When Zhao Chengmo came back in the evening, Gu Lingze was sitting in the room sighing.
"What's wrong?" Zhao Chengmo looked at him and asked.
Gu Lingze told him what happened in the afternoon, and Zhao Chengmo frowned tightly after listening.
"Oh, it would be great if I could get some iron ore without spending any money." Gu Lingze murmured as he put his chin on the table in distress.
"Cheng Mo."
"Um?"
"Which country has the most iron ore near our Qianyuan country?"
Zhao Chengmo thought for a moment and said, "Xianyu Kingdom."
"Tell me about this Xianyu Kingdom."
Zhao Chengmo told Gu Lingze in detail what he knew about the Xianyu Kingdom.
Gu Lingze originally wanted to ask about other countries, but it was already late, and considering that Zhao Chengmo had to attend court the next day, he let him go back to his room to rest.
Gu Lingze did not enter the secret realm at night because his mind was filled with distracting thoughts, which was not conducive to his practice.
He lay in bed thinking about this matter. The fact that the treasury was short of money was like a bucket of cold water, which directly extinguished their enthusiasm. It seemed that no matter which dynasty or place, lack of money was a big problem.
Gu Lingze thought again about what Zhao Chengmo had told him about Xianyu Kingdom.
Although this country is not big, it is definitely not an easy one to deal with.
Previously, Qianhan State plundered the border of Qianyuan State. Qianhan State ate meat in the front, and Xianyu State followed behind to drink soup. The two countries in the back were even more in collusion with each other, almost turning several border cities of Qianyuan State into deserted cities.
It was not until Gu Tianhua became the commander-in-chief of the border army that Xianyu State became much more obedient, but the relationship between the two countries has never been harmonious.
"The climate is cold, the population is small, and the mineral resources are rich." Gu Lingze kept repeating the characteristics of Xianyu Kingdom. Suddenly, an idea flashed in his mind and he sat up.
How could he have forgotten the most basic thing? If he wanted something from the other person but didn't want to pay for it, then the best way was to barter.
Gu Lingze put forward his idea while having breakfast the next day.
Unexpectedly, Gu Tianhua shook his head and said, "Even if Xianyu Country lacks something, they will trade iron ore with Qianhan Country instead of coming to our Qianyuan Country."
Gu Lingze smiled noncommittally, "What if it's wine?"
The eyes of everyone present suddenly lit up, and they all looked at Gu Lingze intently.
"The climate in Xianyu is harsh, with cold months lasting up to eight months. People in places like this love to drink, so we trade them for iron ore."
Gu Xiuyi thought for a moment, then frowned and said, "But they also have their own sheepskin wine. Although it has a strong smell and is mixed with impurities, it is very strong. They seem to prefer strong liquor."
Gu Lingze looked at him and said, "Brother, you used to like drinking, but since you drank the wine I brewed, do you still want to drink the wine you used to drink?"
The father and his two sons, including Zhao Chengmo, all shook their heads. Gu Lingze raised his eyebrows and said, "Once people have tried good things, it is difficult for them to accept bad things. This wine is our bait."
"As for strong liquor, that's even simpler."
"But if it's used to trade for iron ore, the amount of wine required will be much larger. You see, the process of making wine is quite complicated. Will you be able to handle it when the time comes?"
Gu Lingze nodded and said, "Don't worry, Dad. I will have a way when the time comes."
After Gu Tianhua and the others went to court, Gu Lingze went directly to Mu Taoyuan to get two jars of first-class wine, then took them to the kitchen and poured them all into a large pot. He then placed the steamer he usually used to steam food on top, placed a large bowl on top, and covered the pot with a lid.
After the wine in the pot boils, turn the lid over and pour ice on it. After adding ice twice, the bowl in the pot will be full.
Gu Lingze poured the wine in the bowl into the wine jug using a funnel, and waited until noon when Gu Tianhua and the others returned from court, then asked the maid to bring it up.
"This is my new brew, called Horsewhip."
When they heard the name, they were a little amused. The names of the wines brewed by Gu Lingze before were all very elegant, so why was this one so rough?
Gu Feirui still asked the maid to bring the bowl over, but Gu Lingze stopped her and didn't let her go.
Gu Feirui looked at him with a questioning look on his face. Gu Lingze said, "This wine also has another name called Stunning Donkey. Try it first."
Gu Feirui shook his hand and said, "Are you afraid that I, your second brother, will get drunk? You underestimate me too much."
Seeing how confident he was, Gu Lingze didn't stop him. After all, he would know the power of this wine once he got drunk.
After the maid poured wine for the few people, Gu Tianhua smelled it first and said, "This wine tastes quite fragrant." After saying that, he tilted his head back and drank it.
The wine flowed down his throat, feeling like a ball of fire burning all the way down. Gu Tianhua closed his eyes tightly, his forehead wrinkled, and it took him a long time to exhale.
When Gu Feirui saw his father's expression and looked at the wine bowl in front of him, he suddenly felt like he was in a dilemma.
Gu Xiuyi and Zhao Chengmo also picked up their glasses and drank, frowning. It was indeed very exciting.
"Second brother, I'll ask the maid to change it for you..." Before Gu Lingze could finish his words, Gu Feirui picked up the wine bowl and drank it in one gulp. As soon as he swallowed the wine in the bowl, his whole face turned red.
Gu Lingze looked at him with both laughter and tears. Why was he trying to be tough in front of his family? He would probably feel uncomfortable soon.
"Brother, which one is stronger, this horse whip or the sheepskin wine of Xianyu Kingdom?"
Gu Xiuyi pointed at the wine jug without hesitation and said, "Of course it's yours."
Gu Lingze asked the maid to remove the wine and replace it with tea. Gu Feirui pulled his collar uncomfortably and said, "It's so hot." After saying this, he leaned back in the chair, closed his eyes and fell asleep.
In fact, Gu Feirui can drink quite a lot, but today was the first time he drank such strong liquor, and he drank so much on an empty stomach. If he didn't get drunk, no one would get drunk.
Xie Qingwan asked Qian Bo to help carry Gu Feirui back to the room, and the others started to eat.
Gu Tianhua recalled the taste of the horsewhip and said to Gu Lingze, "Although this wine tastes strong when you first drink it, it feels quite refreshing after drinking it. Do you plan to sell it in Heyi Tower in the future?"
Gu Lingze shook his head and said, "I won't sell this wine in Qianyuan Country."
"Why?" Gu Xiuyi asked in surprise.
"Fangmabian is a strong liquor. Strong liquor is highly addictive. Drinking too much can easily harm your body, so this liquor is only sold to the Xianyu royal family."
At the next morning court session, all the civil and military officials felt that the emperor was in a bad mood.
After what happened the day before yesterday, Qi Yuanjing felt a little disheartened and was unable to face Gu Xiuyi and the other three.
This feeling is like discovering a treasure, but you can only watch it without being able to take any of the treasure away. How can this not make people depressed?
After the court session, Qi Yuanjing sat in the Taichu Hall to review memorials. When he picked up the teacup, he couldn't help but think of the high-spirited appearance of Gu Xiuyi and the other three the day before.
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