After the banquet, Zeng Houyu ordered the two young masters to continue to accompany him in the front hall, while he and Prince Yue hid in the back hall to discuss the matter with Ji Yi and other ministers.
Ji Yi and others were cautious, so they still strongly opposed it. Although Zeng Houyu was a little hesitant, he thought that the price offered by Fan Li was indeed attractive enough, so he couldn't help but mused:
"Actually...if it's just a business...it's not impossible. After all, salt is precious in our country, so this is a big deal. And if this matter can be done in his own name, although it is still somewhat risky, it is still risky. You can also try to keep my country out of the matter as much as possible! But... what I am worried about is that if this bronze stone is really seized by the Chu people, wouldn't it be a waste of joy? "
Prince Yue said at this time:
"Father, although these two people look young, they are both experienced and prudent at first glance. If not, Li Ziming would not have sent them to discuss the matter. My son thought that all we needed to do was agree to help. In the end, whether this batch of copper and stone can reach Yeyi safely is their own business. Even if there is an eventuality, I think that Li Ziming will still have to accept my friendship with the country after all! That Li Ziming He has always been known for his benevolence and righteousness, but if he really refuses to order people to pay him back in salt, and this matter is spread, I am afraid it will be of no benefit to anyone!"
"What's more, a mere copper and stone may be a treasure to them, but it is nothing to our country. This move will be of great benefit to our country! I think it is feasible."
Hearing this, Zeng Houyu couldn't help but nodded and continued:
"Well, what Yue'er said is true. In that case, without further delay, Yue'er will take the two of them to the quarry to select copper stones!"
Therefore, Prince Yue immediately took Fan Li and Ye Xu to the workshop where copper stones were collected. He saw that some of them had been refined into blocks, and some had not yet been refined. Fan Li naturally only wanted some refined ones. .
Fan Li selected ten carts of copper and stone. Before leaving, Fan Li discovered that there were people in the honor guard on both sides holding "Three Ge halberds". In fact, this type of weapon is very similar to spears and halberds, because they are a combination with three Ge halberds.
However, most of them are single Ge. It is really rare to see a person with three heads on his head like the one he sees now.
Fan Li felt that this weapon was novel. Although it looked bulky, seeing its three bright golden swords made people shudder.
Moreover, Fan Li thought about it more carefully, and felt that if he could really find a powerful person to stand on a chariot and wave this thing, not to mention its lethality compared to Dange, but it would give off a faint domineering aura. , it’s enough to bluff people!
So Fan Li immediately asked Prince Yue for twenty pieces of Sange Ji, and Prince Yue agreed immediately.
Prince Yue sent them to the pass again.
"Both of you, drive slowly along the way, and please Mr. Fan don't forget your promise!"
"Prince, please be at ease! Because the situation is urgent, I won't say goodbye to the prince. As for the matter of Qi Yan, Li will definitely keep it in mind. When Li returns, he will make it clear to you, Sir, without any delay!"
Afterwards, Prince Yue watched them go away. When they came, there were twenty-two people and twenty-two horses. Now, two horses and one horse made up eleven carriages, transporting copper and stone. The copper and stone were heavy and they were gone within six days of their arrival. But the return trip will take at least ten days.
Ye Xu was sitting on the carriage and saw the Sangeji on the side and couldn't help but said:
"Although this country has been without war for a long time, it is still able to produce such sophisticated weapons. It is truly amazing!"
"Haha, it's probably because they have too much copper and stone. Moreover, although Sui is a country with the surname Ji, it has been isolated from the world for a long time, and many places cannot match the Zhou rites..."
"Oh? Why do you see it?"
"That's evident from the ten sets of chimes!"
If we follow the "Zhou Rites", in fact, each knight level also has strict regulations on the size and arrangement of the band. The arrangement of the band is as follows: the emperor hangs bells on four sides, the princes hang on three sides, the ministers and officials hang on two sides, and the scholars only hang on one.
Suiguo has been almost isolated from the world for nearly a hundred years, and has almost forgotten about Zhou rites, so it gradually doesn't care about them. With the development of the copper and stone industry, it becomes even more beautiful.
Just like this Sange Ji, the original intention was actually to look good, and actual combat should not have been considered at all, but this happened to be noticed by Fan Li to Octavia.
(Later, it was discovered in the tomb of Zeng Hou Yi that nine tripods and eight guis, as well as ceremonial instruments such as bells and pans, were buried with him. The nine tripods and eight guis should have been used by the emperor, while the princes should have used seven tripods and six guis. This reflects the culture of this period. The ritual and music system is already extremely disproportionate.)
