Chapter 959 Chapter 0968 Worry and Joy
“So…so…little?”
Qin Bo tightly grasped the round, smooth, white and beautiful thing in his hand. He originally wanted to say "so much", but when he reached his mouth, it turned into "so little".
As a school official, it is a basic requirement to be thick-faced and have a dark heart, and not to have a conscience.
If this thing is used as a tribute, it is indeed too much.
Two or three hundred pieces is considered full of sincerity.
.
But what I’m talking about now is not tribute.
The more things you bring to sell, the better.
It's fortunate that Li Yi has been practicing in the Prime Minister's Mansion for so many years, otherwise, he might have been bluffed by Qin Bo.
"There are already a lot of things about Qin School. We are the only ones in the world who have this thing."
“Now we let you sell exclusively in Jiangdong. As long as we don’t interfere, don’t you have the final say on how much it will cost?”
“And we have only just made this thing. What kind of charter is it? In the end, we still have to ask Mei San..."
"Ahem, what I mean is that these 30,000 to 40,000 pieces are a guaranteed number. If Qin Xiaoshi can really open up sales in Jiangdong, there will naturally be more and more in the future."
"On the other hand, if Qin School Affairs cannot be sold at a good price, then don't blame us for taking back the monopoly rights..."
Monopoly sales are of course possible.
But sales channels also need to be explored.
You cannot let the other party do whatever they want.
It was only after Mei Sansao learned the advanced knowledge from her brother's master that she figured out how to make white wax.
I heard that all the wax-making materials are from Nanzhong.
In other words, Xinghanhui has been penetrating into Nanzhong over the past few years and has initially built a logistics channel between Nanzhong and Nanzhong.
Coupled with the help of Meng Huo's daughter Huawan, we will make full plans next year and estimate that we will be able to make more than 40,000 pieces.
The palace ordered a batch of them, saying that they wanted to use them at court gatherings and banquets during new years and festivals, but in the end they only got 500 pieces.
The Prime Minister has always practiced frugality and should not be too extravagant.
On the other hand, these candles were originally intended to be used in Wei.
Unexpectedly, Wu Guo was the first to gain advantage now.
How could Qin Bo know the twists and turns in this?
After hearing Li Yi’s words, he nodded repeatedly:
"That's right. Otherwise, how can we say that the Xinghan Society can make such a big foundation?"
“Whoever can do this business, whoever does it well, let him do it. If he can’t do it and still occupies his position, he is not the son of man!”
It is refreshing to do business with a big man, this is how things should be done!
It's not like those aristocratic families in Jiangdong, who shouted "A gentleman is about righteousness, a villain is about profit" and cursed the school office for setting up checkpoints to collect taxes.
On the other hand, they are desperately trying to form a caravan in private and looking for ways to make money. No one even thought of paying taxes to His Majesty.
What really fell into his mother's body was not a thing, it was just like a dog pig, bah!
Although he did not get the food he wanted during this trip, Qin Bo was still satisfied.
Thirty or forty thousand, even thirty thousand, as long as the school office can be guaranteed to get the exclusive rights, and as long as there is a steady supply of goods in the future.
Qin Bo believes that the status of the school affairs office is temporarily stable.
After these two years, we will get food, wool, brown sugar and other supplies from Han later. Who can still shake the status of the school office in His Majesty's heart?
This visit to Li Yi was full of hope. Although there were some twists and turns, I returned home satisfied.
Also satisfied was Lu Hao.
With his trip to Liangzhou, Lu Hao kept an eye on his meeting with the Emperor of the Han Dynasty and mentioned the way of governing the country several times intentionally or unintentionally.
On these issues, the Han rulers either talked in general terms and said nothing.
If you can't say it, then there are many things you can't say.
This further strengthened Lu Hao’s opinion:
The Lord of the Han Dynasty seems to be kind, but in fact he is just a mediocre person.
It was easy to say when Zhuge Kongming was alive.
Once Zhuge Kongming passes away, who can completely control such an unparalleled intellect as Feng Mingwen?
You can’t expect Feng Mingwen to be the second Zhuge Kongming, right?
