Without official positions, Li Ling can truly understand the true meaning of this sentence this time.

Since he was dismissed from the position of Yangzhou prefect and no new appointment, he has completely relaxed in the capital.

Without many official chores in the government, no intrigues in the court, and every trap, he could live a relaxed and comfortable life every day. In addition to writing some novels to wait for it to be published, he would go to Zongheng Bookstore to guide the people below to operate according to the strategies he had set before.

What are the new members of the bookstore, what are the recommendations of classic and good books, what are the selections of Wenkui and Huakui... These things that have never been proposed have been presented one by one under his guidance, which naturally brought a big trend in Luoyang City, and also made Zongheng Bookstore famous again in the city.

During this period, Yang Qingxiao and the others finally rushed back from Jiangnan and moved into a very grand mansion that Li Ling had already purchased.

As the capital of the Great Yue Dynasty, Luoyang is the same as the imperial capital in later generations. The housing prices are naturally far higher than those elsewhere. Even a small courtyard with a single family costs hundreds of taels of silver. But what Li Ling bought this time was enough for five places. There were as many luxury houses in the inner city as there were as many as twenty or thirty rooms, and only those high-ranking governments could compare with his family.

But this is reasonable. After all, Mr. Li is also very wealthy now. In the business world of Beijing, it is also a very famous existence. Naturally, his mansion here cannot be worse. What is stronger than the houses of ordinary merchants is that the gate of Li Ling's house is still open to the street, rather than just like the houses of ordinary people, and can only be opened in the alley.

This is a rule since ancient times. Ordinary people, even if they are rich, must not open on the street to show their status and rank deep in the alley. However, after having an official position of a fifth rank or above, the situation is very different. With privileges, they can set up doors along the street and plaques can be hung.

Although Li Ling was dismissed from his official position, his official position was still there, so he could naturally set up a mansion according to the regulations of the officials. The plaque of "Li's House" with a red background is enough to make many businessmen jealous.

As the female family moved in, the originally deserted house gradually became lively. Li Ling also spent more time to accompany his wife and sister, and the family was naturally filled with joy and harmony.

The only thing that makes people feel a little uncomfortable is this weather. It is winter, and there are winds and snowstorms from time to time, making it impossible for everyone to go out to visit the surrounding scenery. Otherwise, Li Ling and the others would designate to leave Luoyang City and wander around the capital. They even made up their minds to take a long trip after the spring of the following year.

Perhaps for others, being dismissed from office for the cause of King Yong is an extremely aggrieved thing, but for Li Ling, it has become a good thing. At least for more than a month, he has lived a comfortable and fulfilling life. Compared to being an official in Jiangnan, he needs to rack his brains and be careful about all kinds of things. He feels that such leisurely days can make him feel happier.

Therefore, when those friends and colleagues in the Beijing area complained about him because of this, Li Ling became the one who comforted the other party, saying that he was doing well and had no resentment at all.

Today, there is another drink party, but the person who treats this time is higher than his former colleagues and friends, but he is Sun Pu, the prince Huai.

Li Ling and King Huai are indeed very close. Zongheng Bookstore in the capital has a share of the other party. It is precisely because of him as his backing that Zongheng Bookstore can rise in just a short time and become the leader of the Beijing Bookstore industry. Other bookstores have no way to deal with it.

In Li Ling's eyes, this King Huai was even more wonderful. He could have competed for the throne, but he voluntarily withdrew. When the current emperor succeeded to the throne and wanted to reuse him, he gave in again. In the end, he only wanted to be a free and free prince without power and free.

Such people are really alien among the many ambitions of the royal family, but if you think about it carefully, this is another extremely wise choice. It is precisely because of his concessions that the current emperor has only brotherhood and no suspicion. Therefore, when other princes of the same generation were driven out of the capital and became an unknown prince in a certain place, King Huai stayed safely in Luoyang, lived a very comfortable life, and could still open a retreat to the sea.

Moreover, it is said that he had a great influence on the emperor. As long as the person recommended by King Huai to the emperor, almost all of them could have certain powers in the court. For example, Tang Qianwen, the deputy minister, was the representative of it. This is also a manifestation of the excellent relationship between his brothers.

Today, King Huai held a banquet in Guihai, so Li Ling naturally did not dare to refuse. As soon as noon approached, he rushed over.

There was no debate in Guihaiju this time, so it seemed quite quiet. However, the place where Li Ling and the others drank was a little noisy, because they drank with the window, and there was a long street full of traffic and crowds.

