But just three days ago, the house was suddenly sold, and at a high price.
The price Guo Kai had offered was only five thousand gold, but he paid ten thousand gold directly for the purchase. This was such generosity...
At that time, Guo Kai just thought that the opponent was playing a trick on him, but when the box containing 10,000 gold really appeared in front of him today, he really believed that someone really bought the house for more than twice the price.
"Sir, that man calls himself Yang Chong and speaks with an accent from Han and Wei. Combined with his various characteristics and the news we've received recently, that man's identity matches the general of Han State." The butler who delivered 10,000 gold to Guo Kai replied.
He was very fond of the wealthy man who bought the house at a high price, so there was an extra bag of one hundred gold in his house.
No one dislikes money, including Guo Kai and his housekeeper.
"The Korean general Yang Chong? I've heard of this name. A man who quickly ascended to the position of general, but resigned from the position of general even faster. Interesting, interesting." Guo Kai pondered.
What does it mean to spend 10,000 gold to buy a house that is worth no more than 5,000 gold? Guo Kai felt that he had figured it out, and then he felt that all the hairs on his body were relaxed.
Although he was greedy for money, others were happy to bribe him because he really gave back. If someone only took the money but didn't do anything, who would give him money in the future? Although Guo Kai was greedy, he really did things.
But now Yang Chong used 10,000 gold to buy a house that he couldn't sell. Guo Kai had already thought about what this meant, and he found Yang Chong's unique way of bribery very interesting. Compared with those who gave money directly, Yang Chong's way of bribery was much more interesting.
"Tell me, why did this former great general of the Kingdom of Han give me so much money? What does he want from me?" Guo Kai stroked his short beard. He looked quite good. After all, as a former follower of King Zhao Yan, it would be unacceptable if he was too ugly.
"Yang Chong said he wanted to make friends with the prime minister." The butler was willing to help Yang Chong after receiving the money. After all, he was also deeply influenced by Guo Kai. The saying "Birds of a feather flock together" applies to him and Guo Kai.
"It turns out that my friend is so valuable!" Guo Kai laughed when he heard this. Although he didn't know Yang Chong yet, he had decided to make friends with Yang Chong.
For the sake of ten thousand gold.
Chapter 189 Guo Kai: I also have the talent to serve the country!
Handan, Yang family.
The house that once belonged to Lian Po was naturally not small. Although it had been in Guo Kai's hands for several years and no one had lived here during this period, Guo Kai, as a businessman who abided by the rules, had been maintaining and repairing the house in order to sell it at a good price. Therefore, Yang Chong's family moved in directly after paying the money.
"Ten thousand golds were spent just like that. You really don't blink an eye. But, is Guo Kai really worth ten thousand golds?" Zi Nu, who was assigning various tasks, felt heartbroken when she saw several boxes of gold missing. If this money was left to Zi Lan Xuan, it would take a lot of effort to earn it. But Yang Chong gave it directly to Guo Kai.
"After all, it was stolen money. It belongs to other people anyway, so I don't feel bad at all when I spend it."
"Guo Kai is priceless. Miss Zinu, don't be so obsessed with money. The old must go before the new can come. Money is valuable only when it is spent. If you just put it in the box, it will be nothing but dead things." Yang Chong didn't feel sorry at all.
Just as Zi Nu said, the money was robbed. It was Han Wangan's money anyway, so why should he feel sorry for it? Besides, Guo Kai was indeed worth the price.
"Okay, as long as you are happy. It's your money anyway." Zi Nu was too lazy to say more. It was Yang Chong's money anyway. Yang Chong could spend it however he wanted. However, Yang Chong had bigger plans for the future, so everything had to be done slowly and steadily.
"You are becoming more and more like a housekeeper." Zi Nu let Yang Chong go, but Yang Chong didn't want to let Zi Nu go easily, so he started teasing her.
"You..." Zi Nu was furious. Yang Chong was really ungrateful.
Thinking of this, Zi Nu was a little depressed. She had lived a good life before, so why did she have to find a man for herself? Now, she was destined to be bullied in the future.
