I was a prince in ancient times

Don't mention how much Fu Zheng feels overwhelmed now.

Today's dinner was supposed to be his warning to Huo Sen. Unexpectedly, King Yina's words turned into his own warning.

This feeling of lifting a rock and hitting his own foot made him feel angry.

Fu Zheng recalled when he had suffered such humiliation in his military life, suppressed his anger, slapped the desk, and said angrily, "It's all because of that evil!"

If that Chen Wang was his son-in-law today, how could he be so unable to step down.

He had been on the battlefield for half his life, and he didn't have many children. The only concubine daughter was also recorded in his wife's name, in order to find a good marriage for her.

Although Prince Chen is a bit of a jerk, he is an out-and-out prince, and he is also the prince who wins His Majesty's heart the most. If his daughter marries in, she will be a serious princess.

With this name and the influence of their Marquis Mansion, who would dare to anger her in the future.

In addition, His Majesty also intends to use this marriage to win him over, and he also wants to use this marriage to show his loyalty.

It was a very good thing, but the shallow-sighted evil made the marriage messed up by thinking that Prince Chen was poor.

She didn't even think about it, Chen Wang is a prince, and the gambling house in the capital dared to plot against him, making him lose the entire palace.

Now not only did His Majesty feel unhappy, but he was also used to plot against him!

Fu Zheng had a heart attack just thinking about it, how could he give birth to such a stupid pig.

"Send someone back and talk to Madam, let her hire two more mothers-in-law for that evil person, it's because she didn't learn the rules enough to make such an embarrassing thing." Fu Zheng rubbed his breathless chest, saying to After his personal guard gave some instructions, he stepped out of the room and came to the place where the banquet was set.

Due to the large number of people and they were all men in the army, he didn't put the banquet in the mansion, but in a relatively spacious martial arts field. After eating and drinking, everyone could compete in martial arts to add to the fun.

As soon as he arrived at the martial arts training ground, everyone was waiting for him to arrive, but the scene of being seated did not happen.

Instead, everyone gathered around Huo Sen and commented on a horse. Judging by their posture, they seemed to be arguing about riding a horse.

What's so good about a horse?

It's not that there are no horses in the barracks, so if you want to ride, find someone to bring a few of them over. As for surrounding other people's horses, do you look envious?

Fu Zheng thought in this way, and stepped forward to find out.

"Wang Laosan, you have ridden three laps, don't hang on to your horse, it's time for the brothers to try their hand."

The man named Wang Laosan rode on the horse and let the people below call him what he wanted, but he didn't get off the horse, and said foolishly, "How can I have fun after only three laps, brothers, don't panic, wait until I ride another ten laps and eight laps." I'm addicted to the circle, I must let it go, I must let it go."

"You bastard, wait for you to ride ten or eight laps, the banquet will be over, come down quickly, don't let the brothers invite you down." The next soldier refused, laughed and cursed, and was about to go there Sitting on the horse, Wang Laosan greeted him.

That Wang Laosan pretended to run on his horse, but there were people around him, so he couldn't get out at all, and he was about to be beaten.

"Don't go to eat, what are you all doing here?" Fu Zheng came to the front with a serious face, seeing that they were about to make a fuss, he immediately stopped them.

These belonged to the lieutenants and lieutenants in the barracks. It would be unreasonable to watch them fight.

"Master Hou."

Hearing the scolding, the people who formed a group to attack Wang Laosan immediately dispersed and saluted.

The youngest Wang didn't dare to do anything wrong, so he got off his horse with a worried look on his face.

"What are you doing? It's so lively." Fu Zheng walked up to him and asked loudly.

Wang Laosan restrained his rascally look just now, and said respectfully, "Go back to Lord Hou, we are testing General Huo's saddle."

"Saddle?" Hearing this strange name, Fu Zheng frowned.

"It's the thing on the horse's back." Wang Laosan pointed to the horse's back and explained, "This saddle is really good. Not only does it not rub your legs, but it can also reduce the bumps on the horse's back. Horses don't get tired either."

"Oh?" Fu Zheng raised his eyebrows, looking at the saddle on the horse's back with interest.

