Volume Three: The Xuanwu Gate Incident - Chapter 114: Vomiting Blood

Since its opening, the Zhiwei Restaurant had enjoyed extraordinary success. Every day, customers gathered like a tide, and the establishment was constantly bustling with activity. Seizing the momentum, Ming Yu introduced a new way of dining just three days later: the "hot pot."

A pure copper pot sat atop glowing red charcoal. The milky-white broth bubbled, with red dates and scallion whites rising and falling in the heat. Thinly sliced lamb, delicate as cicada wings, was arranged into beautiful floral patterns that were a feast for the eyes.

Using chopsticks, one would gently dip a slice into the broth, then pair it with a secret, rich, and savory sauce. The aroma of the lamb, complemented by a garnish of green onions, created a flavor that was truly unforgettable.

In the depths of the cold, snowy winter, there was no greater happiness for the people of Chang'an than gathering with a few close friends around a steaming hot pot, enjoying tender, succulent lamb while sharing stories and laughter.

However, for the wealthy gentry and noble scholars of Chang'an, eating the same hot pot as the common folk was beneath their dignity. They had no shortage of money; what they craved was exclusivity and a display of status.

Zhiwei Restaurant welcomed such big spenders with open arms. Building upon the success of the lamb hot pot, they introduced an upgraded version: Pig Stomach and Chicken Soup.

Claiming it was based on a secret recipe from the legendary Sun Simiao, it was marketed as a "medicinal stew" that could prolong life, warm the stomach, and dispel cold. It was given the elegant name "The Phoenix Reincarnated."

In reality, it was simply a peppered pig stomach and chicken soup. A rich broth was made from pork tripe and plump chicken, infused with ginger, scallion, garlic, red dates, ginseng, and other herbs, finished with a touch of ground pepper and yellow wine to enhance the flavor. One would first eat the meat, then drink the soup. Dipped in garlic paste and soy sauce, the pig stomach was exceptionally refreshing, and the chicken was tender and delicious.

The broth, further enriched by the essence of the chicken, carried a faint herbal scent and the gentle heat of pepper. After finishing a bowl of this fragrant, slightly spicy soup, the "cold qi" in one's body seemed to vanish instantly, leaving a warm and comfortable sensation. It was truly worthy of being a "divine doctor's" secret medicinal stew.

At first, people didn't find it particularly novel. But by the next day, various sensational rumors began to circulate throughout Chang'an.

It was said that the elderly mother of Liu Hongji, the Duke of Hejian, had a weak stomach and a poor appetite, barely able to swallow meat porridge. But after eating this "medicinal stew," she broke into a sweat, her stomach rumbled, and that very evening, she consumed three full bowls of porridge.

A wealthy patriarch from a prominent family, who had suffered from chronic cold-sensitivity since his youth, could barely speak or move, often shivering even in his room with charcoal fires and layers of fur. Yet, after eating this stew, his complexion turned rosy, and he could soon walk about outside.

Such "miraculous" tales were endless, each told with vivid detail. The people of that era were simple-minded and unaware of the power of "advertising." Believing every word, the wealthy families of Chang'an were soon in a frenzy, clamoring for a taste.

A small pot of peppered pig stomach and chicken, while unassuming, became impossible to procure. Zhiwei Restaurant claimed that the rare medicinal ingredients were hard to find and the process was complex, limiting production to only twenty pots a day.

Since all the patrons were influential figures whom the small restaurant could not afford to offend, they decided on a simple solution: a live auction. The highest bidder would win.

At dawn, as soon as the restaurant opened, servants from various noble households would wait, competing for a chance to secure the precious medicinal dish.

A pot of pig stomach and chicken cost only a few dozen coins to make, yet the starting bid was one guan. The auction price often doubled, and it occasionally sold for the astronomical price of five guan or more. During feuds between rival wealthy families, bids of eight or ten guan were not uncommon. In the early Tang Dynasty, five guan was enough to buy a sturdy ox.

But the wealthy of Chang'an didn't care. The noble families felt that only such a delicacy, capable of prolonging life, was worthy of their status. Winning one of the thirty available pots in all of Chang'an was a symbol of status, power, and wealth—all essential.

Ming Yu seized upon this psychology, milking these "fat sheep" for all they were worth. He understood that these wealthy people didn't want the best—they wanted the most expensive. Since they loved spices, he would pile them on.

In ancient times, because it was difficult to preserve food, people discovered that spices could mask unpleasant odors and, through infusion, make food more delicious.

As early as the Han Dynasty, pepper had been introduced to China via the Silk Road. Due to high transportation costs, this tiny fruit remained a luxury item, at times worth its weight in gold. Commoners could not afford it, while the wealthy coveted it as a symbol of status and wealth, using it in every meal—the more used, the more opulent the household appeared.

Within just one month of opening, Zhiwei Restaurant had made a net profit of over three thousand guan, shocking everyone. Even Ming Yu was caught off guard. He had expected his novel dining approach and modern marketing tactics to be popular, but never to this extent. Money came so easily that he didn't know how to spend it. He felt light-headed, wondering if he might truly be a business genius.

While the restaurant business flourished, Li Shimin faced a turbulent time at court, constantly forced to concede.

Three days after the restaurant opened, at the grand morning assembly, Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Li Yuan, finally made his decision: he appointed the Prince of Qin, Li Shimin, to inspect Henan and Hebei to pacify the people and clear out bandits.

Li Shimin had anticipated this outcome and felt no disappointment. He had already planned to use this opportunity to bring the factions in Henan and Hebei under his control. He did not refuse, and under the protection of Qin Qiong and a dozen guards, he traveled light and departed for Luoyang overnight.

