"Reporting to young master! The gifts have been delivered, "Li Xin, who had hurried back from the east of the city, reported respectfully to Meton.
Modun nodded and chuckled, "I hope Brother Li can understand my painstaking efforts."
Wu Meiniang said unhappily, "That Xiangfu's branch is against us, but master still gives them a generous gift and a high position. Isn't that letting them off too easily?"
"This isn't letting them off easily. As long as Li Yun and his servant bring the three rulers and the two bridge designs back to Xiangfu's branch, it will cause a huge uproar. For a long time, Village Mo has been in the light while Xiangfu's branch has been in the dark. The enemy is in the dark while we are in the light. Village Mo has always been in a passive position. The Wei River Bridge is the bait to lure out Xiangfu's branch," Meton said proudly.
"That is the Wei River Bridge! How can master let outsiders off easily! "Wu Meiniang said unwillingly.
Meton snorted, "Off easily? Do you think the Wei River can't be compared to the Qu River, and the Wei River Bridge can't be compared to the Qu River Bridge? Now the Qu River Bridge has just been built, and the Wei River Bridge is only in theory. The work required is more than tens of millions. Village Mo's foundation in this area is too shallow, and can't compare to Xiangfu's branch that has been immersed in bridge building for dozens of generations. "
Building a bridge across the Wei River required too much bridge knowledge. Any small mistake would cause serious consequences. No matter from which aspect, Xiangfu's branch behind Li Yun was the best choice.
Wu Meiniang was speechless. Village Mo's building of the Qu River Bridge relied on the village's powerful technology, sturdy materials, and Meton's advanced concepts. But in terms of bridge building theory, Village Mo's branch was probably still a novice. They probably couldn't be qualified to build the Wei River Bridge.
"Meton, are you done? We should enter the palace!" At this moment, Princess Changle suddenly came in and said.
Meton stood up and said, "Okay, the Qu River Bridge has been built. I will go and report the good news to His Majesty, and see how much money the imperial court can allocate to build the Wei River Bridge!"
Princess Changle couldn't help but stare at Meton. She really couldn't do anything about Meton and Li Shimin. The father-in-law and son-in-law were born enemies. Li Shimin often tricked his son-in-law, and every time Meton went to see Li Shimin, he would bring some problems that even Li Shimin's head.
"Princess and Prince's and the Prince Consort are back!"
When Princess Changle returned to the palace, the entire palace was in an uproar. During this period of time, Meton and Princess Changle had occupied the headlines of Chang 'an City.
Especially with the popularity of the Legend of the White Snake, Princess Changle's reputation had risen to another level, and she had become an idol in the hearts of women. The battle between the two branches of the Mo Family, the Qu River Bridge test, and the public acceptance of disciples, was even more shocking.
Everyone was shocked. The structure of the Hundred Schools of Thought was indeed extraordinary. Other people would at most win or lose some money in gambling, but the battle of ideas of the Hundred Schools of Thought was actually proven by the bridge test.
"Sister Changle!"
"Brother-in-law!"
A group of princes and princesses gathered around the two of them and chattered non-stop.
"These are the gifts I brought for you!" Princess Changle greeted the group of siblings with a smile and handed out exquisite books to them.
"Wow! The Legend of the White Snake! It even has illustrations! "Princess Jinyang took the books and looked at the exquisite patterns. She could not help but exclaim in joy.
This was a special edition of the Legend of the White Snake printed by the Mo Family, and it was printed with the illustrations specially created by Zi Yi. It was extremely exquisite, and the princes and princesses immediately fell in love with it.
"Meeting at the Broken Bridge!"
"Borrowing an Umbrella from the West Lake!"
"Flooding the Jinshan Temple!"
…
The exquisite illustrations made everyone fall in love with them, and they could not help but hold them in their arms like treasures.
"Brother-in-law, is the bridge you built really that sturdy?"
"Brother-in-law, is the Hedgehog Law real?"
"I also want a steel ruler!"
…
Most of the princesses were gathered by Princess Changle's side. As for the princes, they surrounded Moton, chattering incessantly. Moton's miraculous methods were what attracted them the most.
"When you are free, I can take you to see the Crooked River Bridge in person," Meton said with a smile and responded to the princes one by one.
In the end, Empress Zhangsun and Li Shimin came together and helped them out. "Alright, Meton and Changle have just returned to the palace, so don't disturb them. Go and study your own lessons!"
