11-20

Chapter 11

The official positions in the Hanlin Academy during the Ghost Festival are not high, and the highest is only the fifth rank.

After attending classes at the Hanlin Academy for a few days, Li Wen gradually became familiar with his job. During this period, he met his boss twice. His boss's surname was Gao. He was a bachelor from the fifth rank. Every time he came in a hurry, he would give him something to do and then leave in a hurry. After he became familiar with the procedures at the Hanlin Academy, Li Wen realized that he could find something to do on his own without having to ask anyone for a word or a command.

His position in the Hanlin Academy was that of a historian, equivalent to a historian, who was responsible for compiling historical facts, recording the historical events of the dynasty on paper, and organizing them into books for archiving. Historians must record historical facts truthfully and cannot distort facts or make up random things. However, historians have always been the officials that emperors disliked the most. The emperor is also a mortal, but no mortal is perfect. However, every emperor hopes that he will be a perfect emperor in the writings of historians. This is contrary to the nature of historians recording history truthfully. It is impossible for historians to accommodate the emperor. Just make up history.

If he does this job well, he is likely to serve as the emperor's daily official. The daily official is responsible for recording the emperor's daily life and working with the emperor. Being able to be a daily official next to the emperor is a very promising position. After all, being able to work beside the emperor every day and in front of the emperor's eyes every day can at least make the emperor remember you as a person and that you are good at what you do. The emperor sees bad things in his eyes. If you can gain the emperor's trust, he will send you to handle any tasks. If you do well, you will have the opportunity to be promoted.

Of course, it is true to say that a man is like a tiger. If you are not careful, you may lose your head.

In the early years, Emperor Zhaozong worked hard and tried his best to govern the country, reduce and reduce taxes, so that the people of Dacheng could recuperate and live a healthy life. The records written by historians were full of praise for the emperor. Naturally, the emperor liked the historians of the Hanlin Academy at that time. Hanlin The hospital also has some status.

However, since the emperor was obsessed with the beauty of the harem, favored Concubine Dong, drank and had fun in the palace all day long, and ignored the government affairs, Dong Xiang became the emperor's confidant, covering the sky with one hand, and the officials in the government were corrupt. The national treasury is empty. Various natural disasters have occurred in recent years, and the government cannot even provide money or food for disaster relief. The taxes of the imperial court increased year by year, and the people's lives were miserable. Therefore, the historians were critical of the emperor and recorded these things truthfully. Therefore, it is no wonder that the emperor became more and more disgusted with the historians. .

Historians have the power to record historical facts and report rumors. There are two historians who are not afraid of death. They want to wake up the emperor with fierce words, which angers the emperor. The emperor slaps him with a disrespectful label on the spot, which makes people feel uncomfortable. He was pulled out and chopped off, so now even the historians have to behave with their tail between their legs in front of the emperor. Of course, if you want to commit suicide, no one can stop you.

But even so, there are still a lot of people vying for the position of living officer.

Li Wen has just entered the Hanlin Academy, so he is not yet qualified to serve as a daily official beside the emperor. Without the emperor's summons, he would not even be able to meet the emperor, so now he can only work as a small historian here in the Hanlin Academy. He lives a leisurely life, reading books and flipping through the records written by his predecessors every day. Find out where there are errors. However, he really found a lot of small mistakes. These must be recorded first and reported to the superior. Only after confirming that they are true mistakes can they be corrected.

Half of July is the Ghost Festival, commonly known as the Ghost Festival.

Last time Xie Yunfei said that July 15th was Zhao Xiangyi's birthday, so Li Wen remembered it. This day was actually a bit special, so it was easy to remember it. He actually doesn't have many good friends in the capital. He regards Zhao Xiangyi as a real friend, so Li Wen wanted to help Zhao Xiangyi celebrate his friend's birthday. After all, birthdays only happen once a year. Naturally, I want to have a good time.

So the day before, Li Wen sent someone to send a letter to Zhao Xiangyi, saying that he would be invited to drink today, and Zhao Xiangyi agreed.

Every time it was his birthday in his previous life, Professor Li and Ms. Song would remember his birthday no matter how busy they were, and they would spend it with him. In this life, his mother-in-law would remember his birthday every year. Li Wen remembered that when he was a child, his family was poor. Every time it was his birthday, his mother-in-law would make him a bowl of noodles with her own hands when she got up early in the morning, with an egg on top. At that time, the whole family Only on his birthday can he eat a bowl of noodles and an egg. A bowl of noodles and an egg are the most luxurious things for their family.

In the next few years, their family's life became better day by day, and they had everything they wanted to eat. But he also went out to study and would only come home during Chinese New Year. Therefore, he had not been able to eat the noodles and eggs made by his mother-in-law on his birthdays for many years. Those were the things he missed the most.

So for Li Wen, birthday is a very important day. Is it a day worth living well for everyone

or does it need a little sense of ceremony to make it more solemn.

He still made an appointment at the small restaurant where he had dinner last time. They all knew this place since they had eaten here last time. Li Wen arrived here early. He borrowed someone else's kitchen and personally made a bowl of noodles in the kitchen for today's birthday boy.

When Zhao Xiangyi arrived, he saw Li Liuyuan's book boy, but not Li Liuyuan. Li Tong was waiting for him at the door. When he saw someone arriving, he said, "Master Zhao, please have a seat. Our young master... will come over in a minute."

"Yes." Zhao Xiangyi recognized the little slave serving Li Liuyuan and saw that he was there. Here, knowing that Li Liuyuan would definitely be here, he sat down at an empty table without asking anything.

After the water in the pot boils, put the stretched noodles into the pot. After the water boils, put a little cold water in it. When the water boils once, the noodles will be cooked. Li Wen scooped up the noodles with a spoon and put them into a bowl, then put two eggs on top, poured a spoonful of chicken soup on top, and sprinkled a little green onion on top.

You're done!

"Master, Mr. Zhao is here outside." Li Tong entered the kitchen and said to their young master.

"Okay, I'm ready here, let's go out." Li Wen put the noodles on the tray and took them out. Li Tong, who was walking in front, raised the curtain, and Li Wen saw the man sitting inside. When Zhao Xiangyi heard the footsteps, he knew that Li Liuyuan was coming. The man looked at what Li Liuyuan was holding.

Li Wen asked, "Haha, Brother Zhao, you're here. Have you been waiting for a long time?"

Zhao Xiangyi said, "I haven't waited for long. I just arrived."

Li Wen put the tray in his hand on the table and put the A bowl of noodles was brought out. Zhao Xiangyi glanced at the big bowl in front of him, which contained cooked noodles, and then looked at the boy. With a smile on his face, Li Wen said, "I borrowed someone else's kitchen to make birthday noodles for you. Please try it."

"When I celebrated my birthday in the past, my mother-in-law would make it for me. A bowl of longevity noodles. The custom here is that eating longevity noodles will make you live longer, so you have to eat longevity noodles on your birthday. Brother Zhao, why are you looking at me? It won't taste good if it's mushy. It'll taste good if it's hot." Li Wen handed Zhao Xiangyi a pair of chopsticks and asked the man to eat the noodles quickly. If the noodles are mushy, it won't taste good.

"Yeah." Zhao Xiangyi looked from the young man's face to the chopsticks in his hand. His throat rolled and he reached out to take the chopsticks.

Li Wen sat down at the opposite seat and urged Zhao Xiangyi to eat quickly and taste his cooking. Zhao Xiangyi held the chopsticks, took a mouthful of noodles and put it into his mouth. The noodles in his mouth were chewy, neither salty nor bland, and tasted just right. He raised his head and met the young man's hopeful eyes. Li Wen asked, "Brother Zhao, this noodle "How is it?"

"Yes, it's delicious. It's delicious." Zhao Xiangyi added "very" in front of delicious. It's the best thing he has ever eaten.

Since he was a child, only his mother-in-law remembers his birth date. He was born on the Ghost Festival, which is called Ghost Festival among the people, which is the day when the gate of ghosts opens. Therefore, people think that children born on this day are not good. Born with violence.

Ever since his family arranged several marriages for him, something happened to his wife one after another after the marriage was finalized. As a result, rumors spread in the capital that he was destined to beat his wife, and later it was spread that he was destined to die alone. Because of this incident, his mother-in-law shed countless tears, so later on, she no longer spent the day of his birthday with his mother-in-law. Zhao Xiangyi deliberately ignored his birthday, just not wanting to let anyone know about it. His mother-in-law remembered those unhappy rumors, so he hadn't celebrated his birthday for many years.

Zhao Xiangyi didn't expect that the young man would remember his birthday, specially invite him to dinner, and cook a bowl of noodles for him with his own hands, which made his heart feel warm and a little swollen.

"Hey, as long as you like it, I'm worried that you won't say it tastes good. I haven't cooked for a while, so I'm afraid that my cooking skills have deteriorated." In fact, his cooking skills were not very good before, but he wanted to There are still some techniques for cooking a bowl of noodles. Hearing Zhao Xiangyi say that the noodles he cooked were delicious, Li Wenxiao rolled his eyes. Nothing can give you a sense of accomplishment more than cooking with your own hands and having others think the food you cooked is delicious.

Zhao Xiangyi said, "This is already very good, thank you."

"You're welcome, we are friends, today is your birthday, and I don't know what I can do for you." His birthday was also with Zhao Xiangyi and the others last time. Fortunately, this time on Zhao Xiangyi's birthday, Li Wen was very willing to do something for his friend.

"Oh, there's this, but we'll eat it after dinner." Li Wen picked up a box and put it on the table and

said.

"What is this?" Zhao Xiangyi asked in confusion.

"Hey, you'll know in a minute." Li Wen didn't tell Zhao Xiangyi that the food he ordered was served. After they had eaten together, Li Wen opened the box. There was a small cake inside, and he cut a piece out. , put it on a plate and handed it to Zhao Xiangyi, and said, "Try it, this is a cake, but it's not made by me, I asked the girl at home to make it."

He couldn't make cakes himself, but fortunately after he After the description, Li Jinwan can make a cake. How can a birthday be without a cake, right?

Zhao Xiangyi glanced at the small things on the plate, scooped some with a spoon and put it in his mouth. It was a bit sweet and he didn't like it too much, but he still nodded and said, "It's pretty good." In addition, this thing was not made by Li Liuyuan himself. It was made for him, so he didn't feel that it was special, and it didn't even fit into the bowl of noodles he ate first.

As soon as he heard Zhao Xiangyi's words and the expression on his face, Li Wen knew that men didn't really like eating this food, but he liked sweets, so he thought it was pretty good.

So most of the last small cake went into Li Wen's stomach.

By the time they finished eating in the small restaurant, it was almost dark outside.

On their way back, some people outside were burning paper money in front of the door. Today is July 15th, the folk ghost festival, so people would burn some paper money for their dead ancestors. Zhao Xiangyi sent him back home, and Li Wen said to the man, "It's getting dark, go back."

"Yes." Zhao Xiangyi nodded, took a deep look at the boy, got on the horse, and rode away . Seeing the man riding away, Li Wen had a little smile on his face.

Chapter 12: Troubled by Dreams

Waking up from his dream, Li Wen raised his hands to cover his eyes, his heart was beating hard, and his body was still feeling hot due to the influence of the dream. After the body vented it, instead of feeling satisfied, it felt empty and lost.

After the first wet dream, this was the second time he had such an erotic dream. In the dream, he was also having sex with a man on the same bed. Different from the first dream where he couldn't see the other person's face clearly, this time he could clearly see the other person's face, which shocked himself.

Does he like men? Is the person you like or your good friend?

This made Li Wen feel a little confused. When did he have feelings for Zhao Xiangyi other than as a friend?

Ordinarily, he had no homosexual tendencies in his previous life. Li Wen always thought that he was a straight man. He was not gay and could not like men. He was not discriminating against homosexuals. In his previous life, when he was in college, there was a pair of same-sex lovers in his class. He knew both of them, and he was good friends with one of the boys. We would all get together for late-night snacks if nothing happened.

Li Wen does not discriminate against homosexuals. In his understanding, homosexuality is also a normal person, but he only likes people of the same gender as himself. When two people are together, it has nothing to do with whether the other person is a man or a woman. As long as they like each other and can live together, it is better for two people to have common topics together than to have nothing to say.

But the problem now is that the person in his erotic dream is the same man as him, and he is also a good friend. Now that he is an official in the capital, the two of them often eat and drink together when they have time. . When did he have such inappropriate thoughts about Zhao Xiangyi? It was obvious that the two of them just drank and ate together, and had no relationship beyond being friends. How could he have such a dream?

No wonder I think about it day by day and dream about it at night?

This is simply crazy. He must be crazy! Li Wen rubbed his face, which felt hot. As soon as he closed his eyes, he would think of the scene in his dream. He stared at the top of the bed, his mind in chaos.

"Knock knock -"

"Master, are you awake?" There was a gentle knock on the door. Li Tong saw that their young master had passed the time to get up and no one had gotten up yet, so he knocked on the door. , telling their young master to get up. If he gets up later, he will be late to go to the Hanlin Academy.

The knock on the door outside interrupted his random thoughts. Li Wen was lying on the bed and didn't want to get up, so he responded, "Wait outside the door for a while, I'll get up soon."

"Oh." Li Tong didn't know. Why didn't their young master let him in? He had to stand outside the door and wait.

Knowing that there was a child waiting to come in outside the door, Li Wen was afraid that someone would open the door and come in. He hurriedly got up from the bed, took off his dirty underwear, rolled it up, rolled it up into a ball, and looked around for a place to hide it. stand up. Li Tong heard the noise in the room and asked, "Master, are you up? Can I come in?"

Why didn't their young master let him in? Li Tong felt a little strange.

The little slave who was worried about waiting opened the door and came in. Li Wen glanced at the box in the corner. He stuffed his pants into the box, thinking that he would find an opportunity to wash the dirty pants secretly when he turned around. Li Wen always felt that it would be shameful for others to see these dirty pants, and he didn't even want his personal slave to know.

