In the evening, Zhao Kuo and King Qi returned to the palace, and the family gathered together for a light meal.
The King of Qi was particularly polite. When he saw Zhao's mother, he took the initiative to lean over and perform the courtesy of a junior. He asked Zhao's mother to sit at the top and he sat at the bottom.
"Call uncle." Tian Shu pointed at King Qi and said to Zhao An.
"Uncle." Zhao An leaned over and said.
King Qi laughed suddenly, took out a jade pendant from his arms, and hung it on Zhao An's waist.
"If anything happens in the future, just ask your uncle, got it?" King Qi rubbed Zhao An's little head.
"I know." Zhao An said with his little face raised.
"You also call me uncle." Zhao Kuo said to the remaining three children.
"Uncle," the three children shouted.
I don’t know if it’s because there is no blood relationship, but there is a natural lack of closeness. Although it is the first time to meet King Qi, Zhao An can call him uncle smoothly, and even hugs King Qi’s thigh and acts like a baby. , On the other hand, the three children, Bin, Zhao Zheng, and Zhao Ponu, seemed very cold. After calling, they stood aside.
There was no hint of displeasure on King Qi's face. He took out a long-life golden lock from his arms and put it in Zhao Ponu's hand. He also took out an ivory-carved luan bird and handed it to Zhao Zheng. Finally, he took off the copper sword inlaid with gems from his waist. , placed in Bin's hand.
Not only that, King Qi also prepared gifts for Zhao's mother and all Zhao Kuo's concubines, and no one was left behind. And every gift is carefully selected. I can't say that all of them are what I want, but at least they won't be annoying.
"King Qi is interested." Mother Zhao was very happy and asked King Qi to sit next to her.
"As long as the Queen Mother likes it." King Qi said with a smile.
I don’t know if it was because of receiving gifts from King Qi that the children gradually became closer to King Qi. Although King Qi loved Zhao An more, he did not neglect the other children. After a while, he became one with the children. This talent even attracted Zhao An. Kuo is ashamed of himself.
After dinner, King Qi played a tune from Qi State on a bone flute to the children on a whim.
"What a pity. If he were not the king of a country, he might still be a great artist." Zhao Kuo patted King Qi on the shoulder and felt a little emotional.
"What's wrong?" King Qi followed Zhao Kuo and walked outside.
"I have something to discuss with King Qi." Zhao Kuo said.
"Brother-in-law, just say it directly. Why discuss it?" King Qi said with a smile.
"I want to exchange with Qi. Qin will compensate Qi with five million stones of grain and fifty thousand pieces of Shu brocade." Zhao Kuo said.
When King Qi heard this, he immediately stopped and asked tentatively: "I wonder what King Zhao plans to exchange for?"
"Don't worry, King Qi, I will not let Qi suffer a loss. Didn't our Zhao State rent several seaports from Qi? I can make the decision and build several related industrial chains for Qi for free. I can also provide Qi with some farmland." Cattle. Of course, if Qi wants to build a cattle farm, our country, Zhao, can also provide relevant technology to help Qi establish a corresponding industrial chain, from cattle raising to slaughtering, to leather processing, and cow dung processing. , there won’t be any waste. In addition, our Zhao country’s farmers have also cultivated a batch of high-quality grain seeds, and our Zhao country can also provide it to Qi State. But for the last one, Qi State has to exchange grain and money. "Looking at the fact that a few months ago, Qi State sold me millions of grains and grains to Zhao State at a low price, I can make the decision and give Qi State a cheaper price." Zhao Kuo said with a smile.
"Is what King Zhao said true?" King Qi's eyes widened. Qi had no shortage of food or anything. Even if there were five million more stones, they would still be piled in the granary. In the end, in order to prevent mold, they still had to sell them. To Zhao Guo.
If several industrial chains can be exchanged from Zhao State, the benefits to Qi State will be great.
"Of course it's true. We, Zhao State, and Qi State are allies, and you and I are brothers. Can brothers lie to you? Besides, I don't want King Qi to agree now. I just want to tell King Qi in advance. King Qi can make a decision after discussing with the ministers tomorrow." Zhao Kuo said, patting his chest.
He really has no intention of cheating Qi State. This thing is completely mutually beneficial. Qi State is not at war, so the food cannot be eaten at all. Selling it to Zhao State can also avoid mold.
At the same time, Zhao Guobang
Helping Qi to establish an industrial chain and provide high-quality grain seeds can also improve the living standards of Qi people and grow more grain at the same time.
"King Zhao is still thoughtful." King Qi said, but he did not agree immediately. He would wait until he discussed with the ministers tomorrow before making a decision.
