Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 81: Attack and Defense Against Aliens (Third update delivered, two more updates this afternoon)
Wang Xi wasn't saying this on purpose to provoke Li Qiao; he genuinely intended to make a big splash. This was his profession, and his interest lay in it. The key was to gain Li Longji's favor through this.

In addition, he had promised his brothers that he would bring in more courtesans.

However, making a promise doesn't necessarily mean it's truly for the sake of a brother.

The meat did indeed rot in the pot, but the problem is, the pot belongs to him.

As the director and screenwriter, if all the people he sexually harassed were men, he might as well be dead. It's all men on top of men, what's the point of living?

Therefore, he had already planned ahead: as soon as he got through this hurdle, he would immediately start expanding his recruitment. He couldn't afford to lose these prostitutes, because once they were gone, they would never come back.

In addition, we need to recruit many more students.

Even a fool would know that after this incident, more people will want to send their sons to Wuming Academy, and this time they will be even more frantic. We must be prepared for that.

However, I must tell Hongxiu that it is actually Hongxiu, not Taomo, who is teaching.

"what?"

Hongxiu's beautiful eyes widened in surprise, "Are we going to hire so many people?"

Tao Mo sighed, “I have always avoided getting involved in court affairs, but the tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease. Now the Ministry of Rites has incorporated my vivid teaching method into the education reform, and many high-ranking officials and nobles have been trying to send their sons here. I’m afraid I can’t stop them this time.”

Hongxiu understood, and nodded gently, saying, "Hongxiu understands."

Tao Mo said, "But I am getting old and my energy is limited. I'm afraid I have to entrust this academy to Hong Niangzi."

Hongxiu hurriedly said, "What virtue or ability does Hongxiu possess to manage this nameless academy? However, this matter has escalated to this point because of Hongxiu, so Hongxiu is naturally responsible."

Tao Mo smiled and said, "Then I'll leave all of this to Hong Niangzi."

Hongxiu nodded and said, "I am honored that you think so highly of me, sir. I am willing to do my best."

The senior student's private lounge.

“In my opinion, we should just invite some courtesans; there’s no need to recruit students,” Li Jieman said seriously.

Wang Xi said irritably, "Aren't you afraid of overeating, you fatso?"

"If I were afraid of overeating, would I be this fat?" Li Jie said, shaking his fat body.

Wang Shuang also said, "I think Xiaoman is right. We built this academy ourselves, so there's no reason for us to let others benefit from it."

Li Jie chuckled and put his arm around Wang Shuang, saying, "Brother Shuang really understands us."

Wang Xi stared at the two of them, his hair standing on end, sensing that there was something going on between them.

Huangfu Sengnian said, "Do you really think this place is a brothel? His Majesty values ​​this matter so much, we can't act so recklessly."

“The monk is right.”

Wang Xi nodded and said, "Although we conquered this academy, it's unreasonable for it to benefit outsiders. However, expanding enrollment is not doing charity, but rather strengthening our power. The more powerful our Wuming Academy becomes, the stronger it will be."

As you all saw this time, if it weren't for Uncle Wang and the others backing us up, it's questionable whether we could have even made it to the main show!

Li Jieman said, "In other words, our enrollment this time depends on our fathers."

"Of course, do you think it depends on skill?"

"I see."

Li Jie nodded. "That's feasible."

To casually mention a hundred courtesans is simply outrageous. Even if the Secretariat were to hold a banquet, it would be impossible for them to casually mention a hundred.

But Li Qiao did not refuse at the time, nor did he even try to bargain, because he thought he could use Wang Xi's offer to test Li Longji.

Let's see just how much Li Longji loved this opera, so we can have a better understanding of his feelings.

"One hundred?" Li Longji was slightly shocked upon hearing this request.

Li Qiao's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly explained, "Your Majesty, please don't be offended. The gentleman is a reclusive master who is unaware of these things. I have already politely declined and will only send ten at most."

Li Longji's expression changed, and he scolded, "Why were you so quick to refuse? They want a hundred, which is a good thing!"

"What a fine thing?"

Li Qiao almost bit his tongue.

"Of course it's a good thing."

Li Longji said, "This proves that they still have a big show to put on, otherwise, why would they recruit so many people?"

After saying that, he suddenly looked at Gao Lishi beside him, "Lishi."

“I am here.” Gao Lishi hurriedly stepped forward.

Li Longji said, "Go and assist Prince Sipu in selecting one hundred palace women from the music academy to go to the Wuming Academy. Remember, choose the best ones."

Li Qiao was startled. A palace courtesan.

The emperor's love for this opera has even exceeded his expectations.

Even Gao Lishi's eyes flashed with surprise, but it was fleeting. He bowed his head and said, "Your humble servant obeys!"

The prostitutes actually managed in the Jiaofang were mostly palace prostitutes, and another part were official prostitutes. Therefore, those who managed the Jiaofang were all eunuchs.

Li Longji suddenly shook his head and hummed, "These golden knees of mine are for kneeling to the emperor above and to my parents below, how could they kneel to a mere county magistrate like you?"

Li Qiao was completely bewildered; why did he suddenly start singing?

After waiting for a while, Li Longji suddenly looked at Li Qiao with a puzzled expression, "Kaishan, it seems you don't know much about this vivid teaching method either!"

"minister!"

Li Qiao then realized that these were lines from a traditional opera. He immediately wanted to slap himself. He hadn't seized this golden opportunity! Ah!