"Okay, come in." After stuffing his pants, Li Wen said loudly.

"Good morning, young master, why did you get up so late today? I was worried that you overslept." Li Tong opened the door and went in with water to help his young master wash up. He felt that his young master was a little strange today.

Noticing that their young master's face was very red, Li Tong was worried that his young master was sick. He asked, "Master, why are your face so red? Master, are you feeling unwell?"

"..." Li asked, He said, "The weather is too hot."

"Well, yes, it is very hot today." Li Tong nodded, thinking that the day was very hot, so their young master's face turned red from the heat. Li Tong did not doubt their young master's words, and said, "When the heat passes this month, it will gradually get colder in August, but when autumn comes in August, it will soon be winter. Young Master, I heard that in the capital "Winter is very cold."

"It's only July, and summer hasn't passed yet. Isn't it too early for you to think about winter? Spring, summer, autumn, and winter, the four seasons, are not laws of nature that mortals can change. Today is going to happen." It's not up to us to decide whether it's hot or cold." Li Wen wiped his face with a cold towel twice before he felt the heat on his face subsided, but his body was still agitated, which made him feel a little irritated.

"Haha, Master, you are right." Li Tong scratched the joint and said with a silly smile.

In the morning, I sent their children to the academy. After a while, Li Haopeng gradually got used to studying in the capital, and went back to his own room to sleep at night, without his brother sleeping with him. Although the child would still mention her mother-in-law from time to time, fortunately she didn't cry whenever she mentioned her mother-in-law, which made Li Wen relieved.

The children went to the academy to study during the day, and when they came back in the evening, if he had time, he would give them extra lessons. Li Wen could clearly feel that the children's academic performance had improved a lot after being in the capital for a while. If this continues, the child will be able to take the county exam next year, and he should be able to pass it.

"Go in and listen carefully to your lecture. My brother is going to the Hanlin Academy."

"Well, brother, you can go."

After seeing the child entering the academy, Li Wen left and went to the Hanlin Academy.

In the next few days, Li Wen didn't dare to take the initiative to find Zhao Xiangyi, probably because he had something in his heart. However, he didn't know if Zhao Xiangyi was busy with something, and the other party didn't come to see him, so the two of them didn't meet for drinks and meals in the next few days.

When he was quiet in the Hanlin Academy, Li Wen would think of the process of getting along with him and Zhao Xiangyi. They would get together to drink from time to time. He had never been a good drinker, so he would get drunk after drinking two more drinks. . But because he was drinking with his friends, he was never wary. When he got drunk, he would just find a bed and take a nap.

He still remembered the last time they drank together at Zhao Xiangyi's village. He was also drunk. When he woke up, he found that he was sleeping on the bed in Zhao Xiangyi's room. When he woke up in the morning, he was alone in bed, but Li Wen knew He must have slept with Zhao Xiangyi at night.

But in such a big village, how could there not be a guest room? Why did Zhao Xiangyi carry him back to his room to sleep? Did the other party have any inappropriate thoughts about him?

"..." Li asked.

No, no, they had obviously slept in the same bed before. When Zhao Xiangyi sent him back to his hometown, because there were not enough rooms in the inn on the way, he and Zhao Xiangyi lived in the same room together. Yue all sleeps together.

In the past, Li Wen thought it was nothing to sleep in the same bed with his good buddies. In his last life, not to mention sleeping in the same bed as a boy, in winter everyone would take off their clothes and take a bath in the bathhouse, and no one would think it was a big deal. Zhao Xiangyi was a man who had been in the military camp for so many years. He must have lived with men in the past, so Li Wen always felt that it was okay for him and Zhao Xiangyi to sleep in the same bed, and he never thought about it elsewhere.

But now that he recalled the scene of them sleeping in the same bed together in the past, Li Wen felt that the relationship between the two of them was full of homosexuality.

Why don't you go to Wanhua Tower, chat with a beautiful girl, have a drink, and get rid of this problem? Li Wen was wondering whether he should call Zhang Suhui and go visit the brothel together. He has always liked girls, so how could he like men? ?

That dream must have deliberately misled him!

But in the end, Li Wen didn't dare to visit the brothel, but he also didn't dare to look for Zhao Xiangyi, so the two of them didn't have much contact for a while.

After all, Lu Zhishu persuaded his uncle, Mr. Lu Changping, and with Lu Changping's help, Lu Zhishu's transfer order to apply for a local post was quickly approved. Hearing that Lu Zhishu said that his transfer order had been issued, Li asked, "Where are you going to be an official?"

"To Sanjiang County in Linchuan Province to be the county magistrate." Lu Zhishu said.

"Oh, it would be good if you went to Linchuan to be the county magistrate." Li Wen had seen the Huai River in Linchuan in the topography before. Linchuan is a place with mountains and water, and Linchuan is the Huai River. 's birthplace. The Huaishui River is one of the seven major rivers in Dacheng. Its main stream passes through three provinces: Linchuan, Bei'an, and Taiyuan.

Linchuan is a place with many mountains and few plains. Few plains means less land for growing crops. In this era of mainly agricultural economy, there is little land that can be cultivated, which means that the land in that place cannot grow food, and the people's stomachs are not full. Therefore, Linchuan has been a poor place for generations.

Just past Linchuan is the Kingdom of Dayue. The Kingdom of Yue is another big country besides Dacheng. However, there are mountains between the two countries. This natural barrier exists. Therefore, between Dacheng and the Kingdom of Yue, one country wants to attack the other. It is not easy to build a country, so Dacheng and Yue have been in peace with each other for so many years and have not invaded each other. Therefore, although Linchuan is close to the Yue Kingdom, there is no need to worry that Vietnam will send troops from Linchuan to attack Dacheng. It is very difficult for the soldiers to lead their soldiers over the mountains of 100,000 miles.

"The transfer order has been issued. When do you want to set off over there?" Li Wen asked. Now that the transfer order has been issued, he thinks he will take office soon.

"The imperial court stipulates that you must take office within thirty days. From the capital to Linchuan, it takes about fifteen to twenty days at the fastest by horse carriage. You have to leave some time in the middle in case anything happens on the way. It's been delayed and

I can't arrive within the stipulated time, so I plan to leave the day after tomorrow. If I go there early, I can have more time to prepare. "Lu Zhishu looked at Li Wen and told him that he would be transferred to another place. Officer, the person who is most reluctant to part with him is the young man in front of him.

They met when they were young students in the town's academy. They studied together when they were young. He was older than Li Wen, but he didn't understand many things like Li Wen did. They were separated for many years. It was not until Li Wen came to Beijing to take the exam that they met again. The two were admitted to the Jinshi together and became officials in the court.

It's just that now he has to be transferred to another place to serve as an official. He will not be able to come back to the capital for at least three to five years. Since his uncle is here in the capital, Lu Zhishu is not worried that he will not be able to come back to the capital after going to another place. The reason why his uncle agreed to let him go to the local government was because he wanted him to go there and practice for a few years. With his uncle's help, he would definitely be able to get promoted when he came back to the capital. Lu Zhishu wanted to be transferred to another place to serve as an official. In addition to getting some experience there, he also had to think about some things.

"Well, that's fine. Go there early so you don't have to rush on the way." Li Wen nodded and said.

Knowing that Lu Zhishu was going to Linchuan to be the county magistrate, he thought of a planting model that could change the land cultivation in Linchuan. This has been used very well in some modern places, that is, terraced fields. It is the use of strip-shaped terraced or wavy cross-section fields built along the contour direction on mountains and hilly slopes. It is an effective measure to control soil and water flow in sloping farmland. It is very good at storing water, preserving soil and increasing production.

Moreover, the ventilation and light transmission conditions of terraced fields are relatively good, which is conducive to the growth of crops and the accumulation of nutrients, so the food crops grown in terraced fields are often particularly delicious.

According to different broken surfaces, there are horizontal terraces, sloping terraces, duplex terraces, etc. The width of the terraces depends on the size of the land slope, the thickness of the land, etc. The irrigation system, soil quality, etc. must also be taken into consideration before the determination can be made. What kind of crops are suitable for planting in that place, and what kind of crops can be promoted to the people there.

Li Wen could roughly remember a little bit of information about Linchuan in his mind now. He would look through the topography later to find out the specific situation in Linchuan before he could tailor an effective and implementable plan for Lu Zhishu. Knowing that Lu Zhishu was going to leave the next day, he only had one day to prepare such a big gift for his friend. Li Wen wanted to wait until tomorrow when he went to the Hanlin Academy to look through the documents and find the detailed records and information of Linchuan. It would be better to write a plan based on the actual situation.

"Have you packed your luggage? Is there anything you need my help with?" Li Wen asked.

"I've asked my servants to clean it up. I don't need your help." Lu Zhishu said.

"Oh, then let's have dinner together tomorrow night. Just think of it as me fulfilling it for you." Knowing that his friend's order had been issued and that he would be leaving the capital so soon, Li Wen actually felt quite reluctant to leave Lu Zhishu and leave the capital. . But now that Lu Zhishu has decided, he will support his friend's decision.

The two talked for a while, then separated and went home.

Chapter 13: Days at the Hanlin Academy

When he went to work at the Hanlin Academy the next day, Li Wen found local chronicles and documentary records about Linchuan in the library. Fortunately, the library of the Hanlin Academy is large enough. There is a large collection of books in it, and there are detailed records of local chronicles and documents from various places. He spent a morning reading a large number of local chronicles about Linchuan, which recorded Linchuan's topography, geographical records, illustrated books, local chronicles, etc., and gained a comprehensive understanding of the local nature, politics, and economy of Linchuan. Some social and humanistic situations.

After having a simple meal at noon, Li Wen spent another afternoon sorting out a bunch of information. Based on the knowledge he gained in his previous life and the actual situation in Linchuan, Li Wen analyzed everything from agricultural farming models to commercial methods. After preliminary development and further development, a complete set of plans was written.

With such busy work, the day passed by unconsciously.

The two made an appointment to have dinner together in the evening. After the Hanlin Academy dismissed the office in the afternoon, Li Wen and Lu Zhishu went back together and went to Lu Zhishu's place.

"Zhishu, this is for you." Li Wen handed a bag to Lu Zhishu. Lu Zhishu looked at Li Wen with doubts in his eyes. He didn't know what it was, so he reached out and took it. Li Wen said, "Aren't you going to be the county magistrate in Linchuan? This is a small gift I prepared for you. It contains information compiled for you and a set of plans written for you. , I wonder if I can help you, let you use it as a reference."

Li Wen hoped that his intention could help his friend. After all, after Lu Zhishu went to work, the two of them would not have the opportunity to meet in the future. Not much, only correspondence. However, many things cannot be explained clearly in person in letters, so if there is anything to do now, it is best for them to talk about it in person, rather than communicating through letters. It will take a month for each letter to be exchanged.

There are no full-time postmen in this world who deliver letters. They have to ask caravans to deliver letters. Therefore, there is great insecurity in the process of mailing letters, so it is inconvenient to say some things in the letters.

So that's it, Lu Zhishu said, "Thank you, Ah Wen, you're thoughtful."

"I can't ask for anything more than being able to do something for my friends. I spent a whole day doing this today. Because time is a bit tight, so I The information I found may not be comprehensive, but there is also a plan I wrote for you as a reference. This is the first draft I wrote. The handwriting is a bit sloppy, so don't mind^" Because Lu Zhishu will leave early tomorrow morning. He only had one day to prepare this thing for his friend, so his writing speed was relatively fast, so the handwriting was a bit sloppy, and there were scribbles in it. He was worried that it would give others a bad impression, so Li Wen wrote explained.

Lu Zhishu opened the bag and took out the contents and took a look. Inside was a stack of thick papers. Each piece of paper was covered with densely packed words. It was obvious that the person who wrote this thing for him had put much thought into it. This made him He was very moved.

Even when he knew that he was going to be the county magistrate in Linchuan, he only briefly understood the situation in Linchuan and knew where he was going, and did not go into such detail. He also wanted to learn more about it on the way there. I just didn't expect that my friend would compile such a thick pile of information for him in such a short period of one day.

"It's okay, I can understand what you wrote. This thing is already very good. Ah Wen, I don't know how to express my feelings." Lu Zhishu held this thing, his mood was Extremely excited, he said, "The things you have prepared for me will definitely be of help to me."

"Haha, it would be best if I could help you. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to help you. What are you busy with?" Li Wen smiled and said to Lu Zhishu, "When you get there, remember to write me a letter. We can communicate through the letter if there is anything in the future.

" "Lu Zhishu put the things back into the bag and gave them to the boy to put away.

The two of them had a meal together, drank a glass of wine, and talked about things in Beijing and Linchuan. Li Wen also explained to Lu Zhishu what terrace farming is. He briefly mentioned the benefits and precautions of terrace farming, as well as the irrigation water for farmland and other aspects.

Seeing that it was getting late, Li Wen got up to go back and said to Lu Zhishu, "You have to leave early tomorrow morning. Go to bed early tonight and have a good rest so that you will be energetic tomorrow. I will go back to my place and wait until tomorrow morning." Come see you off."

"Yes." Lu Zhishu walked Li Wen to the door. Li Wen told Lu Zhishu not to see him off and took his little book boy with him.

Lu Zhishu, who was standing at the door, watched the young man's back disappear around the corner. He stood by the door for a while and then walked back into the house feeling a little disappointed.

Early the next morning, Li Wen sent Lu Zhishu out to the city gate.

"After a long journey, we must say goodbye. Zhishu, I will send you here. Boy, pour two glasses of wine." Li Wen said. Hearing this, Li Tong followed with a wine flask in his hand and poured out two glasses of wine. Li Wen took the two glasses of wine, one for Lu Zhishu and one for himself. He toasted Lu Zhishu and said, "This is for you." "It's a long way to Linchuan

. I hope your journey to Linchuan will be smooth and safe. I also wish you can fulfill your ambitions and become a father-in-law praised by the people."

"Yes," Lu Zhishu said . Nodding, the two clinked their glasses, raised their heads and drank the wine in their hands.

