Ang Lee's public auction of the battery technology was half a month after the start of the court session. This gave the nobles plenty of time to prepare. Not only did the nobles in Chang 'an City have time to prepare, but even the merchants and nobles in faraway places like Luoyang City had ample time to prepare.
After realizing the market potential of the battery technology, many nobles and merchants were eager to get their hands on this technology so that they could earn more money.
Therefore, during this period of time, Chang 'an City was filled with busy merchants and nobles. All kinds of technologies were being used incisively and vividly. Ang Lee became a spectator.
The public auction was getting closer and closer. There were only about three days left. Ang Lee didn't have much to prepare. As usual, he was tinkering with some mechanical parts in the R&D Center. From time to time, he would instruct the craftsmen to develop new products. His days were quite peaceful.
"Assistant Minister Li, someone is looking for you."
One of the craftsmen walked over and gave him a reminder before leaving to do his own work. This was Li An's rule. When working, the craftsmen had to focus on their work. There was no need for too much etiquette. It was a waste of time.
Li An raised his head and saw an old man walking over from not far away. His body looked quite healthy, and he even looked a little handsome. He was simply an old handsome guy!
He looked familiar, but because of the distance and the fact that Ang Lee had been away for more than a year to establish the Maritime Silk Road, he couldn't remember who this inconspicuous old man was.
After walking a little closer, Li An could see clearly that it was the old man, Dragon General Chen Xuanli. He usually liked to wear military attire or armor. His scholarly attire was really not Chen Xuanli's style. Moreover, he was such a high official, but he did not bring a large number of guards with him when he went out. There were only two guards outside the door who were also dressed in cloth clothes.
"Oh, what happened to the General? You've become a scholar. I almost didn't recognize you."
Ang Lee took the initiative to greet him. Who asked this old man to be his elder? The necessary etiquette was necessary.
Chen Xuanli looked around and said, "Is Assistant Minister Li free? I have some matters to discuss with you. "
"Aiya! There are too many people looking for me these days. Don't tell me you're also interested in the battery? "
Ang Lee knew that Chen Xuanli was not at that level, so he dared to say it out loud.
Chen Xuanli glared at Ang Lee and said disdainfully, "Why would I do something so troublesome? This old man is a rough man. Other than leading troops to war and protecting the safety of the Son of Heaven, I really can't do any other work, so I won't be envious. "
"Oh, it seems that I misunderstood you. Tell me! Why are you looking for me? "
Ang Lee was too lazy to beat around the bush and asked directly.
Chen Xuanli extended his hand and said, "There are too many people here. Let's go inside and talk!"
After saying that, he walked directly to Ang Lee's office. He had been here several times, so he naturally knew where Ang Lee's office was.
Looking at the sturdy back, Ang Lee was very suspicious. At this juncture, he really didn't know why Chen Xuanli was looking for him. Moreover, he was so secretive, as if he was afraid that others would hear.
However, no matter what, since General Chen was here, Ang Lee still had to accompany him. What if it was really something important?
"Old Chen! What is it? You can say it now. "
The moment Li An entered the room, he closed the door behind him.
Chen Xuanli sighed and said, "It's about the battery."
"Stop, didn't you say it just now? You weren't interested in the battery workshop, but you changed your mind in the blink of an eye. Is it because there were people beside you just now? You're embarrassed. However, even if you are interested, there's nothing you can do. This is a public auction. No one can cheat. "
Ang Lee said firmly. After saying that, he raised his forehead slightly, showing an uncompromising attitude.
Chen Xuanli was speechless. He said unhappily, "I'm a rough man. Every word I say is a nail. Am I as sinister as you said?"
Ang Lee saw that the situation didn't seem right. After thinking for a while, he still couldn't figure it out. He paused and said, "Old Chen! Do you think I don't know you? I'm just joking with you. What's the situation? Just say it! If you're a straightforward person, don't beat around the bush. "
"It's the imperial concubine's sisters who took a fancy to this battery workshop. Then, you should be able to guess what happened. Do I still need to say more? You're so smart. "
When Chen Xuanli said the last two "smart", his tone was really sour.
