Chapter 56: Li Xiaogong’s Decisiveness

“Excuse me, gentlemen, is His Highness at home? I have an urgent matter to report and would be most grateful if you could announce me,” Manager Lu inquired politely, standing by the carriage.

“His Highness is presently in the study discussing official business with his attendants. You may proceed directly there and wait,” the guard replied with a nod.

“Thank you very much.” Manager Lu cupped his hands in gratitude and hastened toward the prince’s study.

Inside the study of the princely residence, Li Xiaogong was in the midst of instructing several trusted subordinates when a guard entered to report that Manager Lu from Wangjiang Pavilion was waiting outside with an urgent request for an audience.

Li Xiaogong frowned. Though Manager Lu was merely the manager of Wangjiang Pavilion, he usually conveyed any business through intermediaries. That he had come to the residence himself today and insisted on seeing him suggested the matter was of great importance.

“Very well, we’ll continue this discussion another time. You are all dismissed,” Li Xiaogong said, waving his hand to his subordinates.

They quickly took their leave, and Li Xiaogong instructed the guard to admit Manager Lu.

Manager Lu entered the study, glanced around to ensure the guards and attendants had withdrawn, then stepped forward and bowed deeply before Li Xiaogong. He gently set down the food box he carried and carefully drew from his sleeve the renovation proposal for Wangjiang Pavilion penned by Du Chengfeng, holding it up respectfully with both hands.

“Your Highness, I bring you a renovation proposal for Wangjiang Pavilion written by Du Chengfeng. I confess I do not fully grasp its intricacies, but my intuition tells me this plan is exceptionally promising. I ask that Your Highness consider it,” he said solemnly.

“Oh? Du Chengfeng wrote this?” Li Xiaogong’s interest was immediately piqued at the mention of Du Chengfeng’s name. Though he had met the young man only once, all the intelligence he had gathered pointed to Du Chengfeng as a prodigious genius—gifted, clever, and possessed of a singular pride.

For Manager Lu to treat this plan so seriously, it must indeed be extraordinary.

Li Xiaogong’s curiosity was well and truly aroused. He rose, took the proposal from Manager Lu, and began to study it with keen attention.

Because it was Du Chengfeng’s work, Li Xiaogong read with particular care. The further he read, the more his eyes shone with excitement, and he could not help but exclaim, “Remarkable! Truly remarkable! It’s nothing short of perfect!”

To his mind, Du Chengfeng’s proposal was comprehensive in every respect, integrating a variety of projects with a rational and polished layout. Many of the ideas and management methods were utterly novel to him, yet on close reflection, they were ingenious.

Should Wangjiang Pavilion be remodeled according to this plan, it would surely become a place from which guests would be loath to depart, a landmark within the capital itself.

Yet Li Xiaogong’s instincts told him there were aspects of the plan left unstated, as if what was on paper was only a tantalizing glimpse of a greater vision. It was clear the details far exceeded what had been written.

With his discerning eye, he judged that even a seasoned official from the Ministry of Works could not have drafted such a proposal, let alone a youth not yet twenty.

Clearly, Du Chengfeng was far more than he appeared on the surface. Li Xiaogong resolved that he would have to meet with him for a thorough discussion.

Seeing Li Xiaogong’s obvious approval of Du Chengfeng’s renovation plan, Manager Lu then lifted the food box, carefully opened it, and placed the dishes inside upon the wooden table in the study.

He said, “Your Highness, Du Chengfeng has prepared another surprise for you—these innovative dishes, all made by his own hand. He intends for them to be featured at Wangjiang Pavilion, and invites Your Highness to taste them first. They are truly delicious.”

“Innovative dishes? Delicious? Made personally by Du Chengfeng?” Li Xiaogong was taken aback, a rush of questions echoing in his mind.

He regarded the dishes Manager Lu had set out, still steaming and fragrant, yet seemed somewhat hesitant—not out of pettiness or timidity, but because he was frankly astonished.

Li Xiaogong mused that this young man was almost preternatural. Not only did he surpass others in literary talent and calligraphy, with a bearing all his own, he also held in his hands the secret to high-yield rice that could transform the empire’s harvests, and could compose a flawless proposal that eluded even the most skilled officials. And now, as if that were not enough, Manager Lu was telling him that the young man could also craft exquisite cuisine.

Though many scholars scorned the notion of men entering the kitchen, Li Xiaogong was a military man and harbored no such prejudices—he simply found it hard to believe.

Sensing his hesitation, Manager Lu urged, “Rest assured, Your Highness. I have already tasted these dishes at Du Chengfeng’s residence, and I can attest they are rare delicacies. I dare say not a single tavern in all Chang’an can match their color, fragrance, and flavor.”

“Very well! Since you praise them so highly, I shall try them,” Li Xiaogong declared, decisively taking up his chopsticks and placing a generous piece of cumin lamb into his mouth.

The rich aroma of cumin perfectly complemented the lamb, instantly whetting Li Xiaogong’s appetite.

“Excellent! Exquisite! Truly a taste to savor,” he praised between mouthfuls, smacking his lips with abandon, all princely dignity forgotten in the face of such culinary delight.

Manager Lu watched in secret amusement—His Highness’s enthusiasm for good food was truly unmatched. Clearly, the allure of fine cuisine knew no boundaries.

In no time at all, Li Xiaogong had polished off the plates of lotus leaf chicken, cumin lamb, and spring rolls, each dish left spotlessly clean, as if he wished he could lick the plates themselves.

“Manager Lu, do these splendid dishes have names?” Li Xiaogong asked contentedly, wiping the oil from his lips with a handkerchief.

“They do, Your Highness—spring rolls, lotus leaf chicken, and cumin lamb,” Manager Lu replied with delight.

“Indeed, they are unique—better even than the fare served in the imperial palace! Manager Lu, you have done admirably this time.”

“I am most satisfied with this plan, it is flawless. I will see you well rewarded. Go back and inform Du Chengfeng that I wish to see him and discuss this proposal in detail.”

Having tasted such delicious dishes and seen Du Chengfeng’s plans for Wangjiang Pavilion, Li Xiaogong’s face shone with a radiant smile.

“Your Highness, Du Chengfeng has one more request: if he can increase Wangjiang Pavilion’s revenues by more than threefold, he asks for thirty percent of the future profits,” Manager Lu ventured.

“Thirty percent? That is entirely reasonable,” Li Xiaogong responded without a second thought.

In his view, if Wangjiang Pavilion could truly be transformed according to Du Chengfeng’s vision, with its array of novel features and these new dishes, not only could revenue triple, it could very well increase fivefold. Thirty percent was a small price to pay—more than worth it.

“Very well, Your Highness. I shall notify Du Chengfeng immediately.” Manager Lu was overjoyed at Li Xiaogong’s unequivocal answer.