Seeing that Ergou was still hesitating, Li Mu added, "I've even thought of a name for you guys, so I just picked a word from your name and called it 'paparazzi'. What do you think?"
"Dog, puppy?" Ergou said hurriedly: "Master Hou, the villain's name is Zhao Shuangxi..."
Li Mu said seriously: "Er Gou, you don't understand. How can you use your real name when you are hanging around in the world?"
Ergou was stunned and said, "Why can't you use your real name?"
"Think about it, when people in Jianghu are involved in Jianghu affairs, it is inevitable that they will encounter bumps and bumps. If they encounter small things, it will be fine. If they encounter big things, they will be beaten and killed, right? If you use your real name, the enemy will be able to find your family.
, but if you use a false name, it is only one person who committed the crime, and your family will be safe. Isn’t filial piety and righteousness what people in the world pay attention to? You should understand this truth! "
Ergou was completely 'brainwashed' by Li Mu. He nodded blankly and said: "Master Hou is right, just like the 'flea on the drum', Ergou is my nickname. Yes, yes, I can do it in the future.
I can no longer mention my real name."
"That's how it should be." Li Mu said, as if reminiscing about the past, "I think back then, when I was thirteen or fourteen years old, I used to wander around the streets of Mayi City, and I often got into fights with people. At that time, I used
The name is not my real name. Do you want to know my nickname in the world?"
Ergou hurriedly said: "Of course I want to know, Lord Marquis's name must be well-known in the world!"
"It's just normal. It's just easy to pronounce." Li Mu waved his hand modestly and said: "My nickname back then was called Yunlong. In Mayi, no one would fail to recognize the word 'Li Yunlong' when mentioned. As long as
When I fight with someone, my number must be these three words. As the saying goes, "The golden lin is originally a thing in the pond, but it turns into a dragon when it encounters a storm." My name has a lot of background, otherwise there would be no one like me.
Today!"
Li Mu was talking nonsense in a serious manner, almost amusing himself. But Ergou believed it, Yunlong! There was a dragon in the nickname of the Marquis, no wonder he has grown into a dragon among men. Suddenly he thought of his own name, Ergou
I couldn't help but sigh, there is no comparison between a dog and a dragon. It seems that my life will be the fate of a running dog!
Li Mu patted Er Gou on the shoulder and said, "Don't be discouraged. What's wrong with the dog? Dogs are man's best friends. You Er Gou can also be a barking dog! It mainly depends on how you do it! Don't worry, since I
I pointed out this errand to you, and I will definitely teach you how to do it, just follow my instructions."
Ergou nodded numbly. After Li Mu's repeated deceptions, he had already shown signs of being 'washed stupid'. He would believe whatever Li Mu said. He had also thought about it. It would be better to hang out with Li Mu than to follow anyone. Since both
I have made up my mind to be a lackey. I have to listen to what Li Mu says no matter whether it is right or not. So what else do I think about? Just obey.
Li Mu was also very satisfied with his attitude. Talent, this is talent. You don't have to be too smart, just be obedient. People who are too smart are always too ambitious and are not useful.
Suddenly, Ergou seemed to have remembered something, slapped his forehead and said: "Master Hou, Feng Si asked me to ask when Master Hou will be free, and he will send the money he owes you to your house."
Li Mu blinked and said confusedly: "Who is Feng Si?"
Ergou was even more confused and said: "Master Hou, have you forgotten? You went to the West Market to buy paper, and the little man took you to Feng Si's shop. You said that you would lend Feng Si money to make special paper for printing newspapers.
, now that the paper mill has been producing paper for several days, don’t you know about this?”
"Ah!" Li Mu thought about it now. If Ergou hadn't reminded him, he would have almost forgotten that there was such a thing. After all, he lent Feng Si money to open a paper mill by himself.
, but he forgot how much he lent.
But it didn't matter. He wanted to lend Feng Si'er eighteen courage, but he didn't dare to fool him, so he said: "You can ask him to send it to you anytime. You don't have to hand it over to me. The accounts of the house are all
My concubine is in charge, and the same goes for her."
"The villain will tell him when he sees him tomorrow."
While they were talking, Bai Naoer came back on his donkey. Seeing that he didn't bring anything to eat, Li Mu asked him, "My husband, I went out for a walk, but why did I come back empty-handed?"
Bai Nao'er got off the donkey and said hurriedly: "Xian son-in-law, I looked around but I didn't see anything good. I happened to pass by Heaven and Earth, and I thought the food there must be good, so I boldly went to ask.
Let me know the price. This banquet cost me ten taels of silver! But it doesn’t matter, as long as my husband is happy, I will be willing to pay any amount of money!"
Twelve seats!
Heaven and Earth are considered average.
But Li Mu was very satisfied. After all, it was a waste of money. He could give out ten taels, which was like digging out his own meat. He happened to be hungry after working hard all day. He played mahjong at noon and didn't have time to eat.
, half filled with pastries, it’s time to eat something good.
The group of people returned to the backyard, and after a while, the carriage that delivered food to the world arrived. Eight food boxes and eight dishes were still hot when they were brought to the table. This was also what Li Mu came up with. The food delivery service in Chang'an City only needs
As long as they can afford it, all the cooks in various prefectures can afford it.
