Chapter 28

Is hot pot delicious?

Even Li Shimin, who is used to eating mountain delicacies and seafood, cannot help but admit that hot pot not only has a novel way of eating, but its taste is also superb.

If taken outside to open a restaurant, it would surely attract a large crowd of diners.

Earning a fortune daily is probably not an empty boast.

Moreover, adding this fragrant, strong liquor......

Li Shimin grew more excited the more he thought, and the more he thought, the more excited he became, almost wanting to ask Chen Yan on the spot exactly how he makes money.

But after the excitement, Li Shimin's reason ultimately prevailed.

Neither the hot pot, the wine, nor Chen Yan can escape.

But right now, it's truly rare for the two of them to be drunk.

Who knows, if we keep listening, we might gain some unexpected surprise?

Li Chengqian wasn't as happy as imagined, but instead mumbled unclearly: "Zi Anxiong...... your goodwill, I, I appreciate it."

Just...... the hot pot recipe and brewing technique... are all your hard work, and you don't lack the money to open a restaurant... how could I feel embarrassed to get involved?

These words made Li Shimin's heart feel chilly.

Exactly, this hot pot and wine belong to Chen Yan.

As Marquis of Weinan, Chen Yan has both a fief and his own enterprises, so he fundamentally lacks no money to open a restaurant.

There's no need to partner with them.

On the contrary, Empress Changsun, upon hearing this, showed a relieved expression in her eyes.

Cheng Qian remains the same Cheng Qian; despite the huge benefits laid before him, he could easily take them.

Yet he can still hold to his original heart, unwilling to encroach on his friends' interests.

Such character makes Empress Changsun very satisfied.

However, faced with Li Chengqian's refusal, Chen Yan became displeased, saying, "What words, what kind of words are these?"

We are brothers! We've looked at girls together, bathed together, and even dodged the night‑curfew soldiers chasing us together.

We have to make money together if we're rich." Chen Yan fumbled, lifted his bowl, took a big gulp, and boldly said: "I not only want to make money with you, but also with Chu Mo, Baolin, and Huaidiao."

I'll tell you this: if you have money, what's the point of those damn Persian glass cups needing others' gifts? Just send people to Bosi to buy them!

If you have money, settling disaster victims is just a matter of spending money on relief.

You said officials were defecting to the Prince of Yue, right? Give me money to smash them hard—if a thousand strings aren't enough, then ten thousand; if ten thousand aren't enough, then a hundred thousand!!

Use money to pound them into your dogs!

Li Chengqian gave a foolish laugh: "Zi Anxiong, you...... you're joking again—how can buying people rely solely on money?"

This is a metaphor—do you understand?" Chen Yan, muddled, casually set the empty bowl aside, not knowing whether he'd put it back on the table.

I said it—I'll help you.

What about that Prince of Yue... isn't he into poetry? I'll first have him write a hundred, then a thousand, then ten thousand poems—what then?

Do you believe it? I... I only need one poem to make him feel ashamed!

Li Chengqian honestly shook his head: "No way!"

Chen Yan: "......"

Zi Anxiong...... if you're talking about eye for girls, you...... you could definitely make Qingque feel ashamed, but if it's about poetry, better forget it.

Li Shimin and Empress Changsun listened with interest.

Although they knew Chen Yan could write poetry and his talent was not small, to say that just one poem could suppress Qingque's ten thousand poems...

They also didn't believe it.

They just thought it was a youngster talking big after drinking too much.

As for Princess Gao Yang, there's no need to mention her.

In her view, Chen Yan is just a playboy who frequents wind‑and‑moon places; let alone poetry, he probably can't even write characters properly.

On the contrary, Princess Changle seemed somewhat expectant as she looked at Chen Yan.

Well... well, you Li Chengqian...... you...... actually even brothers don't believe you.

Chen Yan firmly put his arm around Li Chengqian's shoulder and shouted loudly: "Qing'er, Qing'er!"

