The Grandmaster Strategist

During the New Year, the city of Chang'an is filled with singing and dancing birds, but there is an undercurrent surging beneath the surface calm.

Cui Yang, the Minister of Household Affairs, came down from his carriage and looked at the bustling crowd in front of the door with boredom. His sister was the crown prince Li An's concubine. Although she was not as favored as the concubine, the crown prince was born to her sister, so The husband and wife still treat each other with respect as guests. When King Yong was arrogant, although he was the prince's brother-in-law, the front door was deserted. Some people even made trouble for themselves in order to please King Yong. This time, the crown prince's position was stable, and there were so many people who came to pay New Year's greetings this year. After breaking through the threshold, he ignored the villains who followed the trend and walked through the door with confidence.

When he arrived at the study, the housekeeper handed over a stack of greeting cards. Cui Yang took them and looked at them one by one. After all, no matter how much he despised those people, power needs people to support it. Without these helpless people, how could the prince govern the world and himself? Why should you improve your status? After flipping through it, Cui Yang was suddenly attracted by a post. It was an exquisite name post. The name on it was Ji Cheng, a businessman from Dongchuan. Originally, Cui Yang was not in the mood to meet him. It belongs to an ordinary businessman, but there is a gift list attached to the name sticker, which contains ten thousand taels of silver and a pair of white jade. This is a very heavy gift. Even because of this gift, he has to meet this Jicheng. Instructing the housekeeper to invite Jicheng in, Cui Yang sat behind the desk, drinking tea and wondering what this person's request was. When you give a courtesy to others, you must ask for something. Can you accept this gift safely?

After a while, under the guidance of the housekeeper, a man of about thirty years old walked in. This man was quite handsome and had regular features, but his eyes were a little narrow and his nose was a little hooked, which ruined his image. However, this person is very popular. Standing in front of the desk with his hands behind his back, he looks like a man who has been on top of others for a long time. Cui Yang was shocked and knew that this man was by no means an ordinary businessman. Cui Yang could be the Minister of Household Affairs, so he was certainly not an ordinary person. He said calmly: "Your Excellency, please sit down. Although my official position is not high, I can still do some things." Yes, your Excellency is so polite. I don’t know what the matter is. If it has nothing to do with national laws, I will naturally consider it. '

The man smiled and said: "The common people are here to ask for help. The common people have a business and want to cooperate with His Highness the Crown Prince. However, with His Highness's status, we common people cannot get close to him. You are a relative of the Crown Prince, so you have come to ask for help." If your Excellency feels that Cao Min's business is worth doing, please convey Cao Min's sincerity to His Royal Highness. '

Cui Yang frowned and said coldly: "The prince is the crown prince. There is no one in the world who is not the king. Why should he be associated with you and other businessmen? If this is the case, there is nothing I can do." '

The man sneered and said: "If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince doesn't want to get rich, then what are those Zhuangzhuos on the outskirts of Chang'an used for? Who is the boss behind the Jinyu Tower in Liren City, Chang'an, and the largest casino in Chang'an? Who is violating the law? What about private gold mining outside? '

Cui Yang's heart nearly jumped out of his chest when he heard this. How could this man know so clearly about the prince's family background? He had been taking care of these businesses for the prince. If the matter spread, the prince would only receive a few words of reprimand at most, and he might have to Abandoned his official position. A hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes, and he thought that he must capture this man, ask about his origins, and then eradicate the roots. Therefore, Cui Yang deliberately said with a pleasant expression: "Actually, this matter may not be negotiable. Please sit down and serve tea." , let’s discuss it slowly. '

The housekeeper quickly served tea, invited the man to sit next to him, and then went outside to guard the door.

After Cui Yang waited for the man to sit down, he asked again: "I wonder if you have any business that you would like to cooperate with His Highness. If I think it is okay, I can report it to the prince." '

The man said leisurely and authentically: "This business is not big. This year there is a drought in Dayong and the grain harvest is poor. The price of rice and noodles on the market is now three times that of previous years. And Jiangnan specialties such as silk are even more expensive and have no market. Nowadays in South The hatred between Chu and Dayong was as deep as the sea, and all trade between the two sides was interrupted. The grassroots people had some connections in Southern Chu, which could provide grain, silk, tea and other specialties.

I wonder what your Majesty thinks? '

Cui Yang frowned and thought to himself, this is indeed a good business, but it is a bit troublesome. Although His Highness the Crown Prince has some income, he also spends a lot of money. Bribing officials, placing spies, and raising assassins cost nothing. He just needs to pay Feng every year. Yimen's tribute is not a small number. Look at this man, the murderous look in Cui Yang's eyes has faded. He hesitates to speak. You can't say that we have no money.

