Chapter 133: It's so lively before the game
Gu Changxiao imagined the scene, where all the dignitaries in Chang'an received the annual gift from the King of Border Town.
When you open it, you will find it is either a box of lip balm or a box of ointment, or a bag of border town specialties such as dried sea fish and brown sugar. It is unique, but to be honest, it is not worth much.
You cannot refuse this gift. Even if the King of Li has been exiled, he is still a prince. Refusing to accept it would be disrespectful.
But as soon as you accept this gift, the next day people from the border town will be waiting at the door. They will ignore the surprised looks of the people passing by and loudly say that the border town is poor and hope that you can get some food and fodder in return.
The rich and powerful were embarrassed and ashamed inside, and they couldn't even chase them away. They didn't want gold or silver, just some food. This wasn't greed, it was just as pitiful as asking poor relatives in the countryside for money.
The people outside were discussing how pitiful the border town was. The King of Li was so poor that he had to beg for food from the dignitaries in Chang'an. Let's see how much food and grass this family will give to the prince? Haha, Gu Changxiao couldn't help laughing when he thought of that scene.
He would never have done such a shameful thing in the past. When he was in Hexi, the imperial court had been out of food for three months. He did not allow his soldiers to take a single grain of rice from the people. He took his soldiers to suppress bandits and hunt in exchange for food.
It would have been great if there was Taoist Priest Xiao Ji at that time. He would definitely have been able to find all kinds of ways to ask for supplies from the court.
He seemed to be misled by Taoist Xiao Ji. Seeing Taoist Xiao Ji playing tricks on the dignitaries in Chang'an and making them suffer, he actually felt that it was refreshing to do so! This was much more economical than spending money to buy food and grass on the market, and it could also build momentum for the border town among the people.
Taoist Xiao Ji is truly a genius!
Jin Sui was nervous because of his gaze: "What's wrong? Do you think I'm too naughty? And embarrassed the King of Li?"
Gu Changxiao raised his eyebrows and said meaningfully: "I have accepted any embarrassing thing, but I am not afraid of this one."
Jin Sui instantly understood that he was talking about something that was "inhumane"! What a stingy guy, he kept repeating it every now and then.
He quickly laughed, "So you agree, ha! I'll ask Lord Cheng to prepare New Year gifts, and each of the dignitaries in Chang'an will receive one. I don't know if Wei Zhubo has arrived in Chang'an yet? I'll ask him to help find the gifts when the time comes."
Gu Changxiao shook his head: "Don't make things difficult for him. Even if he returns to Chang'an, he can only be a seventh-rank official. Dealing with the powerful is too offensive."
Jin Sui nodded hurriedly: "Yes, the dignitaries in Chang'an are not like Li Heng. Wei Zhubo finally returned home, so I won't bother him with the border town's affairs."
As they were talking, a soldier came to report that the head of the Yan family was here to visit.
Gu Changxiao was the first to say, "Just take them to the inn. The prince doesn't have time to meet him."
Jin Sui said anxiously, "How can this be possible? Patriarch Yan must be here for more than just the polo match. He must have other things to do. We can't avoid him."
Gu Changxiao took a step forward: "Then I'll go see him."
Jin Sui asked him directly: "What identity do you use to meet me?"
Gu Changxiao was stunned and regretted for the first time not changing his identity back.
It is true that Yan Jiu and Taoist Xiao Ji did not meet very often, and they did not avoid him in their correspondence, but he just felt uncomfortable.
He himself couldn't explain why. Was it because Taoist Xiao Ji was particularly polite in front of Yan Jiu? Was it because Yan Jiu's eyes when looking at Taoist Xiao Ji made him angry?
Jin Sui didn't force him to answer, but stepped forward with a smile: "Let's go together! Even if you hate the Yan family, you can't hate money! The Yan family came to the border town to give money!"
Indeed, Yan Shierniang moved the silver that she had not sent last time into Jinsui's room in boxes, and arranged her clothes to meet the prince.
She had finally begged her elder brother to allow her to come to the border town with him.
After waiting for a long time, he sent Baozhu to find someone to ask, but found out that the prince had gone to see his eldest brother.
Yan Shier Niang pouted, very unwillingly, but she didn't dare to disturb them, so she went to find Chen Yun Niang instead.
Seeing that Chen Yunniang was busy all the time, Shi Er Niang rolled up her sleeves generously and asked her maids to help with the work.
As for Yan Shiyilang, as soon as he arrived at the border town, he hurried to watch the polo match. He saw the stadium and the spectator stands that could accommodate tens of thousands of people.
He praised her endlessly: "Jun Yanqing is very petty in other matters, but he is worthy of being a prince when it comes to playing! Is this built to imitate the polo stadium in Chang'an?"
At this time, he found that Hei Hu was carrying a little boy, looking at him from a distance and pointing. He walked over quickly and just happened to hear the little boy say: "Is he the guy who was scared to death?"
Hei Hu nodded heavily: "That's right! Just wait and see, I will beat him to a pulp on the court tomorrow!"
