Xiaoqi

Page 692

As of this morning, the meritorious officials in charge of the treasury have come to report that the grain and grass donated by the major gentry and gentry through various channels have reached more than 700 shi, and the money has reached [-] million. Triple the amount of gold.And that's not all, as far as we know, there are still dozens of caravans in the city still looking for a way out, presumably there will be a lot of money later, and the amount is quite considerable.If it is not expected, the money and food subsidies received by the General's Mansion within one month will be the annual tax income of the four prefectures of Xiliang, or even more.This means that this income alone can fully cover all the consumption of our army in the Battle of Sili, and even have a surplus.And this is the biggest gain after Sili's victory. "

Li Li was very surprised when he heard the words, and asked quite puzzled: "Why is this? In the Battle of Sili, our army got all the supplies stored in the Allied camp. It was already a good harvest. Why did Feng Xiao think that Now is the biggest gain after the war?"

Guo Jia smiled slightly, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, please. In recent years, the princes of all parties have been fighting for years, and the losers are often defeated, while the winners can quickly recover their strength. The reason why my Xiliang army did not receive support from the big families and powerful gentry before is because many aristocratic families have all their homes confiscated by the lord. In addition, Xiliang is a place where wars have been fought for a long time, and wars are frequent In the past 30 years, there have been endless wars, and there are relatively few large gentry families. Many aristocratic families have migrated to the Central Plains prefectures and counties.

However, the battle of Sili this time is completely different from the previous ones.After the victory in this battle, our Xiliang army will be able to deter the states and counties of the Central Plains, and will send troops to enter the Central Plains at any time.In this way, it will inevitably touch the family interests of the major noble families and powerful gentry, and even directly destroy them, confiscating their family properties to use as military funds.This forces them to make preparations in advance, and it is best to make friends with our army in secret; only in this way, when our army enters the Central Plains, they will be able to preserve their family property and avoid being affected as much as possible, otherwise they will be ruined. "

"Well, that's how it is." Li Li nodded happily, and said with a smile: "I hadn't really thought about these twists and turns of interest entanglements before. Listening to Feng Xiao's explanation now, it really is like this. This is really true. ;If you plant flowers intentionally, the flowers won’t bloom, but if you don’t, you plant willows and willows to make shade. Hehehe!”

Guo Jia was surprised when he heard the words, and said with a smile: "My lord's words are incisive and to the point. I have something to report. Just now, Mrs. Zhang of the inner mansion sent a message to the maid to invite the lord to go to Nanyuan Restaurant in the evening to taste the newly arrived seafood delicacies. .I don't know what the lord wants?"

"Oh, seafood?" Li Li's expression was shocked, and he said with a smile: "I just said it casually before, but I didn't expect that she is really caring. It is not easy to get some seafood now. If so, I will serve you later. Come with me and try some fresh dishes. Hehehe”

Seeing that Li Li agreed, Guo Jia immediately beamed with joy, and said with a smile, "I will stick to my wish, I dare not ask my ears, my minister obeys."

Li Li was keenly aware of the difference in Guo Jia's expression, and asked: "It seems that the person who just came here to deliver the message is not simple, dare to put pressure on you, or directly threaten you to complete the task, am I right? Hehehe!"

"Uh, this..." Guo Jia's expression was astonished, her cheeks were slightly red, she couldn't help showing embarrassment, and said with a smile: "My lord is wise. The person who just came to pass the message is the cheap wife. The imperial doctor said the day before yesterday that she was pregnant. I didn't expect her to be pregnant today. Just bring the mission entrusted by the mother-in-law. Therefore, it is not easy for me to refuse, so I can only bite the bullet and tell the lord that if the lord doesn't go, I really don't know what to do. Hehehe!"

Li Li laughed loudly and said: "Feng Xiao was newly married for one month, and he already has a queen. It seems that Feng Xiao is also a man of temperament. It's really amazing! Hahaha"

Chapter 839 Fresh Seafood

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Nanyuan Restaurant is located on the alley outside the south gate of the General's Mansion, only one street away from the General's Mansion, only fifty steps away.

This is a restaurant that integrates singing, dancing, board and lodging. The main building is a large wooden attic with three upper and lower floors.

However, this courtyard is far more than four attics. There are eight other courtyards behind the main courtyard, all of which are two-story attics similar to the main building.

This is a newly opened restaurant half a year ago. Most of the people who usually go in and out of the restaurant are officials and generals under the general's command, and everyone is either rich or expensive.

As soon as Nanyuan Restaurant opened, it was the most dazzling existence in Chang'an City, attracting countless princes and gentry from aristocratic families, many of them were dignitaries, and even the sons of the three princes and nine officials lived here for a long time.And when these wealthy sons live in restaurants, they usually don't reserve a few rooms, but a separate courtyard, and they even live in with their entourage and maids.If it weren't for the fact that these other courtyards are only for rent and not for sale, I am afraid that these novel courtyards have already been sold out, and others will never even think about stepping into the restaurant.

