Chapter 129: Golden Cauldron High-End Business Restaurant!

In the heart of the West Market of Chang'an, a peculiar structure rose from the ground. Three stories high, with golden-red walls, solid masonry, and sharp, angular lines, it exuded a sense of novelty that caught everyone's eye.

This was the Golden Tripod Restaurant. Even its signage was unconventional: two golden characters in regular script—"Golden Tripod"—stood unsupported, with a smaller line of text in running script beside them reading: "High-End Business Dining."

Li Er stood tall, waving a folding fan, his chin slightly lifted as he surveyed the sign with an expression of supreme authority. "Golden Tripod High-End Business Dining! What kind of gibberish is this? Why are your names always so bizarre, boy? You've wasted these beautiful characters!"

Li Yi retorted, "Uncle Li, don't you think this name sounds sophisticated, grand, and classy?"

Li Er shot him a sidelong glance. "I feel that anything that falls into your hands loses its value!"

As soon as Li Er finished, a chorus of agreement rose from behind him, including from Li Jing.

Li Yi felt a surge of frustration. He thought to himself, *Calling me low-class? I’ve been leading the fashion trends of the Tang Dynasty! These bumpkins! Ah, the generation gap is real!*

Ignoring Li Yi’s grumbling, Li Er walked inside.

Upon entering, they found a front desk in the center identical to the one at the Golden Tripod headquarters. Around it, eight rows of dining tables were arranged in orderly fashion, separated by partitions made of live flowers and plants. Li Yi had specifically left enough soil instead of paving the floor with cement to accommodate these plants, which were bordered by small wooden fences. Dining amidst such greenery offered a truly unique atmosphere.

Li Er looked at the plants in surprise. "Boy, this was your idea, too?"

Li Yi replied, "Exactly, Uncle Li. These plants are not only pleasing to the eye, making for a pleasant meal, but their fragrance also masks the odors of the kitchen. You know how strong the cooking smells can be—sometimes it ruins a person's appetite."

Li Er nodded. "Not bad, that makes sense. You certainly have plenty of crooked ideas! Very well, let’s find a place to sit."

"Uncle Li, would you prefer the upper floor or the lower floor?"

"Oh? Does the etiquette differ between the floors?"

"Not exactly! It’s just that, as you know, people come here primarily to discuss business. It’s an age-old truth that deals are best made over a dining table. The private rooms upstairs provide a quieter, better environment for that. Other than that, there is no difference."

"Very well! Let's go upstairs."

Li Yi led the way. Though both floors were full, Li Yi had reserved a special room for "VIPs" like Li Er. As they reached the second floor, they saw a series of separate rooms. Li Yi guided them to the innermost one, where the door and a plaque bore an inscription:

"For every bowl of porridge or rice, remember the difficulty of its making; for every thread or strand of silk, remember the hardship of its production. — Cloud Drift, Wind Gentle."

Li Er read it several times and praised, "Your talent is truly remarkable. Each line seems simple, yet contains profound wisdom!"

Wei Zheng rarely offered praise, but he chimed in, "Indeed! This lad’s literary talent is in no way inferior to Cao Zijian of old."

Li Jing snorted, "If only he used it in the right places!"

Li Er countered, "Ah! Yaoshi, poetry is everywhere in life! As long as literary talent is used meaningfully, it is well-spent. Look at this sentiment—it’s very fitting for a restaurant. The more I read these two lines, the more I like them! Even the name 'Cloud Drift, Wind Gentle' is quite extraordinary."

Fang Xuanling added, "Indeed! If not for Your Majesty's personal promotion of frugality, how could we have such a prosperous age?"

Li Er chuckled, "Haha! Even Xuanling has learned to flatter!" Yet, the pride in his eyes could not be hidden.

Fang Xuanling replied with a straight face, "Every word I speak is from the heart."

Li Er laughed, "Good! I shall take it as the truth!"

Zhangsun Wuji, who had been wandering around, suddenly called out, "Your Majesty, come look! The inscriptions on these rooms are all different!"

Li Er and the others hurried over to inspect them.

"What is wasted is leftover food; what flows away is sweat and blood. — The Waves Remain."

"Even when hungry, maintain your elegance. — Feather Fan, Silk Turban."

"Heaven’s grain, earth’s heart; do not waste food. — Remembering Bitterness, Thinking of Sweetness."

The meal turned into a literary appreciation session until they had toured every room.

Just as the six men settled into their room, Li Ke hurried over. He had been working on the third floor and only rushed down upon hearing of trouble. He whispered something to Li Yi, whose face turned pale with anger. Seeing Li Er frowning nearby, he devised a plan.

Li Yi pretended to listen, then exclaimed, "What? Uncle Cheng is throwing a tantrum? He’s smashing plates? And hitting people? This is unacceptable!"

Li Ke stood by, bewildered. *When did I say Cheng Yaojin smashed plates? I only said he was losing his temper!*

Li Er’s expression darkened. "You brat, what can't be said to my face? Why the commotion?"

Li Yi replied "aggrievedly," "Uncle Li, it’s not my fault. Uncle Cheng arrived late and is arguing over a seat with another guest. You know his temper, so..."

Li Er slammed his hand on the table. "Outrageous! That brute! Ke, go bring him here. I want to see what he thinks he's doing!"

Li Ke ran off and soon returned with a cursing Cheng Yaojin, followed by Yuchi Jingde, Li Ji, Duan Zan, Cheng Chumuo, and Yuchi Baolin. When they reached the door and saw Li Er, the four older men froze, their curses dying on their lips.

Li Er stood up, his face livid. "Go on! Why stop? Let me hear how well my four generals can curse!"

Cheng Yaojin stammered, "Your Majesty, it’s not me causing trouble. It’s this restaurant! That merchant came just before us and refused to give up his seat! I am who I am, and he is a mere merchant! I asked this little brat—" he pointed at Cheng Chumuo—"to handle it, but he took the merchant's side!"

"Shut your mouth!" Li Er thundered.

Li Er stepped forward, kicking a stool over. "You think you're impressive? Is this a place for you to run wild? Do you know how much effort the boy has put into building the image of the 'Confucian Merchant'? You almost ruined it all over a meal! Even I don't demand special treatment, yet you dare to bully the common people in broad daylight!"

Li Er rarely lost his composure, but today he was truly incensed. He wanted to ensure these rough men would never dare cause trouble here again.

"I am deeply disappointed in you!" Li Er sat back down. "I suppose you’re still unconvinced? Well, you will be. Each of you will go home and copy the Golden Tripod Commercial Alliance’s regulations ten times. Bring them to me tomorrow—no substitutes! This is your only warning. Do it again, and I shall not be lenient!"