Yan Shiyilang jumped three feet high, his face reddened with anger, and he was not afraid of the big fist of Heihu hitting him. He chased Heihu with a fan and wanted to hit him:
"How dare you, a big black guy, to plot against me like this!"
"When did I become so scared that I became a bird? Your master has no bird, so you come to frame me!" The three of them ran around the court, chasing each other, cursing at each other.
Yan Shiyi was a fool and he cursed so loudly that all the noble lords who had followed the Yan family to the border town heard it all.
They all laughed. It was no longer news that the King of Li was inhumane. Besides, they had come to the King of Li's territory, so who would dare to make fun of this?
However, this was the first time they heard about Yan Shiyi shrinking a bird. So Yan Shiyi was nicknamed Mr. Shrinking Bird after Mr. Turtle.
Jin Sui and Gu Chang Xiao, who were passing by, looked at each other, unable to hold their heads in their hands. But this joke was more exciting than inviting a troupe of actors to come.
Only Liuyun calmly said: "Fools gathered together."
When I passed by the market area, I heard many noblemen shouting, "This team uniform is so impressive, buy one for everyone in our team!"
"One hundred taels of silver for a person? Why don't you go and rob him?"
"Did the prince set the price himself? After a closer look, the woven flowers on it are indeed rare. One hundred taels is one hundred taels. It's better than buying a book. The whole team will look great wearing them. Let's buy it!"
…
"What's the point of betting on football lottery? Two cents a ticket, who are you looking down on, Your Majesty?"
"Bet one thousand taels! Of course I bet on my team to win!"
"Is there a way to bet on winning a few balls? Interesting. Bring me your play sheet so I can take a closer look."
…
"What's that delicious food over there? Why is it so tempting?"
"Border Town specialty hotpot? Let's go and try it!"
…
The two walked through the long market area. Jin Sui looked calm. She had seen more lively scenes, so this was nothing.
Gu Changxiao appeared calm on the surface, but his heart was boiling. He had also seen more lively scenes, but Taoist Xiao Ji was only organizing a polo match through Yan Shiyi.
The border town that people from Yanzhou dare not set foot in has become so lively. And judging from the situation, this is just before the game. If the game lasts for ten days or half a month, the border town will continue to be lively for a long time.
Moreover, they had come to the border town once, so they could naturally confirm that the border town was no longer a dilapidated frontier fortress, and wild beasts and horse thieves could be seen at any time.
Through the word of mouths of these nobles, the grand occasion of the border town will spread throughout the Yan area. In that case, merchants and common people will all go to the border town to seek work.
Why worry about the border town not prospering?
When the two of them reached the inn area, the Yan family took them to a wooden house and said, "Your Highness, please come in. The head of the family has been waiting for a long time."
Jin Sui praised loudly: "Master Yan really has good taste! The wooden house is quieter than the bamboo house and more artistic than the reed house. And this room number one has the best view in the entire inn area."
Gu Changxiao couldn't help but glance at him, and started again. Whenever Taoist Ji had something to do with Yan Jiu, he would think of ways to praise him.
I just chose a wooden house to live in, but he praised it so much!
If Jinsui knew what he was thinking, she would definitely say that he had no business acumen and did not know the importance of providing emotional value to customers.
And is Yan Jiu just a customer? He is a cooperative shareholder and a god of wealth!
Yan Jiu, who was upstairs, naturally heard her praise and chuckled, "Your Majesty, please come in."
That’s right, the inn is built on two floors, but the first floor is actually elevated. This is to prevent snakes and insects, and it also makes it unique and beautiful.
Jin Sui went upstairs first, and seeing Gu Changxiao following behind with a dark face, she whispered, "If you don't want to come in, wait for me downstairs."
Gu Changxiao glanced at him and said, "You want to meet Yan Jiu alone?"
Jin Sui said quickly: "Of course not! I just saw that you were reluctant."
Gu Changxiao snorted: "My mission is to protect the prince. When meeting outsiders, I naturally have to follow closely."
Jinsui: ...You are really addicted to acting!
The two walked to the second-floor corridor and saw that the wooden house, which had been very simple before, now had a gorgeous woven carpet, embroidered tapestries hanging on the wall, and four landscape screens in front of the bed.
A gorgeous mat was laid on the small wooden table, and at this moment, a crane-billed stove was emitting clear smoke, and a faint fragrance wafted into the air.
Yan Jiu was dressed in white with wide sleeves fluttering in his clothes. He was flipping through the Thirty-Six Strategies in one hand and sipping tea from a jade cup in the other.
Jin Sui couldn't help showing an envious look. After I leave Biancheng Company and become a free and wealthy woman, I can also live such a low-key yet luxurious life! Damn, I really want to compete with you rich people!
Our real and fake King Li are still huddled in a small thatched hut, and you come to spend a night here and you make such a big scene!
Compared to him, both the real King of Li and the fake King of Li live like rough guys.
Jin Sui didn't need to look at Gu Changxiao's face to guess that it must be very ugly at the moment. She began to understand why Gu Changxiao didn't like Yan Jiu.
