Li Gongfeng Zunjian:
I haven't seen him for several days, but I just happened to get some rare items from Nanzhao.
Tonight, Three Religions, Su Estate and "Listening Springs Pavilion" are waiting.
The golden thread is a guarantee, and you don't wait when you pass through the door.
Su Yu paused
Looking at the indigo satin gilded invitation in his hand, Li Yan frowned slightly.
He asked someone for help, but did not ask for Golden Swallow Gate.
The reason is very simple. Golden Swallow Gate's approach is too wild. He is engaged in matchmaking and exchanging interests, which inevitably leads to a lot of trouble. Lu Xun from the Ministry of Industry leaked secrets before and has already surrendered to Zhao Qingxu's general manager of the palace to set up a bureau. Golden Swallow Gate is the one who brokered the deal.
Although I was kept in the dark, I was in a lot of trouble afterwards.
So later Su Yu came to ask for help, asking him to intercede with Luo MingZi and show his favor.
If you don't get the benefit, please come to the door first.
After this incident, Li Yan no longer wants to deal with Golden Swallow Gate.
This time, I don't know where the other party got the news from...
But after thinking for a while, Li Yan decided to go to the appointment.
This time he hastily searched for Heaven and Earth Spiritual Treasure, and he must be in debt. He was in a hurry to use it, and if he missed the opportunity, it would be delayed for at least half a month.
Li Yan looked up at the sky and saw the dusk dyeing through the double eaves, then stepped into the gate of Su Garden.
"Young Hero Li, please come this way~"
It was the same waiter who led the way last time, but this time he was more respectful.
Weaving through flowers and brushing willows, the two of them walked around two screen walls, and the sound of water gradually became clearer.
Suyuan is well-known in the upper reaches of the capital, and the scenery inside is naturally extraordinary. Along the cobblestone road, meandering water is drawn from a living spring, making a cool sound in the bluestone grooves, and a few koi carps stir the lotus leaves and create ripples.
In the twists and turns of the corridor, lights flickered, and the sound of silk and bamboo was faintly dispersed into the dusk like light smoke.
"Listening Springs Pavilion" is a small pavilion facing the water. The water pavilion under the corridor is open on three sides.
Li Yan gradually slowed down, and the waiter behind also left calmly.
But I saw a woman in the pavilion tuning the strings with her back, her lotus-colored brocade pleated skirt trailing to the ground, and the gauze between her arms rippled slightly in the evening breeze.
Hearing the footsteps, she turned around suddenly, with a pair of almond-shaped eyes under her willow eyebrows as curved as a crescent moon, and said with a smile, "Farewell to Linqing, Brother Li is really late."
The speaker is none other than Zhao Wan Fang, with a beautiful smile.
"When did you come back?"
Li Yan laughed dumbly and strode into the attic, speaking without any courtesy.
The two of them had weathered the disaster together during the Chang'an period, and both had a grudge against Jianmu. Although Zhao Wan Fang was inevitably changed by the environment after he came to the capital, and he was no longer a small figure like before, but their relationship was not bad.
"I just came back two days ago."
Zhao Wan Fang picked up the porcelain pot on the small red clay stove, "I heard your name before I even arrived in the capital. As expected, you are the center of attention wherever you go."
While speaking, he lowered his eyelashes and poured tea. The amber color Miancha was poured into the azure cup, and the fragrance of tea was thick and refreshing.
"Oh, what's the good view over there in the south?"
Li Yan took a sip of tea and asked with a smile.
Naturally, what he asked about was not the scenery, but the information from the south.
"It's very lively over there."
Zhao Wan Fang did not hide anything. He served the exquisite snacks next to him and whispered, "Since the opening of the sea, many wealthy merchants have opened a large number of workshops. Whether it is silk, tea, or porcelain, a trip to the sea can make dozens of times the profit."
"People in the world of martial arts and Daoist magicians have all been hired with huge sums of money to board the ship. The sea is very lively, and the inland is also uneasy. Greenwood Path everywhere has become lively again. Evil spirits have taken advantage of the opportunity to cause trouble, and manpower is in short supply. The worth of those low-ranking guys in the past has doubled. If you Twelve Yuan Chen go, everyone will definitely invite you..."
Li Yan was stunned, "Is the south so chaotic?"
From what Zhao Wan Fang said, it is completely different from the north.
