Chapter 168 Awakening
In the Marquis' Mansion, Li An and Han Zhongwei became more and more irritated. Originally, Li An was full of anger and had nowhere to vent, but now Han Zhongwei was hiding a needle in the cotton to him, which made his anger that was almost extinguished ignite again. He was also his old friend after all. Not to mention the identity of Prince Yue, just by introducing him from Lin'an to Daxia and allowing him to gain this great wealth, he shouldn't have dealt with himself like this! Such an ungrateful person is like a shameless person.
In fact, Han Zhongwei had long noticed Li An's abnormality today. He had been back to Heicheng for several months. The cement from Dake Cement Factory was also producing. He had no reason to come to buy cement at this time. Although he didn't know the purpose of his visit to Heicheng for the time being, his move must be that the drunkard was not about wine. Moreover, this "wine" would definitely not be Dai Licheng and Meng Qing, who were extra from his cement factory. They were just the managers and guards of the Yue Palace, and it was not worth Li An's visit for them.
Since Li Ann had made a vague request to release the people, Han Zhongwei would not have been unhappy with Li An because of such trivial matters. Anyway, if it weren't for Li Ann, he would still be the owner of Dake Warehouse in Lin'an. Han Zhongwei judged that Li Ann actually did not attach much importance to cement, so he didn't want to give cement too much.
Although the output of cement has increased several times, in his own plan, there are many places where Heicheng needs to use cement. For example, the five-star hotel in Daxia that Liu Qing is currently building, the cement needs to be used no less than the city walls. And Wanyan Xun has also focused on cement. Between Li An and Wanyan Xun, Han Zhongwei is more willing to sell cement to Wanyan Xun. The Jin Kingdom has rich resources. In addition to getting more rewards from Wanyan Xun, Han Zhongwei also hopes that the Jin Kingdom can serve as a good "lip" for the Song Dynasty. The lips and teeth are interdependent, and the lips are dead and the teeth are cold. If the Jin Kingdom can compete with Mongolia for a few years with cement, and the two sides consume more strength, it is also a good thing for the Song Dynasty. His current strength is still very weak and he has no ability to change the situation between the two countries. If the Jin Kingdom can buy more cement and build the city stronger, the Song Dynasty will have less resistance when facing Mongolia in the future.
"Although there is a lot of cement production, there are many places in Heicheng that need cement. It is not easy to have 100,000 kilograms per month." Since Han Zhongwei got Li An's pulse, he has more confidence in the supply of cement. Daxia has not been attacked on a large scale in recent years, and the Jin Dynasty is often bullied by Mongolia so much that it can only be regarded as a turtle with its head.
"One hundred thousand pounds is just one hundred thousand pounds. It's better to have one than not." Li An was also indifferent to Zhong Wei's failure to respond to the question of "there are too many" cement people just now, just like a person trying hard to punch his opponent, but the opponent took out a bag of cotton to fight. It was soft and effortless. Not only did it take effort, but it also felt very uncomfortable.
"Okay, where do you need to send it? Just send someone to the cement factory to contact Zhang Zhongtong." Han Zhongwei saw that Li An was indeed not jealous of the supply of cement. He felt that his guess was right, and he did something else when he came to Heicheng.
A big figure like the Prince of Yue came to Heicheng, but he didn't know the real purpose of his coming here. Han Zhongwei was really curious. Now Heicheng is like his own back garden. No matter who wants to make an idea, he has to ask himself. Han Zhongwei secretly made up his mind to ask Ding Chuan to check the purpose of Li An coming here. Otherwise, he would not be at ease even if he was sleeping!
"Brother Zhong, now you are a Heicheng Kehou. Heicheng is your territory. I want to ask you two people. They came to Heicheng in March, but there was no news. I wonder if Brother Zhong can help me?" Seeing that his side of the situation was not effective, Li An decided to ask directly, if he didn't cause any trouble for Zhong Wei today, he would be a little unwilling to accept it.
"I don't know who their surnames are? What's their relationship with Brother An? What's the reason for coming to Heicheng?" Han Zhongwei was really funny. Li An is also a noble young man. How could he ask such a low-level question? Even if these people are really in his own hands, he can't ask this.
"One is named Dai Licheng and the other is named Meng Qing, who is the manager and guard in our mansion. I originally wanted to send them to Heicheng to negotiate the cement affairs, but I never thought that my whereabouts are still unknown." Li An looked at Han Zhongwei's eyes and wanted to see a strange look from it, but Han Zhongwei's eyes were as clear as water and very pure.
"I will send someone to investigate, and I will notify Brother Xian immediately when there is any news." Han Zhongwei smiled sincerely. Dai Licheng and Meng Qing are not important people, otherwise the Yue Palace would have sent someone to ask for someone from him long ago? Is Li An innocent or too cunning? In his opinion, most of the former is probably the former.