"Your Majesty, please come in and sit down."
Jin Sui looked at her muddy boots and couldn't bear to step on the gorgeous carpet. She was still thinking about asking someone to bring her shoes to change.
Gu Changxiao walked in and sat down without Yan Jiu inviting him, and poured himself some tea.
What else could Jinsui say? He could only rub the mud onto the corridor and walk in with a smile.
Yan Jiu's expression did not change at all, as if he didn't mind Gu Changxiao's unreasonableness at all.
Smiling, he poured a cup of tea for Jin Sui and said, "Your Highness is very busy with official duties. I hope that coming to see Yan will not interfere with your business."
Gu Changxiao put the teacup on the table and said, "I know your Highness is busy. If you have something to say, please tell me."
Yan Jiu couldn't ignore him now, so he raised his hand and poured him another cup of tea: "The prince invited me to watch the play, but does the play require me to rehearse it in advance?"
Gu Changxiao snorted coldly: "The affairs of the border town do not need the help of Patriarch Yan. Patriarch Yan should just watch the show. You don't need to ask how the show is performed!"
Yan Jiu raised his eyes slightly, glanced at Gu Changxiao, then turned to look at Jin Sui and asked doubtfully: "Does this lord have any misunderstanding about Yan?
I heard that my good-for-nothing brother and sister offended you, I hope you won’t take it personally.”
Jin Sui said hurriedly, "No, no, we welcome Miss Yan and Young Master Eleven to Border Town. We are all friends, so how can we offend them?"
"Thank you Jiulang for your concern for me. Don't worry, I have already made all the arrangements for Zheng Yun and the imperial envoy. Just watch the show."
Yan Jiu's eyes flashed with guilt and he said, "That's good! It was I who was abrupt and almost delayed the prince's business."
Jin Sui hurriedly comforted him, "No, Zheng Yun and the imperial envoy didn't have the courage to come. It was you who pushed them by mistake."
Gu Changxiao couldn't bear to watch it any longer. What was going on with Taoist Xiao Ji? Seeing Yan Shierniang's affectionate look, the way she looked at Yan Jiu was similar!
Yan Jiu's words were very irritating. He acted like a woman, always looking guilty, and tried to attract the attention of Taoist Xiao Ji.
Your sister even called me a vixen, and you are behaving like a typical vixen!
He kept squeezing the jade cup with force and was about to crush the priceless cup.
Jin Sui quickly grabbed it and winked at him, saying vaguely, "I can't afford it!"
Gu Changxiao must be taken away quickly.
Chao Yanjiu laughed dryly twice: "Jiulang, if there is nothing else, I will leave first. There is a warm-up match at the stadium in the evening. You can go and watch it."
"There are a lot of new things in the market over there. You can go shopping with Miss Yan."
Yan Jiu raised his chin toward the window: "Twelve Lady probably doesn't have time."
Jin Sui quickly stood up and looked over, only to see that Shi Er Niang, like Chen Yun Niang and other women, were wearing black headscarves and were helping to move things.
Jin Sui hurriedly explained: "It's not me who asked me to do so. I haven't met Miss Yan yet."
The three siblings of the Yan family have very different personalities! When Yan Jiu came, he acted like a nobleman, when Yan Shiyi came, he performed a "circus", and when Yan Shierniang came, she went to work!
Really, can't you just be an honest party A and pay me on time every month?
Yan Jiu was very calm: "I know, let her be! By the way, last time I talked with the prince about the Thirty-Six Stratagems by candlelight, it benefited me a lot. I wonder when the prince will be free to talk with me again?"
Gu Changxiao looked at Jinsui: "Light a candle? Talk at night?"
Could it be that they are sleeping with their feet together?
"Haha, sure, sure. I've been very busy recently. When I'm done with this, I'll definitely invite Jiulang to discuss the Thirty-Six Stratagems."
After leaving the cabin in a hurry, Jinsui originally wanted to persuade Yan Shier Niang to leave immediately, but he was afraid of being pestered by this stubborn girl.
Push Gu Changxiao: "I can't see Miss Yan now, you go and persuade her to leave."
Gu Changxiao crossed his arms and said, "I can't see her! She would treat me like an enemy if she saw me."
That’s right, the fight between you two last time hasn’t finished yet.
He waved and called the Yan family's steward over: "Go tell Miss Yan that the head of the Yan family invites her to go to the market together. Also, tell her not to go to help."
The Yan family steward smiled and said, "Your Majesty, please wait here for a moment. I will go and call the young lady."
How could Jin Sui dare to wait! As soon as he left, he immediately took Gu Changxiao and fled in a hurry.
As a result, there was no quiet place to be found, and people were coming and going everywhere.
What made her laugh was that every street lamp was surrounded by people, and the huge pulley crane was surrounded by three layers of people inside and outside.
Every time the pulley lifted a heavy object, they cheered in unison.
It was just like the men in later generations, watching the excavators working at the construction site.
Jin Sui was completely speechless. Are all the nobles in Yanzhou City so ignorant of the world? (End of this chapter)
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