all of whom were taken away.

Your Highness, it is too far away; I cannot see clearly who is standing there

Fu Er had long been waiting for Li Yi's command. This was the first time he had seen someone so arrogant in front of the prince, let alone slandering the current emperor. He stepped forward, swung his large palm in a wide arc, and aimed it at the man's face.

Thirty guards in regular uniforms quickly cleared a path for Li Yi, and then they heard the man at the front, leading the fierce servants dressed in brocade robes, arrogantly say

Li Yi had already secured a shop in the lumber furniture store in the West Market, and today it opened alongside the Tian Shang Ren Jian. Naturally, compared to the bustling popularity of Tian Shang Ren Jian, the furniture store selling tables and chairs was relatively less crowded. Many people were looking, but few were spending money. After all, it takes time for people to accept new things that have just emerged. Moreover, many people are accustomed to sitting on the ground, either kneeling or cross-legged. The new tables and chairs sold by Li Yi are designed for comfortable sitting with feet hanging down, which is certainly more comfortable in comparison.

The little girl Wu Zetian was still thinking about inviting Li Yi in for a cup of tea to express her gratitude, but she saw that Li Yi's figure was already retreating continuously

At that moment, the crowd of Chang'an gathered around the furniture store began to walk towards the other side. In the area visible to Li Yi, a large group of people was gathered, and Li Yi looked over from the second floor

Who dares to provoke trouble in Chang'an

The administrative institution established by Li Yuan in the capital was the Yongzhou Prefecture, with a highly qualified prince serving as the governor of Yongzhou. Li Shimin once held this position as the governor of Yongzhou, and the current governor is Li Tai, the fourth brother of Li Yi. However, it is certainly not the case that a prince would concern himself with such trivial matters as public security; he merely holds the title of governor of Yongzhou. The actual governance of Yongzhou affairs is managed by the Prefectural Chancellor, also known as the Deputy Prefect. At this time, the Deputy Prefect of Yongzhou was Liu Dewei. However, it is certainly not the case that a prince would concern himself with such trivial matters as public security; he merely holds the title of governor of Yongzhou. The actual governance of Yongzhou affairs is managed by the Prefectural Chancellor, also known as the Deputy Prefect. At this time, the Deputy Prefect of Yongzhou was Liu Dewei.

The man dressed in brocade spoke loudly, and upon hearing this, the wicked servants immediately rushed forward with fierce expressions. The little girl, with a trembling hand holding a knife, still wore a stubborn look on her face. Just as a tragic scene of ruthless plunder was about to unfold, a slightly immature voice of a boy was heard.

Li Yi looked at the scene before him and asked towards the side

The Listening Book Pavilion is truly remarkable, and as for the title "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" and the mention of the "Dragon-Slaying Saber" within it, the term "Dragon-Slaying" is not something that cannot be discussed.

Li Yi's current rented place has essentially become a furniture research institute combined with a furniture workshop. The first batch of furniture is set to be sold to the noble families of the Tang Dynasty. With the connections of Cheng Chuliang and Li Hui, there is no need to worry about sales channels. Naturally, the materials used for the furniture sold to the noble families cannot be too shabby; they are primarily made of Huanghuali wood, which is quite expensive. Although it cannot compare to the golden-grade Jin Si Nan ebony, it is still not far behind. After all, with the connections of Cheng Chuliang and Li Hui, there is no need to worry about sales channels. Naturally, the materials used for the furniture sold to the noble families cannot be too shabby; they are primarily made of Huanghuali wood, which is quite expensive. Although it cannot compare to the golden-grade Jin Si Nan ebony, it is still not far behind.

Li Yi seemed to envision a multitude of copper coins and gold being thrown at him. With so much money, he certainly could not hide it all; where would he store it when the time came? The moment Li Yi contemplated this issue, he felt a bit of a headache and unconsciously furrowed his brow

However, Team Leader Liu, who was watching from the side, was sweating profusely. It was one thing for a servant to have his hands chopped off, but it was crucial that no one lost their life. Chang'an City had been peaceful for many years, and if a death were to occur right under his nose, would he still be able to keep his position as a minor official?