This man was very good at observing people's words and continued: "Actually, we don't need His Highness to actually pay. If His Highness and His Excellency take care of us, our business can go smoothly. You also know that without His Highness' support for this smuggled goods, we will sooner or later Will miss. '

Cui Yang nodded and said: 'If so, it would be easy, but how are you going to divide it? '

The man smiled and said: "I am willing to honor His Highness 30% of the profits." '

Cui Yang frowned. He knew the huge profits in this business. It would be a pity if it was only 30%. However, he could not provide funds on his own side and it was difficult to ask for too much.

The man seemed to have read through his thoughts and said mysteriously: "Actually, the common people have another idea. If the adults are brave enough, the villains are willing to offer 60% of the profits." '

Cui Yang was shocked and said: 'What's your idea? Come and listen. '

The man smiled and said: "Your Majesty is in charge of the Ministry of Revenue. The food, wages and weapons of Dayong's millions of troops are all under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Husbandry. The most lacking thing in Nanchu now is weapons. If His Highness is willing to exchange the weapons in stock for goods from Nanchu, it will not matter. It costs His Highness nothing and can be exchanged for more goods. This income can be doubled. After His Highness gets the gold and silver, he will order a batch of ordnance in Dayong to fill the gap. Your Excellency should understand the price difference. Five hundred thousand taels for one business trip is absolutely no problem. '

When Cui Yang heard this, he stood up and said angrily: "It's unreasonable. You actually instigated me to be an enemy. Are you a spy from Nanchu? You actually came to me and talked nonsense." '

The man had some free time and said with a smile: "Your Excellency, you are wrong. The common people are not spies from Southern Chu. The common people are Huo Jicheng and the leader of the Jinxiu Alliance." 'After that, he waved his hand, and a ray of white light shot out from his hand, flew past Cui Yang's neck, penetrated the bookshelf behind Cui Yang, and shot into the wall. Cui Yang was so frightened that he lost his mind, and the door of the study room banged. After being kicked away, the butler stood at the door with a cold light in his eyes and a dagger in his hand.

Huo Jicheng smiled and threw himself at the door. The housekeeper's eyes were blurred. The dagger in his hand had fallen into Huo Jicheng's hand. Cui Yang looked again and saw that Huo Jicheng had sat back in his seat and looked at Cui Yang with a smile. Cui Yang had calmed down. He glanced at Huo Jicheng and thought to himself, if this person is not sure, how can he put himself in danger? If nothing else, if he offends him, his life will not be saved. He wiped it. Breaking into a cold sweat, he said: "Leader Huo, please sit down, please sit down. I bet you are not here to call for punishment. His Royal Highness the Prince eradicated the branch of the Jinxiu League in Chang'an for the sake of state affairs. Leader Huo intends to revive the Kingdom of Shu. You and I are It's hostility, but there's nothing you can do about it. If leader Huo wants to take revenge, the subordinates won't agree. '

Huo Jicheng said calmly: "That's right. To you, our Jinxiu Alliance is a rebellion, and the incident in Chang'an is helpless. But those are small things. They can be considered loyal to the country. But as the saying goes, there is no forever in the world." enemies, we are now being restricted and excluded everywhere. If things continue like this, we are afraid that not only will there be no hope of restoring the country, but we will not even be able to save our lives. If His Highness is willing to cooperate with us, there is no need for us to restore the country. It would be good to become a rich man. , although His Highness has secured his position, after all, King Yong is still eyeing him, and there are many places where money is needed. To put it bluntly, we are the only candidates who can cooperate with His Highness the Crown Prince. Now we are most looking forward to His Highness making a mistake. It is King Yong. If someone else works for His Highness, if he falls into the hands of King Yong, I am afraid that the prince will be betrayed. Our Jinxiu Alliance and King Yong have a deep hatred as deep as the sea. The hatred of the country's subjugation will never be forgotten, and we will never turn to King Yong. , we also know that if King Yong had not made a plan, Dayong and Shu may not be at war, so there is no deep hatred between us and the prince. If we can help the prince to eradicate King Yong, then we have done our best to avenge our king. . Moreover, even if someone reveals the cooperation between the Splendid Alliance and the Crown Prince, do you think anyone will believe it? Who would believe that the prince is cooperating with those of us who rebel against the party, and that the prince has just wiped out the Chang'an branch of our Splendid Alliance. '

