Late September, Shaosheng Era, Year 3.
The aftereffects in the court hadn't settled, but another wind had already risen on the streets of Bianjing. A queue formed outside Tea Ji, and the sound of copper coins hitting the counter rang from morning till night. Eunuch Li recorded entry after entry in the ledger, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper. Not because the accounts were bad, but because they were too good.
"Niangzi, Qingfeng Tower has opened one too. Same recipe, same prices." He handed me a slip of paper. "Take a look."
On the paper was the new tea menu from Qingfeng Tower. Pearl Milk Tea, Red Bean Milk Tea, Osmanthus Milk Tea. The names were identical, and even the prices were the same—ten coins cheaper than Tea Ji.
"When did they open?"
"Three days ago. The shop is twice our size, with three times the staff." Eunuch Li paused. "And people are saying on the streets that the Empress is amassing wealth. That Tea Ji uses palace silver to earn money from the people. That the Empress is vying for profit with the commoners."
Qingfeng Tower. The largest restaurant in Bianjing, the property of Zhao Tingzhi of the Old Party. Failing to impeach in court, they turned to the marketplace. Copying recipes, slashing prices, spreading rumors. No memorials, no kneeling in the hall, just grinding you down on the streets. Grinding your reputation, grinding your customers.
"Niangzi, should we lower the price?"
"No." I put down the menu. "Go to Qingfeng Tower. Drink tea."
Middle of the Imperial Street, Qingfeng Tower, Third Floor. Carved beams and painted rafters. I changed into casual clothes and brought Zhang Maocai. As we entered, a waiter greeted us with a face full of smiles.
"How many guests?"
"Two. Upstairs."
Upstairs by the window. Several merchants in silk robes were drinking tea, white porcelain cups with gold lines on the table—exactly like Tea Ji's. I sat down and ordered a Pearl Milk Tea.
The tea arrived. The milk was cow's milk, the tea was old, the pearls were soft, rotten, and sticky, and the osmanthus was from last year. This recipe wasn't stolen from Tea Ji; it was stolen from the palace. The Imperial Kitchen's recipe.
"Zhang Maocai, go back and tell Eunuch Li. From tomorrow, switch pearls to lotus root starch, and halve the cooking time. Use this year's fresh osmanthus, honey-pickled for three days. Price remains unchanged."
Zhang Maocai was stunned. "No price cut?"
"Let them copy. They can copy for a moment, but not for a lifetime."
After finishing the tea, I walked to the counter to pay. The manager was a middle-aged man, round-faced, with a slick smile and scheming eyes.
"Guest, a customer from Tea Ji?"
"Yes."
"Which tea is better? Tea Ji's or ours?"
"Yours is cheaper."
He smiled, emphasizing the word "fair." "The Empress uses palace silver to open tea houses. We use our own capital. The Empress puts profits into her private vault; we earn a living for our families. Guest, tell me, which is fairer?"
I looked into his eyes. "Manager, have you seen the Empress?"
He was stunned. "No."
"I have." I placed the tea money on the counter, adding a few extra coins. "She didn't use palace silver for Tea Ji. It was her dowry. Bestowed by the Dowager."
The manager's smile froze for a moment.
Coming out of Qingfeng Tower, Zhang Maocai was fuming. "Niangzi, they are too much—"
"Let them talk. The more they talk, the more people know about Tea Ji. The more people know, the more will drink at Tea Ji."
"Niangzi, what logic is this?"
"American marketing." I smiled. "You wouldn't understand."
That afternoon, a notice was posted outside Tea Ji. "Empress's Tea Ji: Honest to old and young. Lotus root pearls, honey-pickled osmanthus. We don't compare prices; we compare conscience." Someone read it aloud for the illiterate. After hearing it, some said, "The Empress's tea is ten coins more expensive, but it tastes better." Others said, "Qingfeng Tower's pearls are rotten." And some said, "Qingfeng Tower's boss is one of Zhao Tingzhi's men."
In the streets and alleys, the wind was changing. Not blowing from Tea Ji to Qingfeng Tower, but blowing back from Qingfeng Tower to Tea Ji.
That evening, Zhao Xu came to the Qingzhou Palace to find me. He sat by the couch, clutching a cup of tea.
"Heard you went to Qingfeng Tower? Paid extra for tea and mentioned the Dowager's dowry?"
"American counter-attack." I smiled.
"Zeng Bu was also at Qingfeng Tower. He sat in the corner, watching from when you entered until you left. The tea in front of him was untouched."
"I know. I saw him the moment I walked in."
Zhao Xu's finger twitched. "You know who he is?"
"Undefeated through three reigns, never takes sides. He was watching me. Seeing what I would do, seeing if I was afraid, seeing if I was worth standing with."
"Then were you afraid?"
"No." I looked into his eyes. "Let him watch. I'll do my thing."
That night, the lights at Qingfeng Tower burned all night. Zeng Bu sat in a private room on the second floor, a cup of cold milk tea before him. He didn't drink. From afternoon until now, he just sat. Watching the Imperial Street outside the window, watching the queue outside Tea Ji, watching the words on the notice."We don't compare prices; we compare conscience." He watched for a long time. Then he stood up and adjusted his sleeves.
"Interesting."
He pushed open the door and walked out. At the foot of the stairs, he stopped and looked back. The lights at Tea Ji were still on, orange and warm.
Qingzhou Palace. I tucked a note under my pillow:Qingfeng Tower copied recipes, lowered prices, spread rumors. I went and drank. Tea was old, pearls were rotten. I upgraded the recipe, posted a notice. The queue is longer. Zeng Bu watched me from Qingfeng Tower. He watched for a long time. Said one word: "Interesting." Lights are still on.
The moon outside the window was round and bright. The lights at Qingfeng Tower went out. The lights at Tea Ji were still on. The wind was still blowing. Not from Qingfeng Tower to Tea Ji, but from Tea Ji to the whole of Bianjing.
[End of Chapter 53]