“Your Majesty, do not underestimate people! My son may not be able to recite the thirteen chapters of Sun Tzu’s Art of War backwards, but he can at least recite them forwards without any problem!” Cheng Zhijie said defiantly, his eyes wide.
"What! The Art of War in thirteen chapters? Are you sure you're not mistaken?" Li Shimin asked in surprise. When Cheng Zhijie mentioned The Art of War, he thought it was just a few chapters. After all, such a famous book is known to many people, so it's normal for it to have been passed down. However, even the imperial collection only had thirteen chapters.
"How dare I speak presumptuously? It is indeed thirteen chapters!"
"Alas! It seems I have truly underestimated the lineage of Guigu. Zhijie, what do you think? Should I also arrange for two of my princes to study it?"
"I do not know!"
"Alright! You may leave now. Tell Qin Huaidao that I have approved his plan, but one of the forty-two households in Buzhengfang who are to be relocated is dissatisfied. I will hold him accountable!"
"I obey the decree!"
After leaving the palace, Cheng Zhijie went to the construction site of the Six Doors government office.
"Hey Huai Dao, I've become your errand boy!" Cheng Zhijie started complaining as soon as he saw Qin Mu.
"Judging from Uncle Cheng's expression, His Majesty must have agreed, right?"
"Agreed, but Your Majesty also wants the businesses from two food streets! To give the princess some pocket money." Cheng Zhijie ladled out a bowl of mung bean soup, drank it down, and wiped his mouth as he spoke. He estimated that two shops were Li Shimin's minimum requirement; after all, one would be too unreasonable—only one shop when the emperor had requested it. Using the princess's name, no one could object, and Qin Mu probably wouldn't mind two shops.
Cheng Zhijie had a good grasp of the situation, and Qin Mu agreed without hesitation: "No problem, consider the business between the two families as a gift to the princess!"
"Brother Qin!" Xiangli Yanran looked at him pitifully.
"Brother Qin certainly won't forget Yanran! You can choose one yourself then!"
"I want to eat pickled chicken feet!" Xiangli Yanran said happily.
"I wonder what kind of business the Princess wants?" Qin Mu asked with a smile, looking at the displeased Princess Changning.
"I want a pastry shop!" Princess Changning said with a smile, yet with a hint of reserve. Ever since the restaurant attack, there had been an inexplicable tension between them, with both always paying close attention to the other's every move.
"That's easy. Just send a few people to the restaurant to learn, and they can open their own shop later."
“Okay!” Princess Changning smiled sweetly and agreed to Qin Mu’s suggestion.
"Ahem!" Cheng Zhijie coughed twice to remind himself that he was still standing to the side.
"I'll leave the food street business to Uncle Cheng; I really don't have much time to take care of it."
"What! You think I'm more free than you?!" Cheng Zhijie asked, his eyes wide.
"Isn't that right?" Qin Mu asked in astonishment.
"Ahem! I'm too busy to bother with your affairs. This is such a trivial matter, no need for me to get involved!"
Seeing Cheng Zhijie's arrogant demeanor, Qin Mu understood that it was because the matter was too small for him to handle, and it would be beneath his dignity. So he quickly explained, "Uncle Cheng, you misunderstand! I will hire people to carry out the construction according to the plans, and Brother Cheng will be in charge of purchasing materials. But such a large investment can't be left unmanaged! Uncle Cheng, you are mature and prudent, perfect for overseeing the whole situation! With you as the backbone, the people below will have more confidence, won't they?"
Moreover, with Uncle Cheng's intervention, a lot of trouble will be reduced. After all, there aren't many people in Chang'an who dare to disrespect you.
"Haha! Huai Dao, you're quite the smooth talker! I agree to this!" Cheng Zhijie laughed heartily in response to Qin Mu's kind words.
"Lord Su is a man of great integrity. Why don't you help this humble general supervise the Six Doors as well?" Guo Xiaoke's voice rang out from the side.
Qin Mu tilted his head slightly and saw Guo Xiaoke walking towards him with a smile, followed by an acquaintance.
"Get lost! If I were to interfere with the Six Doors, those censors would be relentlessly pursuing me!" Cheng Zhijie rolled his eyes and said.
"Hehe! When has the Duke of Su ever cared about the censor? Besides, this humble general is sincerely inviting you," Guo Xiaoke said with a smile.
"Greetings, Duke Su!"
"So it's the young prince!" Cheng Zhijie had already seen Li Chongyi and nodded slightly in greeting.
"I wouldn't dare!"
In terms of status, a princess or prince is higher than a duke, but it depends on the person. Even a prince like Cheng Zhijie, a founding duke, would have to maintain a certain level of courtesy. Especially someone like Li Chongyi, who doesn't have a title at all, his title of "junwang" (junwang, meaning minor prince) is only given out of respect for his father, and frankly, it doesn't carry much weight. Therefore, Cheng Zhijie had to take the initiative to bow to Princess Changning, as it was a sign of respect for the imperial family! As for Li Chongyi, a nod was considered polite.
Knowing that General Guo Xiaoke was very busy, as he needed to lead troops, oversee barracks duty, training, and rotations, he was in charge of all of these. However, Cheng Zhijie couldn't possibly interfere in the affairs of the Six Doors.
Both of them understood this, so what they were saying earlier was just a joke.
"Princess! This is the fourth patrol officer of the Six Doors. You must know him!"
"Greetings, Aunt!"
"This isn't home, so from now on, call me Chief Secretary!" Princess Changning nodded calmly.
"Yes, this humble official Li Chongyi greets the Chief Secretary!" Li Chongyi dared not be disrespectful to Princess Changning and bowed respectfully.
“You should know Cheng Huaimo and Yuchi Baolin. This is Qin Mu and Qin Huaidao, who are also patrol officers…” Guo Xiaoke introduced.
"Thank you for the introduction, General Guo. We're acquaintances!" Li Chongyi said, looking at Qin Mu with some surprise. He had just returned to Chang'an. Although Qin Mu was Qin Qiong's son and it wasn't surprising that he held an official position, it was very strange that he had been directly appointed to a position of real power, and even equal to his own. Shouldn't people his age still be studying and practicing martial arts?
“Indeed, we’ve known each other for a long time!” Qin Mu nodded with a smile. He didn’t care too much about Li Chongyi, who was a bit petty and slightly arrogant. Two months ago, he was no match for Li Chongyi, but now, Li Chongyi was no match for him.
"It's great that you know each other. You're all acquaintances, which will make working together much easier in the future!" Guo Xiaoke said with a satisfied smile.
"By the way, how's the soldiers' training going lately? I've been busy with the rotation of the Left Guard and haven't been able to come and check on them for so long. It's really a dereliction of duty," Guo Xiaoke asked again.
"Please inspect, General Guo!" Qin Mu said with a confident smile.
"OK!"
"Beat the drum! Assemble!" Qin Mu nodded to Cheng Huaimo, who ran two steps forward and shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!" The large cowhide drum in the corner of the drill ground was struck.
It was quite hot at this time, and the soldiers had already returned to their rooms to rest. They were staying in newly built barracks. Upon hearing the drumbeat, the barracks doors were quickly opened, and groups of people rushed out of their rooms. For them, sudden assemblies had become commonplace.
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