"Eh, young master, Qing'er is here." Outside, Qing'er, who had been waiting, heard the shout and hurriedly pushed the door open and came in.

She first bowed to Li Shimin and the others, then seeing Chen Yan's flushed face and thick neck, she worriedly said, "Young master, are you drunk?"

"I'm not drunk!" Chen Yan waved his hand, "Bring the brush and ink, I... I, the young master, want to compose a poem."

Li Chengqian, upon hearing that, immediately laughed: "Zi Anxiong, you're really doing this?"

"What? Do you think... I'm joking?" Chen Yan muttered discontentedly: "Today I'll open your eyes and tell you what poetry really is!"

"Qing'er, ready yet?"

"All right, all right." Qing'er pulled open the screen, and behind it the table just happened to have brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Chen Yan gave a hum, withdrew his hand, then turned and leaned against Li Chengqian, saying, "Listen up!"

"Do you not see, the waters of the Yellow River descend from the heavens, rushing to the sea never to return!"

"Do you not see, in the lofty hall the bright mirror mourns the white hair, morning like black silk, evening turned to snow!"

Just these two lines, and the faces of those still sober present changed instantly.

They had all read extensively, so they could naturally perceive the deep meaning of these two lines of poetry.

Everyone unconsciously pricked up their ears.

Qing'er, meanwhile, wrote furiously, quickly jotting down these two lines of poetry.

"When life goes well, one must indulge to the fullest; do not let the golden goblet face the moon in vain."

"Heaven has given me talent for a use; even if I spend a thousand gold, it will come back!"

Hahaha, Cheng Qian older brother, how are these two lines?

Splendid, great splendid! Zi Anxiong, continue!

Good, then continue! Chen Yan slapped the table, grabbed Li Chengqian's wine bowl, raised his head and gulped, liquor sliding down his chin onto his clothes.

He staggered to his feet and spoke loudly:

Cooking sheep and slaughtering oxen for merriment, one must drink three hundred cups.

Li the Crown Prince, Chen Qing'er, Invitation to Wine, the cup must not stop.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin and Empress Changsun didn't know what to say.

Because this poem has now become a timeless famous line.

Chen Yan actually directly wrote Li Chengqian and Qing'er into the poem; it can be said that based solely on this poem, the two are enough to leave their names in history.

Leaving one's name in history, ah, that is what countless scholars spend their whole lives pursuing.

The two actually obtained it so easily.

To be frank, Changle and Princess Gao Yang are somewhat envious of Li Chengqian and Qing'er.

"Let's sing a song together, please lend me your ear."

"Bells, drums, jade and feasts are not precious; I only wish to stay drunk and never wake."

"Since ancient times, sages and worthies have been lonely; only drinkers leave their names."

"King Chen once feasted at Ping Le, ten thousand cups of wine, freely enjoying."

"Why does the host say he has little money? He should simply buy wine to serve the guest."

Chen Yan gulped down the remaining wine in one go and casually threw the bowl aside.

A youth in white robes was already thoroughly drunk, his whole being exuding an indescribable carefree and heroic spirit.

"Five-flowered horses, thousand-gold furs, call the boy out to exchange for fine wine!"

"Let's eliminate sorrow together, myriad ages!"

With a muffled "thud," Chen Yan's body collapsed straight to the ground, yet he burst into wild laughter: "Hahaha... Cheng Qian older brother, how is this poem?"

Li Chengqian's intoxication had long been dispelled by the shock; he stared blankly at Chen Yan, his heart surging with unprecedented agitation.

"Marvelous, supremely marvelous!" Li Chengqian's voice trembled slightly, "Zi Anxiong, this poem... this poem should be passed down through the ages!"

"Marvelous is enough!"

Chen Yan lay on the ground, his drunken eyes hazy as he waved his hand, "Then it's yours!"

"Take it... take it and compare it with the Prince of Yue!"

"......"