As soon as Li Siye returned to his residence in the city, the emperor suddenly sent someone to deliver a note that was not an imperial edict. He opened the note and saw that it read: The Ministry of War is allowed to recruit 20,000 troops, but they will be stationed in North India.
The military court does not grant titles, nor can they be reported to the Ministry of War."
He was puzzled. He couldn't figure out what the emperor had in mind. He had already agreed to recruit troops, but he was unwilling to admit it. What were the disadvantages of this and what was so tricky about it?
It seems that this is the only thing that can be done for now. It is better than the emperor not agreeing. At least he has asked the Ministry of War to cooperate with him to get 20,000 places. Only 10,000 people are needed to station in northern India. In this way, he still earns 10,000.
Humans and strong military strength are pieced together by banging hammers here and there and hammers here and there.
He had just sat down in the room when he heard a servant coming to announce: "Doctor, Mr. Yang has asked you to come to the house for a brief talk."
The timing of Yang Guozhong's search for him was coincidental. I wonder if this man's brain is a little bit lively now. He should not be easily provoked and used as a weapon. This is his basic requirement for him. As long as he can do this, the two of them can do it.
The boat of friendship between us should not be destroyed.
Li Siye nodded and said, "Please report who is coming as soon as possible. I will go later."
He returned to the inner hall and changed into a purple robe, then led his horse to Yang Guozhong's mansion in Xinghuafang. After announcing the news outside the door, the steward of the mansion led him in from the side door.
After entering the mansion, Li Siye raised his head and looked around. He had been to Yang Guozhong's mansion once last year. It had changed a lot and became more luxurious than usual. Various green curtains and bronze standing lamps were scattered throughout the mansion all night long.
, there were dozens of oil-filling servants alone, and there were various pavilions of different shapes hidden among the trees. He walked along the road in the main courtyard and saw Yang Guozhong wearing a purple robe standing outside the door waiting.
His footsteps paused for a moment, then he slowly raised his hands and crossed them, looking at the expression on Yang Guozhong's face to judge his current state of mind.
Yang Guozhong stood in the distance with his eyes narrowed, with a very complicated expression on his face. There was a bit of fear under his eyelids, and then he laughed: "Congratulations to Dr. Li for making a new contribution and returning to Chang'an."
Li Siye was also very perceptive and used titles to judge other people's attitudes toward him. Yang Guozhong no longer called him "virtuous brother" but directly changed the title to his official title. It seemed that he had placed himself in the column of untouchable and inner rejection.
.
He walked up to Yang Guozhong, saluted and said, "I just returned to Chang'an recently. I'm really sorry for not being able to come and pay homage to Mr. Yang."
Yang Guozhong pursed his lips with a smile, stretched out his hand and invited into the room: "I heard that the doctor has been named the King of Xiliang by your majesty. Now, except for Anlu Mountain, the only person in the world who can get such a generous person is the doctor. Please!"
"
The two of them entered the partition room and sat facing each other. Yang Guozhong ordered two beautiful concubines to come forward and accompany him with the wine. Li Siye couldn't bear anything. If his wife was not in Chang'an, she could wander around as she pleased. When I was in Liangzhou a few days ago,
He couldn't find the key point in the news from Chang'an that came from Jinzouyuan. He just wanted to know if there was any conflict between Yang and An. If there was, he should find a way to provoke it.
Because this contradiction will arise sooner or later, An Lushan has always looked down on Yang Guozhong, who started his family from a foreign relative. Yang Guozhong can see it over time. If he still can't find it now, it is enough to prove that he is a fool.
During the dinner, Yang Guozhong toasted to Li Siye frequently, and both parties were in a semi-drinking state. Yang Guozhong also invited singing and dancing to add to the fun, but in the end, it was still unable to smooth the atmosphere. Just as Li Linfu predicted in the past, the two were not the same person at all, and they could not mix it up.
Interested in blending together.
The two of them were drinking until they were half drunk. Li Siye got up to say goodbye, so Yang Guozhong had to send a servant to see him off. Yang Guozhong sat indoors and watched Li Siye's retreating back, and his already ugly face became even more ugly.
…
The West Market is bustling with people today, especially in the evening, when the footsteps of pedestrians and the cries of vendors blend into one harmonious picture of a prosperous time.
Miji's store has now changed its appearance. It occupies six or seven acres in the West Market, where land is at a premium, and the decoration looks luxurious. Michagan also has five or six houses in Chang'an City, each of which is decorated with fine workmanship and Fei Liang paintings.
The building is worth tens of thousands of gold. The money in his warehouse now should be more than that of the richest man Wang Yuanbao in the past. He should be regarded as the richest man in Chang'an City, but how can one distinguish personal property from something that is not exposed on the surface?
Which one is higher and which one is lower.
Michagan has conducted a large amount of pepper trade for Li Siye in the past two years. However, in recent months, he has suddenly lost his supply source and lost his due monthly income. Michagan was so worried that he sent people to the Western Region Chamber of Commerce in Yangguan many times.
, only to learn that the goods were out of stock on Yi Road.
As a member of Dr. Li's family, he had no choice but to wait patiently in the city. He also sent people down to Yangzhou to buy pepper shipped by sea. The price was naturally much more expensive. But this is the most taboo job in this industry.
The best thing is to stop midway, which will lose your credibility and customers. Even if you lose money, you must continue.
Now that Doctor Li is right in front of him, he knows everything about the Western Regions, but it's just not convenient for him to take the initiative to bring it up.
Li Siye was lying relaxedly and contentedly on the bed in the middle of the shop. Michagan and Cao Anding were kneeling under him, waiting for the leader's questions.
"Is there anything unusual happening in Pinglu Fanyang Town? How many eyes and ears do they have lurking in Chang'an City?"
Cao Anding stepped forward and crossed his hands and said: "Doctor Qi, there is only one Fan Yangzhen left in Chang'an City openly, but secretly there are not many of them. Most of them are hidden in the palace and the mansions of dignitaries. Now they are
The city bribed officials from the Beidu Armory Supervisor and Shaofu Temple, as well as Longwu Army officers, and colluded with some ruffians entrenched in Chang'an to secretly transport armors outside the city. The quantity transported each time was not large, two to three sets.
It looks like left and right.
Li Siye nodded in agreement and said, "While we bought armor and smuggled it out of the city, we secretly reported what they had done to the government to slow down their actions."
Cao Anding crossed his arms and responded, but there was an embarrassed look on his face: "I have been using our own caravan to transport goods to other countries recently, but the money is gradually drying up and it is difficult to continue."
Li Siye turned to look at Michagan and asked, "What's going on with Michagan? Is money tight?"
Michagan breathed a sigh of relief. He finally didn't have to make excuses to ask, and said quickly: "Doctor, in the past six months, there has been no source of pepper supply. All the stores in Chang'an have lost their income. Now they are resting on their laurels.
I just don’t know how long this situation will last.”
Li Siye waved his hand confidently and said: "Don't worry, the pepper trade route will be open in two months. Don't delay things here. Just do it. The money lost will be made up for in the future with pepper."
"Here," the two said in unison, crossing their hands.