"Are you angry already? Zi Nu, you are still so narrow-minded." Yang Chong did not know how to stop when he was ahead. He liked to see Zi Nu's glaring look at this moment.
Who would have thought that Miss Zi Nu, who was so kind and tolerant in front of all her sisters, actually had a petty side. This made Yang Chong very proud, because he was the only one who could see this side of Zi Nu, and only he could see the truest side of Zi Nu.
"Do you think I will be fooled? Don't you just want to see me make a fool of myself? I won't do as you wish." Zi Nu glanced at Yang Chong. She knew Yang Chong's bad taste very well.
"That's really a pity." Yang Chong walked out of the hall in the blink of an eye. The reward for his ten thousand gold coins was about to come. What he had to do next was to use Guo Kai's power to get the Shangrao lands, and then rebuild the Northern Capital of the Five Capitals of Qi State and sit on the position of the Lord of the Northern Capital.
"Guo Kai was able to force Lian Po to leave Zhao State. He is not an ordinary person. You have to be careful." Zi Nu reminded Yang Chong as he looked at his departing back.
Zhao State is not Han State. This country that can become a rival of the nobles has stronger power, both in terms of military and underworld power.
"I'm not a good person either. As long as my bottom line is as low as Guo Kai's, he is my good friend." Yang Chong was not at all concerned. If it weren't for Guo Kai, Yang Chong would never come to Zhao State. Guo Kai was the perfect tool for Yang Chong to pry open Zhao State, and Zhao State was the place where Yang Chong truly rose.
"But you are not a person like Guo Kai after all." Zi Nu said to herself. At this time, Yang Chong's back had disappeared from her sight.
In the Prime Minister's Mansion, there were lights and decorations, as well as singing and dancing.
Zhao Nuyan was good at singing and dancing. Although the singing and dancing of Yan State were already good, the story of learning to walk in Handan was eventually spread, which shows that Zhao Nuyan's singing and dancing skills were extraordinary.
The Zhao girl who was recruited by Guo Kai into his mansion was the best in the Zhao State's singing world. At this moment, she was dancing gracefully and beautifully in the hall of the Prime Minister's Mansion.
"When I first heard that there was someone who was willing to give up the position of the General of Han, I thought that person was just one of those people who were not interested in fame and fortune. I never thought that he would come to Handan and give me such a big gift. That is to say, he has no intention of leaving the world. So he came to Zhao with more plans, things bigger than the General of Han. And in Zhao, what else can compare with the General of Han? There are some, but not much." Guo Kai pondered, trying to analyze Yang Chong's real purpose.
Unfortunately, since Yang Chong came to the Prime Minister's Mansion, he accepted all the hospitality he was supposed to receive, but he never mentioned his purpose, as if the 10,000 gold he had given before was purely for the purpose of making friends.
"Brother Yang, what do you think of our Zhao country's songs and dances?" Guo Kai, who was unable to figure out Yang Chong's purpose for the moment, took the initiative to speak.
"She is worthy of the title of unrivaled in the world." Yang Chong praised sincerely. He was not guilty at all. The beauties of Zhao State were famous all over the world. Some stories only happened in Korea, which made Korea seem to have more beauties.
But in fact, there was no country in the seven kingdoms of the world without beauties, let alone the big country Zhao.
"I think so too. However, these dancers are all captive canaries. Although they are exquisite, they lack spirit and charm. We still have to look outside for real singing and dancing." Guo Kai continued on the topic of dancers.
“The real master of singing and dancing is indeed Lingyun’s number one.” Yang Chong also affirmed. In the city of Handan, although there are many dancers, there is only one who can be truly called unparalleled in the world. However, at this point in time, that person may not have made her debut. However, Yang Chong is not in a hurry, as he still has a long time in Zhao State in the future.
"But such a woman is rare in the world, and only a powerful person has the opportunity to get involved." Guo Kai continued to test Yang Chong. Now he was sure that Yang Chong gave up the power of the general of Han State in order to pursue greater power in Zhao State.
