East Market, in front of Strange Interest Pavilion.
When Li Tai saw someone come forward to admit it, he looked at Li Zexuan and asked proudly, "Did you write 'Journey to the West'?"
What did this have to do with 'Journey to the West'? Li Zexuan was a little puzzled, but he still nodded and admitted,
"'Journey to the West' was indeed written by me. What does Your Highness mean by this?"
"Well, I'm here to find you. There's a good job here. I want you to be my guest. In the future, you will write stories like 'Journey to the West' for me. Your monthly salary will be 20 strings of coins. How about it? This is much more promising than your shabby shop. "
Li Tai said with a look of superiority and pride. In his opinion, the shabby shop in front of him could at most earn 10 strings of coins a month. How could it be as good as writing stories for him? He was not like that poor Li Chengqian. Li Er and Zhangsun had always doted on him and gave him a lot of rewards every month. Therefore, he had the money to keep a guest.
Cheng Chumo was speechless. Although he did not directly participate in the operation today, he saw everything. The daily turnover of Strange Interest Pavilion was more than 100 strings of coins. After deducting the cost, the profit was at least 40 to 50 strings of coins. He really did not know where Li Tai's confidence came from.
Li Zexuan looked at the little fatty who was flaunting his wealth and superiority in front of him and the corner of his mouth twitched. He wanted to tell Li Tai that he would give him 40 strings of coins a month as long as he stopped bothering him. But after thinking about it, he felt that this would be too hurtful. Li Tai would probably be angry, so he did not say it. Li Zexuan could only say tactfully,
"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint Your Highness. This humble one is undisciplined and only wants to stay at home and open a shop. I have no intention of becoming a guest of the prince's residence."
Li Tai was standing there waiting for Li Zexuan to agree, but he did not expect Li Zexuan to reject him without hesitation. He was very angry and secretly thought that this brat really did not know how to appreciate favors. Li Tai, who had been living a smooth life since he was young, was a little embarrassed at this moment. He said with an ugly expression,
"Are you sure?"
Li Zexuan knew that this little fatty was going to get angry, but he was sure that Li Tai did not dare to do anything to him. He was doing legal business and did not do anything to steal chickens and dogs. Tang Chu's governance was relatively clear, so he was not afraid that he would use his identity to avenge private wrongs. Moreover, Cheng Chumo was still standing next to him, so his heart was not afraid.
Li Zexuan nodded affirmatively. "I'm sure!"
When Li Tai heard this, he was so angry that he laughed, "Good, very good. Do you think this king can't do anything to you? This Prince heard that you and Yan Shaoning, the son of Minister Yan, have a workshop. The craftsmen in the workshop were all from the General Works Directorate. Tell me, if this Prince were to ask Imperial Father to bestow those craftsmen to me, do you think Imperial Father will agree? "
"You …" Cheng Chumo was angry when he heard this and was about to step forward to argue, but Li Zexuan quickly pulled him back. Cheng Chumo had already helped him enough, so he could not drag Cheng Chumo down with the rest of the matter.
What Li Tai had just said was indeed the weakness of Strange Taste Pavilion. The status of craftsmen in this era was very low, so Li Er would not refuse Li Tai's pleas for a group of craftsmen. If that happened, the foundation of Strange Taste Pavilion would be shaken. Even if Li Zexuan had countless inventions that could make money, without craftsmen, he could not make them. Everything would be in vain. Strange Taste Pavilion was very important in the future, so Li Zexuan absolutely would not allow this to happen. This little fatty's move was really ruthless.
Li Zexuan's mind raced. Since force did not work, then he could only use soft methods. This Prince of Wei was actually making things difficult for him today just because of a book, "Journey to the West". It was clear that he was still somewhat of a child. Moreover, it was said that Li Tai was full of talent and was extremely arrogant. Li Zexuan suddenly thought of a plan and smiled.
"I can write a book for Your Highness, but I have heard that Your Highness is very knowledgeable. You are proficient in calligraphy, painting, the classics, and arithmetic. I wonder if Your Highness can answer a few questions of this commoner?"
When Li Tai heard Li Zexuan praise him like a flower, a trace of pride flashed across his face. This was where he, Li Tai, was more awesome than the Crown Prince. He was full of talent, so Li Tai doted on him. When he heard that Li Zexuan wanted him to answer a question, Li Tai frowned. Even though he was very talented, who knew what questions Li Zexuan would ask? He was not stupid. Why would he agree? Now that he had the absolute advantage, there was no need to complicate matters.
"Why should this prince answer your question?" Li Tai's face was full of arrogance.
This little fatty was not old, but he was quite smart. Li Zexuan had already guessed that he would not agree so easily. He clasped his hands behind his back and smiled.
"If Your Highness insists on forcing me to write a story, even if I write one, it will definitely not be as exciting as" Journey to the West ". Your Highness will not be satisfied with it. How about this, I will ask ten questions. As long as Your Highness can answer one of them, I am willing to write for Your Highness for three years without any salary. Furthermore, the story I write will be even more exciting than "Journey to the West". However, if Your Highness cannot answer a single question, then please do not make things difficult for Strange Taste Pavilion in the future. How about it? "
Disdain, this was blatant disdain. Even though Li Tai knew that Li Zexuan's questions would be extremely difficult, he was proud of his talent. How could he not be able to answer even one question out of ten? Li Zexuan had successfully angered him. Furthermore, Li Zexuan's first half of the sentence was reasonable. Even if he used his power to force Li Zexuan to write a story for him, if Li Zexuan was unwilling, then the story he wrote would definitely not be good. Then everything he did would be meaningless.
"Alright, then it's a deal. If you lose, then you have to write a story for this prince for three years. But your question must have an answer, otherwise it won't count. "
Although Li Tai was enraged, he still retained his rationality. If Li Zexuan asked questions that he had no answer to, such as how many hairs a person had on his head, how could he answer?
Heh, this little fatty doesn't know that as the saying goes, 'Virtue is one foot tall, the devil is ten feet tall.' He was still too inexperienced. Li Zexuan simply nodded and agreed.
"Of course, how would this humble one dare to maliciously make things difficult for Your Highness?"
At this time, Lan 'er pulled Li Zexuan's arm worriedly. Li Zexuan smiled at her and shook his head, indicating that he was fine and not to worry. He was someone who had experienced the information explosion of the 21st century. He didn't believe that this little fatty would be able to answer a few random questions!
Li Tai nodded his head in satisfaction and called for the guards behind him to bring him a stool. After standing for so long, he was a little tired. He sat down on the stool and raised his chin at Li Zexuan, saying, "Li Zexuan.
"If that's the case, quickly ask any questions you have. This prince is anxious for you to write a story for me. Haha!"
Li Tai was confident that he would not lose. Just thinking that he would be able to read a story better than "Journey to the West" made him happy.
However, he never expected that he would soon be tortured to the point of doubting his life.
…
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