Chapter 32: Imperial Jade Nectar, One Hundred and Eighty a Cup

Li Shimin was preparing to dismiss the morning court session when he noticed Li Shen peeking in from the doorway. He called out loudly, "Li Shen, what are you doing sneaking around over there? If you have something to say, come inside."

Hearing his father call, Li Shen hurried into the main hall. The gathered officials paused, curious to see what the young prince wanted. After stepping forward and offering a formal salute, Li Shen said to Li Shimin, "Father, the Mid-Autumn Festival is almost upon us, and I have come to bring you a gift."

"Oh? Then why didn't you send it to the inner palace?" Li Shimin asked.

"Father, I have only just retrieved the items from outside the palace and brought them straight to you," Li Shen replied.

"What exactly is it? Since the ministers are still here, let them have a taste as well," Li Shimin commanded.

"Understood. Bring them in," Li Shen said to Xiao Shitou and his attendants.

Xiao Shitou, Chunxiang, Dongmei, and Lan Yu'er entered, each carrying a rosewood box. They stood beside Li Shen. Li Shen took one of the boxes and said to Li Shimin, "Father, the Mid-Autumn gift I have brought you is a fine liquor I happened upon by chance. I have named it 'Zhenguan Brew: Imperial Jade Nectar'."

Wang De stepped forward to take the box. After Li An inspected it and confirmed it was safe, Wang De placed it before Li Shimin. On the lid were two lines of calligraphy: "Zhenguan Brew" above and "Imperial Jade Nectar" below, accompanied by exquisitely carved illustrations of immortals drinking. Inside the box were two jars of wine wrapped in red silk.

Li Shimin took out a jar, and Wang De removed the wax seal. As soon as it was opened, the aroma of the wine filled the air; even the officials in the front row could smell it. Li Shimin ordered Wang De to pour a cup. The liquid was as clear as water—had it not been for the intoxicating scent, Li Shimin would have suspected it was merely water. He picked up the cup to taste it.

"Your Majesty, let this old servant be the first to taste it, as I am prone to gluttony," Wang De said. It was protocol, and a sign of Wang De's unwavering loyalty.

"It is unnecessary; the Prince of Ji is but a child," Li Shimin replied, implying that one so young would never think to use poison.

Li Shimin took a sip. Instantly, a potent heat surged to his head. Caught off guard and unwilling to lose face, he fought the urge to cough, his face turning bright red. The onlookers were terrified, fearing the wine was poisoned. Wang De rushed forward, "Your Majesty, are you alright?" The ministers were equally anxious.

Having recovered, Li Shimin exclaimed, "Excellent wine! Truly excellent! This liquor is clear and pure, yet incredibly potent. Upon entering the mouth, it is rich with a savory aroma, elegant and delicate, with a full-bodied texture and a lingering aftertaste. It is indeed worthy of being called an Imperial Jade Nectar."

Watching the Emperor, the ministers were skeptical, wondering if he was merely praising it because it was a gift from his son. They had all sampled fine wines, even the imperial tribute alcohols, and found it hard to believe it was that extraordinary.

Noticing their skepticism, Li Shimin said, "Since it is such fine wine, I shall share it with you all. Bring more cups!"

"Father, I have brought cups," Li Shen said quickly. He had his attendants bring out a box of fine porcelain wine cups and distribute them.

Li Shimin paused, realizing that Li Shen had even prepared the cups—it seemed there was more to this gift-giving than met the eye. Wang De went from minister to minister, filling their cups. Soon, the hall was filled with the fragrance of the wine. Li Shimin raised his cup and said, "Come, gentlemen, let us drink together."

The ministers thanked him and downed the wine in one gulp. Li Shimin hadn't warned them of its strength, and soon the court was filled with the sound of coughing. They looked at the Emperor with aggrieved expressions, though they had to admit the wine was indeed superb—crystal clear with no impurities. Li Shimin then allowed everyone another cup. This time, they sipped slowly and discovered that, as the Emperor had said, the aftertaste was indeed long and lingering.

"Father, my gift was well-received, was it not?" Li Shen began his pitch.

"Indeed, it is excellent. I like it very much. Where did you acquire this wine?" Li Shimin asked, playing along, as he knew Li Shen had opened his own distillery.

