Chapter 51: Rising Rebellion and Stubborn Feudalism

Song Kai returned to the Prince's Mansion to report on the project's progress, conveying the tenant farmers' gratitude to the Princess on behalf of Dai Mingxia.

"Some tenants even want to erect a longevity tablet for the Princess."

That was quite unnecessary.

Tang Zhao mused that the people of Great Yu were truly simple and honest. She felt she was already being quite exploitative; in modern society, what boss would dare work "7610" (7 a.m. to 6 p.m., ten days on, one day off)? They would likely be reported by their employees and sent to work a sewing machine in prison.

Boss Tang felt that since her employees were so capable and so grateful, she should do something, but the moment she thought of her own financial strength, she wilted.

Song Kai did not understand why the Princess had suddenly lost interest.

Tang "No-Money" Zhao waved her hand, offered a few dry words of verbal praise, and sent him out.

"Have you found the star anise yet?" Tang Zhao pressed.

"Dongmei has asked every grocery store in Lanzhou City, and they all say they haven't seen any," Chunfeng said with pursed lips. "Don't worry, Miss. Dongmei is going to ask the traveling merchants to see if they can find some."

Speak of the devil, Dongmei ran into the inner chamber wearing servant's clothes, shouting excitedly, "Miss, I found it!"

"Really?" Tang Zhao stood up instantly.

Dongmei carefully pulled a handkerchief from her bosom and unfolded it, revealing a small handful of reddish-brown things with eight points.

"It really is!" Tang Zhao was delighted. "Where did you find it? How much did you buy?"

"At a pharmacy," Dongmei said. "I bought all the star anise in the entire shop; I managed to gather two large sacks."

Tang Zhao praised her, "Well done! A reward!"

Dongmei giggled happily.

Xia Mo rushed over upon hearing the news, took the star anise, mixed it with other seasonings, and started the pot of water.

After the water boiled vigorously, the seasonings were added, and it was simmered on low heat for an hour. The domineering aroma of the braising liquid took over the taste buds of everyone in the small kitchen.

"It smells so good!" Qiu Yu wished she could just take a sip.

Xia Mo added all the freshly made soy products from this morning—dried bean curd skins, tofu puffs, fried tofu, and dried tofu—and scooped them out once the braising liquid had fully permeated them.

Everyone watched expectantly as Tang Zhao picked up her chopsticks.

Although the flavor wasn't perfectly authentic, it was already very good given the lack of seasonings.

"Everyone, try some!"

Qiu Yu grabbed a piece of fried tofu and popped it into her mouth, saying while chewing, "Miss, this is too delicious!"

Chunfeng and Dongmei nodded in agreement.

Tang Zhao hadn't eaten braised food in a long time and was craving it intensely; she ate an entire pot of braised delicacies along with the maids.

"No need to prepare lunch today," Tang Zhao let out a burp. "Go call Song Sheng over."

Dongmei, holding her rounded belly, went to deliver the message.

Song Sheng arrived quickly, his face glowing with pride as he held the account books, intending to report the tofu workshop's recent earnings to the Princess.

Tang Zhao, however, had no interest in listening.

The daily output of the tofu workshop was fixed, and the price remained unchanged; Tang Zhao knew exactly how much money was made every day.

Song Sheng asked tentatively, "Then, since the Princess has called this lowly one here, is there something you wish to command me to do?"

Xia Mo served him a plate of the freshly made braised food. After finishing it, Song Sheng was struck with awe. "Princess, this thing called 'braised food' will definitely be a massive hit!"

"Go back and pick a few reliable people. Xia Mo will go to the tofu workshop to teach them how to make soy products, and she'll prepare the braising liquid to take with her," Tang Zhao instructed. "Vegetable braise is nine wen per catty, and five wen per half-catty."

Song Sheng's mind raced, and he tested the waters, "And the meat braise?"

"Mutton is forty wen per catty, and pork is twenty-five wen per catty."