The brothers who once loomed over me like towering mountains, in the eyes of this young prince, are hardly even comparable to ants. In the tender heart of Wu Zhao, a small seed was quietly sown.

The little girl holding the knife shouted loudly; although her voice was delicate, the wicked servants did not dare to approach for a moment.

With a single "bang," the man fell down as he turned the corner, several teeth flying out, his face smeared with mucus, tears, saliva, and red blood.

The group of people nearby were all taken aback; they had seen those worried about having too little money, but had never encountered anyone concerned about having too much.

Brother, let us not continue to argue with this little girl here; let us just tie her up and take her away to spare her the embarrassment of being here

Just one hour after opening, it was already overcrowded, with the queue for entry reaching over a hundred numbers, and it was uncertain whether anyone could get in before the curfew.

Is this the royal way? Truly stands out with distinction

"No worries, with the Golden Guard here, who dares to touch me?"

It refers to things that are profound and difficult to learn but lack practicality. Moreover, emperors often regard themselves as the Son of Heaven; even if you were to slay a dragon, the emperor would not care, and might even summon you. For instance, in "Journey to the West" written by Wu Cheng'en during the Ming Dynasty, how many dragons were actually killed? Only the little white dragon, the White Dragon Horse, managed to have a good ending, right? At that time, the Ming Dynasty emperor did not execute Wu Cheng'en, nor did he ban "Journey to the West"; in fact, this book was widely circulated during the Ming Dynasty, and even the imperial palace was reading it.

Cousin!" The man dressed in a brocade round robe shouted at the wicked servant beside him: "Go! Beat them to death!"

However, the stick was merely swung without being able to strike down. A gust of whistling wind accompanied the motion, and the wicked servant's hands, gripping the stick, were sent flying out along with it. The splattered blood covered the face of the man in the brocade robe behind him. Li Yi had already had Fu Er standing in front of him, and not a single drop of blood touched Li Yi.

Without needing Li Yi to say much, the regular guards of the Jinwu Wei drew their swords one by one, swiftly subduing the evil servants wielding sticks. Some in the crowd cheered, as witnessing the scene of hands being chopped off on the spot was indeed quite thrilling

Li Yi sighed and said, after all, he was currently living with his mother in the Yuan Zhen Hall and did not yet have his own treasury for storing gold and silver

Alright, alright, why do you need so many tables and chairs? If you buy too many, you won't have anywhere to put them. I am not actually regretful or sad about no one buying tables and chairs; I just think about how to deal with having too much money in the future and nowhere to put it.

The current advancing evil servant tightened his grip on the thick club in his hand, swinging it down towards Li Yi's head, and this blow was truly aimed to kill.

The little prince's father is, of course, the current emperor. How dare one say that the current emperor is a merchant? Is that not boldness?

This individual is also considered a notable figure, having left a name in historical records. His father was Liu Zijiang, the governor of Piling County during the Sui Dynasty. At the end of the Sui Dynasty, Liu Dewei accompanied Pei Renji in suppressing the Jianghuai rebel army. Later, he, along with Pei Renji, submitted to Li Mi and was ordered to defend Huaizhou. In the first year of Wude, when Li Mi was defeated in battle against Wang Shichong, Liu Dewei led his troops to surrender to the Tang Dynasty alongside Li Mi, and was appointed as the Left Martial General, being granted the title of Duke of Teng County. Subsequently, Liu Dewei served as the Sima of the Bingzhou Governor's Office, was captured by Liu Wuzhou, but soon escaped and reported the enemy's strengths and weaknesses to Emperor Gaozu. He was then re-granted the title of Duke of Pengcheng and appointed as the Deputy Minister of Justice. In the fourth year of Wude, Liu Dewei accompanied Prince Qin, Li Shimin, in pacifying Luoyang, and was promoted to Deputy Minister of Justice, additionally being appointed as a Cavalry Attendant, and married the Princess of Pingshou County.

