Chapter 678: The Dominant Zhai Family

Day Two
Zhu Fuxiao, Du Fuwei, and Li Mi were upstairs drinking, waiting for the people from the Zhai family to arrive.
"What do you think the people from the Zhai family will do?" Du Fuwei looked at Li Mi, sipping plum wine in his hand.
Li Mi smiled and said, "What else can we do? When it comes to stealing money from others, you and I are the ancestors. It's just a matter of coercion or secret sabotage. Given the dominance and autocracy of the Zhai family, they will probably just directly close down the restaurant first."
On one side, Zhu Fuxiao's face darkened and he said with a hint of opposition: "This is all nonsense. Has the rule of law disappeared? The Zhai family is a wealthy family, not bandits. Don't dare to apply the habits of bandits to this respectable family. These people have extraordinary blood flowing within them... "
As Zhu Fuxiao was speaking, there was chaos on the street. It could be seen that hundreds of soldiers from the Five City Garrison were colliding on the street, causing the crowd to scatter and the goods to scatter on the ground.
Those hundreds of soldiers picked up their long spears and swept them around, driving away the customers buying wine, and knocking down the Zhu Ye Qing placed in front of the door, with the fragrance of wine drifting away into the distance.
"Follow the notice posted by Tianfu Yamen, today we are sealing off your inn. Everyone stay in place and don't move," an official shouted as he rushed into the courtyard, seizing the staff and forcing them to kneel on the ground.
Zhufu Xiaos face turned pale as he threw down the wine cup.
How ironic this scene was, just like the one where the major families took away his wine brewing recipe.
"No,"
Perhaps even more domineering, there was simply no obstruction whatsoever.
朱拂晓双手插在袖子里，抬起头看向远方苍穹，目光里露出一抹追忆。
Only the trace of reminiscence in his eyes was quickly interrupted.
"Bang!"
The private room upstairs was forcefully opened, and a group of officials rushed in like wolves and tigers. They stuffed all the valuable items into their arms and then shouted, "Get out of here. Today this restaurant is sealed by the Prefecture. Without the Prefecture's official decree, you are not allowed to stay here."
While speaking, he reached out and shoved. Li Mi and others did not resist, allowing the official to drive them out of the restaurant.
"I originally thought the other party would use courtesy before force, but who knew they would be even more overbearing than I imagined, without even the slightest pretense," Zhu Fuxiao sighed.
"They are not as good as the major families in the past," Zhu Fuxiao sighed.
As the three of them walked out of the restaurant, looking for a place to go, they saw someone blocking their way not far away. "Are you three the owners of this restaurant?"
"Indeed, who are you?" Du Fuwei countered.
The swordsman did not respond, but turned and walked towards the back: "My young master wants to see you."
The three watched as the swordsman walked away. At this moment, several figures approached from all directions, enveloping the three in the center.
"Come and take a look." Du Fuwei glanced at Zhu Fuxiao without a trace and then followed the warrior.
The three of them followed the warrior and arrived at a secluded corner where a luxurious carriage was parked. There were eight warriors in black martial attire standing around the carriage.
There was a man standing respectfully beside him, who appeared to be in charge of affairs.
"Sir, the person has arrived," a samurai came to the carriage and respectfully reported, then he stepped aside.
"This is Young Master Zhai from the Zhai family, Mr. Zhai," the steward-looking person looked at the three people and said, "In Luoyang City, you can inquire about it. Even if it's the Li family imperial clan, they must show respect to my Zhai family."
"Don't bother wasting words with him, just get things done," came an impatient voice from inside the carriage.
The steward clapped his hands and a guard brought a tray, on which were sealed contract documents.
"We won't bully you either. We've prepared two options for you. The first option is for you to sell the restaurant to my Zhai family, and our Third Young Master has prepared thirty taels of silver for you. The other option is for you to surrender the restaurant and work for my Zhai family as a servant, serving our family's interests. Both documents are here, you can choose for yourself." The steward said with a smiling face.
"The documents of Ying Tianfu have already been drafted. Once you sign these documents, you can leave."
Looking at the documents on the tray, Li Mi and Du Fuwei looked at each other, their eyes showing a hint of mockery as they glanced at Zhu Fuxiao.
Du Fuwei said, "What about the thirty taels of silver? San Lao Ye is generous, let's go to the brothel and have a lavish feast, it will cost at least a hundred taels of silver."
"Why are you babbling? Having thirty taels of silver is already good enough. Are we supposed to go work like oxen and horses for the Zhai family?" Li Mi said impatiently.
"What if we don't choose either of these?" Zhu Fuxiao stepped forward and interrupted the sarcastic conversation between the two with a fiery gaze.
"Not choosing? That's not a problem. My Zhai family naturally has a way to make you choose," the steward said with a sly smile, his words dripping with venom, making one think he was a benevolent and kind person.
"I want to see what your Zhai family is capable of that would make me give up my winery." Zhu Fuxiao snorted coldly and turned to leave.
But at this moment, a group of black-clothed warriors surrounded Zhu Fuxiao and the other two with a whooshing sound.
"Let them go," said Zhai Sanye inside the carriage. "One does not stop until reaching the heart of the Yellow River; one does not turn back until hitting the southern wall. Let's just wait and see."