Here are the most beautiful singers and dancers in Chang'an City, as well as mellow, fragrant and priceless Jiuquan wines, as well as poetry and prose conferences and martial arts competitions, which are unique and excellent places in Chang'an City.

When night falls, the huge hall of the main building is full of seats. There are more than 1000 seats in the four attics on three floors, but it is hard to find; many people can't get in even if they have money.A deposit must be paid one day in advance.Not to mention the guest rooms, all the guests staying in the hotel can watch the singing and dancing performances for free, so many wealthy local rich people rent a guest room here all the year round.Forget about scrambling to get a seat in the lobby.

It is worth mentioning that all the singers and dancers in Nanyuan Restaurant are performers but not their bodies, and no one dares to play wild here, and no one dares to force them.Of course, it's a different matter if they want to, it's not within the protection scope of the restaurant.And this is also forced by the current situation, many young and strong have died in battle.This has created a serious imbalance in the ratio of men to women.And, this trend continues.And it intensified, making more and more young women walk into the place of fireworks and willow lanes to make a living.

The status quo of the entire society is like this, and it cannot be changed by a certain person or a certain prince.Li Li once hated it.Attempts were also made to ban these smoky places.But after he got a deeper understanding, he realized that it is easy to ban these places, but it will make it difficult for tens of thousands or even more women to survive, and their livelihoods will not be secured at all.At the same time, many men who are unable to have a family will behave indiscriminately and disturb the law and order in the city. Anyway, they will die, and they will be put in prison and have free prison meals.As long as the head is not beheaded, it is unscrupulous.

In view of this, Li Li adopted a compromise method.Control these places, and instructed Zhang to open large restaurants to protect some poor women, so that they can survive without degrading themselves unrestrainedly.This is also an expedient measure based on the helplessness of reality, taking care of as much as possible, just doing the best of human affairs,

Don't ask for good deeds, just ask for a clear conscience.

In addition, Li Li repeatedly forcibly ordered the soldiers of the army to marry wives and start families, not only for the sake of winning people's hearts, but also for considerations in this regard.

small dividing line

In the private room on the third floor, Mi Zhu and his younger sister Mi Huan sat at the round table, watching the song and dance performance on the high platform in the hall on the first floor through the open sliding wooden door.

The layout of the rooms here is completely different from the current loft buildings. The corridor on the main building is not in the front, but in the back of the room.Therefore, when you open the sliding door in each room, you can see various performances in the hall, singing and dancing in the evening, poetry appreciation in an hour, and martial arts competition in half an hour at midnight.

Three days ago, Mi Zhu booked five rooms on the third floor of the West Building, and he and his younger sister moved into Nanyuan Restaurant accordingly.

For three consecutive days, Mi Huan looked forward to the early arrival of night every day, and then sat at the round table and watched the performance in the hall with her chin propped up.She sleeps until noon during the day, goes shopping with her followers in the afternoon, and concentrates on watching performances at night;

When he moved in on the first day, Mi Zhu was also attracted by the performance on the high platform in the lobby, and he watched it with great interest all night, and he didn't move after sitting down.Although he wanted to continue to watch the performance in the hall the next day, he had to think about the matter at hand, so he tried his best that day, and finally went to Mei Wu yesterday afternoon under the guidance of the restaurant owner to meet Mrs. Zhang, and asked Mrs. Zhang For referrals.

Half an hour ago, Mi Zhu got the news that Mrs. Zhang had come to the restaurant from Meiwu, and General Li Li would also come to the restaurant to sit for a while tonight.At that time, Mrs. Zhang will introduce him to Li Li, and it will be up to him whether he can succeed.

At this moment, Mi Zhu and Mi Huan were sitting in the private room watching the performance in the hall, Mi Huan was engrossed in watching, and applauded from time to time.But Mi Zhu was not in the mood to watch the singing and dancing, and kept his eyes on the north gate of the hall, because it was the closest to the General's Mansion, if Li Li came to the restaurant tonight, he would definitely come in through the north gate.Because the north gate is usually not open, only the main gate is open, but it was opened early tonight, obviously to make preparations in advance for Li Li's arrival.

"Dong dong dong!" The sound of knocking on the door came to Mi Zhu's ears, and he immediately got up and went to open the door, only to see the graceful Mrs. Zhang and a beautiful young woman coming hand in hand.

Bending to welcome Mrs. Zhang and the glamorous young woman into the private room, Mi Zhu greeted him as he walked, "Mi Zhu met the general's wife. This lady is very kind, I don't know"

Mrs. Zhang smiled and said: "Brother Zizhong is old, you don't have to be polite. This is my adopted daughter. She married Shi Guojia, the chief of the general's residence, as his wife a month ago."

"Uh, it turned out that Mrs. Chang Shi was in front of her. Mi Zhu was rude, and she was far away from her. Please don't blame Mrs. Mi Zhu." Mi Zhu saluted quickly.