The more Cui Yang listened, the more polite he felt. Although he felt that this person was cold and had no heartache for his brother's death and injury, he also felt that what this person said was right. He hesitated and asked: "There are still some brothers from Guimeng who are in Tianlao." I wonder what your plans are. '

Huo Jicheng smiled slightly and said: 'If His Highness thinks it doesn't matter, then let them go. If you think it is harmful, then execute them quickly so as not to make people doubt the relationship between the Crown Prince and the Jinxiu Alliance. '

Cui Yang felt chilled, this person was really cruel and ruthless. He closed his eyes and said after a long time: "I can't make the decision on this matter, so let's wait until I report it to Prince Ming. Your Excellency will come back tomorrow to hear the answer." '

Huo Jicheng smiled slightly and said: 'This is what it should be, it should be, but Master Cui, the concubine you raised in the city is already pregnant, why don't you take her back? Is it because your wife is jealous? '

Cui Yang's hand shook and the tea cup he just picked up almost fell off the table. He looked at Huo Jicheng's handsome face as if he was seeing a devil.

Huo Jicheng bowed respectfully and said, "I'll take my leave now. If you're not in a hurry, it's better not to move before my wife goes into labor." '

Listening to Huo Jicheng's faint threat, Cui Yang weakly waved his hand and said: 'Leader Huo, please rest assured that I will not cheat. No matter what, I will not arrange a trap to frame the leader. '

Huo Jicheng walked out of Cui Mansion, took a breath of cold air, and felt refreshed. He did take a big risk this time, but it was too attractive. The benefits of crossing the sea could not be taken. As for human life, as long as As long as you are alive, the Jinxiu Alliance will not perish. When you get the food, wages and weapons you need, and when you get millions of money, you can then raise the banner of the Crown Prince of Shu and restore the country. If one day, you can secure the Crown Prince to ascend the throne. , he is a well-deserved regent. When the time comes, no one can rival his glory.

A gust of cold wind blew, and Huo Jicheng's hot mind calmed down. He thought to himself, I have to go and meet the people from Tianji Pavilion again. If they don't succeed there, the business still won't work.

After walking around the streets and alleys for a few times to make sure that no one was following him, Huo Jicheng quietly entered a house. When the old owner saw him coming, he said nothing and took him to the bedroom. After a few pats, the wall quietly moved away. Huo Jicheng waved his sleeves and walked in. Behind him, the walls closed silently.

Under the dim light, Han Wuji was sitting leisurely on a chair. When he saw Huo Jicheng coming in, he stood up and cupped his hands and said, 'Brother Huo, you're here. I don't know how the conversation went. '

Huo Jicheng smiled slightly and said: 'It's not clear yet. It depends on whether they can convince their master. Brother Han, how is the situation over there? '

Han Wuji smiled and said: "I have received a letter from Fei Ge, and they have agreed and promised long-term cooperation. They are in urgent need of these things now, and their treasury has been almost emptied by King Yong. In the future, they also hope to use us from Da Yong received gold and silver supplies. We still have the reputation of Tianji Pavilion. If we can get through here, we can make a fortune together. '

Huo Jicheng got a cup of tea, drank it in one gulp, and said: "Although our Jinxiu Alliance is quite powerful in Dayong, but His Highness the Crown Prince is so angry this time, we will inevitably have difficulties every step from now on. If we cannot bribe the Crown Prince, then the business will still fail." , but don’t worry, we have personal relationships with many officials, and most of them are from the prince’s party. As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together, and I don’t think the prince is a good person. These intrigues can’t stop me. . '

Han Wuji saluted and said: 'Then please take the trouble of the leader of the alliance. Our power cannot penetrate deep into Dayong yet, so it is all up to the leader of the alliance to worry about it. But Nanchu, please don't worry, the leader of the alliance. '

A flash of light suddenly flashed in Huo Jicheng's eyes, and he said: 'We know the power of Tianji Pavilion in Nanchu. If the master of the pavilion is willing, we can have further cooperation. '

Han Wuji smiled slightly, he knew that Luhou guarded Shuzhong and crushed the Jinxiu Alliance's forces to pieces. Prince De controlled the overall situation. The Jinxiu Alliance could never form a climate in Nanchu. On the contrary, it was in Dayong because they The current goal is not directed at Dayong, so it can develop its power with Dayong's connivance. However, now that Prince De is dead, it seems that Huo Jicheng wants to develop towards Nanchu again. Han Wuji said tactfully: "We understand the intention of the leader, but now we are doing this business. If the leader is too aggressive, it will inevitably hurt the business. In fact, the leader does not need to be anxious. This business will only last a few years anyway. By the time At that time, the alliance leader has enough troops and food, and the alliance leader can do whatever he wants. '

