The war took place in Liaodong.
Jinghua has already started a secret war.
This night.
Zhu Zhen's Shangshu Mansion welcomed a special guest.
This person is none other than the Dutch businessman Davis.
Zhu Zhen's study is still the same as before. Dim, quiet, and burning with agarwood.
"grown ups……"
Davis was obviously not used to such an atmosphere, but as soon as he spoke, he was stopped by the butler next to him.
Zhu Zhen was still deep in thought.
What he likes most is watching the green smoke curling up and thinking about things.
This time the tea trade matter made him very confused.
On the one hand, he was reluctant to give up this amazing profit, but on the other hand, he still took Liu Shilang's warning seriously.
Is it related to Long Yan’s status as a great nation?
Although this statement is somewhat exaggerated.
But he always believed that Liu Shilang would not be aimless. More importantly, if he wants to make money, he won't set his sights on a small tea leaf. His current Silver Beach City is simply a cash cow. While they were still extremely excited about the two billion order, he was probably selling more than a few orders worth hundreds of millions just by selling arms.
but……
Why does tea affect Longyan?
He thought about it for several days, but couldn't figure it out.
"Haha, Davis is here..."
He finally took a deep breath and turned around, his face wrinkled and smiling.
There was no hint of displeasure on Davis's face: "Sir, the matter of the tea trade..."
Zhu Zhen waved his hands, chuckled, and sat back down at the tea table. At this time, the butler had already made the tea.
Then he poured two glasses.
The bright green tea is filled with an intoxicating fragrance. Even Davis, who is relatively proficient in Chinese tea, can't help but his eyes light up. The tea that the official minister drank was indeed extraordinary... I'm afraid even the richest people couldn't buy it.
"Why are you Westerners so interested in our tea?"
Zhu Zhen asked suddenly.
This sentence made Davis's expression change at that time.
Why?
He suddenly felt that this old man Long Yan was really extraordinary. The question goes straight to the point.
He lumped all problems into one.
What he is asking is, why do you need so much tea? Why do so many people start to like drinking tea? The most important thing is actually, why is it that tea is only available in the East, but people over there like to drink it so much?
A question has several meanings.
Davis was stunned for a moment.
How should he answer?
Does he want to monopolize the tea trade?
He has already begun to build momentum and publicity in the West. What are the benefits of tea to human health? Everything is ready, just waiting for the tea here?
Once the contract is signed, he can earn at least double?
He couldn't say that.
If Longyan people knew that tea was so valuable in the West, it would be considered a luxury item. Don’t they sell it themselves? Then wouldn’t he be in trouble all of a sudden?
He laughed: "Sir, our Dutch East India Company needs a large amount of tea as raw materials for drinks, and plans to use tea to replace Western coffee! This is a great opportunity for us to cooperate. If we miss it, I'm afraid..."
Zhu Zhen's eyes narrowed slightly.
This Davis looks quite honest on the surface, but he is also very scheming.
Tea?
This means that what they want to do can only be done by them, not by Long Yan. They only have the tea formula, Long Yan doesn't. All of a sudden, Long Yan's idea of going it alone was blocked.
"grown ups……"
Davis continued: "If your Excellency can facilitate this, then our cooperation will deepen... We Dutch will definitely guarantee the profits of the tea-producing land!"
This is where the temptation begins.
Zhu Zhen laughed and was noncommittal.
Davis, if he wanted to open up this trade line, he would naturally have to find a way in Long Yan's country.
Zhu Zhen is the relationship he wants to open up.
The leading figure of the scholar-bureaucrat group has an important position.
Davis is a pure businessman.
He believes that as long as there are enough interests, no one can refuse his contract.
Including Zhu Zhen.
He gently took out a secret contract from his pocket.
Then he placed it in front of Zhu Zhen, stood up, and resigned.
Secret appointment.
Zhu Zhen smiled slightly and looked sideways.
He barely had to open it to know what was inside.
Huge returns.
For him, for the scholar-bureaucrat group, another huge reward.
It would be a lie to say that I am not moved.
Scholar-official groups have existed since ancient times, and their purpose is to pursue profits.
Unlike the nobles, they have a natural advantage of royal status and rank. They can only prove their existence and influence the court and the entire society through their strong strength.
Money is a magic weapon for them.
And now.
Zhu Zhen sat quietly, feeling a strong sense of sleepiness.
He suddenly shivered.
A sad thought popped into my head.
For the first time, he felt that he was old.
Age is not forgiving.
Zhu Zhen, who once thought that he would be able to survive Xie Tianyao's longevity, suddenly lost confidence himself.
noble……
Scholar-official group...
New aristocracy.
Liangzhou.
When Zhu Zhen thought of these things, he felt more and more deeply tired.
He stood up shakily and walked to the courtyard.
The housekeeper followed behind and put a cotton-padded jacket on his shoulders.
A winter night with a sparse moon and stars.
Zhu Zhen looked up at the sky.
Then, there was a violent cough.
Night in Jinghua.
very quiet.
But who still cares that a tragic fight is going on in Liaodong?
That Minister Liu, who everyone was frightened by, is now in the tomb, digging through the earth to find the imperial seal?
Zhu Zhen suddenly smiled bitterly.
Dragon flames, dragon flames.
Holy lord, holy lord.
Heaven, heaven.
Your Majesty...
I'm afraid, veteran, I can't walk with you any longer.
Zhu Zhen once made a vow.
