Chapter Thirty-One: True Companions Need No Words of Thanks

"Yulang, you mentioned before that you needed help with something. What is it?"

"Alas, I am ashamed to say, it concerns a debt."

"Oh? A debt?"

"Exactly!"

...

Li Zhao did not hold anything back. He recounted in detail how the family distillery had a contract with Drunken Immortal Tavern, the inability to deliver on time, and the clause demanding triple compensation. He then put forward his request: not to be excused from the debt, but simply to have some leniency—at most two months, during which he promised to deliver the thirty thousand strings of cash.

Once finished, Li Zhao looked directly at Cui Zongzhi, eager to see how this young Duke of Qi would respond. After all, even men of integrity are not always immune to the lure of wealth!

"So that's how it is. Where is Manager Jia of Drunken Immortal Tavern?"

"Reporting to Your Grace, Manager Jia is tallying the accounts in the front!"

"Bring him here at once, and have him bring the account books as well."

"Yes, sir!"

A servant hurried out and soon returned with a man in his early forties, short and stout, with a large head and a round face. His eyes were bright and alert—clearly a shrewd and capable man. He carried a thick stack of ledgers in his arms.

"Your humble servant, Jia Fugui, pays respects to Your Grace, wishing you health and longevity!"

"Dispense with the formalities. I hear Drunken Immortal Tavern, under your management, has a contract with the Li family distillery, which is now due, and you’re demanding triple compensation?"

"That is correct, Your Grace!"

"Hand over the contract!"

"At once!"

Though unsure of the situation, Manager Jia dared not delay. He quickly pulled the contract from between the pages of the ledger and respectfully set it on the table.

Cui Zongzhi did not even glance at it. With a few quick motions, he tore the contract to shreds and tossed it into the incense burner nearby, where it was instantly reduced to ashes.

He then instructed Manager Jia that the matter of the contract was not to be mentioned again. As for the Li family's distillery, whenever the wine was ready, it should be delivered to Drunken Immortal Tavern—no refusals allowed, and the price would be set favorably.

This action took Li Zhao completely by surprise. He had thought that securing a month or two of leniency would be more than generous. Never did he expect Cui Zongzhi to simply forgive the debt altogether—thirty thousand strings of cash was no small sum. It was clear from this that the young Duke of Qi was not only of noble character but also a man who regarded wealth as mere dust, generous to a fault.

Such a man was worth befriending!

But then again, as a true man of honor, one must distinguish clearly between gratitude and grievance. Though the other party might choose to forgive the debt, he himself could not shirk repayment. Not only must he repay it, he must do so with interest... With gratitude, Li Zhao made up his mind.

"Yulang, let us drink!"

"Very well, let us drink!"

"Bottoms up—ha ha!"

The two continued to drink from large bowls, carrying on until dusk. In total, they consumed six large jars of grape wine, yet neither had bested the other; though the servants could see clearly that Cui Zongzhi's cheeks were flushed, and he was about seventy or eighty percent drunk.

Li Zhao, however, remained composed, his speech clear and steady, unchanged from before, as if what he drank was nothing more than water. It was apparent that, if they continued, Cui Zongzhi would inevitably lose.

The servants were astonished. After all, Cui Zongzhi was not only known for his love of wine but also for his prodigious capacity, ranking among the best in Chang'an's noble circles. Only a handful, like the Duke of Ruyang—Li Jin, the Secretariat Drafter—Su Jin, and the Vice Minister of Rites—He Zhizhang, could match him.

Unexpectedly, today he met a more formidable opponent—a youth yet in his teens.

So young, yet able to hold his liquor so fearlessly; if he grew a few more years, would he not become invincible in drink, immune to even a thousand cups?

After another short while, seeing that night had fallen, Li Zhao rose to take his leave. Cui Zongzhi personally escorted him to the gate and instructed his servants to use his own carriage to send Li Zhao back to Qianlong Ridge. They clasped fists and parted reluctantly.

Outside the inn, those who had been waiting witnessed this scene and erupted in surprise once more.

...

After the farewell, Cui Zongzhi summoned Manager Jia again and inquired in detail about Li Zhao’s family situation and the affairs of the distillery.

The latter answered every question fully and honestly.

"Oh? So Yulang still owes quite a few debts?"

"Indeed. I hear he owes several merchant houses at least two or three thousand strings, and they are pressing him closely."

"If that’s the case, then tomorrow I must trouble you to transfer some funds from the estate’s accounts and settle these debts on his behalf!"

"Ah!"