The man in the brocade robe was speaking, unaware that Liu Dewei, with a dark expression, charged in like a gust of wind. With a powerful slap, he struck the man in the brocade robe squarely on the face. The poor man was caught completely off guard and was directly hit. Liu Dewei had also been in the military during his youth; although he was older now and his imposing presence was not what it once was, he put all his strength into that slap. In an instant, the man in the brocade robe was knocked down, no better off than his brother.

Without his command, those wicked servants had already rushed towards Li Yi. With so many people on our side, and our young master knocked unconscious by a slap, we must take back this situation. The fiercest and most ruthless among us will surely be rewarded. As for the subsequent handling of the matter, what is there to be troubled about? Even if that kid is killed right here on Chang'an Street, what of it? The son of a Hu merchant is dead; at most, we will just pay some money to settle it!

Standing on the second floor with Li Yi, Fu Er observed the opening situation of the furniture store. Seeing the young prince frowning there, he mistakenly thought that the young prince was feeling distressed because his store was not attracting any customers, and thus spoke to comfort him

As a result, Li Yi raised his hand and gave a slap

Is there anyone who dares to stand in the way of the Five Cities General's Office?

Li Yi clapped his hands and walked downstairs

Is there a shop in this world that sells something for one wen? You three are simply framing my mother! It has barely been a month since my father passed away, and this is how you behave? Aren't you afraid that my father's spirit in heaven will be disappointed in you?

In ancient times, the term "slaying dragons" was not considered taboo. "Slaying dragons" originates from the text "Zhuangzi: Lie Yukou"

Your Highness, if you do not mind my humble abode

The man beside him said impatiently, waving his hand to signal the guards nearby to remove the little girl who was blocking the way

In an instant, the surrounding Imperial Guards began to express their loyalty in a flurry of voices, even Gao Bao mentioned wanting to purchase twenty sets. Li Yi truly could not fathom why Gao Bao would need to buy so many tables and chairs, and whether they could even be brought into the palace

Bold! Your brother, even if he were a duke or a prince, would not dare to associate with you this time. Arrest them all and confine them in the prison, to be interrogated by the Dali Temple! Do you know who this is? This is His Royal Highness, Prince Zhou

Only Wu Yuanshuang, Wu Zhao, and a few servants who were close by heard what he said, while the common people who were kept outside did not hear it

Li Yi did not directly ask her name, for in this era, it is inappropriate to inquire about a girl's name. A young woman's given name can only be called by family, while her nickname can only be used by her husband. As for how outsiders address women, it is either "madam," "young lady," or by their family name. Otherwise, it would be a reckless act that violates the principles of propriety. Therefore, it is acceptable to directly ask about her father's name.

Li Yi was thinking of leaving quickly when Fu Er approached, raising his eyebrows and saying: "Your Highness, to prevent any ill-intentioned individuals from harming the young lady of the Wu family again, should I send some brothers to secretly protect her?"

Liu Dewei is currently busy interrogating those who have been captured, leaving him with little time to accompany Li Yi. He has only left some personnel to ensure Li Yi's safety, and then took the remaining individuals away in a hurry, leaving behind a few unsavory characters to clean up the bloodstains.

Li Yi's question made Fu Er break out in a cold sweat. The way he put it, when the prince, Cheng Chuliang, and Li Hui were fighting and smashing the tavern, weren't the soldiers of the Wucheng Military Division also just waiting outside the tavern for you to finish? Of course, this is something that cannot be said.

The man who spoke earlier said again

Isn't it just herding the people on behalf of Heaven?

The surrounding common people saw dozens of strong men making things difficult for a young woman, and they were all filled with righteous indignation, their faces full of anger. However, the opposing side was numerous and powerful, and they held esteemed positions. Did they not see that Captain Liu of the Wucheng Military Command was being blocked outside, looking utterly defeated? At this moment, who would dare to step forward?

Ah, so she is the daughter of the Duke of Ying... Lee Yi's original smile suddenly froze.

A new restaurant named "Heaven on Earth" has opened in the West Market of Chang'an. Those who have dined there say that the dishes are true to their name, and can only be appreciated but not adequately described.

