Chapter 15: Business Is Here

Li Shen followed Wang De to the Linde Hall. By now, it was already packed with people. Wang De led Li Shen directly to the princes’ section.

“Tenth brother, you’re here,” Li Zhen greeted him as soon as he arrived. Li Shen had saved Consort Yan De’s life—Yan De was Li Zhen’s birth mother, so Li Zhen was deeply grateful. He had visited Consort Wei Gui several times at the Daji Hall, bringing gifts and expressing thanks for Li Shen’s rescue of his mother. Li Zhen was clever and knew Li Shen preferred to keep a low profile, avoiding excessive contact with outsiders. This was common among some of the princes born of concubines, wary of trouble. Li Zhen understood this. He had also heard that Li Shen was very filial, obedient to Consort Wei Gui, clearly following his mother’s path.

“Greetings, brothers,” Li Shen said lazily, not bothering to bow to each one. Present were the Crown Prince, Prince Jin, and a few others who had been granted fiefs—four or five in total. The rest were younger than Li Shen, staying close to their birth mothers.

“Tenth brother, I heard from Father that you arranged those tables and chairs. When will you make a set for Fourth brother too?” Li Tai asked.

Li Shen glanced at Li Tai, thinking to himself, This little chubby fellow’s gotten even fatter. No wonder it’s hard for him to walk now. Emperor Taizong even decreed that he could ride a carriage into the palace.

“Fourth brother, it’s not that I don’t want to. The Imperial Workshop charges for their work, and I’m short on funds right now. Why don’t you have Father issue an edict so the Workshop makes a set for you directly? They’ve mastered the craft,” Li Shen said, not wanting to waste breath, pushing the matter toward Emperor Taizong.

“What, Tenth brother? You want to ask Fourth brother for money?” Li Yin sneered from the side.

Li Shen glanced at him and suddenly smiled. “Sixth brother, I heard you recently got a Tuyuhun horse from the Tuyuhun tribe. I really like it. I wonder if you might give it to me?”

“Tenth brother, you don’t like hunting. Why do you need a horse? Besides, that horse cost me eighty strings of cash,” Li Yin replied reluctantly.

“So Sixth brother is asking me for money after all. What a waste of brotherhood. Sigh,” Li Shen sighed deeply.

Li Tai and the others nearby caught on to Li Shen’s meaning. True brothers keep accounts clear. Giving and asking are two different things. Besides, Li Shen wasn’t one to be bullied.

“Tenth brother, Fourth brother knows you’re strapped for cash. Tell me how much a set costs; Fourth brother can afford it,” Li Tai said.

“Yes, Tenth brother, I want a set too. Just say how much,” Li Zhen added.

At this, Li Yin also realized Li Shen was hinting at him and grew a bit annoyed but still said, “Right, Tenth brother, just say the price.”

Li Shen thought for a moment and said to the group, “Brothers, ordinary sets, including materials, cost about two strings of cash each. If you want redwood, it’s five strings. Oak would be around eight strings. If you want one like Father’s, made of rosewood, it would be about thirty strings.”

“Oh, the ordinary kind—like the ones in your hall?” Li Zhen asked.

“Exactly. What Brother Eight says is right. The set in my hall—a table and four chairs—is ordinary redwood, five strings of cash. I have different styles in the front and side halls, totaling about thirty strings,” Li Shen explained, though he hadn’t spent that much. He was thinking he’d need to check the records with Zhang Wang, the eunuch in charge of the Workshop.

“That’s quite a price. Tenth brother, you said ordinary. What other kinds are there? Tell us,” Li Tai asked curiously.

“Well, there’s mid-range, which features some fine carvings. Sets start at five strings, depending on the wood. Then there’s high-end, with backs and table surfaces edged in animal leather, exquisitely crafted with vivid patterns. They use top-quality leather, very soft to sit on—won’t cause sweating or slipping in summer, nor chill in winter. Those start at ten strings, varying with the wood used,” Li Shen found his groove, speaking fluently like a seasoned shopkeeper.

“What about Father’s set? What grade is that?” Li Yin asked.

“That one is custom-made. We don’t take orders like that,” Li Shen replied. The others immediately understood why he declined such commissions. How could one make something identical to the Emperor’s? That would breach protocol.

“Tenth brother, Fourth brother wants the high-end ones. Make me a few sets.”

“Tenth brother, I want mid-range,” others chimed in.

