Chapter 220 The King Who Lost His Country 20

The phoenix tree has been planted.

The birds that landed on the phoenix tree, since they have already eaten the king's food, naturally have to be loyal to the king.

After returning from Nan Liujing's yard, Qi Mingxu and the others began their study life of getting up earlier than chickens and sleeping later than dogs every day.

In addition to necessary activities, they spent almost all their time reading.

Jiang Ding was the most miserable one among the four.

The others had a certain foundation, only he was really illiterate.

But after enduring the initial pain and gradually being able to calm down and read, they found that the books Nan Liujing gave them were really extraordinary.

Especially the set of military books that Qi Mingxu got, which were read by General Yao when he was young.

It was filled with General Yao's thoughts on studying, his insights from his military service and his combat experience, and even the story of General Yao's famous battle.

This was a great inspiration to Qi Mingxu.

While the four were busy studying, Nan Liujing was not idle either.

He used most of his savings to buy a shop, hire craftsmen, and do the preliminary preparations in advance.

They were busy until New Year's Eve, when they finally stopped to take a break.

But after a break until the second day of the New Year, they resumed their original pace of life.

The seasons quietly changed between the opening and closing of the pages. After

removing the snow from the sycamore tree, tender green new buds quietly emerged.

Nan Liujing put down the book in his hand and heard the magpie singing on the tree branch. The next moment, Qi Mingxu and the other three walked into his yard, their eyes and eyebrows showing a bright look.

Before the four people could speak, Nan Liujing had guessed their purpose and welcomed them to the pavilion.

"No wonder I heard the cry of the magpie just now, it seems that several brothers have finished reading the contents of the book in advance."

Qi Mingxu clasped his fists: "Brother Nan,

I have fulfilled my mission." Li Guanqi said with emotion: "You gave me such a great gift. I would be embarrassed to appear in front of you if I didn't finish learning the contents of the book."

Jiang Ding complained: "I am so tired. I haven't slept well for a day in these three months."

Qi Si was very excited: "The book recommended by Lord Qu is really extraordinary. I have studied hard for three months. If I were asked to make a plan to assassinate Ji Yushan, I would definitely be able to make it more perfect."

As soon as the words fell, everyone looked at Qi Si.

Qi Si blinked and explained, "I was just joking to liven up the atmosphere."

Jiang Ding: "...Your tone doesn't sound like you're joking."

What has Lao Si learned in the past three months?

In the past, he dared to exchange a few words with Lao Si, but now...

he really can't afford to offend him.

Nan Liujing smiled and congratulated everyone: "No matter what, I would like to congratulate you brothers first. After thoroughly learning the contents of those books, you will surely rise to the top like a phoenix in the future."

"A phoenix needs the wind to soar to the sky. It is still unknown whether we are the phoenix--" Qi Mingxu laughed heartily, "but there is no doubt that Brother Nan is the east wind we are waiting for."

Li Guanqi could no longer contain his eagerness: "Brother Nan, just tell me what you want. I can't wait to develop things like soap and sell them all over the country."

Nan Liujing smiled helplessly and took the four of them to his study.

During this period, he acquired four shops in total. Nan Liujing directly handed over the management of the four shops to Li Guanqi: "I am not good at business, and these shops will be managed by Brother Li."

Then, Nan Liujing gave Li Guanqi two thousand taels of silver as the starting capital.

"I don't care about the process, I only care about the results. After half a year, the four shops will be expanded to eight, and the trade route will be paved from the north to the south. Can Brother Li do it?"

Li Guanqi took these things seriously: "It is what I wish."

Nan Liujing handed two letters of appointment to Qi Mingxu and Qi Si respectively.

Qi Mingxu and Qi Si had already prepared themselves mentally, but when they really saw the letters of appointment, they still felt a surge of emotions.

However, when Qi Si received the commission, he noticed that his was different from Qi Mingxu's.

"This is..."

Qi Si looked at the handwriting carefully and said in surprise: "A commission from the Dark Pavilion!?"

The Dark Pavilion is very mysterious, but Qi Si still knows about this special organization.

He didn't expect that he would be favored by the Dark Pavilion.

In fact, according to Nan Liujing's plan, he wanted to put both Qi Mingxu and Qi Si in the Imperial Guard.

But Yao Rong told him that Qi Mingxu had the style of a famous general, and it would be perfect for him to stay in the Imperial Guard for training, but Qi Si was not suitable for the Imperial Guard.

The rules of the Imperial Guard are too strict and rigid. If Qi Si enters there, he will definitely be restricted in his actions.

In comparison, Qi Si is more suitable to stay in the Dark Pavilion.

His talent and ability allowed him to thrive in the Dark Pavilion.

It was also at this time that Nan Liujing learned that his master Liang was not only the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard, but also the second in command of the Dark Pavilion.

"After entering the Imperial Guard, it is not so easy to return to this villa. I prepared a small courtyard with two entrances for the eldest brother Qi and the fourth brother Qi, where the two brothers can rest and stay."

Nan Liujing handed over the key.

