A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Starting from the Village Chief

Chapter 16 Changan Changan
It rained a little at night, but the sun still rose in the morning and the sky was blue.

Li Yi woke up early and went to the kitchen to find Lanxiang already lighting a fire and boiling water. Luo San was supposed to be on active duty today, but he still went to check on the rice paddies before dawn. Shitou had gone out to herd cattle early, while Gousheng was catching snails and frogs for the ducks.

"Cook some more rice for the dry rice. Uncle San is going on a long trip today. I'll also make some fried tofu later. We have a lot of duck eggs saved up at home. Let's cook them all."

Lanxiang said quickly, "Now the two ducks sometimes lay two eggs a day, sometimes three or four. We have saved up twenty-five eggs. We can take them to the market to exchange for things. They are eight cents each."

The wooden barrel was already full of water. Luo San must have filled it up early in the morning.

"We eat the eggs our ducks lay, so there's no need to save them for trading. I'll cook two for each of your father and the others to eat on the way."

The little girl hesitated for a while, but finally went to get the duck eggs. She treasured these duck eggs very much. She went to the duck nest to pick up the eggs regularly every day. She put them in a small wooden box in the house and pressed it with stones for fear that mice would steal them.

Brush your teeth and wash your face.

Li Yi was not used to the toothbrush he bought at Wangquji. It was made of pig bristles, which was not only expensive but also very hard. It was not comfortable to brush with, which made him want to take out his own electric toothbrush.

These days, pig bristles are considered strategic materials, just like cowhide and tendon. The government has been purchasing them for a long time, which has resulted in toothbrushes made of pig bristles being extremely expensive for the people.

Even at the market, the pork sold by butchers is basically without the skin. The skin is peeled off separately and used to make shoes, belts, and even armor, and as medicine. Sheep are also basically sold with the skin peeled off.

At noon,

Luo San came back from the fields, and Luo Wu, Fugui, and Erlang, the three who were to serve this time, also arrived. Goudan and the other four young men also came to Wujiyuan one after another.

They were still dressed casually. This time they were on a long business trip, and each of them had a small bag with only one change of clothes in it.

When I asked them, I found out that no one had brought any money with them for emergencies.

No one brought any dry food with them. They all said that it was not far from Chang'an anyway, and the government would provide them with meals once they arrived in Chang'an.

Li Yi knew that their family conditions were actually not good, especially since Luojiabao had suffered a landslide not long ago, which wiped out six families and collapsed one-third of the cave dwellings in the village.

He turned around and took out the fried noodles he had prepared.
"This is the dry food I made yesterday. It is fried with millet and can be eaten after soaking in water. It is delicious even when chewed dry and easy to carry. It will not go bad for ten days or half a month. Each of you should fill a few bowls. We can't go hungry even if we are poor at home or rich on the road." Li Yi said.

Everyone gathered around to look at the golden fried rice.

Li Yi asked them to grab some and chew it to taste.

"The more you chew, the more delicious it becomes."

Luo Wu also marveled at how crispy it was.

But when Li Yi wanted to give it to them, everyone shook their heads and refused while chewing the crispy fried rice. Food was precious, and this was already fried rice, so how could they accept it?

After much persuasion, everyone finally agreed to just grab two handfuls.

"Let each person have two bowls, but everyone should remember this favor. We are going to serve the court this time, not to work for the Wuyi family." Luo San said.

Li Yi asked them to pack more, but they refused.

Each person had two large bowls, which weighed almost two kilograms. Li Yi added some salt to the fried rice.

"Lanxiang, are the duck eggs ready? Give everyone two more to eat on the road."

Luo Wu and the others still wanted to refuse, but Li Yi said, "These duck eggs are already cooked. If you don't eat them, they will go bad by the evening. Take them all with you. It's so good to be at home, but it's so difficult to go out."

"I just hope that you can go out safely this time and return home safely."

"Uncle Three, Uncle Five, when you're away from home, your fellow villagers should take care of each other and help each other."

Li Yi finally asked them to sit down, and each of them drank a bowl of millet porridge and ate some fried tofu puffs.

"Let's go. We have to get to Chang'an today. The earlier we get there, the less time we have to spend in the sun."

Li Yi took eight men, young and old, out and when they reached the bridge below, they found many villagers waiting to see them off.

Luo Wu and his companions bid farewell to their families again.

Li Yi discovered that before Luo Wu and the others left, they gave the duck eggs that Li Yi gave them to their families. Some were given to their children, and some were given to their parents. They did not keep any for themselves.

If the fried rice hadn't been tied tightly with a rope, they would probably have left it to their families.

"Don't worry, they will be back soon."

The nine of them set out on the road to Chang'an.

In Luojiabao, there are only two able-bodied men left in the village.

The group first went to Guo Erlang's house in Guozhuang and met up with half of Guozhuang's men. This time, Guozhuang sent seven able-bodied men and seven middle-aged men. After a simple greeting, everyone headed to Wangqu.

