The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 104 Property Purchase Clues
They left the cloth shop.

Old Pan said, "General, this business is really good. The goods are imported from Sichuan and Jiangnan, and the price has increased several times over. If you get to know that 'Zongjian Brother' and invest in him, your money will keep making money."

"What's the point of buying and selling? If you're going to do something, do real business."

Xiao Yi had heard this from a friend in his previous life, but he never contacted that friend again and didn't know what had become of him.

Old Pan, as expected, couldn't understand and asked, "General, what is this about industry?"

"We grow cotton and have him source his materials from us. It's a real industry, not just a shareholding, but a partnership."

"General, you are wise, but growing flowers requires land, and the capital is not small. Flowers are delicate and difficult to grow, much more difficult to take care of than crops."

"Don't rush, take your time, let's get the lens out first. Also, cotton isn't a flower."

"The general has grown cotton?"

"..."

Xiao Yi observed that Hua Nong was not good at business, but was more suitable for guiding the soldiers' thinking.

Old Pan is quite good; he's the most suitable person under my command for doing business.

However, it requires personal assistance in training.

You can contact Li Fang about this matter.

Turning his head, he saw a stationery shop with an extraordinary style. He stepped inside, picked out a set of stationery, asked the price, and it was five strings of cash.

Hua Nong was shocked and whispered, "General, the pen and ink I bought only cost fifty coins, and they are very good... Jiangnan goods are all overpriced."

"When giving gifts, either don't give them at all, or give them something good." Xiao Yi beckoned to the shopkeeper and asked, "Which set?"

"Sir, you have a discerning eye. The Longwei inkstone, pine soot ink, mulberry bark paper, and Xuanzhou brush are all fine goods from Jiangnan. They are worth fifteen strings of cash."

"wanted."

After that, he bought some toiletries for himself, choosing affordable and good quality ones.

He was hungry after walking around for a while, and seeing that the restaurants in the East Market looked nice, he wanted to go in and try them to treat his men, but the two men stubbornly stopped him.

"General, I brought some food. It's supplied by the palace gates, so why not take it?"

Old Pan opened his bag, which was full of flatbread and water pouches.

Hua Nong also said, "General, the East Market is too scary. If we order some good dishes, I don't know how expensive they will be. It's much more reassuring to eat this flatbread, as it has the taste of meat inside."

"If we eat this again, what will Iron Teeth say?"

"It tastes so bland it's like bird food."

"That's it."

Unfortunately, when I asked at the restaurant, I found out that if I wanted to eat some normal dishes, I had to make a reservation in advance, otherwise I would only get flatbread, noodle soup, or dumplings.

In the end, he ate the flatbread he had brought, so as to avoid the two people's incessant chatter that would spoil his appetite.

"Go to the Li residence again. Return early today, as we still need to officiate at the Emperor's funeral tomorrow."

……

Li House.

A luxurious carriage was parked at the side gate, and a man in brocade robes paced back and forth, holding a box and sighing.

Xiao Yi passed by, and the other party didn't notice him, so he didn't pay much attention to him.

Li Fang took the writing implements and looked at them, then laughed and said, "You're worried that the interest will be too high if you drag it out too long, aren't you?"

"Then Brother Mingyuan is mistaken. I have a favor to ask of you. As the saying goes, 'He who takes a bribe is bound to be obligated to do so.'"

"Oh?"

"I want to build something called a telescope. Here are the blueprints. If it can be built, I will sell it to the general's army. After I get the budget, I will set up the property and build a cellar to try to produce cheaper materials."

Li Fang took the blueprints and looked at them, sometimes frowning in thought, sometimes moving his fingers slightly.

After a long while, he finally spoke.

"Is this drawing of yours the technique of 'image inversion' and 'reflection of depressions'? Light travels like an arrow, but it bends when it encounters a mirror, thus forming an image?"

"Brother Mingyuan, you actually understand?"

Is that so?

"I don't know," Xiao Yi said with some surprise. "I've only seen this thing before and just copied it. If Brother Mingyuan knows the principle, then I'll leave this matter to you. Your name 'Mingyuan' is a fitting description for the telescope's function. This is fate. You can get a share of the profits..."

