The decision of the Ju family and his son did not take long. Near noon the next day, two carts of gold and silver had been delivered to Fengqiuhuang. Ju Zhisheng also knew etiquette very well. When he learned that Li Mu had gone to the Ministry of Industry, he did not even enter, and asked his entourage to take care of him.
After carrying the gold and silver into the warehouse, he said goodbye and left to wait for Li Mu at the Ministry of Works.
After the meeting, Li Mu was planning to go to the West Market to eat mutton soup cakes. When he saw Ju Zhisheng coming, he took him, along with Dugu Jiu and his three others, to the soup cake shop in the West Market.
Li Mu has no fixed rules when it comes to eating. He eats whatever he thinks of. He also specifically asked Ergou to pay attention to the various delicacies in Chang'an City and try them when he has time. There is really nothing he can do about it, the food of the Tang Dynasty,
Most of them fade into obscurity. It’s not easy to find something that fits your needs.
If things hadn't come together during this period, Li Mu would have planned to learn cooking skills. But this is not a delay. Eating is as important as cooking for a chef. Eat all of Chang'an City first, and then
Studying how to do it is called sharpening your sword before chopping firewood.
When the mutton soup and biscuits were served, Li Mu was polite to Ju Zhisheng, then ignored him and started eating fiercely. Ju Zhisheng was worried about something in his mind, but seeing that Li Mu was enjoying his meal, he did not dare to interrupt him.
I had no choice but to drink the mutton soup one mouthful at a time to keep me company.
Finally, after Li Mu finished two Hu cakes and a bowl of mutton soup, Ju Zhisheng finally waited for the opportunity and hurriedly said: "Master Marquis, the local specialties have been sent to the house. Your second wife has personally ordered them.
All weigh one thousand kilograms, which should be enough for Mr. Hou to eat for a while."
Li Mu laughed and said: "My appetite is very good. It's the age when I'm growing up, so I eat a little too much... But these two thousand kilograms of local specialties are enough to last for a while. We are friends, if it were me
Have a good meal, can you bring me some more?"
"What the Marquis said is that we are friends. As much as the Marquis eats and as much as Xiao Wang gives us, we must not make the Marquis lose his appetite." Suddenly he changed the subject and said: "It's just something I mentioned yesterday, and I still need to trouble the Marquis.
Please help me."
Li Mu stared with a pair of innocent eyes, wondering: "What happened yesterday? What happened yesterday?"
"I..." Ju Zhisheng almost fainted. You can't be so shameless. I just gave you the money and you fell out in the blink of an eye. Ju Zhisheng suppressed the anger in his heart and said: "Master Hou, regarding the matter of the vassal, last night Hou
I mentioned that my father and I discussed it all night long. My father believes in the integrity of the Celestial Empire and has made a decision. If His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty can meet the three conditions of Gaochang, this matter can be done."
Li Mu frowned and said: "Your Majesty, isn't this right? To be my vassal of the Tang Dynasty is a good thing that many small countries cannot find even with lanterns! Gaochang did not readily accept the kindness of the Tang Dynasty, but instead proposed three
What’s the condition? Do you think it’s me, Datang, who is responsible for this? Forget it, just pretend this never happened, don’t mention it, I won’t get into trouble in front of His Majesty!”
Ju Zhisheng's attitude this time was not as groveling as before. Hearing this, he sighed and said: "Since the Marquis said so, we father and son will no longer force others to do anything. We will return to Gaochang together tomorrow. At most, we will die and the country will be destroyed. My father and son will be destroyed."
Already prepared!"
Li Mu blinked his eyes and looked at Ju Zhisheng out of the corner of his eye. Seeing his firm attitude, he laughed again and said, "Why can't you take a joke anymore, Your Majesty? Did I bring up the matter? How could I stand idly by? Besides, you and I are
Friend, you gave me so many souvenirs, right? For the sake of the local specialties, I have to help you! First, tell me, what are the three conditions?"
Ju Zhisheng said solemnly: "The first condition is that His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty please inform all parties that Gaochang is a vassal of the Tang Dynasty, called a vassal and pays tribute, and is canonized by the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty promises to protect Gaochang and promises not to interfere in Gaochang's internal affairs."
"Internal affairs? Protection?" Li Mu did not express his position and signaled Ju Zhisheng to continue.
"The second condition is that Gaochang cannot accept garrison troops."
Li Mu smiled and said: "This is really difficult to handle. We need the protection of the Tang Dynasty, but we don't accept the garrison. How can we protect it?"
"Gaochang can set aside territory on the border for the Tang army to build a stronghold and provide military pay and food. However, the Tang army cannot enter the hinterland of Gaochang..." Ju Zhisheng was worried that Li Mu would be angry, so he quickly explained: "Gaochang is a small country with few people. If it is a big country,
The army of the Tang Dynasty entered Gaochang, and the foundation of our ancestors was almost destroyed. It can be said that my father and son judged the heart of a gentleman with the heart of a villain. Please forgive me, Lord Marquis!"
Li Mu and Xini said: "What does this have to do with me? I am an idle official, just a messenger. It depends on whether His Majesty is considerate or not."
Ju Zhisheng claimed yes, and then said: "This last condition concerns Xiao Wang himself. Gao Chang wants to be friends with the Tang Dynasty forever, and Xiao Wang hopes to marry the princess of the Tang Dynasty..."
