Hearing the person's words, Zhang Xiaobao looked at Wang Juan, meaning to say, 'See, I'm right, right?' Li Longji was planning to do this. He wanted to see the local officials in Hong Nong and see if Li Bai and Wang Wei were serious.
What else could Wang Juan say? She replied with a 'you're amazing' expression. She nodded at the person and let him leave. Just as the person left, another person came in and said to the two, "Young Master, Young Lady, there's news from the palace. His Majesty said that he sent Young Lady Xiaobei to Hong Nong to keep an eye on Li Bai and Wang Wei. He asked the two of you not to worry."
"Got it." Zhang Xiaobao said. After the person left, Zhang Xiaobao said, "This Li Longji can't deal with us, so he set his sights on Xiaobei and Wang Wei. Is this his only ambition? Why does he have to set the age of his opponents below ten years old?
He even told us not to worry. Of course, I'm not worried. Xiaobei and Wang Wei have hundreds of guards, so what's there to worry about? Xiaobei has been betrayed, and he even helped others count the money. Seriously, this won't do. I have to get back at Li Longji for this matter. "
Zhang Xiaobao said with a smile. He could imagine how excited Xiaobei would be when he received Li Longji's secret telegram. At the same time, he prayed for Hong Nong's people, hoping that they didn't have any weaknesses.
If there was really a problem with the river in Hong Nong, it would really be over. If they were targeted by Xiaobei and his nine children, they wouldn't be able to get away with anything.
Wang Juan also laughed at the side. When she thought of the cute appearance of Xiaobei and the others valiantly 'killing' their way over, she couldn't help but laugh.
"That's good too. Xiaobei and the others are Great Tang's Patrol Envoys. They have the authority and duty to patrol the entire Great Tang. There's no one in Great Tang that can't be checked. They can't just enjoy the treatment, right?"
"When did they enjoy the treatment? Even their clothes were made by us. Dear, this shows a problem, "Zhang Xiaobao said, curling his lips.
"What is it?" Wang Juan asked.
"This shows that it's not easy for Li Longji. It's not that easy to be the emperor. He's always suspicious of this and that, and there are very few people he can truly trust around him. Even Li Bai and Wang Wei aren't at ease with Li Longji," Zhang Xiaobao explained.
"Then why did we let Xiao Bei and the others go? Don't tell me you're not worried about them? "
"That's right. The only people that Li Longji can trust now are people like Xiao Bei. Kids are easy to win over. Just give them candy and they'll know what's good for them."
Zhang Xiaobao shook his head helplessly.
Wang Juan smiled again. "Then let's see how far Xiao Bei and the others can go. It would be best if they could kill a few people. Would Hong Nong's people dare to make a move on Xiao Bei?"
"Attack? If they attack, it won't be a problem of killing a few people. Send a telegram to Xiao Bei and ask them to come back quickly. Perhaps after the imperial examinations, we will immediately return to the Northeast and settle the matters there as soon as possible. "
Zhang Xiaobao then called someone over to send the telegram. He looked at the sky outside and said, "Takeshita Junichiro better move quickly. Otherwise, my arrangements will be easily seen through before the Jiangnan East Road people make their move."
*****
Even without Zhang Xiaobao's urging, Takeshita Junichiro was already working very hard. He assigned tasks to Yamamoto Kazamonji. On one hand, he was to buy land in Tang Dynasty. On the other hand, he was to find people to investigate the Ministry of Works. Furthermore, he was to treat people from morning to night in order to sign the lease contract for the steam engine ship and the gunship.
The lanterns were already lit. When it was almost midnight, Takeshita Junichiro, who had been busy the whole day, staggered back to his place.
Treating a guest meant drinking wine. Drinking wine would naturally make one drunk. After a day of torment, Takeshita Junichiro tried his best not to eat the dishes during the meal. He only accompanied the guests to drink. After the meal, he would drink as much water as he could to dilute the wine in his stomach. Then, he would spit it out before drinking water.
Despite all the work, Takeshita Junichiro, who had an empty stomach, did not feel hungry at all. When he returned to his room, he only felt that his throat was burning and his head was heavy. His eyes also felt uncomfortable as if something was burning them. No matter how much he spat out the wine, he would not be able to spit it out completely. Furthermore, he could not immediately go out and spit it out after taking a sip.
"I won't drink white wine tomorrow. I'll only drink rice wine." Takeshita Junichiro lay on the bed and rolled back and forth naked, hoping to find a comfortable position as he muttered.
