Mr. Yangui

Chapter 82 Walking on Thin Ice
There are only five days until the Budo Tournament in mid-April.

Li Wuchang's current state is: he doesn't hear what's going on outside the window, and he only practices Cangyan Jue with all his heart.

Exhausted all kinds of methods, vowed to enter the middle rank of the fifth rank before the Martial Arts Conference, but unfortunately, I always feel that something is almost there. The legendary opportunity is really amazing, and it has been delayed.

On this day, as usual, he practiced for a whole day in Xuanpingfang. After returning to the Li Mansion, the butler handed Li Wuchang two invitation cards.

Prince Lu Xuanyi's invitation.

There is also an invitation from the second prince Lu Xuandong.

The banquet was only one day away.

"When did I become a sweet potato?" Li Wuchang looked at the two exquisite invitations and shook his head.

The reasons for the two princes' treats are the same, that is, to thank you for your generosity. It seems that these two people have raised a lot of silver taels during this period, and they may have been praised by the emperor, so they want to treat them.

In fact it does.

Not long ago at the court meeting, the emperor asked Lin Taifu how he was doing in raising the military salary.

Taifu Lin replied that the sage is wise, and the people of Chang'an are more concerned about the imperial court, and they strongly support the imperial court's policy of donating money and millet. These days, more than 210 million taels of military pay have been raised.

All officials were taken aback.

How many days has it been? More than 210 million taels?

The emperor immediately laughed and praised the common people's understanding of the importance of things, and also praised Taifu Lin for his neat handling of affairs. All officials should follow him as an example. The emperor praised Taifu Lin not once or twice in front of everyone. The Tai Tuo's love and trust are indeed unparalleled.

Brothers Lu Xuanyi and Lu Xuandong took the opportunity to play, saying that they had also raised some silver taels, which could support the army for a while.

The results are amazing.

The two brothers actually raised 90 taels of silver, of which Lu Xuanyi had more than 56 taels, and Lu Xuandong also had three 10,000+ taels, which is really shocking.

The two princes relied entirely on their own contacts to raise funds from the young masters in Chang'an City. It was really rare to raise so much silver taels in such a short period of time.

The emperor was stunned for a moment when he heard about it, and he admired the two sons with great admiration.

There are more than three million taels of silver, which is enough to support the two armies of Jizhou for several months. In these few months, they can find a way to solve the foreign troubles in Jizhou.

Baiguan took the opportunity to flatter the sky loudly, coaxing the emperor Longyan into joy.

The two princes showed their faces fiercely and were praised again, so they were very happy, so they distributed invitations widely, thanking all the sons and brothers for their strong support, and by the way, enhancing their relationship.

Most of Lu Xuanyi's invitations were sent to the eldest sons of the major families, who were also his sponsors this time, there were dozens of them, Li Wuchang was an exception, he was just a humble bastard son, and he was also invited.

Lu Xuandong's invitations were sent to some second-in-law sons and bastard sons, who were friends with him and who helped him this time. There were also dozens of people, and Li Wuchang was also invited.

Both Lu Xuanyi and Lu Xuandong have their own circles, few people can work together and befriend the two princes, but Li Wuchang became the guest of the two, which is so rare.

Eating and drinking between young masters and brothers is not a big deal at all.

But this time Li Lingwu heard the news, called Li Wuchang to tell him, said a lot, all kinds of hints, in short, let Li Wuchang keep a low profile.

After Li Wuchang listened, he said: "The Li family's allegiance is to the emperor, not any prince, father, do you mean that?"

Li Lingwu was taken aback for a moment, he didn't expect that Li Wuchang was a sensible person.

Li Wuchang shrugged and said: "Father, you can actually be more straightforward. My son is lazy and doesn't like to analyze and analyze. If he gets it wrong, it would be bad for the Li family to lose face."

After a pause, he continued: "If there is nothing wrong, my son will go back."

Li Lingwu smiled and said: "You kid, it's like this every time, it's annoying to stay for a moment longer."

Li Wuchang respectfully said: "You are a high-ranking person with so many things to do every day, isn't my son afraid of disturbing you!"

Li Lingwu said: "I'll ask you again for my father, how is your martial arts practice? Last time I said that if you can't pass three rounds, you will be thrown to Jizhou. It's not a joke."

Li Wuchang smiled and said: "Son, I didn't think you were joking. It's only three rounds. Even if I don't know a little martial arts, I'm confident enough to survive."

Li Qing who was on the side smiled and said: "You are confident. First and second grades are okay. With your little tricks, maybe it will pass, but what if you meet a master?"

Li Wuchang smiled coquettishly, and said: "Since Uncle Qing doubts my ability to pass the test, why don't our uncle and nephew come to make a bet, and I won't bet with you for money, because I have much more money than you."

