Shinyuemon couldn't understand why Ichikyu didn't want to leave the ready-made answer and had to think of a solution himself. But he didn't mind very much, because the order he got was to protect Ichikyu's safety. Master Huiri said so, and he did so, and he didn't want to stay in Luoyang as a craftsman.

The two returned to the place where they stayed, and Ikkyu locked himself in the room. Shinyuemon guarded the door. He was a person who was unwilling to use his brain. He was not willing to think about things other than his responsibilities.

Shinyuemon was also the best among the samurai warriors when he was able to follow the Japanese mission to come to the Tang Dynasty. When he was in Japan, he had a very famous reputation and could not find any rivals in the whole country. He was young and energetic, and refused many powerful people's recruitment and came to the Tang Dynasty with all his heart, hoping to try his best.

But when he really arrived in the Tang Dynasty and competed with several masters of swordsmanship, he became a little autistic.

Although his kung fu is not worth mentioning, it is even average. He didn't even pass the third round of the martial arts competition at JD.com before the New Year. And when the winners competed with Dugu Jiu, he looked at him and felt even more ashamed. Dugu Jiu's name has been imprinted in his heart since then.

A young genius master.

Shinyuemon was very discouraged. He felt that he might not be able to reach the level of Dugu Jiu's sword skills he saw that day.

He looked at the sword in his hand, smiled bitterly, and felt even more hopeless.

Compared with the Japanese swords that were praised by later generations, the forging level of Japan in the early Tang Dynasty was very low. The weapons they built were mostly imitating the Central Plains style, but the quality was much inferior. In the mid-Tang Dynasty, after several groups of envoys sent the Tang Dynasty to return to Japan and brought the smelting technology of the Central Plains back to Japan, the level of the forging swords in the Japanese country was gradually improved. Although Shinyuemon was a master of Japan, his weapons were also very average in the Central Plains. You could buy better quality and a little higher price in the East City of Chang'an.

As for the "Wuming" in Dugu Jiu's hands, Shinyuemon has no chance to get in touch with such a good sword that cannot be bought even if it is money.

For a warrior, swords can accompany friends for life. Shinyuemon had thought of buying a better sword, but he couldn't bear to leave this weapon that had been with him for many years. Therefore, although Master Huiri made money by treating illness and the economic conditions of the regiment were improved, he did not change his weapons.

However, if Ikkyu can become Li Mu's disciple and learn his smelting method, he doesn't mind letting Ikkyu build a weapon for him. He has already thought about it. If he can build it, he doesn't want a sword anymore. He wants a horizontal sword similar to the imperial guards. Compared with the "sting", he prefers to chop.

"Ikkyu is here?"

Suddenly, a voice sounded next to him. Shinyuemon was startled and his body subconsciously dodged. At the same time, the sword had been unsheathed and the sound was coming straight toward him. With a "ding" sound, something was stabbed. Shinyuemon was overjoyed. Just as he was about to force his strength to pierce, he suddenly turned his wrist and the sword had already lost his hand.

"It's not bad, but it's still a little rough." Dugu Jiu threw the sword back, and returned to the scabbard without any bias. Dugu Jiu looked at him and said, "Engeal Uniform Guard, what are you talking about, Ikkyu is here?"

"Sir!" Shinyuemon saw the person coming clearly, and immediately bowed, his voice trembling: "Yes, Ichikyu is resting inside."

Dugu Jiu glanced at Shinyuemon who was so nervous that his hands were shaking, and said, "I seem to have seen you?"

"I have participated in the martial arts competition before the New Year." Shinyuemon's face turned red with shame, and said, "But I lost in the third round."

"I have some impression, Japanese." Dugu Jiu looked at Shinyuemon and said, "You are not suitable for using a sword, but it is more suitable for you." After that, Dugu Jiu said, "The Marquis already knows what you are here. He asked me to tell Ikkyu that if the method he used and others used it, then he would be considered unqualified."

Shinyuemon couldn't help but say, "Sir, this is a bit unfair!"

"It's unfair, you can go back to Chang'an." After Dugu Jiu said that, he turned around and walked away lightly. Shinyuemon chased him out for two steps. Dugu Jiu was gone. He turned around and saw that Ikkyu had come out of the room and said, "Did you hear it?"