In the current Zhao State, as the prime minister, he forced away Lian Po, the number one military figure, and is already the real number one person in the dynasty. As for Li Mu, he is still guarding the northern border. Although Li Mu defeated the Wolf Clan in the northern border ten years ago, that was just the Wolf Clan. Even the Yan State could defeat the Wolf Clan. Although Li Mu's achievements are not small, he has not yet been truly deified. The title of the God of Army will need to be forged with the blood of 100,000 Qin troops in the future.
"That's why everyone likes power." Yang Chong responded. Didn't he come to Zhao State from afar just to pursue power?
"Does the world I understand include you?" Guo Kai said seriously. He knew that Yang Chong was going to reveal his real purpose.
"Of course." Yang Chong admitted it directly.
"The power of ten thousand gold is enormous. What do you want to exchange from me?" Guo Kai looked at Yang Chong. He knew that the real deal between them was about to begin.
He had no relationship with Yang Chong, but Yang Chong was eager to give him money. How could Guo Kai not know the reason?
But since it is a transaction, we must be open and honest and each party must state their own conditions.
"I want to ask the Prime Minister for a piece of land." Yang Chong said. Since Guo Kai was so straightforward, there was no need for him to hide it.
"How could the great general of Han State also be interested in a piece of land of Zhao State?" Guo Kai asked playfully.
Although Han is only a county now, it is still a country after all. The general is ranked first among the military generals and is considered to be in a high position of power. Guo Kai still understands the principle of "it is better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of an ox". However, what Yang Chong is doing now goes against this common sense, which makes Guo Kai even more curious.
"The growth of a piece of land is just the beginning. What I want is a country." Yang Chong said.
"A country?" Guo Kai's expression condensed, and there was more scrutiny in his eyes when he looked at Yang Chong.
What exactly was he going to do? Did he have other plans for Zhao? Or did he look down on the generals of a small country and wanted to become the general of a big country? Guo Kaixin's mind turned, trying to analyze Yang Chong's purpose, but it seemed that no matter how he explained it, it didn't quite conform to human logic.
"The Prime Minister may not know that I have another surname." Yang Chong said with a smile.
"What is it?" Guo Kai asked. He had realized that the final answer might lie in Yang Chong's surname.
"The surname Jiang, the surname Lu."
"Is it that Lu from Jiang family?" Guo Kai looked shocked and unbelievable.
"It's the Jiang family and the Lu family." Yang Chong said affirmatively.
"Hiss!" Guo Kai couldn't help but gasp. He had already thought of a possibility. The place Yang Chong was talking about was indeed a place, but the country he was talking about was not Zhao, but Qi.
Guo Kai dismissed many dancers and musicians, and looked at Yang Chong with eager eyes. He asked quickly, "Are you a descendant of Qi's Lu family? Is Qi the country you are plotting against?"
Over the years, Zhao State suffered huge losses in the war against Qin State. The people of Zhao State have been thinking about how to quickly expand the national strength to counter the attacks of Qin State.
However, improving national strength is not something that can be achieved overnight. In addition to domestic development, annexing the territory and population of other countries is the most effective means. Therefore, over the years, Zhao State has been constantly encroaching on the territories of Yan State and Qi State for this purpose.
In the past few decades, Zhao State had taken over Jibei area of Qi State, seized Beidu and Xidu among the five capitals of Qi State, and successively set up Pingyuan, Hejian and other places. In two years, it also seized Raoan and other places of Qi State, expanding Zhao State's territory in the east to the coast of the sea in one fell swoop.
But Zhao's expansion towards Qi almost ended here, because if Zhao continued to expand towards Qi, it could only cross the Ji River and go towards Linzi. Although Qi had been cowardly over the years, it still had the foundation of a great power. If Qi was really pushed into a corner, Zhao would not be in a good situation either, after all, there was a powerful Qin to the west of Zhao.
Therefore, according to the discussion between King Yan of Zhao and Guo Kai, Pang Nuan and others, the expansion direction of Zhao State in the next few years can only be Yan State, which is the most appropriate choice.
But Yan State is not Qi State after all. In terms of population and resources, it is far inferior to Qi State. If Qi State is a piece of fat meat for Zhao State, then Yan State can only be a piece of bone that is not so difficult to chew. The meat is limited, but it is barely edible.
