Tang Dynasty: A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls for Li Er at the Start

Chapter 188 If people could have enough to eat and wear, who would be willing to risk their lives?

"Your Majesty, there are so many official matters to attend to in the Liangyi Hall, how come you have time to come here?"

When Wen He pushed open the door to the private room, she saw Li Shimin sitting there, with Gao Yue standing to the side with a beaming smile.

He felt a surge of urge to curse.

Didn't you look down on it before?
Didn't you not care about tea before?

What's this? Why did you end up here today?

"I'm not at ease with you suddenly gathering so many Turkic merchants," Li Shimin replied calmly, glancing at Wen He's hands.

Seeing that his hands were empty, she narrowed her eyes and said, "Where's your fried tea? Why didn't you bring it? That stuff is refreshing and tastes pretty good."

Wen He knew that it must have been Wen Zhong who leaked it, and that he had even secretly taken some into the palace.

That old bastard, he can forget about getting his monthly pay this month!

Wen He inwardly grumbled, but put on a kind smile.

"If Your Majesty wants some tea, just tell me. Why go through all this trouble to come here?" Wen He chuckled dryly and turned to have someone bring some tea leaves.

Unexpectedly, Wenzhong knew that Li Shimin was coming and personally brought a batch of tea.

Wen He glanced at him and wished she could kick him.

He just sent someone to fetch loose tea, which tastes so-so and is specifically sold to the Turks.

But Wenzhong brought out his carefully prepared fine tea.

This is what he intends to sell to those aristocratic families.

"Stop giving me that stingy look." Li Shimin suddenly snorted. He had already taken in Wen He's expression earlier.

"Wenzhong, you brought me your best tea earlier. Are you trying to fool me with inferior tea, or are you trying to deceive the emperor?"

Li Shimin glanced at her sideways, and Wen He, not daring to admit it, quickly shook her head: "How could that be? I just wanted to make something even better for Your Majesty in the future."

"Really? It's kind of you to be so filial."

"Hehe, of course, of course."

Wen He's distressed yet forcedly voluntary act caught Li Shimin's eye, causing him to burst into laughter.

This brat is getting more and more stingy.

"Come here, make some tea."

"Yes."

Wen He reluctantly went to make tea for Li Shimin.

He happened to have brought his tea set with him today, so he could show Li Er what real tea is all about.

What you Tang Dynasty people drink is clearly soup.

The smooth and flowing Kung Fu tea ceremony was a delight to watch for Li Shimin.

Gao Yue, who was standing nearby, quickly and carefully recorded the details in her mind, so that she could personally serve him after returning to the palace.

"Indeed, this tea is clear. Although it is bitter at first, it has a sweet aftertaste." Li Shimin took a sip and nodded repeatedly, feeling that the fragrance lingered in his mouth and the aftertaste was endless.

"No wonder you don't drink tea soup, it turns out you've already tasted this fine tea long ago."

Looking at the tea in his cup, Li Shimin couldn't help but sigh.

How many things in the future are still unknown to me?

I wonder if this brat will be able to reveal all his true colors in the future.

"Why aren't you drinking?" Li Shimin asked, puzzled when Wen He didn't pour him any more.

Wen He looked at him, enjoying his tea with relish, and felt a little helpless. "I'm still young, I can't drink too much tea. I'll get some flower tea later."

"Flower tea?" Li Shimin couldn't help but become interested.

He was about to speak when he heard a noise from below.

"We're here to keep our appointment."

Several Turks arrived in groups, looking around the tavern with suspicion.

At this moment, a middle-aged man dressed in plain clothes and with a goatee walked out from behind.

He greeted the Turks with a broad smile.

"It is truly an honor to have such distinguished guests at our door."

"Who is this person?" Li Shimin asked, pointing to the middle-aged man downstairs.

"The 100-man spies, his name is Qi Song, and he will be responsible for contacting Turkic spies and smuggling activities."

Qi Song was not chosen by Wen He, but recommended by Zhang Wenxiao.

When he was young, he did business with his family. Later, his father died in the army, and his mother also passed away from illness. That's when he joined the Yuan Imperial Guard.

"I see."

Li Shimin nodded.

Just as they were talking, several more people came in from outside, some of whom deliberately covered their faces, looking very mysterious.

"Han people?"

Upon seeing those people, the Turks present were all taken aback.

They thought they were the only ones who came today.

"What? You barbarians are allowed to come, but we can't? Don't forget, this is the Tang Dynasty!"

A portly man snorted and glared at the Turks.

The Turks were indignant and were about to hurl insults at the Han man.

Qi Song suddenly walked over and stopped them: "Today we are all guests. As the saying goes, harmony brings wealth."

"For Qi Dalang's sake, I won't hold it against you."

The Han man glanced disdainfully at the Turk, then found a seat and sat down.

The Turk gritted his teeth in anger, and just as he was about to draw his sword, Qi Song suddenly blocked his way: "Hulike, if you dare to draw your sword, I will throw you out, and you can forget about getting anything today!"

