Shares were given away, and the honeycomb stoves sold remarkably well.

Li Shimin, though eager to make some money alongside Li Zhi, did not intend to take advantage without giving anything in return.

He still had a sum of about one or two hundred thousand strings of cash in hand, which he believed would be sufficient for investment.

Yet, when he wanted to invest, Li Zhi found himself in a difficult position.

If calculated at market value, the investment required for manufacturing boilers and heaters was by no means small.

Not only did it demand the best carbon-manganese steel, but also the employment of the finest craftsmen.

To say nothing of other expenses, just the price of steel alone reached dozens of coins per jin.

This was already thanks to the completion of improved steelmaking techniques—otherwise, steel plates couldn't even have been produced.

Adding in the cost for specialized equipment and molds, it would be impossible to secure everything without at least two million strings.

The problem was that all the equipment and molds had been designed and produced by Li Zhi himself, so his actual expenses were not that high.

As a result, he truly didn't know how to ask his own father for this money.

So he refused again, saying, “Father, please consider this a small token of my filial piety and accept it reluctantly. Otherwise, I would truly be embarrassed to ask.”

Li Shimin waved his hand grandly. “How could that be? For me to have a hand in this is already to take advantage of you; how can I accept your gift for nothing?”

Li Zhi replied awkwardly, “Father, it's not that I'm being polite with you—it’s just that the investment is difficult to calculate!”

Li Shimin said, “What's difficult about that? Just calculate it at market value, see how much per share, and your father will invest accordingly.”

Seeing his father's persistence, Li Zhi had no choice but to grit his teeth and report a price half as high as the real cost.

He said to Li Shimin, “If Father truly wants to invest, then let’s say one share for a hundred thousand strings.”

Hearing Li Zhi’s quotation, Li Shimin’s previously confident expression instantly froze.

He stammered, “How…how much? A hundred thousand strings for a share?”

Li Zhi lowered his head and replied through clenched teeth, “Let’s just say a hundred thousand. After all, I designed the equipment myself, so the actual expenses weren’t much.”

Fearing that Li Shimin would insist on paying more to avoid letting his son suffer a loss, Li Zhi forced himself to accept this price.

What he didn’t know was that Li Shimin actually found a hundred thousand strings per share far too expensive.

At this moment, Li Shimin’s face was slowly turning red.

He felt he’d overplayed his hand earlier; had he known the investment would be so high, he wouldn't have spoken so boldly.

Now, he was turning down half the shares offered for free, and emptying his coffers would only buy him two shares.

Never mind whether those two shares were much or little—just thinking of the money he’d have to part with, he felt he wouldn’t have an easy time in the future.

He couldn’t very well invest the money and immediately turn around to ask for dividends, could he?

Embarrassed, he was left speechless for quite a while.

Li Zhi found this odd, so he raised his head and looked at Li Shimin.

He caught sight of Li Shimin’s flushed face and awkward expression.

Misunderstanding the situation yet again, Li Zhi said, “Father, you needn’t feel you’re taking advantage; my actual expenses really are just about this much.”

These words, when they reached Li Shimin’s ears, made him wish he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

He truly felt stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Zhang Anan, who knew Li Shimin well, could finally bear it no longer.

He was on the verge of hurting himself from holding in his laughter.

He stepped forward and advised, “Your Majesty, forgive my intrusion, but since His Highness the Prince wishes to show his filial piety, why not grant him that wish?”

Doing his best to suppress a smile, he continued, “In my view, rather than spending a bit of money for a share, it would be better to support His Highness’s business.”

After hearing Zhang Anan’s words, Li Shimin glanced at Li Zhi somewhat awkwardly.

He himself was quite willing to accept this suggestion.

He just wasn’t sure how Li Zhi would respond.

Fortunately, Li Zhi did not disappoint him.

He said, “I too think Chief Steward Zhang’s words make sense. Please, Father, grant my wish.”

At these words, Li Shimin felt a great weight lift from his heart.

This time, he didn’t even utter a polite refusal, but simply pretended to accept reluctantly.

Li Zhi had no idea what his father was really feeling.

As soon as Li Shimin agreed, he took his leave at once and hurried back to the settlement to supervise the operations there.

He had little money left in hand, so he had to keep a close eye on the progress of these ventures.

No sooner had Li Zhi left the Hall of Supreme Harmony than Li Shimin and Zhang Anan exchanged a look.

At that, Zhang Anan could finally no longer hold back and burst into laughter.

Li Shimin, his face flushed, laughed and scolded, “You rascal! You must keep this matter a secret for me—otherwise, my reputation will be utterly ruined!”

Zhang Anan nodded repeatedly, barely able to contain his laughter, so much so that he dared not speak for fear of bursting out again.

In both the eastern and western markets of Chang’an, as well as the southern market on the outskirts, crowds of people gathered around the stalls selling honeycomb stoves.

The salespeople Li Zhi had hired were enthusiastically extolling the various advantages and purchase policies of the honeycomb stove.

Beside each stall, a stove was kept burning for customers to examine closely.

The price of each set was not cheap, so even with generous installment plans, ordinary folks found it hard to make a decision.

As a result, there were few buyers at first.

But this situation lasted only two days.

In those two days, those who had already bought honeycomb stoves fully experienced their benefits.

During the day, they boiled water and cooked with them, saving on firewood.

At night, closing up the stove kept their homes warm.

Even their freshly washed clothes dried quickly thanks to the warmth from the chimney.

Even families reluctant to burn much coal could keep the fire low and maintain a comfortable temperature.

These people then shared their experiences with their neighbors.

Hearing these accounts, some neighbors could not resist and decided to try for themselves.

Soon, the crowds at the honeycomb stove stalls grew, and lines began to form.

A few days later, the merchants that Pei Mingli had previously contacted confirmed this was a profitable venture.

They all came to sign distribution contracts with Pei Mingli.

In just over ten days, sales of honeycomb stoves were on track.

Next, it was time for the boilers—luxury items in their own right—to enjoy a surge in popularity.

First, the head of the Zhao Commandery Li clan in Chang’an installed a large set in his own mansion.

With the boiler and heater, all ten-some rooms in his house became as warm as spring.

Even some greenery that should have withered for the winter showed signs of turning green again.

Those who could afford a boiler were seeking prestige above all.

He immediately invited guests to experience the comfort the boiler provided.