In the past, he thought that he could drink very well. After all, Japan's traditions were not much different from China's. Even the clogs and rice that he wore were learned from China. Therefore, Takeshita Junichiro also liked to drink when he was in Japan.
However, Japan did not have such strong distilled wine as the Tang Empire. Now, there was only sake, which was not on the same level at all.
In the past, the officials of the Tang Empire drank rice wine and grape wine, but now, they liked white wine. Takeshita Junichiro could not understand. What was so good about hot wine? It was not like it had been stored for many years. The wine that he drank the most today was the one that had been stored for three years, and the price was not cheap.
After muttering for a while, Takeshita Junichiro gritted his teeth and panted. Every time he panted, he would exhale a large amount of alcohol from his mouth. There was no part of his body that was not hot. Even his stomach was hot. He wished that there was a swimming pool in front of him right now and he could jump into it. It had to be cool, and it would be best if there were ice cubes in it.
Just as he was feeling uncomfortable, Yamamoto also came back. His footsteps were also light, as if he was stepping on clouds. He also took off all his clothes. First, he ran to the other bed beside Takeshita Junichiro and lay down. Feeling uncomfortable, he turned over to the floor and opened his mouth to breathe like Takeshita Junichiro.
Realizing that there was another person in the room, Takeshita Junichiro shook his head and stuck it out of the bed. He looked at Yamamoto and asked, "You're back? Have you eaten? "
"Yes, I've been eating all day. I've been eating non-stop." Yamamoto's vision was hazy, and his ears were not very good. He tried his best to understand what Takeshita Junichiro was saying and replied.
"Then go get some ice back. We'll eat. Ice cream is fine too." Takeshita Junichiro was really unwilling to move, so he could only instruct Yamamoto.
However, Yamamoto was not angry at all because he was also feeling uncomfortable. Just as he was thinking of a solution, when he heard that they were eating ice cream, he felt that it was fine. He got up, put on his clothes, and went out to buy ice cream.
Fifteen minutes later, Takeshita Junichiro and Yamamoto, who had eaten more than ten ice creams in a row, finally felt comfortable. At the very least, their heads did not hurt as much, and their ears were no longer buzzing.
Takeshita Junichiro slowed down his eating speed and asked Yamamoto, "What did the people from Silla say? Did they say how much they were willing to pay to rent it? How many boats do they plan to rent? You just drank with them all day. What did they ask you? "
Today, Yamamoto had gone out to make contact with the people from Silla. Since Japan also wanted to rent a boat, it was best to figure out Silla's plans first so that he could respond when the time came.
In fact, the last question Takeshita Junichiro asked was what he was most concerned about. He was afraid that Yamamoto would accidentally be asked something important. That would be troublesome, and his side would have to change their plans.
Yamamoto tried his best to squeeze out a smile and said, "Don't worry. I didn't reveal any information to them, but they didn't reveal anything useful to me either. We just drank all day. We drank at the restaurant on the shore, drank while fishing by the river, and then drank again when we boarded a boat in the water. Later, we went to the Hundred Fragrance Pavilion and found a few girls. We drank until I came back just now. We didn't eat any staple food."
As Yamamoto spoke, he touched his stomach with his hand and realized that he didn't feel hungry, but his stomach was cold. There was a cold liquid surging up his throat with a hint of milk. He had bought cream ice cream. It cost two coins each. It was very expensive, but it was also very pure.
Takeshita Junichiro nodded and said, "That won't do. That's not right. You still have to go and drink with them tomorrow, but when you drink, reveal some information to them. For example, we are buying land in Tang Dynasty and want to buy more land. That's the right thing to do."
"Understood. When they hear that we want to buy a lot of land, they will think that we have given up on renting a boat. Then, they will lower their guard against us," Yamamoto agreed.
The two of them ate a few more ice creams until their mouths and throats were numb. Only then did they stop. They resisted the urge to vomit and panted heavily again.
At this time, Yamamoto returned. Compared to Yamamoto and Takeshita Junichiro, Yamamoto was much better. He also drank today, but he didn't drink with others. He drank by himself and even found a few girls to accompany him. If he didn't need to come back at night to report the situation, he would directly stay at the girls' 'house'.
As soon as he returned, Yamamoto didn't wait for Takeshita Junichiro to ask. Yamamoto took the initiative to say, "I bought a lot of land today, and they are all around the capital. It's just that the price is a little high. I'll wait for it to increase in value in the future. I'll go and take a look tomorrow."