It turns out that Han Zhongwei and Li An don’t have much contact, and there is no deep friendship. The reason why Han Zhongwei came to Xixia was that in addition to making more money, he also wanted to build a secret base in Heicheng. But now it seems that Li An only relies on the family’s beauty. Such a person should not have any major issues when he came to Heicheng. Han Zhongwei hesitated that he had other plans just now that Li An came to Heicheng.
"Then I'll ask Brother Zhong for everything." Li An said helplessly. Zhong Wei kept talking to him calmly, neither close nor unfamiliar, like an ordinary friend. He raised the spear several times, but he didn't accept any moves, leaving him with strength and nowhere to use it.
Li An was still depressed when he left the mansion. Dai Licheng and Meng Ying were at Zhong Wei’s Dake Cement Factory at this moment, but he lied to his face, and he was simply a despicable villain. It was ridiculous that he had treated him as a brother in the past. If he had known this, such a person would not have come to Daxia at all. Now, he has introduced a wicked wolf for Daxia.
"Criminal, how are you talking to the marquis? Where will we live tonight?" Tang Xianfeng immediately met Li Ang when he saw Li Ang come out. But he saw that Li Ang's face was not very good. Could it be that Zhong Wei dared to be rude to the prince? If this is true, even if he sacrificed his life, he would have to fight back for the prince.
"Where are you staying? Of course, I'm looking for an inn and settle down first." Li An said angrily.
Looking for an inn? Chi Xianfeng felt a little nervous. It seemed that the prince and the marquis were not very good. Otherwise, based on the past relationship between the prince and the marquis, the marquis would not have settled the prince in the marquis's mansion? Heicheng is so big, and no matter how good the inn is, it is not as good as the magistrate's yard. But at this time, it is not the time to ask about this matter. Judging from the prince's face, if you ask at this time, you will have to be in trouble.
Although the largest restaurant in Heicheng is under construction, it is still impossible to live in, so I can only stay in Fulai Restaurant, the best restaurant at present. Li Xian brought twenty guards and booked all the high-quality yards of Fulai Restaurant.
As soon as Li An moved into the yard, the guards came to report that Ma Wanli, the prefect of Heicheng, came to see him. As soon as Li An arrived at the prefect's office, Ma Wanli had to get the news. However, Li An did not leave the Marquis' Mansion, and Ma Wanli did not dare to disturb him. But now Li An is idle. As an official in the Daxia, Ma Wanli must be etiquette, so he rushed over.
"Let him come in." Li An said. If Zhong Wei doesn't buy his account, he can do nothing. After all, he is just a prince but not a prince. But before Ma Wan, he believed that this old official knew what his prince represented, and that he would definitely achieve his goal in him.
"Ma Wanli, the governor of Heicheng, has seen the prince." Ma Wanli, when he saw Li An, quickly saluted and said respectfully.
"Master Ma is here, please sit down." Li An was quite satisfied with Ma Wanli's attitude, but because he was angry with Zhong Wei, he could not give Ma Wanli a good face now, and just said lightly.
"I dare not, thank you for your son." Ma Wanli is also a worldly person. Seeing that Li An is unhappy, he was even more energetic, fearing that he would offend the son if he accidentally did.
"Master Ma, Dai Licheng, the manager of my royal palace, came to Heicheng a few months ago, but now he is missing. He has never seen anyone in his life and never seen a body in his life. I wonder if Master Ma knows it at that time?" Li An asked coldly. Since Zhong Wei did not admit this, he would ask him directly for someone in front of him, and he would still dare to do it perfunctorily!
"This..." Ma Wanli didn't expect that he was just a polite visit, so Li An asked the question he didn't want to answer the most. Although he was the prefect of Heicheng, he could not completely decide the matter of Heicheng. Especially the matter of Dai Licheng and Meng Qing, which was personally ordered by the Marquis. He was almost implicated for this matter at the beginning, but now he was too late to hide, so how dare he talk about it?
"This matter has made Lord Ma embarrassed?" Li An saw Ma Wanli's face immediately covered with frost. After this Black City became Zhong Wei's territory, the people and officials here are not officials of Daxia? He is so arrogant that he is the prince of Yue and a small prefect.
"I dare not. Two months ago, the royal family manager Dai had indeed come to the humble house, but he has never seen each other again since he left." Ma Wanli said with a tough forehead. Although the prince of Yue was of noble status, Ma Wanli could not betray Han Zhongwei because of this. After all, he was an official in the Black City, and he was not afraid of officials but only for the management. Now, Hou is his immediate boss, so how dare he slander him behind his back? Besides, even if he wanted to help, he was powerless.