Zhao Kuo sent King Qi to the side hall and glanced at Liu Ping. Liu Ping nodded and clapped his hands twice.
Soon, two tall women with blond hair and blue eyes walked out of the room. Their slender waists were twisting left and right like pythons, and their two snow-white thighs were exposed. They were only wearing a gauze dress, hazy, Let people see it, but not see it clearly.
"The maidservant pays homage to King Zhao and King Qi."
"This is... not my Central Plains woman, right?" King Qi looked at the two women in surprise.
"I don't have such a woman in the Central Plains. She is a foreign girl sent from the Western Regions. It is said that she was sold to the Western Regions from further away and transferred to Zhao State. She has blond hair, blue eyes, long legs and a big butt, and has great stamina. But it's so big that most people can't handle it. I specially gave it to King Qi for a taste." Zhao Kuo said with a smile.
King Qi looked straight at the two beauties. After living for so many years, he had seen all kinds of women, but he had never seen anything like this. He didn't know if the hair everywhere was golden.
"I will not disturb King Qi anymore." Zhao Kuo gave King Qi a meaningful look and left the courtyard with Liu Ping and his servants.
The next day, Zhao Kuo did not see King Qi when he had breakfast.
After breakfast, Zhao Kuo's original plan was to take King Qi to play, but because King Qi was not there, Zhao Kuo had to visit the military camp outside the city.
The ministers of Qi State clamored to see the King of Qi, but they were all blocked by Zhao State.
It was not until noon that King Qi got up from the bed exhausted and found Zhao Kuo with two dark circles under his eyes.
Seeing that King Qi was fine, the ministers of Qi breathed a sigh of relief and quickly apologized to Zhao Kuo.
"Foreign... foreign girls have too much stamina, and I can't stand it." King Qi said with unfinished meaning. He himself was not obsessed with women, and he had never been so crazy before.
"The strong stamina makes it taste good. Come on, let's go have a meal. After dinner, I will take the King of Qi to ride a horse and shoot arrows." Zhao Kuo pulled the King of Qi and said.
"No, no, I'll go riding again tomorrow. My legs are shaking a little. I need to rest for a day." King Qi waved his hands quickly. He was not very good at riding horses, but now he can't hold his legs tightly, and he has to fall off the horse. .
"Then let's go to Congtai." Zhao Kuo said.
Congtai in Zhao State, like Liang Huan in Wei State, Zhanghua Palace in Chu State, and Snow Palace in Qi State, are places for monarchs to play. There are various rare treasures in them, as well as "auspicious things" offered by various places. etc.
King Qi did not refuse this time. He could not return to the palace anyway. He had been squeezed dry and would be overdrawn if he went back.
Taking advantage of the time on the road, King Qi discussed what happened last night with his ministers, and none of the ministers objected.
Now that Zhao State is powerful and Qi State is weak, it is not a wise move to offend Zhao State.
Moreover, Zhao State did not rob by force, but helped Qi State build an industrial chain in exchange for food and Shu brocade.
Not to mention that Zhao Kuo helped Qi to obtain these grains and Shu brocade. Without Zhao Kuo, Qi would not be able to get even a grain of grain.
No matter how you look at it, Zhao Guo is extremely benevolent and righteous.
The ministers of the State of Qi also discovered that the things of the State of Zhao are really useful. Whether it is pens, inks, paper and inkstones, cement alcohol, or a set of farm tools and war horses, they are particularly helpful to the State of Qi.
The industrial chain will not be much worse.
"Because the State of Qi has never done anything like this before, I specially arranged a person for the State of Qi. This is my minister, named Li Si. His talent is a hundred times that of the State of Qi. He is solely responsible for helping the construction of the State of Qi. ”Zhao Kuo introduced Li Si to King Qi.
"Foreign Minister Li Si has met King Qi." Li Si bowed and bowed.
"We, the State of Qi, entrust our minister." The King of Qi helped Li Si up. "I have heard that if the name is not correct, the words will not go smoothly, and if the words are not obeyed, the things will not be accomplished. Since the Minister of Qi is building the country of Qi, if there are no officials of the State of Qi,
I'm afraid some things may not be easy to handle. It just so happens that the position of the Prime Minister of our State of Qi is vacant. How about taking the position of Minister of the State of Qi? "
Li Si looked at Zhao Kuo, who nodded slightly.
He sent Li Si to Qi State in order to slowly take control of the political power of Qi State. The King of Qi was so wise that he appointed Li Si as Prime Minister, which saved him a lot of trouble.
After a while, the group came to Congtai.
Congtai is a huge palace complex built in a large garden. A few years ago, Zhao Kuo used Congtai to house hundreds of people who came from all over the world.