Everyone talked as they walked. Everyone knew that this conscription was related to the Battle of Jingzhou, and they also knew that it was more dangerous than ordinary transportation of grain and repairing of cities, but what could they do?

There is no way to escape, they are basically common people, the land has been evenly distributed since the change of dynasties, and their lives are definitely better than before,
Guo Erlang rode a big blue mule and also led a mule for Li Yi.

This mule is quite docile to ride, and is certainly much easier than walking.

"Wuyi, you might also consider buying a mule, or even a donkey. Otherwise, it's inconvenient to always rely on two legs when going out."

"This mule is not cheap, and it can't just eat grass, it needs to be supplemented with concentrated feed, including millet, beans, and salt. What this mule eats is enough for several people. I can't afford to raise it." Li Yi had originally thought of this, but after a little inquiry, he found that although mules were cheaper than horses, they were actually more expensive than oxen.

The most important thing is that oxen can only eat grass normally, but mules cannot just eat grass. Like horses, they need to be fed with concentrated feed and eat grain.

The Salt and Iron Treatise states that a horse in a stable consumes the food of six people, equivalent to the annual income of one adult male.

Come to think of it, it’s similar to later generations. Buying a car is not cheap, but maintaining a car is also expensive.

"Wuyi, how's the last thing I asked you to do going? As long as the item is good, the price is negotiable. You exchanged a small mithril pot for more than ten taels of gold. How many mules can you buy with that?"

Li Yi had indeed considered this matter. Although always selling things was not a long-term solution, it was necessary to sell some things as start-up capital since he had just arrived.

"I do have a good thing here. It would be suitable for you to give it to Du Bingcao. However,"

Guo Erlang was excited when he heard it, "If you have any request, just ask."

"My master left me little."

"Is it something as good as that mithril pot?" Guo Erlang asked.

Li Yi nodded, "Actually, I brought it with me today, in my bag."

"Then bring it here quickly and let us see it," he said, quickly reining in the big blue mule and shouting to the villagers, "You keep going, Wuyi and I will catch up soon." The two of them led the mule to the shade of the poplar tree.
Li Yi took off the bag and took out a white big-bellied cup from it. It was a 500ml stewing cup. The inner liner, outer shell and lid were all made of stainless steel. It came with a stainless steel folding spoon and a lid that could be used as a small bowl.

The shape is round and cute, convenient and easy to carry, and most importantly, the stewing effect is really good. Preheat it with boiling water for ten minutes, and then stew porridge, noodles, or eggs. It is very convenient to stew white porridge for more than an hour.

Whether you stew it before going to bed and eat it in the morning, or stew a cup to take with you when you go out to play, it is quite convenient, and the stewed porridge is also very good.

The spoon can also be folded and stuck into the lid, which is very convenient.

This brand is only 79, and the key is that it is genuine 316. Even if you use it to store hot water and keep it warm for a whole day, it will still be hot.

If there is a disadvantage, it is that the capacity is a bit small, only 500 ml.

When Li Yi took out the stewing cup and introduced it while opening the lid, Guo Erlang was completely attracted.

Just as exquisite and compact as the Mithril pot from last time,

This thing is even smaller, but when Li Yi said that before going to bed, just pour boiling water into it, add a handful of millet, cover it, and it will become a bowl of hot porridge in the morning, and even in summer, it can make a bowl of porridge in as fast as half an hour, he didn't believe it.

But he vaguely felt that it might be true. After all, the mithril pot gave him too many surprises last time.

The small pot had been taken away by his father-in-law, who directly gave him fifteen taels of gold, which meant he had earned more than three taels of gold.

"Is it really that magical?"

"Look at the workmanship. Ordinary cups and pots are not this good."

Guo Erlang played with the cup, "There's something silvery inside, is it also mithril?"

"No, this stewing cup is made of black steel forged from meteorite. This black steel can withstand ultra-high temperatures and is extremely corrosion-resistant. It can also withstand temperatures of thousands of degrees. After being polished, it has the quality of not rusting. It even has the benefit of purifying water like silver..."

Li Yi boasted a lot. Last time, he said the aluminum alloy was mithril and light gold. This time, he directly said that the stainless steel was stainless steel forged from meteorite iron.

"The paint on the outer shell is also made from alchemical products..."

In short, this is another product of Master Li's cultivation and refining, and it is a unique and rare treasure, because the raw material is special iron from outer space. Even the layer of paint on the cup is made of the product of alchemy.

There is only one of its kind in the world.

"I heard you say that Du Bingcao is very busy with paperwork and has a bad stomach. This Tianwai Xuangang stewing cup is very good for stewing porridge or something like that."

"How much are you willing to give it to me?" Guo Erlang was holding the cup tightly and refused to let go. He stared at Li Yi with gritted teeth, fearing that he would go back on his word.

He heard from his father-in-law that the Second Prince has been relying more and more on Du Ruhui recently. If the Tang Dynasty unifies the world in the future, then Du Ruhui might have the best career in the entire Jingzhao Du family. He must find a way to get closer to this cousin of his wife.