But now Yang Chong has appeared and said that he is a descendant of the Lu family of the Jiang clan of Qi State, which forced Guo Kai to start making associations.
In particular, Yang Chong also said that he wanted to rule the country.
As the name suggests, with Yang Chong's status, the only country he can target is Qi. If Zhao supports Yang Chong, a former member of the Qi royal family, and then attacks Qi, there should be great potential, right?
At the right time, Zhao would be able to intervene in the internal struggle of Qi without paying much of a price or giving other countries an excuse.
At that time, if Yang Chong won, he, who was supported by the State of Zhao, would have no choice but to turn to the State of Zhao. If Yang Chong failed, the loss of the State of Zhao would not be much, at most it would be just a little investment, and the land and population for the investment were all previously snatched from the State of Qi.
Guo Kai analyzed the pros and cons and became more and more excited. Zhao's expansion against Qi had reached its limit, but the appearance of Yang Chong gave Zhao a legitimate reason to attack.
"Which piece of land do you want?" Guo Kai asked. He couldn't wait to know Yang Chong's request and then persuade Zhao Wangyan. Then he might be able to make an unprecedented contribution.
"Two years ago, the State of Zhao captured the nine counties and twelve cities of Raoan." Yang Chong said frankly.
Raoan is located to the north of the Ji River, facing the sea to the east and facing Linzi across the Ji River to the south. It has the benefits of fishing and salt production and a population of over 100,000. If Yang Chong uses this as his base and has the support of Zhao, Qi will be in chaos, and that will be Zhao's opportunity. The key is that Zhao does not have to pay any price.
Thinking about the investment and possible returns, Guo Kai was excited.
The whole Zhao State said that he was a minister who was promoted by luck, with no real talent or knowledge, and was only good at flattery. Guo Kai was very unwilling to accept such an evaluation, and now he was about to do something big.
He wanted to prove to the people of Zhao that he, Guo Kai, was also a man with the talent to serve the country.
"This piece of land is fertile." Guo Kai said. Although he had made up his mind to take Yang Chong's deal, he was unwilling to miss the opportunity to continue to make money. He also wanted to squeeze more money from Yang Chong.
After all, Yang Chong has already taken out 10,000 gold. How do we know that he doesn’t have a second 10,000 gold?
"If the Prime Minister can make this happen, I am willing to give him another ten thousand gold coins." Yang Chong, who knew who Guo Kai was, was very generous. For him at this moment, any problem that could be solved with money was not a problem.
"I said this for the sake of Zhao State. I'm definitely not greedy for your 10,000 gold." Yang Chong's straightforwardness and generosity made Guo Kai very satisfied. No matter how this matter developed in the future, he had already made a profit now.
"Everyone in Handan knows that the Prime Minister is the confidant of King Zhao. He is a truly loyal person and the most mature person who plans for the country." The money had been paid, so Yang Chong was naturally not stingy with the free flattery.
"Many people from Zhao have misled me, but it is Brother Yang who understands me!" The more Guo Kai looked at Yang Chong, the more he liked him. So he even called him brother.
"Most people in the world are foolish, and only a few of them grasp the truth." Yang Chong was extremely annoyed at this moment, but there was no other way. In order to achieve his goal, he had to be fully hypocritical.
After all, it's just moving your mouth and saying something against your will.
"That's right." Guo Kai laughed, and he and Yang Chong felt like they had known each other for a long time.
These two men, neither of whom was a gentleman, quickly became good friends.
Chapter 190 The Energetic King Zhao Yan
On the way to the Zhao Palace, Guo Kai was very excited. He knew that his time to make achievements had come. Once people like Yang Chong defected to Zhao, Zhao would have a legitimate reason to intervene in the internal affairs of Qi.
Although the Jiang surname and Lu family have been in decline in Qi for two hundred years, this name is still useful. Not to mention anything else, if those people with ulterior motives in Qi hear this name, they may do something, and then they may really be able to split Qi. A divided Qi is most beneficial to Zhao.
Zhao did not seek to completely occupy Qi, but as long as it could influence Qi to completely side with it, it would be a huge boost to Zhao's national strength. When confronting Qin again, the pressure on resources would be much less.