"The world is like a tide, we just go with it."
Zhao Wan Fang glanced at the door and whispered, "Master troubled you a while ago, and often thought of finding a way to repay me. I heard that you were in urgent need of Spiritual Material, so I asked someone to inquire. Unexpectedly, a noble person took the initiative to invite me, and I set up a line today."
"If you don't want to provoke me, don't say anything later. Master will deal with him afterwards."
"Oh?"
Li Yan was a little surprised, "You Golden Swallow Gate can't afford to offend you, so who is here?"
Zhao Wan Fang didn't say anything, just dipped his fingers in the tea and wrote the word "Zhao De" on the table. He flipped his wrist and quickly wiped it off with a linen cloth.
Sotoku?!
Li Yan frowned when he saw it.
The so-called "Zhaode" refers to Crown Prince Xiao Jingheng.
His title is Zhaode, and he is said to have outstanding literary talent, kindness to others, and is deeply supported by Confucianism people. However, because he was frightened when he was young, he has been in poor health since he was a child and is frail and sickly.
Because of this, the position of crown prince was decided this year.
These matters involving the princes and grandsons are the most troublesome. No wonder Zhao Wan Fang talks like this.
Just as he was about to continue asking, Li Yan moved his nose slightly and looked out the door.
But on the winding path outside the door, next to Taihu Stone's jagged black shadow, there was suddenly a flickering candlelight, accompanied by a faint fragrance. Su Yu, the owner of Su Garden, personally held a lantern and led the way.
Behind him is a thin figure, wearing a white fox fur even though it is early summer.
He wore a jade crown on his head and white clothes. His face looked sick, but his eyes were very soft. There were two people following him.
A tall eunuch helped him carefully.
The other person was a middle-aged scribe with a goatee.
Li Yan hesitated for a moment, but stood up to greet him, cupped his hands and said, "The common people Li Yan have met the prince His Highness."
"Young Hero Li There is no need to be formal."
Zhao De Crown Prince Xiao Jingheng has a clear and elegant voice and a warm smile on her lips.
After the waiter helped him come in and sit down, Su Yu smiled and said, "The fresh food just arrived today, and I was afraid that I would not be able to enjoy it, so I invited Young Hero Li and the prince His Highness to come. I heard from Wan Fang that Young Hero Li is also an expert in food, so tonight will definitely not be in vain."
Li Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, smiled and said, "Senior Su, you're welcome."
As expected of Elder Golden Swallow Gate, these words are very obscure.
It's nothing, it's just a hint of tonight's deal.
But saying this also made Li Yan interested.
The prince came in person. Although he didn't know his purpose, he certainly wouldn't be too stingy...
Su Yu As soon as he finished speaking, several waiters came quickly to serve the food.
This garden is the best in the capital, so the dishes are naturally good.
The white jade basin contains "Snow Hag and Sichuan Shell Soup", the small celadon cup contains "Golden Bird's Nest Porridge", and the "Amber Walnut Cheese" and "Crystal Sheep Dishes" are all placed on the table, all of which are delicious and delicious.
What attracts Li Yan the most is the huge lotus leaf plate in the center.
After opening it, it turned out to be a two-foot-long dragon!
Li Yan was obviously a little surprised when he saw this, "There is also this in the capital, how did it get here?"
This thing is a large deep-sea grouper.
When the prince is attending a banquet, it is nothing to have such a thing, but this is an inland capital city.
"That's not surprising."
Su Yu smiled gently and said, "There are 'chilled ships' along the coast. They are layered with ice and use 'living water tanks'. Together with some Xuanmen secrets, they can rush to Beijing day and night, so the meat can be kept fresh and tender."
"But such a big dragon is the first to survive. When I heard that Minzhou Chamber of Commerce was delivered, I immediately came to ask for it to entertain you two."
Li Yan was speechless, not knowing what to say.
Dragon worms are really nothing in today's coastal areas, but the cost of transporting them to the capital is more expensive than making one with silver. This is obviously a sign of nobility.
After livening up the atmosphere with drinks and food, Su Yu stood up and left with a wink.
As for Zhao Wan Fang, he bowed his head and stood three steps behind Li Yan.
When holding a pot, pouring wine, or serving dishes, the fingertips are as steady as holding a flower, and no trace of water spills over the edge of the cup.
"I would like to propose a toast to the prince."