Ikyu nodded and said, "I heard it."

"What should we do?"

"Continue to think!" Ikkyu said stubbornly.

...

When Dugu Jiu returned to the Hou Mansion, Li Mu was grilling chicken wings. A few days ago, he collected a lot of chickens, ducks and geese, some of which could not lay eggs, so he could only kill and eat meat. Li Mu asked the chef to keep the chicken wings alone for him, and after a few days, he could barely have enough for a small barbecue.

Li Siwen has not returned from doing business outside yet, and Bai Qiaoqiao and Jin Chen are not good at it, so only Li Mu and Zhang Tianai are there. Dugu Jiu is here, and Li Mu has someone to add bowls and chopsticks to him and hand over the pair of chicken wings that have just been baked.

"I'm not right? That kid is Ikki?"

"Yes, he also brought a guard named Shinyuemon. He was good at reaching out, but unfortunately he took the wrong path. He was not suitable for practicing swords, but for practicing swords. If there were guidance from famous teachers, he would be a good swordsman."

"What love is, I don't think he is." Li Mu took a bite of the chicken wings and said in ambiguously: "Ikkyu is what I value."

Zhang Tianai has met Yixiu. She doesn't like this little monk. She thinks that this little monk always fights against Li Mu. Although he is smart, he is not very cute. Seeing that Li Mu attaches Yixiu so much importance, he asked, "Do you want to accept him as his apprentice?"

Li Mu did not deny it, saying, "I have this plan, but it still depends on whether he can pass my test before making a decision." Of course, Li Mu would not admit that he had this idea because of the name Ikkyu. Although there is such a reason, the real reason has nothing to do with this point.

After seeing Yikyu these few encounters, Li Mu is sure that Yikyu's identity is absolutely extraordinary. Whether it is the ambassador of the Japanese mission, Mita-Shiko, or his master Huiri, he always has some subconscious care when treating the young monk. This kind of care is not very much like the care of the younger generation, but a bit like an old servant. Just like Yu Zhining of the East Palace treats Li Chengqian, although he can take charge of the prince, there is a difference between the king and the minister after all.

Li Mu guessed that the Ikkyu he saw was not only a name like Ikkyu, but his identity should also have similarities. If so, it would be necessary for him to take Ikkyu as his apprentice. He coveted the silver of Japan and had to find a suitable excuse to intervene. Although he could build a ship and take people to fight, he could easily possess it. However, there was no need. Japan during this period was not worthy of being ruled. The benefits he gained from it were far less than that he had.

War is always the last resort in Li Mu's philosophy. If it can be solved without force, it is best not to use force. How can one take the initiative to send it? After all, Li Mu only wants silver from Japan.

"Didn't my brother say that we can't give our good things to outsiders at will?" Dugu Jiu couldn't help but ask, "Have your brother's idea changed?"

"No, of course you can't give it at will." Li Mu hiccupped and said, "It's a different matter if they give money."

Li Mu looked at Dugu Jiu and said, "It is not about principles that can be measured by value. If anyone gives me one million taels of silver now, maybe I will sell him the secret recipe for the wine."

"..." Dugu Jiu was too lazy to talk to Li Mu. I don't know if it was an illusion. He felt that Li Mu was paying more and more attention to money recently. Why do people who are obviously very rich care so much?

"Brother, if you are short of money, I can tell my father. I don't know how many there are at home, but there should be a lot. I remember, my mother said it."

"Save it, your elder brother has not yet fallen to the point where you have to find your family. If you can open your mouth, I can't afford to lose that person." As the elder brother, you still have to take into account the face of him. However, calculating the recent expenses, I can't stand it. After pausing for a moment, Li Mu said: "How about you compile a book and ask your father if you have any idea to invest in Chidao. I can contract the site's warehouse, inn, warehouse, etc. to him."

Dugu Jiu didn't understand business, but he believed that Li Mu would not cheat him, so he agreed without thinking. It was getting too late, so he got up and said goodbye, and went back to his residence to write a letter to his father.

After Dugu Jiu left, Li Mu roasted the remaining chicken wings and ate them with Zhang Tianai. After eating and drinking, the servants cleaned up the charcoal and grilled, and the two returned to the room. They ate a little too full tonight, and they had no intention of hugging each other and chatting.

