Chapter 66: Empress Dowager Changsun Fainted?

Qin Huaidao noticed Chen Yan's expression and hurriedly asked, "Brother Chen, could it be that you know the purpose behind Uncle Cheng taking troops to Weinan County?"

Cheng Chumo and Yu Chi Bao Lin perked up at the words.

As children of military generals, the three of them always have an inexplicable interest in such matters.

Chen Yan chuckled, "Of course. Have you forgotten what my title is?"

"I might not know if Uncle Cheng took troops elsewhere, but if it's to Weinan County, I definitely know."

Cheng Chumo rolled his eyes, "Brother Zi An, do you think Weinan County is your fief?"

"The cattle was just dragged to the back kitchen, the wine hasn't even started, how are you already drunk?"

"You must know it."

In the Tang Dynasty, most titles are nominal; the "County" in a title is merely an honorary designation.

For example, Chen Yan does not actually govern Weinan County, nor does he directly receive its taxes or lands.

Otherwise, his Bo Mansion would be in Weinan County, not in Chang'an.

Chen Yan glanced at Cheng Chumo and said, "Shall we gamble again?"

Cheng Chumo: "......"

Qin Huaidao couldn't help but laugh, "Brother Chen, ignore him. I trust you, just say it."

Yu Chi Bao Lin nodded and added, "Yes, Brother Chen, I also trust you. Don't mind that blockhead Cheng Chumo."

Chen Yan shrugged, his eyes hinting at something as he looked at Cheng Chumo, "So, Brother Cheng, want to gamble again?"

Cheng Chumo stuck out his neck, confidently declaring, "No gambling!"

Chen Yan: "......"

He was too lazy to deal with Cheng Chumo and said directly, "Do you remember the fine salt I had Qing'er deliver to your family last time?"

None of the three were foolish; the moment Chen Yan mentioned fine salt, they immediately guessed that Cheng Yaojin's troop movement might be related to it.

Qin Huaidao was the first to guess, "Brother Chen, did you hand the method of making fine salt over to His Majesty?"

Cheng Chumo slapped his forehead, "I remember now; last time you seemed to mention that the fine salt is made from the poisonous salt mine in Weinan County."

"So my father took the troops out to that salt mine?"

As for the fine salt, Chen Yan has kept it well hidden; only Cheng Yaojin's family, the closest to him, knows.

In the past, Chen Yan often sent some fine salt for Cheng Yaojin's family to eat.

They also knew Chen Yan didn't want to expose the fine salt, so they never mentioned it publicly.

Chen Yan replied, "As long as you understand, after this leaves the house, everyone should act as if they don't know. Don't go blabbering outside."

"Otherwise, if any trouble arises, don't blame brothers for not being loyal."

"I've already been to Dali Temple Prison once, and I don't want to go in again."

Cheng Chumo and the other two exchanged glances and, tacitly, didn't bring up the topic again.

Although they usually lack proper conduct, when it comes to major matters they are never vague, knowing what should be said and what shouldn't.

After moving past this subject, the four sat together to chat about other things to pass the time.

Time flew by, and before they knew it, darkness had fallen.

Xiao Shunzi cheerfully brought the ledger to Chen Yan, "Lord Bo, the tavern has closed for the day; today's profit and beverage expenses are all recorded here."

"Please have a look."

Ledger?

Cheng Chumo and his two brothers were instantly excited upon hearing that.

The reason they came to the Weinan Bo Mansion was first to see how much the tavern actually earned.

The second reason was to eat beef.

When they arrived, they wondered whether they could break even today.

Now the answer can finally be revealed.

Chen Yan took the ledger, looked at Xiao Shunzi and said, "Didn't I say the tavern could only close half an hour before curfew?"

"It's only just getting dark; logically that's when business is good. Why close?"

Xiao Shunzi replied, "Lord Bo, we prepared too few ingredients, and with business so brisk, everything's sold out."

"I had no choice but to close."

"Tomorrow I'll stock more ingredients to ensure this doesn't happen again."

"Fine then." Chen Yan, not paying much attention, tossed the ledger onto the table, "Just tell me the total revenue for today."

Xiao Shunzi said happily, "Lord Bo, today the tavern collected a total of 5,342 guan and 77 wen, of which…"

"Five what?" Yu Chi Bao Lin's loud voice burst out, eyes bulging like copper bells, "You mean we earned over five thousand guan in a day?"

Cheng Chumo trembled his lips, doubting he had misheard, and pinched himself hard, gasping a cold breath from the pain.

Even the usually composed Qin Huaidao was stunned in place upon hearing that figure.

Chen Yan explained for Xiao Shunzi, "Don't imagine wildly; how could we earn over five thousand guan in a day?"

"Most of that must be revenue from the membership system; the actual profit isn't that exaggerated."

"Moreover, starting tomorrow, income is expected to drop sharply."

Only then did the three recover from their initial shock.

Qin Huaidao sighed, "That's still outrageous. I never imagined a tavern could earn that much."

Yu Chi Bao Lin kept laughing foolishly, "Isn't that right?"

"Thanks to Brother Chen, otherwise how could we have earned so much?"

Cheng Chumo counted on his fingers, "Bao Lin, quickly calculate with me: out of the five thousand guan, how much can we take?"

Yu Chi Bao Lin hurried over, and together with Cheng Chumo began to tally the accounts.

Chen Yan ignored them and said, "Xiao Shunzi, you don't need to save today's money; go buy servants directly and expand the scale of brewing wine and frying tea."

"By the way, also look for a good location for a shop; next we need to start setting up a winery, tea shop, and a branch of Zui Xian Lou."

"All right, Lord Bo, I understand," Xiao Shunzi replied, nodding, then slowly withdrew.

Chen Yan turned to see the three still excited, and laughed, scolding, "All right, look at your hopeless looks."

"I told you earlier, the chance to get rich is coming later."

"In the future, there will be things to excite you."

Cheng Chumo chuckled and said, "How could I not be excited?"

"Just thinking that we've earned so much money, we won't have to pitifully cling to the little monthly allowance from our families anymore."

"Next time you can be like Zi Anxiong—when you meet a dissatisfied maiden, just wave your hand and dismiss a batch!"

Qin Huaidao and Yu Chi Bao Lin's eyes lit up, and they burst out laughing.

Chen Yan wore an expression of helplessness; just as he was about to speak, the main hall door was kicked open with a bang.

The four instinctively turned their heads and saw Wushe and Li Junxian rushing in together, faces full of anxiety.

Chen Yan blinked in bewilderment and exclaimed, "Wushe, General Li, what's this?"

To be honest, hearing that familiar kicking-door sound, he thought Princess Gao Yang had come running again.

He almost pulled out the Death-exemption Gold Medal.

He never expected it to be Wushe and Li Junxian.

Wushe hurriedly said, "Marquis of Weinan, the Empress Her Majesty suddenly fainted; please quickly bring your medicine case and follow me into the palace."

"What?" Chen Yan widened his eyes, somewhat unable to believe what he had heard.

"The Empress Her Majesty fainted?"

"......"