Chapter Seventy-Seven: Lan Wei's Choice!

The two most important matters had been discussed, so Li Ke signaled the innkeeper to bring out the dishes, and everyone settled in for a moment of relaxation.

Cheng Chumo picked up a bite of food, his brows knotted in tangled confusion. “Yi, I really don’t get you—why insist on eating here? The food here can’t compare to what you have at home!”

“Alright, just be glad there’s something to eat at all, stop being so picky. We’re here to talk business, that calls for a bit of formality. Wait a bit—once our restaurant opens, you’ll be able to eat well every single day!”

Cheng Chumo took another bite, swallowing with a frown. He never realized this food could taste so bad! “What? Yi, are you saying the first step for the Merchant Alliance is opening a restaurant?”

Li Yi tasted the food as well; it was indeed terrible, especially the off flavor of the salt. Clearly, it would take some time before refined salt became widespread. “Yes and no. I believe our alliance’s first move should be grand and attention-grabbing—a resounding debut to ease our future endeavors. So, I plan to open a bar based on distilled spirits, a high-end business restaurant featuring new-style dishes, and a basic general store founded on modern furniture.”

As Li Yi introduced concept after unfamiliar concept, everyone felt their minds spinning. What on earth was he talking about?

He chuckled. “What I’ve described is only a preliminary plan. It will take time to turn any of this into reality, so there’s no need for you to worry just yet. For now, let’s start gathering resources. I need construction crews, blacksmiths, carpenters, and talented managers. Each of you should recommend someone. After training, we’ll decide who stays. As for materials and resources—those are your responsibility to secure!”

Li Yi finished and looked at the confused faces before him, sighing inwardly. This bunch of pampered heirs… really! “Alright, here’s what you’ll do. Tomorrow, send every available worker from your households to the Li estate. Also, select a group of obedient, presentable servants. Each family should nominate one manager—a steward, and make sure he’s young. Tomorrow, bring your funds to Wei De’s residence—he’ll oversee the finances. Once he’s organized everything, report to me. That’s all for now. Understood?”

Only then did the group come to their senses, nodding hurriedly.

“Very well, that’s settled! No one looks eager to eat, so let’s call it a day. Oh, and don’t forget—report to my house at the hour of Chen the morning after tomorrow to begin your training!”

“We have to train?”

“Of course! Do you think being a Confucian merchant is just talk? Let me be clear: the training will be rigorous. If you’re not mentally prepared, better withdraw now, because once it starts, there’s no turning back!”

After a glance at the group, Li Yi rose, nodded to Li Ke, and took his leave.

That evening, Li Yi returned home from the Jiang estate.

“Bingyu, fetch me paper and brush. I’m about to create something!”

“Young master, what are you up to this time?”

He grinned, “What I’m about to draw will shake the heavens and the earth!”

“You’re fibbing again! Last time you said that, you ended up drawing a self-portrait!”

“You wretched girl, always exposing my faults! Hmph! Sanzi, Sanzi!”

Before Li Yi finished, Sanzi came rushing in. “Young master, I’m here!”

“You’re always in such a hurry. Go to the workshop and fetch the carpenter, Tie Yan, for me!”

Sanzi agreed and dashed off.

“This boy!” Li Yi sighed, then began drawing in earnest. What he sketched was a layout for the bar, restaurant, and general store.

Not long after, Tie Yan hurried in, breathing heavily. “Young master, you called?”

“Yes! Old Tie, come here—can a building like this be constructed?”

Tie Yan took the drawing and immediately frowned. “Young master, this design poses some challenges. See how open the interior is? If it were just one story, it’d be manageable, but you want three or four. The beams would bear enormous weight, requiring only the finest timber, and even then, success isn’t guaranteed!”

Li Yi frowned as well. He had drawn the blueprint for the bar, which required a spacious interior. The load-bearing beams were indeed a problem. In this era, there was no reinforced concrete—not even a hint of cement. It felt like returning to the Stone Age! Wait—cement? Suddenly, it struck him: he could invent cement! Cement… now, how was that made? Limestone, clay, then high temperatures? That sounded about right. No matter—he’d just try it and see.

“Bingyu, is there a brick kiln near Chang’an?”

“Yes! There’s one by the Wei River—it belongs to the Cheng family.”

“The Cheng family? Perfect! I’ll go there tomorrow. Only a fool passes up an opportunity! By the way, Bingyu, do you know what limestone is?”

“Limestone? Is it a kind of rock?”

“Alright, Old Tie—do you know?”

Tie Yan pondered for a moment, then shook his head decisively.

“Fine. Old Tie, you can go rest.”

“Yes, young master. I’ll take my leave.”

“Come on, Bingyu, let’s continue!”

***

The next morning, after training the young lads, Li Yi took Bingyu, Fatty Lan, and a group of servants to the Cheng family’s brick kiln by the Wei River. In recent days, Fatty Lan had been eating well and sleeping even better—his weight had only increased.

Li Yi first instructed Old Tie to lead the servants in searching for limestone by the river. Unfortunately, no matter how he described it, they couldn’t understand. In the end, Li Yi had to find a sample himself before they got to work.

“Fatty Lan!”

Lan Wei lumbered over, panting. “Young master, you called?”

Li Yi smiled darkly. “Boy, you’ve been living well these past few days, haven’t you?”

Lan Wei felt a chill run down his spine under Li Yi’s stare, his legs trembling as he stammered, “W-well enough, I suppose…”

“Well enough? Hmph! No need for me to remind you how much meat you’ve eaten lately. But since you’re new here, I’ll give you time to adjust. After that, though—let me put it this way—your good days are over!”

Lan Wei’s eyes widened. “Young master, I didn’t quite catch that!”

Li Yi clapped his hands. “Yes, that’s my fault for not being clear. Here’s how I do things—I always give people a choice. Here are yours: First, become a model elite of Great Tang, enjoy riches and honor, but suffer a merciless ordeal. Second, I’ll send you back to Xuandu Temple, and you can seek your fortune on your own.”

“Young master! Is there a third option?”

“Let me put it this way: there’s basically not.”

With a resigned sigh, Lan Wei plopped onto the ground. “Young master, I choose the first.”

Li Yi crouched and patted his shoulder. “Good—you’ve made a wise choice.” Then, standing up suddenly, he shouted, “Then what are you sitting around for? Get up and collect stones over there!”

Lan Wei jumped to his feet in fright and, not daring to look back at Li Yi’s dark expression, ran straight for the river.

“Fatty Lan, pick out the big ones. Old Tie, keep an eye on him!”