After much deliberation, the only thing I can think of is the benefits of MG.
Zhen Yi wanted to revive the family, so he invested in Gongsun Zan. From this point of view, he was not loyal to the court, and he acted like a businessman.
When it comes to business methods, Liu Xiang is definitely no match, so he can't play those cunning and deceitful tricks. Only by letting Zhen Yi see real benefits can he be moved, and then try to fool Zhen Yi with high returns in the future.
Yi.
It's like looking for a venture capital investor, you have to paint a pie for him and you have to be able to deceive people.
Then, he used famous names and business interests to attract Zhen Yi, let him invest in Liu Xiang, and lured his eyes away from the land and replaced it with Liu Xiang.
In this way, everyone will be happy.
Thinking of this, Liu Xiang ordered his attendants: "Get a few sets of white porcelain and seal them in good gift boxes. They will be useful tomorrow."
The porcelain kiln in Yuyang has optimized the preheating and blasting technology and can produce white porcelain. Under Liu Xiang's suggestion, the carcass became thinner and much more delicate than the original celadon. Several sets of high-quality products were sent to let
Liu Xiang inspected it.
………
The next day, Liu Xiang got up early and took a bath and incense. This was etiquette and a way to show attention. The Han Dynasty paid great attention to details when socializing.
The incense used was sandalwood, and the clothes were incense. Liu Xiang was not used to incense with others, and he couldn't stand some messy spices.
For example, in the Han Dynasty, there was a spice called pepper, which was actually Zanthoxylum bungeanum. It was a precious spice. After being smoked, the aroma of pepper always reminded Liu Xiang of modern barbecue.
Seeing the sun rising higher and higher and the temperature getting hotter, Liu Xiang suddenly thought of an excellent gift choice.
ice!
Is there anything more popular than sending ice in summer?
He immediately summoned his attendants and asked, "Is there any ice mirror in the county government?"
The ice mirror can be understood as an ancient refrigerator and air conditioner. "Zhou Li Tianguan Ling Ren" records: "Ice mirrors were offered to sacrifices". Ice mirrors existed in the Zhou Dynasty.
The attendant said: "I have never seen anything like this."
Also, ice was still very rare in the Han Dynasty. Ice was mainly taken and stored in ice cellars in winter, so that it could be enjoyed by a limited number of princes and families until the next summer to relieve the heat.
The emperor even set up officials to manage the ice cellars, and held grand ceremonies during the summer to reward courtiers with ice to win over people.
Liu Xiang asked his attendants to bring him saltpeter, which he wanted to use to make ice. Making ice from saltpeter was not that magical, and had been around since the Tang Dynasty.
Get the saltpeter and ask Su Wei to bring a large pottery basin. First put the saltpeter and find several bronze plates. Add cold boiled water to the pots and put them into the pottery pot as well. Then slowly add water to the pottery pot.
Saltpeter dissolved when it met water and began to absorb heat. Ice flowers gradually appeared in the pottery basin, and the water in the bronze dish began to freeze.
Liu Xiang took out the ice cubes from the copper plate and put them into white porcelain jars. In less than half an hour, he made a total of four jars of ice.
In fact, saltpeter can be eaten directly by making ice, but Liu Xiang couldn't bear it. He didn't even make much gunpowder. Saltpeter is not cheap. The saltpeter used to make ice can be recycled and reused.
I took a high-quality lacquerware gift box, covered it with red silk, and put the porcelain jar inside. The contrast between red and white made it look good.
Wrap the four paint boxes with linen and put them into a large box covered with a thick layer of salt. Continue to fill the gaps with salt, and wrap the large box with several layers of cloth quilts to slow down the melting of the ice cubes.
time.
Liu Xiang looked around at the many guards surrounding him and said: "Continue to make ice in this way. You will share the food in the copper plate. Don't eat the food in the pottery basin. Use it to cool down and relieve the heat."
A circle of guards raised their hands and saluted: "Thank you, Lord."
Most of these guards were with Liu Xiang when he was in the Yuyang camp. They consider themselves well-informed. Don't be surprised if your lord just practiced elixir again.
Liu Xiang ignored the musings of Su Wei, changed his uniform, brought gifts, and went out to visit Zhen Yi.
