Chapter 9

Prince An gave Li Shimin a disdainful glance and shot back without any courtesy.

"Hey—don't you dare be不服气, come on, let me tell you something—"

After saying that, Prince An put down his wine cup, pulled over a small stool, and leaned in close to Li Shimin, whose face was flushed red.

"Do you know what the most important resource for a country is? Forget it, you definitely don't know, so I shouldn't have asked—"

Li Shimin: …

Are you looking down on me?!

Prince An raised his wine cup, took another sip, and finished it in one go.

He was completely drunk, his eyes hazy.

He squinted at Li Shimin, whose face was flushed red from being stifled, and laughed mockingly, swaying his body and playfully patting Li Shimin's shoulder.

"Old Li, don't think that just because you've traveled far and wide and seen a lot, you can feel so aggrieved. Do you know, compared to me, what do you know? Just say, what do you know? There's over a thousand years between us…"

Li Shimin: …

Are you just asking for death?!

Cheng Yaojin kept giving him meaningful looks. If Li Shimin weren't there, he would have covered the boy's mouth directly.

"Old Cheng, what's wrong with your eyes? Did you get sand in them? Why are you blinking so much…"

Cheng Yaojin: …

He was so angry that he started chewing on water celery fiercely!

"Knowing is knowing, not knowing is not knowing, that is true knowledge. It's not shameful to be inferior to me, really… uh…"

As Prince An spoke, he couldn't help but burp, the warm breath spraying Li Shimin's face. Li Shimin leaned back slightly, somewhat disdainful.

This kid, though somewhat knowledgeable and talented, had really poor drinking manners, even more boastful than the old rascal Cheng Yaojin after a few drinks!

Forget it, don't argue with a drunk.

Seeing that it was getting late, Li Shimin tried to stand up and take his leave by supporting the table. But before he could stand up, Prince An pushed him back down.

Prince An was so strong that Li Shimin almost ended up under the table.

"Let me tell you, the most important resource for a country is its people, the common folk. These people are like water, and the emperor is like a boat. Don't think these waters are insignificant; when they get angry, they can capsize the boat… In short, water can carry the boat and water can capsize the boat. Win the hearts of the people, and you win the world, understand…?"

Water can carry the boat and water can capsize the boat!

Win the hearts of the people, and you win the world!

Li Shimin couldn't help but look deeply at the drunken Prince An. This insight was profound, and with some cultivation, he would definitely be a great minister!

Absolutely can't miss out on him!

At this moment, he wasn't in a hurry to leave. Instead, he picked up the teacup and personally poured a cup of hot water for Prince An.

"I wish to hear your wise words!"

"You are teachable—"

Drinking and boasting, Prince An, with the alcohol surging, was even more talkative.

"Our emperor is much better than you. He knows this principle! Since he ascended the throne, he has reduced taxes, cared for the people, practiced frugality, and avoided extravagance. Do you know, I heard he is so poor that he can't even afford to buy a dress for his wife…"

Who the hell is spreading such lies about my family affairs?!

Li Shimin's face turned red with embarrassment.

"Do you admit it or not? Do you admit it or not? Old Li, you've read a few books, come on, Old Li, tell me, throughout history, which emperor has done this? Just this point alone is enough to surpass a large number of rulers!"

After saying that, Prince An glared at Cheng Yaojin, who was trying to stifle a laugh, and huffed indignantly.

"Old Cheng, why are you laughing? Do you think this is embarrassing? No! What does the emperor lack? He lives so frugally to care for the people! To cherish the common folk! The more frugal he is, the more enlightened he is! We should be proud and honored to have such an emperor, and we should give him a hundred likes!"

Although he didn't know what "likes" were, Cheng Yaojin's last bit of reason told him that if he didn't "like" it, he might be in danger today.

"Right, right, right—what you say is right, I'll give him a hundred likes!"

Li Shimin, who was originally embarrassed about his poverty being known, straightened his back at these words.

That's right, what's embarrassing about being poor? I'm proud of being poor!

This young man truly has insight!

"That's better, you are teachable—"

Seeing that Cheng Yaojin didn't argue this time, Prince An nodded in satisfaction.

This disrespectful scoundrel!

Cheng Yaojin, seething with anger, grunted and started gnawing on the water celery, as if it were Prince An himself.

"Don't think that just because there have been a few years of natural disasters and misfortunes, the whole country is suffering. With such an emperor, in a few years, the Tang Dynasty will surely be peaceful and prosperous, ushering in the Zhenguan era of prosperity…"

Mentioning this emperor of the ages, Prince An couldn't help but talk more.

Peace and prosperity, the Zhenguan era of prosperity!

Li Shimin's heart was stirred by these words.

My parents gave me life, but Prince An truly understands me!

Li Shimin's eyes were almost glowing as he looked at Prince An. The earlier offense was long forgotten.

This talent, this ability, this insight!

To have a son like Prince An!

Seeing Li Shimin's enthusiastic gaze, Cheng Yaojin, who had been on edge, secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the brat's life was likely saved…

"What's even more remarkable is that he not only implements benevolent governance and bestows kindness domestically, but he also… uh—forget it, let's drink, let's drink…"

Thinking about the external matters that hadn't happened yet, Prince An suddenly came to his senses and changed the subject with a laugh.

Li Shimin, who was listening intently, was not willing to let it go when the brat suddenly started laughing.

"Don't forget it, just talk casually…"

Li Shimin raised his wine cup and clinked it with Prince An's.

Cheng Yaojin quickly blinked at Prince An, trying to save the boy's life again.

"Old Li, you're a merchant, why care about these things? Learn from Old Cheng, just drink…"

Cheng Yaojin secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness, thank goodness, the brat knows the danger.

"Little brother, do you know what business I'm in?"

Prince An glanced at him and asked indifferently.

"What business?"

"Running outside the border—"

Li Shimin gave Prince An a mysterious look.

Prince An's expression immediately changed.

"Smuggling?"

Li Shimin, unsure of Prince An's intentions, puffed out his chest, nodded, and even turned the jade ring on his finger.

"Mainly furs, mainly furs…"

No wonder he didn't look like an ordinary person, and he even had such a strong bodyguard. He must be a traitor!

Without a word, Prince An splashed the wine in his hand onto Li Shimin's face.