Is Ang Lee really smart? He is indeed smart. Very smart. Otherwise, how could he invent so many machines? Moreover, Chen Xuanli had already said it very clearly. As long as Ang Lee wasn't an idiot, he would be able to understand the crux of the matter.
It was probably the Yang sisters who took a fancy to this battery workshop. However, considering that there would be an open competition, they couldn't guarantee a hundred percent chance of winning. Therefore, they told the imperial concubine their intentions. Yang Yuhuan naturally sided with her sisters. Therefore, she whispered into the emperor's ear and asked the emperor to give an edict to let the Yang family manage the battery workshop.
If it was in the past, if Yang Yuhuan had any request, the emperor would definitely agree. As long as it could make his imperial concubine happy, he wouldn't even frown no matter what price he had to pay.
However, it was different this time. In the imperial court, Li Longji had already said that he would let Ang Lee be fully responsible for this matter. He wouldn't have any interference. If he gave an edict to let the Yang family take over this business, wouldn't he be slapping his own mouth? Even ordinary people would abide by a gentleman's words, let alone the emperor. A monarch wouldn't go back on his words.
However, the imperial concubine had already whispered to him. If the emperor didn't express it, it would make the imperial concubine unhappy. If she was angry and refused to sleep with him, then Old Li would suffocate to death. Therefore, this task was handed over to Chen Xuanli to complete. Chen Xuanli came over to convey his opinion and let Ang Lee do as he saw fit.
"Oh, it turns out that the Yang sisters took a fancy to this business. However, His Majesty has already let me be fully responsible. I have also told everyone that there will be an open competition this time. If I go back on my words, how can I face others in the future? Unless His Majesty gives an edict, then it has nothing to do with me."
Ang Lee said with a helpless face. His attitude was a little stubborn.
Chen Xuanli suddenly laughed and said loudly, "You are afraid of going back on your words, but isn't His Majesty afraid? When His Majesty went to court, he also said that he would let you be fully responsible. If you are unwilling to go back on your words, then you must let His Majesty go back on his words and give this business to the Yang family. "
After that, he looked at Ang Lee sympathetically.
This was a dead knot. Between Ang Lee and the emperor, one of them had to go back on his words in order to smoothly hand over the battery business to the Yang family. However, whether it was the emperor or Ang Lee, they were not the kind of people who were willing to destroy their own image. Especially the emperor, who was the symbol of the empire. If he went back on his words, what would the civil and military officials think? What would the people think? What would the friendly countries think? What would the friendly countries think? What would the emperor look like?
And Ang Lee, as a very prestigious person in the Tang dynasty, naturally had to pay attention to his image. Moreover, a lot of things had been said very clearly. If he went back on his words, he had to give an explanation to the people. How could Ang Lee explain this kind of thing?
Could he tell everyone that it was the emperor who asked him to do so? Could he tell everyone that it was the emperor who was influenced by the imperial concubine and wanted to hand over this profitable business to the Yang family? Was he an innocent person?
If he really said so, the people in the world would be satisfied. However, the emperor, imperial concubine, and the Yang family would be angered to death. At least, they would be angered half to death. In this way, Ang Lee's good days would come to an end.
Because even if the people in the world believed him, the emperor would not admit it. He would only say that Ang Lee was talking nonsense and slandering the emperor. In this way, Ang Lee would be sent to prison, and even his life would be in danger.
Since ancient times, there had been a good saying, "Accompanying the emperor is like accompanying a tiger." It meant that it was too dangerous to get along with the emperor. A little carelessness could lead to a fatal disaster. Moreover, the danger came from all directions, making it impossible to guard against.
For example, the emperor had said that he would let Ang Lee be in charge of the battery project this time in front of all the civil and military officials. Ang Lee also made it very clear in front of all the civil and military officials that he wanted a fair competition. If he went back on his words, either the emperor or Ang Lee would speak. In short, one of the two had to go back on his words. This was a hurdle that could not be escaped. No other excuse could be trusted. After all, in the entire Tang Empire, no one could control Ang Lee and the emperor.
Ang Lee was very unwilling to go back on his words and ruin his reputation, and the emperor could not make such a mistake. In ancient society, the emperor was a god-like existence, a typical example of high status. How could he make a mistake?