After thinking for a while, he continued: "How about this, next time something big happens in Chang'an City, Uncle Qing, you don't have to send someone to keep an eye on me."

Li Qing was stunned for a moment, and said calmly: "You boy, do I always send someone to follow you?"

Li Wuchang cut it, and said: "Everyone understands, let's talk about the fight between the Jin Palace and the Hanshui Gang in the west of the city last time. Uncle Qing, you sent no less than seven good men to follow me in turn. I didn't run away on purpose. Take them shopping, tell me, what did you find out? It’s not a waste of time.”

Li Qing was surprised: "You actually know there are seven?"

Li Wuchang explained: "Not only do I know that they are seven people, but I also know their names, what they look like, where they live, how their martial arts are, and their weaknesses. , 43 years old, six-level elementary strength, good at wielding big swords, with a steady foot, but not very flexible in movements, usually likes to visit Fenghua Building, likes to drink strong wine."

Listening to Li Wuchang's eloquent talk, Li Qing was stunned.

Li Wuchang chuckled, and said: "It's nothing strange, I told you last time that Dongshi is all my people, and any troubles can't be hidden from me. I don't rely on martial arts, and I can even out a group of good players. Do you have confidence in me being able to pass three rounds in the Martial Arts Tournament?"

There was an awkward silence.

Li Lingwu suddenly snorted coldly, and then cursed: "Get out!"

Li Wuchang immediately laughed and said: "Get out, get out!"

After that, he slowly exited the room.

At the same time, he thought to himself, heh, he sent a group of masters to follow a bastard, but he was treated like a monkey, and his details were investigated to the bottom, no one would accept it.

After Li Wuchang went out, Li Qing's expression became a little ugly, and he said, "Brother, I have let you down again this time, I already have a high estimate of Wuchang, and I sent Tie Du, a sixth-rank beginner, to be a He was found."

Li Lingwu shook his head and said: "After the battle in the west of the city, he deliberately implied that we were planned by him. Can't you see that he just wanted to put the matter on the table, and then take a look at my attitude, and then do it well." Prepare to wait for us to investigate, and retreat to advance, let alone Tiedu, even if you go out yourself, you can't find anything."

Li Qing frowned and said, "So, he was really the one who started the West City Rush incident?"

Li Lingwu snorted, but did not answer.

Last time Li Qing said that if Li Wuchang knew martial arts, his achievements would definitely be higher than Li Wufeng.

Now it seems that even if Li Wuchang does not know martial arts, it is very possible to surpass Li Wufeng in achievement.

Alas, it's a pity to be a bastard.

……

In Pingkangfang, the lobby on the second floor of Fenghua Building, there was a lot of joy.

The second floor has been reserved by the prince for the whole night to entertain guests.

There were a lot of guests, after Li Wuchang went in with his eldest brother Li Wufeng, he just found a corner to drink by himself, and practiced his internal skills by himself, and his performance was very low-key.

Although most of the guests know each other, they don't have any friendship.

Most of the people the prince befriended were "motivated", while Li Wuchang was a typical "dandy".

Lu Xuanyi held the wine glass and toasted around.

Lin Di and Liu Xuan lined up on both sides, as if they were popular people around the prince.

Zhou Chengwang and Zheng Wenlong were also there, chatting with Li Wufeng, the three of them were tightly surrounded by big princes, they were all successors of powerful families, and they were also the leading figures of this banquet, so they naturally received infinite attention.

When Lu Xuanyi brought Lin Di and Liu Xuan into the encirclement, it caused another commotion.

Four of the five sons of Chang'an, plus Zhou Chengwang, Zheng Wenlong, Han Dade, Zhang Yanbang and other respectable sons and daughters, Chang'an city has not had such a scene for a long time.

"Wufeng, where is your fourth brother Wuchang? Why don't you see anyone?" Lu Xuanyi looked around, but he didn't find Li Wuchang. Li Wuchang is a distinguished guest, and Li Wuchang gave the most in the money raised this time.

People around are a little strange.

His Royal Highness also invited that dude to a banquet?
what happened?

Zhou Chengwang and Zheng Wenlong were also shocked, not knowing what happened.

Li Wuchang was heating up the food and drink in the corner, covering the bowl or flagon with his hand, and with a little effort, the food and drink that had cooled down immediately became steaming.

Thief fun.

"Young Master Li, so you are here!"

sounded.

Li Wuchang hastily collected his power and looked up.

It turned out to be the little eunuch next to Lu Xuanyi, serving in the house.

Li Wuchang smiled and said, "Sir Yu, what a coincidence?"

Then he raised his hand and invited, "Sit!"

Yu Neishi smiled and said, "Young Master Li, His Royal Highness is looking for you!"