"Let's say goodbye here. Ah Wen, I'm leaving now." Lu Zhishu looked at the young man with a little nostalgia and reluctance hidden in his eyes, and he said to the young man.

"Okay, Zhishu, goodbye. I'm waiting for you to come back in the capital. You must come back." Li Wen couldn't help but stepped forward and gave his friend a hug. Lu Zhishu raised his hand to put it on the young man's shoulder, but finally dropped it to his side. He hummed and said calmly, "I'll be back."

"Get in the car, I see you're gone. , I'll leave again," Li Wen said to Lu Zhishu.

"Master, please get in the carriage." The butler who came with him came over and asked the young master to get in the carriage. Lu Zhishu hummed and followed the steward into the carriage. Li Wen, who was standing below, waved to Lu Zhishu and said, "Goodbye."

"Goodbye." Lu Zhishu looked deeply at the young man, lowered the curtain of the carriage, and sat

inside .

"Drive_"

Watching the carriage leave, Li Wen felt a little sad and reluctant. After Lu Zhishu left, it might take three to five years for them to see each other again.

Lu Changping only sent a housekeeper here, but did not come in person. From beginning to end

, Li Wen never noticed Lu Zhishu's feelings for him. Firstly, he regarded Lu Zhishu as his best friend and confidant. In fact, they have been very good and close friends for so many years; secondly, he regarded Lu Zhishu as his best friend and confidant. It turns out that Lu Zhishu is an emotional introvert. He is not good at expressing his feelings for others. Therefore, one of the two is emotionally careless and the other is emotionally introverted. It is no wonder that they have been together for so many years and their relationship has become... Just as a friend.

I don't know where this feeling came from, and I don't know if it will go away

as the carriage axle rolls away. This feeling is buried in the heart of the departing young man

this day . After Lu Zhishu left, Li Wen had been in a low mood. This low mood lasted for a few days before gradually disappearing. In the past, he and Lu Zhishu were in and out of the Hanlin Academy together. Now that Lu Zhishu was gone, he had to get used to it. Alone here.

Li Wen continued to work in the Hanlin Academy. He went to the Hanlin Academy on time every day, went to the library to read in the morning, and compiled history books in the afternoon. His work in the Hanlin Academy was very leisurely. He felt that this job was not bad. He could read a lot of books, listen to the gossips of the old officials, and the day passed quickly.

I heard that the library in the palace is bigger. I wonder if I will ever have the opportunity to go to the library in the palace to see

him. During the time he was in the Hanlin Academy, the eldest prince and the third prince sent people to look for him one after another. Passed him, but Li Wen, the people on both sides, refused and did not follow the visitor to see their master.

Among the scholars who entered the Hanlin Academy in the same batch as him, some have already lined up and chosen the masters they will work for in the future. They have been transferred to the Sixth Department or other departments one after another. Even Zhang Suhui has been transferred. The official department is on duty. Zhishu Lu was transferred to another place, so among the top three people in the first class, only Li Wen stayed in the Hanlin Academy.

Compared with the scholars in the same field who were eager to find a supporter, Li Wen seemed to be the most unhurried one. He did not accept the olive branch offered by any party and stayed at the Hanlin Academy to study and compile history with peace of mind.

Reading history makes people clear their minds. By reading more history books, you can not only understand the changes in history and the changes of dynasties, but also summarize the reasons for the demise of the previous dynasty, so as to think about some problems that existed in the current dynasty.

In the past, Li Wen's understanding of Dacheng was only from books and teachers' mouths, which was only a superficial understanding. It was only now that he had entered the Hanlin Academy as an official that he began to get acquainted with the court. Li Wen began to discover that his understanding of Dacheng was not as good as he thought.

In fact, for many things, people often only see the superficial level. If he wants to have a deeper understanding, then he has to spend more time and thought on it, so that he can truly understand the court and understand it. Get to know the country. The more you learn, the more you discover your ignorance. Therefore, when people know that they are ignorant, the more they learn, and this cycle repeats, thus constantly enriching themselves.

After staying in the Hanlin Academy for a period of time, Li Wen gradually became familiar with the old Hanlins in the Hanlin Academy. He liked to be with the old Hanlins and listen to them talk and talk about the principles of life. He had a lot of good wine stored there, so he invited these old Hanlin officials to drink every other day. None of the old Hanlin officials in the Hanlin Academy did not like drinking, so Li Wen quickly used these good wines. He won over the hearts of several old Hanlin officials and gained recognition and acceptance from the old Hanlin officials in the Hanlin Academy.

However, Li Wen had no other intention of inviting the old Hanlin officials to drink. He just liked to sit with these old Hanlin officials and listen to their chatter. These old Hanlins are all elders who are older than him, have more knowledge than him, and have seen more people and experienced

more things than him. Therefore, their insights on life are worth learning and borrowing from him.

It is not unreasonable to say that when three of us travel together, we must have my teacher.

On this day, Li Wen invited several old Hanlins to drink. Cao Laohanlin who brought him in that day was one of them. Only later did Li Wen find out that Cao Laohanlin was second in the scientific examination in a certain year and ranked second in the first class. He had stayed in the Hanlin Academy for more than ten years and was still a minor official of the seventh rank.

The people in the Hanlin Academy are all idle positions, and the positions themselves are not high. They are all low-level officials of the fifth rank. But if you can leave the Hanlin Academy and enter the cabinet as a senior official, then you are a first-class official. It seems that today's Great Scholar Zhan and Dong Xiang are not all from the Hanlin Academy. But if you want to be a senior member of the cabinet, it depends on whether you have the ability. Not just anyone can become a member.

And some people are suitable to hang up a sinecure in the Hanlin Academy and live peacefully for the rest of their lives.

"Hiccup..." Cao Laohanlin burped, touched his beard, and said to Li Liuyuan, "Xiao Liuyuan, you are our first Liuyuan talent in Dacheng. You have to stay here all your life. It's such a waste of talent to study. If you can find a good supporter and be transferred elsewhere, don't stay in the Hanlin Academy. "

Haha, if you can study here for the rest of your life, it's actually not bad to have a leisurely life. I would like to study here all my life." Li Wen could hear Cao Hanlin's concern for him. It would be great if he could live here leisurely for the rest of his life. I'm afraid some people don't want him to live leisurely here.

Therefore, if he could spend a few leisurely days in the Hanlin Academy, he should cherish it very much.

The old emperor threw him into the Hanlin Academy and forgot about him. I don't know when the old emperor will think of him. I hope it won't be ten or eight years later. Li Wen was actually waiting for the emperor, but so far he had waited for the crown prince, the eldest prince, the third prince and several others, but he had not waited for the princes to think of him, a little Liuyuan.

The whole world belongs to the king, and the land beside the land belongs to the king. This world belongs to the emperor, and he is the emperor's minister. Therefore, if he wants to work for it, he should work for the emperor, not some prince or prime minister.

I hope his six yuan can leave some impression in the emperor's mind. Li Wen suddenly felt very heartbroken.

"Awen knows that Master Cao and several other adults care about the boy. Awen knows this well. Master Cao does not need to worry about the boy. Let's drink and drink. Awen proposes a drink to the adults." Li Wen poured a small cup for several old Hanlins. Let's toast to everyone.

"As long as you have an idea." Cao Laohanlin's grandsons are older than Li Liuyuan. Since this boy can get the first prize and is the first Liuyuan in their Dacheng University, he must be a wise man. So in this case, he There is nothing to worry about.

Although he invited these old Hanlin officials to drink from time to time, Li Wen did not dare to bring too much wine to these old Hanlin officials. He only brought a small pot each time, and each person could get a small amount. Just a cup. Li Wen was worried that someone would go crazy when they got drunk, and then they would really get out of hand.

So he only brought a little bit of wine every time, and every time after drinking, several old Hanlins were still thinking about him, and they would always come to him to care about him. Li Wen knew that the other party had a drinking bug. They shouted, so the next day he would bring some wine to treat them to a drink.

Later, when he thought about his days in the Hanlin Academy, Li Wen felt that this period of time in the Hanlin Academy was the happiest and most relaxing time he had ever had in his entire career as an official in the court.

Chapter 14 Zhuangmeng Pavilion

At the end of July, their first shop in the capital was renovated and ready to open.

As an investor in the shop, Li Wen is the boss behind the scenes, so the ownership of the shop naturally belongs to him. It's just that he is an official in the court, so it is inconvenient for him to do business as a merchant. Therefore, it is inconvenient for him to deal with many things and can only be left to his subordinates. Therefore, he finally decided to hang the shop under Li Tong. Under his name, Li Jinwan manages the shop.

The reason why the shop was not named under Li Jinwan's name was because Li Jinwan, as a woman, would marry into someone else's family in the future. In this era, the government stipulated that once a woman gets married, all the property rights in the woman's name belong to her husband's family. Therefore, in order to avoid any controversial issues with the property rights of the shop in the future, Li Wen did not put the property rights of the shop in Li Jinwan's name. Instead, it was in Li Tong's name.

Li Tong is his, and their whole family works for his family. Li Wen can now ensure that Li Tong is absolutely loyal to him.

However, considering his sister's mood, Li Wen still explained the matter clearly to her, lest she misunderstand that his brother did not trust her, "So this is the matter. I will explain it to you clearly first, lest you have any dissatisfaction in your heart." It's comfortable. If you have any ideas in your mind, you can tell me. Let's discuss it slowly. "Brother, why would I mind? It's okay for you to make the decision." Li Jinwan didn't mind. She didn't know how her brother could care about these things. The little girl felt that her brother was thinking too much, so she said, "Brother, I can't do it, don't worry."

In the past few months, she had been preparing various spices, perfume and boiling water at home every day. Make rouge. The rouge she makes now is not necessarily the best here in the capital, but it certainly won't be any worse. So knowing that their shop will open soon, Li Jinwan is the happiest one, and why would she think about anything else? matter.

"Okay, it's good that you know that this is the case. And this, take a look." Li Wen didn't say much more on this matter. It was enough that they all understood it. Then he took out an agreement drawn up in two forms. He took out the book, put it on the table, and pushed it over for Li Jinwan to read.

Li Jinwan saw the things on the table and asked a little confused, "Brother, what is this?"

"Here is a confidential document, and another is an agreement on remuneration and sharing." Li Wen explained, " You may be running and managing the back shop for a long time. The shop requires you to put in a lot of effort. I can't let you work for me in vain. You signed this thing every year before you got married. We can get a 10% share of the net profit from the store. This is only the first store we have opened in Beijing. There may be a second, third, or even more in the future, so as long as our store can make money. , the share you can get will be more, and this money will be added to your dowry in the future and treated as your private property."

"Brother..." Li Jinwan didn't agree with her brother's approach. She didn't want anything. Share and what dowry.

Li Wen raised his hand and said, "Do

n't speak for now. Wait until I finish." Li Jinwan had no choice but to remain silent. Li Wen continued, "There is also a confidentiality agreement here, which is about the confidentiality of the raw materials and ingredients of the product. After all, these things are related to the food problem of the entire village of our Lijia Village, so unless there is an instruction Under such circumstances, you cannot teach these things to a second person privately."

In this matter, Li Liwen did not think that Li Jinwan was his sister, and the sister did not need to pay any wages or remuneration for working for him. . Brothers settle accounts clearly because they are brothers and sisters, so they must settle this matter more clearly to avoid any differences and conflicts in the distribution of money in the future. Therefore, we must avoid and put an end to this kind of situation from the source now. Things happen.

"Brother, I understand. I won't tell others these recipes. Don't worry." Li Jinwan heard her brother's words and was not angry about it. She knew that every family in the workshop in their village had signed a confidentiality agreement. , she has already signed such an agreement.

These things were not hers in the first place. Li Jinwan was from Lijia Village. She knew that even if she got married and entered another family, she would never leak the recipe to her husband's family. Her aunt and brother trusted her and asked her to do these things, so she couldn't let her brother down.

"Brother, I can sign this confidentiality agreement. But this, I don't want your share of the share you give me from the shop. Brother, I followed you to the capital with only a small baggage on my back. I will eat here. None of them were given by you.

I couldn't help you with anything before, but now I can finally help you a little, and I'm not even happy about it." Li Jinwan took the two agreements and looked at them. , said, "Brother, if I don't just do something for you, how can I take your silver? Just tell me what you want me to do, and I will definitely do it for you."

How much silver did it cost to buy this shop? , it's not like she didn't know it in her heart, she didn't take out a penny.

After arriving in the capital, everything she ate and used was not paid for by her brother. Here she lived the life of a young lady, with maids around to serve her. Li Jinwan knew that everything she had now was given by her brother. .

Now, if she is just doing some work for her brother to look after the shop, how can she take money from it? This is not possible, absolutely not!

"This matter is one code at a time, and what is yours should be given to you. If you think about it this way, you are in charge of many things at home on weekdays. I don't even have time to take care of things at home. You manage the home in an orderly manner. , Do you think it's your fault that I didn't worry about things at home?" Li Wen didn't know what his sister thought so, but he didn't find it strange that Li Jinwan had such thoughts. Even in modern times, many women at home feel that they are the most useless people in the family, and he doesn't want her to think this way.

Is it because of this? Li Jinwan waited and looked at her brother.

Li Wen continued, "With you taking care of everything at home, I don't have to worry about it. These things cannot be paid for with money. And you see, if you hadn't managed the shop , I have to hire someone else to do it. Do I have to pay high wages to others? Outsiders may not be able to trust my own people, so if you come to manage the shop, I will be more relieved.

Li Jinwan heard Her brother's words made her feel a little shaken.

"Of course, if you are unwilling to sign this agreement, then I will have to hire someone else to do it. If you can't hire someone to do it, the shop will just sit there and not open. Outsiders are definitely not as careful as you in doing things, and I may not be able to rest assured. "Li Wen sighed immediately. The expression on Li Jinwan's face was a bit tangled. Li Wen saw it and snickered in his heart.