Just seeing that Feng Mingwen puts profit first in doing things, Lu Hao doesn't believe that he can be the second Zhuge Kongming.
With this in mind, after meeting the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, Lu Hao went to the Prime Minister's Mansion to bid farewell to the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty.
Unexpectedly, the last person who came out to receive him was the Prime Minister Shi Yangyi.
It is only said that the prime minister felt a slight cold at the beginning of winter, felt unwell, and had not seen guests for a long time, so he came to see the envoy of Wu on his behalf.
Lu Hao met Zhuge Kongming when he first arrived in Hanzhong when the weather was hot.
At that time, he saw that the Han Dynasty Prime Minister had a sick face and his body looked very weak.
Unexpectedly, I received the news that the Prime Minister had not seen anyone for a long time.
He couldn't help feeling a little emotional.
Zhuge Kongming is only two years older than his elder brother (Lu Xun).
But because he was overworked, he looked a generation older than his brother.
Now he is very sick and frail, and it seems that he does not even have a few years to live.
Remember that twelve years ago, the Han Dynasty was almost destroyed after its defeat at Yiling.
It is precisely because of Zhuge Kongming’s painstaking efforts over the years that it has achieved today’s prosperity.
Such a great talent is about to perish.
What a pity, what a pity!
While feeling regretful, Lu Hao was also a little lucky.
After all, with the current strength of the Han Dynasty, how terrible would it be if Zhuge Kongming was given another twelve years to live?
With extremely complicated feelings, Lu Hao and Yang Yi said some words of friendship between Wu and Han, and then left.
What he didn't know was that the Han Prime Minister, whom he had not seen, was in a room in the Prime Minister's Mansion at this time, receiving Li Yi who came quietly.
Li Yi came here to report to Zhuge Liang the process and results of his meeting with Qin Bo.
The Han Prime Minister was lying in a large custom-made chair, covered with a fine velvet blanket, and coughed from time to time.
The extremely thin cheeks, the cheeks have been deeply sunken.
The originally tall figure has become completely rickety.
Only the eyes were still shining, suggesting that this old man who looked to be in decline was not as simple as he appeared.
After listening to Li Yi's report, the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty didn't have much expression on his face, he just nodded slightly.
After covering his mouth and coughing again, he said:
"I don't trust that boy for this kind of thing. Zhen Lunqi uses Guan Zhong's skills to plot other countries. I'm afraid there are not many people in the world who can compare with him."
“Leave it to him to do what he wants to do. Remember to inform His Majesty when the time comes…”
Wu's request for horses this time almost disrupted the Han's progress in Guanzhong.
Fortunately, the boy knew what he wanted and postponed the matter for two years.
At this point, Zhuge Liang paused for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said:
“I’m really old, my energy is running low, I’ve forgotten about that kid…”
Li Yi quickly bowed his head when he heard this.
Because the matter between Zhang Si’s sister-in-law and her brother is too complicated and the water is a bit deep, it is not something that I can comment on now.
The Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty said this without thinking, and he sighed again, "It's a pity that Wei Guo..."
Li Yi understood what the prime minister said.
Because of these candles, my brother originally planned to use them on the State of Wei.
What the Prime Minister is most obsessed with right now is how to send his troops northward and seize Guanzhong from Wei.
According to the Prime Minister's past, he personally dealt with all matters, no matter how big or small. I'm afraid it is not necessary to ask him in detail about matters like this dealing with the Wei State.
But now it’s enough to just say “Leave it to brother” lightly.
As the Prime Minister himself said, his energy has been greatly exhausted.
Nowadays, in addition to intervening in military matters and some important matters in the court, the prime minister basically handles the rest of daily political affairs at the Shangshutai.
Zhuge Liang coughed again and looked at Li Yi:
"How is Governor Li doing these days? Are you okay?"
The Governor Li mentioned by the Prime Minister was naturally Li Hui, who had been recuperating in Nanxiang.
Upon hearing this, Li Yi quickly replied:
“I’m sorry to hear that your Excellency has also contracted wind and cold since the winter, but he has recovered now. He is just a little afraid of the cold.”