If Xie Tianyao dies before him, then he will lead the scholar-bureaucrats to a higher point...
But if I walk in front of Xie Tianyao.
So……
At this time, he felt that his old and tired body could no longer shoulder the responsibility of the entire bloated and huge group of scholar-bureaucrats.
tired.
tired.
He was even looking forward to seeing how high this group of young people like Liu Shilang could take the Dragon Flame to?
The next day.
Zhu Zhen was seriously ill and bedridden.
The entire Long Yan was in an uproar.
Jinghua's secret agents were everywhere, and everyone knew that the Dutch businessman Davis had just gone to see Zhu Zhen the night before.
Who doesn't know that he must have given Zhu Zhen enough attractive benefits.
Everyone believes that Zhu Zhen will firmly support the signing of this contract.
However.
He didn't.
he is sick.
As the leader of the scholar-bureaucrat group in Long Yan's country, he did not express any views on this matter.
all of a sudden.
The entire atmosphere in Jinghua became weird.
The emperor first sent the imperial physician to visit Zhu Zhen.
Wind chill.
Old people cannot withstand this kind of wind and cold.
Various complications arise.
When the imperial doctor came back, the old minister was a little confused.
"What's the meaning?"
Xie Tianyao smiled coldly: "Is this old ghost starting to pretend to be confused for me? Huh? Pretending to be confused?"
In the Yangxin Hall, several imperial doctors were kneeling on the ground, terrified.
boom!
Xie Tianyao slapped the desk hard and said angrily: "What does this mean? How many meanings does it mean? Who will tell me?"
"A mere tea trade, the King of Qin suggested rejecting it..."
"It's better now. The old ghost Zhu Zhen is also lying down!"
He was furious: "Just one word from Shilang Liu?"
"Just based on his words?"
"My gold and silver are just gone?"
Everyone was as silent as a cicada.
What do they dare to say at this time?
Too sensitive...
This issue is too sensitive...
Manager Zhou smiled bitterly at the side and said: "Your Majesty, trade matters cannot be accomplished overnight. Your Majesty is the emperor, and he is not deeply involved in merchant affairs, but I have heard a saying that the more tempting things are, they are often the most dangerous... ...Shilang Liu may have such thoughts, so he suggested that the matter be shelved for the time being."
"temporary?"
Xie Tianyao said angrily: "How can a broken tea leaf allow my mighty dragon flames to destroy the country? Ridiculous!"
Manager Zhou smiled awkwardly: "Your Majesty, this...if Liu Shilang was here, he could still call for a confrontation, but now..."
Now……
Only then did Xie Tianyao remember.
The guy who he wished he could kill with a thousand knives is still digging in the grave, looking for the jade seal to pass down the country.
He couldn't help but smile.
Thinking that that boy would probably be disgraced and be hunted down by the enemy, he felt relieved.
Should!
Deserve it!
The haunting guy!
Even in Liaodong, people can deny my tea trade!
I have to make you suffer more!
Xie Tianyao took a deep breath and said with a cold face: "Okay, let him live for a while and tell Davis to wait!"
"The Holy One is wise!"
…
Liu Zheng was not embarrassed.
On the contrary, I lived very comfortably.
He didn't expect that here, in this winter, he could still eat all kinds of fresh fruits. And those monkeys, make monkey wine.
The Luo family's hundreds of years in the tomb were not in vain.
The Imperial Garden is full of various fruits and vegetables. Although there is no light, some plants that do not have high requirements for the climate environment can still survive.
Relying on these things, they also lived in the tomb for hundreds of years.
not easy.
It's not easy.
At this time, Liu Zheng, while watching the battle below and eating these things, felt a different emotion in his heart.
Great war.
Still going on.
At this time, the Qingzhou Army led by Xiao Qian had firmly taken down the defenses here.
As a result, the battle situation began to tilt extremely.
Why?
Because there are not only defenses here, but also various tanks, various weapons and equipment that can be supplemented. Except for war horses and food and grass, it can be said that everything is available.
This is why Liu Zheng must let Xiao Qian come here first.
arrows.
Countless arrows began to fly all over the sky, densely packed, like passing locusts. When it falls, it can take away the Nanyang Allied Forces and countless lives at any time.
Qiao Yuan was already covered in blood at this time.
Du Liang was also in a panic.
Why haven't the reinforcements come yet?
In their hearts, they have actually begun to despair.
Especially Du Liang.
Two hours have passed since the time he and Liu Shiji agreed on. He hasn't come yet...
Something is wrong.
Something is very wrong.
Desperation began to spread among the Nanyang Allied Forces.
Defeat is decided.
"The dog-like Dragon Flame Army!"
Qiao Yuan felt very unwilling and roared angrily.
It shouldn't be like this!
He is the chosen one, he should be the chosen one! He is the king of the entire Liaodong, and his Afang Palace is very large. He can be the emperor!
However.
When he was so arrogant and licentious, he never thought about it.
He will die in Liaodong.
In this way, he ended his political career.
Died in a tomb in Liaodong.
He was unwilling to give in.
but.
There is no way back.
Cheng Zhiming was still killing. Four consecutive hours of fighting had made him exhausted. When Pei Qianyun appeared here, Cheng Zhiming became the first famous general to lose his life in this battle. .
Pei Qianyun's hammer smashed half of his body deeply into the ground.
This time.
The Nanyang Allied Forces completely lost their confidence to survive.