"...Brother, you said so, okay, I'll sign it, you Don't ask anyone else, I'll do it for you. It doesn't matter if you give me a little less monthly money. "Li Jinwan was finally persuaded by her brother and signed her name and fingerprints on the two pieces of paper. Li Wen also signed and fingerprinted them, two copies per person. He gave Li Jinwan's copy to her. He said, "Take this portion and put it away. This portion belongs to me. "

As for his own share, Li Wen asked Li Tong to take it and put it away.

"Okay, you don't have to worry too much. Just think of this as a piece of paper, just take it and put it away. "Li Wen will naturally not treat his sister badly, and he also believes that Li Jinwan will not betray him. But having these two things is a guarantee for them. There is a contract between the two parties, which makes it more formal.

It is better to act in accordance with the rules than to just make a verbal agreement. After all, the words are unfounded and it will be difficult for them to explain clearly if any problems arise in the future. Therefore, with these two agreements here, if any conflicts arise in the future, they can be handled as mentioned above. Of course, it is best if no conflicts occur, that is the best. These two things are treated as one Blank paper.

"Oh." Li Jinwan slowly put away the things, her brows still furrowed, and she felt very confused.

"Bang bang bang..."

The sound of crackling firecrackers sounded.

On the first day of August, their first store in the capital, "Zhuangmeng Pavilion", opened.

The decoration style inside the shop is simple and elegant. The shop is divided into two floors. There is a half-moon-shaped staircase to go up. The upper part is the second floor. The first floor sells affordable and relatively affordable things, while the second floor sells more affordable goods. The shop sells various rouges, gouache, perfume lipsticks and handmade soaps, all for women.

"Dear neighbors, fellow villagers and elders, today is the opening of our Zhuangmeng Pavilion. What we sell here are all kinds of rouge, gouache, perfume and lipstick. Girls, do you want to dress yourself more beautiful? More attractive? Girls, if you want, Come to our Zhuangmeng Pavilion, we have rouge and gouache that can make girls beautiful." The pretty girl shouted at the door of Zhuangmeng Pavilion.

"Today, all customers who come into the store to buy something can get a 12% discount on the products they purchase, which is limited to the first three days of opening.

All customers who come into the store to buy something can also get our store's special handmade products for free. A piece of soap. The gifts are limited, first come first served. Those who arrive later will be sold out.

"Everyone who is passing by, please come in and take a look."

There is a discount sign at the door of the store. All purchases in the store will be discounted at 12%, and a limited number of 100 pieces of handmade soap will be given to guests. Each person can only give away one piece, while supplies last.

There were many people watching the fun in front of the shop. When two girls in skirts heard this, one girl said, "Why don't we go in and take a look?" If they don't like it, they don't have to buy it.

I saw someone in front of me going in, and several girls behind me followed suit.

Chapter 15: Scarcity is the price of things

. "Welcome to Zhuangmeng Pavilion."

"Girls, please come in."

Inside the store are girls uniformly wearing long emerald green dresses. They are the store's shopping guides, responsible for introducing products to customers. And the girl who guides customers to buy things. Once a customer purchases something, in addition to the basic monthly payment, they can also get additional commissions from it.

Before the opening of Zhuangmeng Pavilion, the store's management provided them with training before taking up their posts, and explained their monthly wage performance clearly. As long as they do a good job, the more wages they can get each month. Everyone wanted to stay and work here, but in the end only four of the six of them were selected, and two of them were dismissed.

It was not easy for women to find a good job, so for the present These girls who were left cherished their job very much. The girls in the store always greeted everyone with smiles. No matter whether the customers who came into the store wanted to buy something or not, they always kept one sentence in mind: everyone who enters the store must be there. They are their guests, and they must treat them well regardless of whether they buy something or not.

"What is this? It smells good." The customer who entered the store said as he picked up a bottle of perfume and smelled it.

"Girl, you have such good taste. This is the latest perfume in our store. It is only available in Zhuangmeng Pavilion in the whole capital." The shopping guide standing aside saw a customer picking up the perfume, and she picked up a bottle It is for customers to try out, and he said, "Miss, you can put a little on it and give it a try. This bottle is specially set aside for customers to try. Apply a little on the skin and the fragrance will stay for more than half a day."

"Oh, is that right? ?" The guest went to try the perfume with great interest.

Today is the day when their store is newly opened, and it also happens to be the first day of every month when the Hanlin Academy is closed for public holidays. Li Wen does not have to go to the Hanlin Academy to work, but he did not go to the store, but stayed at home. He took a shower and washed his hair early in the morning. He sat in the yard and let his hair dry while basking in the sun. He was not worried at all about the poor business in their store.

He did not go to the store to help, but before opening, he wrote a modern marketing strategy and gave it to Li Jinwan. With his sister's intelligence and talent, with this thing, Li Wen believed that his sister would be able to run a small shop even without his intervention.

"Brother, why don't you go to the store?" Li Haopeng heard what his brother and sister said and knew that their store in Beijing had opened today. His sister had taken him to the store to help him early in the morning. Why did his brother Why don't you help at home? Li Haopeng asked a little puzzled.

"Come here and sit here, let's talk." There happened to be a small stool next to him, so Li Wen asked someone to come and sit down. Li Haopeng sat down obediently, and Li Wen explained to the child, "Why don't you ask brother to help in the store?"

"Yes." Li Haopeng nodded and waited for his brother to speak.

"First of all, I am an official of the DPRK and China, right? Therefore, in order to avoid misunderstanding by others, it is not easy for me to step forward to do some things. Do you know why it is not convenient for my brother to step forward to handle these things? " Li asked.

"I don't know." The child next to him replied.

Li Wen explained to the child, "Let's divide everyone into four categories: scholars, farmers, industry and merchants. People in the world always think that reading is the noblest person, and merchants' objects and worldly things are inferior. People who read look down on merchants. They think they smell like copper."

"But look, if there were no merchants in this society, where would the clothes we wear come from? Where would the vegetables, rice, and rice we eat come from? It is farmers who produce it, but it is merchants who transport these things and sell them to us." Li Wen told the child the role and influence of merchants, and then told the child the four concepts of "scholars, farmers, industry and commerce". Individual action and mutual influence, "So the people, farmers, industry and commerce are interdependent and influence each other. No one can be missing the other. Once any one is missing, the society will not be able to function normally."

"Look at the people in our village Why do you want to open a workshop? Why do you want to open a shop in the capital? Those who study are also people who eat grains, so since they are all mortals who eat grains, then all people are. Equally, everyone must eat, because if there is no food, we will all starve to death.

So we must first think about how to survive and how to fill our stomachs. What we do now is for ourselves, or for us. In Lijia Village, everyone can survive better if they have a full stomach." Li Wen spent half a day teaching the children an ideological and political lesson, from social nature to the world's perspective, and finally said, "We can't do it because of what others think. It would be disrespectful to do it, but if we do something, we don't necessarily have to tell everyone.

If we think we can do it, then we will do it, but this is the case. We don't have to do it ourselves, but we can leave it to someone more suitable, understand?"

"Yes, I understand, brother." Li Haopeng nodded, understanding what his brother said.

"It's good if you understand. So when we look at one thing, we can't just look at it from the surface. We have to know how to analyze it and how to deal with it best." Li Wen took the time to explain to their children. Various things, mainly to let the child understand the truth that he does not want his younger brother to be a corrupt and stubborn scholar.

People must know how to think before they can adapt to changes.

Knowing how to think is more important than memorizing books and the little knowledge taught by your husband. Many of Yiyi's scholars lack such a thing.

Zhuangmeng Pavilion opened, and it only took half a day for everything on the shelves to be sold out, and many people were waiting to buy things. Li Jinwan didn't know that the items in their store would be so easy to sell, and she couldn't believe it for a moment. When she realized what she was doing, she was filled with joy and asked people to go back and bring more goods.

Just as his hair was blown dry by the wind, Li Wen casually tied his hair with a rope and prepared to get up and go into the house.

Then there was a knock on the door, and Li Tong came back in a hurry.

"Master, Master, everything in the store is sold out. Miss Fourth asked me to come back and transport a batch of goods." Li Tong went to the store to help with work today, and he and Ah Chen hurried there. return.

"Oh, really? That's not bad." Li Wen also had a smile on his face. Knowing that their store's business was so good on the first day it opened, he asked Li Tong a few questions about the situation in the store today.

However, after knowing that Jin Wan had someone come back to bring more goods, Li Wen stopped Li Tong and said, "You only bring a little of each item. Tell Jin Wan how much the store should limit every day." We can't sell all the goods at once. Then when all the goods are sold out, won't we have no goods to sell

? It's over." During his years in Nanyang, Li Tong also helped run the shop for several years. Even though he was more focused on serving their young master, he still understood a little bit. Business matters.

So as soon as their young master said this, he understood.

"I'll write a note and you can bring it to Jinwan later." Li Wen went to the study, wrote a note, and handed it to Li Tong. Li Tong listened to his young master's words and took only a small amount of each item to the carriage. He took the note from their young master, put it into his arms, and said, "Okay, young master, I will go to the store soon." Give the note to Miss Fourth."

"Well, you go ahead." Li Wen stayed at home and did not go with him.

The carriage entered through the back door of the shop. Li Tong got off the carriage and directed others to help move the things into the shop. Li Tong took out a note from his arms and gave it to Li Jinwan and said, "Fourth Miss, this is what the young master wrote for you." Then he told the Fourth Miss what their young master said.

"Oh, really? I'll go inside for a while, and you can watch outside." Li Jinwan took the note, gave instructions, and went into the empty reception room. She opened the note and took a look at it. There is only one line written on it: The scarcity of things is the responsibility.

She understood what it meant.

No matter how good the business in the store is in the next two days, as long as the goods on the shelves are sold out, a sold-out sign will be hung, and no more goods will be added. Once the goods are sold out, the store will close and wait until the next day. Only then will the door be opened for business.

Not so many people knew about Zhuangmengge at the beginning because a certain lady in the capital bought a set of Zhuangmengge's rouge, gouache and perfume. She put on makeup with rouge and lipstick, and drew her eyebrows with an eyebrow pencil. Wearing perfume and attending a tea party given by a lady.

At that time, the makeup on the lady's face and the perfume on her body attracted many ladies to ask curious questions. The lady mentioned Zhuangmeng Pavilion in a showy tone, and then more ladies knew about the new opening in the capital. There is a shop called "Zhuangmeng Pavilion". The lipsticks and perfumes in Zhuang Meng Pavilion are unique in the entire capital, and the rouge and gouache in it are better than those in other stores.

Good things are passed on by word of mouth and recognized by others. This is word of mouth.

Therefore, within a few days of the opening of Zhuangmeng Pavilion, all the ladies and ladies in the capital knew about Zhuangmeng Pavilion. When these ladies and ladies gathered together, they talked about which shop in the capital was good at rouge, gouache, and which shop was good at gold and silver jewelry. , and finally everyone talked about the newly opened Zhuangmeng Pavilion in Beijing. Only Zhuangmeng Pavilion in the entire capital has perfume. If you put a little on your body, the fragrance will last for a long time. These ladies all like this thing.

Therefore, anyone who buys something from Zhuangmeng Pavilion has nothing bad to say.

The only bad thing that the guests said about Zhuangmeng Pavilion is that Zhuangmeng Pavilion only sells a few things every day. Those who arrive late will not be able to buy it. These ladies ask their servants and maids to come to the door of Zhuangmeng Pavilion early in the morning. If you queue up to buy

something, you may not be able to buy it.

Since the opening of Zhuangmeng Pavilion, Li Jinwan has been counting money every day until her hands throb, and she wakes up laughing even from her dreams. Every day before their store opens, there are many people queuing up to buy things. Everything is sold out soon after it opens, so they close the store and get off work as soon as the items are sold out. Li Jinwan can also close the shop early and go home to do things like blending and cooking spices. Some chores can be left to others, but the main thing is still done by herself.

And because spices were brewed every day at home, Li Wen always had a lingering fragrance on his body. When he went to work in the Hanlin Academy, people smelled the smell on his body and asked him, "Li Liuyuan, what are you doing?" Why does it smell so good?"

Li asked, how should he answer? You can't say that his sister cooked spices at home every day and smoked him. Cao Laohanlin looked like I understand, and Li asked, "..."

Chapter 16: Autumn Harvest,

Golden Autumn, August, the sun shines high.

There was little rain this year, the ground was dry, and the millet in the ground was shriveled and grainless. The old farmer sat in the field crying, crying that God did not allow people to live. As soon as the autumn harvest came, the slaves sent by the landlords to collect rents left and took away a large amount of grain. The officials in the yamen who collected grain taxes followed closely behind. There was not much grain left in the farmers' homes.

"Gentlemen, please give us a few days' grace. We really have no food at home." The old man knelt in front of the official and begged the gentlemen to give us a few days' grace. The last bit of food in their house had been stolen by the landlord. His slave was taken away, and he still owed the landowner food and could not pay it back. There was really no food at home.

The little granddaughter on the side was holding her grandmother's thigh, watching the officials pouring into their home like robbers. The woman held the little girl in one hand and looked at these people in fear.

"How many days will we grant you grace? Who will grant us grace?" A group of officers wearing official uniforms and holding swords entered the village and went to every household to collect grain taxes. The old man knelt at the feet of the officers and cried. He waved away the old man kneeling at his feet, waved his hand, and said, "Go, search the house to see if this old guy has hidden all the food in the house."

A group of officials swarmed into the house . After entering, when the officials came out, everything in the house was staggered, the rice vat was empty, not a trace of food was left. All the valuable things in the house were plundered by the officials who broke into the house, and not a single bit was left.

People in the village did not dare to come forward to help. The people did not fight with the officials. The common people were afraid of these official servants holding big swords.

"Master, Master, you can't take things away."

"Go away! If you dare to come up again, don't blame the knife in my hand for not having an eye." The officer swung away the old man who rushed forward with the big knife in his hand, and a group of officers pulled Went away with something. The old man did not dare to come forward anymore. He sat on the ground and cried loudly, shouting, "Oh God, are you letting our family starve to death...ah...how are we going to live like this?

