The envoy of the Great Han Kingdom had already received an imperial edict from the capital of his country, asking him to find a cultivator named Li Qiang. Once found, he must be kept and all his needs must be met. In any case, he must be invited to the capital of the Great Han Kingdom.
Such an imperial edict made the envoy completely confused. He didn't understand where this Li Qiang came from. It was not until today that he heard rumors that Li Qiang was the younger brother of the old man Fu Chongbi.
The envoy immediately reported the news to the palace through the royal sound transmission array. Soon, the emperor issued an edict, ordering the envoy to pay a visit to Li Qiang immediately, and at the same time issued an edict to grant Li Qiang the title of the first-class Marquis of the Great Han Kingdom, and urged him to go to Beijing to meet the emperor.
The envoy immediately rushed to the Holy King's Mansion and asked to meet Li Qiang.
Li Qiang was really in a headache. He had no merits, and both countries were vying to give him official titles. He didn't know what to do now. It's funny to think that the idea of escaping at this time is actually similar to the mood when he killed people on Earth.
Although Li Qiang also wanted to go to the Han Kingdom and wait for Fu Shan to take him to Fengyuan Star, there were two things that had to be done first.
Li Qiang had an idea and said with a smile: "Special envoy, I have something to do in the old Song Kingdom, and I may need to borrow the help of the great master, what do you think..."
The special envoy hurriedly replied: "My Lord, I have been ordered to assist you with all my strength, and you can tell me what you want."
Li Qiang was overjoyed and said: "Okay, I thank you first."
After sending the special envoy away, Li Qiang patted his forehead hard, and Mei Jingjing giggled: "Brother, you seem unwilling to be an official, and many people envy you."
Li Qiang smiled bitterly: "Niuniu, don't make fun of your brother, I'm so annoyed."
In the evening, Cheng Zizhong and an official rushed to the palace. This official was also a cultivator of the Gongfeng Hall, specializing in collecting and analyzing intelligence. He had a second-rank official title and was named Tan Chigong.
After sitting down, Li Qiang began to ask in detail about the relationship between the two countries. He first had a general understanding of the economy, military, and monarch-minister relationship of Li Tang. He was most interested in the recent business situation of Li Tang, including the rise and fall of prices, the number of merchants, and the consumption of civilians. Although Tan Chigong felt strange, he did not dare to neglect it. He immediately ordered people to report and collect a large amount of information to the palace through the royal sound transmission array.
Li Qiang was a successful businessman on Earth. He once earned tens of millions of assets in just a few years. He usually had a habit of collecting and analyzing business information. In the era of information explosion on Earth, all kinds of information were numerous. For those mixed information, one must be good at sorting and summarizing to find valuable business information.
The information provided by Tan Chigong and Cheng Zizhong was specific and accurate, which gave Li Qiang the best basis for logical reasoning after summarizing and sorting. Listening to Li Qiang's analysis, Tan Chigong was impressed. It was the first time he knew that intelligence could be used in this way.
Hou Pijing was also very surprised. It turned out that he planned to use Li Qiang's dual identity to suppress the special envoy of Li Tang. Li Qiang was actually a puppet. After listening to Li Qiang's comprehensive analysis of the situation, he knew that he had underestimated Li Qiang. He was able to infer the military operation of the country from the fluctuation of market prices and the number of business activities in Li Tang. He really looked at him with new eyes.
The result of Li Qiang's analysis was that Li Tang was completely unable to carry out this war. This carefully planned situation was actually a scam. It was completely the need of the power struggle in Li Tang. At the same time, there seemed to be another purpose in it. It seemed that Li Tang wanted to get something. He couldn't analyze what it was.
Li Qiang felt that he had mastered the biggest card in the negotiation, and his mood was immediately relaxed.
Li Qiang asked if anyone had different opinions. Tan Chigong said, "Your Excellency's analysis is meticulous. I will ask you more in the future. I will immediately organize the situation and report it to the emperor."
Since Tan Chigong, who is in charge of intelligence, has no objection, everyone has nothing to say. But Zhao Hao thought that if Li Qiang did business in the Green Basin, no merchant could compete with him, and he would definitely be a winner.
After seeing everyone off, Li Qiang and Hou Pijing went up to the platform on the second floor of the study. Neither of them needed to eat or sleep.
After a moment of silence, Li Qiang said, "Brother, I plan to resign after negotiating with the Li Tang Kingdom. Brother, you won't blame me, right?"