Huo Jicheng looked at Han Wuji and said with a shocked expression: 'Brother Han is indeed very resourceful. I wonder if I can introduce the pavilion master to Huo to discuss cooperation. '

Han Wuji said proudly: 'Our Pavilion Leader will leave all this matter to Han, the Alliance Leader, there is no need to abandon the near and seek the distant. 'Then his face became mysterious and he continued: 'Moreover, the Pavilion Master never sees outsiders. Even Han only met the Pavilion Master once and has not yet seen the Pavilion Master's true face. However, the Pavilion Master has spies around all his subordinates. , Alliance leader should be careful. '

Huo Jicheng looked a little hesitant, but then he thought about it. Tianji Pavilion is a mysterious organization. No wonder it is like this. He said warmly: "Brother Han is also a relic of the Shu Kingdom. He should do his best for the great cause of restoring the country. Please pay more attention to the general manager." Speak some kind words in front of the Pavilion Master. He started to win over, and immediately spoke softly and sincerely. Han Wuji felt a chill in his heart. He thought that this person was really moody, and he had to be careful not to fall into any trap. He deliberately looked gloomy, and after a long time he said: "Han We are also from the Shu Kingdom. Why don't we want to restore the country? It's just that the cabinet master doesn't like to get involved in national affairs, so he has strict restrictions on us. If this is not very profitable, the cabinet master will not approve of this business. '

Huo Jicheng thought that there was no need to rush, and said: "Thank you for your good intentions, Mr. Huo. I have to arrange the following matters. I will take my leave now. After the matter is completed, I will come back to discuss the details with Brother Han." '

Han Wuji quickly stood up and said: "This matter is urgent, I will not keep the alliance leader, Han will send the alliance leader away." '

Huo Jicheng said: "There is no need to see you off, so as not to attract attention." 'Han Wuji still respectfully walked to the door of the room, but in order to cover up others' eyes and ears, he did not send him out the door.

After he left, the old homeowner suddenly stood up straight and took off the mask from his face, revealing a handsome young face. Han Wuji smiled and said, "Thief Li, you have to remember that if a person is greedy and will seek his own death, this Huo Jicheng is indeed ruthless and ruthless. If he tries to win people over, he is very sincere. If he doesn't know what he is doing, he may be fooled." If one behaves in a duplicitous manner, it can be hidden from one person for a while, but not for a lifetime. '

The young man said respectfully, "Thief Li is taught a lesson." '

Han Wuji smiled and said: "The bustling world is all for profit, and the world is bustling for profit. We can't even think of the young master's plan. Although we don't know what the young master's intention is, it can't be a good thing." '

At this moment, there were secret talks in the Prince's Mansion. Cui Yang waited until Huo Jicheng left and immediately rushed to the Prince's Mansion. He was the Prince's brother-in-law and a confidant of the Prince. He entered the Prince's living room without any hindrance. Walking into the gorgeous hall, he saw the prince in casual clothes, watching singing and dancing there. Cui Yang couldn't help but take a few more glances. At this sight, Cui Yang couldn't turn his eyes away. It turned out that these dancers were all wearing lotus leaves. The skirt, the upper body is covered with lotus petals to cover the breasts, revealing the skin as shiny as snow, dancing gracefully, graceful and exciting, obviously the clothes are exposed, but the music is cheerful but not obscene, the movements of the women are not coquettish, there is no obscene meaning, let People seem to feel comfortable physically and mentally.

Seeing that Cui Yang was fascinated, Li An laughed and scolded: "Cui Yang, what are you doing here? What are you still doing standing there?" ‘With a wave of his hand, the dancers retreated. Only then did Cui Yang see that Lu Jingzhong was also sitting aside, and there was a handsome guard standing next to the prince.

Cui Yang composed his mind and said: 'Your Highness, I have something confidential to report. '

The prince frowned, but before he could speak, the guard had already said: 'Your Highness, I still have a dance piece, and I would like to discuss it with the musicians and dancers. Why don't you go first, and wait until it is completed so that Your Highness can enjoy it. '

The prince smiled and said: 'Go ahead, I am waiting for your new song. Ask your senior brother to guard the outside and don't allow anyone to break in. 'The guard retreated. Li An looked at Cui Yang and said, 'What's the matter? Say it. '