Guo Jia's wife Zhen Shi returned the courtesy and said: "Uncle, don't be too polite. When I was not married, I often harassed my uncle's house. This time, my niece only knew that my uncle and Huan'er came to Chang'an. If I knew about it earlier, how could I Allow uncle to live in the inn? I was so negligent before, I hope uncle is not to blame."

Mi Zhu smiled and said: "My niece has said it. I am here on business. I am not visiting relatives and friends, so I dare not disturb you without authorization. Come on, ladies and gentlemen, please take a seat. Don't just watch the singing and dancing, little girl. Who's coming?"

"Brother, don't make noise, people are watching! Sister Zhang, third sister, why are you here?" Mi Huan responded impatiently, turned her head and saw Mrs. Zhang and her third daughter standing behind her.

immediately.Mi Huan jumped up without a ladylike image, took the arms of Zhang's mother and daughter, and said happily: "When did the two sisters come to Chang'an? Why doesn't my younger sister know?"

When Mi Zhu heard the words, his face was filled with black lines, and he thought to himself: "Little sister is too nonsense, it's fine to call Zhang's daughter sister, but she also calls Zhang's sister. This generation is messed up!"

Immediately.He pretended to be displeased and interjected: "Little sister, don't mess around. My brother told you a long time ago that your aunt Zhang is now the wife of the general, and your sister Zhen is the wife of Chang Shi. How can you call yourself such a random name?" ?”

Mrs. Zhang just smiled: "Brother Zizhong, don't be angry. You and I have been in business for many years, and we have been in touch with each other before. We each have our own way, and Huan'er is smart and cute. That's what I called him before. I feel very uncomfortable Okay. Why change? We are old acquaintances, and it is rare to see each other in the past two years. Brother Zizhong, don't be restrained, just like before."

"This makes Madam laugh." Mi Zhu smiled coyly, and then invited Zhang's mother and daughter to sit down.

During the conversation, Mrs. Zhang mentioned that Li Li would be there soon, so she arranged for her to be in the private room next door, and she came here to tell Mi Zhu some things in advance, so that Mi Zhu would not know Li Li's preferences, and if the conversation broke down, it would affect the two families. Acquainted with many years of friendship.

However, when they were chatting and watching the singing and dancing performance in the hall, Mi Huan, who was originally very interested in singing and dancing, quietly walked out of the private room, and under the guidance of Zhang's personal maid outside the door, she walked into the next door private room.

When entering the door, the soldiers guarding the door were about to stop him, but Li Zhi who was standing in the corridor shook his head to stop him, so Mi Huan walked into the private room smoothly.As soon as she entered the door, she saw two young men with their backs turned to her, standing in front of the sliding wooden door, commenting on the song and dance performance in the hall, talking and laughing, in a rather serious tone.

"Hey, what are you two talking about?" With a casual greeting, Mi Huan strolled up to the two of them, put on a preaching look, pointed to the dancer who was dancing on the high stage in the hall, and said in a serious manner. Said: "Look at how well he dances, you two are still talking here and there, pointing fingers, don't talk nonsense if you don't know how to appreciate it. Seeing that you are so young, your clothes are quite extraordinary. Brocade robes, you should Is it an officer under the command of General Li Li? I have to remind you two that the wife of the General is in the private room next door. Can you bear the burden of disturbing the general's wife?"

It goes without saying that the two young people who were lectured by Mi Huan were Li Li and Guo Jia.

Seeing a young and beautiful woman barging in for no reason, Li Li and Guo Jia were immediately bewildered by this woman's accusations.

At this time, Li Li's cuffs were lifted by the woman: "Hey, what about you, what do you think he is doing?"

Seeing Li Li turning around in astonishment, Mi Huan thought he was frightened, and couldn't help but "puchi" a smile.Immediately, she walked to the table that had already been set and sat down, but saw that there were more than a dozen seafood dishes on the table, and someone had already touched it.

"You two are so bold, you dare to eat before the general arrives! But it is indeed very rich, even this lady has never seen such a big shrimp, and I haven't eaten seafood for almost a month. If you don't mind , you two also sit down and eat together, if the general blames me, this lady will take care of it for you."

After speaking, without waiting for Li Li and Guo Jia to express their opinions, Mi Huan had already started eating. The movement of eating the shrimp was very skillful. With the chopsticks, the head of the shrimp was picked off lightly, and the tail of the shrimp was lightly pressed. The fresh and tender shrimp meat Then he broke out, and then started to feast on it.

Seeing this series of skillful movements, Li Li and Guo Jia's appetite whetted their appetites, and they couldn't help but choke their throats.At this moment, Li Li walked up to her side lightly, and reminded him kindly: "The seafood is fierce, eat slowly, and be careful not to choke."

Chapter 840

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Blooming like brocade, early summer and April pass quietly.

As the missions of various princes left Chang'an one after another, the capital gradually restored its former order.