They walked to the sixth day, and sure enough, a group of Chu State patrols discovered them. The leader waved his hand, and the team immediately surrounded the Tongshi convoy, called Fan Li and Ye Xu to get out of the car, and asked to check the situation.
The commander said with a serious face:
"Who are you? Why are you smuggling goods here? What is this car carrying?"
Since these carriages were covered with a layer of linen after the bronze stones were placed on them, it was completely impossible to tell what was inside from the outside.
Fan Li immediately took a few steps forward.
"My lord, please take a moment to speak!"
The commander looked at Fan Li with great doubts, put one hand on the hilt of his sword, dismounted and came to Fan Li's side.
Fan Li led the commander to the carriage and lifted a corner of the linen cloth to reveal copper and stone.
"Sir, Li was originally a merchant living in Chu State. This time he purchased some copper stones from Sui State and wanted to resell them to the Central Plains. I hope you can... make it easier for me!"
While Fan Li was talking, he took out four pieces of "Ying Yuan", which is Yin Zijin, from his sleeves, and took out another five pieces of shovel-shaped silver coins.
At that time, although the countries in the Central Plains did not use gold and silver currency, Chu State was one of the few vassal states at that time that used gold and silver as currency because of its long-term business with Baipu in the southwest.
These two kinds of gold and silver coins were almost entirely created by the Chu State itself, and they were quite valuable within the Chu State.
Come and try it quickly. 】
When the commander saw this, his eyes couldn't help but light up.
It's no wonder, after all, if he hadn't met Fan Li today, I'm afraid he would never have seen what "Ying Yuan" looked like in his life.
"Sir, even if this copper stone is asked to claim credit by you, I'm afraid the reward it will receive will not be more than this piece of 'Ying Ai', right? This thing is extremely rare, and as for the silver coin, it goes without saying. These wealth , The villain is willing to surrender everything to the adults, and I just hope that the adults will let the villain go, how about this?"
Fan Li's words made the commander hesitate. He looked behind him and realized that no one was paying attention, so he put the gold and silver coins into his breastplate.
The commander certainly understands that if he pulls back the bronze and stone from this fleet to claim credit, the gold and silver coins will naturally not fall into his hands. Even if he is rewarded by then, he will definitely not be given so much. .
What's more, the situation in Chu State is in chaos now. Even if he turns a blind eye to this matter, others may not take it into consideration.
"Sir, in addition, I may need to send people back and forth several times in the future. I hope that it will be convenient for you as well. At that time, there will definitely be more generous rewards for you!"
Fan Li was striking while the iron was hot. When the commander heard this, he nodded directly, turned around, and said to his men:
"After inspection, they are just ordinary goods, let's go!"
The commander gave the order, and the Chu troops left with him. Fan Li quickly ordered people to continue on their way, and Ye Xu secretly wiped his cold sweat and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Brother Fan is really brave and careful... It turned out that he was prepared in advance. No wonder he is so calm and collected! It's really admirable!"
"Otherwise... in fact, this matter is also quite dangerous. Li is not 100% sure, just because the current situation in Chu State is dim and unclear, and these petty officials below are also in disarray, so these treasures will probably be able to accomplish something! But! It’s hard to guarantee that we won’t run into one or two loyal and upright people, and if we do, it will be difficult to deal with.”
In this way, Fan Li and Ye Xu traveled day and night again, and finally returned to Yeyi on the thirteenth day after leaving Suiguo Pass.
Li Ran and Sun Wu were overjoyed to see that Fan Li and Ye Xu had indeed fulfilled their mission and brought back so many bronzes and stones. Ye Xu recounted Fan Li's performance in Sui and his encounter with the Chu State patrol. In response to the situation, Li Ran even thought to himself:
"This kid is able to have such insight into the world at such a young age. It's really amazing!"
When Li Ran saw the Sange Ji, he was full of praise for it. However, the workmanship was so exquisite that it would be difficult to make it without a master of casting.
However, now that the style is there, it is not particularly difficult, and this time in the crusade against Zheng, we can test the power of this weapon.
So, Sun Wu ordered people to unload all the copper and stone, and began to speed up the production of corresponding utensils.
After Li Ran learned about Sui Guo's request for a salt market, he only thought about it for a moment and came up with an idea.
He immediately wrote a secret letter and sent a special person to deliver it to Zheng Yi's Owl Wing. He must find a way to raise two trustworthy caravans to travel between Zheng, Ye and Sui.
After all, if the copper stone and Qi salt exchange could be conducted directly in the name of Zheng Shang, it would obviously save a lot of trouble.