If this is the case, wouldn't it be easier to fight than usual if you put this saddle on the cavalry.

Fu Zheng had fought against the Grasslands for many years, and he knew very well that the reason why their army was defeated when they encountered the Grasslands was not because their cavalry was inferior to others.

The people in the Grassland Department have lived on horseback since they were young, and they are very familiar with horse riding skills. However, they did not have natural pastures in the Yong Dynasty and could not breed horses, so horses were very precious.

Usually, he didn't dare to tire the horse too much in practice, and when he went to the battlefield, he relied on his half-baked riding skills to compete with others.

With this saddle, it is more powerful than a tiger with wings. When chasing the enemy, you can save a little energy and kill two more enemies.

I thought so in my heart, but my heart was not strong.

It's just because it's someone's fault, but Huo Sen's, and he feels very uncomfortable asking him to open his mouth to ask Huo Sen for something.

Huo Sen was happy to watch the excitement from the sidelines. Seeing Fu Zheng staring at the saddle in silence, he said with a smile, "If Master Hou likes it, how about giving it to Master Hou?"

"No, a gentleman doesn't take what others like, so General Huo should keep it for himself." Fu Zheng stared intently, and finally shook his head.

Now that the war is imminent, it is too late to find someone to make it, so it is better to think more about the formation of troops.

Hearing that Marquis Weiyuan didn't want it, Wang Laosan and the others immediately looked at Huo Sen earnestly.

Lord Hou doesn't want it, can you give it to them?

It's a pity that Huo Sen didn't see their eyes at all, and his efforts were wasted.

After the welcome banquet, which could not be said to be a complete feast for the guests, but also enjoyable, Huo Sen was helped back by his subordinates.

On the way, he was stopped by Wang Laosan and the others.

"Is there something wrong with the brothers?" Huo Sen narrowed his eyes slightly and tremblingly cupped his hands at them.

Wang Laosan smiled and said, "It's nothing else, it's not that General Huo is drunk, the brothers are here to see him off."

Huo Sen hiccupped and said in surprise, "Then why are you bothering me so much?"

"From now on, we'll have to eat in the same army camp. If there's any trouble, don't bother." At that moment, two smart men pushed away the subordinates around Huo Sen and stepped forward to support him.

Seeing this, Huo Sen could only nod his head in response, "Then I'll ask my brothers."

Several people walked together, chatting and laughing, discussing horses and saddles inside and outside the conversation.

Originally, they didn't care much about the saddle, it's just a horse mat, what's so unusual about it.

But it's too comfortable to hold on. After enjoying it, I don't want to ride that bare horse anymore when I go back.

In addition, everyone is a soldier, and they all know how much effort this saddle can save on the battlefield. Maybe they can kill two more enemies and make military exploits, and they can save their lives when necessary.

Can they not keep an eye on it?

Why don't you come and ask Huo Sen about where this saddle came from, and see if you can buy one for yourself.

Of course, Huo Sen was aware of the little things in their hearts, and he didn't let it go. He said bluntly, "My saddle is also a reward from the prince. If you brothers need it, I can pass it on for you. It's just that it's useless. Not a good reward."

When everyone heard that there was a way to get it, they were overjoyed. They slapped their thighs and said, "We buy it, and we pay for it!"

Since the death of the first emperor, His Majesty has attached great importance to the military. The monthly military salary is paid in full. Every time an enemy is killed, there is more or less reward money. Over the years, they have also saved Some silver, although not much, but it is still affordable to buy a pair of saddles.

Pay some money, suffer less crimes, and get promoted and get money after making military exploits. This is a good deal.

Huo Sen nodded, "Then I'll go ask the prince for a price tomorrow, it's getting late tonight, all brothers, go back and rest."

After a few thanks, they left.

The next day, Xie Anlan, who had recovered enough energy, woke up early in the morning. Looking at Lu Chengjie who got up earlier than him to practice, he suddenly became interested, "How about we have hot pot today? Anyway, I will wait for my publicity ambassador." I want to come over too, in such a cold day, it would be great for everyone to get together to talk and talk about business."

Lu Chengjie stopped his feet and asked, "What is hot pot, and who is the publicity ambassador?"

