Chapter 10, Preparing for the Grand Banquet

Fang Yiai, upon meeting Li Chongyi, readily agreed and did not cease his speech: "Brothers, do not be idle; return and invite your elders and old friends to prepare for the banquet. I have decided to hold the feast on the evening of the 23rd day of the twelfth month. As the year-end approaches, various official offices are preparing for closure, so there will be little official business. I expect many will attend, so each of you should send some servants to the Prince's residence to assist, to avoid any chaos when the time comes"

Upon hearing this, Li Chongyi's eyes lit up, yet he did not notice that Li Xiaogong's eyes were also shining brightly. However, Fang Yiai did not pay attention to this; otherwise, he might have prepared for the bankruptcy of the restaurant.

A trace of emotion flashed in Li Xiaogong's eyes, yet he still resolutely said: "Your Majesty, the rites must not be neglected; I shall continue to address Your Majesty as such."

"Your Highness, I have no personal objections to hosting it at my home, but what about my father?"

Fang Yiao observed that the quality was quite good. With just over a month left until the banquet, he had no choice but to expand the workshop and increase production, lest there be no wine to drink on that day, which would surely be a source of embarrassment.

Fang Yiai, upon hearing this, finally raised his head to scrutinize the prince, who had achieved remarkable feats within the royal family. Although Li Xiaogong wore a smile and appeared somewhat plump, one could still discern the vigor of his past from his resolute gaze. After observing him, Fang Yiai directly stated, "The prince summoned me, saying that the banquet cannot be held at the royal residence"

A hearty laughter came from the hall: "Dear nephew, you are too kind, please take a seat quickly"

Li Xiaogong burst into laughter upon hearing this: "You rascal, how could Xuanling have a son like you?" However, there was not a trace of annoyance in his words

Beside him, Li Chong from m.hetushu.com kept swallowing saliva and finally interjected, "Father, can I have a taste?"

Li Xiaogong in the audience felt a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes: "Your Majesty, there is no need for such formality; there is an abundance of fine wine available."

Brother Chongyi, the key to this idea rests upon you

Alright, dear nephew, I shall not keep you any longer, as I have important matters to attend to

Good wine, my dear nephew, I am not boasting. I have basically tasted all the fine wines in this world. I would like to see what particular merits your good wine possesses

Hearing this, Li Shimin was also taken aback: "I have been marching and fighting for many years, yet I have never tasted such fine wine. Is this wine abundant?"

Li Chongyi shook his head and said, "Jun Ge, stop keeping us in suspense. I know you must have an idea, so hurry up and share it with everyone."

Li Chongyi pointed at himself with disbelief on his face: "Jun Ge, are you joking?"

Fang Yiai looked puzzled and said, "I kindly ask the prince to clarify."

Fang Yiai, indifferent to the resplendent grandeur of the royal palace, made a beeline for the main hall. Upon entering the hall, Fang Yiai suppressed his eager emotions and bowed in greeting to a middle-aged man present in the hall

Li Xiaogong followed Li Shimin's tone: "Although I have not known Jun Ge for long, I believe that with Xuanling's upbringing, Jun Ge would certainly not disclose this matter to Xuanling."

There were too many people who came. After saying this, Li Xiaogong fell silent.

Li Chongyi looked at Li Xiaogong with excitement: "Father, do you really have a solution now"

Su Peisheng, divide this jar of wine into several portions and send them to General Cheng, General Yuchi, General Li Ji, and the physician.

Li Xiaogong waved his hand and said, "Since you have agreed with the library, I will take care of your father's issue."

Xiaogong, in private, there is no need for us to address each other as sovereign and subject; you are still my cousin.

Before Fang Yiai could stop, Li Chongyi hurriedly came to find him, stating that the Prince of Hejian did not agree to hold the banquet at the prince's residence. With no other choice, Fang Yiai had to follow Li Chongyi straight to the Prince of Hejian's residence

Fang Yiai finally ceased his playful teasing of his brothers: "I am preparing to host a banquet, inviting all the esteemed officials and dignitaries. If they approve, our tavern's reputation will surely spread. However, my family's residence is too small, and I fear it may disturb my father's tranquility. Therefore, I intend to hold this banquet at Chongyi's home."

