Well, now Li Xiaogong was unhappy.
Little fellow, coming to my place as a guest and bringing your own food and wine, looking down on me, aren't you?
Fang Er was dumbfounded.
He just felt it wasn't appropriate to show up empty-handed, how did he manage to anger Li Xiaogong?
Cheng Yaojin couldn't stand seeing anyone bothering Fang Er.
He slapped the table and pointed at Li Xiaogong, saying.
What? This is my brother's courtesy. If you think my brother looks down on you, then you'll pay the bill later!
A jar of Zui Xian Niang costs ten taels of silver, and the dishes will definitely be the best, also ten taels of silver.
A total of twenty taels, hand over the money!
After speaking, he extended his hand, looking at Li Xiaogong.
Heh, you little rascal, everyone knows how stingy you are!
If you can actually take out the silver, Cheng ye will take your surname!
Fang Er quickly slapped away Cheng Yaojin's hand.
Brother Li, don't misunderstand. I just felt it wasn't appropriate to come empty-handed for the first visit.
That's why I had wine and dishes prepared. If you're unhappy, I'll have them notified, and we can cancel the order.
Fang Er's words gave Li Xiaogong an out.
He smiled and pointed at Fang Er, saying.
Don't let it happen again.
Then he turned his face to Cheng Yaojin.
Old fellow, you really want to ask me for money? What, business has even reached my home, huh?
Cheng Yaojin gave him a look of contempt.
Tch, I can't be bothered with you.
After saying that, he sat down by the pavilion and started examining his pockets.
Zui Xian Lou, upon receiving Fang Er's message, dared not delay.
All the dishes being cooked were intercepted and packed into food boxes.
Uncle Zhang, along with his men carrying the food boxes and Zui Xian Niang, delivered them.
Upon arriving at the Li mansion, a servant led them to the pavilion.
Uncle Zhang first bowed.
Greetings, Prince of Hejian, greetings, Duke of Lu. Young master, the wine and dishes have arrived.
Fang Er pointed at the stone table.
Set them all out.
After the wine and dishes were laid out, and Uncle Zhang and his men had left,
The servants of the Li mansion began pouring wine.
Li Xiaogong looked at Fang Er with a smile.
Zui Xian Niang from Zui Xian Lou is famous far and wide, as are Liuli Pavilion and Shu Fu Jia.
Brother, Old Cheng, Da Lao Hei, Old Zhang, and your father-in-law have all made a lot of money with you.
When do you have any small business to spare for your elder brother?
Fang Er didn't know how to respond to this.
If he agreed, this was his first dealing with Li Xiaogong.
He didn't know about his character.
Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde were the two biggest helpers he had met first after arriving in Chang'an.
Although he himself was now a bit of a helper.
But he couldn't forget the kindness of providing charcoal in the snow.
As for Chai Shao and Zhang Gongjin, they had shared hardships together.
Cheng Yaojin, upon hearing Li Xiaogong's words, stopped studying his military uniform.
He walked to the stone table and sat down, taking a sip of wine first.
He wiped the wine stains from his beard with his hand.
Then he looked at Fang Er and said.
Brother, if you can help this guy, then help him.
This guy has a large estate, and without some business to support it, it's not easy for him.
Fang Er glanced at the courtyard, it didn't look like a family lacking money at all.
He looked at Cheng Yaojin with a confused gaze.
Cheng Yaojin explained.
This guy's stinginess is known everywhere, but do you know why I'm still willing to drink with him?
Fang Er shook his head, only to find Li Xiaogong looking bitter, lifting his wine cup and drinking it himself.
There was even a hint of moisture in the corner of his eye.
Cheng Yaojin continued.
His stinginess is selective, stingy with us.
But all his injured and disabled old brothers depend on him for support.
It's not that I'm saying the Emperor isn't doing a good job, the Emperor also has his difficulties, and the national treasury is so empty that rats can run through it.
So, if you can help him, help him.
Hearing this, Fang Er finally understood what was going on.
He couldn't help but greatly admire Li Xiaogong.
So, he got up and walked, bowing deeply to him.
Brother, your righteousness is admirable.
Little brother, I truly have a business deal right now that no one else can do but you, Brother.
It's not like Liuli Pavilion and Shu Fu Jia making fortunes daily, but it's still a decent business.
Upon hearing this, Li Xiaogong, changing his dejected demeanor, quickly got up and helped Fang Er up.
He pulled him back to sit on the stone bench and asked excitedly.
Brother, sit down quickly, tell me, what kind of business is it?
Fang Er glanced at the servants nearby.
Li Xiaogong quickly said.
Brother, don't mind them, these are the descendants of those old brothers who followed me, they are all our own people.
Fang Er nodded, organized his thoughts, and then said.
The reason I said earlier that no one else could do this business except Brother, there is actually one more person.
That is the current Emperor.
Li Xiaogong was puzzled: Why is that?
Fang Er explained: This business will make the Five Great Clans and Seven Great Families afraid, so afraid they won't be able to sleep at night!
So, Brother, do you dare to take this business?
Li Xiaogong was stunned, a business that would make the Five Great Clans and Seven Great Families afraid?
These bastards will have to be dealt with sooner or later, would we be afraid of them?
So he patted his chest and said.
Please be direct, Brother. As long as the Emperor doesn't blame us, I'll take this business!
Seeing his determined expression.
Fang Er began to speak.
It's really nothing else.
It's the newspaper.
Ever since the printing workshop was able to mass-produce paper and movable-type printing, Fang Er had this idea.
But he was too busy with other things and hadn't gotten around to it.
Now that Li Xiaogong wanted to do business, he might as well give this to him.
Of course, he still had to make some money, he couldn't work for free, right?
The business that Brother mentioned just now, similar to official announcements, I call it a newspaper.
It comes out every three days, printing major court events and interesting民间 (folk) news.
At the same time, it can also feature advertisements from businesses.
It can even publish some content from historical and classical texts.
The Five Great Clans and Seven Great Families control most of the lower-level officials, and there's even a saying that imperial power doesn't reach the villages.
Once the newspapers circulate, some things will be impossible for the Five Great Clans and Seven Great Families to hide.
It will be almost impossible for them to exploit the common people by leveraging government policies.
Therefore, I said that this business will make them so afraid that they can't sleep at night.
And only Brother and the Emperor can do this business.
Li Xiaogong was shocked by Fang Er's mention of newspapers!
This business is simply striking at the roots of the Five Great Clans and Seven Great Families!
For example, the court orders a reduction in taxes.
But the people of the Five Great Clans and Seven Great Families will not let this decree reach the ears of the common people in their jurisdiction!
This is just one of their methods of exploiting the populace.
Another is the monopoly of culture!
There are too many classics stored in their homes, which they will not lend out, let alone sell.
Because of this reason, most scholars have some relationship with them to varying degrees.
For those who don't have a relationship, wanting to pursue academic studies is undoubtedly wishful thinking!
If you can't even read books, how can you pursue academic studies?