When the prime minister heard this, he couldn't help but sighed:
“The Southern Expedition happened just yesterday. I didn’t expect De’ang to be so sick and weak.”
When people get old, they just like to miss the past.
Thinking again, Zilong has been critically ill several times. If it were not for Nanxiang Medical College, he might have died long ago.
Zhuge Liang couldn't help but feel a little sad.
I wonder if I can still hope to return to the old capital during my lifetime?
“Prime Minister?”
Zhuge Liang forced a smile, wiped the moist corners of his eyes, and waved:
“Please come closer.”
Li Yi stepped forward quickly.
“I’ve been feeling more and more dizzy lately and always forget something, so I have to make some preparations in advance.”
“As soon as spring starts in February next year, I plan to send you to Liangzhou. The sooner the better. You must remember to remind me then.”
Li Yi responded quickly.
After Zhuge Liang finished giving instructions, he waved his hand to indicate that everything was fine.
Li Yi bowed quietly and then withdrew.
After he left the Prime Minister's Mansion, he heard someone shouting on the street:
“It’s raining hail!”
Pedestrians on the street immediately became restless.
Li Yi was startled and looked up, but saw that the sky had become gloomy at some point.
The sound of chirping sounded on the roof of the house.
The hail smaller than soybeans dispersed...
Hail rain in Hanzhong is extremely rare.
Many pedestrians stretched their necks and raised their heads to watch, and some even reached out to pick it up.
This rain and hail didn’t last long, it just stopped making noise after a while, and it seemed to just tell the people that winter had arrived.
But just after Li Yigang finished talking to the prime minister about his brother, he seemed to have thought of something and subconsciously looked to the northwest.
The winters of the past two years were actually quite normal, and the year before last was even warmer than previous years.
It just seems like it’s going to get colder again this year.
I hope there will be no more white disasters in Liangzhou.
Because on the way to Liangzhou, the ice and snow usually melt in February, making it easier for pedestrians to walk.
But the caravans will only set off in March, because the roads are easy to travel at that time.
The Prime Minister plans to send himself to Liangzhou as soon as spring starts in February, so he seems to be in a hurry.
Things that can make the Prime Minister anxious to do are not trivial.
And a white disaster that caught Liangzhou by surprise would most likely affect the prime minister's plan.
Comparing Li Yi’s worries, Feng Jishi had a rare moment of leisure.
In the northwest, cat winter is a comfortable thing if conditions permit.
It just so happens that Governor Feng’s house has this condition.
Lift the pot, add the base ingredients, and turn on the heat.
On the table are mutton, venison, pork, dog, chicken, and duck...
Thin ones are cut to almost no more than paper.
Han Long’s meat-cutting skills have become increasingly sophisticated.
Thicker meat, like that big chicken leg, you can actually see the light yellow fat under the chicken skin.
Opening the door wide, admiring the snow scenery and eating hot pot is truly a beautiful thing in the world.
The Feng family and Zhao Guang are close friends. There is nothing to do in the winter. Whenever Zhao Guang is free, he brings Huang Wudie over to eat and drink.
Shuangshuang and Ah Chong are at an active age, and they like this kind of excitement the most.
Running around the table, chasing each other and laughing.
Ah Shun, who was placed in a stroller next to him, joined in the fun, dancing and giggling, as if to cheer up his sister and brother.
The crystal saliva keeps dripping out...
Huang Wudie sat there with a big belly, calling Zhao Guang from time to time, and then looked at Guan Ji provocatively.
Zhao Guang was as happy as a pug. He never closed his mouth and almost stuck out his tongue. He surrounded Huang Wudie and kept asking questions.
General Guan was graceful and seemed to turn a blind eye to Huang Wudie's provocation. She wiped Ah Shun's saliva without any fuss, and then took a long look at Huang Wudie.
Zhang Xiaosi was not qualified to compete with the two big guys. She lowered her head and concentrated on mixing the dipping sauce, seemingly unable to see anything.
It was the two concubines of the Feng Mansion, but they were nowhere to be seen at this time.
Governor Feng, who was about to sit on the throne, felt a little strange and couldn't help but ask:
“Where’s Amei?”