However, Li Chongyi beside him murmured softly, "It is better if more people come; that would make it lively."

On me ?

Li Xiaogong took a sip of hot tea, lifted the lid, gently blew on it, and took a delicate sip. Then, in a leisurely manner, he spoke: "Noble nephew, do you not know that I am also willing to help you?"

Fang Yiai hurriedly returned to the Fang residence to prepare the details for the banquet he planned to host at his own estate. Since Li Xiaogong had agreed, he surely would be able to accomplish it

Fang Yiai opened his mouth, feeling a wave of dizziness: he had organized a banquet, and Li Shimin had actually issued an edict to Fang Xuanling. Heaven, could you not play tricks on me?

Fang Yiao shook his head, and this time it was unbearable for the eager-to-get-rich Fang Mu: "Jun Ge, please hurry and speak. Is it possible that Chongyi won't help you?"

Fang Yiai spoke up to interrupt his brothers' fantasies: "Brothers, while our dishes are indeed excellent, it is essential that someone knows about them."

The wise nephew is often confused by those in power, while the bystander sees clearly. Why can this banquet not be held at your home

The mansion, secret chamber

He - Picture - Book Li Xiaogong looked at the excited Li Shimin on stage and couldn't help but feel a bit pained. Is this still the same sage ruler?

Upon hearing Fang Yiai's statement, Li Chongyi, who has always enjoyed lively gatherings, could not miss this opportunity. Fearing that Fang Yiai might change his mind, he quickly spoke up: "Jun Ge, let's do it this way. My father has always liked lively events, so I will take care of this matter."

Fang Yiai showed no reaction, merely instructing Dongmei to hand him a small bottle. Fang Yiai uncorked the bottle and took a deep sniff, a wave of fragrance wafting towards him. A look of satisfaction appeared on Fang Yiai's face; this was another powerful weapon he had prepared—his special liquor. This was not an ordinary drink; it was a strong spirit with an alcohol content of several dozen degrees, superior even to the finest Dali peach liquor of ancient times. In the eyes of the Tang people, only amber-colored liquor was considered top quality. However, due to technological limitations, such liquor was quite rare. Yet, for Fang Yiai, none of this posed a problem. This was not an ordinary drink; it was a strong spirit with an alcohol content of several dozen degrees, superior even to the finest Dali peach liquor of ancient times. In the eyes of the Tang people, only amber-colored liquor was considered top quality. However, due to technological limitations, such liquor was quite rare. Yet, for Fang Yiai, none of this posed a problem.

Li Chongyi stared at his father with a face full of resentment. Fang Yiai could no longer bear Li Chongyi's gaze: "Brother Chongyi, do not worry. From now on, this wine will be exclusively sold in our restaurant, and you can drink as much as you want."

Li Xiaogong glared at Li Chongyi with fierce eyes: "You little brat, you haven't even grown all your hair yet, what are you drinking alcohol for"

Li Xiaogong, feeling helpless, had no choice but to recount the entire story to Li Shimin. After hearing it, Li Shimin laughed heartily and said, "This is yet another scheme concocted by the Fang family of Xuanling. I bet Xuanling is still unaware of it"

Fang Yiai instructed two servants to fetch two jars of wine from the carriage. Li Xiaogong broke the seal with a single slap, and immediately a wave of fragrant aroma wafted out. Li Xiaogong took a large gulp directly, only to be caught off guard and choked, his cheeks turning red. Unable to contain his laughter, Li Xiaogong said: "Esteemed nephew, this truly is fine wine; I haven't had such strong liquor in all these years, not even with *Tu* *Shu*"

Upon hearing this, Li Chongyi immediately objected: "Jun Ge, if the banquet is not held at my house, won't it be canceled? What should we do about this?"