" Grandpa, please don't cry. "The little granddaughter stepped forward and hugged her grandfather, looking at a group of leaving officials with hatred.

The sky is high and the emperor is far away. Anyway, the emperor can't control them here. It has long been a routine for local officials to bully the people wantonly. The people I am afraid of the officials and dare not resist them.

At this time every year, the officials go to every household in the village to collect grain taxes. Those who have food at home use grain to pay it, and those who have money use money to pay it. Food and money. They couldn't take it out, so the officials searched the house. Like locusts passing by, all the valuable things in the house were moved away.

The rent of the landlord's house increased every year, and the court's tax and grain tax increased every year. In a good year, after paying the landlord's rent and the court's taxes and corvee, the remaining family can barely maintain their food and clothing. If the year is bad, they can't even pay the landlord's and the court's taxes. When they came up, they were even talking about whether the family could have enough to eat.

People outside were selling their children and daughters everywhere, the adults were looking for a way out, and the children were crying and sold into slavery. They were all forced by

the princes in the capital . Accompanied by countless beauties, the

emperor lived a life of intoxication in the gentle countryside. In the splendid palace, in front of thousands of people, the emperor was worshiped by hundreds of officials, but he did not know the sufferings of the people. , the people are suffering; death, the people are suffering.

Li Wen, who is in the capital, goes to work at Dianmao on time at the Hanlin Academy.

Many of the scholars who entered the Hanlin Academy at the same time were transferred to work elsewhere. Now, when everyone thought that he would be transferred elsewhere soon with his six yuan, he had been staying here as an errand in the Hanlin Academy. He went to work at the Hanlin Academy on time every day, and read and edited books every day. Shi, returned from work on time.

Their first shop in the capital was opened, and the daily business was very good.

Although the business of their shop was very good, Li Wen did not expand their business without restraint. I deeply understand the truth that everything must be done within a certain limit, leaving room for others to survive, and leaving a way for myself to escape. Here in the capital, he is just a low-ranking official from the sixth grade, as long as he is. If he doesn't go too far, others won't have trouble with him, who is six yuan. Everyone does business together, everyone makes money together, and only by peaceful coexistence can a win-win situation be achieved.

So the girl at home asked him, "Brother, why don't we. Sell ​​more things every day. If we sell more things, wouldn't we be able to make more money? "

"There is endless money to be made. We can do as much as we have the ability." Look at how many shops in the capital sell rouge and gouache. If we take over all the business in the capital and make other people's shops unable to survive, do you think other people will allow our shops to open for business? Li Wen told her this truth

so that she could understand it, "There is a saying that if we all do business together and make money together, our business can continue."

"Oh, brother, I understand. " "Li Jinwan finally understood what her brother said, so she stopped asking such questions. They can already earn a lot of money every day. If they continue like this, they will be able to earn back the money they spent to buy the shop in two months. .

After her brother's words, Li Jinwan spent the extra time on researching how to make better perfume and make better lipstick and rouge, which are the best sold in their shop. Things are also the most profitable things.

As soon as August arrives, it will be the Mid-Autumn Festival on August 15th.

As early as the end of July, I will send it back to the teacher and parents at home together with the letter. A gift from the elders. After being away for so many years, Li Wen had a letter sent home almost every other month. After arriving in the capital, Li Wen also asked the caravans to send several letters back to Nanyang and home to his parents. Relatives.

He had calculated the time. As long as nothing unexpected happened, his letter and boxing gift could be delivered before August 15th

. Before the 15th, a letter came from Nanyang, and also came with the letter. The dean asked someone to send him a cart full of gifts. Li Tong took the letter and ran inside, shouting as he ran, "Master, Master, there is a letter from Nanyang, and a cart full of things." .

"Oh, really, bring it over and show it to me. " Li Wen took the letter and asked Li Tong to help move the gifts in.

Li Tong responded and ran outside.

Li Wen opened the envelope and saw the familiar handwriting inside, and sat there seriously. As he read it, he could imagine Dean Fu sitting at his desk writing a letter to him, and his eyes immediately became moist.

The letter contained the teacher's care and advice, which he had mentioned to the teacher last time. Regarding matters in the Hanlin Academy, the teacher asked him to stay in the Hanlin Academy with peace of mind, and asked him to study more in the past and not to waste his studies after becoming an official. Later, he was asked to deal with small things by himself no matter what happened. If you can't handle major matters, you can write to him. Although he added a sentence at the end, if you can handle it yourself, you don't have to ask him about everything,

but he can still feel Dean Fu's concern for his disciple. Li Wen remembered that

in August last year he was still studying in Nanyang, and the teacher gave him lectures in person. In August this year, he went to the capital to become an official. He was thousands of miles away from his teacher. They wanted to meet him in the future. It's not easy. We can only rely on this piece of paper to convey the news.

There are also his parents and relatives at home. After he becomes an official here in the capital, it will be difficult to see them in the future. He doesn't know if his parents and relatives at home will miss them at home as much as he misses them. I think he will. I wonder if his grandma is in good health. The old man's health is getting worse every year. The last time I saw the old man when I went back, he seemed to be much older.

Li Wen sighed inwardly, took back the letter he had read, put it back in the bag and put it away.

As for the gifts, Li Wen looked at them and asked people to take the food to the kitchen. The rest of the things that were not needed were taken back to the warehouse and put away. Some bottles and cans were placed outside. It's also a hindrance to the place. I don't know how long it will take for the No. 1 Scholar's Mansion awarded to him by the emperor to be repaired. Once the repairs are completed there, if he can move there, the place will be larger.

Since Lu Zhishu left, every time he stood by the lake and looked at the scenery, he always felt a little melancholy in his heart.

A few days before the Mid-Autumn Festival, Li Jinwan put down what she was doing and started making mooncakes with the women at home. She said to her brother, "In the past years, when I was at home, I would make mooncakes with my aunt. These things are all My aunt taught me. Hey, you're not at home, but my aunt loves me so much. "I treat her like my own daughter.

" When it's done, you can take some to give to your colleagues and friends. I drank a lot of wine as you said last time, so you can give it to others together."

Her mother has never felt so hurt. She, on the contrary, her aunt was very kind to her.

The last time her brother came back from home, after Li Jinwan learned some things at home, she couldn't sympathize with her mother-in-law. As a daughter, she couldn't blame her father for his actions. As a child, she couldn't choose who her parents would be. She had always envied her brother for having a good mother-in-law and a father who loved him.

Now that she's here in the capital, she wants to stay here to help her brother, but doesn't want to go back home.

"Fourth sister, you are so considerate." Li Wen didn't even think of giving gifts. It was almost August 15th, and he wanted to prepare some holiday gifts for the old Hanlin officials in the Hanlin Academy. As for his good wine, I'm afraid it won't be enough to give away.

Seeing that the girl at home had already thought about it for him, Li Wen nodded and said, "Okay, you can just prepare some. You don't have to do too much. Send some out and let's keep some at home to eat. Wait until next year. If we can find more

people , we can also consider opening a bakery shop in the capital."

"Okay, bro, just let me know when you want to open it. I used to work with my aunt, and I know how to do everything. . "Her aunt is really kind to her and is willing to teach her everything, so Li Jinwan works with her aunt and learns a lot of things, which can be put to use now, which she feels is good.

"Let's not rush this matter now. You don't have time to do this now." Li Wen said, "After August 15th, let's make some sausages and bacon to eat during the New Year." He likes to eat them. The sausages and bacon made at home are good for cooking, cooking, cooking and barbecuing in winter. After August 15th, they will prepare supplies for the winter.

Without realizing it, it feels like a year has passed quickly.

Li Jinwan nodded and said, "Okay, let's do it when the weather gets cooler. Let's do more." "Okay." Li Wen smiled, thinking that this girl was indeed a kiss.

Chapter 17 People in Jianghu

In August, the weather in the capital became obviously cooler, and the dew in the morning became heavier and heavier, solidifying into a layer of white water droplets, so it was called white dew. As soon as the white dew arrives, the Mengqiu season ends and the Mid-Autumn season begins.

A group of guards on horses entered the city and headed towards the palace. The people in the city stepped to both sides to let the people on horses pass.

Zhao Xiangyi left the capital on a secret order and went to other places to do business. He returned to the capital with his men before the Mid-Autumn Festival. When he returned to the capital, he went to the palace to meet the emperor, and then went to the East Palace to meet the prince. He drank a cup of tea with the prince before leaving. By the time he returned home, it was already late at night.

Lying in bed at night, the man thought of the boy he hadn't seen for a long time.

He left the capital in a hurry this time, so he took his people away without saying anything to the young man. It seems that the young man did not know that he had left the capital for business. He had been away for half a month, and he did not return to the capital until today. .

Now that he has returned to the capital, he will be able to see the young man tomorrow.

I just don't know how he is doing as an errand in the Hanlin Academy. Thinking of that extremely smart young man, knowing that nothing should be difficult for him, Zhao Xiangyi's mouth corners slightly raised, and a little smile appeared on his face.

The wind blew into the house from the window. The boy on the bed had rolled himself up under the quilt and was sleeping soundly, so he didn't know that anyone was thinking about him.

The Autumn Festival is called the Zhongqiu Festival because it is in the middle of autumn.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional festival in Dacheng. Every year, a Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet is held in the palace. Princes, ministers, and officials of the fourth rank or above are invited to accompany their wives and family members to the palace to participate in the banquet.

However, a low-ranking official like Li Wen, who was born in the sixth rank, was not qualified to enter the palace to participate in the palace banquet.

Since August 15th is the Mid-Autumn Festival, the officials of the imperial court and the central government have two days off. From August 14th, the imperial court and the central government do not have to go to the morning court. The emperor gave himself a holiday, and the Hanlin Academy also took a holiday and did not have to go to work. . After August 15th, I will go back to work on August 16th.

On this day, early in the morning, Li Wen was accompanied by only a little book boy. He took the boxing gift in a carriage and went out, preparing to go in person to deliver gifts to the old Hanlin Academy members. As a junior who has just entered the officialdom, it would be rude to send only a child to deliver gifts to his seniors. Only by going in person can he show his sincerity.

But before going to the homes of old Hanlin officials to deliver gifts, he had to go to the Master Zhan's Mansion first.

First of all, as the examiner of Enke, University Scholar Zhan was very kind to him. It would not be an exaggeration to call him "teacher", but Li Wen did not want to have such a teacher-student relationship with University Scholar Zhan. Secondly, it was because his old master, Yi Han, and Master Zhan were old friends. The last time he went to Master Zhan's house with his teacher's post, he paid a visit to Master Zhan on behalf of his teacher, and was able to meet Master Zhan. one side.

That was not the first time he met Master Zhan. Before that, Li Wen had met Zhan twice. Li Wen's first impression of Zhan Shixou was that he was old-fashioned and stubborn. However, after getting to know him, he found that he was actually an old man who cared about the younger generation. The last time they met, University Scholar Zhan said a lot to him. , mostly because the elders care about the younger generation, and the words they say to him also benefit him a lot.

But after that time, he never came to the residence of University Master Zhan, and he didn't think the other party would remember such a small person like him.

However, when giving gifts during this holiday, he couldn't leave out the great scholar Zhan, and should only give them to the old Hanlin officials in the Hanlin Academy. As a direct disciple of Fu Yihan, when he came to the capital, he couldn't lose the etiquette he should have. Otherwise, he would lose not his own face, but his teacher's face. Others would say that his teacher didn't teach him well and only had a few rules. Don't even understand.

Anyway, it was just a gift, and he just had to deliver it. A busy man like University Scholar Zhan might not have time to meet him.

How can a person in the world live so aloofly and not be in harmony with the world? The path of a maverick in this world is too difficult, so he should stop being that unique person. Probably at this point he is a very non-persistent person. Of course, people's persistence does not have to be used in this kind of thing. There is a saying that "he who knows the current affairs is a hero."

When people are in the arena, they still have to act according to the rules of the arena.

The Jianghu is only lively when there are more people, and he just went to join in the fun today. Anyway, he was a sixth-grade petty official among the officials, who would notice him? Li Wen thought that he would finish delivering the gifts as soon as possible and go back early.

Whenever it is time for Chinese New Year and festivals, many lower-level officials come to give gifts to the houses of these high-ranking officials, hoping to establish relationships with the big shots. If you can show your face in front of big people, leave an impression, and be remembered and promoted by big people in the future, your future will be unlimited, so there are always some people who have this idea.

It's just that Mr. Zhan is busy with official duties, so he can meet anyone.

Li Wen just wanted to give gifts to the Zhan Mansion and leave, but he didn't expect the housekeeper to stop him, "Li Liuyuan, please wait. Our master invites you to come into the Mansion for a cup of tea."

"Oh, okay. In this way, students would rather be respectful than obey orders." Li Wen nodded to the housekeeper, and under the envious eyes of others, he was invited in by the housekeeper.

Other officials who were waiting to meet Mr. Zhan outside saw the housekeeper of the Zhan Mansion personally coming to invite a young man into the house. A few months later, some people no longer remembered the number one scholar who was riding a horse through the streets. These people were talking to each other. When I asked about it, I found out that the person who had just entered was Li Liuyuan. No wonder University Scholar Zhan had a crush on Li Liuyuan.

So what if it's just six yuan? I haven't stayed in the Hanlin Academy to compile books, maybe I can do this for a lifetime, some people think maliciously. Seeing that others are worse off than themselves, some people get great satisfaction from it. This is the bad nature of human nature.

As soon as you enter the house, you will see winding corridors, small bridges and flowing water, pavilions and pavilions, which are elegant and quiet. The layout here is in line with the style and temperament of a literati. The courtyard is beautifully decorated.

Li Wen took a step towards the front official's house, and the official showed him the way as he walked forward.

After entering the house and no one else was around, Li Wen paused for a moment, took a small gift from the child behind him and gave it to the housekeeper. With a smile on his face, he said, "Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and there is another small gift here. The gift I specially prepared for you, Butler Zhou, is not something expensive. Please don't dislike it and accept this small gift from me."

