The banquet of talented scholars came to an end, and we learned that the princess was not really choosing a husband, but selecting talents to manage her fiefdom, and whoever was chosen would receive a thousand taels of gold.
A thousand taels of gold... This is an astronomical figure in the eyes of ordinary people. Even those children from poor families with some wealth cannot help but be tempted by it.
Those who didn't go were dejected and heartbroken, while those who went hated themselves for not being able to answer the questions well.
The Princess's Mansion has a bad reputation and vicious means, but is also overly wealthy and generous.
The seven people selected for the Talent Banquet became the lucky ones in everyone's eyes and became the talk of the town for a while.
Especially Liu Yan, it was said that his place was taken by someone else, and the princess actually killed the impostor in public, and had him found and treated, and restored his place and rewarded him with gold.
Is the princess vicious? She is simply a modern-day living Bodhisattva, okay?
For a time, all the talented but unappreciated young men from poor families admired and yearned for the Princess's Mansion.
They hope that the princess will hold another banquet for talented men so that they can show off their talents. Even if they are not selected in the end, it is still good to go and see it.
It is said that those who failed to be selected ate rare delicacies. For scholars with limited funds, delicious food was also a temptation.
Those who were not selected feel regretful, those who failed to run for election regretful, and those who were selected are not all happy.
The three-day period was up, and out of the seven people, only five showed up.
Chen Quan and Meng Xuan did not come.
The five of them sat there nervously, afraid that Xiao Li would get angry.
Lin Yici stood up and said, "Princess, I know where Chen Quan lives and I'm willing to go and persuade him."
Xiao Li raised his eyes and said calmly, "That's not necessary."
"This princess doesn't use forced sales tactics. I've given you time to consider, so I allow for some to refuse. If you're unwilling, persuasion won't help."
Lin Yici was surprised at Xiao Li's generosity and tolerance. This broad mind was truly remarkable: "But they took the princess's gold."
One thousand taels of gold is not a small amount.
Before coming to the princess's mansion, Lin Yici and Tang Shuyu were so shy that they couldn't even afford a tael of silver.
The princess gave him a thousand taels of gold, but ended up with nothing. How could she tolerate this?
Seeing him so distressed, Xiao Li couldn't help but laugh: "A thousand taels of gold are enough to buy horse bones. This princess has organized this banquet, and I can afford this money. The thousand taels of gold are not for them, but my promise to all the talented generals in the world."
"Those who serve this princess may fully display their talents. You do not need to worry about money, nor do you need to resort to corruption due to the pressure of life. I can give you opportunities, wealth, and fame, but I only require one thing: absolute loyalty."
Tang Shuyu, Su Ziqi, Shi Mo, and Liu Yan all stood up.
The future is far away, but the thousand taels of gold have already fallen into their hands, and the promise Xiao Li made is something they could not even dream of.
"We are willing to serve the princess until death."
Song Junzhan looked at them with a smile. He understood their feelings at the moment very well.
Princess Xuanyang's personal charm is enough to make anyone who sees her sacrifice their lives for her.
He withdrew his gaze from the five people and fell on Xiao Li, and bowed in greeting like them.
From now on, he and the five people will travel together, riding the wind for thousands of miles, and send the princess straight to the sky.
Xiao Li is not slow in giving benefits, but he is also very polite when employing people.
The five official letters that had been obtained long ago were handed to them.
"There are people waiting for you outside. Go to the government office first to report. You have no official position or rank. You will serve as staff members of the princess's mansion."
"From now on, you only need to do two things. First, devote all your time and energy to learning from officials how to handle official business and manage subordinates. This princess does not need officials who know nothing. Second, understand the current structure of the court and try to uncover the methods and channels for the court to manage local areas, as well as various tax systems and the distribution of mineral resources."
"This princess will buy the house next door and turn it into your office. You will all live in it, leaving at 11:00 AM and returning at 3:00 PM every day. You will organize what you see and hear, exchange information, and finally hand it over to Song Junzhan for overall planning."
Seeing that they were still in shock, Xiao Li smiled evilly: "Everyone, enjoy your last moment of freedom, and don't cry next time."
It’s not that easy to get the money from the princess’s mansion.
If you get her benefits, you have to create corresponding value.
The five of them couldn't help but shudder, having a bad feeling.
The four of them said goodbye and left, only Su Ziqi stayed.
"Princess." He mustered up the courage to speak: "Princess, do you not mind my identity?"
Xiao Li sneered: "If the Su family dares to send you here, what can I not do?"
"But..." She raised her eyebrows, her eyes deep. "This princess has the generosity to tolerate others, but also the skill to kill. You think differently from them. I admire you very much. I hope you won't become the first person to test the knife."
Su Ziqi's heart trembled, and he looked straight at Xiao Li: "Ziqi will never let the princess down."
Song Junzhan looked at him deeply, then lowered his eyes.
Su Ziqi is the most handsome and youngest among the five. He comes from the famous Su family. He is talented but not arrogant. The articles he writes are unique in their insights, and Xiao Li has praised him more than once.
Although I know I shouldn't let my mind wander, the bitterness in my heart is still hard to suppress.
Until a hand waved in front of him, and he didn't know why, but he grabbed it without thinking.
The gentle and delicate touch startled him and he came back to his senses instantly. He realized that he was holding Xiao Li's hand and instantly retracted it because it was too hot.
"I have offended you, please forgive me, Princess."
Xiao Li: "I called you several times but you didn't hear me. What are you thinking about?"
How could Song Junzhan dare to speak frankly? He pursed his lips nervously and said, "I'm thinking about cooperating with them. Princess, if you don't have anything else to do, I'll take my leave first."
Watching Song Junzhan leave, Xiao Li was puzzled: Hmm? Is Xiaoxianxian worried?
----
Liu Xueyin and King Chen have not shown up yet, but Xiao Li knows that they will come sooner or later.
She was not in a hurry to find them, but secretly planned and accumulated strength, waiting for them to make a move. No matter how evil they were, she could make sure they got nothing.
However, Xiao Li never expected that Lu Ling would get entangled with her.
Xiao Li's blow was not light. If Lu Ling didn't die, he would be seriously injured. But it's only been four days and he can already jump around everywhere.
First he went to the palace to meet the emperor, presented him with treasures, and then he asked the emperor to marry her directly.
The news from the emperor had not yet left the palace, so he quickly left the palace, bringing gifts he had prepared long ago, and swaggered to the door of the princess's mansion to ask for an audience.
He probably relied on the fact that Xiao Li didn't dare to kill him because he had a clear path.
Xiao Li naturally would not see him, but he was not angry even if he was driven away. He even said boldly that he would not marry anyone else but Princess Xuanyang in this life and would be willing to die at her hands.
Xiao Li: ...The damage is not that great, but it really makes me feel nauseous.
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