Xiao Gong, what is going on? Please explain in detail

The subordinates below did not dare to breathe, and Fang Yiai went to see Fang Xuanling with a bewildered expression, not knowing what had happened

What Fang Yiai said is not without reason. If we are to discuss the size and luxury of the residences, the royal palace of the Prince of Hejian among this group of brothers is undoubtedly the finest. In his early years, Li Xiaogong made significant contributions to the unification of the Li Tang dynasty, defeating Xiao Xian and conquering the entire southern region. Li Shimin has always treated this royal family member generously, and this prince has always been fond of wealth, yet Li Shimin has never cared about it.

Li Xiaogong couldn't help but smile wryly and nodded his head

Fang Xuanling returned to the Fang residence from the court, his face filled with anger. As soon as he entered the main hall, he bellowed, "Where is the second young master? Have him come to see me"

Fang Xuanling looked at Fang Yiai, who stood below with an honest expression, and finally could not help but say: "You truly have some skill; even organizing a banquet requires His Majesty to speak on your behalf. You must be planning something big."

In the Tai Chi Palace, in the Hall of Containing the Origin, Li Xiaogong presented a jar of fine wine to the esteemed Emperor Li Shimin, saying: "Your Majesty, this is a jar of excellent wine that I have obtained, specially presented for Your Majesty to taste"

Fang Yiai smiled as he stared at Li Chongyi, who looked completely bewildered: "Jun Ge, why are you staring at me? Is there something on my face?"

Fang Yiai looked utterly speechless, pleading for a more plausible excuse. His eyes remained fixed on the wine jar, and the father and son were on the verge of becoming enemies.

Upon realizing this, Fang Yiai could not help but reveal a faint bitter smile: "Your Highness, this matter is due to my nephew's recklessness; this banquet will not be held at the royal residence."

It is still Jun Ge who has considered everything thoroughly; let us proceed as Jun Ge and the library have suggested. Li Ke's words clearly represented the consensus of the group. Seeing that everyone was filled with confidence in him, Fang Yiai announced the adjournment of the meeting, allowing everyone to return and make their preparations.

Very well, then my young nephew will listen for good news. By the way, I came in a hurry today and only brought two jars of fine wine for the prince. Please have a taste first

"So many people have come." This sentence struck Fang Yiai's heart like a lightning bolt, and in that instant, he understood Li Xiaogong's concerns. It had only been four years since the Xuanwu Gate Incident, and indeed, it was a thorn in the hearts of all the Li royal family. How could Li Xiaogong dare to invite the entire court of civil and military officials to a banquet at this time? Even if Li Shimin said nothing, those censors would not remain indifferent.

Li Shimin laughed heartily: "Alright, Xiaogong, I will take care of this matter for you. I am truly looking forward to the expression on Xuanling's face later."

Fang Yiao was initially taken aback, but upon further reflection, it made sense. He realized that he had been overly anxious due to Li Xiaogong, who was a military general and a member of the royal family, thus he had to be cautious. However, his own family had no such concerns.

Li Shimin, upon hearing Li Xiaogong's resolute tone, ceased his persuasion. Sensing a hint of wine aroma, he lowered his head to take a sip. After savoring it for a moment, he finally burst into laughter: "Xiaogong, this truly is excellent wine"

Li Xiaogong pointed his finger at Fang Yiai and said, "The answer lies with Jun Ge"

Young Master, as per your instructions, Dongxue and I found several steamers and bamboo tubes, and had two servants continuously stoke the fire. Today, we have only managed to obtain a small vial.

Upon hearing this, Fang Yiai raised the corners of his mouth in a slight smile: "There is no need for Brother Chongyi to worry about this matter. As the saying goes, one task should not trouble two masters. I believe the prince must already have a solution for this matter."

When Fang Yiai saw everyone leaving one by one, he called for Dong Xue. Dong Mei inquired about the status of her other powerful weapon.