Chapter 3: A Beauty Visits, the Ice Shop Opens

The ninth year of the Wude era of the Great Tang, the first day of the eighth month.

Inside the Su residence in Changancheng.

Su Liang was lying leisurely on a rocking chair.

"Young Master, Young Master."

"A young woman is outside the gate asking to see you; she claims to be a maidservant of Miss Ruyan, the top courtesan of Pingkang Ward."

The servant reported in a hurry, knowing his Young Master used to frequent Pingkang Ward, so he naturally dared not be negligent.

A moment later, a young woman entered.

She was only twelve or thirteen years old, a little beauty through and through.

"Young Master Su, my mistress has asked me to deliver an item to you."

The young woman stepped forward slowly and respectfully handed over an object: a rectangular sandalwood box.

Su Liang opened it to take a look; inside was a lock of dark hair, and he understood the meaning.

"I have understood your mistress's intentions. Wait for me to compose a poem, and you shall take it back to her; she will naturally understand the meaning within."

Su Liang wielded his brush, and a moment later, a poem was finished.

Once having seen the vast sea, it is hard to be moved by other waters; except for the clouds over Mount Wu, no other clouds are worth a glance.

Passing through the flower clusters, I am too lazy to look back; half for the sake of the Dao, and half for the sake of you.

"Go back and tell your mistress that if she is willing, I can help her redeem her freedom, and from then on, she can follow me and become a maidservant."

Su Liang sighed helplessly.

"The gold and silver you bestowed some time ago was already plenty; my mistress had long since redeemed her freedom, but she was afraid of disturbing Young Master Su's peace, so..."

The young woman appeared restless and uneasy at this moment, yet she was also exceptionally joyful.

The unease was for fear that Su Liang might be displeased, and the joy was naturally because she could see Young Master Su.

Which young girl in Changancheng did not harbor romantic thoughts, all wishing to witness the heroic appearance and smiles of the banished immortal?

"So you were sent instead?"

Su Liang frowned slightly, his tone carrying no dissatisfaction.

"By the way, what is your name? I cannot recall it for the moment. I see that although you two are mistress and servant, your relationship is like that of sisters."

"Replying to Young Master Su, this servant is named Yu'er. My parents both passed away when I was young. Two years ago, during the drought in my hometown, I fled with the villagers to Changancheng. It was Miss Ruyan who took me in. Miss Ruyan is two years older than me, and seeing my pitiful background, she has always treated me like a younger sister..."

"Alright, alright, you two sisters should just move in together today."

One hour later.

The Su residence welcomed the two women.

At the head was none other than the Pingkang Ward top courtesan, Liu Ruyan.

With moth-eyebrows, white teeth and red lips, skin like ice and bones like jade, and a thousand charms, she could truly be called a peerless beauty.

"Thanks to Young Master Su for not abandoning me, this servant is willing to follow you and serve by your side."

Ruyan stepped forward slowly, bowed in salute, her face streaked with tears like pear blossoms in the rain.

"Alright, stop crying; it won't look good if you ruin your face."

Su Liang could not bear to see women cry; women were meant to be cherished.

"Stop crying, the Young Master will give you candy to eat."

"What kind of candy? Is it delicious?"

"Deoxyribose... it's very sweet."

Hearing these words, Ruyan was overcome with shyness.

Su Liang smiled slightly, wrapped one arm around Ruyan's slender waist, lifted her up, and walked toward the bedroom...

At this moment, Ruyan's delicate fingers clung to Su Liang's neck, her beautiful eyes trembling slightly.

Waking up the next day.

Su Liang stretched, having been too restless yesterday.

This girl Ruyan had no sense of restraint when she bit down; she really was a charming little enchantress.

Hiss... should I also take some Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pills?

Ahem, this business could be started.

Sigh... it will still take some time to marry that girl Changle.

Su Liang sighed helplessly.

It seems I need to think of a way to have Changle marry into the house sooner.

After getting up and washing, Ruyan had already brought over breakfast.

"Young Master, drink some beef soup to nourish your body," Ruyan giggled.

"Ruyan, come here, the Young Master will tell you a story," Su Liang said.

Ruyan smirked: "This servant knows what you want to say; do not drain the pond to catch the fish, do not kill the hen to get the eggs."

Su Liang was speechless; she knew the logic, yet every time she bit down, she was so ruthless.

"Alright, Ruyan, come here. The Young Master has serious business to discuss. The shop opens today, and I need to go help keep an eye on things."

"You and Yu'er stay home properly and wait for me to return."

Su Liang smiled slightly.

The East Market of Changancheng.

A new shop opened today.

This shop only sold ice.

This was naturally Su Liang's shop.

The shop was named Cooling Pavilion!

Creak...

As the shop's door slowly opened.

A peerlessly handsome youth walked out from inside.

This youth was eight feet tall, dressed in a brocade robe, his gait light and slow.

His thick, jet-black hair was tied high; he was as beautiful as jade, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, peerlessly refined, with a natural air of pride; he was truly like a banished immortal, as if from a poem or a painting.

This person was none other than Su Liang!

"Dear fellow villagers, welcome to the Cooling Pavilion."