Logically speaking, for this kind of family banquet, Li Mu would not say anything, but Amei would basically pick out the hot pot ingredients for herself.
“Didn’t you send someone to rush you? Why hasn’t it arrived yet?”
Guan Ji also felt a little strange and looked at Zhang Xiaosi who had been silent.
Zhang Xiaosi’s eyes wandered, looking at Huang Wudie’s big belly, and replied:
“I’ve urged it several times, but I said I don’t want to eat it.”
“Neither of you want to eat?”
Feng Jishi picked up a piece of venison and put it in the hot pot, motioned for everyone to start, and asked a question at the same time.
“Yes, they all say they can’t eat.”
This is strange.
Feng Jishi frowned and looked at Guan Ji.
Guan Ji shook her head slightly, indicating that she didn’t know. She looked at Zhang Xingyi again:
“Is there nothing happening at home recently?”
Zhang Xingyi’s little mouth was moving rapidly, and the meat in her mouth was so hot that she kept exhaling:
“Ah Chong was lazy yesterday morning and didn’t get up to practice martial arts. Does that count?”
Ah Chong, who was happily chewing bone marrow, was stunned on the spot. The big bone in his hand suddenly lost its fragrance.
Regardless of Ah Chong who was shivering under Guan Ji’s stern gaze, Governor Feng muttered a little:
My backyard is always peaceful, what happened to the two concubines?
After eating hot pot, Feng Jishi couldn't restrain his doubts and went to Amei's courtyard.
“Why don’t you go to eat? Aren’t you hungry?”
As soon as Governor Feng entered the room, he asked.
As soon as Amei saw Governor Feng coming in, he quickly came over to help take off his cloak.
He explained in a low voice:
“I have been feeling unable to eat for the past two days, and I just want to have a hungry meal today…”
Before she finished speaking, she suddenly smelled the smell of hot pot on Governor Feng's body. Her expression changed, she covered her mouth and made a "vomit" sound!
“Are you feeling unwell? Why don’t you ask the medical staff to come and take a look?”
Feng Jishi quickly supported her and asked.
Amei had no time to answer, so she pushed Governor Feng away and vomited repeatedly.
Seeing her like this, Governor Feng's heart skipped a beat!
“Alang, don’t come here, I can’t smell you...”
Hearing Amei say such words for the first time, Governor Feng was not angry but happy.
He stretched his neck and asked carefully:
"Okay, okay, I won't go over, you...are you happy?"
Amei finally stopped gagging, her face turned slightly red, and she nodded.
Feng Jishi confirmed his thoughts and couldn't help rubbing his hands, surprised and happy.
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier? Are you still hiding it?”
Amei lowered her head and explained in a low voice:
“This has not been completely determined yet, so I want to wait a few more days before talking about it.”
“What’s so uncertain about this? It’s definitely happening!”
I am a father of three children after all, so I have experience.
“The smell on my body is too strong for me to stay here for a long time. You should have a good rest first while I change my clothes before I come back.”
Feng Jishi lowered his head and smelled the clothes on his body. He was afraid that if he stayed in there for too long, he would pollute the air in the room. He quickly comforted Amei and then withdrew.
As I retreated to the door, I suddenly remembered something:
“Do you know when you were conceived?”
Amei’s face turned redder, she lowered her head and said something.
If Feng Jishi hadn't listened carefully, he wouldn't have heard what Amei said:
“It should be the night that Alang said he wanted to have a good fight...”
At these words, even Feng Jishi, who was as thick as a wall, looked a little embarrassed on his face, but he quickly became excited:
“Na Mu Niang…”
Amei was speechless and turned around and ran to the inner room.
Governor Feng stood blankly at the door for a long time before he clapped his hands and shouted:
“Hey! Hit, double shot!”
Then he suddenly remembered something very important: How should I explain this coincidence to Xijun?
More importantly, what will happen if Zhang Xiaosi finds out?
I remember that night, I left Zhang Xiaosi’s room in a rage...
At this thought, Governor Feng felt that his blood suddenly solidified, as if he had been frozen by heavy snow...
(End of this chapter)