"Your Majesty." When the guard guarding the garden saw Zhao Kuo, he quickly opened the door and let Zhao Kuo and his party in.
"What is this?" King Qi pointed curiously at a black and white ancient beast that was chewing bamboo.
"This is the iron-eating beast, the mount of the military leader Chi You. It is said that Chi You raised two iron-eating beasts, one for fighting and one for being cute. But when he fought with the Yellow Emperor, he rode the wrong one. He never defeated the Yellow Emperor." Zhao Kuo pointed at the iron-eating beast and said.
"Isn't this guy an ominous thing? You should stay away from it." Upon hearing this, King Qi quickly walked around. Even Chi You could be tricked to death. Players of his level are simply not worthy of attention.
"..." Zhao Kuo looked at King Qi speechlessly, how could you tell that the giant panda was ominous?
"What is this thing?" King Qi didn't walk a few steps when he found another unknown animal.
"This is an ostrich. Its eggs are as big as a wine vat. The merchant brought them from Tiaozhi Kingdom. After giving them to me, I put them in the garden." Zhao Kuo said.
"Where is Tiao Zhi? Why haven't you heard of it?" King Qi looked at the minister next to him, and the minister also shook his head.
"The Tiaozhi Kingdom is in the west of the Central Plains, fifty thousand miles away from the Central Plains. Its strength is no less than that of our Zhao Kingdom." Zhao Kuo said.
"Fifty thousand miles! Apart from the Central Plains, is there any such a powerful country?" King Qi said in shock.
"Of course, the world is not just the Central Plains, the world is still very big. As few people know, there are two countries that are no less important than our Zhao Kingdom, one is the Mauryan Dynasty and the other is the Tiaozhi Kingdom (Seleucid Empire). "Zhao Kuo said.
King Qi stopped talking. He needed to digest this news. The world view he had always accepted was that the world represented the various countries in the Central Plains, surrounded by barbarians.
But now Zhao Kuo told him that the Central Plains was not the only one, and there were countries as good as Zhao in the world.
King Qi didn't want to believe it, but he had to believe it, because there were no ostriches in the Central Plains, and there were no ostriches among the surrounding barbarians.
Then, King Qi saw many animals that he had never seen before, and they all came from different countries.
In addition to Zhao Kuo and King Qi, there were many people in the garden. It was the first time for them to see so many strange animals, and they sighed with emotion.
"Are there any other nobles?" King Qi looked at a group of people not far away and said strangely.
"I don't know if they are nobles, or they may have bought tickets." Zhao Kuo said.
"Buy a ticket? Can you buy a ticket to enter the Royal Garden?" King Qi was shocked. What kind of operation is this?
"Of course you can. Whether you are a commoner or a noble, you can come and see them if you pay them, but you can't do it without paying them. It costs so much to raise so many rare and exotic animals, so you have to earn back your capital, don't you think?" Zhao Kuo pointed to the big crocodile next to him and said, this is sent by Chu State.
"Don't talk about Yuan Yan, do you still remember the King of Cuju who played yesterday? Our Zhao country has a special Cuju venue and Cuju competitions, which are held every once in a while. If you want to watch, you have to buy tickets. Not only that, you can also place bets. But if you make money, I, the State of Zhao, will take a commission." Zhao Kuo said.
"Can it still be like this?" King Qi was shocked. He suddenly realized that his previous methods of making money were too childish, and how could he be as clever as Zhao Kuo.
In the past, if he raised taxes, he would be angry and angry. He would be called a coward by everyone, and even his mother would stand up to stop him.
Look at King Zhao, he just charged some tickets, so everyone lined up willingly, handed over the money obediently, and even praised Zhao Kuo afterward.
"There are always more ways than difficulties. Although we are
The king often does not do whatever he wants. The widow often laments that he has no money, but wants to increase taxes but is afraid of being scolded by the ministers and the people, so he comes up with this method. What do you think is the use of keeping this garden here? How many times can a widower come here in a year? Isn't it a waste? Might as well use it to make some money. King Qi said, right? "Zhao Kuo said.
"What King Zhao said is so right. I wish I could get to know King Zhao earlier, otherwise I would not be so poor." King Qi said excitedly. At this moment, Zhao Kuo is the person who understands him best in the world.
He thought that after becoming King of Qi, no one in the world would be his friend, but now King Qi discovered that he still has a friend!
"As kings, we cannot do anything without money. Without money, everything will be blocked. When those ministers say they have no money, do you think it's okay? No. But it's different when we have money. Money is the real thing. Lord, look at me playing around every day. Do the ministers in the court dare to say anything? No. Why? It's not because I am rich." Zhao Kuo said loudly.