After chatting for a while, Zhang Tianai asked carefully: "Husband, is our family short of money now?"

"No." Li Mu frowned, looked at Zhang Tianai strangely, and asked, "Why do you think so?"

"You haven't noticed that you have always withdrawn money recently?" Zhang Tianai said worriedly: "If your husband is short of money, I can tell my father. He is King Gaochang after all, so he can always have some money. If it really doesn't work, let him collect taxes."

Li Mu was amused by Zhang Tianai and said, "Fortunately, your father was the King of Gaochang, and he didn't let you be the one. There was no such thing as you. If you don't have money, you can ask the people to collect taxes. This is impossible."

"What should I do?" Zhang Tianai muttered: "You can't do your old job and be a horse bandit, right?"

"No need." Li Mu smiled and said, "I'm a little short of money. But this gap is not ours. We have a winery and Feng Qiuhuang. We have a thousand guan every day. How much can these people in our family spend? There is a gap because of Luoyang City—"

Li Mu sighed and said, "I finally understand why Emperor Yang of Sui made a mess of great rivers and mountains. People just can't be in a hurry. Things that require ten years of work must be done in three years, and there will naturally be various problems-"

"Then let's do it slowly?" Zhang Tianai couldn't understand what Li Mu said. She was not that deep. If she could follow her thoughts in everything, Li Mu would better go back to the Western Regions with her. She was a person who grew up on the grassland. She didn't like big cities like Luoyang and Chang'an. There were too many people and the relationship was too complicated.

"You can't be slow," Li Mu turned Zhang Tianai's body and faced her, saying, "I have to finish the infrastructure quickly so that I can have a clear mind. It's like building a house, you have to lay the foundation. Once the foundation is laid, other things can be sorted out..."

Li Mu sighed and expressed his plan to Zhang Tianai: "After the Chidao is repaired, I will build a shipyard by the Luoshui River and build a ten thousand stone ship. Then I will go out to sea to bring Zhien back."

"When will you have to wait?" Zhang Tianai curled his lips and said, "If your husband wants the little girl to come back, write a letter and ask the big man to bring her back? Or is she changing her mind and unwilling to come back?"

"How could it be?" Li Mu was amused and crying: "You didn't see the letter from Zhien's return. Her father, King Zhenping, was seriously ill and had to hold his life with medicine. His uncle was preparing to usurp the throne in great enthusiasm. Because King Zhenping was still alive, he would not dare to cause trouble for a while. But she asked the imperial physicians in Silla, and the imperial physicians said that her father would not last long. Once her father had something to do, the war would begin."

Li Mu continued to analyze: "If it was just a Silla internal strife, it would be fine. Most of the Silla subjects were still on the side of King Zhenping. But if he died, the situation would change. Moreover, according to the existing news, Zhien's uncle may have colluded with the Goguryeo people."

Li Mu said worriedly: "Goguryeo is not something Silla can resist. If Goguryeo is really involved, Silla may be in danger."

Zhang Tianai was not interested in making money, but she was still very interested in war affairs, and she was quite talented. After listening to Li Mu's analysis, she also understood the seriousness of the matter and said, "Zhien's uncle is also stupid. He clearly led the wolf into the house. Didn't he think that he was making wedding dresses for others?"

"The fool will never realize that he is a fool. If he realizes it, he is not a fool." Li Mu continued: "Zhien has said several times that she will come back when she has fulfilled her filial piety. She doesn't care. Even if she gives it to her uncle, it doesn't matter. But I think his father must not be willing."

"Then what are you going to do?" Zhang Tianai looked at Li Mu and asked, "You don't want Zhien to inherit the throne, right?"

"Of course not." Li Mu shook his head and said, "I don't want to be Zhien, and I don't want to. There is nothing worth coveting in Silla in a small place. What's more, it's so far away that the family still has to live together to call the family. If we are separated, even if I am the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, I don't want to."

Zang Tianai curled his lips and said, "It's different to be the emperor of the Tang Dynasty. You don't have to go to Silla or Gaochang. You live in Chang'an or Luoyang, with the three palaces and six courtyards and seventy-two concubines. I wonder how happy you are?"

Li Mu quickly said, "Isn't that kind of person? What did you think of me?"
Chapter completed!