The Turk named Hulike was taken aback, angrily slammed his fist on the table, and then sat down.

"Does Qi Song know those Turks?"

Li Shimin was taken aback. Wen He smiled and said, "As early as when the decision to smuggle was made, the Hundred Cavalry sent people out to make contact with the Turks. In fact, there were already spies following the Turkic caravans to the Turkic territory."

Xu Jingzong had already begun arranging these things long ago.

However, what they brought to the Turks before was mostly soap, alcohol, and some grain.

Of course, all of this was done with Li Shimin's permission.

Therefore, Qi Song and his group now have a good relationship with the Turks.

Two days ago, Wenhe sent scouts with a hundred cavalrymen to find the Turks with tea.

That's why they've all gathered here today.

"Young Master Qi, how much does your tea cost? You've called all of us here; you should give us an explanation."

Some Turks couldn't hold back any longer.

When they first tasted the tea, they found it bitter and thought Qi Song was playing a trick on them.

But after drinking the mare's milk with tea added, their eyes lit up.

Suddenly, I felt refreshed and relaxed.

In the past two days, they have finished all the tea that Qi Song gave them.

I searched all over Chang'an, but found no one that sold this kind of tea.

However, ordinary tea leaves, when added to milk tea, completely lack the same flavor as before.

"No need to rush. I invited you all here today, and I will tell you naturally. However, the production of tea is limited, and not everyone is qualified to buy it."

Wen He had already given Qi Song instructions earlier.

If you want to smuggle tea to the Turks, you must agree to two things.

First, apart from this time, in the future, if you want to buy tea, you must use wool and copper coins to trade; gold and silver will not be accepted.

Second, their caravans had to include Han Chinese passengers, and the Turks had to guarantee their safety.

After Qin Song stated these two conditions.

The Turks present all had strange expressions.

“The wool and copper coins are fine, but why are Han Chinese required to accompany us? Don’t you trust us?” a Turk asked in confusion.

"As the saying goes, business is business. If we sell tea to you, what if you sell it to other parts of the Tang Dynasty and steal our business?"

Qi Song calmly countered with a question, then added, "Of course, we're doing this to ensure your safety; otherwise, you wouldn't be able to transport these things out."

The Turkic merchants were certainly aware of this.

The Tang Dynasty strictly prohibited smuggling, especially against the Turks; for example, the sale of salt and iron was forbidden.

They used to have to pull a lot of strings to get these things out of the country.

"Does the Tang Dynasty intend to restrict the export of tea to the Turks?"

"Of course, you have all tasted this tea. Do you think that His Majesty, with his wisdom and martial prowess, would allow it to spread to the Turks?"

These words were not taught by Wen He; they were purely improvised by Qi Song after he learned that Li Shimin was coming.

"When did I ever issue such an edict?"

Inside a private room on the second floor, Li Shimin squinted at Wen He.

The latter coughed lightly and chuckled twice: "We Tang people can't even enjoy enough of such good things ourselves, how can they be allowed to flow into foreign lands? Your Majesty can just issue a decree later, that will be enough."

"Fine, since that's the case, then let's ban it."

After saying this, Li Shimin picked up his teacup and took a sip.

However, he still had a question in his mind: "Why are these Turks so eager to buy this mere fried tea?"

Wen He smiled.

“Ordinary Turks certainly couldn’t afford it, but nobles would definitely love it, and these Turkic merchants naturally saw the business opportunity in it.”

"What benefit would this bring to the Tang Dynasty?"

Li Shimin did not believe that Wen He was doing this just to make money.

If he wanted to, he would have already increased the production of soap and glass.

"Well, this is a bit complicated."

"explain."

"Ok."

Wen He sorted out his thoughts and explained them in detail.

Actually, this matter is not complicated; it's just that the limitations of people in ancient times prevented them from thinking of this.

If it were really said, given Li Shimin's abilities, this matter would be utterly insignificant.

Those Turkic nobles ate meat every day, their bellies full of oil, and they were sick of it every day.

If you suddenly tell them there's something that can cut through the greasiness, they'll be determined to get it no matter the cost.

When drinking milk tea becomes a trend among the Turks, the price of tea will rise accordingly, and wool will certainly be in short supply.

As a result, the Turks had to increase the scale of sheep farming.

There's only so much water and grass on the grasslands, so if you raise sheep, you have to raise fewer horses.

"So at that time, the number of Turkic warhorses will decrease, while our Tang army will be strong and well-equipped." Li Shimin's eyes flashed with a cold light.

"That's not all. If the Turks knew that they could have enough to eat without fighting, and that they could simply raise sheep to exchange for food, would they still follow Jieli out to plunder?"

In fact, the biggest problem for the Turks was poverty.

Ordinary Turks simply couldn't get enough to eat.

Therefore, they had no choice but to follow their leader out to plunder.

If people could have enough to eat and wear, who would be willing to risk their lives?

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin did not speak, but simply nodded silently.

While the two of them were talking, the Turks on the first floor suddenly made a move.

(End of this chapter)