Chapter 18: Bribing Li Shimin

After the mourning period ended, Li Shen returned to a state of calm. Although it was said to last three years, for someone like him, five months sufficed. In April, Li Shen resumed attending classes at the Imperial Academy. During this time, he refined enough penicillin to fill four or five small jars, sealing them with wax and storing them in a cool place.

Normally, penicillin has a shelf life of two years, but Li Shen believed his would expire within a year at most. He had improved the production process, achieving initial maturity and greatly increasing the success rate. The drug was now in the animal testing phase, using mice. He would cut wounds on the mice, infect them, then apply the penicillin.

Li Shen had also approached the Ministry of Works to have needles made, but the difficulty was great, and no progress had yet been made. He announced a reward of one hundred guan for anyone who could produce the needles, confident that the generous prize would soon yield results.

Regarding the Imperial Workshop, over the past four months, Li Shen had earned more than a thousand guan, most of which came from royal relatives outside the palace—such as the princes and nobles remaining in Chang’an, or the maternal relatives. For example, Chancellor Zhangsun Wuji had placed orders worth over four hundred guan. Thus, Li Shen now possessed a modest fortune.

However, after classes, Li Shen felt his right eyelid twitch uncontrollably and his mind uneasy. Hastening back to the Great Auspicious Hall to avoid misfortune, he was surprised to find Wang De waiting in the front hall. Seeing Li Shen, Wang De smiled and said, “Prince Shen, His Majesty requests that you come to the Ganlu Hall after your lessons.”

Hearing this, Li Shen sensed trouble and said to Wang De, “Old Wang, give me a moment. I’ll put down my things and change clothes, then follow you.”

“No need, Your Highness. I’ll wait here,” Wang De replied calmly.

Li Shen hurried to his chamber, quickly washed up, changed clothes, and slipped a piece of paper from a box on the table into his pocket before hurrying after Wang De to Ganlu Hall.

Inside Ganlu Hall, Emperor Taizong was discussing state affairs with several senior ministers. In the tenth year of the Zhenguan era, the Tuyuhun kingdom had erupted in rebellion—the khan was killed. Emperor Taizong had dispatched General Hou Junji to aid the situation. The new khan, Nuohébo, was young and requested the Tang court to grant a calendar and to adopt the Tang era name. The ministers consented and bestowed upon Nuohébo the titles of Prince of Heyuan Commandery and Khan of Wudiye Ba Qin Du.

After the discussion concluded, Emperor Taizong did not dismiss the ministers but instead smiled and asked, “Gentlemen, among my many sons, do you think any display particular talent?”

Fang Xuanling and the others exchanged looks, none eager to speak first. These seasoned ministers were cautious; they understood the gravity of such a question and dared not answer rashly, uncertain of the emperor’s intent. Yet, they could not remain silent. Fang Xuanling stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has been intelligent and capable since childhood—both literary and martial skills, distinguished appearance, and profound benevolence and filial piety.”

“Yes, the Crown Prince is wise and compassionate, with a broad perspective,” Wei Zheng added. Other ministers like Tang Jian, Zhang Liang, and Li Xiaogong echoed their support.

Seeing their misunderstanding, Emperor Taizong laughed, “Ha! Gentlemen, don’t be mistaken. Of course, I know the Crown Prince’s excellence. When I spoke of talent, I meant cleverness and cunning. Soon I will show you how slippery this son of mine is.”

“Oh? Then which prince is so clever?” The ministers relaxed, no longer worried.

Just then, Wang De appeared at the door. Emperor Taizong said, “Let him in.”

“Your Highness, His Majesty summons you inside,” Wang De said, turning to Li Shen.

Li Shen entered Ganlu Hall, surprised by the number of people present and unsure of what to say. He bowed to all present, “Greetings, Father, and greetings to the esteemed ministers.”

“Greetings, Prince Shen,” they replied.

Seated above, Emperor Taizong addressed Li Shen, “Do you know why I have summoned you?”

“I do not, Father,” Li Shen feigned ignorance.

“Oh, then let me give you a hint. Are you familiar with the Imperial Workshop?”

Li Shen had already guessed as much; aside from this, he had done little. He knew sooner or later Emperor Taizong would find out.

“Yes, Father. The Imperial Workshop is where they make furniture for the palace,” Li Shen replied.

“Oh, you know that? Then don’t you want to tell me something about it?” Emperor Taizong pressed.

“Well, um...” Li Shen hesitated. With so many ministers present, he was reluctant to speak freely. He had hoped to bring the emperor into the venture, as the imperial treasury was not very rich—most funds had been allocated to state projects. But in the presence of so many officials, he dared not directly propose the emperor’s investment.