"Young Hero Li There is no need to be formal. I am not feeling well, so I can only drink tea instead of wine."
"Your Majesty, you're welcome."
"Young Hero Li's name, I have heard of it a long time ago..."
The two chatted while eating and talking to each other.
Li Yan responded with a smile, while also observing secretly.
Just like the rumors I heard before, the prince is in poor health, but his speech is very gentle and polite, which makes it easy for people to like him. No wonder those Confucian scholars support him.
After three drinks, we finally got down to business.
But when the prince clapped his hands slightly, two healthy servants immediately carried the foot-long red sandalwood gilt box outside the door.
The moment the box was opened, a column of Celestial Fiend Qi, which was cold and solid, spilled out.
Li Yan felt a chill in his heart and immediately watched intently.
After the wooden box was opened, a black metal piece as thick as a child's arm was contained inside.
The surface is covered with silver-white textures like broken ice flakes.
Zizzi~
You can vaguely see a faint blue electric light traveling between the cracks.
This is the first time I have seen this magical Spiritual Material, Li Yan. I couldn't help but be surprised and said, "May I ask the prince, what kind of treasure is this?"
"The treasure left by the previous dynasty has been gathering dust in the treasury for hundreds of years."
The prince smiled and said, "There is a record in the Tang Dynasty's "Bo Yi Lu" that says, 'Thunderfall Profound Gold, it eats thunder and hides evil spirits, it is indestructible.' It refers to this object. It was originally a meteorite that fell from the sky. Former Dynasty Da Xing refined it into a statue of Lei Zu and placed it in Jinling Town Pressing Qi for transportation."
"After Jinling City was broken, this object was broken into pieces and placed in Imperial Treasury."
"Oh, it turns out to be this thing..."
Li Yan After listening, I suddenly realized.
He has also heard of this.
The Xuanmen formation in the capital, apart from the various Incense Folk Gods, must also have a counterweight.
What is enshrined in the palace now is "True Martial Demon-Slaying Sword" presented by Mount Wudang. With this sword as the core of the formation, and the incense of Divine Land Sheji, let alone ordinary monks, even the earthly immortals cannot hold it.
Its origin is also related to Sanfeng Ancestor.
As for Former Dynasty Da Xing, it is the statue of Lei Zu enshrined in the Jinling Palace.
It is said that in those days, if any evil spirits dared to enter Jinling City, they would be struck by lightning. The rumors were very mysterious.
Unexpectedly, the prince actually brought something like this, which is no less precious than Flood Dragon Horn.
Seeing Li Yan's appearance, Zhaode Crown Prince Xiao Jingheng also smiled and said, "This material has excellent toughness and can be spun continuously. If it is woven into protective gear, it will solve Young Hero Li's worries."
Li Yan was silent for a moment, then raised his hands and said, "There is no free lunch in the world, what does the prince want?"
This thing is suitable for him, but it is not what he wants because this dead thing will seek refuge with the prince, so he directly points it out and follows the rules of trading among the Youxian team.
Even if you offend the other party, this matter cannot break the precept.
As soon as these words came out, the room was filled with silence.
The tall eunuch serving behind the prince suddenly looked gloomy.
The scribe next to him had a smile on his face, as if he had already guessed.
"Young Hero Li misunderstood."
Zhaode Crown Prince Xiao Jingheng coughed a few times and smiled, "Young Hero Li sabotaged Jianmu Demon Man's plans several times. Although it was a chivalrous act, it also helped the court to overcome the disaster. If we arrive in the capital and cannot even find the materials to refine the magic weapon, wouldn't it make the world laugh at my royal family?"
"I heard that Young Hero Li was looking for Spiritual Material, so I sent someone to find Imperial Treasury. It just so happened that we could use this precious land of the Su family to get acquainted with my young talent Divine Land."
Li Yan was a little surprised and narrowed his eyes slightly. "Is it really a free gift?"
"Be bold!"
The tall eunuch serving next to him immediately said in a deep voice, "The prince went to Imperial Treasury to look for him, and he personally delivered it to your door. I have given you enough face, and you should be polite to people in the world, right?"
Li Yan glanced coldly and was about to fight back.
He is the one who suffers the consequences.
Unexpectedly, Zhaode Crown Prince Xiao Jingheng coughed a few times before the words came out, his face turned pale, and he said dissatisfiedly, "Lu Ling, Young Hero Li has contributed to Divine Land the country, don't talk nonsense, apologize quickly."
