Upon hearing this, Ang Lee was slightly delighted. Saving Yue 'er and her daughter was just a piece of cake. Even if they were not Gao Lishi's family members, Ang Lee would not stand by and do nothing. This was the nature of an outstanding man of the Tang dynasty. Next time he encountered such a situation, Ang Lee would still step forward bravely.
Gao Lishi expressed that he would remember his kindness, hinting to Ang Lee that he was a person who knew how to repay kindness. In the future, if Ang Lee encountered any difficulties, he would also lend a helping hand to help Ang Lee overcome the difficulties.
Of course, Gao Lishi was a cautious person and there was a limit to how much he could help others. If Ang Lee got into big trouble and faced the danger of being overthrown, he might not lend a helping hand, lest he failed to save the person and got himself into trouble instead.
Ang Lee stood up and cupped his hands, saying, "General, please forgive me. When I was in Changping, Ang Lee was short of food and forcibly borrowed dozens of days worth of food from Madam. I have not returned it yet. When I have more money, I will definitely return it to you with interest."
Upon hearing this, Gao Lishi laughed. Ang Lee's words were obviously a joke. When he had more money, he would return it. He made it sound as if dozens of days worth of food were very valuable. Even in Chang 'an, a bushel of rice was only worth 20 copper coins and a bushel of rice was worth 200 copper coins. The grain that Ang Lee forcibly borrowed was only worth a few coins, which was the value of one tael of gold. Li Longji had just rewarded Ang Lee with 50 pieces of gold, which was equivalent to 500 taels of gold. He had more than enough money on hand.
"The kindness of saving a life is greater than the sky. Li Shaolang, don't mention the trivial matter of the grain anymore. Today, I invited Li Shaolang here, not only because of my family's intention, but also because of the Emperor's intention."
Gao Lishi lifted his eyelids slightly and looked at Ang Lee meaningfully.
When Ang Lee heard this, he was slightly startled. The Gao Lishi had invited him to visit the mansion, and it was not only because of him, but also because of the Emperor's decree. This naturally made him very surprised, but also very happy. Li Longji wanted the Gao Lishi to see him for what reason. Could it be that Li Longji had some secret decree for him to complete?
"Great General, does His Majesty have any orders for Ang Lee?"
Ang Lee asked tentatively.
Gao Lishi smiled gently: "Everyone wants me to tell Li Shaolang that he values you very much."
His Majesty thinks highly of me.
Ang Lee was overjoyed. No wonder Li Longji suddenly conferred him the title of Xuan Jie Commandant and rewarded him with silk and gold. It turned out that Li Longji valued him very much.
"Great General, I don't know when His Majesty will summon me."
Gao Lishi winked at the servant next to him and replied: "Li Shaolang has already arrived in Chang 'an. Don't worry about not being able to see everyone. It doesn't matter if you wait a few more days."
When Ang Lee heard this, he quickly nodded and said yes.
At this time, the servant brought in a vessel that looked like a copper cauldron. He put burning charcoal under it, and put water and some condiments in the cauldron.
"Great General, this is …"
Ang Lee looked puzzled. What was this copper cauldron? Was it used to cook rice?
Gao Lishi pointed to the copper vessel and introduced it with a smile: "Li Shaolang, this is a wind stove, which is specially used to boil tea. It was sent by the abbot of the Baoshou Temple a few days ago. It has not been used even once. Today, when Li Shaolang came here, I just remembered this thing. Drinking tea is a habit of monks. Li Shaolang, you must have never tasted tea."
When Ang Lee heard this, he was about to vomit. He had drunk all kinds of good tea in his previous life. The quality and taste were a hundred times better than those in the Tang Dynasty. However, after coming to the Tang Dynasty, he had never drunk tea. This was an indisputable fact.
The boiling tea in the wind stove exuded a strong milk fragrance, which made Ang Lee wonder whether it was tea or milk.
However, the tea in the Tang Dynasty was indeed like this. At this time, Lu Yu, the Tea Immortal of the Tang Dynasty, was still a ten-year-old child. It would be another eighteen years before he would write the tea classics that would have a great impact on later generations. From then on, he would standardize the process of drinking tea.
The taste of the tea was not important at all. What was important was the attitude of the master. Gao Lishi asked the servant to boil the tea for Ang Lee to taste. This was a great courtesy. It showed that he valued Ang Lee very much.
While drinking the milky tea, they talked about the process of killing the enemy in Yuzhou. Ang Lee was in a good mood. Gao Lishi's eyebrows also revealed excitement and admiration.
###
On the street to the south of Yongxing City, Gao Fu rolled down from the horse's back while panting heavily.
Ten steps in front of him was the gate of Gao Lishi's mansion. This was the place where he had stayed for decades. However, he couldn't take a step forward.
His heart was extremely uncomfortable. He felt both guilty and angry. Yue 'er was kidnapped by a group of unknown people. Just when he was distracted.
In fact, this was not his fault. At that time, Yue 'er was picking rouge with a young lady. He also happened to meet an old acquaintance and they exchanged greetings.
When he heard the scream behind him and turned around, Yue 'er had already been taken into the carriage and quickly left. He chased after her for more than ten steps. However, he was too old and couldn't catch up.
He was so angry that he slapped the coachman's face a few times and told him to immediately report to the county government. He then untied his horse and rode back to the mansion. He was ready to report this situation to the Gao Lishi.
