"Have you bought all those porcelain bottles I asked you to buy?"
Li Xiang suddenly thought of another thing. Although porcelain bottles were expensive in this era, they could still be bought if one spent a lot of money. Moreover, Li Xiang wanted to store explosives and lamp oil so that he could make simple weapons himself, so the surface did not need to be too good, as long as it did not leak.
"We've bought them all and are piling them up behind our warehouse. We've also ordered some large boxes and lined them with soft straw to protect them from being broken during the march, but the edges and corners might still get damaged."
Although Zhou Huairen didn't know what Li Xiang was going to do with them, he knew that Li Xiang was about to go to the front line, and these things should be taken to Tuyuhun.
"Also, there are things like lamp oil. After buying them, all of them will be shipped to Liangzhou City. Let our people sort out a batch of goods and bring them in, and drive the Zhidaobao to Liangzhou City."
Li Xiang has a forward-looking vision. Although Liangzhou City is not prosperous enough now and is just a border city, after this war, it will definitely become an important border trade center.
"Don't worry, Your Highness. The personnel have been selected, and we can set off with this batch of goods soon. Besides, I have also thought of the inns and taverns you mentioned. They are located around Zhidaobao." Li Xiang told Zhou Huairen the concept of a commercial complex that day. This guy has made all the plans today. According to Li Xiang, Zhidaobao will be the center of the city. Anyone who wants to eat and stay at home will think of Zhidaobao first.
"That's basically it, but double the money. According to your plan, the total investment in a county town's Zhidaobao is 300 strings of cash. That's too conservative. We need to increase it to 500 strings of cash. We need to keep it as luxurious as possible for two years. For example, all the furniture and wine glasses must be the best available. We need to make sure everyone thinks of Zhidaobao when they think of luxury."
Although Zhou Huairen's ideas are good, he still fails to grasp some details. Nowadays, there is nothing wrong with buying expensive things instead of the right ones. There are some rich people in every city, and what they want most is to spend money to show their difference. If you don't even give them this opportunity, how can you do business with the rich?
"Your Highness is truly brilliant. I've been in business my whole life, and yet I haven't figured this out. Rest assured, Your Highness, I will make our accommodation and tavern a success."
Zhou Huairen said very confidently that in the past, he was also one of the richest men in Chang'an City, and of course he knew very well how to enjoy himself.
"The money is in your hands anyway, so just find a way to spend it. Let's set up the stall first. I've already talked to the other major families, and they won't interfere with us regarding the treasure hunt. Let's open one in each city first. If the city is large, we can open more, but for now, let's fill up every city first. We must find the best location in each city, even if the land price is a little high."
In the eyes of the wealthy, Zhidaobao is just a store. Even if it is spread all over the country, it is still a small business, especially inns and taverns, which they simply look down upon.
"Don't worry, Your Highness. When you return from the southwest border, we will surely be everywhere in the country, having found treasures. However, Your Highness must be careful on the battlefield and must not take any risks."
Zhou Huairen said with concern that if Li Xiang had not appeared, he didn't know what kind of life he would have lived. Now Li Xiang must not be in any danger. As long as Li Xiang can come back safely, his glory will just begin. If something happens to Li Xiang, can that idiot Li Chengqian handle it?
Li Xiang nodded silently. When he was explaining things these days, he really felt the heavy burden on his shoulders. Many people depended on him for food, so nothing could go wrong. Once something went wrong, the future of these people would be over. When you pulled them into the car, you painted a brilliant future for them. You can't interrupt it now. I am a man of credibility.
When he returned to the Eastern Palace, the emperor's edict had already come down. Li Xiang and Li Zhi had the same official position, military officer, fifth rank.
The emperor's actions make sense. Although he has already explained everything to the two men, they still have titles. If they cause trouble within the army, it will be a headache for the two generals. So, he will give you a position in the army.
According to the rules of the Tang Dynasty, if you join the army, you must abide by the military discipline. Even if you are a prince and enter the military camp, you have to obey orders obediently.
"Have you prepared everything I asked you to prepare?"
Miss Mengqin helped Li Xiang change his clothes while Qian Ping listened from the side.
"I've prepared my reply to Your Highness. General Cheng's axe..."
After Li Xiang decided to go to the war, he had people rush to make Cheng Yaojin's axe. In addition, Qin Qiong and Qin Huaiyu, the father and son were also famous generals of the Tang Dynasty. They each prepared a steel knife. Of course, whether to give it to them or not depends on their attitude. We can't give away the knives casually. As for Cheng Chuliang, he suffered a great loss this time. Li Xiang originally wanted to help him, so he arranged him in the Imperial City Office. Unexpectedly, he could not follow the army this time. The one who followed Cheng Yaojin was Cheng Chuliang's elder brother Cheng Chumo.
"Send it tonight under the moonlight. Also, send two pounds of good wine to Cheng Chuliang. Ask him to arrange for me to meet his elder brother before he leaves for the expedition."
The people in the Cheng family are all very scheming. They appear to be carefree on the surface, but they can see clearly in secret that if Li Xiang wants to live a comfortable life on the battlefield, he must take this step. On the contrary, the people in the Qin Qiong family are easier to get along with, and all the family members are upright people.
"Your Highness, I have learned that His Highness the Prince of Jin went to the Prince of Wei's mansion after the court was dismissed. Are they both?"
Taking advantage of this gap, Qian Ping reported another matter. Li Xiang certainly knew that these two guys were a family. What good could come from two bad guys getting together?