This dilemma made Ang Lee very upset, and Chen Xuanli, who was in front of him, naturally understood this. Although he was a rough man who was responsible for the security of the capital all day long, he was very clear about the big and small things that happened in the imperial court and the capital. Nothing could be hidden from his eyes and ears.
Therefore, at this moment, he sympathized with Ang Lee very much. However, sympathy was sympathy, and he had no way to help Ang Lee. The task given to him by the emperor was to convey the emperor's message. If he dared not to do so, he would be guilty of deceiving the emperor. As an old official trusted by the emperor, he could not do so.
"Old Chen! Of course, it is not a good idea to let the emperor go back on his words. It is also not a good idea to let me go back on my words. We should think of a way to satisfy both sides. Is there no better way? "
Ang Lee said with a pained expression.
Chen Xuanli patted Ang Lee's shoulder and said, "It's not that there is no other way. There is a third way, which is to disobey the emperor's order. We will report to the emperor and explain the severity of this matter, and beg the emperor to take back his order. Other than the emperor, only the two of us know about this matter. I will plead with the emperor with you. Even if I lose my position as the Grand General, I will help you."
After saying this, Chen Xuanli's face was filled with the spirit of brotherhood. It was obvious that he sincerely wanted to help Ang Lee, and he did not waste his friendship with Ang Lee.
At the same time, Ang Lee could also see that Chen Xuanli was dissatisfied with the Yang family. Otherwise, he would not take such a big risk to help him. This also reflected that the Yang family was too ostentatious, and many people were dissatisfied with them.
Ang Lee held Chen Xuanli's hands in excitement and nodded, "Great minds think alike. I can only think of this idea. It seems that the only way is to disobey the emperor's order. However, this is my matter. How can I bear to let Old Chen take the risk with me? Forget it! "
"Hmph, what are you talking about? Do I look like a disloyal person? If I didn't know about this matter, it would have been fine. But now that I know, I can't pretend that I don't know. I will take care of this matter. Isn't it just the position of the Grand General? I don't believe that the emperor can kill me. "
Chen Xuanli said emotionally.
Looking at the emotional Chen Xuanli, Ang Lee suddenly felt that something was strange. He felt that something was wrong, but he could not figure out what was wrong. It was as if he had overlooked something.
"What's wrong? What are you thinking? If you want to meet the emperor, I can lead the way. "
Chen Xuanli looked at the frowning Ang Lee and said.
The corner of Ang Lee's mouth twitched a few times. He looked at Chen Xuanli and asked, "You have served the emperor for so many years. The emperor should know your temper. Moreover, why would he let you, the Grand General, pass on such a matter? No matter what, it should be Gao Gong and the others who pass on the message! Although the emperor trusts you, it is Gao Gong and the others who are by his side every day! In the past, if the emperor had any orders, he would let the people around him pass on the message. This is the first time he has asked a general to pass on a decree! "
It was obvious that Ang Lee had thought of the strangeness of the problem. In the past, it was always the eunuchs who passed on the decree. Gao Lishi had also come a few times. The emperor would usually send the eunuchs to pass on the message. There was no need for a general to pass on the message, and it was also very inappropriate.
Chen Xuanli was slightly taken aback. He frowned and thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "It seems that something is not right. The emperor gave this task to me in front of the imperial concubine. Gao Gong was not far away at the time and should know about this matter. Why did he ask me to complete this task?"
After thinking for a long time, Chen Xuanli continued, "Perhaps this is the emperor's intention. He wants me to plead with the emperor to retract the order. This way, the emperor will have a way out. If he did not complete the imperial concubine's task, he will be able to answer to her."
Ang Lee smiled and nodded. He said, "What you said is very reasonable. That is more or less what the emperor is thinking. However, I'm afraid that just disobeying the order is not enough. There needs to be a better way, a way to appease the Yang family."
"It seems that Assistant Minister Li has a way?"
Chen Xuanli asked when he saw Ang Lee smile.
Ang Lee thought for a moment and said, "There will definitely be a way. There is no rush, there is no need to rush."
"If that is the case, how do I report to the emperor when I return?"
Chen Xuanli asked.
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