Feeling in his heart, this Mr. Li is still so free and easy, he didn't show contempt because he saw a eunuch, nor did he flatter and flatter because he saw a celebrity next to the prince, he spoke in an approachable way, but kept his distance.

Such a coincidence?
Hehe, what is this?It's as if you happen to meet someone you know, that's all.

In the servant's heart, he sighed silently, seeing so many young masters, only Li Wuchang gave people a different feeling, neither humble nor overbearing, and the tone of his speech made him feel like a spring breeze.

Li Wuchang didn't know the little Jiujiu in the servant's heart, stood up, and muttered to himself: "Oh, so many pillars of the court don't treat you well, why are you looking for me? I'm here to make soy sauce!"

Then he smiled wryly at the servant, and said, "Servant Yu, please show me the way."

Under the leadership of the servant, Li Wuchang quickly came to the circle.

"Wuchang has met His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!" Li Wuchang bowed and saluted.

Basic etiquette is still in place.

Most of the young masters around were surprised, they didn't expect His Highness the Crown Prince to really invite this bastard Li Wuchang.

Lu Xuanyi laughed, walked over to give him a hand, and said: "Everyone, everyone must know this Li Wuchang, this time he has also made great efforts for the court, donating 5000 taels of silver to support Jizhou."

Everyone was in an uproar.

Li Wuchang paid so much?
This kid is very good at flattering!

Seeing the mixed expressions of the people around him, Li Wuchang coughed lightly, and said: "Your Highness, please don't say that, it's only duty to do your best for the court."

Zhang Yanbang on the side sneered in his heart, thinking to himself what is so great about extorting money from my Zhang family and using it to curry favor with His Royal Highness, it is really shameless.

Although Zhang Yanbang was disdainful in his heart, he was very polite and interjected: "Everyone, my cousin Wuchang is right. It is only my duty to do my best for the court. In addition to the 5000 taels from His Royal Highness, my cousin Wuchang also supported two His Highness is 2000 taels."

As soon as this remark came out, most of the people around frowned.

The secret fight between His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Second Prince is no longer a secret. They each have a group of supporters, which can be regarded as two circles.

With Li Wuchang's ability and identity, he couldn't enter any circles at all before.

This time Li Wuchang took the opportunity to support both the crown prince and the second prince. What does this mean?
Pedal two boats?
Li Wuchang supported the second prince with 2000 taels and did not deliberately keep it secret. Zhang Yanbang heard it overheard, and now he said it in front of so many people, making it clear that Li Wuchang should look good.

Lu Xuanyi didn't show any abnormality, just glanced at Li Wuchang.

In fact, he also knew about this matter, and was looking for an opportunity to test Li Wuchang's attitude. He wanted to tell Zhang Yanbang, and he happened to listen to Li Wuchang's explanation.

Li Wuchang shrugged his shoulders and said with a smile: "His Royal Highness is concerned about Jizhou, so he personally went to Dongli Restaurant to look for him. Naturally, he will fully support him. As for the second prince, he introduced a business to me before, so he supported him with 2000 taels. In addition to supporting the imperial court, on the other hand, it can be regarded as returning him a favor."

Seeing everyone's surprised looks, Li Wuchang explained again: "Mr. Wenlong can testify about this matter. I was recommended by the second prince to help Mrs. Zheng's family see her illness. I received 1000 taels, that's it."

Zheng Wenlong understood, and immediately smiled and said: "Everyone, it is true. This kid Li Wuchang is indeed a businessman. He just took 1000 taels for his grandmother's pulse. He is really a profiteer. Your Highness, be careful what this kid will do in the future. What kind of weird request is made, this kid is brilliant!"

It turns out that there is still this layer of origin, and only then did everyone understand.

Lu Xuanyi is a fine person, instantly understood what Li Wuchang meant, and knew that neither of them wanted to offend nor get close to him, so he smiled and said: "Anyway, Wuchang has made great efforts this time, come on, everyone respect Wuchang A cup!"

Li Wuchang drank the wine glass in one gulp.

At the same time, I feel very helpless.

Lu Xuanyi toasted Li Wuchang in front of so many people, giving enough face, making it clear that he regarded Li Wuchang as one of his own.

It is not so easy to be the prince's own person.

To be honest, Li Wuchang didn't want to get involved in the shitty fight between the princes, but whether he wanted to or not, he seemed to be involved now.

Although Li Wufeng was relatively close to Lu Xuanyi, he was the eldest son of the Li family after all, and Lu Xuanyi would only treat him politely and would not make things difficult for him.

Li Wuchang was different, he had no status, if Lu Xuanyi secretly ordered him to do some shady things, would he do it or not?

Alas, walking on thin ice!
(End of this chapter)