"I don't want to listen to those professors' lessons. It's boring. How can it be more fun than Brother-in-law's lessons!" Li Zhi said discontentedly.
The professors in charge of teaching the princes were the professors of the Hongwen School. They taught the Four Books and Five Classics or history books and laws every day. It was extremely boring. Compared to the lessons taught by Meton and Wu Meiniang, not only were there practical lessons, but there were also humorous and interesting philosophical stories. It was deep, layered, and interesting. In contrast, Li Zhi was naturally very unwilling to listen to those boring lessons.
Meton heard and could not help but persuade him, "Mohist teachings are mostly very profound and require a certain foundation to learn. Now is the time for you to formally lay the foundation. If you want to learn Mohist teachings in the future, I will naturally teach you everything."
Meton could not help but sigh that Li Zhi was really fearless because of his ignorance. In the future, science knowledge was recognized as difficult. How could it be easier to understand compared to liberal arts? Li Zhi really did not know how lucky he was. He hoped that he would not regret it in the future.
Meton persuaded Li Zhi in every way possible before reluctantly persuading him to leave.
Li Shimin saw all of this and could not help but nod with a smile. He had naturally heard of the content of Meton's lessons. Even he could not help but sigh that Wu Meiniang had indeed met a good teacher. However, the imperial family was different. They pursued Confucian education. If they were to rashly change to Mohist teachings, it would definitely cause a huge uproar. Fortunately, Meton had properly resolved all of this.
"Your Imperial Father and Meton have something to do. You and I, mother and daughter, go and have some intimate words!" Empress Zhangsun had not seen Princess Changle for a long time, so she took the initiative to pull Princess Changle away, leaving Meton and Li Shimin behind.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, this subject was fortunate to not disappoint and has finally completed the Crooked River Bridge!" Meton solemnly said to Li Shimin.
"Good, you did not disappoint Us this time!" Li Shimin had naturally heard of the shocking achievements of the Crooked River Bridge. When he saw Meton build the Crooked River Bridge with his own eyes, he had already been greatly shocked. However, he had not expected the real Crooked River Bridge to be so powerful. At least, the current load of carriages and horses could not pose a threat to the Crooked River Bridge.
Meton couldn't help but show a trace of a proud smile. He suddenly looked at Li Shimin and quickly recovered his serious expression. "Reporting to Your Majesty, since the Crooked River Bridge has proven that reinforced concrete is the best material for building bridges, I think the next bridge can be started."
"The Wei River Bridge!" Li Shimin's breathing suddenly stopped. The majestic bridge in the picture appeared in his mind. When he first saw the diagram of the Wei River Bridge, this bridge had been deeply engraved in his mind and could not be erased for a long time.
As long as the Wei River Bridge was built, there would be no traffic restrictions in Chang 'an City. There was no need for others to explain the benefits. Li Shimin had long been excited.
"How long will it take to complete the bridge?" Li Shimin asked solemnly.
Meton thought and said, "If the Mo Family Village were to build it, it would take at least ten years!"
"Ten years!" Li Shimin couldn't help but exclaim in shock. He had never thought that the Wei River Bridge would take so long.
Meton nodded solemnly. "There has never been such a long bridge in history. Who knows how many difficulties have been overcome. It is already not bad to be able to complete it in ten years."
"But this is too long!" Li Shimin said unhappily.
"But if the Xiangfu Family were to build it, as long as there is enough money from the imperial court, it would take at most five years." Merton said.
"The Xiangfu Family, the descendant of Li Chun!" Li Shimin couldn't help but murmur.
Even he had heard of Li Chun's name. Li Chun was the most famous bridge expert of the previous dynasty. The Zhaozhou Bridge that he supervised was stunning. Countless master craftsmen were impressed.
The Qu River Arch Bridge that his descendant Li Yun supervised was only slightly inferior to the reinforced concrete bridge not long ago. The craftsmanship of the bridge was naturally proven.
"You are pushing the Wei River Bridge to the Xiangfu Family. Are you trying to slack off?" Li Shimin was deeply suspicious of Meton's motives. With his understanding of Meton, Meton's personality would not be able to sit still for a few years of work.