The steward did not expect that Li Liuyuan would prepare a gift for him, which was probably the expression on the young man's face. The tone of his smile and words made people feel very comfortable, so the butler, who never accepted gifts from others, took the gift Li Liuyuan prepared for him for the first time and said a word of thanks, "Excuse me, Li Liuyuan, please remember me, so I am so shameless." Accept it, thank you Li Liuyuan."

Li Wen hurriedly told the housekeeper that he didn't need to thank you, but it was just a small gift and a little thought.

The housekeeper asked the people below to take it and put it away, and then led Li Liuyuan to the main courtyard where their master lived. The butler had a smile on his face along the way, and his attitude towards Li Liuyuan was obviously more enthusiastic than last time.

Li Wen is a person who knows how to pay attention to small things, so sometimes, if you handle the relationship at the lower level, it will be easier to open up the joints at the upper level. At least in the future, if he wants to see Mr. Zhan, he will naturally have to be better than others. It's easier.

It took them about a quarter of an hour to walk from the front door to the main courtyard.

"Students have met Mr. Zhan."

As soon as he entered the room, he saw the great scholar Mo Da sitting in the upper seat, and Li Wen saluted.

According to seniority, it would not be an exaggeration for him to call Master Zhan "Grandpa", but their relationship is not that close yet, so Li Wen respectfully calls him "Master Zhan".

"Well, sit down ." Bar. "Zhan sometimes nodded and asked people to sit down.

The housekeeper asked someone to come forward with the gift from Li Liuyuan to show it to their master. He said something in Mr. Zhan's ear and looked at the person sitting not far away. Li Liuyuan at the office. Zhan glanced at it occasionally, a smile flashed across his usually serious face, waved his hand to take it down, and said, "I'm ready." "

Li Wen sat down on the first chair below, and someone brought him tea. He cupped his hands and said, "It's just a small gift, not something expensive. It's okay, you don't mind it." "

Of course he knows that people who can sit in a position like Master Zhan have seen too many good things. Therefore, the gift is not just expensive, but something that is in the other person's heart, so this is a bit sad.

Then When Academician Zhan asked him what he did in the Hanlin Academy, Li Wen told the truth, saying that he read books in the Hanlin Academy in the morning and compiled books in the afternoon. During this period, he learned how to do things from his predecessors, only omitting that he opened a shop in the capital. Regarding the matter of the shop, he was afraid that University Scholar Zhan would find out about his involvement with these merchants. At this moment, he was not just sitting here drinking tea, but just spitting it out.

After hearing Li Liuyuan's words, Zhan sometimes felt satisfied . He nodded and said, "You study hard in the Hanlin Academy, don't be impatient in everything, do the first things well, and then you can do other things well in the future.

"Yes, students should remember Master Zhan's words. " "Li Wen understood that this was Master Zhan's reassurance. He stood up and said to Master Zhan.

He didn't stay long in the Master Zhan's Mansion. He drank a cup of tea and listened to what Master Mo gave him. In other words, knowing that Master Zhan must be very busy at this time, Li Wen couldn't stay here any longer, so he got up and left.

After coming out of Master Zhan's residence, Li Wen got into the carriage and took the boy to the old Imperial Academy. He sent gifts to the old Hanlins' homes. What he brought to the old Hanlins was nothing more than wine, meat, mooncakes and other food, as well as soaps and perfumes from Zhuangmengge, etc. These things can be used by the female relatives of the old Hanlins

. There are many people queuing up outside every day, waiting to buy something, but they may not be able to buy it. Women all love beauty, and I think the women in the old Hanlin family will also like it. Although the gift is not a big responsibility, it is. The victory lies in the heart.

It happened to be a day off, and all the old Hanlins were at home with their wives. Very few people were away from home. When Li Wen brought something, he was warmly welcomed by the old Hanlins and pulled him into the house. When drinking tea, these old guys couldn't move their feet when they saw the wine jar.

He knew that these old guys were not welcoming him, but the good wine he brought.

All these wines were produced by Li Liuyuan. This is the only one in the capital and cannot be purchased anywhere else.

Ever since they tasted the wine that Li Liuyuan brought to them, all of these old Hanlins have become drunkards, and the alcohol bug in their stomachs has been awakened since then. Li Liuyuan only brought a small pot to the Hanlin Academy every time, and each person could only get a small cup, which was not enough. Even if they had some money in their pockets to buy wine outside, they would not be able to buy such good wine.

Li Liuyuan was very generous this time and brought them two small jars, which was enough for them to drink. Just save some and drink a small sip every day.

"No, no, I can." There are still a few places I haven't gone to, and I have to finish delivering all the gifts in the car. "He didn't stay even if others asked him to stay for dinner. After giving him gifts, Li Wen could only go inside to have a cup of tea and then left with a smile.

By the time he finished giving away the gifts in the car, the sun was almost setting in the west. .

He had only drunk a few cups of tea since he left the house in the morning, and then peeed. At this time, all the stalls selling goods on the street were closed, including the master and the servant. His stomach growled with hunger. After yours, I'll switch to mine, and after mine, I'll switch to yours. His stomach was singing a duet louder than anyone else's.

When he saw someone selling sesame cakes on the street, Li Wen paid for it and let the boy go. After buying some sesame cakes, he sat in the carriage and waited.

"Knock-knock--"

Hearing someone knocking on the outside of the carriage, Li Wen subconsciously lifted the curtain, and a horse's face came in.

" ! ! ! Li asked.

He was shocked!

"Haha Benxi... I miss you so much. Do you miss me?" "When he came to his senses, Li Wen happily touched Benxiao. He hadn't seen Benxiao for a long time. The horse stuck out its tongue and licked his face. Li Wen hurriedly hid aside and said, "I know you want to Me, haha, just miss me, I miss you. "

The dark horse looked at him with a pair of beautiful eyes, full of affection.

One person and one horse were extremely close.

"..." Jealous General Zhao.

Zhao Xiangyi, who was standing aside, easily pulled away with a little force on his hand. After driving the black horse, without the obstruction of the horse's face, he saw the young man sitting in the carriage. Li Wen raised his head and looked at the man on the horse. The two looked at each other, and his face was exposed. He smiled and asked, "Brother Zhao, why are you here?

"Come to find you. " " Zhao Xiangyi said simply and clearly.

Indeed, he came to see Li Liuyuan. Zhao Xiangyi also went to the yard where Li Liuyuan lived, but saw no one. The woman who opened the door only said that their master had gone out, but did not say where specifically. He had no choice but to take people away.

Unexpectedly, he was lucky. After wandering around the street, he saw the slave next to Li Liuyuan buying sesame cakes on the street. Needless to say, the boy was sitting in the carriage. Before he could drive the horse, Ben Xiao ran over and took up all the young man's attention. This made General Zhao feel a little uncomfortable

if he hadn't seen this stupid horse following him through life and death for so many years . For his own sake, Zhao Xiangyi planned to go back and get a good horse that was obedient and would not compete with its owner for favor.

Chapter 18 I'm coming to find you.

"Looking for, looking for me?" Hearing the man say looking for him, Li Wen's heart skipped a beat and he blinked.

"Well, I'm here to find you." Zhao Xiangyi nodded. He looked at the young man who looked up at him. The young man had a round and smooth forehead, a small face as big as a palm, a slightly fleshy chin, and a pair of big black and white eyes looking straight at him. Looking at him.

The last time he sent Li Liuyuan back to his hometown, he had met Mrs. Li, a gentle and virtuous peasant woman. The young man looked like his mother, but not at all like his tall father. On the contrary, his younger brother looks like his father, and the two brothers look nothing alike. Zhao Xiangyi felt that Li Liuyuan was just right for looking like this. One point was more than enough, but one point was less than enough.

"Oh, yes." Li Wen saw the man's upright face. He quickly realized that he was overthinking and sobered up. Only then did he remember that there was one last unsent gift in the carriage, which he had prepared for Zhao Xiangyi, but he had not seen this person for so long and he didn't know how to find him.

It would be difficult for him to find General Zhao's Mansion. He, a small sixth-grade official, might not even be able to enter General Zhao's Mansion. Li Wen deeply felt the class nature of this society. Even officials were divided into three, six, and nine grades. He was now a minor official ranked ninth, and it seemed that he still had to work hard.

They happened to meet on the street, and Li Wen said, "Brother Zhao, it just so happens that I want to find you too. Isn't tomorrow the Mid-Autumn Festival? I have prepared a small gift for everyone, and here is another gift for you. It's been prepared and hasn't been sent to you yet."

"Is it my share?" A smile flashed in Zhao Xiangyi's eyes, feeling

happy that the boy had not forgotten him.

"Of course, how could I miss yours, Brother Zhao?" Li Wen said it was natural, but there were not many things, so he couldn't give one to everyone he knew, so he just gave it to people with whom he usually has a good relationship. He felt that his relationship with Zhao Xiangyi should be considered good, at least a little better than ordinary people.

Of course, his own thoughts cannot be known to outsiders.

I don't know if there was a start, but then it got a little out of hand. Li Wen interpreted this as the youthful restlessness of young people, which is just a release of human body instincts and has nothing to do with reality. He cannot let those nihilistic dreams affect his interactions with people in reality.

Sitting in the carriage and looking up at the man on horseback made his neck feel tired. Only then did Li Wen remember that he was still sitting in the carriage, so he got out of the carriage and stood beside the carriage.

Seeing the young man getting off the carriage, Zhao Xiangyi also got off the horse.

"Brother Zhao, you haven't said what you want from me?" The two people stood together. The man was more than half a head taller than him. Li Wen still looked up at the man in front of him.

Although he has changed his clothes twice this year, the clothes from last year no longer fit this year. He has grown a lot taller, but to grow to Zhao Xiangyi's height, he still needs to eat a few more bowls of rice every meal.

The two people stood so close that he could see his reflection in the boy's eyes. This made Zhao Xiangyi feel very good. With a smile on his lips, he said, "I have a few at Zhuangzi." I'm about to pick out a fat deer and kill it. Do you have anything else to do later? Why don't we go to Zhuangzi and I'll treat you to wine and meat?

" It's been half a month since he was away from the capital during this period, so he only raised a few deer without killing them. Zhuangzi sent one to the general's mansion today, and Zhao Xiangyi remembered this. It happened that he was going to come to Li Liuyuan today, so this was a good name to come to Li Liuyuan.

"Okay, okay, I have nothing to do." He happened to walk around outside and finished his work, and was about to go home. Hearing that Zhao Xiangyi wanted to invite him to drink and eat meat, they happened to have not seen each other for more than half a month, and he couldn't find a partner to drink and eat meat, so Li Wen agreed without refusing.

Ben Xiao pushed away his owner and came forward. Li Wen reached out and touched the horse, his eyes bright.

It was obvious that the young man really wanted to like his horse, and Zhao Xiangyi saw the young man's love for the horse in his eyes. He thought in his mind that he would find a docile little mare later and give one to the boy, who would probably like it.

"Master, I..." I bought sesame seeds and came back.

The boy who went to buy sesame seed cakes came back happily with several big sesame seed cakes. When Li Tong saw Mr. Zhao standing in front of their young master, he paused and shouted, "I have met Mr. Zhao."

Zhao Xiangyi looked at the little slave and nodded. He nodded and responded to the little slave.

"Did you buy the sesame cakes? Give me two, and you can eat the rest. Brother Zhao and I went to his village in the suburbs to play, and we probably won't come back at night." The sun is going down, and then The city gate will be closed in a while. If they leave the city now, they probably won't be able to enter the city tonight.

Li Wen told Xiaotong, "Go back and talk to Jinwan and Xiaopeng." Otherwise, the brothers and sisters at home would be worried about him if they didn't see him come home.

Zhao Xiangyi knew that there was a girl and a younger brother in Li Liuyuan's family. The young man himself was not very old

, so he came to the capital alone with his two younger siblings. After returning to the capital from outside, he learned that Li Liuyuan had opened a shop in the capital and the business was pretty good.

"Yes, I bought it. Master, here it is for you." Li Tong gave his young master a bag of sesame seed cakes. The newly baked sesame seed cakes were still warm. Li Wen took it and felt it was a bit hot to his hands. Li Tong was stunned for a moment, then asked pitifully, "Master, won't you take me there?"

Li Wen said, "I'll take you there, who will go home and send me a message?"

"Oh, okay, Then I'll go back." Li Tong felt a little disappointed knowing that he couldn't follow. The little slave curled his lips secretly and glanced at his young master secretly, hoping that the young master would change his mind and take him with him.

Catching the child's eyes peeking at him, Li Wen couldn't help but smile, "Go back, I have nothing to do here. I'll be back early tomorrow morning." Tomorrow is the fifteenth, and they will wait until the sixteenth to go back I'm at work, so I still have a day off tomorrow. It's nice to have a day off.

Since I joined the Hanlin Academy as an official, my vacations have become less and less. I go to the Hanlin Academy to work every day. It is rare to have two days off, so I naturally want to go out and have fun.

But now Lu Zhishu has gone to Linchuan again. Usually he couldn't find anyone to drink tea and chat with, so now he met Zhao Xiangyi. Li Wen was quite happy. He asked the slave to take the gift for Zhao Xiangyi from the carriage. Come down and give it to him, and the guard following Zhao Xiangyi took it over.

Zhao Xiangyi got on the horse, stretched out his hand to the young man, and said, "Come up."

Li Wen put his hand on Zhao Xiangyi's hand. At that moment, he felt the warmth of the man's palm, which made him feel dazed for a moment. The next moment, he sat on the man's lap. He walked behind him, as if he had just been distracted for a moment. He waved to the child standing below and said, "Go back, I'll be back tomorrow morning."

The little slave standing behind saw their young master leaving with Master Zhao, leaving him alone here, and felt Too aggrieved. But their young master didn't take him with him, so he had no choice but to go home.

They left the city before the gates were closed.