Xie Anlan tightened the cloak on her body, took a breath and rubbed her hands, "Hot pot is hot pot, I think it's simpler, as for the propaganda ambassador..."

Before Xie Anlan finished speaking, someone came to report, "My lord and concubine, General Huo is asking to see you outside the door."

Xie Anlan smiled and said, "The propaganda ambassador is coming soon."

Lu Chengjie understood that he was going to discuss the sale of saddles with Huo Sen, he nodded with a smile, and went down to arrange the hot pot for Xie Anlan he wanted to eat.

It didn't take long for the servants to welcome Huo Sen in, and the hot pot was arranged. Xie Anlan greeted him cordially, "General Huo, sit down."

"My lord, my concubine." This time Huo Sen was not as cautious as that time, and after saluting, he sat down in accordance with the trend.

Xie Anlan smiled while pouring vegetables into the pot, "General Huo just happened to come here, so you can cook whatever you want."

"Thank you, my lord." Huo Sen naturally added a few dishes he liked to the pot, and then directly explained his intentions when the dishes were cooked, "I came to see my lord today because I want to discuss with him about the saddle."

"Why, General Huo wants more saddles?" When Xie Anlan's dish was cooked, she took a taste of the chopsticks and put them down silently.

After sitting in the carriage for half a month, he ate and drank dry food and some tasteless soup along the way. His mouth was bland, and he wanted to eat something strong to reconcile it, but it turned out that he might as well not eat it.

White water with a little salt added to the bottom of the clear soup pot, put some more in it, the mutton that didn't get rid of the fishy smell very much, ruined a good pot of food, and immediately lost my appetite.

Huo Sen didn't realize that there was something wrong with the smell in the pot, that's what the mutton tasted like. Seeing that Xie Anlan already knew the reason for his visit, he nodded unabashedly.

He had known for a long time that the purpose of the prince to give him the saddle was not that simple, but he didn't understand the intention of the prince. It wasn't until yesterday that the men in the barracks asked him about the comfort of the saddle, and he immediately realized it. .

Military exploits.

As a soldier, who doesn't like military exploits? With a saddle, when chasing the enemy, you won't be lost because of loss of strength. You only need to cut off ten enemy heads to upgrade to a level. Now that the battle is imminent, with the saddle, It's a good time for promotion.

Of course, if you lose the battle, you can rely on the saddle to run faster than others with more strength, and maybe you can save your life.

They want their lives and military merits, so naturally what the prince wants is money.

After Huo Sen finished his hot mutton slowly, he said again, "My lord, please don't worry, I don't want this for nothing. I would like to buy it with money, and I would like my lord to tell you a price."

Xie Anlan smiled, unexpectedly, Huo Sen was a rare and transparent person, he understood his thoughts immediately, and saved him the step of asking for money, and the mood that was ruined by the mutton just now gradually returned. Get better.

"The price is negotiable, but I'm afraid it's too late." Xie Anlan frowned and sighed slightly. Although the method of making a saddle is simple, it has many steps, and it is impossible to mass-produce it in a short period of time.

Huo Sen obviously thought of this, and said calmly, "Your Majesty, don't worry, there are not many people who see the value of the saddle right now, and the demand is not large in a short period of time. I still have some craftsmen there. Give it to the prince, the prince can do it as he sees, and do as much as he can."

Now those who want to buy saddles are all well-known figures in the army and have spare money in their hands, so they will not be reluctant, but if it is really the turn of the ordinary cavalry below, let them buy it with their own money, they will definitely be reluctant.

Human life is worthless.

Xie Anlan saw that Huo Sen had a plan in mind, and nodded in agreement, "I will deal with this matter as soon as possible. As for the price of the saddles, how about two taels of silver?"

Two taels?

Huo Sen raised his eyebrows, it was too expensive.

An ordinary soldier is only paid five hundred cash in a month, and two taels of silver will cost them four months of military salary, and no one may be able to afford it.

Huo Sen opened his lips to bargain, but when he thought that the saddle was made of leather and cloth, he expected the price to be expensive, and the prince really didn't make much money, so he didn't know how to open his mouth.