"Yang Chong, he really is my lucky star!" Guo Kai muttered to himself, with a smile on his face. At this time, the gate of Prince Zhao's palace had appeared in front of him.
If someone else wanted to see King Zhao, they would need to report in advance, but Guo Kai did not need to do that, because he was not only the prime minister of Zhao, but also a good friend of King Zhao Yan. These two identities combined gave him a special status here.
Under the guidance of the eunuchs, Guo Kai soon arrived at a palace garden, which was the residence of the queens of Zhao in successive dynasties. The most famous queen of Zhao was Wu Wa, also a beauty in the love history of celebrities.
"The queen is such an extraordinary woman!" Guo Kai looked at the palace in front of him and knew that King Yan of Zhao was staying here again.
The Queen of Zhao was born into a family of prostitutes and had a humble status. When King Yan of Zhao forcibly enthrone her as queen, it caused quite a stir in Zhao State. Of course, this prostitute is not the same as that whore. In that era, prostitutes were not divided by gender. Both men and women who performed singing and dancing were called prostitutes. In the words of later generations, these people were almost the combination of actors and stars.
The Queen Zhao of this era, Lady Li of Emperor Wu of Han in another time and space, and even the wife of Prime Minister Cao all had such backgrounds.
It's just that these prostitutes mostly frequented the homes of princes and nobles. The beautiful ones among them went in and out of wealthy places, and either voluntarily or forced, so it was easy for them to do something deviant. Over time, the word "prostitute" became more and more similar to the word "whore", and eventually became one of the first-class ones.
It was not surprising that a woman from a prostitute family could get close to Zhao Wangyan, who was still a prince at the time. However, after Zhao Wangyan became the King of Zhao, not only did she continue to be favored by him, but she also made Zhao Wangyan depose his wife and make her the queen. This made Guo Kai admire her.
A woman who can control the harem is the most suitable partner. After all, compared to the king, the queen usually lives longer.
When Guo Kai walked into the hall, he saw King Yan of Zhao teasing a child who was only seven or eight years old.
The child was the youngest son of King Yan of Zhao, Zhao Qian, the biological son of Queen Zhao, and the future last king of Zhao. Not long ago, King Yan of Zhao deposed his eldest son Jia from the position of crown prince and promoted Zhao Qian to the position of crown prince.
As for why King Yan of Zhao did this, the outside world said that it was because the Queen of Zhao bewitched King Yan of Zhao, causing him to favor his concubine and kill his wife, but Guo Kai knew that the truth was not so.
The reason why King Yan of Zhao deposed his eldest son Zhao Jia from the position of crown prince was simply because he felt threatened. An adult crown prince is a threat to the king, especially in a place like Zhao. With the lesson of King Wuling of Zhao, the relationship between the crown prince and the king of Zhao became very delicate.
Compared with Zhao Jia, Zhao Qian was younger and his mother was of humble origin, so he posed no threat to him.
Of course, one of the reasons was that Queen Zhao was good at pleasing King Zhao Yan, but this was not the most important reason.
"What brings you here so late?" When Zhao Wangyan saw Guo Kai approaching, he did not move and said casually. Guo Kai was his good friend. The two of them had walked the dog and visited brothels together. They had an extremely close relationship. This was not the court, so there was no need to worry about any rules.
"Your Majesty, great joy!" Guo Kai put on a smiling face. If outsiders saw it, they would only think that Guo Kai was flattering. But in the eyes of Zhao Wangyan, he felt that Guo Kai was still the same Guo Kai, his close friend.
"Where does the joy come from?" Zhao Wangyan looked lazy and had reservations about what Guo Kai said about his great joy.
"The descendants of the Lu family of the Jiang clan of Qi State have come to seek refuge with the king." Guo Kai said.
"Descendants of the Lu family of the Jiang clan of Qi? Those people have been almost all killed, how dare they still show up?" King Yan of Zhao asked in surprise.
King Yan of Zhao knew his old neighbor very well. After all, he had been coveting his property for many years.
"This man is extraordinary. He has the power to not fear the King of Qi." Guo Kai said.
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