Hou Pijing looked at the stars in the sky and said lightly, "I know that a true cultivator is not interested in fame and fortune. However, I will reach the "Crossing Tribulation" period in a hundred years. If I can't pass this threshold, I will never have the chance to look after my homeland. Brother, I don't have many relatives, so I will treat you as my closest person. Don't give up your official position. You can go wherever you want. I won't let you stay in the old Song country forever. Even if you come to visit on my behalf in the future, okay? "
Li Qiang was very moved by Hou Pijing's concern for his homeland and said, "Okay, I promise you." He asked again, "Is the Crossing Tribulation period very dangerous? It seems that when we were on Mars, Hua Mei Niang once said that Brother Fu was also about to reach the Crossing Tribulation period. "
"Crossing Tribulation is the biggest difficulty for cultivators. If there are a hundred cultivators who reach the Crossing Tribulation period, no more than thirty can safely cross it. Those who cross it can rise to another realm and reach the so-called world of cultivation. Those who can't cross it will be wiped out. Not only the body but also the Nascent Soul will disappear, which is the real death. The arrival of the Tribulation Period comes naturally as the cultivation deepens, and the cultivator cannot control it by himself. "Hou Pijing explained.
Li Qiang asked again: "Is there no other safer way to cross the tribulation? "
"There are two ways that are slightly better." Hou Pijing stretched out two fingers and said: "First, before the Tribulation Period, try to 'weapon release' to let the Nascent Soul practice. The advantage of doing this is that you never have to worry about the Tribulation Period. The disadvantage is that because there is no body, the power loss is huge, and you must rely on the care of other cultivators. If you are discovered by a cultivator with bad intentions and refined into a sinister weapon, you will never be able to reincarnate. The second way is to have the help of other cultivators during the Tribulation Period to fight the disaster together. This is very useful for the Tribulation Crosser. The difficulty is that the cultivator who helps will be seriously injured. If they are not very close friends, they will not be willing to help. Besides, it is difficult to find masters! ”
Hou Pijing sighed and said: “I have been alone all my life. I don't want to die, and no one helps me. Haha, that's why I need you to help me look after my homeland. ”
Li Qiang was impulsive and said: “Brother, when you reach the stage of crossing the tribulation, please inform me and let me help you. ”
Hou Pijing was moved and shook his head thinking: “A hundred years have passed in a flash. Although Li Qiang wants to help, it's a pity that he can't reach the required level within a hundred years. ”
There was a question in his mind. Li Qiang asked: “Brother, last time you fought the golden crystal horn beast, why could you catch it and make it helpless, and even break its horn with your bare hands? I didn't see you use any magic weapon. What's the reason? ”
Hou Pijing smiled and said: “I thought you didn't ask, but I couldn't help it. This should start with the schools of cultivation. There are many schools of cultivation, and there are all kinds of strange and good and evil ones. Take the Chongxuan School and Laozi's master Yuanshi School for comparison. The Chongxuan School focuses on making tools, and enters the cultivation of the truth by making tools. It emphasizes guiding from the outside to the inside with tools. You should have a deep understanding. "
Thinking of the experience of practicing a few weapons in Hanlin City, Li Qiang nodded and said: "That's true. I just practiced a few weapons, and I feel that my skills have increased a lot."
Hou Pijing said: "Yes, this is the advantage of the Chongxuan School. While practicing, you can also make magic weapons. The practice of Yuanshi School is completely different. It starts with martial arts and then enters the door of cultivation. The practice method of Yuanshi School also has an advantage, that is, it does not rely on magic weapons, but cultivates itself into a magic weapon. The disadvantage is that it is too difficult to get started. "
Li Qiang silently pondered: "Is it a magic weapon? It is a magic weapon in itself…" It seems that there is an idea in his mind, but he can't grasp it. He scratched his head and said: "Brother, can you teach me kung fu?"
Hou Pijing remained silent for a while, handed Li Qiang something that looked like a jade slip, and said: "Well, anyway, the people of Chongxuan Sect are all practicing concurrently. This is for you. How much you can understand is all yours. I am not in a position to give you any advice." Without waiting for Li Qiang to answer, a white light flashed, and the figure disappeared.
Li Qiang was really too vague, which made Hou Pijing think that he wanted to learn the cultivation method of his sect, which was very taboo for cultivators. Fortunately, Hou Pijing didn't care too much. He gave Li Qiang the classics of his sect, but he could only do this step. How to practice depends on Li Qiang himself.
