Discussion

Liu An noticed Pei Mingli’s prolonged silence and guessed he might be concerned about Li Zhi’s tender age. So, Liu An proceeded to explain the current difficulties faced by the carpentry workshop, as well as some of the solutions Li Zhi had proposed. At the end, he emphasized, “All these ideas came from my young master himself.”

As Liu An relayed the plans, Pei Mingli’s eyes began to shine with excitement. When Liu An stressed that these were Li Zhi’s own ideas, Pei found it almost unbelievable. He stepped forward in agitation, grasped Liu An’s wrist, and asked, “Chief Steward Liu, is this truly so?”

Liu An nodded with pride. “Absolutely.”

Upon hearing this, Pei Mingli immediately replied, “In that case, I accept your offer. I only hope you can arrange for me to meet His Highness as soon as possible.”

Liu An nodded. “Now that we are colleagues, you can leave this matter to me. I only hope that in the future, you will give this your utmost, and not disappoint my young master.”

Pei Mingli answered solemnly, “I will give my all…”

With Pei Mingli’s addition, Li Zhi’s carpentry workshop quickly began to make a name for itself in Chang’an. The brokers, having received generous rewards, spread news all over the city about how Li Zhi had created a new style of furniture. Pei Mingli took full advantage of this growing renown to establish the workshop’s brand.

Indeed, Li Zhi had chosen a brand name for his furniture: Linde.

At that time, Li Zhi was unaware that “Linde” was once an era name used by Emperor Gaozong of Tang. He picked the name simply because the qilin, or “lin,” was a legendary creature symbolizing good fortune, and “virtue” represented the highest praise one could receive in those days.

At first, no one understood why Pei Mingli would give a furniture workshop such a name. But since the workshop belonged to Li Zhi, and he was the creator of this new style, after the furniture became wildly popular, all imitators began marketing their products under this very name. Even the workshop opened by Li Tai did the same.

When Pei Mingli saw the market flooded with counterfeits, he did nothing. He simply continued to release new products methodically. He personally approached some of the finest restaurants and brothels in Chang’an, introducing them to the workshop’s furniture.

As “Linde” furniture sold in droves, Li Zhi began his own performance.

One day, Li Shimin came again to the Hall of Political Affairs. As Li Zhi massaged his father’s shoulders, he asked curiously, “Father, Chief Steward Liu told me the furniture I designed is selling very well in Chang’an. Is that true?”

Li Shimin smiled. “It’s true. I’ve heard your furniture even has a pleasant-sounding name!”

Li Zhi replied, “I came up with the name myself.”

At this, Li Shimin looked a bit puzzled. “What does this have to do with you? And why did you think to give furniture a name?”

Li Zhi had no intention of hiding the workshop from his father. So, he answered, “I also opened a workshop outside the palace, so I gave it a name.”

Hearing this, both Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun were surprised. They exchanged glances before Li Shimin, now quite stern, asked, “Whose idea was it for you to open a workshop?”

Li Zhi answered, “No one else’s—it was mine.”

Li Shimin pressed, “How did you think of all this?”

Li Zhi replied, “It was Fourth Brother who inspired me! If he can profit from my ideas, why can’t I?”

This was a typical act of shifting blame. In reality, Li Zhi’s workshop predated Li Tai’s, yet now he was turning the tables.

Li Shimin was amused by this. Pinching Li Zhi’s cheek, he asked, “You’re still so young and know nothing of business. Aren’t you afraid of being cheated?”

Li Zhi declared, “I’m not afraid at all! I asked Liu An to find an extraordinary man to manage the business for me.”

At the mention of an “extraordinary man,” Li Shimin’s brow furrowed. His first thought was that Li Zhi had been tricked. In all his years, he had never heard of any merchant worthy of such a title.

He turned serious. “Tell me about this extraordinary man.”

Feigning oblivion to his father’s suspicion, Li Zhi recounted the story Liu An had told him. Since Pei Mingli’s experiences were all true, Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun found no flaws. Indeed, Pei Mingli’s life was remarkable enough to merit the term “extraordinary.”

Empress Zhangsun, after hearing the story, smiled. “Liu An must be most fortunate to have found such an interesting person.”

Li Shimin did not quite agree. Stroking Li Zhi’s head, he said, “I rather think this is our Zhinu’s good fortune.”

Empress Zhangsun asked, “And why is that, Your Majesty?”

Li Shimin smiled. “Since Zhinu was born, Great Tang has enjoyed favorable weather, and even our campaigns against Liang Shidu and the Turks have been effortless victories.” He turned to Empress Zhangsun and continued, “If that isn’t enough, how do you explain Zhinu’s precociousness and intelligence that far surpass those of ordinary children?”

After these words, Empress Zhangsun was left speechless, but her gaze toward Li Zhi was full of joy and affection.

Li Zhi had no wish to hear any further. If his parents suddenly became suspicious of his unusual talents, how would he explain himself? People in these times were deeply superstitious—they might truly believe he was the reincarnation of some great sage.

Quickly, Li Zhi changed the subject, asking, “Father, why is everyone in Chang’an using the name I came up with to sell furniture?”

Li Shimin was momentarily taken aback. “Isn’t it good they’re helping make your name known?”

Li Zhi pouted and pretended to protest, “Of course it’s not good! They’re making me lose a lot of money!”

Li Shimin was amused by his son’s greed. “But furniture is easy to copy. Even if they didn’t use your name, they could still sell their goods.”

Li Zhi retorted, “That’s not the same. I gave it a name so people would know these things were created by me, and all the others are just copies.”

Li Shimin was surprised by this reasoning. Looking at Li Zhi with new seriousness, he said, “Tell me more about your thoughts.”

Li Zhi explained, “Many of the objects in the palace bear the name or mark of their maker, and those things are unique. Why doesn’t anyone try to imitate them?”