"General Huo, don't worry." Xie Anlan raised her hand and said with a smile, "This king also knows that the price of two taels of silver is naturally high, and the soldiers are fighting against the enemy for the Yong Dynasty, and this king can't bear to make money from them." The money, these two taels of silver is a capital."

Huo Sen nodded with a sullen face, "Then it will be at the price of the prince."

"Listen to what I have to say." Xie Anlan interrupted him directly, "It is precisely because I know that the soldiers are not easy, so I have already written a letter to the emperor. At that time, each saddle court will subsidize one or two silver coins. It can be purchased for one tael of silver, what General Huo thinks."

Huo Sen was stunned, looked at Xie Anlan blankly, and said excitedly, "The prince is telling the truth!"

Xie Anlan picked up the moderately warm tea on the table and took a sip, "Naturally, it's possible that the king can still tell lies."

Huo Sen didn't eat any hot pot right now, so he stood up and saluted Xie Anlan, "On behalf of the soldiers, Huo Sen thanked the prince for his righteousness."

Huo Sen's courtesy was extremely sincere.

Regardless of the mere subsidy of one tael of silver, it alleviated the urgent needs of many people. Besides, it was purchased privately, which meant that after the war, the saddle could be brought back to one's own home and passed on to the next generation.

This is equivalent to doing nothing, and the court gave them a tael of silver.

How difficult it is for His Majesty now, the soldiers also know in their hearts, under such difficult circumstances, it is really...really...

Huo Sen was so grateful that he couldn't speak. He could only keep his gratitude in his heart. In the future, he would shed blood for His Majesty on the battlefield and swear allegiance to the death.

After Huo Sen was sent away, there was nothing left on the table. Lu Chengjia looked at the green vegetables in Xie Anlan's bowl that he had just tasted, and asked, "Your Highness, are the dishes not to your liking?"

"No, it's because I have a poor appetite." Xie Anlan shook his head, he knew that the hot pot ingredients in front of him had already taken out all the hot pot ingredients available in this era, but he just wanted to eat heavy-flavored hot pot.

Lu Chengjie lowered his eyes and thought for a while, and instead of mentioning the hot pot, he asked instead, "When did your Highness write a letter to the emperor?"

He was by His Highness' side all the way. If His Highness really wrote a letter to His Majesty, it is impossible for him not to know.

Xie Anlan didn't hide anything, and said directly, "You lied to him, how could he be so grateful if he didn't say that."

"Then Your Highness, do you plan to subsidize the remaining tael of silver by yourself?" Lu Chengjie got up and changed Xie Anlan to a new hot pot, and ordered his servants to fetch a box, picked up some scallops from it, and prepared to put them away. Put it into the pot, boil the bottom of the pot again.

"I definitely won't do business at a loss, so Boss Lu, can you give me a soft meal?" Xie Anlan shook his head, turned around to discuss something with Lu Chengjiao, but suddenly saw his hand Something like, "Wait, don't let it go."

Seeing that Lu Chengjie was about to put the scallops into the pot, Xie Anlan stopped it in time.

"What's wrong?" Lu Chengjiao stopped his hands, puzzled.

Xie Anlan took the scallop in his hand, picked it up and looked at it for a moment, then asked, "Where did you get this thing?"

"Collected at the seaside." Lu Chengjie explained, "The imperial capital also sells them, but people in the imperial capital are not used to eating seafood, so they rarely see them. I just saw that His Highness didn't like the bottom of this hot pot, so I thought about using it. Try fresh scallops."

Originally, the bottom of the pot should be freshened with chicken soup, but it takes at least one or two hours to boil a pot of chicken soup, let alone too long, and now Yicheng can't find a live chicken.

Fortunately, he brought some scallops with him when he went out to change his taste on the way, but it never came in handy.

"Your Highness, do you think there is something inappropriate?" Lu Chengjia was a little apprehensive. He was only thinking of freshening up the taste just now, but he forgot to ask Xie Anlan if he liked the taste.

Xie Anlan looked around, saw that there was no servant in the room, and whispered, "Can you grind this into powder?"

"Grind it into powder?" Lu Chengjiao frowned, "Yes, it can, but after it is ground into powder, there will not be much left, so it's better to eat it directly."