"I found it at a place in the Eastern Market called the 'Boutique Pavilion.' They only had ten such gift boxes, and I bought them all for the festival. I heard they open to the public tomorrow, selling both standard and premium gift sets. They are perfect for Mid-Autumn gifting. Even the lower-grade wine is far superior to anything currently on the market. But I hear the quantities are limited, as such fine wine is not easy to produce," Li Shen explained.

Hearing this, many of the lower-ranking officials decided they would visit the shop tomorrow to purchase gifts.

"Your Highness, the Prince of Ji, may I ask what the value of this wine is?" Fang Xuanling suddenly asked.

"What do you think such 'Imperial Jade Nectar' is worth, Minister Fang?" Li Shen countered.

"I believe such a fine vintage should be worth ten thousand copper coins," Fang Xuanling said with a smile.

"Haha, Minister Fang, I can only tell you that this Imperial Jade Nectar costs one hundred and eighty coins per cup," Li Shen laughed.

"One hundred and eighty coins per cup?"

"Is it one hundred and eighty copper coins, or one hundred and eighty strings of cash?"

"It must be one hundred and eighty coins. How could it be one hundred and eighty strings?"

"You mean that cup we just had was one hundred and eighty coins?"

"We each just drank three hundred and sixty coins worth!"

"Your Highness, what is the price for a box of two jars?" Tang Jian asked from the side.

"To be honest, Minister Tang, a box costs fifty strings of cash," Li Shen replied. In truth, the cost was less than two strings, but since no one else had it, its scarcity drove the price.

The hall erupted in gasps. Fifty strings for two jars of wine—it wasn't that they couldn't afford it, but few would be willing to spend so much. Even the best wine in Chang'an usually cost only two strings.

Li Shimin was also taken aback by Li Shen's extravagance. Wang De, standing nearby, was shocked to realize that the jar Li Shen had given him was worth twenty-five strings—enough to buy four or five acres of land. The ministers began to heap praise on Li Shen for his filial piety, which left Li Shimin beaming with joy.

While the ministers were still praising him, Li Shen picked up another box and walked over to Changsun Wuji. "Uncle, please take this box to my eldest sister. Tell her that because Father will not allow me to leave the palace, I cannot deliver it to her myself, and I hope she will not mind."

Li Shimin's eyes twitched; he knew Li Shen was making a point, but he remained impassive.

"I thank the Prince of Ji on behalf of Lizhi," Changsun Wuji said with a smile, accepting the box. He knew he would end up drinking it himself, as Li Lizhi did not drink wine, and a box worth fifty strings was quite the gift.

Li Shen then took a box to Li Chengqian. "Big Brother, take this home. Father won't let me out, so I can't visit your manor. When you get back, put some high-quality ginseng and deer antler inside to soak, seal it, and open it in a month. A small cup every day is good for your health. And do try to drink less, Big Brother."

Li Chengqian smiled as he accepted it, knowing that Li Shen was using this as a way to needle their father about the travel restrictions. Li Shen did the same for Li Tai, using the same excuse, much to Li Shimin's embarrassment in front of his court.

"Enough! If there is nothing else, the court is dismissed!" Li Shimin wanted Li Shen out of his sight; he was too embarrassed.

As the officials exited the Taiji Hall, they saw a carriage outside laden with five or six more boxes—the remainder of Li Shen's stock.

"Your Highness, could you sell one box to this old servant?" Zhang Liang, the Duke of Yun, asked.

"I am truly sorry, Duke Zhang, but these remaining boxes are all promised to others. I shall bring you one next time," Li Shen replied. Seeing Li Daozong and Li Xiaogong, he quickly called out, "Royal Uncles! Wait!"

The two princes stopped and looked at Li Shen with confusion.

"Royal Uncles, it is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and I have prepared a gift for you as well," Li Shen said. Being members of the imperial clan and cousins to Li Shimin, Li Shen wanted to show them respect, especially since Li Daozong had helped him in the past.

He walked to the carriage and handed each of them a gift box. "Royal Uncles, have the imperial physician prescribe some herbs for blood circulation to soak in the wine. After a while, a cup a day will help heal your old wounds. You have worked hard fighting alongside Father for so many years."

"You are very thoughtful, nephew. It is what a member of the imperial clan should do," Li Xiaogong said.

"Indeed, Li Shen. It is all for the sake of our Li dynasty," Li Daozong added.

Both were deeply moved by Li Shen's respect, and the surrounding officials were highly impressed by his conduct. In ancient times, filial piety and family honor were paramount, and Li Shen's actions won the hearts of many in the court.