Is it possible to dodge it?

cannot.

Tang Huan had been aware of this for a long time, unless he did nothing after discovering that he had transmigrated to this impoverished county and simply led Qihuai County out of the famine.

But if that's all there is to it, then what's the point of me coming here?

While vigorously developing various industries, Tang Huan was also making preparations.

He needed to have enough leverage to ensure that the current empress, even knowing he had committed many treasonous acts, would not execute him.

He needed to rely on his own value. When his value was high enough that the emperor would overlook his mistakes, then everything would be resolved.

"At first, that's really what I thought, but who could have known that I, young master, would have such a strong business talent, accumulating countless riches in just a few years..."

Tang Huan thought to himself.

Now he no longer has to stay in Daqing; he can take his money anywhere.

If he wanted, he could even support a country even more powerful than Daqing.

But it's unnecessary.

Tang Huan stood up unsteadily, looking rather frivolous.

"This old eunuch has really come at the worst possible time. I hope the people can stop him. I'm not thinking about going to the capital right now..."

Even though he considered himself smart enough, Tang Huan wasn't confident he could remain unscathed among all the cunning old foxes in the officialdom.

At Tianyi Palace, Li Daikui brought Li Lianying here.

The exquisite decor also drew endless praise from Li Lianying, who kept talking nonstop.

Li Daikui followed Tang Huan's instructions and kept agreeing with him, trying his best to please the old eunuch and absolutely not let him have any dissatisfaction.

For this reason, he specially prepared a fine private room.

Moreover, it was the highest-standard place in the entire Tianyi Palace, and even the room fee was paid out of Li Daikui's own pocket. No one before had ever received such treatment.

Having spent a long time in the palace, Li Lianying was treated with great respect by eunuchs, palace maids, and ministers alike. Therefore, he put on airs in front of Li Da Kui.

"Li Daikui, is that right?"

"Indeed, does Father-in-law have any further instructions?" Li Da Kui asked with a grin, behaving very obediently.

Those who don't know him might think he's a weak and obsequious person.

"We're a little thirsty, please have someone bring us some tea."

"Please wait a moment, sir. I will go and give the order myself."

Li Daikui got up and left the room, then approached the staff of Tianyi Palace.

As soon as Li Daikui appeared backstage, several figures immediately surrounded him.

"Lord Li, is that the old eunuch who came to deliver the imperial edict?"

"Is he the one who wants to take Lord Tang away?"

"Lord Li, you can't let him take the lord away..."

Everyone started talking at once, some asking questions, others making sincere requests.

Li Daikui casually pulled over the man closest to him, hooked his arm around the man's shoulder, and said, "Go and get the best Longyang tea in the shop."

"That tea isn't cheap..."

Li Daikui gave him a hard shove, "Just go when I tell you to. Why waste so much time talking? It's not like I'm asking you to spend money."

Although walls have ears, with many walls separating us, we're not afraid of being overheard.

While waiting, Li Daikui chatted with the other staff members. There weren't many guests staying at Tianyi Palace on weekdays, so the staff were mostly idle.

However, according to Tang Huan's requirements, even if no guests come, everyone must be on high alert and prepare the best service, and absolutely cannot be negligent.

This makes everyone feel bored and tense, and they won't let go of any opportunity to talk to someone.

"Lord Li, the tea is here."

A delicate fragrance then wafted out.

Li Daikui gave a wink, signaling the waiter to take the tea upstairs first. He chatted for a few more minutes downstairs before going back upstairs to continue serving Li Lianying.

After knocking and entering the room, Li Daikui saw Li Lianying lying on the table, looking at the teapot with a look of rapture.

The enjoyment on his face was obvious.

"Da Kui, you've come at the right time, this tea..."

Unbeknownst to many, Li Lianying's title had already changed.

Li Daikui smiled and sat down next to Li Lianying. "Father-in-law, you may not know this, but this tea is called Longyang tea. The tea leaves are produced in the Ten Thousand Mountains in the west."

"The Ten Thousand Mountains?" Li Lianying looked serious. "There are plenty of wolves, tigers, and leopards in those Ten Thousand Mountains. It's said that there are also ignorant and uncivilized savages there. You dare to go there to gather resources?"

“Father-in-law is right. The environment of the Ten Thousand Mountains is treacherous. The tea production is quite high, but every time we pick tea, we have to take great risks. Over the past few years, the tea leaves on the outer edges have been picked clean. If we want to process tea again in the future, we will have to go deeper into the mountains.”

Li Lianying caught a few words in Li Daikui's words, "You just said you were frying tea?"

“Yes.” Li Daikui nodded. “This is Lord Tang’s method. After the tea leaves have gone through countless hardships to be picked from the Ten Thousand Mountains and sent back to Qihuai County, they will be dried for three months. After that, they will be stir-fried using a specific method, in which the size of the heat and the length of the stir-frying time are all subject to strict requirements…”

Li Lianying exclaimed, "No wonder it smells so good; it turns out it has such a history."

"Here, Father-in-law, please have a taste." Li Daikui poured Li Lianying a full cup of tea.

Li Lianying couldn't help but rub his hands together, carefully picked up the teacup, and took a small sip.

Savoring the aroma in his mouth, Li Lianying exclaimed, "What fine tea!"

"Of course, sir. You may not know this, but Longyang tea is now selling for 100 taels of silver per catty. Many people want to buy it but can't. It's only used to entertain distinguished guests who have traveled a long way to Qihuai County. I'm only here today because of Eunuch Li."

"So expensive?" Li Lianying couldn't help but be surprised.

If a pound of tea costs this much, how can that be allowed?

But considering the tea picking process and the subsequent complicated production steps, it seems quite reasonable.

"It's expensive. Otherwise, why would so many businesses in Qihuai County be taken to other places, but no one would do business with Longyang tea? It's because it's expensive."

Upon hearing this, Li Lianying's expression turned solemn.

Then Li Daikui approached Li Lianying mysteriously and whispered, "Besides its rarity, the aroma of this tea is also a reason for its high price, but in addition to these, it is said that this tea has another effect..."

What are its effects?

Li Daikui feigned reluctance, "Let's not talk about that. Anyway, everyone who has stayed at Tianyi Palace and drunk this tea has said it's bad..."

Li Lianying's curiosity was piqued, and she grabbed Li Daikui's arm, pressing him for more information: "What other effects does it have? Can it prolong life?"

"It won't prolong life, but many people say that this tea can nourish yin and strengthen yang. Many bosses say that their performance in bed has improved a lot after drinking this tea!"

Nourishing Yin and Strengthening Yang?

Li Lianying couldn't help but spit out a few times.

But as he savored the aroma, he felt a pang of reluctance.