"Today is our grand opening, and we have prepared ten thousand catties of ice, selling for only ten coins per catty!"

Su Liang spoke with poise and heartiness.

"Ten coins a catty? So cheap? Is it real or fake?"

"Where is the ice? Hurry up and bring it out for us to see!"

Many commoners shouted one after another.

Among them were no shortage of aristocratic youths and second-generation officials.

They all wanted to see if Su Liang could actually produce ice.

After all, in this scorching summer, only the imperial palace, nobles, and wealthy families had stock in their cellars.

And even then, it was never enough.

Only a fool would take it out to sell.

"Cheng Chumo, Qin Huaiyu, bring out the ice," Su Liang chuckled.

A moment later.

Massive crates were carried out one by one.

"Such a big crate, it must hold at least a thousand catties, right?"

"Hurry, hurry, hurry, open the crate and let's see."

Suddenly, the crowd swarmed forward, and the surrounding commoners were already excited.

"Hehe, open the crates and let them see clearly," Su Liang chuckled.

Suddenly, a wisp of white mist rose up.

Pure white ice was presented before everyone's eyes.

Each block was about the size of a watermelon, weighing around ten catties each.

"Hiss... it really is ice!"

The crowd gasped in unison.

At the same time, the faint chill radiating from the ice immediately made everyone feel refreshed.

In less than half an hour, all the ice was sold out.

Taiji Palace, Ganlu Hall.

"Your Majesty, after the morning court session today, Young Master Su had many blocks of ice sent over, a full thousand catties."

The Eunuch Wang De reported in a hurry.

"Where did that kid get so much ice? Could it be that he can truly create ice in the summer?"

Li Shimin's face was full of disbelief.

"Wuji, tomorrow you shall accompany me to take a look!"

Li Shimin looked at Zhangsun Wuji beside him and said in a deep voice.

"I have summoned him to serve as an official in the court many times, promising him high rank and generous salary, but that kid refuses no matter what. I will also ask him face-to-face why he is unwilling to enter the court as an official."

"Fujie, do you know that this lad is a peerless prodigy? After I ascended the throne, I sent people to inquire about him in many ways, only to learn that he is proficient in everything from music and chess to calligraphy and painting, and is even peerless in both medicine and martial arts!"

"His mother passed away shortly after giving birth to him. When he was ten, his father was killed by mountain bandits while out doing business. Upon learning of his father's murder, he found the bandits' hideout, and with one man and one sword, slaughtered all two hundred of them, leaving no survivors."

"Afterward, he dismissed his servants, gave away his family fortune, and traveled the world! He is truly a pitiful child."

The next day, at the Summer Cooling Pavilion.

At the shop entrance, thirty crates of ice had already been prepared.

Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaiyu sat on either side, ready to collect money.

Today, there were ten times as many people coming to buy ice as there were yesterday.

"Everyone, I am truly sorry. I didn't expect so many people to come today. Today, each person is limited to fifty jin; there will be more tomorrow, so please don't be anxious!"

Su Liang looked at the customers outside the shop and expressed his apologies.

"It's fine, it's fine. Fifty jin is quite a lot; it will keep us cool for several days."

"No worries, no worries. As long as Young Master Su has a supply of ice every day, that's all that matters."

Everyone expressed their understanding regarding this and felt no dissatisfaction at all.

Subsequently, the ice-selling business continued.

Every jin of ice sold was one guan of cash; the speed of making money was simply comparable to a printing press.

Money in the Great Tang is truly easy to earn, Su Liang couldn't help but sigh.

"Brother Su, this ice business can only make extra money for these two months. What business shall we do next?"

Cheng Chumo asked in a low voice while watching the money being counted.

Qin Huaiyu, who was to the side, was also full of confusion, looking like a curious baby.

Su Liang smiled faintly, his gaze fixed on the empty restaurant across the street.

Naturally, Su Liang had bought the restaurant yesterday, and for that, he had even paid double the price.

A brewery and a restaurant were definitely going to be opened; the alcohol in the Great Tang was truly too low in proof, only about ten degrees, and the strong liquor was only ten-something degrees, no higher. Usually, Su Liang drank it like water to quench his thirst.

He didn't have much stock left of the high-proof liquor he had brewed himself. Su Liang, who loved alcohol as much as his own life, would definitely not miss out on this business.

It just so happened that he had bought a lot of grain yesterday, and a portion was already piled up in the backyard of the restaurant across the street; he could start brewing today.

Just as Su Liang was thinking about how to build a commercial empire.

He also noticed Emperor Li Er, Empress Zhangsun, Zhangsun Wuji, and others on the periphery of the commoners.

"Ding: The system has released a new task: Recommend the curved-shaft plow to Li Er."

"Task completion reward: 3,000 jin of potatoes, 3,000 jin of sweet potatoes, 3,000 jin of chili peppers... and 1,000 jin of various crop seeds."

"Damn, damn, damn."

Speak of the devil, Su Liang thought to himself.

Before he knew it, Li Er and the others had walked up to Su Liang.

"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty, the Empress, and the Duke of Zhao. I wonder what brings Your Majesty here?"