What was going on? Not only had he just forgiven a debt of thirty thousand strings, now he was going to pay off Li Zhao’s other debts out of his own pocket? This was generosity beyond belief.

Manager Jia wanted to protest, but knowing the young duke’s character—bold, generous, ready to bleed for a friend—he knew it was useless to argue. Nonetheless, there was a trace of displeasure on his face.

"Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but Your Grace treats others with such sincerity—I fear they may not always appreciate it."

"Oh? Why do you say that?"

"Just now at the banquet, Your Grace personally tore up the contract and burned it to ashes, yet that young master Li Zhao didn’t even utter a word of thanks. Isn’t that rather rude? That was thirty thousand strings—enough to build a new tavern!"

"Ha ha!"

Far from being annoyed, Cui Zongzhi threw back his head and laughed, leaving the surrounding servants utterly bewildered.

"Manager Jia, let me ask you: if a stranger did you a great favor, how would you respond?"

"Why, I would thank them profusely and be endlessly grateful."

"And if it were a friend who helped you?"

"Between friends, mutual assistance is natural. I would acknowledge it, but with less ceremony—there would be an opportunity to repay it in the future."

"And if it were a soulmate, a friend bound by life and death—what then?"

"Well..."

Manager Jia understood the meaning behind Cui Zongzhi’s words.

Courtesy is for strangers. Between true friends, there is no need for such formality, even in the face of great favors.

If one insists on it, it only serves to place distance between them!

But the question remained: today was the first time the young duke and Li Zhao had met. They had played a few games of chess and shared some wine. How could they already be confidants joined in spirit?

"Ha ha! As the saying goes: when the right people meet, a single glance is worth a thousand years; when they are not, even a lifetime is wasted... Mark my words, this soulmate—I have found him!"

Cui Zongzhi was full of confidence.

Gold is easily found; a kindred spirit is rare. Today, to meet such a friend was truly one of life’s great fortunes!

...

Now, let us turn to another scene.

After returning to his home on Qianlong Ridge, Li Zhao enjoyed a sound night’s rest. The next day, he rose early, took some steamed buns, and set out for Wuan County, intending to win a handsome sum at the cockfighting arena.

In three days, he planned to win several hundred strings of cash, pay the overdue wages to the distillery workers, get the distillery running again, and then, with a few clever tricks, solve the remaining problems.

"Wait, what’s going on?"

The plan was sound, but upon reaching the cockfighting arena, he was stunned to find the gates shut, the place deserted, not even the crowing of a rooster. The surrounding taverns, teahouses, and entertainment venues were the same—cold and empty. What was happening?

A quick inquiry revealed the truth: the Virtuous Dowager Consort had passed away at the age of seventy-three.

The Virtuous Dowager Consort, birth name Wang Fangmei, was one of the concubines of Emperor Ruizong of Tang—Li Dan. She was famed for her virtue and much beloved by the emperor, who granted her the title of Lady Wang the Virtuous.

When the present emperor, Li Longji, was eight years old, his own mother, Consort Dou, fell victim to palace intrigue (executed by Empress Wu, her remains lost). From then on, Lady Wang the Virtuous took charge of Li Longji’s upbringing. Though not his birth mother, their bond was as close as that of mother and son.

After ascending the throne, Li Longji did not forget her kindness and personally elevated her to Virtuous Dowager Consort, granting her honors equal to those of the Empress Dowager.

By custom, when an emperor, empress, or empress dowager passes, the entire nation must wear mourning for one hundred days as a sign of respect. Though the Virtuous Dowager Consort was not the empress dowager, the current emperor, in gratitude, decreed she be mourned in the same way.

However, he was wise enough to know that such long mourning would greatly inconvenience the common people. Therefore, he reduced the period: the nation was to mourn for fifteen days only, during which no marriages or celebrations were permitted, all taverns, teahouses, and chess halls were to close, and any violation would be considered a grave offense.

Fifteen days—not long, but not short either. It might mean little to most, but for those racing against time, it was devastating!

"It's over, completely ruined. Man may plan, but heaven decides. This is a disaster."

Li Zhao had promised the distillery workers their back wages within three days. Now, with this development, all his plans were thrown into chaos.

No entertainment, no cockfighting—how could he make money?

A man of honor cannot go back on his word. He would have to find another way.

Helpless, Li Zhao wandered the streets with his steamed buns, searching for any opportunity to earn money.

But during this period of national mourning, the streets were nearly deserted, all businesses shuttered, with squads of Imperial Guards patrolling to catch any secret revelers—those caught faced severe punishment!

He wandered the whole day, but found not a single opportunity.