"Pay attention to the money you spend. Don't spend too much, or you won't be able to break even." Takeshita Junichiro warned. He knew what Yamamoto and Yamamoto were planning. When Yamamoto mentioned it yesterday, he was very puzzled as to why they wanted to buy land in Tang Dynasty.
He only understood after Yamamoto and Yamamoto explained it.
The reason was very simple. The grain seed production in Tang Dynasty was very high now, and a new crop had appeared. At first, it appeared in Bohai Road, but then it spread to many places in Tang Dynasty. Although the crop had not been planted by the people yet, it was still new. Moreover, the taste had been tasted in the most luxurious restaurant Between the Clouds and the Water, and it was very good.
Yamamoto and Yamamoto's plan was to steal, steal the seeds of Tang Dynasty. Now, some seeds could be found in the fields, but the new ones might not be the same. It was possible that some of the Tang Dynasty's officials would plant them first and strengthen the security measures, not giving them a chance.
Then, they would buy more land around the capital. There was a high possibility that the seeds could fly over. Even if they didn't fly, they could set up shacks in the fields and then dig into the other party's fields below.
Of course, this was only one aspect. Another aspect was that the land in Tang Dynasty was annexing a lot. The land in the capital was more expensive, especially after that thing called the train. Presumably, Li Longji would not be satisfied with just the train from Chang 'an to Luoyang.
When the time came, there would be trains connecting many places to Chang 'an. Then, the land around the capital that did not have buildings would probably be built. Looking at things from the perspective of development was something that Zhang Xiaobao had always advocated.
If they did not buy it now and wanted to buy it when the time came, it was not a matter of how much money they had, but whether they could buy it or not. This was a long-term investment. They could not transport large amounts of materials from Japan every time they needed money.
The sulfur and silver would eventually run out one day, and when that time came, his country would have nothing left. Sulfur was extremely important, as it was the raw material used to make gunpowder in the Great Tang. If one day, Japan also developed a method to make gunpowder, but there was no use for sulfur, then all those who supported the transportation of sulfur from Japan would be sinners.
At the thought of this, Takeshita Junichiro felt a little pained. This was because many of the mines discovered in Tang Dynasty were no longer allowed to be mined. They said that they were to be left for their descendants. The things they needed were transported from other places, especially by sea. It did not matter if the distance was longer or the cost was higher.
Tang Dynasty had descendants, but did that mean that Japan did not? Look at the silver being sold. Not only was the price low, but the silver had to be refined in Japan before Tang Dynasty could buy it. Furthermore, the quality had to be guaranteed.
If this continued, the people of his country would definitely regret it one day.
"Buy it, we must buy it. Buy it and wait for their railway to be connected to more places. Once the transportation of goods and people are more frequent, we can build houses and rent them. Everyone, work hard for the sake of Japan's descendants."
Takeshita Junichiro's gaze became resolute as he spoke to Yamamoto Kazamoto.
"Aye!" Yamamoto and Yamamoto bowed at the same time.
*****
"Yamamoto went to buy a lot of land today. The Japanese are really too smart." Wang Juan, who was lying next to Zhang Xiaobao on the bed, looked at the ceiling under the dim light of the bedside lamp and said.
"Yes, they know how to play with real estate now. Moreover, their predictions are so accurate. They know that the trains from Tang Dynasty will be unimpeded. Since the capital is the center of the country, the logistics will definitely be more developed. When the time comes, there will not be enough space for people. Naturally, they will need the surrounding land to build new houses.
Those people who sold the land are all fools. If I had known this would happen, I would have bought all the land in advance. But I was worried that if I bought too much land, others would suffer losses. In the end, the Japanese took advantage of it.
No, I have to think of a way. I can't let the Japanese take advantage of this. This is not a small profit. Under certain circumstances, it can not be measured by money. It can even affect politics. "
Zhang Xiaobao put his arms behind his head and looked at the ceiling angrily.
He could imagine the development of Chang 'an after the laying of the railway. At that time, it would not be surprising if the land price was ten times more expensive than now.
For reference, he could see that when he and Wang Juan bought the land in Beijing at that time, 600,000 yuan could buy one square meter. Around the Second Ring Road, a million yuan per square meter was priceless.
The most important thing was that at that moment, the Japanese did not directly use all the land to make money. Instead, they let the Tang Dynasty's officials participate in the dividends. It was very common to get information from the officials and even directly let the officials speak good words for them.
Wang Juan also knew the consequences, but she had no choice. If she had to find a way, it would be to directly declare that the land bought by the Japanese was not in accordance with the law and take it back to the country. But now the Tang Dynasty could not do that. Unless it was a time of war, the Tang Dynasty had to admit that the land bought by the Japanese was bought.
