Tang Dynasty: To win Yang Guifei, they asked Emperor Xuanzong to die.

"Hey, tell me, which one is Commander Guo?"

"I think the one who is the tallest and has the fairest skin is the one who looks handsome, dashing, and dignified, just like the image of Guo Jieshi in my mind!"

"No, no, no, I don't think so. This person looks noble and arrogant, he can't possibly be Envoy Guo. Isn't it rumored that His Majesty's eighteenth son, Prince Shou, has also come to our Lingzhou? Maybe it's him, heavens, I've met a living member of the imperial family!"

"Impossible, right? How could His Highness Prince Shou, a woman of noble birth, possibly grace a small place like Lingzhou with his presence? I'm afraid His Highness is still enjoying his retirement in Chang'an, and it's not his place to meet with a commoner like you, Demon..."

The people were chattering away, saying all sorts of things.

Li Mao and his ilk were all unconventional people. Although they found these remarks both amusing and exasperating, they did not blame the common people.

The three of them exchanged glances, laughed loudly, and walked forward.

A moment later, in front of the most luxurious mansion in the center of Lingzhou City.

This was the mansion that Li Longji bestowed upon Guo Ziyi. The mansion covered a vast area, with a towering gate tower and a magnificent presence. Through the cracks in the gate, one could vaguely glimpse the intricately carved screen wall inside, with its complex craftsmanship and some exotic flowers and plants that the people of Lingzhou had never seen before.

Seeing that the group of people were approachable and showed no intention of driving them away, the onlookers became increasingly demanding and followed them all the way here.

At this moment, a number of people had already gathered around the gate, eager to catch a glimpse of the grandeur of Guo Jieshi's new residence.

"What are you looking at? What are you looking at?"

The servants in the manor had already received the news and were preparing to welcome Li Mao, Guo Ziyi, Li Guangbi, and their entourage. Seeing such a large crowd gathered, the steward hurriedly came out to shoo them away: "If you offend any distinguished guests, you'll be punished severely!"

Everyone looked terrified upon feeling threatened.

The way they looked at Li Mao and his group was no longer as curious as before; instead, it was filled with fear and resistance.

Guo Ziyi stepped down from the carriage and bowed to the surrounding people.

His gentle smile instantly won everyone's favor.

Guo Ziyi said, "It's alright, it's alright. The house is here for people to see. It's just a pity that today is unfortunate. I have to entertain guests, so I can't invite everyone to come in for tea and a tour."

Even if Guo Ziyi had invited them, the people wouldn't have dared to actually go in and visit!

But with Guo Jieshi's words, the people felt reassured. Such an approachable official was far better than those previous Jieshi who exploited the people and treated them with condescension.

With someone like Guo Jieshi in charge of Shuofang, everyone's lives are going to be much better from now on...

Although Lingzhou is a city, its remote location meant it was often beyond the reach of the emperor, leading to frequent instances of officials oppressing the people. Furthermore, its proximity to the border meant that foreign invasions could occur at any time, leaving the people with no choice but to suffer in silence, even when wronged.

Unwittingly, Guo Ziyi successfully left a good impression on the people of Lingzhou City.

“Ziyi, I think my previous prediction is about to come true.” Li Mao raised his phoenix eyes slightly, looking at Guo Ziyi with a hint of mischief.

Guo Ziyi led the two inside, not understanding Li Mao's meaning, and asked in bewilderment, "When did Your Highness make such a prediction? How come I didn't know?"

“It was right when we left Chang’an,” Li Mao said bluntly. “Back then, I predicted that you would find a good girl in Lingzhou City and marry her as your wife. Just now, I observed the way those girls outside looked at you, and they were all full of admiration and worship! Your wish to have a wife will soon come true.”

Guo Ziyi was surprised that Li Mao was still waiting for him on this topic.

Her face immediately flushed red, and she scolded, "Your Highness, this matter is still far from certain, how can you speak of it as if it were the truth? Let's not talk about these people anymore, lest Guangbi become a laughingstock for nothing!"

He maintained his dignity in front of his subordinates.

How can he keep talking about women like that? He's still a virgin.

"This humble general wouldn't dare!" Li Guangbi quickly bowed his head in salute, indicating that he dared not mock his superior. However, the slight smile on his lips revealed that he was not as sincere as he seemed.

Guo Ziyi was furious and walked forward with a flushed face.

Li Mao glanced at Li Guangbi and said, "Don't laugh at others for being no better. You've been guarding this place for so long, haven't you found a girl you like? Once Ziyi's marriage is settled, it will be your turn."

Li Guangbi: "..."

He shouldn't have been laughing so happily.

Look, His Highness has his eye on him now too!

Li Mao, Guo Ziyi, and Li Guangbi stayed in Lingzhou City for several days.

During the day, they would discuss matters within the mansion, and at night they would often go out of the city to enjoy themselves.

Although Lingzhou is small, it has several "high-end" consumer venues.

One of these establishments, called "Drunken Red Mansion," was a brothel where people indulged in revelry and glittered with lights every night.

In the evening, the three of them went to Zuihonglou together.

Upon entering, one immediately senses a stark contrast to the rustic charm of Lingzhou City.

Dancers and singers sang and danced gracefully on stage, while guests toasted and drank, creating a lively atmosphere.

When the madam saw the arrival of these distinguished guests, she hurriedly stepped forward to greet them, her face beaming with smiles: "Oh dear, the three of you didn't come yesterday, and the girls have been thinking about you! Well, we've been looking forward to welcoming you gentlemen today. Come in, please come in!"

As she spoke, she led the group through the bustling hall and into the top-tier private room. Li Mao had specially reserved this room for a silver ingot, and it wouldn't be open to other guests for a while, just waiting for the three of them to come and enjoy themselves.

As soon as they sat down, the madam ordered her pimps to bring out the finest wine and delicacies.

Of course, more importantly, they sent over one beautiful woman after another, ostensibly to toast the three of them and add to the festivities.

Actually...

The madam stood outside the window, watching the figures inside clinking glasses and exchanging toasts.

He said with a sigh, "These three gentlemen are always very generous when they come, but they only drink every time. No matter how good the arrangements are, they don't touch the girls. Are they not satisfied?"

Her Drunken Red Pavilion was originally a brothel, and the girls' business was mainly about making money by entertaining customers.

Although the three men are paying more money now, the madam feels it's far from enough.

Just imagine, if such a distinguished person pays so readily for a couple of drinks, wouldn't he make a fortune if he took a fancy to a girl and booked her for ten days or half a month?

Nobody ever complains about having too much money!

A shrewd-looking pimp standing nearby said, "Mama, these gentlemen are all important figures from Chang'an. Chang'an is a prosperous city; what good things haven't they seen? They probably wouldn't even look at the ordinary women here. We'll have to... bring out some killer moves."