Liu Biejia! You have finally arrived! It is these thieves! They actually dared to wield knives and injure people in the West Market of Chang'an! That kid, he is just the son of a Hu merchant, a lowly herder from the grasslands, yet he has the audacity to act so recklessly, and he even had my cousin beaten! Poor my cousin...

"Erniang, this shop has already been sold to us by Aunt. If you do not leave now, do not blame us for disregarding our sibling bond!"

Your Highness, these fellows do not realize how extraordinary your furniture is; they are ignorant and blind. Your Highness, do not let these individuals provoke you. We, your brothers, are well aware of your great talents. Without a doubt, I will order five sets of this furniture, no, I will order ten sets!

Li Yi saw that the matter was resolved satisfactorily, which also led his subordinates, the Jinwu Guards, to sheathe their weapons. He exchanged a few pleasantries with Liu Dewei, expressing gratitude for his assistance. As for his own identity, it was understood among them without needing to be stated. The issue of selling the shop for a mere one wen was, of course, unreasonable; coercive buying and selling were unacceptable, even for the sons of nobility. Liu Dewei immediately stated that he would arrange for it to be annulled. In this society where personal rule prevails over the rule of law, the Deputy of Yongzhou indeed possesses such authority.

The family name is Wu, and the courtesy name is Xinming. He comes from the distinguished Wu family of Bingzhou and holds the title of Duke of Yingguo. Your Highness, the King of Zhou, may simply refer to this humble girl as Wu.

The man in the brocade robe was momentarily taken aback, and upon glancing at the man standing beside him, who appeared to be a servant, he noticed Gao Bao's anxious and fearful expression, which gave him a sense of understanding.

The man dressed in a brocade round robe was indeed cautious; he did not see Li Yi jumping out and uttering any provocative words. After all, in Chang'an, one could hit a noble scion just by throwing a stone, so it is better to be careful.

Li Yi quickened his pace while speaking, yet he did not notice that behind him, Wu Zhao was watching him and muttering to herself about the prince's display.

Indeed! Your Highness, I will also order five sets!

After Li Yi finished speaking, the members of the Jinwu Guard straightened their backs, each one demonstrating their loyalty as if they were willing to go through fire and water. Gao Bao, seeing that he could not persuade His Highness the Prince, had no choice but to let him have his way.

In terms of pricing, Li Yi has set it quite high, primarily because if a restaurant does not target the high-end market, it would merely be earning a meager income. Engaging in so many gimmicks without making a decent profit would be self-defeating. Of course, Li Yi does not wish to compete with low-end restaurants for market share, as they also need to make a living and there is no need to compete with the common people for their meals

Hmph! It is clearly written in black and white, your store is worth only a penny

to slap one's mouth

The people nearby began to discuss loudly, and the majority were in favor of the young girl. After all, a shop in Chang'an had sold for just one wen, and very few believed that it was a matter of mutual consent.

He has no interest in watching others eat, and as for listening to books, he is not very interested either. Although he is the behind-the-scenes boss of the Tian Shang Ren Jian, have you ever heard of a behind-the-scenes boss who sits in his own establishment every day to observe the business?

As long as tables and chairs are popularized among noble families, allowing the upper-class aristocrats to become accustomed to sitting with their feet dangling, the common people will naturally follow suit

The man leading on the side was completely stunned by this scene, wondering what was happening. Liu Dewei was putting in so much effort for the son of a Hu merchant?

Team Leader Liu was rendered speechless upon hearing the man's shouts. Just a moment ago, he had instructed his subordinates to block him and pretend not to see him. Now that misfortune had befallen him, why was he the one being noticed?

Li Yi merely took a glance, made a round, reminded everyone to pay attention to safety, and then left

Captain Liu had one hand resting on the handle of his knife, speaking sternly to the household servant blocking his way. It was evident that the personnel from the Wucheng Military Command had been obstructed by these individuals.

I will see who dares! I am the daughter of a duke

Three men dressed in brocade stood at the entrance of a shop, surrounded by dozens of fierce-looking servants who blocked the entrance completely. The common people were kept outside, watching and pointing. Among the crowd, Li Yi even spotted Liu Duizheng from the Wucheng Military Command, with whom he had dealings before; it was he who came to handle the situation after the tavern was smashed.

