During the Spring Festival, the city of Chang'an is full of songs and dances, but there are undercurrents surging under the surface calm.
Cui Yang, the servant of the household, stepped down from his carriage and looked at the bustling crowd in front of the door with disgust. His sister was the concubine of the prince Li An. Although he was not as favored as the side concubine, the crown prince was born by his sister, so Husband and wife are still respectful to each other. Originally, when King Yong was arrogant and arrogant, although he was the prince's brother-in-law, he was deserted in front of the door. Some people even tried to please King Yong and himself. This time, the prince's position was stable. After breaking the threshold, ignoring the villains who were arrogant, he walked into the door proudly.
When he arrived at the study, the housekeeper handed over a stack of worship stickers, and Cui Yang took them to look at them one by one. After all, no matter how much he despised those people, his power needed people to support him. Why improve your status? After flipping through it, Cui Yang was suddenly attracted by a post. It was an exquisite and famous post. The name on it was never heard before. It was called Ji Cheng, a businessman from Dongchuan. Originally, Cui Yang was not in the mood to meet him. It belonged to an ordinary businessman, but there was a gift list attached to his name sticker. On it, there were 10,000 taels of silver and a pair of white jade. This was a very heavy gift. Even if he saw this gift, he couldn't see Jicheng. The housekeeper was instructed to invite Ji Cheng in. Cui Yang sat behind the desk, drinking tea and thinking about what this person asked for. If you are courteous to others, you must ask for something. Can you accept this gift safely
After a while, under the guidance of the housekeeper, a man in his thirties walked in. This man was quite handsome and his facial features were very straight, but his eyes were a little long and narrow and his nose was a little hooked, which would have ruined his image. But this person is very popular, standing in front of the book desk, standing with his hands behind his back, at first sight he is a person who has lived among the people for a long time. Cui Yang was shocked, knowing that this person is by no means an ordinary businessman. Cui Yang can be a servant of the household, and naturally he is not an ordinary person. He said lightly: "Your Excellency, please take a seat. Although this official is not a high-ranking official, some things can still be done. Yes, Your Excellency is so polite, I don’t know what to do, if it is not in the way of the country’s law, this official will naturally consider it.”
The man said with a smile: "Caomin is here, naturally he is begging for your lord. Caomin has a business and wants to cooperate with His Royal Highness, but what kind of identity does His Highness have, we, the Caomin, can't approach, the lord is a noble relative of the crown prince, so I came to ask, If your lord thinks Caomin's business is worth doing, please convey Caomin's sincerity to His Royal Highness."
Cui Yang frowned, and said coldly: "The prince is the prince. Under the whole world, is it the king's land, why should he collude with merchants such as you, if this is the case, this official can't do anything."
The man sneered: "If His Royal Highness doesn't want to make a fortune, then what is His Highness doing in the villages on the outskirts of Chang'an, who is the backstage owner of the Jinyulou in Liren City, Chang'an's largest casino, who violates the law, What about private gold mining outside?"
Cui Yang almost jumped out of his heart when he heard it. How could this man find out about the prince's family background? He has been taking care of the business for the prince. If the matter spreads, the prince will only receive a few reprimands, and I am afraid that he will have to Dismissed from office. A murderous look flashed in his eyes, thinking that he needs to capture this person, ask him about his origin, and then cut the grass and root, so Cui Yang deliberately said with a pleasant face: "Actually, this matter may not be negotiable, please sit down and serve tea. , let's discuss slowly."
The butler hurriedly served tea, invited the man to sit next to him, and went outside to guard the door.
After waiting for the man to sit down, Cui Yang asked again, "I don't know if your Excellency has any business you want to cooperate with His Highness. If this official hears it and thinks it's okay, then you can report to the Prince."
The man said leisurely: "This business is not big. This year's Dayong was dry and the grain harvest was poor. Now the price of rice and noodles on the market is three times that of previous years, and Jiangnan specialty products such as silk are even more expensive. The enmity between Chu and Dayong is as deep as the sea, and the trade between the two sides has been interrupted. Caomin has some connections in southern Chu, and they can provide food, silk, tea and other specialties, what do you think?"