“Hmph, since you won’t say it, I will. Gentlemen, do you know where the recent popular tables and chairs come from?” Emperor Taizong snorted.

“I know. They come from the Imperial Workshop. My household has also ordered some,” Zhangsun Wuji said first.

“My household too,” Li Xiaogong added.

“I’ve heard of it.” “So have I,” others chimed in. Though not members of the royal clan, they had recently learned the furniture’s origin and wished to order some themselves.

“But you don’t know that behind the Imperial Workshop, it is Li Shen who runs it,” Emperor Taizong exposed.

“Ah?” “Really?” “Is that so?” The ministers were astonished. This Prince Shen was bold to profit from the Imperial Workshop. No wonder the emperor called him cunning.

“Li Shen, am I right?” Emperor Taizong asked.

“Yes, Father. It’s not really ‘running’ a business. I just earned some fees for my handiwork. All the designs and patterns were my ideas. I can’t just work for nothing,” Li Shen said plaintively.

“Hmph, that’s no small sum. You earned over fifteen hundred guan in three months,” Emperor Taizong said, ignoring Li Shen’s grievances.

“What? That much money?”

“That’s still a small sum?”

“Prince Shen is truly impressive,” the ministers exclaimed again.

Now exposed, Li Shen was unafraid and continued feigning innocence, “Father, it’s only a little over a thousand guan. For you and the ministers, it’s pocket change—not worth mentioning.”

“Pocket change? My treasury has just over thirty thousand guan now,” Emperor Taizong laughed in disbelief. Li Shen’s words were audacious indeed, calling fifteen hundred guan “small change.”

“Your Highness, fifteen hundred guan is my annual salary. I can’t earn that much in three months,” Wei Zheng interjected sharply.

Li Shen was speechless—right then, someone else had to add fuel to the fire. Resigned, he resorted to his trump card.

“Father, I have my reasons.”

“What reasons? Tell us so I and the gentlemen may hear,” Emperor Taizong said, curious.

Li Shen took a piece of paper from his pocket and said, “Father, my reasons are all written here. Please take a look.”

Emperor Taizong gestured for Wang De to take it. Wang De took the paper, glanced at it, and his eye twitched slightly. This Prince Shen was indeed bold.

Emperor Taizong read it briefly, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth betraying his amusement. In bold characters was written: “Furniture Partnership Agreement.” Skimming the content, he understood it at once. The contract was simple: Li Shen voluntarily transferred thirty percent of the shares to the imperial treasury and agreed that previous earnings would count toward this thirty percent.

After reading, Emperor Taizong’s expression turned serious. “Li Shen, do you know that what you have done is an offense of overstepping your bounds, punishable by severe penalty? Your reasons are insufficient.”

“Forty percent,” Li Shen said painfully.

“Do you know that your gains were not ill-gotten? It’s also my fault for not paying closer attention to you, allowing you to develop such a habit of greed,” Emperor Taizong lamented.

“Fifty percent then. I beg you, Father, spare my life,” Li Shen pleaded. Money was his life.

“Hmm. Your reasons are somewhat understandable. Rewrite the account, bring the owed shares along with the paperwork to Wang De, and go,” Emperor Taizong said with satisfaction.

Li Shen left dejected. Half his earnings—seven hundred fifty guan—were gone. He felt life had lost its luster.

Watching Li Shen depart, Emperor Taizong asked the ministers, “Gentlemen, what do you think now?”

“Your Majesty, Prince Shen is young and playful but truly clever. Though his actions border on overstepping, considering his youth and inexperience, we may forgive him,” Fang Xuanling said.

“Yes, Your Majesty, Prince Shen is quite astute,” Zhangsun Wuji agreed.

“If you knew what was written on that paper, you’d understand why I said he was slippery,” Emperor Taizong said, motioning for Wang De to show the ministers the contract Li Shen had drafted.

After reading, the ministers suddenly understood. “So Prince Shen was bribing Your Majesty. No wonder he mentioned forty and fifty percent.”

“Your Majesty, as the rightful sovereign, you should not engage in such commercial dealings,” Wei Zheng advised.

“Lord Wei, you are mistaken. This is Prince Shen showing filial respect to Your Majesty. How can you call it participation?” Zhangsun Wuji retorted.

“Lord Wei, I have reigned for nine years, and the treasury has barely over thirty thousand guan. The Taiji Palace is old and damp. I wanted to repair it but dared not use the state funds. Do you think I have not suffered?” Emperor Taizong asked Wei Zheng.

Hearing the emperor’s complaint, Wei Zheng knew that since ascending the throne, Emperor Taizong had been diligent and frugal. When the treasury was short, it was the emperor’s personal funds that covered expenses. For so many years, Emperor Taizong had never spent a single coin from the state treasury, so he had no choice but to endure.