This is a strip of half a foot long, three fingers wide, smooth and jade-smooth, and simple in shape. Li Qiang tried to probe some of his true essence and found that it was a jade pupil tablet that recorded the cultivation methods of Yuanshi Sect. Li Qiang's heart began to beat wildly. He just wanted Hou Pijing to teach him some martial arts, but he didn't expect that he would give him the cultivation books of Yuanshi Sect.
The content recorded in the jade pupil tablet was not much. Compared with the jade pupil tablet of Chongxuan Sect sent by Fu Shan, it was only about one-third of that. It recorded all the methods of how to cultivate the body and the Nascent Soul. The method of laying the foundation was very simple, with only one sitting posture, one walking posture, and one lying posture, but the posture was rather strange.
Li Qiang was very curious and wrote down the three postures and the methods of practicing. After putting away the jade pupil tablet, the sky was already turning white. He stretched and walked downstairs. The slave who was on night watch immediately came forward to pay his respects, and a group of palace maids rushed in to wash and dress him, which made him very uneasy. He thought to himself that he must find a way to leave here quickly, it was too uncomfortable.
Li Qiang asked the butler of the palace to invite Zhao Hao and the others, saying: "Let's go shopping today and have some fun." Shopping is Mei Jingjing's favorite thing, and she ran towards the gate with cheers.
When they arrived at the street, Li Qiang stopped the guards from following him, and walked forward with Zhao Hao leading the way.
In the early morning of the capital, the air was cool and a thin mist was shrouded in the surroundings. The houses along the street were all two- or three-story wooden buildings with white walls and black tiles. The street was empty, and occasionally there were people who got up early and went out lazily to buy breakfast. Some chimneys of houses had already emitted wisps of green smoke, and some small shops in the morning market had also lowered their doors and started a busy day.
Li Qiang felt as if he had come to an ancient town in China. Zhao Hao smiled and said: "Master, it's still early now. Let's find a place to have breakfast first, and then go somewhere else."
Cheng Zizhong said: "I know a small shop that makes delicious meat buns. Just turn east along this street."
The group turned the corner and came to the door of the bun shop. They saw a sign on the door of the shop with three big characters "Real Straw Buns" written on it. Li Qiang asked in confusion: "Why did you choose this strange name for the shop? ”
Zhao Hao rushed to answer: “Zhencao is a kind of local specialty herb. When steaming buns, put it in the steamer, and the buns will taste different. Master will know after trying it. ”
The shop owner came out happily and said: “Dear masters, please sit upstairs! ”
The steaming steamer was brought up, and the faint fragrance came to the nose. Opening the steamer, I saw that the buns were not big, the skin was extremely thin and translucent, and the soup inside could be clearly seen. Under the buns were pieces of green leaves as big as a palm. Li Qiang couldn't help but cheer: “Good, crystal clear, small and exquisite, I can't believe that buns can be made like this. ”
Zheng Peng said unhappily: “No, too small, not enough for me to fill my teeth. Hey! Shopkeeper, give me a big meat bun! ”
This shout frightened Mei Jingjing so much that her hands trembled, and the buns on her chopsticks fell onto the table. Mei Jingjing held her waist and cursed: "Bad black man, damn black man, you want to scare Niuniu to death!"
Zheng Peng muttered and dared not say anything else. This little girl, when she gets angry, even Li Qiang has to give her some ground.
Li Qiang tasted the buns, put down his chopsticks, and asked Cheng Zizhong: "Old Master, what is this worship hall for?"
Cheng Zizhong laughed and said: "Even if the master doesn't ask, the master will explain it. ”
The Gongfeng Hall is a royal government office built specifically for cultivators. The main tasks of the Gongfeng Hall are to protect the royal family, the emperor, foreign missions, and intelligence gathering. Another important task is to train and teach the children of the royal family and nobles. Therefore, the Gongfeng Hall also governs the schools in the capital. Therefore, the Gongfeng Hall of Song State has four schools in the capital, namely Xiuzhen Academy, Hanlin Academy, Chongwu Academy, and Guozi Academy.
Among them, Xiuzhen Academy is the reserve force for cultivating Gongfeng Hall. No matter who has a clean family background and certain abilities, they can apply for the exam. It is a school that only asks about ability and not birth. Hanlin Academy and Chongwu Academy only enroll children of royal nobles. Guozi Academy has the widest range of enrollment. Children of officials and civilians can apply as long as they have money.
