Except that Liu Ziqiu did not meet with the Li brothers, he took good care of them in other aspects. The Li family's caravan traveled unhindered in Guanlong and Hexi, and the Li family's shops were free to operate salt, iron and other industries that were strictly controlled in the past.
Commodities. If any of the Li family members are willing to serve as officials, they will be given priority.
The Li brothers were even invited to visit the military camp in the south of Chang'an City and watched the combat drills of the powerful Modao Army, cavalry and trebuchets. Of course, after coming out of the military camp, the two old brothers completely gave up the idea of controlling Longxi. It was so powerful.
Not to mention conquering Longxi, it would not be difficult for our army to conquer the whole country.
Even under such circumstances, Liu Ziqiu still had no intention of meeting them. However, the Li Changshan brothers had long since matured. They believed that even if Liu Ziqiu finally conquered the world, he would not be able to do without the support of the aristocratic family. They have time here
Wait, of course, the purpose has been changed to another one. That is, striving to be the head of the seven great families!
At this moment, they did not wait for Liu Ziqiu's summons, but instead waited for Li Jiancheng's visit. After hearing Li Jiancheng's explanation of his purpose, Li Changshan laughed and said: "The Li family in the world is a family. You and your son want to recognize your ancestors and return to the clan. I
Of course you are welcome. But I have one condition!"
Li Jiancheng was overjoyed. He didn't care that Yu Shinan was still around, and quickly raised his hands and said, "Old lady, please speak!"
Li Changshan nodded and said: "My Li family has always been loyal to the court and Lord Liu. If you and your son want to recognize your ancestors and return to the clan, please take the initiative to ask Lord Liu to surrender!"
The Li family's caravan travels all over the world, and of course they know that Li Yuan's troops are all old armies of the Sui Dynasty, and they cannot compete with Liu Ziqiu's army in any case. How could the Li family give up their strength to the weak, and seek death?
Li Jiancheng was young after all, and he had already received Yu Shinan's promise to let him go back to Luoyang. He couldn't hold himself back any longer, and he started shouting: "How dare you be so rude, old man!"
Li Changshan also waved his sleeves and said, "See you off!"
As one of the seven aristocratic families in Longxi, the Li family naturally has many warriors. In order to protect the safety of the old brothers Li Changshan and Li Changfeng, almost all the best warriors of the Li family gathered in Chang'an. After listening to Li Changshan's order, they immediately rushed to Chang'an.
Two warriors came up and took Li Jiancheng hostage from his seat.
Although Li Jiancheng had been practicing martial arts since he was a child, no matter how hard he struggled, he could not escape. He was dragged out by the two warriors without moving, and was thrown outside the gate with a "plop". He was beaten to the ground.
Yu Shinan also walked out of the Li family's house, cupped his hands and said, "Young master, it's a good trip. I'm sorry that Yu has to see you off so far!"
Li Jiancheng got up from the ground, in a panic, pointed at Yu Shinan angrily, and said viciously: "Okay! Just wait, you will regret it someday!"
…
But it was said that Li Shimin and his party left Luoyang and headed south of the Yangtze River disguised as a caravan. Although wars were frequent, large caravans were relatively safe unless they broke into the territory of grass bandits.
Because now is different from the turmoil in the late Sui Dynasty in history. In history, there was another major event that caused the Sui turmoil, and that was Yang Guang's three conquests of Goryeo. But now, due to Liu Ziqiu's time travel, many things have changed, and Yang Guang's conquests were even once
The war in Goryeo died before it could be launched. Therefore, in this era, most of the real grass bandits were concentrated in Shandong, Hebei, Guanlong and other places. The separatist forces in other places were actually officials of the Sui Dynasty.
Although these officials are also ambitious, they do not dare to go against those aristocratic families, and most of the caravans are inextricably linked to those aristocratic families. On the other hand, they cannot raise an army without money and food.
When caravans cross the border, at least tariffs are guaranteed, so they will not embarrass these caravans.
Li Shimin and the others went all the way south, passing through Xiangcheng and Yingchuan counties, and entered Huaiyang within a few days. Huaiyang was now under the control of the Changshan Army commanded by Li Jing, and the territory was peaceful.
There used to be a small group of thieves here, and even the famous thief Lu Mingyue once fled here. After the Changshan Army captured Huaiyang and other counties, they immediately made great efforts to eliminate the bandits and defeated Lu Mingyue in Luyi City.
After hearing the news, the thieves from all walks of life did not dare to cause trouble and fled to other places.
Continuing to travel southeast from Huaiyang, the road becomes smoother, and you can also see the boats and carriages in Changshan. Li Shimin and his party hired a boat to go straight to Yanguan County, Yuhang County. The Changshan Pier on the Qiantang River is now
An important commodity distribution center in the south of the Yangtze River, Li Shimin and the others pretended to be merchants and went to Changshan Wharf without attracting attention. They arrived at Changshan Village very smoothly, so smoothly that Li Shimin and others could not believe it.
The Changshan Market next to Changshan Pier is very lively, with numerous shops, busy traffic, hotels, inns, and brothels. People would never think that this is just a market set up in a small village, and its scale is even larger than that of a small county town.