Li Wen was sitting on horseback eating sesame cakes and asked the man in front of him if he wanted to eat. Zhao Xiangyi shook his head and said,

"You go ahead and eat, I'm not hungry." Li Wen began to eat unceremoniously, probably because he was hungry. At this moment, he felt that the sesame biscuits in his hand were delicious.

They left the city and went to where Zhuangzi was.

There are many private estates nearby, and the land near Zhuangzi belongs to a certain official noble or aristocratic family. Most of the land near Gyeonggi is in the hands of the nobles. Almost all farmers have no land. If farmers want to survive, they can only rent land from these landlords and nobles. Therefore, The people around here have become tenant farmers in the homes of nobles and nobles.

In early autumn, the grass and trees gradually wither. At this time, most of the crops in the fields have been harvested, and there are still a few late-maturing crops that will have to be harvested later.

There has been so little rain this year, it has not rained much, and the land is dry. Naturally, the harvest this year will not be very good, which makes Li Wen feel a little heavy. According to this year's situation, the food harvested from the fields may not be enough for the people themselves, and they will have to bear the rent of the landlords and various heavy government taxes, which may make life difficult for the people.

The life of the people near the capital is relatively good. It is close to the capital and there are many businessmen and travelers coming and going. Anyone who works hard will not die of hunger. After all, this place is at the foot of the emperor, and some people don't dare to go too far. But in some places farther away, the local government is not good, and officials often bully the people.

"Brother Zhao, do you think it will happen?" Will one day the land be returned to the people?" Li Wen asked suddenly. Zhao Xiangyi was stunned for a moment before he realized what the young man was asking. He looked ahead and said, "This is probably difficult."

In recent years, officials in the DPRK and Central Government have become more serious about enclosing land. Officials also sent people to the local areas to purchase land from the people at low prices. As far as Zhao Xiangyi knew, there were many such things. This kind of thing happens every year. The emperor doesn't care about these small things now, so some of the officials below are even more unscrupulous

. "Yeah, I think so too." Li Wen nodded, thinking that he wanted to let those moths let go of those who supported them. How difficult is it for farmers?

However, if the farmers have other things to do and no longer farm land for these people, I wonder if these people will still target the enclosed land? Li Wen thought maliciously in his heart that sooner or later, there would be a day when he would let no one cultivate the land in the hands of these people. They wanted to throw away the land one by one, but they didn't even have time. When they arrived

at Zhuangzi's door, Zhao Xiangyi stopped him. The reins were taken off and the horse stopped.

"We're here, come down." Zhao Xiangyi got off the horse, stretched out a hand to the young man, and said to him. Li Wen said "Oh" and got off the horse. The man just caught him.

The steward of the village knew that their young master was coming, so he hurried out and ushered them in.

The black horse that had come over to its master was left alone to graze at the foot of a nearby mountain.

In the yard where they had a barbecue last time, Xie Yunfei and Zhang Mingyu had arrived a long time ago and were putting the killed deer on the rack for roasting. There were also several rabbits and pheasants on the rack for roasting. They had a lot of people today. , it takes so much meat to eat.

Seeing their young general bringing Li Liuyuan over, Xie Yunfei went over to greet Li Liuyuan and said with a smile, "I'm still wondering how long it will take you to arrive. The city gate will be closed soon and you won't be able to get out."

"I am here today ." I happened to be out for something, and Brother Zhao couldn't find me. Then he met me on the road, and I came with Brother Zhao." Seeing that everyone here was an acquaintance, Li Wen smiled and greeted them. He only found out that Zhao Xiangyi had gone to his home to look for him when he asked about it just now. Fortunately, they met on the street later.

These soldiers are all rough martial arts practitioners, but they can't resist their inner love and admiration for scholars. In particular, this young man is the most knowledgeable Xiao Liuyuan in their entire Dacheng. They all worship Xiao Liuyuan. Incredible.

Seeing Xie Yunfei and a group of people here, General Zhao's face could not be darker. Xie Yunfei seemed not to notice Zhao Xiangyi's dark face. When he saw Li Liuyuan talking to someone over there, Xie Yunfei smiled and said to Zhao Xiangyi, "Didn't I look at the deer fat on Zhuangzi? Look, you and Xiao Liuyuan are also If we can't finish a deer, let's come over and help eat together. Don't let the good things go to waste."

The most important thing is that Xie Yunfei is thinking that Zhao Xiangyi still has a lot of good wine here, and his jar has been taken away. After sharing the drink with everyone else, he only got a small glass himself, and those bastard boys took it and shared it all. He had to give it to those bastard boys, but wasn't it their little general? There were quite a few here.

That must have been the best wine he had ever drunk. Even in his dreams, he thought about the taste.

Zhao Xiangyi glanced at Xie Yunfei, who was smiling like a fox. Others didn't understand Xie Yunfei, so he didn't understand Xie Yunfei? Don't think that he doesn't know what Xie Yunfei is thinking.

There's no way around this!

By the time they arrived, everyone else had already done the previous things, so they just arrived now and had nothing to do to help, so they just waited for the barbecue on the shelf to be cooked and eat it.

The two jars Li Wen brought over were naturally not enough to drink, but there was a lot of wine in Zhuangzi, so Zhao Xiangyi had people move several large jars over. Fortunately, these soldiers can drink as long as they have wine, and no one is picky about it. However, these people all like to drink strong wine, and light wine always tastes a bit tasteless.

They were drinking wine and waiting for the meat to be cooked. The two soldiers were gesticulating with fists and kicks, and the people nearby were watching the fun and making noises.

Li Wen and Xie Yunfei sat together, chatting and watching the fun.

"There hasn't been any rain here in the capital for months. I'm afraid there will be even less rain further north. There is news that the barbarians in the north are restless again." Xie Yunfei raised his head and took a sip of wine, looking at The two soldiers gesticulating in front of them were going to fight. They were probably going to lose their troops again, and they didn't know how many soldiers would be killed or injured.

"The imperial court owes the border officers three years of food and salary and cannot pay them back. There are 300,000 border officers and soldiers. How much money have you calculated in terms of food and salary for these three years? The imperial court requires the border officers and soldiers to defend their homeland. They don't even have enough to eat."

Li Wen had heard a little bit about this before, and he still didn't believe it. Now that he heard about it from Xie Yunfei's mouth, he was sure that it was very close. It's true. When it comes to the amount of food and salary for hundreds of thousands of soldiers at the border for several years, it is indeed a lot of money. But to say that this money is large, compared to the many banquets held in the palace every year and the emperor building a summer resort, it is really nothing.

The court has been saying that there is no money, but where have all the taxes collected every year gone? Taxes have increased every year. There must be a number where all the money from the people has gone. These princes and nobles live a luxurious life, but the hundreds of thousands of soldiers at the border can't even eat a mouthful of food. This matter cannot be justified.

To say that the imperial court is poor, no matter how poor it is, it should not deprive these soldiers of food and salary.

If Dacheng continues like this, I am afraid that sooner or later it will follow in the footsteps of its predecessors. Li Wen didn't want Dacheng to perish at all. It would still be the common people who would suffer at that time. He could throw away his official position. At worst, he could follow his teacher and go back to open an academy and become a teacher.

"In recent years, the Hu people in the north have become more and more restless. I am worried that this will lead to a war with the Hu people. We are short of food and grass, and the soldiers are hungry. How can we have the strength to fight the Hu people. The general and the others are still Guarding the border in the north, if there is a fight with the barbarians, the general will be the first to bear the brunt. "This is what Xie Yunfei is most worried about. The most riots at the border every year are at this time in autumn and winter.

"In autumn, the grass and trees outside the pass will wither, and the cattle and sheep will have no fodder, so they will starve to death in large numbers. When the Hu people have no food, they will come to the pass to grab things. In the past, at this time, the Hu people would We killed, burned and looted the villages outside the pass. In recent years, we have moved all the villagers outside the pass into the pass, so many people have died. "

"I know you are in trouble, but I don't know that Li Wen knows that the border is so difficult for you. It's not easy for the soldiers, but the difficulty he thought was not at the same level as the hardships experienced by the soldiers. Often only those who have experienced it personally know the difficulty.

Li Wen subconsciously looked at the man sitting next to him. Looking at the man, Zhao Xiangyi was just drinking there in silence. His eyes were so heavy that it was hard to tell what he was thinking. He was probably thinking about the soldiers at the border.

Li Wen picked up the wine bowl and touched it with Xie Yunfei. , he said, "I'm wondering if there is any way we can prevent barbarians from harassing us in Dacheng again. "

This is difficult. As long as the barbarians remain determined, they will continue to harass us." "Xie Yunfei said. They have been at the border for so many years, and they have fought with the Hu people countless times, so Xie Yunfei understands the brutality and greed of the Hu people better than anyone else. The hatred between Dacheng and the Hu people for so many years cannot be let go.

Xie Yunfei mentioned that after they returned to the capital, their lives were better than before. However, in the past three months, the Ministry of Household Affairs could not even pay them the monthly salary they owed them for several months. , they went to the Ministry of Household Affairs to make trouble, but in the end there was no result. The Ministry of Household Affairs had no money and kept delaying the payment of their monthly salary. They really couldn't do anything to the officials of the Ministry of Household Affairs.

"If this matter breaks out, let's make a fuss . It's so ugly that it made the emperor angry, and I'm afraid that both of us will be unhappy. "So this is because they didn't have to make a fuss with the Ministry of Household Affairs. The people in the Ministry of Household Affairs also took advantage of this to dare to delay again and again.

"The Ministry of Household Affairs can't even pay the monthly salary of the camp on the outskirts of Beijing? "Li Wen really didn't know about this. Zhao Xiangyi had never told him these things, so he only knew about these things when he heard Xie Yunfei talking about them. This made Li Wen frown.

"In the Sixth Department Those on duty are all civil servants, and civil servants and military generals have not dealt with each other since ancient times. The six ministries are all civil servants, and they have always been at odds with us military commanders. So when it comes to this matter, it is difficult for us to discuss this matter with the Ministry of Revenue to come to a conclusion. When Xie Yunfei talked about this, he said with a hint of helplessness in his tone, "It's okay for us people. We are single and just have something to eat. We don't have to support our families." For example, some people are married, have a wife and children, and there are old parents and mothers to support. Without the monthly salary, the family does not know how to live.

"Indeed. " "Li Wen works as an errand in the Hanlin Academy. No matter how bad the treatment in the Hanlin Academy is, his monthly salary can still be paid out on time. But if this situation prevails and the national treasury is really so empty,

they may not be able to do it very soon. The monthly salary of the department could not be paid.

Later, Li Wen did not expect that his prediction came true. Soon, the monthly salary of their Hanlin Academy could not be paid. But this is a story for another day.

There are no outsiders here. When talking about some things in the court,

he used to only think about studying and taking the imperial examination. It was only after he passed the imperial examination and became an official in the court that Li Wen discovered that the officialdom was more complicated than he imagined, and many things in the court were far away. It was even more difficult for him to read the Four Books and Five Classics. Even if he could read well, he might not be a good official, so Li Wen found that his previous thoughts were too naive and childish.

However, he was not someone who would back down when encountering difficulties. Man, after hearing what Xie Yunfei said, Li Wen searched for a solution in his mind. These things were a bit complicated. He had to go back and think about it.

Before he could think of a solution, something was on the shelf. The meat was cooked, and a group of soldiers were rushing to share it.

"Eat it." "Zhao Xiangyi pulled a rabbit leg to the young man. Li Wen took it and said thank you. As if he knew what the young man was thinking, Zhao Xiangyi said, "Don't think about those things now. I will find a way to deal with these things myself. . ,,

Li Wen thought, what can you do? Has the Ministry of Revenue delayed your monthly salary for several months? However, he thought about this in his mind, but did not say it out loud, because he wanted to save some face for the man.

This night, Xie Yunfei was in a depressed mood and kept drinking. He drank bowl after bowl of wine in his hand,

"Do it!"

"Yunfei, drink less, you will get drunk soon." Li Wen had no choice but to be a good person and drink with Xie Yunfei, listening to him vent his bitterness.

"I haven't gotten drunk after a thousand cups, how could I get drunk so easily?" You underestimate me too much." Xie Yunfei waved his hand, with a hint of drunkenness on his face. In the past, Xie Yunfei could not find anyone to say these words, but now he finally found someone who could listen to him and understand what he said. Xie Yunfei immediately expressed his bitterness and dissatisfaction with the imperial court.

Fortunately, there were no outsiders here. Otherwise, if these words had reached the ears of the emperor, he would not have known what he would have thought of General Zhao. I'm afraid of General Zhao. If I hear this, I might actually find an opportunity to withdraw General Zhao's military power.

I don't know why I was drunk just now

. The man who had sworn that he would not get drunk now fell unconscious on the table.

"You carry him back into the house." Zhao Xiangyi asked people to carry Xie Yunfei back into the house. Even Xie Yunfei, who had such a good drinker, was drunk, and Li Liuyuan, the drinker, was nowhere to be seen. The young man was holding the wine jar and giggling.

At this time, the wine is almost drunk and the meat is almost eaten.

Seeing that his men wanted to tease the drunken boy, Zhao Xiangyi glanced over, and Zhang Mingyu quickly retracted his hand, "Little General, we are leaving now." Then Zhang Mingyu quickly greeted those who were not drunk, and they came together Kick back drunk people.

As for Li Liuyuan, who was still sitting there holding the wine jar, he was still there, leaving it to their young general to deal with it.

Everyone in the yard disappeared, and only Zhao Xiangyi and the drunk boy were left.

"Hehe... just stand still, why are you swinging back and forth..." Seeing a person standing in front of him, the drunk Li Liuyuan stared at the person in front of him, with several shadows shaking in front of his eyes.

Zhao Xiangyi looked helpless. He knew the young man was drunk when he heard it. He said, "You are drunk. Let me help you go back to the house to sleep."

"I-I'm not drunk yet, I still want to drink. " "Li Liuyuan refused to leave.