The prices were a bit high, but Song Sheng quickly convinced himself—after all, they were the only ones in the world selling it.

Want to eat it? You have to buy it!

Think it's too expensive? Then don't let the door hit you on the way out!

The uniqueness of the braised food gave Song Sheng courage. He rushed back to the tofu workshop, selected about a dozen quick-handed workers from the Song family's long-term servants, and sent them to the back kitchen to learn the craft.

Tang Zhao gave the remaining twenty chapters of *The Legend of the Condor Heroes* to the Consort.

Ming Shi handed her the manuscript fees that had been prepared long ago. "Sister-in-law, your writing is truly magnificent. The scholars in Jiangnan are all speculating which great scholar 'Mr. Jin Yong' actually is, to be able to write such soul-stirring stories."

Tang Zhao gave a forced, awkward laugh.

Ming Shi asked again, "Do you intend to continue writing? If you do, I will collect the fees no matter how many there are."

Of course she had to write; she had several hungry manors that needed her to feed them.

"I'll start the sequel tomorrow, *The Return of the Condor Heroes*."

Ming Shi smiled. "That is a good name!"

Money had already corroded the noble aura of Ming Shi's scholarly Jiangnan lineage, Tang Zhao thought with a sigh. She changed the subject, "Sister-in-law, don't you think selling books isn't very profitable?"

Ming Shi was astonished. *The Legend of the White Snake* and *The Legend of the Condor Heroes* had brought in over a hundred thousand taels of silver to the Ming family's bookstore; was that not profitable in her sister-in-law's eyes?

A hint of respect appeared in her eyes.

It had to be said, this was a beautiful misunderstanding.

In her past life, Tang Zhao had been pointed at and cursed as a vulgar merchant with no artistic sense and nothing but the smell of copper on her. But Tang Zhao's skin was thick; she felt no shame, only pride, and instead, she drove the person insulting her into the hospital.

Although this was just a small episode in Tang Zhao's career in business, it was clear that she truly had no connection to "highbrow" things like books or flowers.

Thus, unaware of how profitable these stories were, she offered a suggestion with the heart of a busybody: "Sister-in-law, why don't you turn these stories into stage plays?"

Seeing Ming Shi's bewildered expression, Tang Zhao explained, "That is, find an opera troupe to perform them. Think about it, how many people in this world can read? Those wealthy merchants are shrewd with account books, but when it comes to reading stories, they lack the cultural foundation."

In the previous dynasty, the status of merchants was low, and their descendants were forbidden from entering officialdom. How would those merchants have the chance to read the Four Books and Five Classics?

Although Great Yu had abolished the strict hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, and now allowed merchant descendants to take the imperial examinations after two generations, the dynasty had only been founded for thirty-eight years. This law had been in effect for less than twenty years. While merchants saw a glimmer of hope, they would only hope for their sons to become dragons.

"Those wealthy people who don't like reading and are in desperate need of entertainment to pass the time—those rich lords, ladies, and young masters—are also our potential customers!"

They have foolishly large amounts of money; it would be a waste not to scoop some up!

Ming Shi felt as if a door had been opened, and behind it lay glittering, dazzling piles of gold and silver!

Stunned by the "pie in the sky" Tang Zhao had painted, Ming Shi said, "I... I will write home immediately."

Tang Zhao felt frustrated by her lack of drive. How could a great woman achieve success if she had to consult her father and brothers about everything?

But Ming Shi was not her. The feudal dross of "obeying the father at home, the husband after marriage, and the son after the husband's death" was something deeply ingrained in her mind since childhood by her family.

In a scholarly family, the most cutting-edge rebels were often the most stubbornly feudal.

"Fine, but you must be quick, Sister-in-law. If someone else beats you to it, it'll be all over."

After all, Great Yu had no concept of copyright.

Of course, if there were a concept of copyright, Mr. Jin Yong would likely be the first person to send her to work a sewing machine in prison.

Tang Zhao left, feeling somewhat dejected.

(End of Chapter)