Chapter 18: What

On the way back to the Lotus Pond annex, Zheng Shuqing remained silent, looking as if weighed down by thoughts. Fang Chongyong, however, wore a relaxed, carefree expression, trailing behind him, also saying nothing.

The two silently entered the study, screened out the numerous servants, and began to discuss the major matter of selling "Red Lotus Spring"!

"This wine isn't brewed from Red Lotus rice, so why is it red?"

After taking their seats, Zheng Shuqing couldn't help but ask.

"It's just a secret not passed down in the Fang family, called red yeast wine. Its brewing method is no different from that of Wu Xia Spring; both are quick wines. But because it contains red yeast, the wine's color and flavor become completely different."

"But can it still meet the Governor's standards?"

Fang Chongyong opened the bag containing red yeast and handed it to Zheng Shuqing.

"Excellent! Perfect! Truly… from extreme misfortune comes great fortune!"

Zheng Shuqing couldn't help but clap his hands in approval.

Red Lotus Spring is indeed marvelous, but what's even more ingenious are the series of moves Fang Chongyong made beforehand!

First, he used a reverse‑poem scheme to manage the situation, causing the latter to leak the relevant news through official channels, boosting the authority of the Red Lotus rice brew. Then, with the covert promotion by Chang'an's richest man Wang Yuanbao, everyone would develop boundless anticipation for the so‑called Red Lotus rice wine.

Because of these linked tactics, people naturally assume that the red‑yeast wine made from Red Lotus rice must be bright red and clear.

Finally, Fang Chongyong grandly launched "Red Lotus Spring", implying it is brewed from Red Lotus rice; otherwise, why would it bear the name 'Red Lotus'?

Moreover, it is a Kui Zhou wine, and Kui Zhou's tribute specialty is Red Lotus rice, which isn't cultivated elsewhere; rumors say that this year many Red Lotus rice stalks were destroyed by a forest fire set by officials.

A series of hints and explicit statements will lead people to think that Fang Chongyong and Zheng Shuqing used Red Lotus rice to brew a wine called Red Lotus Spring, with a vivid, bright red hue!

In reality, Fang Chongyong and Zheng Shuqing have never said anything about using Red Lotus rice to brew wine, nor claimed that Red Lotus Spring is made from Red Lotus rice.

Using a similar method, Zheng Shuqing can be said to have heard nothing like it and seen nothing like it. Yet he can't help but be impressed!

Zheng Shuqing can fully anticipate that Red Lotus Spring will explode onto the scene in Chang'an. As long as the wine's prestige is right and its taste isn't oddly off‑putting enough to be labeled a 'peculiar fine wine', it will surely claim a spot in Chang'an's massive alcohol market.

At banquets, the drinkers aren't really drinking wine but social obligations. If a wine's quality lacks overwhelming advantage, the one that brings the most face will more readily appear on the table.

In his past life, Fang Chongyong would offer friends Moutai; that's entirely different from offering the cheap "Niu Lan Mountain" wine.

Zheng Shuqing never expected that such a young Fang Chongyong could be so versed in this, making the saying 'don't judge a person by appearance' no longer applicable.

The rebellious son of the Fang Youde family is truly terrifying!

A situation like Red Lotus Spring is akin to a man named Gu Wen attending an important meeting that has nothing to do with him.

During the meeting, the host asked, "Has the consultant arrived?"

This person impersonated someone and took the stage to deliver the speech. In fact, the host's use of the word 'consultant' wasn't asking for the man named Gu Wen! Red Lotus Spring isn't necessarily made from Red Lotus rice, just as a man named Gu Wen isn't necessarily a consultant!

If Fang Chongyong publicly claims that the name 'Red Lotus Spring' was chosen because the wine's hue resembles a red lotus, who can say the name is inappropriate?

"During the Lantern Festival, there will be a grand feast. If Red Lotus Spring can become the designated drink for that feast, this battle is a foregone conclusion."

Fang Chongyong sighed, saying that before Zheng Shuqing and the others drank this wine, his mind had been uneasy. Although Fang Laique said the wine's taste was fine, the kid seemed indiscriminate in his palate, and his words carried no persuasive weight.

"Then, what shall we do now?"

Zheng Shuqing asked in confusion; now Fang Chongyong had become his lifeline. This Kui Zhou Inspector no longer acted on his own; whatever Fang Chongyong said, he would do, for only then could he get ashore.

"The method of red yeast will become famous worldwide within a few years; it cannot be hidden. But before the Governor returns to Chang'an, this method must not be leaked at all. Please have the Governor send capable people to partake in making the red yeast."

With red yeast, the brewing technique is ordinary, allowing the notable breweries of Kui Zhou to all take part in production.