I regret it so much.

Even Gao Lishi, who was standing to the side, felt sorry for you. This was a free opportunity, and you didn't even seize it.

If Li Qiao had continued the conversation just now, given his mastery of music, Li Longji would definitely have wanted to have a few drinks with him.

such a pity!
what a pity!

But you can't blame Li Qiao for that. At the time, he was too nervous to watch the opera, let alone memorize the lines.

It was too late to say anything now, and Li Longji immediately lost interest and told Li Qiao to leave.

What the hell!
Jiang Jiao really understands me!
As the saying goes, fortunes change every thirty years.

In the past few days, Wang Shouyi tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and his hair turned quite white. Now it's the Wu family's turn, and Wu Xin has been living in a daze these past two days.

He still couldn't figure out what was going on.

How did it turn out like this?

A seemingly insurmountable game was lost miserably. Could it really be because of Cao Cao?

He didn't really believe it. He was more inclined to think that the emperor was just arguing with the prime ministers. In that case, there was still a chance to turn things around. So he sent a message to the palace, asking his younger sister, Consort Wu, to find out.

Consort Wu was still deeply favored by Emperor Xuanzong, so he quickly found out the reason. There was only one reason: the emperor loved watching this opera.

Upon learning the reason, Wu Xin turned ashen-faced.

This loss was truly inexplicable, and there's no chance of a comeback.

"What? The reason is...?"

Li Linfu also looked at Wu Xin in disbelief.

Wu Xin closed his eyes and sighed: "There can be no mistake. This is what my younger sister asked Eunuch Gao to tell me. The reason is that His Majesty loves opera very much. He even asked Prince Sipu to select one hundred palace girls from the music academy to assist in teaching at the Wuming Academy."

One hundred palace prostitutes?

Li Linfu immediately gasped.

Is it really that much love?
His meticulously designed trap was thwarted simply because Li Longji was a big fan of that kind of opera.

How could he possibly accept this?

In fact, he suffered even more setbacks than Wu Xin.

He had originally intended to use this incident to curry favor with the Wu family, but now he had lost more than he gained.

Li Linfu asked, still unwilling to give up, "So, how does Grand Master Wu plan to deal with this?"

Wu Xin sighed again, "This matter is beyond redemption."

Li Longji loved her to that extent; to force her would only provoke her greater resentment, so it had to stop there.

Wu Jieyu's letter also advised him to stop thinking about the lively teaching method.

Upon hearing this, Li Linfu knew there was no way to reverse the situation, but he quickly adjusted his mindset. He didn't intend to harm the Wang family, but rather to curry favor with the Wu family. He said awkwardly, "Chancellor Wu, I'm truly sorry, I really didn't expect this."

Wu Xin raised his hand, interrupting him, "Li Zhongyun, don't blame yourself. Not to mention you, no one here expected it. They all thought His Majesty was angry with the prime ministers. It's just that the other party's life wasn't meant to end!"

After saying that, he suddenly asked, "By the way, are you still in contact with Hongxiu?"

Li Linfu hurriedly replied, "Yes, Hongxiu is currently unaware of this."

Wu Xin nodded and said, "Not only have we not sown discord between the Wang family and the outer court, but we've also allowed Li Qiao to secure a lucrative position. All of this is thanks to the Nameless Academy."

Li Linfu understood immediately and said, "Please rest assured, Grand Master Wu, I will have Hongxiu gather information for me inside."

The reason Wu Xin was concerned about Hongxiu's news was because he knew that the current situation was very unfavorable to him. Li Longji had initially assigned him and Li Qiao to be in charge of education reform, and it was clear that his job was better. Who would have thought that a vivid teaching method would emerge, and more importantly, Li Longji liked it very much.

It's easy to imagine that this is a completely different beast in terms of offense and defense.

That's exactly right!
Most officials are like weather vanes, swaying from side to side with the wind.

Loyalty?
Loyalty is like stabbing your heart with a knife.

"Why are you so happy today?" Wang Shouyi asked.

"Haha."

Li Qiao said triumphantly, "Brother Wang, you don't know this, but today I've finally gotten my revenge! Hahahaha!"

"How?"

"His Majesty previously assigned me and Wu Xin to be in charge of education reform at the same time, but everyone flocked to his side, and the officials of the Ministry of Rites barely paid any attention to me. But today, hehe, they all came to my door to curry favor with me. How could I not be happy?"

He spoke with great enthusiasm, but Wang Shouyi listened with envy, jealousy, and hatred. If I could read, what would be the point of you!
"It's a pity I'm slow at learning to read, otherwise I could have helped you in the court."

"Cough cough!"

Li Qiao immediately realized that he had been a bit too complacent and had not considered his brother-in-law's feelings. He quickly said, "Brother Wang, you are not young anymore. You are only starting to study now, so it will naturally be more difficult for you than for young people. You need to be patient."

Wang Shouyi thought to himself, "Does one have to be literate to gain a foothold? I used those stockings before too." Thinking this, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration and said, "Kaishan, I have a plan that can make His Majesty even happier."

Li Qiao hurriedly asked, "What plan?"

Wang Shouyi said, "His Majesty previously created a type of stocking that is very comfortable to wear. Why don't we have the students of Wuming Academy wear these stockings when they perform? His Majesty will surely be even happier when he goes to watch the play."

(End of this chapter)