Because Li Xuanba had a bad temper, Li Shimin left him in the inn, while he and Changsun Wuji walked into the market to inquire about the surrounding situation.
There were all kinds of people in the market, but there were no patrolling soldiers. Li Shimin whispered: "Maybe they thought that after taking Huainan and Jiangbiao, this place would be safe. The guards are so lax. God help me!"
Changsun Wuji shook his head and said: "Shimin, I heard from Xiao Dapeng that Liu Ziqiu's family lives in Changshan Village, and this is Changshan Village, so I'm afraid it's not the same place. Why don't we find a hotel to sit down and ask around?
inquire about."
Li Shimin looked up and saw a wine shop in front of him. He couldn't help but nodded and said, "Okay! Let's go to this one."
The two of them found a corner to sit down, and then a bartender came over: "Boy, what would you like to order?"
Changsun Wuji waved his hand and said, "If you have a bottle of good wine, prepare a few plates of fresh fruits and vegetables."
The bartender glanced at them, but said awkwardly: "Looking at your age, you must not have lost your hair yet. There is a rule in the Changshan Collection. Men are not allowed to drink until they are young and young, and women are not allowed to drink until they are young! The younger one serves the two gentlemen.
Nice tea."
When Li Shimin was in Luoyang, he often secretly drank with Li Xuanba. Hearing this rule, he couldn't help but frowned: "Man, it's not like we don't pay."
Changsun Wuji was a few years older than him and had traveled to many places. He was much more stable than Li Shimin. Seeing this, he quickly waved his hand and said: "Brother, please serve us tea."
The bartender acted very quickly and quickly brought a tray over. There were four plates of side dishes, a celadon teapot, two tea cups and two pairs of bowls and chopsticks.
Changsun Wuji was stunned when he saw that there was no oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar and various spices on the tray. He thought that the bartender was bullying them and deliberately cooked some river water to fool them. Why, he couldn't help but asked in a deep voice: "This is you
Are you talking about good tea?"
People who have just arrived at Changshan Market often have this kind of reaction. The bartender has already seen this reaction. He smiled and put the things on the tables, poured the tea from the teapot into the teacups, and said: "You two gentlemen, take a taste.
Then you will know.”
Changsun Wuji doubtfully picked up the tea cup and took a sip, praising: "It smells so good!"
Li Shimin picked up the tea cup and smelled it. It was indeed different from the tea he usually drank.
The bartender said cheerfully: "You two gentlemen, please use it slowly."
"Wait a minute." Li Shimin suddenly called the bartender, took out a silver coin from his sleeve, and said, "Man, I want to ask you something."
The bartender looked at the ingot of silver, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he said repeatedly: "Young master, if you have anything to do, just ask me."
Changsun Wuji grabbed the silver in his hand and handed it to the bartender, saying: "It's nothing, I just want to ask if there is anything to have fun in Changshan Market."
The bartender picked up the money, glanced at them, and said with a smile: "We have many places to have fun in Changshan Market. It's just that at your age, you two..."
Changsun Wuji said "Oh" and said, "Thank you very much."
The bartender smiled and continued to serve other guests. Li Shimin asked puzzledly: "Wuji, didn't you say you wanted to find a hotel to find out more information?"
Changsun Wuji shook his head and said: "This is the territory of Changshan Village, and there are many eyes and ears around it. We can only listen, not ask, otherwise we will be in trouble if our whereabouts are revealed."
Li Shimin also felt that what Changsun Wuji said was reasonable, and nodded silently, slowly tasting the fragrant tea in front of him and listening to the commotion in the hotel.
Suddenly, the bartender's voice became enthusiastic: "Oh, Manager Li, why are you free to come to the shop today? Come on, please come in."
The business of the hotel was very good, and there were not many empty seats. A fat middle-aged man was led by the bartender to a table next to Li Shimin and the others. The bartender said with a smile on his face: "Manager Li, there are ten years of old wine in the store.
, get you a pot?”
Manager Li waved his hand and said: "Forget it today, I have to go to Changshan Village. If I drink too much, I'm afraid I'll miss the main business."
Hearing the words "Changshan Village", Li Shimin and Changsun Wuji looked at each other, pricked up their ears in unison, and listened attentively.
The bartender smiled and said: "Manager Li, you are a regular customer of the store. I have been working in this store for more than half a year. I heard that your Changshan Salt Factory has great connections in Beijing, and I have always looked down on Changshan Village.
Today is the first time I heard that you are going to Changshan Village in person. Could it be that Manager Li has heard some big news?"
Manager Li looked around, sighed, and said: "Well, sooner or later this matter will be hidden. To tell you the truth, the real owner of Changshan Salt Farm is the Yang family. However, Changshan Village also has a 30% share. Now Yang
My family has collapsed. If I don’t go to Changshan Village quickly, I’m afraid that if I die one day, not even the scum will be left.”
Opening a salt field is the most profitable business in Yanguan County. In the past, there were several large and small salt fields in Yanguan County, but since the opening of the Changshan Salt Field, the business of other salt fields has plummeted. As the steward of the Changshan Salt Field, Manager Li usually also
He always looked arrogant. If he hadn't felt a deep crisis, he would never have said such words in front of a bartender. This showed that he was completely confused.