"How is it? Have you been doing well recently?" Sun Pu asked Li Ling with a smile.

Li Ling also smiled and replied: "Thank you for the blessing of the prince. You have been living a very comfortable life these days. To be honest, in the past few years, I have been constantly struggling in the capital, southwest and south of the Yangtze River. Although I have done some things, I have been very troubled. I always feel that I may fall down at any time. How great is it now, I have no power and can be free and easy."

"Haha, you can be free and easy, that's right. To be honest, there are too many mediocre people in the world who don't understand the benefits of free and easy. They have to fall head-on into the world of fame and fortune. In the end, not only will they not be able to be free, but they may also spend all their own wealth and life."

The two of them spoke in an opportunistic manner and raised their glasses together. But then, King Huai sighed and said, "But you are still young after all, and you are not even thirty years old, and you are planning to fade out of the officialdom? Isn't this too early?"

"What the prince said is completely different from whether he wants to be an official or not. This time the incident has been a big deal, and Your Majesty blames me for this. I really don't realize that I still have a chance to go back to the court." Li Ling smiled and said.

"Haha, things are human. When some changes come, who can tell them correctly? What do you think here?"

"Guihaiju is located in the most prosperous part of the capital, which is naturally excellent." Li Ling was a little surprised by the other party's sudden change of topic, but he still replied casually.

"No, I am not referring to the entire Guihaiju, but to this place where you and I sit."

"Uh..." Li Ling really couldn't say that he didn't like this place. After all, it was a bit too noisy, but he didn't want to tell lies perfunctory things.

His reaction was naturally accurately captured by the other party, and he laughed: "It seems that you are not very interested in the environment here. Yes, it is too noisy here. If your friends drink, it is better to choose a quiet place, so that it is fun to chat and drink. But do you know that, except for sitting on the third floor when I listen to the debates of famous scholars and talents in the city, I prefer to sit in this position to drink."

"Oh? Why is this?" Li Ling was really surprised.

"Because you can see the most real side of all living beings here, and their joys, sorrows, sorrows, and happiness can be seen from the window. Moreover, you still look at the lives of the people in a distant manner, so that I will not be trapped in the eyes of a powerful prince." King Huai said, pointing to the crowd below, "Look there, a man came back from the East City with his two children's hands, with a satisfied smile on his face, but beside him, a man with a sad face... The former must have lived a good life, while the latter may have difficulties. They are also from the capital, why do they have such different situations? Is it a problem with the government, a problem with the court, or a problem with their own?

"Many times, I'm thinking about these things, but I can't get any answers. But it's still quite interesting to see this way, making me feel that I'm not just a prince who does nothing..."

Li Ling listened carefully, his eyes were also constantly surfing the ordinary people on the street below, slowly turning the corners of his mouth up, and he understood the meaning of the other party: "The prince is talking about the point, being high above, not seeing the joys and sorrows of the world, and not being the right way to be an official. Should he always take his mind out and pay attention to the situation of the people?"

King Huai laughed and gently stroked his chin and beard: "So I like to get along with you. As the saying goes, it's hard to find a close friend." Then he looked solemn and said, "You don't have an official position this time, it's an opportunity. You can see the world from the perspective of the people. It's always more real than those high-ranking officials who are far away from the people. Maybe when your Majesty uses you again, you can benefit the people."

Li Ling showed respect on his face. He thought that King Huai was just a free and leisure king, but now he realized that he was also concerned about the people of the world. So he immediately stood up and bowed solemnly: "I am here to be taught and I dare not forget it in this life."

"Haha, there is no need to do this. Come, sit down and drink, don't be too burdened and forget all the important things. I still have shares in your Zongheng Bookstore, but I have to do the business well."

"Don't worry, Prince, I naturally dare not neglect the business matters..." Li Ling sat down and said casually. Before he finished speaking, his eyes were taken away by the sudden changes below. At the same time, the King Huai beside him also looked at the fast horse knight galloping on the imperial street, scaring the nearby people to scream and dodge.

The horse was really fast, just a black spot, and it was clearly visible that man and the horse were covered in dust, as well as the flags on the back of the knight and the bamboo tube hanging on his waist. Everything made the two of them quickly guess his identity - a meteor fast horse specially used to convey urgent reports in the army!

After a while, the rider had already rushed across the Imperial Street and headed straight to the Imperial City, and his speed still did not decrease.
Chapter completed!