Meton immediately cried out, "Your Majesty, I am innocent! I'm thinking for the imperial court. The Wei River Bridge is very important to Chang 'an, and we can't afford to lose it. The Xiangfu Family has accumulated countless secret bridge building skills. Instead of burying them in the mountains, it's better to use them on the Wei River Bridge. Only then will they not be buried. "
Li Shimin snorted. He naturally knew of the Xiangfu Family's accumulation of bridge building techniques. Moreover, the Wei River Bridge was too important to Chang 'an. If the Xiangfu Family helped, it would be absolutely safe.
"If the Xiangfu Family does not come out of the mountains, you will stay by the Wei River. When the Wei River Bridge is built, you will return to Chang 'an." Li Shimin said coldly.
Meton smiled confidently. "Your Majesty, do not worry. No craftsman in the world can resist the temptation of the Wei River Bridge. This time, the Xiangfu Family will not be able to resist. When the time comes, as long as the imperial court does not drag them down, it will be fine!"
"Two hundred thousand strings of cash!" When Li Shiming thought of the cost of the Wei River Bridge, his heart couldn't help but twitch. The cost of the Wei River Bridge was just too high. After all, the brick road from Chang 'an to Luoyang only cost four hundred thousand strings of cash.
Meton had been working hard to make the imperial court of the Tang dynasty spend money. Seeing Li Shimin's suspicion, he quickly explained, "As the saying goes, a golden bridge, a silver road, and a copper road can build a house. It has always cost a lot to build a bridge. Moreover, the Wei River Bridge is a huge project and requires countless materials and manpower. Two hundred thousand strings of cash is not a lot. Fortunately, the imperial court does not need to pay it all at once. It only needs to be paid in installments within five years."
"Two hundred thousand strings of cash in installments within five years!" Li Shimin was relieved. In this way, the imperial court could afford it.
"Of course, if Your Majesty thinks it is too expensive, the Mo Family Village can pay for the two hundred thousand strings of cash. As long as Your Majesty allows the Mo Family Village to collect bridge tolls from the Wei River Bridge for twenty years." Meton provoked.
"Don't even think about it!" Li Shimin flatly refused. Once the Wei River Bridge was built, it would be the main artery in the north of Chang 'an. There would be endless traffic of pedestrians and carriages every day. Even if each person paid one coin, they could make a lot of money.
Meton could not help but sigh. The Wei River Bridge was the real treasure. Li Shimin would not let it go. Even if the imperial court's finances were tight, he would still support it.
"You have the confidence to build the Wei River Bridge. Is it because of the so-called bank?" Li Shimin's eyes flashed.
The bank of the Mo Family Village was built not far from the Rosefinch Gate. Naturally, it could not be hidden from Li Shimin. Meton nodded and said, "The bank of the Mo Family Village is to facilitate the internal business of the Mo Family Village. However, it is not difficult for the Mo Family Village to make a fortune."
Seeing Meton admit it, Li Shimin could not help but reveal an inexplicable expression. He said, "The Mo Family wants to get involved in the bank business. Have you ever thought about the Qian Family's reaction?"
"The Qian Family!" Meton paused and said in his heart.
"This is an extremely ancient and mysterious Hundred Schools. Although it does not have a good reputation, it is extremely powerful. It hides in all trades and professions, like a gadfly secretly sucking blood to strengthen itself. No matter if it is prosperous or chaotic times, the Qian Family will always exist. Even in the changes of the imperial court, the Qian Family's shadow will always be there." Li Shimin fell into deep thought and said.
Meton suddenly understood and said word by word, "Historical Records, Biographies of Merchants."
The Qian Family was an ancient business, even older than the Hundred Schools of Thought. The real record was in the Historical Records.
Li Shimin nodded and said, "That's right. That was the first time the Qian Family appeared in the world, and also the last time. However, the Qian Family's shadow has never disappeared. "
Meton was shocked. His foundation was still too shallow. He originally thought that the Buddhist School was the mastermind of the Qian Family. However, after coming into contact with the Buddhist School, Meton gradually denied this point of view. However, he did not expect that there was a mysterious Hundred Schools of Thought behind the Qian Family — the Qian Family.
"The bank is not the Qian Family. If the Qian Family wants to fight, the Mo Family will never back down." Meton said firmly.
If the Mo Family wanted to develop, it would definitely be inseparable from the support of a large amount of money. The bank was the most important part of the revival of the Mo Family. No matter who wanted to stop the revival of the Mo Family, they had to go through Meton first.
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