"No." Li Fang handed back the blueprints and said, "Judging from your lack of business acumen, if you have any spare money, it would be best to deposit it with me. I'll give you a monthly interest rate of two percent, how about that?"

"Brother Mingyuan, you really know how to manage money. Are you some kind of skinflint?"

Li Fang said proudly, "I am not a financial manager, but a man of great talent. I disdain such petty business practices."

Just then, Li Zhaoning entered carrying a tray.

"Brother, please give your little sister some face and lend him a hand, okay?"

"Ugh."

Li Fang sighed slightly and took the blueprint from Xiao Yi's hand.

"Very well, I'll repay your favor on your behalf until your elder brother returns."

“My cousins ​​treat my younger sister no differently than my own brothers.”

"Is that so?" Li Fang glanced at Xiao Yi and said leisurely, "Unfortunately, I can't make the decision for you."

Xiao Yi looked away.

Li Zhaoning gracefully approached.

She is much better today, but her face is pale, making her look even more frail.

Her lips were not as vibrant as usual, possessing a kind of broken beauty.

"Taste it?"

"Ok?"

Xiao Yi lowered his eyes and saw two exquisite dishes on the tray.

"Knowing that you love sea bass, I had some caught this morning and kept in a tank with all the ingredients prepared. Try this steamed egg custard; is it tender enough?"

"Thank you for your kind intentions, Lord Xinchen."

Li Zhaoning pouted slightly, seemingly somewhat dissatisfied, and said, "Lord Xinchen should also thank you for the cloth you brought; it's very beautiful."

"I brought it with the medicine. If you like, I'll make you a set of clothes."

"Then, shall I make you a spring shirt too? I'll take your measurements in a bit."

"The color isn't right. Can you try the cotton fabric for me? If it's comfortable, I'll buy a color I like."

"Yes, when you captured Su Fengji, your sword was left on the boat. My cousin sent someone to retrieve it; remember to pick it up later."

Li Fang suddenly let out a sneer.

Xiao Yi asked, "Brother Mingyuan, what makes you laugh?"

"I need to see the finished product before I can discuss this telescope, but the materials, cost, and labor can't be completely without standards. Bring me paper and pen, and I'll explain it to you."

"Brother Mingyuan, please teach Lao Pan. I plan to entrust him with the matter of buying property."

"A veteran? How long would it take to teach that? Should we start with basic calculations?"

Li Zhaoning said, "Brother, when my brother returns, he can teach us. Until then..." "I know, Old Pan, come with me, and you too."

Hua Nong had been staring at Li Fang with admiring eyes. Upon hearing this, she was overjoyed and hurriedly followed, not even feeling the pain when her calf bumped into the corner of the table.

Only two people remained in the hall.

Xiao Yi picked up his chopsticks and asked, "Aren't you going to eat?"

“I can eat anytime, it won’t make a difference if I wait a little longer.”

"You have an older brother?"

"I learned from Xinchen that when our family was in turmoil, my elder brother happened to be away and fled to the puppet Tang Dynasty. I have now sent people to look for him, and when he returns, he will repay your kindness on my behalf."

Xiao Yi said, "This is not like you."

How am I?

"Gentle on the outside but strong on the inside, it's rare to see you rely on your elder brother."

"Laugh at me? Don't blame me for laughing at you too. Prince Consort Song has taken a liking to you. Perhaps there's a pretty girl who wants to marry you."

"Oh, I've inquired. Because Li Ye hasn't been caught, Su Fengji and Ge Yanyu have been subjected to severe torture and interrogation, and they're covered in wounds. They're just waiting to capture Li Ye so they can be publicly executed. If you've recovered by then, you can go and witness the execution."

"Why did you try so hard to capture Su Fengji yesterday?"

"You weren't working yourself to the bone," Xiao Yi said in surprise. "Do I look like I'm struggling?"

Li Zhaoning lowered her eyes and said softly, "It's effortless, flowing smoothly and effortlessly."

"It was just a momentary itch to show off," Xiao Yi said self-deprecatingly. "I just love to show off."

Li Zhaoning didn't say she didn't understand, but stared at him for a while.

