sovbooks Chapter 36 The Wine Was Confiscated
Chapter 36 The Wine Was Confiscated
Cheng Yaojin inwardly cursed his bad luck, but remained calm on the surface, solemnly covering up his lie: "He was just a traveling merchant who left Chang'an immediately after selling his goods. I was only attracted by the aroma of the wine and did not ask his name or origin. This jar is the only one left."
He spoke with such seriousness and composure, as if there really was such a passing merchant.
Yuchi Gong, standing to the side, held his wine cup, secretly suppressing a laugh.
Just now in the mansion, Cheng Yaojin clearly stated that it was brewed by a junior friend, but in the blink of an eye, in front of His Majesty, he fabricated a story about a foreign merchant.
He knew perfectly well that the more Cheng Yaojin tried to conceal it, the more it proved that the wine had an extraordinary origin and was of rare quality.
The fewer people who know, the more he can keep it to himself. Yuchi Gong saw through this thought at a glance, but he pretended not to know and did not expose it in the slightest.
Li Shimin was a man of great wisdom and worldly experience. Having spent half his life in the court, how could he not see through Cheng Yaojin's carefully concealed intentions?
He simply had no intention of exposing it in public. When old friends get together, the point is to enjoy the freedom and ease; there's no need to pry and embarrass anyone.
Moreover, he already knew in his heart that this wine could not have been brewed by ordinary merchants; there must be a reclusive master behind it. Knowing that the wine was a rare and fine brew was enough.
"Well, since they are itinerant merchants, coming and going without a fixed abode, we can't force them." Li Shimin casually took over the conversation, and then slowly moved the whole jar of wine to his side, as if he were putting it away to protect it.
Cheng Yaojin immediately became anxious, glaring and saying, "Your Majesty, this wine..."
Li Shimin spoke with sincerity and concern: "You are impulsive and have a low alcohol tolerance. When you get into a good time, you are prone to dropping the wine jar. It would be such a waste to break such fine wine. I will keep it safe for you in the palace; it's very secure."
"My alcohol tolerance is very stable, I would never make a mistake!" Cheng Yaojin hurriedly defended himself.
"Look how agitated you are, your face is all red, you're clearly drunk."
Li Shimin turned to look at Yuchi Gong, a playful smile on his face, "Jingde, tell me the truth, is Minister Cheng already drunk?"
Yuchi Gong instantly understood His Majesty's meaning, immediately put down his wine bowl, and loudly echoed, "Your Majesty is absolutely right! Old scoundrel Cheng has been drinking non-stop since the start of the banquet, his face is red to his neck, and if he drinks any more, he will surely be completely drunk."
"You old scoundrel Yuchi! You're truly inhuman!" Cheng Yaojin slammed his fist on the table, puffing out his beard and glaring. "Just now at the banquet, you shamelessly pestered me for two bowls of wine, and now you've turned your back on me and lied against your conscience!"
"One thing at a time." Yuchi Gong's expression remained unchanged, and he said seriously, "The wine is good, and it's true that you're a bit tipsy." Then he looked at Qin Shubao, who was slowly peeling shrimp beside him, and said, "Second Brother Qin, you be the judge."
Qin Shubao continued his actions calmly, only uttering a few words: "Today, Zhijie, you have indeed drunk quite a bit."
"Why is Second Brother joining that old scoundrel Yuchi in arguing with me too!" Cheng Yaojin was both angry and helpless. He turned his gaze to Fang Xuanling beside him, hoping to find someone to help him out of the predicament.
Fang Xuanling took a small sip of wine, his expression gentle, but his tone perfectly fair: "I can also testify. When Your Majesty inquired about the source of the wine, General Cheng deliberately concealed it, intending to hoard fine wine. He should be punished lightly."
"I kindly invited you to drink, but you sided with others to belittle me!" Cheng Yaojin looked aggrieved, his face full of resentment at being taken advantage of.
Seeing his anxious and frustrated expression, everyone could no longer contain themselves, and a burst of laughter erupted in the flower hall.
The original formalities and rules of the court were completely dispelled, and the atmosphere became more harmonious and warm.
Looking at the group of old brothers who had followed him on the battlefield and weathered half a lifetime of storms together, Li Shimin saw no barriers or constraints of the hierarchy between ruler and subject amidst their laughter, anger, and banter, and a gentle warmth welled up in his eyes.
With the chaos over and peace restored, it is truly rare to have such a leisurely gathering of old friends, setting aside the power struggles and court intrigues.
He poured himself another half bowl of wine, gazing at the clear, bright liquid inside, and slowly said, "Zhijie, I will not take advantage of you for nothing."
Tomorrow I will have ten bolts of the finest palace silk delivered to your residence to purchase this jar of wine at market price. I will take this wine back to the palace and savor it slowly.
After a brief pause, his tone carried a familiar warmth between old friends, and a casual instruction that left no room for refusal: "If you encounter that foreign merchant again in the future, and he has such fine wine again, prepare two more jars for me, and put them on my tab."
Cheng Yaojin knew perfectly well what was going on. His Majesty was so astute; how could he possibly believe any passing foreign merchant? He had clearly already seen through Cheng Yaojin's lie, but out of consideration for his reputation, he was unwilling to expose him in public.
But he still dared not reveal any trace of Wang Zhihuan. If he did, all the old men present would become curious and would surely come looking for him.
By then, he wouldn't be able to enjoy the fine wine alone, let alone taste it. He had no choice but to bite the bullet and bow, replying, "Your Majesty, rest assured, if that foreign merchant reappears, I will certainly reserve enough for Your Majesty and send it to the palace immediately."
Li Shimin pointed at him and jokingly scolded him, his smile full of understanding and mockery, his words drowned out by the laughter and cheers of the room.
During the banquet, everyone raised their glasses again, and Yuchi Gong busied himself refilling the Emperor's cups, occasionally making a joke about Cheng Yaojin.
They chatted and joked, temporarily setting aside court intrigues, political turmoil, and the hierarchy of official positions.
Only a group of old friends who had walked side by side through the chaos of war remained, sitting around the flower hall, enjoying fine wine and reminiscing about the battles and the dust of bygone days.
The flickering candlelight illuminated the faces of everyone present—whether bold, refined, or resolute. After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere grew increasingly lively.
The jar of fine wine that Cheng Yaojin had "forcibly seized" by Li Shimin was eventually divided up by everyone with the emperor's tacit approval. The wine in the bowls was empty, but the conversation was still going strong, though their hearts were bleeding.
Li Shimin leaned back on the couch, his black casual robe slightly open, toying with an empty blue-and-white porcelain wine bowl in his hand. His gaze swept over familiar faces, and suddenly he sighed softly, his tone carrying a rare sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of deep emotion or reflection):
"Sometimes, when I sit on the high throne in the Taiji Palace and look at the officials standing solemnly below, I suddenly recall the days when we old brothers gathered around the campfire in the Qin Prince's Mansion or on the march, eating dry rations with cold water, yet we could talk about the world and speak freely."
He paused, a gentle smile appearing on his lips: "Back then, there weren't so many rules. Jingde dared to snatch my dried meat, Zhijie dared to point his finger at me and scold me for being reckless in my military campaigns, and Xuanling and Fuji could argue with me until their faces turned red over a single strategy."
Upon hearing this, Yuchi Gong rubbed his hands together somewhat embarrassedly and chuckled, "Back then, we were ignorant and arrogant. Your Majesty, please forgive us."