Usually drunk people insist that they are not drunk, and this was the case for Li Liuyuan at this time.

"Go and ask the kitchen to make a bowl of hangover soup." Zhao Xiangyi ordered the servant behind him.

"Yes, I'll go right away."

Zhao Xiangyi reached for the wine jar in the young man's hand. The young man grabbed the wine jar with both hands and refused to let go. Zhao Xiangyi knew that he could snatch the wine jar away with just a little force, but he was worried that it would get the boy's hands,

so he lowered his voice and coaxed, "You've finished the wine in this jar, please let go of the jar." , let's go back to the house, there's still wine in the house, let's go back to the house and drink.

"

The drunken boy's brain was a little slow to accept information, but he still understood the man's words. When the man came to snatch his wine jar, he relaxed his grip and said with a silly smile, "Drink, drink ..."

"Yes, drink, let's go back to the house and drink." Zhao Xiangyi took the wine jar away, grabbed the young man's hand, pulled him up hard, and took him into the house.

"Master, the hangover soup is here." The servant who was serving brought a bowl of hangover soup on a tray.

"Well, put it on the table and go out. You don't need anyone to serve you here." Zhao Xiangyi ordered.

"Yes." The servant who came in responded and exited.

The drunken boy sat on the soft couch and looked at him with drunken eyes.

Zhao Xiangyi picked up the sobering soup and looked into the young man's eyes. The man's eyes darkened. He sat down beside him, helped the young man up, handed the bowl to the young man's mouth, and said, "Here, drink." One sip."

"...Don't drink." Li Wen turned his face away after taking a sip and refused to drink.

Seeing that there was still a lot in the bowl, Zhao Xiangyi coaxed in the young man's ear, "Good boy, take one more sip, and your head won't hurt when you wake up tomorrow." The young man glanced at the man who was coaxing him, and lowered his head to drink again. After a few mouthfuls, he turned his head

to see what was happening, and Zhao Xiangyi no longer forced him.

Fortunately, the young man didn't remember what he said about alcohol in the house, so he didn't make any more noise about asking for alcohol.

But the drunk boy still remembered to take a shower before going to bed and wanted to take a shower.

Based on his previous experience of taking care of a drunken boy, Zhao Xiangyi had already had someone bring him bath water. Seeing that the young man was unsteady when he stood up and walked, Zhao Xiangyi couldn't help but cursed Xie Yunfei for dragging the young man to drink so much. The man had no choice but to step forward and help the young man and said, "I'll help you, slow down and don't fall." It's hot."

There is already hot water in the tub behind the screen.

This time Li Wen was even more drunk than the previous times. He stood by the tub and unbuttoned his belt for a long time without untying it. He looked pitifully at the man who stood aside and did not help him. He felt aggrieved. Said, "I can't untie it."

Zhao Xiangyi had no choice but to step forward and said helplessly, "Let go of your hands and let me help you." "

When Li Wen heard what the man said, he obediently let go of his hand and asked the man to help him.

Zhao Xiangyi had no choice but to help the boy untie his belt, take off the boy's outer coat, and then untie the middle one . One layer of clothes, and finally the undergarment worn by the young man. He took off the last layer of undergarment, revealing the young man's fair and tender chest. He did not help the two

of them take off the underwear on the young man's lower body. Getting closer, Zhao Xiangyi smelled a faint fragrance from the boy, which he felt was very good. The man's throat rolled up, and his lower abdomen was filled with desire. If Zhao Xiangyi hadn't been sure of his feelings for the boy before this time. Thoughts, now, he was sure that he had other thoughts about the young man in front of him.

But he knew that the young man in front of him was drunk, and because he was so young, Zhao Xiangyi didn't know what the young man thought of him. Therefore, Zhao Xiangyi had no intention of touching the boy for the time being.

"You go in and take a shower. I'll be outside. Call me if you need anything. "Zhao Xiangyi left a word and planned to go out. He didn't know what he would do to the boy if he stayed here any longer.

Li Wen raised his head and looked at the man in front of him who was waiting for him to undress. When he saw that the man was about to leave, He subconsciously grabbed his hand. Zhao Xiangyi turned around and looked at the young man who was holding on to him. The man's jawline was cold and he asked the young man,

"Is there anything else you can do?" "

The boy who answered him put his hands on his waist, put his face on his chest, and rubbed his cheek against his chest like a kitten.

Chapter 20 Thoughts

For a moment, Li Wen felt that his mind was a little dazed, as if he was drunk, but also not drunk. His body was one step faster than his brain, and he hugged the man who was about to leave. . For some reason, he just didn't want the man in front of him to leave.

He felt that he was dreaming, but this dream was too real.

Li Wen just followed his body's instinct, grabbed the man's waist, looked up at the man, and said obediently, "Don't leave."

"Do you know what will happen if you let me stay?" Zhao Xiangyi stretched out his hand and raised his hand. He lifted the boy's chin and rubbed it with his fingertips. The man met the young man's eyes looking at him. The young man's eyes seemed to be covered with a layer of mist, and he asked.

The boy had a good-looking face, which he liked. He had never liked someone as much as he liked the boy in front of him. For more than twenty years, he didn't understand love until he met the young man in front of him. Zhao Xiangyi was afraid that if he stayed here, something would happen that night that he couldn't even control.

After a while.

Li Wen nodded blankly, as if he had made up his mind, and said, "I want you to stay."

"You can stay."

The young man put his hand around the man's neck and stood on tiptoes. Kiss a man on the lips.

The two people's lips touched each other. At this moment, a thought flashed through his mind. It turned out that the lips of this man with a cold face were soft and warm. The boy stretched out his tongue and licked the man's lips.

What responded to him was the man's passive and passionate kiss...

The sound of two people breathing could be heard in the bedroom, and the boy gritted his teeth and made a low moan, like a kitten's claws scratching a person. Like in my heart. The two people moved from behind the screen to the bed. Zhao Xiangyi pressed the boy on the bed, kissed the boy's lips, kissed behind the boy's ears, and took the boy's round earlobe in his mouth.

The two people on the bed were entangled together. The boy's skin was fair and soft, and the man could leave a fingerprint on it with just a touch of force.

"No, no more..." At the back, the young man couldn't help but beg for mercy.

"Good boy, wait a little longer." Zhao Xiangyi grabbed the boy's chin, blocked his mouth with his mouth, and the two hugged each other and kissed.

Li Wen's mind was in a trance, but he knew what he and Zhao Xiangyi were doing at the moment. His body was rising and falling with desire. It was like being on a small boat and could only drift with the waves. This man was like a beast that had tasted meat. No matter how he begged for mercy, he would not let him go.

The man kissed the corner of the young man's eyes, and kissed away the tears that fell from the corners of the young man's eyes. He tasted the taste of tears, which was salty.

The two people's foreheads were touching, and the boy obediently hugged his neck and looked at him without saying a word. Zhao Xiangyi saw his own reflection in the young man's eyes. The young man's well-behavedness made him feel soft in his heart, and he really couldn't bear to torment the person in his arms anymore.

Finally, with a low growl from the man, the sounds in the room stopped and became quiet.

The boy on the bed closed his eyes, his fair skin stained pink with desire. Zhao Xiangyi's hands lingered on the young man's body, and finally he couldn't bear to torment the young man in his arms anymore. He kissed the young man and said, "You stay here for a while, and I'll have someone come in and change the water."

Li Ask opened his eyes and looked at the man, humming in a low voice.

The servants standing outside the house naturally heard the sounds in the house. Zhao Kui also knew who was in the house. Zhao Kui asked all the people waiting in the courtyard to go down, and he stood outside alone waiting. As early as before, Zhao Kui realized that their master was unusual in his treatment of Li Liuyuan.

Therefore, the people waiting outside the door were not at all surprised by what happened in the house.

The door was opened from the inside, and Zhao Xiangyi told the person outside the door, "Go and bring some hot water.

" "Yes, I will bring it here." "Zhao Kui responded and went to fetch hot water.

After the two people made such a fuss, the hot water in the tub had already become cold.

The people outside changed the cold water and closed the door when they went out. .

Hearing the sound of the door closing, Zhao Xiangyi knew that someone was out, and said to the sleepy boy on the bed, "The water outside has been changed, let's go take a shower." "Seeing that the young man looked like he was about to fall asleep, a smile flashed in the man's eyes. He bent down and picked up the young man, and carried him to the tub behind the screen to take a bath.

He drank so much that night After returning to the house, he was pressed on the bed by the man for so long. In the end, Li Wen's mind was in a state of confusion. He was already drowsy, but the man held him and put him in

the hot water . He still felt something.

But he fell asleep later and had no idea how he got out of the tub and returned to bed.

"Go to sleep." "Zhao Xiangyi carried the boy back to the bed and followed him to the bed. The sleeping boy rolled into his arms as if following the temperature. The man pulled the quilt to cover their bodies, holding his arms with one hand. In the dead of night

, the young man in his arms was sleeping soundly, but the man lying on the bed couldn't sleep. This night, Zhao Xiangyi thought about many things, but the only thing was that he did not regret being with the young man. Such a relationship happened.

The sky was turbulent, the dark clouds were gone, the sky was white, and the sky was slightly bright outside. At this point in the day,

Li Wen woke up on time.

As soon as he opened his eyes and saw the man's naked chest, there was an arm across his waist, and the two naked bodies under the quilt came back to his mind. For a moment, he felt like this. My mind is blank.

So, what happened last night was not a dream, but a real one?

"Are you awake?" "As soon as the young man in his arms moved, Zhao Xiangyi knew that the man was awake. This time he did not get up early and leave, but waited for the young man to wake up. He thought they should have something to say clearly.

A voice sounded above his head. At the familiar voice, Li Wen paused and raised his head to look at the man.

However, the two of them didn't make it to the last step last night, but they had all done what they had to do before. After all, Zhao Xiangyi still thought about the young man's age. , I really want to kill him. There are all men in the military camp, so it's not like Zhao Xiangyi doesn't know about men being together.

"Good morning, good morning. "Li Wen felt a little embarrassed. What would he do if he woke up and found out that he and his friend had sex? This time he didn't drink like last time and forgot about last night.

But why didn't he last night? I'm so drunk! Do you still remember those things?

"Good morning. "Zhao Xiangyi watched the young man's face turn red and white, with a slight smile on his face. He was in a good mood.

Seeing the smile on the man's face, Li Wen cursed in his heart, "Fuck!"

The man's hand under the quilt touched Zhao Xiangyi asked the young man about the sensitive area on his thigh with a smile,

"I couldn't control myself last night and hurt you. Does it still hurt here? Do you want me to give you some more medicine? "

..." Li Wen's face suddenly turned as red as a monkey's butt, and exploded in an instant.

Almost as soon as the man's hand touched there, Li Wen felt like he was being touched by electricity. He put his hands on the man's chest and wanted to run away. The hand on his waist held him like an iron clamp. Without letting go, he glared at the man in front of him and said, "Let go."

"Don't let go. I think we should have something to say clearly." Zhao Xiangyi stared at the boy who wanted to run and

said.

"Yes, really?" Li Wen didn't want to talk to this man, he stammered, "No, why don't you let go first, let's, let's put on our clothes, if, if, if you have anything to say, we can take it easy. Isn't it too late? "

How can two people talk about anything serious like this?

"No, I think we can just talk on the bed." Zhao Xiangyi had an instinct that if he wanted to let go of the boy in his arms, he would run away. His intuition was always very accurate, so it was impossible for him to let go of the boy in his arms right now.

"..." Li asked, but he was speechless.

"Okay, go ahead." Li Wen could only say frustrated.

Feeling the stick between his legs, he stared at Zhao Xiangyi, almost popping his eyes out. Brother, if we have something to say, can we talk about it? Do you have to speak this way face to face? Li Wen felt his scalp suddenly numb, fearing that the man would press him down again.

"Do you like me?" Zhao Xiangyi felt cute when he saw the young man staring at him. He was sure that he liked the young man in front of him, otherwise he would not have touched him last night.

When Li Wen heard the man's words, his first reaction was naturally not to hate him, otherwise even if he was drunk, he would not have such a relationship with Zhao Xiangyi. But how should he answer this? Does he want to say he likes it? Li Wen was a little embarrassed to say it.

Without waiting for the boy to answer, Zhao Xiangyi said to the boy simply and clearly, "Awen, I like you."

Li Wen blinked his eyes, his heart beating loudly after hearing the man's confession.

Zhao Xiangyi said he liked him? He digested this sentence and came to this conclusion.

Zhao Xiangyi saw the boy's dazed look and felt that the boy in his arms was as cute as a little rabbit. The man's hand was stroking the boy's back.

After discovering the man's intentions, it was too easy for two people to accidentally misfire while talking on the bed like this. Li Wen quickly put his hands on the man's chest, stared at him and asked, "Do you really like me, or do you want me to help the prince?"

Because of the young man's words, the hand in Zhao Xiangyi's hand The movement paused, and he looked at the young man with a dark face. All the joy in front of him disappeared at this moment.

As soon as Li Wen's words came out, he realized that he had said the wrong thing, and he subconsciously wanted to apologize.

Zhao Xiangyi looked at the young man with a deep expression and said seriously, "Although I, Zhao Xiangyi, am a person close to His Highness the Crown Prince, I will not force myself to touch someone I don't like for the sake of His Highness the Crown Prince. Ah Wen, you have to remember, Whether you are willing to help the prince or not has nothing to do with my feelings for you.

"I'm sorry, I made a mistake," Li Wen apologized.

"You don't have to apologize to me. I know you didn't mean to say such things. Just understand how I feel about you. I like you and it has nothing to do with anything else." Zhao Xiangyi realized that his appearance had frightened the young man, and his face softened. After a while, he said, "It's you, do you blame me?"

"Why do you blame me?" Li Wen looked up at the man and asked doubtfully.

"Blame me for dragging you in." Zhao Xiangyi said.

"No." Li Wen shook his head, looked away from the man, buried his head in the man's neck, and said in a low voice, "Because, I like you too..."