Chapter 18 Bundling of Interests

Changsun Chong's mind was spinning slowly, but that didn't mean that this guy was a fool. He also felt that what Li Xiang said was reasonable.

No matter how good Zakert is to us, he is still from Tuyuhun. He is entrenched hundreds of miles away from Yizhou. Don't worry about whether he is the son-in-law of the Tang Dynasty. We still need to arrange troops to watch him.

But what if the imperial army is stationed in Tuyuhun?

Those are our own people.

Do you still need someone to watch?

Everyone knows that the land of Tuyuhun is a strategic location. The north can attack the Tang Dynasty and the south can attack Tubo. In peacetime, it can be used as a relay station for the trade of goods between the two countries. Not only can it collect enough taxes, but it can also make a profit from the price difference.

If we occupy this place, then the goods from the Tang Dynasty can go directly to Tubo. There will be no middlemen to earn the price difference, and all the taxes will belong to us. Why do we need a middleman? And we have a princess for nothing.

The more Changsun Chong thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong. After the marriage, we would have to send troops to watch over him, which would cost a lot more money. The most important thing is that this guy may not necessarily have the same ideas as us, and may fall in the same direction at any time. Tibet.

Instead of spending so much money to find such a son-in-law, why not go all out to occupy his land?

Li Xiang was watching the expressions of the three members of Changsun's family. Even someone like Changsun Chong could understand it, let alone the father and daughter who were both human beings.

Changsun Wuji thought of some of Li Shimin's recent changes. Could it be that the emperor also thought so?

After all, in the past, Li Shimin would agree to anyone asking to marry a princess, but Zakert has lived in Chang'an for so long and has still not allowed it.

It seems that the emperor...

"Pour the wine, let's continue eating, don't stop using chopsticks because of other things."

Changsun Wuji did not comment on this matter. Instead, he pointed at his cup. Li Xiang trotted over to pour the wine. Although he did not declare his victory, couldn't he still understand the current situation? Only fools seek real victory. Smart people only want benefits, and the false reputation is not important.

Seeing Li Xiang pouring himself wine, Changsun Wuji also nodded. The initial pouring of wine could be said to be an act, but now that he has poured seven or eight glasses of wine, Li Xiang's actions are the same as before, without any signs of fatigue.

Maybe this wasn't an act, maybe he really respected it.

Of course, Changsun Wuji is not that easy to deceive. In Changsun Wuji's heart, even if Li Xiang is acting, he has to keep acting. The continuation of the power of the Changsun family is the most important. In the change of power in the royal family, this It was also what Changsun Wuji considered the most.

Of course, Li Xiang also understands this. Family affection is only one aspect of the alliance. If the two parties are to stand together permanently, it can only be for profit.

After Li Xiang poured the wine, he looked at the door and calculated that it was almost time. Why haven't you come yet?

"Is something wrong with Xiang'er?"

Changsun Wuji saw Li Xiang constantly looking at the door, and felt a little unhappy. You came to visit me with great fanfare, do you want to do other things with you?

When Li Xiang was about to answer, there were rapid footsteps at the door and the sound of heavy breathing from many Liba.

"Sir, Qian Ping, the eunuch chief of the East Palace, is here, saying that His Highness the Emperor and Grandson brewed the wine."

The chief steward of the Changsun family pointed to the courtyard gate in the distance and said, Qian Ping came in with a few Liba from the East Palace carrying a big jar.

Among the system's previous rewards was a brewing method. Li Xiang had someone make it yesterday, but because the materials were all outside the city, he informed his subordinates of the method and asked them to go outside the city to brew it quickly, although the time was still short. , but compared to these current wines, it must be considered a fine wine.

"I thought it was something great. Could it be that the wine you brewed tastes good? This wine in my uncle's house is decades old."

Li Tai said disdainfully, Changsun Wuji also had a somewhat unhappy look on his face. Changsun Wuji usually likes to drink a few sips, so he often studies the art of brewing wine in his house. Li Xiang is a little kid, how can he brew it? Does the wine taste better than mine?

In front of Changsun Wuji, Li Xiang naturally had to praise Changsun's wine for being better, but just now he held his nose and drank it. Not to mention it was sour, but also smelled like horse urine. This was considered good. What about wine? Then this jar of mine is definitely the Queen Mother’s nectar.

"Second uncle, don't worry. My nephew just got a brewing method by chance. I dare to ask you to taste it today. If it's not good, I will punish myself with three drinks."

Li Tai got excited when he heard this. Li Xiang was always making a fool of himself. If he drank three drinks, he would definitely make a fool of himself. After all, Li Xiang is a child who can't bear to drink.

"Well said, if your wine is good, although the jade pendant used by the second uncle to announce good news is not as good as the Nine Dragons jade pendant, it is still a high-quality one. I will lose it to you today, but if the wine is not good, three glasses Add three more cups on top.”

The last time Li Tai almost lost the Jiulong Jade Pendant, the symbol of the Wei Palace, in the court, he learned the lesson this time. When he saw Li Xiang, he changed it directly. He saw Li Xiang's love for Jiulong from Li Xiang's eyes. The jade pendant is greedy, but as he said, this jade pendant for the bird to announce good news is indeed a fine product.

Because the system has already given the price, which is worth three thousand guan.

In today's era, the Tang Dynasty's tax revenue is only more than 10 million guan a year. Changsun Wuji's monthly income from title and official position is only 100 guan. These 3,000 guan are equal to Changsun Wuji's apparent income in two years. , of course it’s hard to say what the secret income is.

When Li Xiang was studying the system, he also discovered a bug. Li Xiang could not resell the gifts given by everyone. If he resold them, everyone would inevitably be unhappy if they knew about it, but the system could accept them and give them to Li Xiang. Like cash, when Li Xiang has plenty of money, he can pay a little more service fee to exchange things, which is equivalent to a temporary pawn shop.

This can also help Li Xiang a lot. After all, there are many things that don't need to be seen.

"Then it's settled, bring it up."

Li Xiang said cheerfully, if you are willing to give money, we will never push it outside.

If it were for other things, Changsun Wuji would have stopped playing with these juniors a long time ago, but when it comes to wine, Changsun Wuji is also a little greedy. Changsun Wuji likes the world's best wines, and his family also runs many The liquor business in Daoxian County is not only a hobby, but also a source of finance for the Changsun family.

If Li Xiang really makes fine wine, just like when the wine from the Western Regions was first introduced to Chang'an City, the profit...