However, when he really returned to the mansion, he was afraid again. He didn't know how to report to the Gao Lishi. He said that he was careless and let Yue 'er be kidnapped. Although Yue' er was the Gao Lishi's adopted daughter, the Gao Lishi was a eunuch. He couldn't have children. An adopted daughter was like his own.
Looking at the wall beside him, Gao Fu steeled his heart and slammed into it. His forehead was suddenly full of blood.
Gao Fu touched the wound on his forehead. As if he suddenly had confidence, he ran into the mansion and went straight to the main hall.
At this time, Li An was telling the story of how the 300 elite warriors defeated the 5,000 elite soldiers of the Japanese army. Gao Lishi was sipping his tea and nodding his head in satisfaction.
"General, General, Yue 'er was kidnapped."
Gao Fu ran into the main hall and knelt on the ground with a plop, gasping for breath.
When Gao Lishi heard this, his expression suddenly became cold, but soon returned to normal. Ang Lee was greatly surprised. Chang 'an City was under the foot of the Emperor. How could there be a kidnapping of a woman?
"Gao Fu, I have guests here. How can you be so rash?"
Gao Lishi scolded.
"General, Ang Lee is just a junior. It doesn't matter." Ang Lee stood up and looked at Gao Fu. "Fu Bo, who kidnapped Yue 'er and the wound on your forehead?"
Gao Fu was agitated and added fuel to the fire. "General, Yue 'er is going to the West Market to buy clothes and rouge. This old servant was worried and followed her. Who would have thought that a group of thieves would suddenly appear in the West Market and snatch Yue' er into the carriage. This old servant went up to reason with them and even reported the name of the general. But these thieves were really bold. Not only did they not stop, but they also beat this old servant. This old servant was unable to beat them, so I could only ask the coachman to report to the officials and then come back to tell the general."
"Who is so bold to kidnap a woman under the foot of the Emperor?"
Ang Lee's eyebrows were full of anger. He and Yue 'er knew each other. He really didn't want anything to happen to Yue' er.
Gao Lishi's expression was as calm as water, but there was obviously a murderous anger in his eyes. If one didn't look carefully, they wouldn't be able to find it.
After staying by the Emperor's side for dozens of years and experiencing too many things, Gao Lishi's state of mind had long been trained to the point of perfection. No matter how big the emotional fluctuations in his heart were, it wouldn't be written on his face. However, he couldn't control his eyes. After all, the eyes were the window to the soul. Everything in his heart would be revealed through his eyes.
"Could it be Tufan assassins? They even dared to assassinate the Queen of East."
Ang Lee casually guessed.
"Tufan assassins? Why would Tufan assassins kidnap Yue 'er? General has never offended the Tufan people."
Gao Fu touched the wound on his forehead with a puzzled expression.
Gao Lishi slowly stood up and looked at Ang Lee. "No matter what the identity of these thieves is, the Chang 'an Order will definitely investigate it. Today, I planned to chat with Li Shaolang for a while, but I didn't expect such a thing to happen."
Li An understood that Gao Lishi wanted to send him off. After all, Yue 'er had been snatched away by a thief. How could he still be in the mood to listen to Li An's story of his meritorious service in Yu Province?
"General, Ang Lee doesn't have any urgent matters in the capital. I will definitely help the Chang 'an Order to find Yue' er as soon as possible."
Ang Lee cupped his fist and bowed. He was ready to leave.
Gao Lishi nodded lightly. "Okay, then I will have to trouble Li Shaolang. In a few days, I will invite Li Shaolang to my humble home for a gathering."
"Since General invited me, Ang Lee will definitely come. General, please rest. Ang Lee will take his leave."
Ang Lee cupped his fist and bowed. He turned and left.
After Ang Lee left, Gao Lishi stared at Gao Fu. "You are already injured like this. Why aren't you going to see a doctor?"
"Thank you, General, for your concern. Thank you, General."
Gao Fu heaved a sigh of relief. He stood up and went to see the doctor. He felt that Gao Lishi letting him treat his injuries first meant that his trick had succeeded. Gao Lishi could not bear to punish him severely because his forehead was injured.
"Why did you hurt yourself like this?"
After Gao Fu left, Gao Lishi sighed slightly. Although Gao Fu's acting skills were excellent and he had fooled Ang Lee, Gao Lishi could see the flaw at a glance. Whether he was injured by someone or by himself, he could tell from the position and angle of the injury. In Gao Fu's case, it was obvious that he had hit himself.
However, Gao Fu had followed him for decades and had always been loyal, just like how he was to Li Longji. Therefore, he naturally would not expose Gao Fu. Moreover, this kind of thing was not entirely Gao Fu's fault.
Although Yue 'er was stolen and he was very anxious, he knew that it was useless to be anxious. If the Chang' an City Magistrate knew about this matter, he would definitely do his best to investigate. He only needed to wait quietly.
After leaving Gao Lishi's residence, Ang Lee had been thinking about who took Yue 'er away. The Tufan assassins were undoubtedly the biggest suspects. After all, these madmen even dared to assassinate the Queen of the East. What else did they not dare to do?
However, Yue 'er did not have much value. Who could these Tufan assassins threaten by taking Yue' er away? Could they threaten Gao Lishi? Gao Lishi was a cautious and loyal person. He would definitely not be used by the Tufan assassins for Yue 'er, even if he had to lose his adopted daughter.
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