The tall eunuch's face flushed red, but he still gritted his teeth, cupped his hands and said, "Young Hero Li, our family has been offended."
"Hahaha..."
The middle-aged scribe also smiled and said, "Young Hero Li No wonder, Eunuch Lu is also a sweet-tempered man. He is not in the palace all year round. You will naturally know it when you get to know him well in the future."
Li Yan frowned slightly, "What do you mean?"
The middle-aged scribe stood up with a smile and cupped his hands and said, "I haven't introduced you yet, Chen Wenxian, from Minzhou, is now the chief historian of the Crown Prince's Mansion, and is also responsible for taking over Royal Fleet."
Minzhou, surnamed Chen, took over Royal Fleet...
Li Yan When he heard this, he immediately made some guesses in his mind.
The surname Chen from Minzhou belongs to the Minzhou Chamber of Commerce family and is also the main force of Open Sea Faction.
Royal Fleet There has been no news since the accident overseas. I heard that it was meant to be handed over to the prince.
It seems that with Prince Yan having an accident and being ordered not to leave the house, the battle for the crown prince is no longer in suspense.
Open Sea Faction started placing bets, and with the support of Confucianism, the prince's position was immediately stabilized.
Taking over Royal Fleet is probably the right given by the emperor.
Seeing that Li Yan was silent, Chen Wenxian didn't care. After sitting down, he smiled and said, "Young Hero Li, don't misunderstand me. The prince gave you the treasure because he sincerely appreciates the young hero, but I came here shamelessly and wanted to take the opportunity to negotiate a deal with Twelve Yuan Chen."
"Oh?"
Li Yan narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a deep voice, "What kind of deal?"
Chen Wenxian's face also became serious, and he said, "Royal Fleet was in an accident. Although most of them escaped, there were also several treasure ships that were sunk by Frankish people. There are crucial things on them. I would like to ask Twelve Yuan Chen to go out to sea with the ship and salvage these things."
Li Yan was a little confused, "I'm afraid it has been taken away by Frankish people, right?"
"It would be better if that were the case."
Chen Wenxian shook his head and said, "The place where the ship sank has an abnormal climate all year round and constant storms. We have received news that something strange happened in the sea. The Frankish fleet went to salvage it, but no one in the entire fleet survived."
"Later, several Japanese pirate fleets also went there, but they never returned."
Li Yan After hearing this, he immediately hesitated.
This sounds very dangerous as soon as I hear it. They Twelve Yuan Chen are on land all year round, so they may not be able to do anything when they enter the sea.
"It's not urgent."
Chen Wenxian said, "Young Hero Li can think about it and reply later."
After saying that, he winked, got up and left with the prince.
Not long after leaving Su Yuan, the tall eunuch Lu Ling became dissatisfied and said, "Prince His Highness, these people in the world are acting unscrupulously. With your rich body, there is no need..."
"Eunuch Lu, you don't understand."
Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Chen Wenxian.
He looked at the prince with a smile, "His Highness, do you know why I want you to come?"
Crown Prince Xiao Jingheng thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Young talents, of course I want to meet you."
"No."
Chen Wenxian shook his head and said, "He has quite a lot of connections. Mystic Sacrificial Official Minister Pei and the Ministry of Industry Minister Han have all requested His Majesty to open Imperial Treasury to him and find a suitable Spiritual Material."
"Spiritual Material is precious, but since both adults have spoken, it is not difficult. However, His Majesty refused and instead sent this item to the Crown Prince's Mansion. Do you know what it means?"
Crown Prince Xiao Jingheng slightly raised his hand, "Please give me some advice, sir."
This is why he is highly respected by Confucianism.
The prince's qualifications are not top-notch, but he is kind-hearted and able to listen to advice.
Chen Wenxian also quickly handed over his hand and said in a low voice, "I heard something. After seeing Li Yan, many Daoist masters called him a master. However, he is proud of his humanity and does not want to enter the court."
"His Majesty is old, and Huo Yin is also old. His Majesty knows the prince's kindness, so he sent the things to the Crown Prince's Mansion."
"Only when the royal family has the help of a master can they be able to defeat those people."
"Congratulations to Prince His Highness, His Majesty is already paving the way for you..."