"You fart!" Li Mu immediately sprayed Ju Zhisheng in the face and cursed: "His Majesty's daughter is only twelve years old at most. How old are you, and you dare to say this?"
Ju Zhisheng did not expect such a big reaction from Li Mu, so he just assumed that he did not understand the marriage matter, and patiently explained: "Master Marquis, this marriage matter has existed since ancient times. Besides, the marriage is not about to happen immediately, it can be decided first.
Let’s wait until the princess gets her hairpin to get married. Xiao Wang can wait..."
"That's not okay, I can't help you with this matter!" Li Mu said it directly. When he was studying and studying history since he was a child, he was very dissatisfied with the matter of marriage. Throughout history, marriage is often accompanied by humiliation.
Historically, only daughters were married off to barbarians for marriage, but it was rare for princes to marry barbarian princesses. From this, we can know that marriage is a great injustice to women, especially princesses.
Li Mu opposed this kind of thing from the bottom of his heart. He just subconsciously felt that this kind of thing should not happen. If the country is strong enough and has countless ways to solve the problem, marriage is definitely not a good option.
Moreover, even if he wanted to get married, Gao Chang was not qualified.
Li Mu coldly said: "Three things, I can help you with, are the first two. The third thing, I can't help you, and I can't seek bad luck in front of His Majesty. If you don't give up, you can do it yourself."
Let’s see what answer His Majesty can give you.”
Ju Zhisheng saw Li Mu's expression changed. Although he didn't understand why, he didn't dare to say anything anymore. Moreover, the marriage was just for the icing on the cake and an extra layer of insurance. Even if it didn't work out, it wouldn't hurt. As long as the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty agreed.
With the first two conditions, things are done.
The Central Plains Dynasty has always paid attention to face. As long as these two conditions are communicated to all directions and known to the surrounding countries, it is equivalent to the best insurance for Gaochang. A teacher must be famous. Throughout the ages, it has been rare for a sect leader to conquer vassals for no reason.
Although it is not safe enough, it is the best result Gaochang can get under the current situation.
Of course, it would be even better if the marriage can happen.
Ju Zhisheng immediately apologized and said that as long as the first two conditions were met, Ju Zhisheng did not give up on the marriage. These days, his hanging out with Changsun Chong was not in vain. He had met Changsun Wuji several times. He planned to pass Changsun through
Wuji, the uncle-in-law's channel, should work harder. But he just wanted to do this, but he couldn't mention it to Li Mu.
When the two parted, Ju Zhisheng explained to Li Mu that within three days, the father and his son would leave Chang'an and return to Gaochang. Li Mu also promised that within three days, whether it was successful or not, he would give him an answer.
Ju Zhisheng said goodbye again. Li Mu got on the carriage, thought for a while, and asked Dugujiu to rush to the Hejian County Prince's Mansion. Nothing else is as important as his money-making plan now. Let's talk about Ju Zhisheng's matters tomorrow.
…
Li Mu arrived at the Hejian County Prince's Mansion after noon, but Li Xiaogong hadn't gotten up yet. Li Mu waited in the study for a long time before Li Xiaogong came in with a yawn. The servant brought a bowl of sobering soup, and Li Xiaogong drank it like medicine.
He glanced sideways at Li Mu and said, "Boy, why are you here so early?"
According to the time in the previous life, it must be two o'clock in the afternoon now. Is this still early?
Li Mu was too lazy to argue with him, so he took out a stack of land deeds and handed them to Li Xiaogong to read.
"What is this..." Li Xiaogong flipped through it, his eyes getting brighter and brighter: "The title deed of Meixian Building? Well, Meixian Building is good, and the Sanniang in Meixian Building is excellent in playing and singing... Huancai
Pavilion? Huancai Pavilion is also good, there are a pair of twin sisters in it."
Seeing Li Xiaogong's look of cherishing all his family treasures, Li Mu thought to himself, you old pervert, and you said you were just a frequent visitor to Chunfeng Tower. Look at it, you have slept all over Pingkangfang! Fortunately, I have kept myself clean, otherwise wouldn't I be married to you?
Brother-in-law? It’s disgusting just thinking about it!
Li Xiaogong turned over the land deed and returned it to Li Mu, saying: "You are so capable! In just two days, you bought half of Pingkang Square. I am really curious, how did you do it?"
This is not something that can be solved with money!”
Li Mu then told about the exchange of shares, and Li Xiaogong was shocked: "Isn't this a loss-making transaction? Are you stupid? There are hens that lay eggs, but if you don't raise them, you have to kill the chickens to get the eggs. What's your idea?"
Li Mu smiled and said: "What ideas do you have? As you said, be wise and protect yourself!"
"Protect yourself wisely..." Li Xiaogong thought for a while, suddenly laughed, and said: "It's really, really... I don't think as thoroughly as you do. Boy, I still underestimated you, such a big piece of fat.
I just gave it up when I said I wanted to. With such courage, I am ashamed of myself. But it is also a good thing. You are not short of money. You will have fewer worries and fewer constraints in the future."
Li Mu didn't say anything, but changed the topic and told what happened when Ju Zhisheng came to him just now. After hearing this, Li Xiaogong frowned and said after a while: "Li Mu, if you ask me for my opinion, my suggestion is, you don't
Get involved in these things.”
"Why?"
Li Xiaogong didn't answer and asked instead: "Li Mu, do you know why you are surrounded by various forces, but no force is really willing to fight against you?"