Su Liang bowed slightly.

"Su Liang, such a miraculous method of creating ice in summer will surely be coveted by many."

"Now that you have a title but no official position, how many days can you protect your business?"

Li Er said calmly.

"Hehe, Your Majesty can speak plainly if you have something to say."

Su Liang smiled and said softly; it seemed Li Er had come to fish for benefits.

No, this fellow Li Er still hasn't given up; he wants to recruit me into the imperial court as an official.

However, the system gave a new task, and the curved-shaft plow needs to be recommended to Li Er.

Plus, crops like potatoes and sweet potatoes can solve the current food shortage problem, so it seems I have no choice but to become an official.

"Give the method of creating ice in summer to Me, and I will act as your backing!"

"In this way, you can expand the ice business across the entire country; wouldn't that be wonderful?"

"I only want fifty percent of the profits; how about that?"

Li Er looked at Su Liang and asked in a low voice.

After thinking about it for a night yesterday.

Emperor Li Er had determined a strategy he thought was very good.

That was to use the excuse of protecting Su Liang, with the imperial court as his backing; surely Su Liang would not refuse.

Emperor Li Er felt secretly smug in his heart.

Hearing the Emperor say this, Empress Zhangsun and Zhangsun Wuji, who were to the side, also had black lines on their foreheads. It was obvious he was jealous of his own subject's business and wanted to get involved, yet he spoke so sanctimoniously. They all looked at him with contempt; to think an Emperor could be like this.

"Hehe, Your Majesty might not know, but the ice shop business is currently run by the three of us: myself, Cheng Chumo, and Qin Huaiyu."

"I have fifty percent, and the remaining fifty percent is split equally between the two of them. I wonder whose fifty percent Your Majesty wants?"

Su Liang laughed secretly.

At the same time, he was calculating in his heart that with the Emperor's support, many business plans could be implemented smoothly.

"Ahem..." Li Er was slightly embarrassed; this lad gave him absolutely no face.

"Your Majesty, please wait a moment, allow me to discuss it with the two of them."

Just as Li Er was feeling awkward, Su Liang suddenly spoke up.

"Good, good, good... I shall wait." Li Er said 'good' three times in a row, suddenly feeling that there was a chance; this trip was indeed not in vain.

A moment later.

Su Liang walked over slowly.

"Your Majesty, we will have other businesses in the future. We can give you thirty percent of all profits, as long as the imperial court can protect our business. How about that?"

Upon hearing that there were other businesses, Li Er immediately beamed with joy; he was truly a big money-lover.

"Good, good, good, that is excellent. As long as I am here, no one will dare to target your business."

Emperor Li Er said happily.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. I ask you, why are you unwilling to enter the court as an official?"

"The morning court session is too early; I can't get out of bed." Su Liang replied.

"Just that?" Li Er was full of confusion.

"Just that!" Su Liang shrugged.

"Your Majesty loves talent; no one under heaven doesn't know this. But has Your Majesty thought about what official position you want me to hold?"

Su Liang asked.

"This..." Emperor Li Er was speechless for a moment; he really hadn't thought about what official position to give Su Liang.

The Empress and Zhangsun Wuji to the side were also silent.

They were also aware that the Emperor had summoned Su Liang to serve many times; it was a pity, a real pity, not to use such great talent.

But none of them had thought about what kind of official position to give Su Liang.

"If Your Majesty insists on conferring an official position upon me, that is not impossible, provided that I do not have to attend the morning court session."

"Since Your Majesty is here today, there are some things I would like to discuss with you. May we move to my humble residence?"

A moment later, in the backyard of the Su residence.

"Does Your Majesty wish to be an emperor for the ages?"

Su Liang smiled and asked in a low voice.

"Presumptuous! Do you think His Majesty wants to be a foolish ruler?"

Zhangsun Wuji slammed the table and stood up, saying sternly.

"Fujie, it is fine. Let the Su lad explain in detail."

Emperor Li Er was calm and unhurried.

"Your humble servant has traveled the world for five years, which I believe Your Majesty knows."

Su Liang said.

"Indeed, this is also the reason why I want you to enter the court as an official, yet I do not know how to arrange an official position for you."

"Proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting; peerless in both medicine and martial arts—you are truly rare in this world."

Li Er said in a low voice.

"The Great Tang has been established for several years now. How long has it been since Your Majesty stepped out of this Changancheng to see the common people of this world, to see how the people of this world are living today? Are you still the Prince of Qin who loved the people like his own children?"

Without waiting for Li Er to speak, Su Liang continued, saying every word slowly and clearly.

"Just because Li is the imperial surname, the court issued a law prohibiting the consumption of carp. The carp in the rivers have grown to seven or eight jin, and there are even many that are ten, twenty jin. The common people dare not eat them. Just because of this law, how many common people have starved to death? Whose fault is it?"

For a moment, the scene was extremely quiet; no one spoke.

After a long silence, Emperor Li Er spoke slowly.

"It is My fault. Fujie, help Me draft an edict: from this day forward, all subjects of the Great Tang may eat carp. Proclaim this to the world."

Su Liang laughed, worthy of being an emperor for the ages.