Hidden in the court

At this moment, Ji Mingshang was almost reaching Chang'an City in the northern border.

As for why he hid so far away, it was because his father asked him to assassinate the envoy from the Northern Territory. Otherwise, this father was very bad. He asked him to assassinate Han Gui first, and then the envoy from the Northern Territory. This was because he didn't want Ji Mingshang to live.

I'm afraid that Prince Jin has already made preparations to let Ji Mingshang run wild in the capital. If the emperor tolerates it, he will let Ji Mingshang continue to run wild. If Nangong Lin can't help but kill Ji Mingshang, he will definitely lead his army to rebel under the banner of revenge for his son.

It's a pity that Ji Mingshang got the news in advance and ran away. What if I ask about it later? What mission? I don't know, I didn't hear the news!

Apart from anything else, Ji Mingshang actually ran into someone he knew.

"Aren't you getting married soon? Why did you come all the way here?"

"Young Prince, didn't Brother Yao ask you to bring me news that the two countries are going to trade? I came to see if I can take over some shops."

"Then who are these people and horses..." Ji Mingshang pointed to the hundred or so people and four or five carriages brought by Xie An.

"Boys and silver."

"What? Such a generous sum!" You know, even if these carriages are loaded with copper coins instead of silver, it would still be a huge sum of money.

"As expected of the richest man, he is decisive. Even if other businessmen got the news, they wouldn't dare to do the same." Ji Mingshang couldn't help but sigh, and also had some small thoughts. "Let me discuss something. Lend me some money."

"This..." Xie An was a little embarrassed. He didn't know the prices in Chang'an City when he came out. Even if he knew, he would have to buy as many shops as possible, which was really difficult to borrow money.

Ji Mingshang also noticed his dilemma, "Forget it, forget it, I'll ask your brother Yao to borrow it."

Xie An was stunned when he heard this. In his impression, Zhao Yao didn't seem to be very rich. He went out early and came back late every day to set up a stall. He must be quite poor.

Seeing his expression, Ji Mingshang smiled and said, "You may not understand, let me put it this way, I can visit brothels in Chang'an City without paying just by mentioning his name."

Xie An's mouth twitched when he heard this.

"Alright, alright, go ahead and do your work. I'll go find Lao Zhao myself."

……

Liang Wu, Ministry of Rites

"Alright, alright, we'll just take a loss. The tax on food will be 10% of the tax rate, and the tax on other goods will be 10% of the tax rate. We can't talk about it anymore. Our dynasty is already showing sincerity by disbanding the army."

When Xin Yunian said this, he looked worried, but in fact, he was very happy. He said, "How can you be so talkative? How can I report this to my superiors when I return home?"

Shi Li and other Liang Wu representatives had big smiles on their faces, and even looked at Xin Yunian with a hint of contempt. He was not as eloquent as the rumors said, and we had him in our hands.

Xin Yunian looked at these people with a bit of annoyance on his face, but he sneered in his heart. As the saying goes, you may make a lot of money but I will never lose.

"Then I will take my leave now. I have to go back and report as soon as possible."

Anyway, Xin Yunian couldn't stay any longer. He was afraid he would not be able to hold it if he stayed any longer.

……

Northern Chang'an City

Xie An had not expected that prices in the North would be so low, especially for the restaurant industry. He only sold a few large restaurants, all of which were sold at low prices. In the end, he bought three restaurants with the best locations, and six or seven small restaurants. Although other industries were not as cheap as restaurants, they were cheaper than Liang Wu.

As a result, two or three dyeing workshops, tailor shops, jewelry stores, pawn shops, wineries, drug stores, inns and other industries were all bought.

What he didn't know was that because of the market system and regulations in the North and the competition from all sides, the prices in the North were originally low. In addition, the officials knew that the two countries were about to open trade, and they were all ready to grab the market of Liangwu. The industry of restaurants, which was difficult to relocate, was not popular. You couldn't expect the caravans from the two countries to come to high-end restaurants for dinner.

A saying among officials in the Northern Territory: "The restaurant can only make money, unless we conquer Nanliang tomorrow."

Three days later, many shops in Chang'an City replaced their signs with Suo Ji's, and the three largest restaurants also replaced their signs with Wanhe's.

After arranging his business matters, Xie An also strolled around the city of Chang'an. Suddenly, he saw a constable leading a group of more than a dozen women on the street. These women were all young but had different body shapes. They did not look like prisoners and even had anticipation on their faces.

"Wang Er, can you get a wife today?" An officer joked with a young man in a familiar manner.

Facing the official's teasing, the young man named Wang Er just scratched his head in embarrassment and said, "What are you talking about? There has to be a girl who likes me."

"You said that." After that, he said to the girls beside him, "This is Wang Er from our village. He is shy, but he is a good person. Even if he is not good-looking, he will stand at attention. He is also a famous handsome young man in our area.

The eldest in the family has been married for two years, and the two elders are worried. You don’t have to worry about the conflict between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law. My aunt will definitely treat you like a Bodhisattva..."

I have to say, this is a job that cannot be done without good eloquence.

"Okay, girls, which of you has a crush on him?"

The girls looked at Wang Er. He was indeed handsome and honest. Coupled with the introduction of the official just now, the girls were somewhat moved.

After a while, three girls expressed their willingness to marry Wang Er.

"Hey, you're still a hot commodity, and it's your turn to choose a wife."

……

After a while, Wang Er fell in love with one of the girls.

Seeing that the matter was settled, the officer asked, "Okay, where's your money?"

Wang Er took out thirty coins and gave them to the official, and then took out two taels of silver and gave them to his fiancée. It can be seen that Wang Er's family is not too short of money.

The officer took out a standard marriage certificate with both of their names written on it.

According to the rules, the man has to go home with the girl to meet his father-in-law and mother-in-law. The money given to the woman at this time is considered a gift money. Other betrothal gifts are discussed by both parties themselves, and the wedding is also arranged by themselves.

"Let's go. Remember to invite me to your wedding someday." After saying this, the official continued walking with the team.

Wang Er and his fiancée also walked away side by side, and many people who were watching the excitement also sent their blessings.

Xie An had also seen such government-arranged marriages, but that was when he was a wandering child. Later, this practice was abolished in Liang Wu because the people of Liang Wu believed that it was a symbol of barbarism and uncivilized. What Xie An saw today seemed a little different.

As Xie An was walking, he saw a shop and asked, "Selling candy?"

The shopkeeper saw Xie An and greeted him, "Young man, you are from Nanliang, right? Do you want to buy some candy?"

"How do you know..." Xie An seemed a little surprised.

"Just now, when I saw you outside watching other people looking for a bride, I knew that people here are used to it."

“Really… Um, that’s…”

The shopkeeper followed Xie An's finger and looked, "Oh, that's brown sugar. It came from the Western Regions and hasn't spread to the South yet. This is a good thing. It replenishes qi and blood, strengthens the spleen and warms the stomach, and promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis. Would you like some?"