With Li Shimin gone, the Prince of Qin’s faction was left leaderless and immediately went silent, playing dumb at court. The Crown Prince, caught off guard by Li Shimin’s decisive departure, was unsure of his rival's true intentions. After securing a few key administrative positions, the Crown Prince's faction also quieted down, observing the situation while focusing on building their own strength.

With the Prince of Qin quiet and the Crown Prince refraining from conflict, the court remained tranquil for a time. The officials acted with feigned harmony.

Emperor Li Yuan was satisfied with this peace and, in high spirits, even found time to have Empress Zhangsun bring Ming Yu into the palace for a personal audience.

Speaking of his son Xuanba, who had died young, Li Yuan shed tears. He had doted on his third son, who was bright and skilled in both letters and martial arts. However, during the most critical stage of the Li family's uprising, Xuanba had offended the powerful clans, and Li Yuan had been forced to banish him. Thinking of this as a permanent farewell, Li Yuan extended his favor to Ming Yu, granting him the title of Qianniu Beishen (Imperial Bodyguard) and the rank of Zhaowu Captain, sixth grade.

Time flew, and the eighth year of Wude came to an end.

Li Shimin was away for over two months, returning only as the year neared its end. Judging by his joyful expression, the trip had been a success, and his strength had greatly increased, as he had likely recruited many scholars and officials to his cause.

As the bells rang on the first day of the Lunar New Year, announcing the end of the eighth year of Wude, the ninth year began.

Upon Li Shimin’s return, the atmosphere in Chang'an became heavy. The Crown Prince remained cautious, the Prince of Qi was predatory, and officials spoke in whispers, terrified of becoming the spark for a new conflict. It was the silence before a storm.

This New Year was the busiest for the strategists and advisors of the Prince of Qin, the Crown Prince, and the Prince of Qi. Under the guise of New Year visits, they carried lavish gifts into the mansions of powerful families and influential generals, competing in an underground game of bribery and alliances.

Several times, Ming Yu saw Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui exhausted, losing weight, and occasionally falling asleep mid-meal from sheer fatigue.

The palace held endless feasts, and Ming Yu had the fortune of attending one with Li Shimin’s family, witnessing the legendary imperial banquet.

The Tang Dynasty was growing prosperous, and Li Yuan was generous, piling spices into every dish. In the final, signature dish, the spices were so overwhelming that Ming Yu’s tongue went numb, unable to taste anything but the muddled flavors.

It was no wonder Zhiwei Restaurant was so popular; if the imperial banquet was this mediocre, others were likely worse. Ming Yu began to wonder if he should start a food delivery service for the palace and noble families. After one bite, he lost all interest and began to let his imagination run wild.

When the feast finally ended, a drunken Li Yuan was helped to his quarters by attendants.

As Ming Yu followed Li Shimin’s family to leave, they found the carriages of the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi waiting at the palace gate.

Li Yuanji bowed from afar with a smile, "Second brother, we haven't seen each other for months. Since it's the New Year and we have time, why not come to the eldest brother's mansion for a drink?"

Li Shimin knew that Li Yuanji would never be his ally and hesitated to refuse.

The curtain of the Crown Prince's carriage lifted, and Li Jiancheng leaned out, saying, "Second brother! Yuanji is right. It’s rare to be free; let us brothers gather. We are of the same mother; some things can be settled with a talk. Why be so tense?"

With the Crown Prince having spoken, Li Shimin smiled and replied, "Since the eldest brother says so, how can I refuse?"

Ming Yu stepped forward, lowering his voice, "Second Uncle, this is no ordinary feast. Remember the incident at the Prince of Qi's mansion. Let me accompany you!"

Li Shimin waved him off. "It is fine. The Crown Prince is different from the Prince of Qi. Since he dared to invite me, he will not harm me. Your aunt is not feeling well lately; you should accompany her home." With that, he called for his horse and left with only four guards, following the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi.

Ming Yu thought it reasonable. Even if Li Jiancheng were bold, he wouldn't dare harm the Prince of Qin so blatantly. In fact, he would have to protect him. The Crown Prince’s status was too sensitive; if anything happened to the Prince of Qin in his mansion, the world would not tolerate a crown prince so petty and despicable.

Moreover, Empress Zhangsun had indeed been feeling unwell, often drowsy and listless. Ming Yu was concerned and decided to escort her home and summon an imperial physician.

Back at the mansion, the physician took her pulse and offered congratulations: "The Princess is pregnant again, though she has been overexerted, and her pulse is not steady. I will prescribe medicine to calm the spirit and protect the fetus. She must avoid extreme emotions."

Zhangsun was overjoyed. In ancient times, producing an heir was paramount. She rewarded the physician and, following his advice, rested.

The medicine was effective, and Zhangsun slept until the next morning. When she woke, she wanted to share the news with Li Shimin.

She went to the front hall, but Li Shimin was nowhere to be found. Asking an attendant, she learned he had not returned all night.

Zhangsun knew the Crown Prince had invited him to drink, but his absence caused her anxiety, and she went to consult Ming Yu.

Ming Yu was also frantic, but seeing Zhangsun’s condition, he tried to comfort her.

It wasn't until broad daylight that Li Shimin returned.

He was pale, his teeth clenched, his brow furrowed, and his eyes bloodshot. His hands were gripping the reins so tightly that his veins bulged. Just as he reached the gates of the Prince of Qin's mansion, he swayed and nearly fell. A guard caught him just in time.

As he dismounted, Li Shimin roared at the sky, "Li Jiancheng! How dare you treat me so!" He could no longer suppress the blood rising in his throat. He spat out a fountain of blood, covering the guard, and then collapsed, completely unconscious.