My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 183 Lost and Found Notice
Loufan, Jingyue County.

The streets are now open to pedestrians, and most of the snow has been piled up on both sides. Under the blazing sun, although the weather is still cold, the snow has already begun to melt.

This snow, which fell in the fifth year of the Daye era, came very early and left very early as well.

The people are quite happy. Although the scale of the snowfall is a little larger, this year's snowfall is still within a controllable range. As long as there are no unexpected events, the crops will definitely grow well this year.

A finely decorated carriage appeared on the road, followed by servants in front and behind it.

Some of the people clearing the snow saw the carriage and moved aside, unwilling to come into contact with it, for fear of getting into trouble.

The carriage traveled north and finally stopped in front of the gate of a tall mansion.

Liu Shanbo came out, smiling as he looked around.

Duke Tang is quite capable; he hasn't seen many corpses along the way. Compared to previous years, Loufan has changed quite a bit.

The servant stepped forward and knocked on the door.

A moment later, Liu Shanbo entered the courtyard and received a warm welcome from the host.

The owner of this place is surnamed Wu, and he is a wealthy merchant in Loufan.

This wealthy merchant surnamed Wu has lived in Loufan for three generations. His family runs a variety of businesses in Loufan, including ironware, horses, silk, and tea. They are considered very wealthy in the area. His family has a good reputation in the area and often helps the poor in the neighborhood. They also have good relationships with other wealthy merchants and live a low-key life, so they live a very peaceful life.

"Liu Jun!"

Old Master Wu, leaning on his cane, came out smiling. Liu Shanbo quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Uncle!"

Old Wu was taken aback. Although he had some dealings with Liu Kuang and they were acquainted, he certainly wasn't of the same rank as Liu Kuang, who was like an "uncle." However, since the man was being so polite to him, he couldn't refuse him. In business, harmony is paramount, so he changed his words, "Nephew, you were coming, why didn't you let me know? I could have sent someone to welcome you."

"How dare I disturb you, Uncle! It's windy outside, please come inside."

Liu Shanbo walked respectfully to Old Man Wu's side and helped him into the house. His overly familiar manner made the young men of Wu feel a little uncomfortable. They exchanged glances but did not speak.

Once inside, Old Man Wu had some delicious food and drinks prepared to entertain Liu Shanbo.

How is your grandfather doing?

"It's been a long time since I've seen him."

"It's alright, it's just that my legs aren't very nimble, so I can't come to visit in person."

After exchanging pleasantries for a long time, Liu Shanbo finally said in a low voice, "I've come here today because there's something I'd like to tell you."

He looked at the people around him again, and then Old Man Wu told everyone to leave first, leaving him alone.

As soon as everyone left, Liu Shanbo stood up and knelt down in front of Old Man Wu.

Then he began to cry loudly.

"Old man! Please save my family!"

He cried very loudly, tears streaming down his face, and kept kowtowing as he wept.

Old Wu was startled by the scene and quickly helped the man up.

"What exactly happened? Why is this happening?"

Liu Shanbo raised his head, his face streaked with tears.

"It's my younger brother who's gotten my family into huge trouble!"

"Oh?"

“I’ve told him many times before that merchants should be honest and not do despicable things, but he just won’t listen. He actually helped a nobleman in China get some horses from the Turks behind my and my grandfather’s back, hoping to make a profit.”

Upon hearing this, Old Man Wu immediately frowned.

His family has managed to survive for three generations in Loufan by keeping a low profile and avoiding giving others any leverage. The border region is a place where smuggling is rampant, but his family has never done such a thing, at least not since his grandfather's generation.

He didn't want to get involved in this kind of thing either. Old Wu said sternly, "This is against the law! Why didn't you stop him in the first place?"

"The government is very strict about this, and there's nothing I can do to help!"

"Old man, you don't know this, but Erlang wasn't captured by the officials. He and his men had just entered Loufan when they were robbed. Their horses were stolen, and he was injured. When my father found out, he was so angry that he vomited blood and fell seriously ill in bed. If that were all, I would accept it, but the worst part is that the nobleman who made the agreement with Erlang wants him to hand over one of the divine steeds, or else he will wipe out our whole family!"