Zhu Fuxiao and the other two returned angrily, thinking more and more as they walked. Until they arrived at the front of the tavern and saw the shattered drinks and the sealed note, Zhu Fuxiao's eyes began to burn with anger. "You go with the letter and go to the Qin Palace to see what the King of Qin says. After all, you are one of the top experts in the world. Can the Li Tang Court still allow you to be bullied?"
This remark was made to someone, and Li Mi and Du Fuwei knew it well.
Du Fuwei nodded and took the note, heading to the Qin King's Mansion. Zhu Fuxiao and Li Mi sat in the hall and waited.
Now, when Du Fuwei arrived at the Qin King's Mansion and presented the note, it didn't take long for someone in charge to come out and lead Du Fuwei inside.
Li Shimin has arrived at Erlie to welcome Du Fuwei: "Why does the Grand Marshal have time to visit my residence?"
"Oh." Du Fuwei sighed: "Since surrendering to the court, I have been contemplating all day with nothing to do. It's not a solution, so I thought about making wine. But who would have thought that the wine workshop I just opened the day before yesterday would be shut down today."
Li Shimin frowned, and he already knew Du Fuwei's purpose, the other party came to make a complaint.
"Who dares to be so bold and seal your restaurant?"
"Zhai Family's Third Master." Du Fuwei looked at Li Shimin.
Li Shimin couldn't help but smile bitterly and said, "Minister, you should be well aware of the background of the Zhai family. Why bother to trouble me?"
"Ah, if you don't want to provoke the Zhai family, do you think I want to?" Li Shimin rubbed his temples. "I'll remove the seal for you first so you can start your restaurant business. As for dealing with the Zhai family, I'll go as a mediator. The Zhai family has the support of Li Jing and my father, and has even gained the support of Confucius. If they don't give me face, it will be troublesome."
Du Fuwei, there's not much to say. We just had tea with Li Shimin for a while and then he left.
Watching Du Fuwei's figure disappear into the distance, Li Shimin took a deep breath and said, "We must not provoke the Zhai family, and it's not easy to offend Du Fuwei either. The Zhai family is too domineering in Chang'an, and it’s a matter of time before they stir up trouble."
Li Shimin personally went to Ying Tianfu and gave a thunderous scolding, which made the Ying Tianfu yamen embarrassed. The bailiff removed the seal overnight.
In the evening, Li Shimin personally hosted a banquet at the Qinwangfu to entertain Mr. Zhai San.
Zhai Sanye is not old, he is only in his early thirties. At this moment, he sat there, unable to contain his joy as he held a beautiful woman in his arms.
"Second Young Master, why did you invite me here tonight? Is there something you want to discuss?" Zhai Sanye looked at Li Shimin.
Li Shimin said, "There is indeed something that is not easy to handle."
"What kind of matter is it that makes the Second Young Master puzzled?" Zhai San-ye exclaimed in surprise.
There was a trace of gloom in Li Shimin's eyes. He was already more than five hundred years old, but this Zhai San-ye was only in his thirties and dared to speak to him so disrespectfully, calling him "Second Young Master". Back in the day, even if Zhu Fuxiao was still alive, the two were considered peers.
Li Shimin is so shrewd that he calmly said, "Do you know whose business the restaurant we sealed today belongs to?"
"Is it the second young master's?" Mr. Zhai was taken aback.
"That's not it," said Li Jingnian, as he turned the computer screen towards me, pointing at a document on it. "I had Bai Yang tailor-make a short play just for you! Let me tell you, this is something only you have, others don't get such treatment!"
"Is it related to the Li Tang royal family?" Zhai Sanye asked again.
"Not really." Li Shimin said, "It has nothing to do with the Li Tang royal family."
"Well then, that's no problem." Zhai Sanye chuckled, "That arrogant person, does he also come to ask the Second Master for help?"
Li Shimin sighed and thought to himself: This Zhai San is arrogant and does not regard heroes of the world highly. Sooner or later, he will suffer a big setback.
"It belongs to General Manager Du Fuwu's industry," replied Li Shimin.
Lord Zhai paused for a moment before sitting up straight and spoke after a long while, "So you mean in the future I cannot use the power of my official position. I heard people say that the so-called Grand Commander of Jianghuai used to be just a subsidiary force of my Zhai family. Now that I ask him to present the tavern, he dares to defy my orders."
With a deep breath, Zhai San elevated his gaze towards the distance: "It might be somewhat difficult to handle. Naturally, this matter will not cause trouble for the young master, and in the future, when it comes to the affairs of the martial world, it will definitely not trouble the court."
The Third Lord Zhai and Emperor Li Shimin finished their drinks and left while inebriated.
Looking at the back of Lord Zhai, Emperor Li Shimin shook his head and said, "The Zhai family is digging their own grave. Is Du Fuwei someone to be trifled with? Judging by Lord Zhai's attitude, it is clear that he does not regard the Grand General highly. Today's incident is likely far from over."
As Zhai Sanye walked out of the Qin Wang Mansion, a steward approached him with a worried expression and said, "Sanye, since the King of Qin has personally acted as a mediator, why don't we follow his lead and put an end to this matter? Duke Du Fawei is not someone to be trifled with."
"Hmph, Du Fuwei is nothing but a waste. If he had any ability, how could his foundation be destroyed by the Li family? Even the Li family has to fear my Zhai family to some extent, let alone just a Du Fuwei. If I can seize the opportunity to control him and bring him back to the Zhai family, our strength will surely climb another step. This restaurant is an opportunity." Zhai San said, scheming.