During the meal, Yang Huanjin and Huang Xianrong introduced the scenery of Sichuan to Li Yi.
Li Yi had been there before, but at that time, it was full of buildings, especially Chongqing, which was the most interesting. When he finally climbed up, he found that it was the first floor.
Now, there were not so many buildings there. It was all mountains. Except for the city in Yizhou, which was relatively good, the other places were very dangerous.
Many people died every year when they cut down trees and put them on rafts.
If they did not put them on rivers and relied on land transportation, more people would die of exhaustion and accidents.
"The road in my place is not very good. Usually, we go to Chang 'an by water and take a big detour from the south." Yang Huanjin took a sip of wine and lamented the difficulty of traveling.
Huang Xianrong said, "I heard that Li Dongzhu has a lot of good ideas to build a road to Sichuan …"
"No, I don't!" Li Yi shook his head. He could not think of any ideas to build a road from Sichuan.
There were now official roads, plank roads, mountain roads, and small roads.
Many years later, if the road was good, it would still be dangerous to drive, unless it was a railway.
The road would collapse and the roadside would be mudslides.
With that kind of mechanical equipment and the need for population development, it was difficult to build a good Sichuan road.
Not to mention now, the population was small and could not afford to build it.
"It's better than now, right?" Huang Xianrong still hoped that Li Yi could do something magical.
"In a few years, depending on the situation, maybe we can build a normal road and directly blow up the mountain rocks, instead of digging, burning, and pouring water now."
Li Yi thought of using gunpowder to blow up the road, but it was still difficult.
When the Tang dynasty encountered a big rock, they would either go around it or burn it. When it was hot, cold water would be poured, and then the rock would explode layer by layer.
"I'm looking forward to it." Huang Xianrong did not want to think about it after a few years.
After the meal, Li Yi gave each of them a small jar of chili sauce.
He also gave a set of drawings and small models and dozens of normal tools to Zhuangzi.
Zhuangzi began to empty the warehouse. 1.5 million catties of salt was not a small amount.
Li Yi did not intend to sell it. He had a use for it.
"Li Dongzhu is not the kind of person to bully others," Yang Huanjin said to the others after returning to the meeting.
Everyone nodded. In any case, they had already given out 1.5 million catties of salt.
"Come, come, come. Let's discuss the matter of planting Sichuan pepper. Let me tell you …"
Huang Xianrong began to explain how many things Li Yi needed to buy and how to plant them in the future.
As long as those things were planted and supplied for a long time, they would be more profitable than selling salt.
Hu beans, mustard greens, and Sichuan peppers were not worth much in the Sichuan region. There were many of them.
If they were shipped to other places to be sold, they wouldn't be able to make enough money for labor and shipping.
For example, during the Spring Festival this time, as soon as they entered Chang 'an, the employees and helpers took a lot of money to spend at brothels and secret places.
Big businessmen and managers were rich. When they entered Pyong Kang Square last night, there was suddenly no one to welcome them.
He couldn't find any women inside. It was rumored that the women of Pyong Kang Square found excuses to refuse someone who had offended Li Yi.
This time, they didn't even find excuses. They just didn't want to receive them, even if they had money.
"Let's go and have fun tonight. The news of 1.5 million catties of salt must spread." Yang Huanjin decided to bring everyone to have fun.
"Let's arrange for the other salt first. If the local salt merchants try to lower the price, we'll make it clear that no one is allowed to lower the price." Someone suggested.
They were worried that someone would use the excuse that they had offended Li Yi to lower the price.
Or they could say that with the new well drilling technology, Sichuan salt would be cheaper in the future.
The real war had begun, and negotiations were difficult.
On the other side, Zhuangzi and Li Chengqi rushed over in the afternoon.
When they saw Li Yi, they laughed, "Brother Yi, you must have made a lot of money this time?"
"It's just a fair exchange. I didn't bully anyone."
Li Yi shook his head. He knew about the rumors about him. The prime minister was magnanimous and won people over with his virtue.
"Yes, our Brother Yi has always been easy to talk to. It's just 1.5 million catties of salt. How long does Zhuangzi plan to eat? "
Li Chengqi was worried. The amount of salt brought by Sichuan last time was enough to feed the capital for several months.
One-twentieth of it was enough for a small county to eat for half a year.
"In a few days, Zhuangzi's affairs will be settled. A lot of salt will be taken away. We need to hire people from Chang 'an. "
Li Yi told them his plan and was about to set off.
It was more than a thousand miles in a straight line, and with the winding roads, it would be good if they could reach their destination in a month.
"Are we going to the east of Taihang Mountains? Why don't we use water transport? It's faster. I'll contact you and you'll pay for it. "
Li Chengqi had already guessed the situation.
When he heard that his brother had a boat, Li Yi thought of something.
"Brother, if we use a boat from the Ba River … No." Li Yi said halfway and rejected his idea.
The Ba River was connected to the Wei River, and the Wei River was connected to the Yellow River. If they wanted to go from the Yellow River to Henan and Hebei, they would have to go through Sanmen Gorge and Xiaolangdi. The road was too dangerous.
"Brother Yi, is the drought there the worst?" Li Chengqi asked.
"Yes! The problem is not the drought. It's the people, from the top to the bottom, the officials and the people, who are ignorant. "
Li Yi was sure that the drought had not changed.
"What's the use of you going there? It's dangerous. Why don't you stay on Zhuangzi and arrange for someone else to go there? "Li Chengqi advised.
He did not want Li Yi to go too far. Firstly, he was used to having Li Yi in Zhuangzi. Secondly, it was a matter of safety.
"Brother, do you still remember the children's performance during the Spring Lantern Festival? Help spread the news there and publicize the news of that couple. "
Li Yi did not mention whether he would stop or not. Instead, he mentioned the performance.
Li Chengqi heard this and laughed, "There's no need for me to spread the news. It's already spread like crazy. The more it spreads, the more strange it becomes."
"Strange is good." Li Yi smiled. Since everyone was so superstitious, he would spread the news.
"Since that's the case, I'll get in touch with the water transport company for you." Li Chengqi agreed and rode away without further delay.
When he arrived at the palace, the sky was a little dark.
"If he goes out, the Winged Knights will give him 500 yuan. He will take care of the expenses along the way. Doesn't he still have 10% of the profit? Give him a chance to spend it."
Li Longji knew the situation and said to Li Yi with a smile.
"Uncle is timid. He's afraid that His Majesty will remember that there is still 10% of the profit outside." Empress Wang laughed.
She already knew that the money given by Earthly Paradise was accounted for by Li Yi alone. Then, the copper coins and silk were also stored in a special warehouse.
He looked like he was ready to be pulled away by others and did not dare to move at all.
Li Dan also sighed, "This is the safest way to do things. He knows when to advance and when to retreat."
Noble Consort Lu said with pity, "That child is also very pitiful. He's young, but he has to take care of Zhuangzi and many people. He's always worried about the cooperation. I wonder if he will keep the salt alone this time."
Li Chengqi said, "I guess Brother Yi will use it to do something big. Others are greedy for money, but Brother Yi is not willing to save a lot of money."
"Arrange the water transport. I hope he will go and come back quickly. Don't delay for too long." Li Longji glanced at Empress Wang's belly.
There were more than two months left. What if …
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