Liu Shanbo cried his heart out, "If it were just me suffering, that would be one thing, but my grandfather is so old, how can I let him suffer this undeserved calamity?"

"Uncle, please save my grandfather!"

Seeing Liu Shanbo crying so hard, Old Man Wu felt a pang of pity. He knew that Liu Kuang's two sons were quite well-known; the elder, Liu Shanbo, was a good-natured man, while the younger was a complete scoundrel who spent his days leading a gang of heroes to cause trouble. He never expected that the younger son would cause such a disaster.

Old Wu sat in his original seat, frowning and deep in thought.

"Child, don't cry yet. Tell me first, how do you want me to help you?"

“Old man, my family no longer cares about finding out who the culprit is. I just want to buy back that divine steed. I’m willing to pay any price or take whatever I want. It’s freezing cold right now, so the thief who stole the horse must not have left Loufan yet.”

“You are highly respected, and both officials and wealthy merchants hold you in high esteem. Only you, Uncle, can help with this matter! We only want that divine steed. If we can find it, we will not ask about its origins and will reward you handsomely! As much as you want! If you can help my family this time, Uncle, we are willing to give you all four of our shops and two horse farms in Mayi!”

Old Wu slowly shook his head. Just as Liu Shanbo decided to increase his stakes, Old Wu said, "I can't do something like taking advantage of someone's misfortune. I'll help you make contact and see if anyone knows anything about it, but you don't need to give me anything. If my family encounters any trouble in the future, I hope you can help us in any way you can."

Liu Shanbo was overjoyed and hurriedly kowtowed to express his gratitude again and again.

Old Master Wu then asked him to stay at his home for the time being. He also gathered the rest of his sons and brothers, but didn't say much to them. He just asked them to help contact some wealthy merchants from various places and invited them to come to his place.

Dade Farm.

"how is it going?"

Li Shimin, hands on his hips, asked smugly.

This was a divine steed, entirely black except for a few white spots on its limbs. Li Xuanba stood not far away, merely nodding slightly. He couldn't discern the horse's quality, while Liu Chounu was currently examining it closely, growing increasingly astonished with each glance.

"Great, great! For such a young age, to have such height, such a frame, such muscles!"

Liu Chounu kept exploring, becoming more and more shocked as he looked.

Li Shimin was quite pleased to see that there was someone knowledgeable about this. Zhang Du, Qu Qiusheng, and others standing around him looked somewhat surprised.

Li Shimin walked over to his younger brother and took his shoulder. "Don't underestimate him. Let me tell you this: I've seen countless horses over the years, and this is truly a divine steed. I've never seen one better than the one that your father presented to the emperor!"

"I feel a little reluctant to give it to you like this."

“Brother, you have a fine horse. You should keep it for yourself. I’ll choose something else.”

"Nonsense! Would I value a horse more than my own brother? Well, I can't say for sure about Silang, but I certainly won't be stingy with you and my eldest brother!"

"These warhorses are a general's second life. I am stronger than you, so this horse is for you to save your life!"

"Aren't you going to thank me?"

"Thank you, brother!"

Li Xuanba bowed respectfully, and Li Shimin then smiled, "Third brother, look, I've given you all these fine horses, as well as those you lent to me before."

“Brother, it’s not that I’m stingy. I have made arrangements for them. If you ever need more people in the future, just tell me. No matter how many you need, I can give them to you.”

"Ha, you can give them all? If I asked you for a thousand people, could you give them to me?"

Li Xuanba pursed his lips. "What does elder brother need so many people for?"

Li Shimin looked at him suspiciously again. He pulled his younger brother aside, with his back to the crowd, and said, "Xuanba, tell me the truth, if I need people, how many can you lend me at most?"

"The round trip will take some time."

"How many can there be in five days?"

"five hundred."

"Fives"

Li Shimin's eyes widened as he looked at Li Xuanba and said softly, "You didn't collude with the thieves. You are the leader of the thieves; those thieves are essentially under your command! Isn't that right?"

"Didn't my brother already know?"

"What a huge thing you've done!"

"However, it's still quite excellent."

"Then it's settled. If I need anyone, you'll have to lend them to me!"

"Of course, elder brother, you must not forget to guide them as well."

"I knew it was to train leaders for your village. Okay, I'll teach them. It's a deal!"

(End of this chapter)