"How about ten taels of gold?" Guo Erlang vowed to get it.

Li Yi shook his head.
"Speaking of rarity, this stainless steel stewing cup is even rarer than the mithril pot."

"I'll add another five taels." Guo Erlang gritted his teeth.

Guo Erlang wanted to put the cup in his pocket immediately.

Li Yi still shook his head.
"How much do you want?"

Li Yi said, "Although this treasure only weighs twelve taels, this stainless steel from outer space is much more valuable than gold or mithril. Back in the Central Plains, a top-ranking family wanted to ask my master to part with it, offering three hundred strings of cash, but my master refused."

Three hundred strings of cash, that's nearly forty taels of gold. Guo Erlang couldn't help but take a breath, it was too expensive.

"Wuyi, uncle really likes this cup, but..."

"Second Uncle, if you can introduce me to Du Bingcao during this trip to Chang'an, I'm willing to sell you half of my money and half of my fortune."

One hundred and fifty strings of cash, equivalent to more than eighteen ounces of gold,
Li Yi felt that this price was very reasonable. If he asked for more, Guo Erlang would probably not be willing to give it to him. He proposed that Guo Erlang take him to see Du Ruhui. He also wanted to meet Li Shimin's right-hand man. Of course, he could also use this as a stepping stone and first bid three hundred strings of cash and then reduce it by half.

It's just a 79-yuan stewing cup, and even if it's rare, it can only be used to stew porridge or hold water. One hundred and fifty guan, how many cows can you buy?

Guo Erlang did not expect such a sudden turn of events. He stopped selling the item at 300 strings of cash and now wants 3 taels more than the 15 taels he had just offered.

This gap between loss and recovery made him hesitate no longer.
He immediately agreed, fearing that Li Yi would regret it again, "Okay, it's a deal. This time when we go to Chang'an, I will introduce you to Du Bingcao.

Wuyi, this cup is a gift for me, but I need some time to raise the 150 strings of cash."

He held the cup tightly and refused to let go, and Li Yi did not ask for it again.

"Uncle, how can I not trust you? Just keep this cup now. It won't be too late to pay me in a few days."

Guo Erlang carefully wrapped it up and held it in his arms. "Wuyi, you want to see Du Bingcao. What's your intention? Do you want to pursue a career in government? Or do you want to continue your monastic life?"

"I just want to make more friends. More friends mean more opportunities. Besides, it's easier to get things done if you have someone in the court." Li Yi laughed.
His attitude made Guo Erlang feel that Li Yi wanted to see Du Ruhui and might have a big plan. However, this made him feel relieved. Otherwise, Li Yi would not have sold him this treasure for thirty-six taels of gold.

He did not think that in the current situation, one hundred and fifty strings of cash could buy twenty or thirty young and strong slaves.

The two men got on their mules again and continued on their journey, each of them feeling extremely happy.

Li Yi appeared calm on the surface, but he was thinking in his heart, a stewing cup that cost 79 yuan was sold for a whopping price of yuan. How would he spend the money after he got it?
Dig a well for Wujiyuan, renovate the house and make furniture, buy a horse, or consider buying a few slaves and maids?
Maybe I can buy some more land, and then I can collect rent to have enough food and clothing.

With this joyful mood, they finally arrived at Wangqu, their village, and met with Wang Lizheng and Wang Xiangchang again. After a few pleasantries, everyone hurried to Chang'an while it was still early and the sun was not shining.

They walked forty miles along the official horse road at a speed of about ten miles per hour. After about two hours, their team, led by the village chief Wang, finally arrived at the foot of the majestic Chang'an city.

They brought with them one hundred able-bodied men and one hundred middle-aged men, and attracted the attention of the guards at the Chang'an city gate from afar.

A military officer came riding on horseback, followed by a group of infantrymen.

"Stop, who are you waiting for?"

Wang Xiangzheng quickly stopped everyone, dismounted, and walked forward. "I am Wang Jixian, the head of Yusu Township in Wannian County. These are the men of middle age and middle age who have been conscripted into service by the county commander. There are 100 men of both age and middle age."

Li Yi sat on the mule and looked up at the Chang'an city wall in front of him. Compared with the thatched huts and earthen houses in the countryside, the Chang'an city wall was huge, which gave him a great impact.

He couldn't help but think of Wang Wei's poem, "The gates of the nine heavens open to the palace, and the people of all nations pay homage to the emperor." There was also Du Mu's line, "Looking back at Chang'an, embroidery piles up, and a thousand doors on the mountaintop open one after another." And there was Li Bai's "Chang'an is full of moonlight, and the sound of clothes pounding in thousands of households."

There is Meng Jiao's poem "The spring breeze is full of joy, and the horses gallop, and I can see all the flowers in Chang'an in one day." There is also Huang Chao's poem "The fragrance of the sky penetrates Chang'an, and the whole city is covered with golden armor."

Li Yi looked at the tall walls of Chang'an and suddenly felt the urge to buy a house in Chang'an.

(End of this chapter)