Tang Dynasty: Starting at Xuanwu Gate, this prince is better off not being one.

The setting sun cast its last rays, illuminating the disbelief on the faces of the three boys.

"Really?" the three asked in unison.

"Hey? You heartless bastards! When have I ever lied to you?"

Thinking about it carefully, it seems to be true. Li Yu's reputation has always been quite good, and he has never made any boastful statements.

"Okay... alright, tell me, how much should we pay?" Li Chengqian asked cautiously.

"not much!"

Li Yu patted his chest and said, "For the first round of investment, each of you will receive 1000 strings of cash! I will also ask Chu Mo and Chong Zi about it."

"1000 strings of cash!" Upon hearing this number, the three exclaimed in unison.

"Keep your voice down!" Li Yu quickly made a downward gesture, signaling them not to make a sound.

Li Chengqian hurriedly covered his mouth, trying to lower his voice as he asked, "Little Fish! Are you recruiting soldiers?"

"Buy your head, my foot!"

Li Yu sighed, wanting to punch this guy. "I want to open a winery!"

At this time, the Great Zhou Dynasty was still enforcing the alcohol ban issued in the second year of the Wude era, but starting from the sixth year of the Wude era, it had already opened up to allow official and private brewing of alcohol.

When Li Er ascends the throne, the high-proof liquor he wants to distill will be able to be sold all over Chang'an.

"A winery? Don't try to fool me! What kind of winery would cost a thousand strings of cash?" Li Chengqian felt that Li Yu was playing a trick on him.

"You're ignorant! The wine I brew sells for at least thirty strings of cash a dou (a unit of volume)."

Li Yu spoke with conviction, but to Li Chengqian and the other two, it sounded like he was just bragging.

"Have you lost your mind?! Even the imperial tribute wine—'Immortal's Intoxication'—only costs ten strings of cash. What kind of wine do you brew that can sell for thirty strings?"

Li Yu paid no attention to Li Chengqian's sarcastic remarks, saying, "I'll invite you to taste the wine once it's brewed, and then we'll see if it's worth the price."

.........

As the last rays of sunset faded, military officers began to appear in Chang'an, carrying gongs, ready to announce the start of the curfew at the hour of You (5-7 PM).

The pedestrians and vendors were either leaving the city or going home. For a moment, the whole street became much quieter.

The group managed to arrive at the Prince of Qin's residence before curfew.

As soon as Li Yu entered the room, he was met with a barrage of reprimands from Sun Simiao.

"I told you to memorize medical texts, but you wouldn't; I told you to learn acupuncture, but you wouldn't! What you've learned so much is fighting! How did I end up taking in such a wicked disciple?!"

The old man was very good at maintaining his health and almost never got angry with anyone. Only when facing Li Yu would he show this furious expression.

After comforting Sun Simiao and promising to study diligently, he finally met Princess Changsun of Qin, who had come over.

Just as he was about to greet them, a piercing pain shot through his buttocks, making Li Yu gasp for breath.

"You little rascal! If you're not able to move around easily, then skip the formalities and let Master Sun take a look at your injury." Seeing Li Yu's comical appearance, Changsun covered her mouth and chuckled, displaying the gentle and virtuous demeanor of a beautiful woman.

"Thank you, Auntie!"

For a moment, Li Yu was stunned by the beauty of the Empress Dowager. He thanked her and couldn't help but admire her in his heart, thinking that she was indeed one of the most virtuous empresses of all time.

But the next moment, he was dumbfounded.

The eldest grandson slowly walked up to Li Chengqian, grabbed his ear, and scolded, "At such a young age, you not only fight with others but also go to brothels! I'll beat you to death, you unfilial son!"

Li Chengqian was pulled so hard he grimaced, anxiously trying to explain that he hadn't gone to a brothel.

Before he could even begin to explain, Changsun released his ear, followed by a sharp cracking sound, and a burning pain shot through his face.

Not only did Changsun treat Li Chengqian this way, but Li Tai and Li Ke also suffered as a result. Seeing this, Li Yu suddenly felt that the old man who was examining him was actually very kind and benevolent.

"Mother, I didn't go to a brothel!"

After being slapped, Li Chengqian covered his face, feeling so wronged that he almost cried.

Unfortunately, by this time, Changsun's anger had reached its peak, and he subconsciously regarded Li Chengqian's explanation as sophistry.

Just as she was about to raise her hand to slap him again, she heard Li Er's voice from outside: "Stop, Guanyinbi, these boys really didn't go to the brothel."

Having stopped Changsun from reprimanding him, Li Er sat down in a chair: "As for fighting with Chengzong, that was also intentional on my part, elder brother."

Li Er's words completely shocked everyone present except for Sun Simiao.

However, he did not explain to the crowd, but instead waved his hand and ordered, "Take Chengqian and the other two to get treatment for their injuries. The idiot will stay here. As for their injuries..."

Li Er then turned to Sun Simiao, who had just finished examining Li Yu, and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Master Sun."

Old Sun nodded, handed the medicine to Changsun, explained how to use it, and then led Li Chengqian and the other two to the back room.

After they left, only Li Yu and his wife Li Er remained, lying on the couch.

Just as Li Yu was about to ask Li Er what he wanted to ask him after keeping him behind, he felt a chill on his buttocks as his pants were pulled down.

"Second Uncle..."

Seeing that Changsun was still standing there, Li Yu was so frightened that he quickly pulled up his pants.

"What are you doing, kid? What, you think I went too far?"

Just as Li Er was about to apply medicine to Li Yu's buttocks, he slapped Li Yu on the back of the head with his free hand and ordered, "Hurry up! Take your pants off. Nobody else can come in here, so you'll just have to make do. You're so young, yet you've already learned to be shy!"

After glancing at the giggling Changsun, Li Yu had no choice but to let go of his pants and let Li Er smear grease all over his buttocks.

Having met Li Er so many times, he had long since lost any sense of awe for this legendary figure.

Damn it! Anyway, I'm just a kid in my early teens. To have a great emperor apply medicine to my body is a bonus.

"Kid, tell me now, what exactly is that smoking thing of yours?" Li Er asked, getting straight to the point while applying medicine to Li Yu.

"Uncle, that thing is called a smoke bomb. I developed it myself, and it can be used in battles between two armies." Lying on the couch, Li Yu had nothing to hide.

"Oh? Kid, you even know the ins and outs of war?" Li Er was surprised by Li Yu's answer.

He hadn't expected the kid to be so straightforward. But thinking about it, it made sense; given the kid's cleverness, if he had taken it out, he must have intended to offer it to him and Xuanba.

"How could I possibly know anything about fighting! It was just an idea that came to me by chance, and I haven't even tried it yet. The outcome will depend on how you, Second Uncle, use it."

Li Yu was well aware of his own limitations. He had only ever seen war on television, and any talk of it being used in actual combat was just wishful thinking. War? That meant people would die; he shouldn't get involved.

Explaining the usage and effects was already a way of showing loyalty to the Qin King's faction. As for how to use it, that was left to an expert like Li Er.

Hearing Li Yu's words, Li Er breathed a sigh of relief: "Kid, you did a great job!"

"You're the only boy in your family, and you're still young. Your father and I don't want you to have any connection with the battlefield so early. So, you shouldn't use this stuff anymore. Just hand over the secret recipe to your father and me, and then go to your residence to get a few strings of cash to play with Chengqian and the others."

.........