Chapter Forty: A Distinguished Visitor at the Medical Clinic

Cheng Yaojin cared nothing for business matters; his only concern was ensuring the continued production of the Taibai Drunk. Ultimately, he departed from the distillery clutching the fine liquor, eager to savor it properly. According to Su Chen, the next batch would not be ready for several days, so these four jars would have to suffice for the time being.

Watching his father leave, Cheng Chumo turned back to study Su Chen. "I have a feeling something isn't right. It seems as though you orchestrated my father's arrival today, didn't you?" Realization had dawned on him. Otherwise, how could the timing have been so coincidental? Everything had been perfectly aligned: his father arrived just as the workers were pausing their tasks, and upon hearing Su Chen’s pitch, he had unhesitatingly offered up a piece of his land.

Su Chen patted Cheng Chumo on the shoulder. This was his trusted friend, and although he had begun to see through the ploy, he had been discreet enough not to expose it in front of Cheng Yaojin. "Since you’ve figured it out, I’ll be honest. I have many things to develop and was in need of a space. I’m certain your father will be extremely pleased once these projects come to fruition. Although I used a bit of maneuvering, I’ve also ceded a portion of the profits, so your father won't be at a loss."

The reputation of Su Chen's Taibai Drunk was already well-established in Chang'an. Even if it were not sold in Cheng Yaojin's taverns, it would have no trouble finding buyers elsewhere. Sales were not an issue, but Su Chen chose to share the profits with Cheng Yaojin both to acknowledge his contribution—effectively making him an investor—and to draw him closer. By binding their interests together, Su Chen would gain a powerful backer against Zhangsun Chong and other prominent noble clans. Relying on his brother-in-law, Li Chengqian, was essentially useless; given the crown prince's disposition, he offered little benefit. In fact, Su Chen suspected that Li Chengqian would soon be the one needing him, so he had to accelerate his plans.

"I see. As long as our family isn't losing out, I don't care much about the rest," Cheng Chumo replied, satisfied.

In truth, neither of them realized that Cheng Yaojin had understood the situation from the start. From the moment he stepped into the distillery, he knew he had walked into Su Chen’s trap, but he had simply gone along with it.

*This young lad is incredibly shrewd,* Cheng Yaojin mused. *If he were in the imperial court, even some of the veterans might be outmatched by him. Zhangsun Chong has truly met his match; in twenty days, when he returns, he might hit a wall.* Cheng Yaojin saw through the ruse clearly but chose not to expose them. He believed the boy was worth cultivating, so he participated in the act and provided the land. Since Su Chen ensured he didn't suffer a loss, Cheng Yaojin was happy to walk away with his jars of wine without paying a cent. For anyone else, those four jars would have cost at least four hundred taels, but as a shareholder, it was only natural for him to take a few.

After returning home, Cheng Yaojin sent over the land deed. With this property, Su Chen’s future plans became much easier to execute. "Song Laosan, gather the workers immediately. I will provide the blueprints shortly. Work quickly; I need a facility established there in the shortest time possible."

Time was running out. There were only twenty days left before Zhangsun Chong returned to Chang'an. Su Chen had to finish building his weapons by then to secure the support of the military generals—this was his trump card. Having already offended two major families, he had to avoid further conflict during this period to keep his plans on track. He left the others to resume production of the Taibai Drunk.

"Brother Su Chen, what exactly are you building? I don't understand why you're in such a rush to set something up outside the city," Cheng Chumo asked, baffled. Su Chen had no time to explain. Had he a year or two, he could proceed at a leisurely pace, but to ensure his absolute safety and to suppress Zhangsun Chong, he had to succeed now.

"In a dozen days or so, you will understand," Su Chen replied. "This facility is being built for the Imperial Court, not for myself."

This left Cheng Chumo even more confused. The land had been given to Su Chen by his father, yet now Su Chen claimed it was for the state. He didn't understand the scheme, but he knew that sticking with Su Chen was the right path; he would find out soon enough.

"Regardless of what you're building, since our Taibai Drunk is bringing in so much money, I think we could establish a couple more distilleries on that land and increase production," Cheng Chumo suggested, his attitude having shifted entirely. He had once thought selling wine was not very profitable, but now that they were pulling in thousands of taels of silver a day, it was beyond his wildest expectations.

As they walked toward the infirmary, Su Chen reassured him, "Don't worry, brother. As long as you follow me, we will achieve great things. These ventures will become our foundation."

Cheng Chumo suspected Su Chen was boasting again, but given that all his previous "boasts" had come true, he found it impossible to doubt him. Before they reached the infirmary, several apprentices rode up to them on horseback. "Young Master, a distinguished guest has arrived at the infirmary; you must return immediately."

Upon questioning them, Su Chen learned it was Princess Changle. He wondered why she was there—the misunderstandings from their last encounter had caused enough trouble, and it remained unresolved. Why would she come to his infirmary now? Su Chen and Cheng Chumo quickened their pace toward the infirmary.