Now red yeast is still a precious commodity; one can profit handsomely in Chang'an while the news is scarce. Once the method of making red yeast spreads, red yeast wine will surely reach ordinary households, so the Governor should not be overly cautious.

The Governor's only goal is to return to Chang'an.

Fang Chongyong, fearing Zheng Shuqing was overthinking, patiently gave an explanation.

This Kui Zhou Inspector thought very little before anything happened, completely unaware. After events unfolded, he overthought, leading to endless complications.

Take the last time the grain‑transport ship standards were unified: Zheng Shuqing actually applied his ideas to the court's grain ships, even trying to use the tactics for dealing with merchants on the court's own vessels—no one knows what he was thinking.

Fang Chongyong truly feared Zheng Shuqing would treat Red Lotus Spring as a money‑grabbing tool, clinging to it tightly.

"It's a bit regrettable, but I haven't thought much about it."

Zheng Shuqing spoke with lingering reluctance, as if nostalgic, clearly having been deep in thought earlier; after hearing Fang Chongyong's words, he snapped back to reality.

"There's no time to waste; Governor, arrange the production of red yeast and the brewing now. This wine is brewed in autumn and matures in spring, just in time."

Fang Chongyong's urging interrupted Zheng Shuqing's daydreaming; the latter was still pondering how to stash some Red Lotus Spring to give as a favor.

"Understood, understood, I'll arrange it right away."

……

As the autumn harvest progressed day by day, news about Kui Zhou's Red Lotus rice began to ferment, and rumors spread through Chang'an's breweries and brothels about a peerless wine brewed from Red Lotus rice called "Red Lotus Spring," which was passed along among connoisseurs, becoming ever more legendary.

The rarity of Red Lotus rice already guarantees ample hype! For those big shots who normally eat 'crystal rice' at every meal, how can they live up to their reputation without trying a bit of Red Lotus Spring?

For those "promising young men of the Great Tang" eager to attach themselves to the powerful, visiting a patron without presenting a jar of Red Lotus Spring—does that even count as giving face?

The rarer it is, the more people anticipate. The more precious the ingredient, the higher the prestige.

It's said the wine is bright red like blood, yet clear and luminous, without any impurity or sourness. Just imagining it makes one feel intoxicated.

But besides the ever‑spreading rumors about this fine wine, another, more important rumor is also fermenting among the populace!

It was deep autumn, and in the South Xun Hall of Xingqing Palace, Gao Lishi was washing Li Longji's feet while the latter sat on a high stool reading a letter, his hands trembling slightly.

Wang Zhongsi's reply to Crown Prince Li Ying had its copy boldly placed in Li Longji's hands!

"Zhongsi truly lives up to my upbringing; he clearly understands the great principle, doesn't mingle with the Crown Prince's crowd, and knows my intentions."

Li Longji sighed deeply; the age‑old problem of internal strife within the Li Tang imperial family seems to erupt every decade or so, never truly calm.

"Why can't the Crown Prince and his group be as brotherly and respectful as I am with Prince Ning?"

He angrily patted the armrest of the high stool, scolding the uncooperative, of course shouting at empty air, a hair's breadth from outright rage.

A year ago, Li Longji's relationship with Crown Prince Li Ying had already reached a breaking point.

Back then, his favored concubines Zhao Lfei, Huangfu Deyi, and Liu Cairen each bore him a son: Crown Prince Li Ying, Prince of E Li Yao, and Prince of Light Li Ju. For various reasons, Li Ying was made Crown Prince.

Later, the young, beautiful, and obedient Wu Huifei gained favor, while the three earlier consorts fell out of favor one after another.

Thus Li Ying, Li Yao, and Li Ju often lamented their mothers' loss of favor, united against common foes, and privately exchanged many grievances.

The husband of Consort Hui's daughter Princess Xianyi, Yang Hui, had always known of Consort Wu Hui's ambition: to support her own son Li Chang to ascend as Crown Prince.

So he secretly dispatched people to observe Li Ying's movements every day and report back to Consort Wu Hui.

Unable to endure the wait, Consort Wu Hui wept to Li Longji, accusing the Crown Prince of forming factions for selfish gain and plotting to harm her and her son. Li Longji flew into a rage and wanted to depose the Crown Prince, but Zhang Jiuling dissuaded him on the grounds that "the Crown Prince is the foundation of the state and must not be lightly moved."

Although the matter ultimately ended unresolved, Li Ying had now seen completely through what was in Li Longji's heart, and no longer held any extravagant hopes.

Now, seeing Li Ying try to win over Wang Zhongsi, and then seeing Wang Zhongsi sternly rebuke Li Ying in his letter, categorically refusing to form a faction, Li Longji's heart was filled with mixed feelings.