When they arrived at Zhen Yi's residence, Zhen Yi was waiting on the right side of the door. When she saw Liu Xiang, he bowed his hands and saluted: "Zhen Yi, Zhongshan, pays homage to General Liu."
Liu Xiang returned the favor: "Fox slave Liu Xiang, whose courtesy name is Yicheng, has met Duke Zhen."
After seeing the ceremony, Zhen Yi invited Liu Xiang to come in from the left side of the door. When he reached the lobby, he invited Liu Xiang to take a seat again. There was a sense of alienation in the etiquette and respect.
After Liu Xiang declined, he sat at the desk on the left and said: "This visit is a bit presumptuous. I hope Mr. Zhen will forgive me.
Zhen Gong lives in Lu County. I don't have much money. I just made a few cans of ice cream to cool off with Zhen Gong.
Recently, I have fired several sets of white porcelain. Knowing that Duke Zhen has traveled far and wide and seen a lot, I brought them to the Duke for tasting."
After saying that, he waved his hand and ordered the guard to present the gift.
Zhen Yi declined and accepted.
The white porcelain in the lacquer box lies on the red silk, which is quite exquisite. Especially the porcelain jar filled with ice is decorated with condensed water drops and surrounded by freezing air. It is crystal clear and dazzles the eyes.
Zhen Yi couldn't put it down. She played with each one and was full of praise for each one.
"Such a treasure, crystal clear and elegant, is really hard to find, and I feel ashamed to receive it! Thank you so much, General." Zhen Yi's mood was obviously much closer, and she looked very satisfied with the gift.
Liu Xiang smiled and answered a few words.
Zhen Yi collected the white porcelain and the ice jar and sent it to the back house, saying it was a rare treasure and sent it to her family to watch.
He also ordered someone to pass on a banquet, and he wanted to get drunk with Liu Xiang before resting.
The servants of the Zhen Mansion rushed back and forth, placing various dining utensils, fruits, vegetables, and meats on the tables like a flowing stream.
All kinds of candied fruits, wine, meat and beans, fish and poultry soup, all very rich.
Zhen Yi was the first to offer wine: "The banquet is simple, general, don't blame it."
Offering wine was the first step in banquets in the Han Dynasty. The host poured wine for the guests and toasted them.
The guests have to reciprocate the greeting, which is called drinking wine, and then there is the drinking wine, which means drinking freely to each other and drinking as much as you like.
After three glasses of wine, Liu Xiang felt a little dizzy. She made a mistake and came alone, fearing that she would go out sideways.
While he was still drunk, Liu Xiang quickly got down to business: "How much does Duke Zhen think this white porcelain is worth?"
"Treasures in the world are hard to obtain even with millions of dollars." Zhen Yi shook her head in praise.
Liu Xiang continued: "Mr. Zhen, are you willing to do this white porcelain business?"
Zhen Yi smiled reservedly: "How much white porcelain does the general have? Just ask the price and I will take it all."
Liu Xiang shook his head and said: "Although I am embarrassed, I don't want money."
"Oh? What does the general want in exchange for?"
Liu Xiang answered the question and said: "When Duke Zhen looks at me, can I be considered a prince of Chu? Is Duke Zhen's ambition comparable to that of Duke Lu?"
Zi Chu is King Zhuangxiang of Qin. In the story Qi Huo Ke Ju, he is called Qi Huo’s proton by Lu Buwei.
Zhen Yi's expression changed when she heard this, and she recovered immediately. She laughed and said, "The general is joking. How dare I compare with Mr. Lu?"
"Mr. Zhen is too modest. I heard that the Zhen family in Zhongshan is a wealthy family with a hereditary inheritance of two thousand dan. Lu Gong can't compare with him back then."
Zhen Yi frowned and smiled bitterly: "Today is different from the past. There is no need to mention it again. It only makes people laugh. But the general compares himself to King Zhuang Xiang. Don't you think he is arrogant?"
Liu Xiang smiled and said: "When Zi Chu went to Zhao as a hostage, he was in dire straits of food and clothing. At least I was able to have enough food and clothing, so why can't I compare?
I am protected by a large army and loved by the people, why can't I dare to compete?
I dare to ask Mr. Zhen, but he is so depressed that it is difficult to cheer him up?"