However, the wicked servants beside them cast a glance at the common people behind, and in an instant, no one dared to discuss it any further

Your Highness, I will order twenty sets

"Alas? Your Highness, it is not permissible. There are so many people there, and you are the son of a noble family; you cannot go into such a crowd." Gao Bao observed Li Yi attempting to push into the throng, not to mention the dozens of fierce and menacing individuals present. After the previous altercation with Cheng Chuliang and Li Hui, his heart could hardly bear it. Even if Li Yi were to injure his little finger, Lady Zhaoyuan would demand his life. Not to mention the dozens of fierce and menacing individuals present, after the previous altercation with Cheng Chuliang and Li Hui, his heart could hardly bear it. Even if Li Yi were to injure his little finger, Lady Zhaoyuan would demand his life.

May I inquire which household the young gentleman hails from? What is the occupation of his family?

The so-called "top-down influence" means that once it becomes popular among the nobility, it will soon spread to the common people. Of course, the tables, chairs, and furniture sold to the commoners must be made from cheap materials. With so many households in Chang'an, even if only one-tenth of them purchase their own tables and chairs, not to mention the merchants, the profits made would be far greater than robbing a bank

After Liu Dewei finished kicking, he gasped for breath and said. Liu Dewei was truly feeling dizzy; the son of the Hu merchant mentioned by Wu Yuanshuang was none other than the ninth son of the current sage emperor, His Royal Highness Prince Zhou. You dare to slander the emperor and even attack His Royal Highness? Of course, the identity of His Royal Highness Prince Zhou could not be exposed in public court; if any danger were to arise, Liu Dewei's own head would be at stake.

Xiao Wang has urgent matters to attend to, so I must take my leave. I apologize for the interruption

Zhu Pingman studied dragon-slaying in Zhili Yi, a family of great wealth. After three years, his skills were perfected, yet he found no opportunity to apply his talents

The man became increasingly animated in his speech, yet he failed to notice the several strong men who had quietly gathered nearby

Li Yi was also taken aback. He had originally thought that Liu Dewei probably did not recognize him and was planning to present the waist token given to him by Li Shimin to prove his identity before watching the show. Unexpectedly, Liu Dewei had such keen eyesight; it was clear that he recognized him. Therefore, there would be no further involvement for Li Yi. The mere phrase "son of a Hu merchant" was sufficient to condemn them. How could someone like Li Shimin, a man of extraordinary talent, possibly be the son of a Hu merchant?

Inspector of Yongzhou, Liu Dewei

This humble young lady has met the prince and expresses her gratitude for the prince's assistance

The Wu family, Wu Shihua, the Duke of Yingguo, and the second daughter, who is the second girl in the ranking...! ... Wu Zetian? ! The Li Tang royal family was nearly exterminated, and among those who survived in their youth, they were also exiled to the man-eating, bone-spitting super tyrannosaurus in Lingnan? !

What is there to protect? The one who needs protection is me, alright! Hurry up, hurry up...

"Bold!" Gao Bao reprimanded sternly

Then come closer to take a good look

At that moment, the resolute young woman who had previously stood at the door with a knife approached Li Yi, her face pale, and bowed respectfully.

I see that you are the bold ones! This is Chang'an! It is not your grassland! Even in your grassland, I could easily crush you!

I thought it was someone of significance, but it turns out to be the child of a Hu merchant, dressed in our Han clothing, and so extravagantly as well. Hasn't your Hu merchant father taught you to keep your head down and behave modestly in the Central Plains

Although Li Yi is only 10 years old, he is dressed in Shu brocade, embroidered with patterns of cloud-soaring bats. He wears a rhinoceros horn belt around his waist, adorned with a white jade pendant. The collar and cuffs of his long robe are trimmed with silver-threaded flowing cloud patterns. His hair is tied up with a small silver crown inlaid with jade. With this attire, wherever he stands, he shines with golden brilliance, as if the four characters "Noble and Distinguished Offspring" were written on his face.