Cui Yang frowned, thinking to himself, this is indeed a good business, but it is a bit troublesome. Although His Royal Highness has some income, the expenditure is also large. Buying officials, setting up secret agents, and raising assassins do not cost money, that is, they need to pay Feng Feng every year. The offerings of Yimen are not a small number. Looking at this man, the murderousness in Cui Yang's eyes has faded.
This man is very good at observing words and expressions, and continued: "Actually, we don't need His Highness to pay any money. If we have His Highness and His Excellency's care, our business can go smoothly. You also know that this smuggled goods, without His Highness's support, we will sooner or later. will fail."
Cui Yang nodded and said, "If so, it would be easy, but how are you going to split it?"
The man smiled and said, "The little one is willing to honor His Highness for 30% of the profit."
Cui Yang frowned. He knew the huge profits in this business. If it was only 30%, it would be a pity.
The man seemed to see through his mind, and said mysteriously: "Actually, Caomin still has an idea. If the adults are bold enough, the villains are willing to give 60% of the profits."
Cui Yang was shocked and said, "What's your idea? Come and listen."
The man smiled and said: "Your Excellency is in charge of the Ministry of Household, and the food, salaries and weapons of Dayong's more than one million troops are all under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Household. Now what Nanchu lacks the most is weapons. If His Highness is willing to exchange the stocks of weapons for Nanchu's goods, neither will His Royal Highness Fei can get more goods, and the income can be doubled. After His Royal Highness gets the gold and silver, he will customize a batch of ordnance to fill the gap in Dayong. The difference in the price should be understood. There is absolutely no problem in doing 500,000 taels for a single trip."
Hearing this, Cui Yang slapped the table and said angrily: "How unreasonable, you actually instigated this official to invest in the enemy, are you a spy of Nanchu, and you came to this official to talk nonsense."
The man calmed down and said with a smile: "Your Excellency is wrong, Caomin is not a spy of Southern Chu, Caomin Huo Jicheng, the leader of the Jinxiu Alliance." After saying that, he waved his hand, and a white light shot out from his hand, sticking to Cui Yang's neck It flew over, penetrated the bookshelf behind Cui Yang, and shot into the wall. Cui Yang was so frightened that he was so frightened that the door of the study was kicked open. Dagger.
Huo Jicheng smiled and rushed towards the door. The butler only felt that the dagger in his hand had fallen into Huo Jicheng's hands. When Cui Yang looked again, Huo Jicheng had already sat back in his seat and looked at Cui Yang with a smile. Cui Yang has calmed down. He glanced at Huo Jicheng and thought to himself, if this person is not sure, how can he take risks and say nothing else. If he annoys him, his life will not be saved. He wiped it off. Putting down the cold sweat, he said: "Mengzhu Huo, please take a seat, please take a seat, presumably the lord did not come here to ask for guilt. His Highness the Crown Prince eradicated the division of the Splendid League in Chang'an, and it was also for the sake of state affairs. If it is hostile, this is also helpless, if Huo Mengzhu wants to take revenge, the lower officials will not agree."
Huo Jicheng said lightly: "This is a good statement. For you, the Jinxiu Alliance is a rebellious one, and the matter of Chang'an is helpless, but those are small things, and they can be considered loyal to the country, but as the saying goes, nothing lasts forever in the world. Our enemies, we are now being restricted and excluded everywhere. If things go on like this, we will not only have no hope of returning to the country, but even our lives will not be saved. If His Highness is willing to cooperate with us, there is no need for us to return to the country. It is good to be a rich man. , Although His Royal Highness has a stable storage position, after all, there is still King Yong eyeing, and there are many places where money is needed. To put it bluntly, we are the only candidates who can cooperate with His Royal Highness. It is King Yong. If someone else serves for His Royal Highness, if it falls into the hands of King Yong, I am afraid that the crown prince will be fully confessed. We Jinxiu League and King Yong have a deep hatred. , we also know that if it wasn't for King Yong's plan, Dayong and Shu might not be at war, so there is no deep hatred between us and the prince. If we can help the prince to eradicate King Yong, then we can be regarded as doing our best to avenge our king. Also, even if someone exposes the cooperation between the Splendid Alliance and the Prince, do you think anyone would believe it? Who would believe that the Prince cooperated with us against the party, and the Prince just swept our Splendid Alliance chief to the helm."