After a random meal, it was almost time for the gate to close. Li Mu told Bai Naoer to find someone to carve mahjong as soon as possible, and not to sell it cheaply. After finishing the instructions, he took Bai Qiaoqiao and Li Zhien back home.
Just after passing the gate of Anyi Square, Li Mu saw a carriage parked in front of his house from a distance. He thought that there were guests at such a late hour. When he got closer, he found that it was the carriage from Li Ji's house. He thought it was Li Bi.
, because Li Ji never rides in a carriage.
But when I entered the courtyard and came to the lobby, I found Li Ji waiting, so I hurried over to meet him.
After seeing Li, Li Mu hurriedly asked: "How long have you been waiting for your adoptive father?"
"It's been a while... It's okay. Just come back." Li Ji's expression was a little dazed, as if something was on his mind. When he saw Li Mu, he managed to squeeze out a smile.
Li Mu thought that he was worried about Bingzhou, so he relayed to him today's conversation with Li Shimin. Li Ji listened carefully to what Li Mu said and then said: "I didn't come here for this matter. Your Majesty's decree has already arrived. I also expected it."
Your Majesty will agree to my request. I came to you because I have other things to entrust."
When Li Mu heard the word "entrust", he concentrated his attention and said: "Father, please tell me, as long as I can do it, I will do my best."
Li Ji didn't say it directly, but sighed and said, "Li Mu, do you think I'm too careful?"
"Uh..." Li Mu didn't feel embarrassed to say it. The ancients believed that "a son never speaks of his father's fault." A adopted son is also considered a son. Li Mu could just whisper a few words behind his back. It would be too impolite to accuse him in person.
But his hesitation had already made his intention clear. Li Ji smiled bitterly and said, "It's not that I'm too careful, it's that I have to be so!"
Li Ji was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke: "You are my adopted son, and I have nothing to hide from you. This time I proposed to your majesty to garrison in Bingzhou. In addition to testing your majesty's will and conveniently taking care of Si Wenzhi, I
In addition, another reason is that I want to hide away, away from the court and away from the center."
Li Mu was puzzled and said: "Father, everyone wants to go further, why do you go in the opposite direction and stay away from the court?"
"This is my last resort." Li Ji sighed again and said, "Do you still remember the factions I told you about when you first entered the court?"
"Of course I remember." Li Mu nodded.
Li Ji continued: "Actually, I left one sentence unsaid that day, which is, there is a difference between closeness and distance. Li Mu, you remember my words. No faction can be as good as 'Jian is in the heart of the emperor'. What is Jane?"
In the Emperor's Heart? Jane is in the Emperor's Heart. If you do something, His Majesty will remember you twice. Just like Changsun Wuji in the court, as long as His Majesty is around, he will have the "Jane in the Emperor's Heart"
Because he is not only a hero of Conglong, but also his relative, and even more so, His Majesty’s friend. Such a person will never lose the favor of the Holy Family.”
"And I, and General Li Jing. We are all reduced generals, and we are not under His Majesty's command. We started out one level behind. This is irreparable, do you understand?" Li Ji looked at Li Mu and said again:
"This is also the reason why General Li Jing and I remained neutral during the Xuanwu Gate Incident. Firstly, the situation was not clear at that time, and both sides had the possibility of winning. Secondly, what if we chose sides? Even if we both
So what if we are on His Majesty's side? In His Majesty's heart, we are still outsiders. Similarly, our achievements are inferior to those of the dragon!"
Li Ji patted his thigh and said: "People like me are not considered 'Jian is in the Emperor's Heart'. What I hope is not that if I do one thing, His Majesty will regard it as two points, but that
I have done something, and your Majesty can see something, so I am satisfied. I am different from General Li Jing. After His Majesty ascends the throne, he cannot personally lead an expedition or direct a war. General Li Jing has to sit in command, but I have no such waiting.
Therefore, General Li Jing was able to be promoted as a military general to the right servant of Shangshu, but I also made great achievements, but could not take over as Shangshu of the Ministry of War. This position fell to Hou Junji who had not done anything to pacify the Turks."
"Hou Junji..." Li Ji gritted his teeth. Although he was forbearing enough, Li Mu could still hear his unwillingness: "In the beginning, he was just a reckless man. Just because he was His Majesty's bodyguard.
, accompanied His Majesty by his side, so he made great achievements and gained His Majesty's trust. After the Xuanwu Gate Incident, all his official titles were promoted to three levels in a row! His Majesty even risked his face for him and asked General Li Jing to teach him the art of war.
What kind of favor is this? Just based on Hou Junji’s merits, he is not worthy of such treatment. But now he can take over as Minister of War? Isn’t it because he is ‘Jian is in the heart of the emperor’?”
"I can't be as irreplaceable as General Li Jing, nor can I be as 'Jane in the Emperor's Heart' as Hou Junji. Staying in Chang'an is just a matter of training the guards in the name of a general. Without a chance to stand out, I might as well
Going to Bingzhou to garrison can be somewhat of a credit. But after I left, I was worried that your second uncle would not be able to afford the family business!"