“Brothers, don’t rush. Tomorrow, I’ll have the Workshop manager bring samples to you. Then you can tell him exactly what styles and wood you want,” Li Shen said, pleased that his brothers were interested. At last, some income.

“His Majesty approaches!” Wang De’s voice rang out.

Everyone quickly returned to their places and saluted Emperor Taizong.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

“No need for formalities. Please, sit,” Emperor Taizong said.

“Today is a festive day, yet the late Emperor Gaozu has passed. I should be in mourning. But by tradition, today is a day to feast with the ministers. I believe the late Emperor would want to see the court united. Come, let us toast to the late Emperor,” he said, pouring wine onto the ground. Everyone followed suit.

“This year’s harvest was abundant. Taxes are higher than in previous years, thanks to your efforts. Let us drink to that,” Emperor Taizong said, downing his cup.

“To the great Tang, to His Majesty!” the officials echoed, drinking deeply.

Li Shen observed the scene indifferently. Although the ninth year of the Zhenguan era brought some improvement, the people remained poor due to successive natural disasters. Many were still starving and homeless. Because of the previous Sui dynasty’s troubles, the population at the start of Zhenguan was only three million households—down two-thirds from before. Fewer people meant less labor and reduced grain production. Much of the grain was still in the hands of aristocrats and landlords. Only later, when Emperor Taizong established granaries, did the situation improve.

From what Li Shen had seen in his previous life’s records, the Zhenguan era’s annual tax revenue was said to be 30 million strings of cash, but he thought that figure was exaggerated. Last year’s taxes were just over ten million strings. Perhaps the Tang dynasty’s later period reached that, but he doubted he would live to see it.

The meal was a display of wise rulers and virtuous ministers, the atmosphere warm and harmonious. Li Shen couldn’t help but think these people were all master actors. When he left, Emperor Taizong was still drinking with the elder officials from the Prince of Qin’s residence.

Li Shen did not return directly to Daji Hall but went straight to the Imperial Workshop. He hadn’t forgotten the orders from his brothers earlier. Upon seeing Li Shen, a young eunuch immediately notified Zhang Wang. Soon, Zhang Wang came out to meet him.

“Prince Shen, you should have someone notify me if you have business. I would come to see you directly,” Zhang Wang said tactfully.

“Yes. I have something to discuss with you today. Let’s find a private place,” Li Shen said. Such money-making matters could not be known by others.

Zhang Wang led Li Shen to his office, offered him a seat, and brought a cup of tea. “What instructions does Prince Shen have?”

Li Shen pushed the tea aside; he disliked boiled tea. Indicating for Zhang Wang to sit, he said, “Manager Zhang, what do you think about tables and chairs?”

“Tables and chairs?” Zhang Wang was momentarily confused.

“I’ll be straightforward. I want to cooperate with you to turn making tables and chairs into a business. I’ll provide the designs and help bring clients. You supervise the craftsmen. As for profits, I take 80%, you take 10%, and the workers get 10%. What do you think?” Li Shen laid out his plan plainly, knowing time was tight; negotiations were tomorrow.

“This...” Zhang Wang was stunned. The Imperial Workshop served the palace, owned by the Emperor. For Prince Shen to want to use it for personal profit was outrageous—treasonous even. Was the prince mad?

“Prince Shen, this cannot be. The Workshop is for the Emperor’s harem. How dare you take private jobs for profit?” Zhang Wang was alarmed.

“Manager Zhang, don’t be afraid. This isn’t private work. Everything we make here is paid for by us. When have you ever done anything for free?” Li Shen reassured him.

“That’s different. You only pay for materials, but you’re profiting,” Zhang Wang argued anxiously.

“Calm down. Here, have some tea. I want 80% to protect you. Don’t you want security after leaving the palace? Life inside isn’t easy. You’re almost forty, right? In a few years, you’ll be released. You’ll have nothing then. How can you live well on a small plot of land granted when you leave? Think about your subordinates—they earn less than you. When will anyone in the Workshop get ahead? Don’t worry; I promised to keep you safe, and I will. If anything happens, I’ll take full responsibility,” Li Shen tempted him with promises.

Hearing this, Zhang Wang was moved. He faced release in a few years, with no home to return to and no respect from others. Most eunuchs lived poorly after leaving the palace, often dying with no one to care for them. Resolute, Zhang Wang looked at Li Shen solemnly. “Are you really sure nothing will happen?”

“I guarantee you. Even if something does, I will bear the consequences,” Li Shen said, pounding his chest to assure him as Zhang Wang’s resolve strengthened.