The more Cui Yang listened, the more polite he felt. Although he felt that this person was cold and had no heartache for his brother's death and injury, he also felt that this person was right. He hesitated and asked, "There are still some brothers in the heavenly prison. I don't know what your plan is."
Huo Jicheng smiled slightly and said, "If Your Highness thinks it doesn't matter, then let it go. If you think it's a hindrance, execute them quickly, so as not to make people suspect the relationship between the Prince and the Splendid Alliance."
Cui Yang felt cold for a while, this person is really ruthless. He closed his eyes and said for a long time: "This official can't decide this matter, so let's talk about it after I report to Prince Ming. Your Excellency will listen to you tomorrow."
Huo Jicheng smiled slightly and said, "It should be, it should be, but Master Cui, the concubine you raised in the city is already pregnant, why haven't you brought it back, is it because the lady is jealous?"
Cui Yang shook his hand, and the tea cup he just picked up almost fell on the table. He looked at Huo Jicheng's handsome face, as if he saw a devil.
Huo Jicheng gave a respectful salute and said, "Caomin is leaving now. If the adults are not in a hurry, it is better not to move before Madam gives birth."
Listening to Huo Jicheng's faint threat, Cui Yang waved his hands weakly and said, "President Huo, please rest assured, this official will not cheat, no matter what, this official will not arrange traps to frame the leader."
Huo Jicheng walked out of Cui Mansion, took a breath of icy air, and felt relieved. This time he really took a big risk, but it was too attractive. The benefits of walking in the sea can't be taken. As for human fate, as long as If you are alive, the Splendid Alliance will not perish. When you get the food, salaries and weapons you need, and you get millions of dollars, you can build the banner of the Prince of Shu and restore your country's career. If one day, you can protect the prince by yourself. , he is the well-deserved regent, and no one can match his glory and glory at that time.
A gust of cold wind blew, and Huo Jicheng's hot brain calmed down, he thought, I have to go and meet the people from Tianji Pavilion again. If there is no success on their side, the business will still not work.
After a few laps in the streets and alleys to make sure that no one was following behind him, Huo Jicheng quietly entered a house. The old owner saw him coming, but he didn't make a sound, and led him into the bedroom, under a wall. After a few taps, the wall quietly moved away, and Huo Jicheng waved his robe sleeves and walked in. Behind him, the wall closed silently.
In the dim light, Han Wuji sat leisurely on his chair, and when he saw Huo Jicheng coming in, he stood up and cupped his hands: "Menghu Huo, you are here, I don't know how the conversation is going."
Huo Jicheng smiled slightly, and said, "I don't know yet, we'll see if we can convince their master. Brother Han, how is the situation on your side?"
Han Wuji said with a smile: "I have already received a letter from Fei Ge, and they have agreed and promised long-term cooperation. They urgently need these things now, and their treasury has almost been emptied by King Yong. Yong got the gold and silver materials. We still have the reputation of Tianji Pavilion. If we get through here, we can work together to make a fortune."
Huo Jicheng arrived at a cup of tea, drank it, and said, "Although our Jinxiu Alliance has a lot of power in Dayong, but this time, His Royal Highness the Prince is furious, and we will inevitably face difficulties in the future. If we can't buy the Prince, then the business will still fail. , but don't worry, we have personal friendships with many officials, most of them belong to the prince's party. As the saying goes, things gather together and people are divided into groups. I don't think the prince is a good thing. These intrigues can't help me. ."
Han Wuji saluted: "Then please pay more attention to the leader of the alliance. Our forces can't penetrate into Dayong, so it's all up to the leader to worry about it, but the leader of Southern Chu, please rest assured."
Huo Jicheng suddenly flashed a gleam in his eyes, and said: "We know the power of Tianji Pavilion in Nanchu. If your pavilion master is willing, we can have further cooperation."
Han Wuji smiled slightly. He knew that Luhou guarded the middle of Shu, and the forces of the Splendid League were torn apart. Prince De was in control of the overall situation. The Splendid League could never form a climate in Southern Chu, but Dayong because they The current goal is not aimed at Dayong, so it is possible to develop power under Dayong's connivance, but now that Prince De is dead, it seems that Huo Jicheng wants to develop to Nanchu again. Han Wuji euphemistically said: "We understand the intention of the leader, but now that we are doing this business, if the leader is too hasty, it will inevitably hurt the business. In fact, the leader doesn't have to worry, anyway, this business will only be done for a few years, wait until then. When the time comes, the leader of the alliance has enough rations, and the leader can do whatever he wants."