Xiao Yi ate and drank attentively, only to realize that the sea bass tasted similar to the golden minced meat dish he had eaten last time.

"You did it?"

"No." Li Zhaoning raised her slender hand, slightly covering her mouth to stop coughing, and said softly, "I only know how to cook, and I just watch what the cook does."

Xiao Yi said, "Do me another favor."

"Alright, go ahead and say it."

"If you find your brother, please bring back a batch of cotton seeds, cotton farmers, and weavers from Jiangnan."

"You want to grow cotton? Don't worry, I can handle it."

"Take the money needed for this matter. Don't be stingy. Money is a small matter; what's important is being able to hire the right people."

"it is good."

Li Zhaoning agreed, then suddenly smiled slightly.

Xiao Yi asked, "What are you laughing at?"

"Hmm... Let me think... Lord Xinchen has a disciple who saw me by chance. This afternoon, he brought a box of jewelry to the mansion, saying he wanted to give it to me. It's quite ridiculous."

"He's still outside, but why is that laughable?"

"Maybe he thinks I'm not pretty in old clothes and without gold and jade jewelry? What do you think?"

Li Zhaoning deliberately brought her flawless face closer, as if she absolutely needed an answer.

Xiao Yi scooped up a spoonful of steamed egg custard, ate it calmly, and swallowed it completely.

"Your eyebrows look great today."

……

After leaving the Li residence, Hua Nong looked back several times.

"Mr. Li is truly a genius! With just a few words, he has enlightened us. General, I understand now. It's useless to persuade the soldiers directly; we must use a 'subtle influence' approach."

"Alright, do your best in this matter from now on. Old Pan, have you gained anything?"

Old Pan said, "Calculation is difficult. I'm too old to learn it."

"If you study carefully, how about you manage my business from now on?"

"Really?!" Old Pan exclaimed with delight, "If I can get this stable job, then..."

Unable to utter a single decent word, he simply dismounted, intending to kowtow twice in earnest.

Xiao Yi pulled him back and said, "Having an elder in the family is like having a treasure. As long as you don't mind the hard work, that's fine."

Old Pan grinned, and after a long while, he thought for a moment and said, "The general is surrounded by rookies. I need to train them well before I can let go with peace of mind."

"No rush, take it slow. Things haven't really started yet. You two should help each other out and complement each other's strengths."

"Okay."

On the way back, feeling more like he was now Xiao Yi's man, Old Pan pulled his horse closer and said, "General."

"Ok?"

"Although my old eyes are failing, I can see that both Miss Guo and Miss Li are fond of the General. The General should think carefully about which one to marry."

“My lord, I’ve seen it too,” Hua Nong said. “In my humble opinion, you should marry…”

Xiao Yi raised his hand to stop him.

If even the two of them could see it, how could he, who had been involved in such circles in his past life, not have noticed?
Thinking about it today, they want to get married, but I don't plan to get married for the time being, so I still have to avoid suspicion.

The world has changed. If you can't resist the habit of flirting, stay away from these troublesome young ladies.

"General?"

"Stop talking nonsense. Don't be suspicious and ruin people's reputations."

"Here."

"By the way, General, is there a sword you might have left at the Li residence?"

"I'm not taking it anymore. I can kill someone with a tree branch too..."

I rode back to the guardhouse at Xuanwu Gate, and my two-day leave was over. Tomorrow is the funeral procession for the deceased emperor, and I have to get up early to go on duty again.

As soon as it got dark, Xiao Yi couldn't wait to hug his blanket and go to sleep early.

When he heard the third watch gong, he sat up, preparing to put on his armor and enter the palace, when he suddenly saw two women standing in the moonlight.

Clad in white as snow, or in vibrant red, their figures graceful and elegant, each wielding a long sword.

"Xiao Yi, tell me, who should you marry?"

“In my previous life, I was never tied up.”

"Then prepare to die."

Xiao Yi sneered, turned back to look at Xuanwu Gate, and planned to leap to the top of the Forbidden City.

He took a step, but then paused slightly.

What about the wire work?
The next moment, a flash of sword light appeared, and blood blossomed on his chest.

"puff."

"puff……"

(End of this chapter)