And wait, sell me this shop!

The man in the brocade robe turned a bit pale, clearly having never encountered such a situation before. He pointed his finger at the Jinwu Guards holding swords and tremblingly said: "This is Chang'an of the Great Tang, beneath the feet of the Son of Heaven. Do you dare to wield blades and harm people in the streets? Are you seeking death? Captain Liu, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and apprehend them!"

Previously, he was too far away to see clearly, but this time Li Yi thoroughly observed the appearance of the little girl in front of him. Her demeanor exuded a certain indescribable charm amidst her dignified appearance, and this was still her undeveloped form

Li Yi suddenly felt a chill all over his body, as if he had fallen into an ice cellar. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. My goodness, what a joke is this! If this gets linked to the renowned Wu Zetian, will there be any peace at home?

Although the restaurant offers substantial returns, the costs are also significant. As far as Li Yi knows, Cheng Chuliang and Li Hui have invested a considerable amount of money, nearly half of which is borrowed. They have faced quite a bit of trouble because of this, but it doesn't matter. Given the current momentum, the restaurant's operations will definitely yield considerable income. Most importantly, the promotion of the tables and chairs from Tian Shang Ren Jian has certainly been effective. Li Yi's purpose in visiting Tian Shang Ren Jian this time was to observe the opening situation and to gauge the reactions of the people of the Tang Dynasty towards the tables and chairs he had created. The results were evident; everyone found these tables and chairs quite novel and appealing. In fact, several customers even inquired about where these pieces of furniture were made.

Fu Er bowed and said

In front of him, a girl of about twelve or thirteen years old was standing at the entrance of the shop, dressed in a beige ru skirt. Her black hair was tied up with a few beige hairbands, and her almond-shaped eyes were wide open. She held a knife in her hand, which was precisely why those strong and burly henchmen did not dare to rush forward

Goodness, as soon as I arrived, I saw a pair of hands on the ground, blood flowing everywhere, and a person lying on the ground wailing incessantly. The key point was that a large crowd of onlookers had gathered. Dispersing the surrounding crowd, I noticed that among them, thirty individuals were protecting a ten-year-old boy standing in the center, each wielding a knife, while dozens of others outside surrounded them with sticks. Liu Dewei's face darkened immediately, and he appeared to be in a very bad mood. I saw that among the crowd, thirty individuals were protecting a ten-year-old boy standing in the center, each wielding a knife, while dozens of others outside surrounded them with sticks. Liu Dewei's face darkened immediately, and he appeared to be in a very bad mood.

Liu Biejia? Are you planning to rebel! Are you colluding with the Hu merchants to run amok? My brother has inherited the title of the Ying state... Woe!

The young girl spoke sternly to the three men in front of her

Li Yi felt a great sense of joy in his heart, not expecting his luck to be so good. During his first attempt at showing off in the Tang Dynasty, he encountered an undeveloped light beauty. Following this pattern, all he needed to do was to casually shake things up, disperse some of his aura, and it would be easy to take a light beauty as his concubine. Moreover, this matter would be considered a beautiful event no matter where it was placed: a young talent meeting a graceful lady in Chang'an for the first time, playfully teasing a charming and elegant woman.

No need for formalities, no need for formalities. Young Wang is merely helping those in distress when he sees injustice. May I ask the honorable surname and full name of the young lady's father

As long as the development follows a systematic approach, introducing a band in the later stages to further enhance the quality, and maintaining and perfecting the membership system, it can remain undefeated in the Tang Dynasty for at least a few years. If further development is desired, it would involve opening branch stores. Of course, Li Yi does not have the time to personally handle these matters. After discussing the development process and key considerations with Manager He, Li Yi confidently entrusted the restaurant's affairs to him, content to wait for the profits to arrive each month.

I? My family is considered to be engaged in herding" Li Yi said with a smile

Liu Dewei was originally enjoying his time at the government office, having lunch and sipping some tea to aid digestion. Suddenly, someone reported that about 100 people were fighting with weapons in the West Market. This was unacceptable, so he immediately gathered some people to see who had the audacity to do such a thing