"Deputy Commander Liang knows that you are my people, and he will take care of you. No matter what happens in the palace, the two brothers must protect themselves first."

In the end, only Jiang Ding was left.

Jiang Ding walked up to Nan Liujing nervously: "Little brother Nan, what arrangements do you have for me?"

Nan Liujing smiled and said: "I have a farm with many old farmers and ten craftsmen who are good at farming. I wonder if Third Brother Jiang is interested in going there to study agricultural planting and develop agricultural tools."

"That's good, that's good." Jiang Ding said repeatedly, "If you assign me too troublesome work, I may not be able to do it well."

The next day at noon, Nan Liujing asked the kitchen to prepare a sumptuous lunch for Qi Mingxu and the other three.

After lunch, Qi Mingxu, Li Guanqi, Jiang Ding and Qi Si carried their bags, said goodbye to Nan Liujing, and embarked on their own journey.

The first to achieve results was Jiang Ding.

The two farm tools, the curved plow and the seed drill, were very useful during spring ploughing. Although they were not promoted throughout the capital, they were basically used in the villages near the farms. The

second to achieve results was Li Guanqi.

The northern store he ran launched soaps, lipsticks, and extremely pure colored glass in a very short period of time, which quickly became popular throughout the capital.

In addition to these news that can be heard on the streets, Nan Liujing also learned about the recent situation of Qi Mingxu and Qi Si from Liang Guangyu.

Qi Mingxu is generous and has a good relationship with the Imperial Guard. He made a small contribution some time ago and has been promoted from the third-class Imperial Guard to the second-class Imperial Guard.

Qi Si passed a special test and is now receiving secret training.

"Those brats asked me to deliver letters to you." Liang Guangyu took out a few letters from his pocket.

Nan Liujing thanked him: "Please Master Liang, please make a trip."

Liang Guangyu said: "It's just a matter of convenience."

Nan Liujing climbed up the pole: "Then Master Liang, please bring them some clothes. Guisheng asked Xiu Niang to make them."

Liang Guangyu: "..."

OK.

He really became an errand boy.

What's even more annoying is that he ran errands back and forth and got nothing.

"——Knowing that Master Liang is coming, I asked the kitchen to prepare a table of your favorite dishes. Mr. Qu and I will have dinner with Master Liang."

Liang Guangyu smiled immediately.

That's more like it.

After lunch, Nan Liujing planned to go out and relax.

Liang Guangyu and Qu Jianbai sat

in the yard and drank tea. The rain was falling outside the pavilion. Qu Jianbai had superb skills in making tea, and every move could be painted. Picking

up a piece of cake next to him, Liang Guangyu asked, "You have been in Kyoto for a year, right?"

Qu Jianbai poured tea for Liang Guangyu, "One year and three months."

Liang Guangyu sighed, "You have been teaching His Highness for such a long time, and you haven't made a decision yet?" Qu Jianbai

said gently, "I'll have to wait and see."

Liang Guangyu asked, "During this year, His Highness's performance has not impressed you enough?"

"No, His Highness's performance is very good."

"Then do you think His Highness is too young?"

Qu Jianbai picked up the teacup with his bony hand.

The azure teacup with twined branches made his fingers look as white as jade.

"When I received that comment from the Governor of Jiangnan, I was only a few months older than Your Highness."

Liang Guangyu was confused by what he said: "It's not because of Your Highness's performance, nor because of Your Highness's age. Then what are you hesitating about?"

Qu Jianbai turned his head away.

It had just rained, and the clouds had not dispersed. The sky was still a little dark.

A beam of sunlight shone out from the dense clouds, passed through the edge of the hexagonal pavilion, sprinkled on the railings, and then spread from the railings all the way, and finally sprinkled all over the courtyard.

In an instant, the whole world was bright.

"I have always wanted to get to the bottom of the Yao family case, give justice to General Yao and his people, and bring Ji Yushan and the Ji family to justice. Over the past decade or so, I have always felt in my dreams that I could not wait for hope. Perhaps until my death, I will not see the fall of the Ji family and the death of Ji Yushan."

"Until that day, I received your letter. It was the first time I slept peacefully since the Yao family case."

"So I temporarily put aside my plans for Jiangnan and went to Kyoto at your invitation, because I wanted to see with my own eyes whether the third prince could become the wise leader I had always wanted."

"In the past year or so, everything the Third Prince has done is very much in line with my wishes, but I have discovered a problem."

Liang Guangyu frowned: "You have confused me."

Qu Jianbai sighed softly: "The Third Prince has the talent and mind of a monarch, but he still lacks the awareness of a monarch."

At the same time, Nan Liujing took a carriage and came to a village with persimmon trees at the entrance.

He had been here before, seen the persimmon fields that had been reclaimed here, and gave the little boy a bag of candy and a bag of preserved fruit.

When leaving here, Mr. Qu and the teacher each gave him a question.

——What does Daye look like in your eyes?

——If the Daye you see can't satisfy you. Then what do you want Daye to look like.

After a year, he returned here just to find the real answer to the question.