He was relieved that he had not raised Wang Zhongsi into an ungrateful wolf, yet disappointed that Li Ying's actions grew ever more brazen, seemingly drawing closer and closer to "Xuanwu Gate Plus." Amid his heartache, Li Longji recalled how his own elder brother, Prince of Ning, Li Xian, had yielded the position of Crown Prince, how brotherly love and fraternal respect had prevailed.

He could not help but feel even more disappointed and resentful toward Li Ying.

"I wish to depose the Crown Prince. What does Gao Lishi think?"

Li Longji asked casually; by this time Gao Lishi was already wiping his feet.

After the foot basin was carried away by the palace servants, Gao Lishi bowed and said, "This is the Son of Heaven's family matter. How could this slave presume to gossip?"

"Hmph! You certainly are cautious."

Li Longji gave a cold snort and did not press further. Of course, had Gao Lishi actually spoken, he might not have been pleased either. The reason Gao Lishi earned Li Longji's deep trust was precisely because he chose his words carefully and acted prudently—matters in which he should not step forward, he would rather die than step forward.

"Summon Zhang Jiuling and Li Linfu to the Purple Radiance Hall."

Li Longji rose to his feet, flicked his sleeves, and turned to walk out of the hall. Only Gao Lishi was left standing there at a loss, before quickly trotting after him.

……

Zhang Jiuling was a full generation older than both Li Linfu and Li Longji, and having become chancellor through years of arduous study and the imperial examinations, his weathered body was not in good health. Roused from sleep in the dead of night and summoned to Daming Palace, he was still bleary-eyed, forcing himself to stay alert.

Li Linfu had already received some inside information from Consort Wu Hui beforehand, and knew roughly what sort of questions Li Longji would ask. Thus he was well prepared and appeared far more composed than Zhang Jiuling.

"Both of you, my lords, help Me take a look. What exactly does that rebellious son of Mine want to do?"

Li Longji waved the letter in his hand with a face full of anger. It was unclear whether he was putting on an act or truly furious beyond restraint—he looked as though he might lay hands on his "good son" at any second.

The letter was passed between Zhang Jiuling and Li Linfu; neither spoke.

"Sire, the Crown Prince is the foundation of the state and must not be lightly moved."

After returning the letter to Gao Lishi, Zhang Jiuling still said the very same thing.

In truth, the reason for Li Longji's outburst today was both unusual and not unusual.

What was unusual was that Li Ying, in his desperation, had grasped at straws by writing to the already sidelined Wang Zhongsi to form a faction.

What was not unusual was that Li Longji and Li Ying, this father and son, had already become irreconcilable as fire and water, like enemies who could no longer coexist.

One could not even rule out that a earth-shattering coup was brewing.

What more could Zhang Jiuling say? Would changing the Crown Prince bring peace to the realm?

That was hardly certain.

"Genu, you tell Me—how should the Crown Prince be dealt with?"

Li Longji did not even look at Zhang Jiuling, but turned his head to ask the composed-looking Li Linfu.

"In this humble servant's view, this is the Sage's family matter and not something outsiders may criticize. Let the Sage decide everything as he sees fit."

Li Linfu bowed and played a sly hand.

"Sire, this humble servant cannot agree with the Left Chancellor's words. The Crown Prince is the foundation of the state; it is not merely His Majesty's family affair but a matter of the realm, bearing on the safety of all under heaven. This humble servant boldly says: the Crown Prince must not be lightly deposed."

Zhang Jiuling's words were a familiar refrain; one could not say they were wrong.

Only, Li Longji still felt very uncomfortable in his heart. He felt that he, this emperor, was stifled—that he did not reign freely enough!

As the Supreme Sovereign, why was there always someone gossiping even when he wanted to depose a Crown Prince?

Had Huo Guang never deposed a Crown Prince?

Did that not count as "shaking the foundation of the state"?

The more Li Longji thought about it, the angrier he became. With a slight raise of his hand, he signaled that Zhang Jiuling and Li Linfu could leave!

He had never been so rude to a chancellor before.

Whether it was Yao Chong and Song Jing from the early Kaiyuan era, or the later Pei Guangting and Han Xiu whose presence was quite low, he had always treated them with courtesy and never showed neglect.

Zhang Jiuling and Li Linfu finally took their leave, each burdened with his own concerns.

Leaving aside the deeply worried Zhang Jiuling, let us speak only of Li Linfu. After returning to his own residence in Pingkan Ward, he immediately ordered a servant to notify Consort Wu Hui's son-in-law Yang Hui to come to his mansion to discuss affairs.

When the latter arrived at Li Linfu's study to meet him, Li Linfu, with a solemn expression, told Yang Hui four characters, asking him to convey them to Consort Wu Hui.

Those four characters were: "Willing to protect the Prince of Shou!"

What Fang Chongyong did not know was that the political storm in Chang'an at the end of the Kaiyuan era had already raised its curtain, and players of all stripes were beginning to take the stage!