Huo Jicheng looked at Han Wuji, and said with a shocked expression: "Brother Han is really resourceful. I don't know if I can recommend the pavilion owner for Huo to discuss cooperation."
Han Wuji said proudly: "Our pavilion master has handed over all this matter to Han Mou, and the alliance leader does not have to go far." Then his face became mysterious and continued: "Also, the pavilion owner never sees outsiders, even Han Mou only saw the pavilion. Lord once, I haven't seen the true face of the pavilion owner, but the pavilion owner has spies beside any subordinates, the leader of the alliance should be careful."
Huo Jicheng looked a little hesitant, but after thinking about it, Tianji Pavilion is a mysterious organization, no wonder, so he said warmly: "Brother Han is also a relic of the Shu Kingdom, and he should do his best for the great cause of restoring the country. Please say a few more good words in front of the pavilion master." He had the heart to win over, and his words were gentle and sincere at once, and Han Wuji shuddered in his heart, thinking that this person is really moody, and he should be careful not to fall into the loopholes, he deliberately With a gloomy expression, he said after a long time, "He is also a member of Shu, why don't you want to restore the country, but the pavilion owner does not like to get involved in national affairs, so he is very strict with us. If this is not lucrative, the pavilion owner will not approve of this business. of."
Huo Jicheng thought that he couldn't be in a hurry, and said: "The manager is kind, thank you Huo, I have to arrange the following things, so I will leave. After the matter is completed, I will discuss the details with Brother Han."
Han Wuji hurriedly got up and said, "This matter is urgent, I will not stay with the leader, Han will send the leader."
Huo Jicheng said: "You don't have to send each other, so as not to attract attention." Han Wuji still respectfully sent it to the door of the room, but did not send it out in order to hide from the public.
After he left, the old owner of the house suddenly stood up straight and took off the mask from his face, revealing a handsome young face. Han Wuji said with a smile: "Pirate Li, you have to remember that if people are greedy and kill themselves, this Huo Jicheng is really ruthless, but if he attracts people, he is very enthusiastic. If you act with duplicity, you can hide it from one person for a while, but you can't hide it for the rest of your life."
The young man said respectfully and authentically: "Pirate Li was taught."
Han Wuji smiled and said: "The world is bustling, all for profit, and the world is turbulent, all for profit, the son uses a plan, we really can't think of it, although we don't know what the son's intention is, it will not always be a good thing."
At this moment, the prince's mansion was also secretly talking. Cui Yang waited for Huo Jicheng to leave, and immediately went out to the prince's mansion. He was the prince's brother-in-law and the prince's confidant. He entered the prince's living place without any hindrance. Walking into the gorgeous hall, I saw the prince wearing casual clothes, watching the song and dance there. Cui Yang couldn't help but glance at it a few more times. At this sight, Cui Yang's eyes couldn't be opened. It turned out that these dancers were wearing lotus flowers. The skirt, the upper body is covered with lotus petals, showing the skin light like snow, dancing gracefully, graceful and exciting, obviously wearing revealing clothes, but the music is not obscene, those women's movements are not twisted, there is no obscene meaning, let People seem to be at ease.
Seeing that Cui Yang was fascinated, Li An laughed and scolded, "Cui Yang, what are you doing here, and what are you doing standing there?" With a wave of his hand, the dancers backed out. Only then did Cui Yang see that Lu Jingzhong was also sitting beside him, and there was a handsome guard standing beside the prince.
Cui Yang settled down and said, "Your Highness, I have something confidential to report."
The prince frowned, but before he spoke, the guard had already said, "Your Highness, I have a dance song. I want to discuss it with the musicians and dancers. It's better for me to go first and let Your Highness enjoy it when it's finished."
The prince smiled and said: "Go ahead, this king is waiting for your new song. Let your brother, guard the outside, and don't allow anyone to trespass." The guard backed out. Li An looked at Cui Yang and said, "What's the matter? Tell me."