Conflict resolution
Li Zhi had been secretly following Li Yin for quite some time, hiding nearby and silently watching him cry for a long while.
It was the first time in both his lives that he had seen a child with such a stubborn temperament.
It was also the first time he had witnessed someone cry with such a complexity of emotion.
From Li Yin’s sobs, he seemed to hear loneliness and fear.
He also sensed grievance, unwillingness, and confusion.
Li Zhi could feel that Li Yin placed great trust and reliance on those around him.
After all, the changes in his expression only began when their father decided to deal with those people.
Before that, even after suffering a severe beating, he had merely endured it silently, his face impassive.
This only confirmed Li Zhi’s earlier judgment: Li Yin before him had clearly been misled by others.
Li Zhi’s sudden movement startled Li Yin.
He scrambled up from the ground and quickly stepped aside.
But upon seeing that the newcomer was Li Zhi, his previously complicated expression transformed instantly into one of hatred.
With a cold face, he said, “What are you doing here? I’ve already been punished by Father, and even the servants in my household have been changed. Are you still not finished with me?”
Li Zhi shook his head. “I have no intention of making trouble. I simply wish to talk with you, Sixth Brother.”
Li Yin replied, “I have nothing to say to you. You’d best leave, or else, even if Father punishes me again, I’ll give you a beating myself.”
Li Zhi asked, “Why does Sixth Brother harbor such hatred toward me? Was it not you who first struck my men?”
Li Yin retorted, “I’ve already been punished for striking them. Why did you have to go and speak further, causing Father to replace all my men?”
Li Zhi answered, “Perhaps you misunderstand. I only spoke up because I didn’t want to see you beaten again.”
Li Yin sneered, “Don’t be so hypocritical. If you didn’t want to see me punished, why did you report to Father at all?”
Li Zhi replied, “If you hit my men, naturally I must report to Father. Or would you prefer I gathered my people and fought you myself?”
Li Yin declared, “Any disputes between us should be settled by ourselves. Relying on Father’s favor to handle it—what kind of ability is that?”
Li Zhi countered, “So you think that brothers fighting each other in public is some kind of ability?”
Li Yin answered matter-of-factly, “That’s how a real man should act.”
Li Zhi said, “We are brothers of the same family. Displaying open conflict in front of others only invites ridicule.”
Li Yin was momentarily silenced by Li Zhi’s words.
Though he was somewhat extreme, his upbringing had instilled in him the knowledge that such actions were indeed improper.
Li Zhi seized the opportunity to continue, “Sixth Brother, you possess no particular talents, yet rely on your men to act arrogantly and stir up trouble everywhere. Is that what a true man should do?”
Li Yin opened his mouth but could not find a retort.
Li Zhi pressed on, “You claim Father is biased. But do you understand why Father shows favoritism?”
Li Yin replied petulantly, “Is it not because you all have better family backgrounds?”
Li Zhi shook his head. “You’re mistaken! Third Brother shares your mother—why does he also enjoy Father’s favor?”
The Third Brother Li Zhi spoke of was the Prince of Shu, Li Ke, who, like Li Yin, was born of Consort Yang.
Li Ke’s status was no different from Li Zhi’s or Li Tai’s.
Emperor Taizong had even praised Li Ke many times for his resemblance to himself in character.
Upon hearing this, Li Yin blurted out, “Do you even know how much effort my brother has put in?”
Li Zhi retorted, “And which of us brothers has ever received Father’s favor without making any effort?”
Li Yin was again left speechless.
Li Zhi continued, “If you want respect, you must earn it with your own strength. Stirring up trouble everywhere only earns you resentment.”
Li Yin wanted to argue but, after several attempts, could not utter a response.
Li Zhi knew the point had been made; if he pressed further, Li Yin would only be annoyed.
So he changed the subject, saying, “I have some fine glassware at my residence. If you like, Sixth Brother, you may have them.”
Li Yin genuinely wanted to use glassware to embellish his household, believing it would demonstrate his power and influence.
Without hesitation, he asked, “How much copper do you want? I’ll fetch it from my residence right away.”
Li Zhi replied, “We’ve both misunderstood each other today. A few pieces of glassware are my gift to make amends.”
Li Yin shook his head. “That’s not right. I was at fault today; the punishment was deserved. There’s no reason for you to make reparations.”
Li Zhi said, “You’ve been beaten and lost your men. I think the punishment was a little too much. Without offering you something in return, I’d feel guilty.”
Li Yin, determined to save face, refused to accept anything for free, while Li Zhi, intent on making peace, insisted on giving his gift.
And so the two brothers continued to politely refuse each other.
After a while, Li Zhi finally suggested, “There’s no need for us to argue. I also have a set of tools for making glass at my residence. If you’re interested, why not try making a set yourself?”
Li Yin was intrigued by Li Zhi’s proposal.
He nodded at once. “I’ve been curious about how glass is made. This is an opportunity I’ve been longing for.”
And so, the two brothers returned together to the Prince of Jin’s residence.
Li Zhi had entirely forgotten that Pei Mingli was still there, while Li Yin had never expected to meet Pei Mingli here.
When Pei Mingli saw Li Zhi and Li Yin return together, he was so shocked that he was left speechless.
For a moment, the three of them could only stare at one another in awkward silence.
Suddenly, Li Zhi slapped his own forehead and quickly recounted the day’s events to Pei Mingli.
He concluded, “Those who started the trouble have already been sent to the judicial office. In a few days, the outcome will be clear.”
Hearing Li Zhi’s explanation, Pei Mingli’s resentment eased considerably.
He was the first to bow to Li Yin. “It’s a great sin that His Highness Prince Liang was punished on account of a petty man like me.”
Li Yin, for his part, was quite straightforward.
He immediately cupped his hands and said to Pei Mingli, “I was at fault today. Please accept my apology.”
Pei Mingli quickly stepped aside in alarm. “Your Highness needn’t do so. I dare not accept such courtesy.”
Li Yin continued his bow. “There’s nothing you cannot accept. If I was wrong, I should admit it and apologize.”
Pei Mingli, seeing Li Yin’s sincerity, was so embarrassed he didn’t know how to respond.
Li Zhi, seeing the awkwardness, quickly spoke up. “The matter is settled, and it happens to be mealtime. Why don’t we all eat together?”
Both men agreed, and thus the day’s conflict was resolved over a shared meal.
Afterwards, Li Zhi took Liu An and Li Yin to his laboratory, while Pei Mingli returned to his shop.
When Li Yin saw the many experimental instruments in the laboratory, he was immediately fascinated.
And at that moment, none of them realized that from here, a top scientist of the Great Tang was about to be born.