She could not just tell the Japanese that they could not take over the land and then let the Tang Dynasty's officials and rich people not care, right?
"Xiao Bao, do you have a good idea? Do you want to buy back the land from them again? They will definitely not sell it. "Wang Juan had no idea, so she could only ask Zhang Xiaobao.
"No need to go through so much trouble. I will make their land useless. This matter is not urgent. I will slowly arrange it. I want to not only make them unable to make money from that land, but also make them lose money every year. Now, we have to solve the problem of them continuing to buy land.
Tomorrow, release the news that I will first try to plant new seeds in the land around the capital. Don't let us spread the news and let others know. After all, I can't do that. Just treat it as a rumor. First, we will raise the price of the land. If the Japanese sell it, I will let them take advantage of me. If they don't sell it, then just wait and see. "
Zhang Xiaobao thought of a good idea. After he finished speaking, he laughed twice and took out his arm from behind his head and put it under Wang Juan's head to be her pillow. His other hand hugged her and whispered, "Wife, let me tell you the story of the big bad wolf and the little white rabbit."
"No, I am the little sheep."
"Well, the big bad wolf ate the little sheep in one bite."
"I am the Manchurian Tiger."
"The big bad wolf went all out. If he couldn't eat it, then he would eat it."
*****
When the sun rose in the morning, a train stopped at the station of Wannian County. Xiaobei and the others stood in several rows and got on the train together. They sat in several compartments and listened to the rumbling sound of the train as it set off for Hong Nong.
Xiaohai still had an indifferent look on his face. Xiaozhu was still there painting. Zhang Qiang, Zhang Gang, and the others were looking at the scenery outside the window and were very curious.
Only Xiaoyuan's task was the most important. Not only did he have to consolidate his knowledge, but he also had to wait for Xiaobei's orders at any time. Who asked his future wife to be so restless?
As expected, not long after she sat down, Xiaobei started to feel bored. The scenery outside could not attract her at all. She glanced at Xiaoyuan, who was sitting beside her, and said, "Xiaoyuan, do you think the officials from Hong Nong could make a mistake?"
"I don't know." Xiaoyuan answered very quickly.
"Guess." Xiaobei nudged Xiaoyuan.
"I can't guess." Xiaoyuan was still so straightforward.
"Then tell me a story. You have learned a lot. Tell me and I'll nitpick." Xiaobei changed her request.
"My story is full of mistakes. I won't let you nitpick. I'll tell you a few sentences. You can nitpick five sentences." Xiaoyuan did not compromise.
"Then the two of us will play chess." Xiaobei revealed a pitiful look and blinked her big eyes at Xiaoyuan.
"Hehe." Xiaoyuan imitated an adult and laughed twice.
Xiao Bei pouted and pulled on Xiao Yuan's arm, shaking it. "Just two rounds. Two rounds. I promise. This time, my pawns won't get in the car, and my taxi won't jump to your Jiu Gong, okay?"
Xiaoyuan thought for a while and asked, "You really won't get on the train? Will your pawns still walk step by step? If they don't walk one step forward, you will beat the gong to retreat? Your cannon is no longer long-range and can shoot from six stones away? "
Xiaobei nodded seriously every time Xiaoyuan said a word. She appeared very sincere.
Only then did Xiaoyuan agree. "Okay. If you don't abide by the rules this time, I won't play with you in the future. Remember what you said just now. You're not allowed to use them again."
"There's really no need. That's too much of a bully." Xiaobei happily called for someone to bring the chess pieces and let Xiaoyuan sit opposite her. She placed the pieces and started playing.
In the end, Xiaobei played first. The elephant went from three to five. Xiaoyuan played two to five. Xiaobei's elephant went from five to seven. Xiaoyuan's horse went from two to three. Xiaobei's pawn went from seven to one. He landed on his elephant.
Xiaoyuan was dumbfounded. She looked up at Xiaobei. "You … Didn't you say you won't do that?"
"I didn't touch any of the pieces you said just now. I walked like an elephant and pawn." Xiaobei explained, feeling wronged.
"Then why did the pawn get on the elephant?" Xiaoyuan could not understand.
"The elephant pawn is so stupid. Quickly play. In a while, my pawn still has to help the elephant cross the river." Xiaobei looked at Xiaoyuan with a look of disdain.
Xiaoyuan happily took away her own handsome and said to Xiaobei, "You won. My handsome couldn't think straight and committed suicide."
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