“Every country in Tianting Star has a Gongfeng Hall. ” Cheng Zizhong added.
“Old Master, which school did you graduate from? "Li Qiang asked curiously.
Cheng Zizhong said: "In the year of Bingzi, I obtained the status of Juren from the Imperial College, and in the second year, I passed the second class of 73 Jinshi. "He was quite proud of it.
Zhao Hao said: "The old master is amazing. Only a few students from the Imperial College can obtain the status of Juren, and even fewer can pass the Jinshi. The master's talent must be outstanding."
Cheng Zizhong said modestly: "I don't dare to accept it. It's just a coincidence."
"You are a Jinshi like Feng Kaiyun, the prefect of Hanlin City. How come you can be a teacher in his house?" Li Qiang asked puzzled.
Cheng Zizhong said: "I am the emperor's patrol envoy, and the examination of officials is one of my duties."
Li Qiang understood that the emperor had arranged a lot of spies.
Mei Jingjing clapped her hands and shouted: "Niuniu is full. Old Master, you are most familiar with the capital, take us to where there is fun."
Cheng Zizhong laughed and said: "Let's go to the entrance of Temple Street first, there are many shops there, and then go to the largest restaurant in the capital, Baifanlou, at noon, what do you think, Lord Li?"
Before Li Qiang could speak, Mei Jingjing shouted: "Okay, let's go to the shops first."
Zhao Hao threw down a piece of silver, and everyone got up and went to the entrance of Temple Street.
The entrance of Temple Street was the most prosperous area of the capital of the former Song Dynasty, with merchants and shops everywhere. Although Li Qiang was a little surprised, he had seen places that were ten times more prosperous. Cheng Zizhong and Zhao Hao were well-informed and did not think it was surprising. Mei Jingjing's family was in the capital of Li Tang State, and they had also seen equally prosperous places. Zheng Peng was different. He had never seen such a lively place since he was born. His big head looked left and right, shaking like a rattle, and everything he saw was new.
In the morning, more and more people began to gather at the entrance of Temple Street.
There was a gong sound on the open space at the corner of the street. Zhao Hao said, "It might be a street performer beating a gong. Do you want to go and see?"
Zheng Peng rushed to say, "Let's go and see!" He ran over with big strides.
Cheng Zizhong said, "It doesn't look like a street performer. Let's take a look." Several people also followed slowly behind.
When everyone got closer, they saw that it was indeed not a street performer, but a street vendor.
It was a middle-aged man, thin, tired, with a straw sign on his head. Behind him stood two burly men, one of whom was hitting a small gong, and the other grabbed the middle-aged man's collar and shouted: "There is a man who is willing to sell himself to pay off his gambling debts. I will sell him cheaply for only ten taels of silver. If you want to buy, please speak up!"
Someone on the side said: "Isn't this the second son of the Qi family? He is a sinner. He lost everything in gambling. He sold his wife and children, and now he even sells himself."
Someone else said: "He deserves it! Who told him to gamble?"
More and more people gathered around, watching the excitement, and no one spoke up to buy. Seeing that no one offered, the two men shouted for a while, and their anger grew. They beat the middle-aged man with a bang. The man just held his head and sobbed and said something in his mouth. Mei Jingjing couldn't stand it anymore. This little girl had been a robber and was a bit domineering. She pulled out a whip from her storage belt and shook it in the air. "Snap", the whip made a crisp sound.
The two big men were startled when they heard the whip sound. They looked up and saw a cute little girl with a white soft whip in her hand, looking at them angrily.
One of the big men laughed and scolded: "Damn it, you scared me, what's the matter? If you want to buy a man to play with at home, ten taels of silver will be yours, haha."
The other big man groaned in his heart and kept scolding his companions: "You have been in the capital for so long, and you can't see any color at all. This little girl dared to stand up, either she is very powerful, or she has a master behind her. "He really guessed it, but unfortunately the little girl had both.
"Snap", the big man was whipped on the face. Mei Jingjing's "Shadow Pattern Whip" is a precious whip, and Li Qiang didn't even know how it was made.
She hadn't used her true energy yet, but the big man was in pain from the whip, and howled: "Little bitch, you slut, you dare to hit your grandfather!? I'm going to fuck you to death. Third brother, help me catch this bitch."
Hearing his curse was too ugly, Li Qiang walked up.