"It's okay, try grinding it into powder sometime." Xie Anlan said nonchalantly.

Lu Chengjie nodded, put the scallops back into the box, and continued the topic just now, "Your Highness just said that you want to eat Chengjia's soft rice?"

"Yes." Xie Anlan nodded solemnly and said, "I want the leather in your hand."

He knew that Lu Chengjie was in the fur business, and he brought some tea and cloth from the Yong Dynasty to various small tribes on the grassland for trading.

Grassland people are nomads. Almost every household in their family raises dozens to hundreds of cattle and sheep, so there is no shortage of leather, so leather is not valuable to them. On the contrary, the tea that Yongchao people drink is as The cloth they wear has a fatal attraction for them.

Often a piece of ordinary cloth, brought to the grassland, can be exchanged for a lot of leather, and then brought back to Yongchao to sell the leather at a high price.

Although reselling back and forth is risky, it also makes a lot of money.

And making this saddle requires a lot of leather, so Xie Anlan focused on the goods in Lu Chengjia's hands.

Lu Chengjiao's eyes sparkled, but he finally became firm, "If Your Highness wants to give Chengjia away for free, I advise His Highness not to bother."

"No, I just want you to give me the lowest price, to ensure that you can make money, and I can make money too." Xie Anlan is not generous enough to spend Lu Chengjia's hard-earned money, but in business, even if it is her own The princess, also had to bargain.

Xie Anlan had settled the account a long time ago. The cheapest piece of cowhide on the market costs about three or four taels of silver, and one piece of cowhide can also make four or five saddles. It is not impossible to make five or six saddles for a slightly larger one. At first glance, it doesn't seem to be a big loss, but it just doesn't make a profit.

However, if Xie Anlan wanted to make money, he had to lower the price of the leather to three taels or less, which was extremely disadvantageous to Lu Chengjia, so he said he wanted to have a soft meal, go through the back door, and get a lowest price.

Lu Chengjia breathed a sigh of relief, "What price does Your Highness want to give Chengjia?"

"Two for one." They are all a family, and Xie Anlan didn't hold back, and directly stated the lowest price in her heart, and added at the end, "Of course, if you think the price is too low, you can discuss it again." .”

Lu Chengjie's warm eyes rolled slightly, his eyes fell on the dry goods box just now, he paused for a while, and said with a smile, "I'll give you one tael of silver, and you will give me [-]% of the business in that box. I want your idea of ​​setting up a stall in the capital, and the gun|powder right of first refusal in your hand."

"One tael?" Xie Anlan was surprised, how rotten the grassland man's skin is to be so cheap.

Originally, he thought that he could sell it for three or four taels in Dayong, and the cost was about two taels. After all, Dayong's law did not state that it could do business with the grassland department, which meant that it was smuggling, and smuggling often All come with great risks.

Like the dead Uncle Zhong.

This is a life that no amount of money can buy back, so he didn't lower the price too low, and of course he didn't want Lu Chengjia to suffer too much.

Unexpectedly, he was too conservative.

As for Lu Chengjiao's subsequent requests, he didn't take it to heart.

"If your Highness thinks that Cheng Ya's request is too much, you can discuss it further."

This means that there is still room for bargaining for one tael of silver.

No wonder people throughout the ages like to smuggle, it is really huge profits.

Xie Anlan's jealousy turned red, "It's okay to ask for fire|powder, but you have to give me [-]% of the shares in your hand."

"No problem." Lu Chengjia readily agreed.

Both of them were very satisfied, and immediately signed the contract, indicating that the transaction was successful.

Lu Chengjia accepted the contract contentedly, and then looked at Xie Anlan, "Your Highness, don't talk about eating soft food in the future. Everything that Your Highness owes to Chengjia will be written off in these contracts."

Xie Anlan smiled, but she didn't agree. Money matters can be written off at once, but love matters can't be written off for the rest of her life.

"His Highness, can you tell Cheng Jie what the scallops in the box are used for?" Lu Chengjia knew that what Xie Anlan was looking for would not be as simple as eating, so he deliberately put it in the bet just now. , tested it a bit, and now that the contract has been signed, he is even more curious.