"Of course you can't see them again! I want to ask Lord Ma again, Dai Licheng, Meng Qing'an is now?" Li An was angry at Ma Wanli. Can't he deal with Zhong Wei or you? Unless you are an official in Heicheng for a lifetime, it is really not difficult for me, Li An, to cause some trouble for you. It is not easy to support someone, but it is very simple to cut off a person's future.
"The officials really don't know." Ma Wanli said with a tough bullet. Between the current Marquis and the Prince of Yue, he chose Han Zhongwei unshakably.
"Okay, okay, you are the prefect of Heicheng, and you don't know about this. It seems that Zhong Wei, the man in Heicheng, is really good. You go." Li An laughed furiously. He now had the urge to kick Ma Wanli out of Fulai Restaurant, but he had not lost his mind yet. In the end, he just waved his hand and asked Ma Wanli to leave, not even wanting to say anything extra to him.
After Ma Wanli left in panic, Li An was still angry and smashed his teacup to pieces. Tang Xianfeng, who had been by Li An, felt that if he didn't do anything, he would have the trust of the prince. He bowed to Li An and said, "Criminal, this matter should not be reminded by the villain, but since he entered the palace, he has been kind to the prince. At this time, he was like a thorn in his throat and would not vomit."
"If you have something to say, what are you going to do? "Li An said unhappy. He had no disgust towards Chi Xianfeng. This man has been following his father since he was a child, and has always been loyal and has no other intentions, and has been trusted by his father.
"This time, the prince sent the prince to Heicheng to reconcile with Kehou and resolved his past grudges. But the villain's actions today are in a different way with Kehou. This is contrary to the original intention of the prince. I hope the prince will think twice." Tang Xianfeng gritted his teeth and said what he said in his heart.
Li An picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and slowly lowered it. He looked into the distance and fell into deep thought. Yes, this time he originally wanted to have a good relationship with Zhong Wei, but he never thought that because of the rude behavior of those guards, he had lost his mind for a while. Now, not only did he not improve his relationship with Zhong Wei, but he became more and more irritated. It seems that he was still dissatisfied with Zhong Wei, which was causing personal anger.
In fact, if you look deeper, Li An was just a subconscious jealousy. Zhong Wei was younger than him, but he was more calm than him in his work. Now he is a prince. Although he only has a small black city and his people are less than 100,000, this is his own territory after all. Although he is the prince, he will never have a chance to make a comeback in one day. He originally thought that the identity of Prince Yue could be rampant and arrogant everywhere, but now it seems that others want to take advantage of him and find a reason to deal with it. In comparison, he was even more depressed.
Seeing the prince thinking deeply, Chi Xianfeng knew that his words touched him, which made Chi Xianfeng very happy. If his words could make the prince repent, then this time he would not have come to Heicheng in vain. Chi Xianfeng arched slightly at Li An's back, and regardless of whether he had seen it, he quietly left the main hall and left Li An to think alone.
Before he knew it, Li An sat there all night, and Chi Xianfeng did not come to disturb him, but just refilled his teacup several times. That night, Li An thought a lot. In Heicheng, no one else regarded him as the prince, except Ma Wanli. Moreover, the reason why Ma Wanli took him seriously was due to the King of Yue, and it had little to do with him. Take his experience in Heicheng today as an example. It can be said that Li An had never encountered it since he remembered it.
In fact, the situation in Zhongxing Prefecture is also very delicate. Since his father pretended to be ill and disappeared, the emperor has been alert to the Yue Prefecture. Although his father is still the commander of the Captain Sheng Army, many generals in the Captain Sheng Army may have been transferred by the emperor in the past few months. Moreover, they are all promoted to the level. As the commander of the Captain Sheng Army, it is difficult for the father, who is the commander of the Captain Sheng Army, can only watch his capable subordinates be transferred to other places. Over time, it is really unknown whether they can completely control the Captain Sheng Army as before.
Now the father wants to make friends with Zhong Wei. Although Zhong Wei only has a small marquis, Heicheng is actually his private territory. And the most important thing is that Zhong Wei has no foundation in the court and belongs to foreign forces. He once had a close relationship with him and could take the opportunity to win him over. But after arriving in Heicheng, he had no idea and even almost turned against Zhong Wei because of a small matter. This disappointed his father's expectations for him.
When the belly of the fish was exposed outside, Li An finally straightened out his thoughts. He decided to correct his attitude and do things beautifully, which made his father happy. Li An was very glad. Fortunately, he did not have a quarrel with Zhong Wei yesterday, and there was room for maneuvering. This is the thing that Li An feels most grateful to have so far.
"Criminal, it's already dawn outside, let's go and rest first." Chi Xianfeng saw Li An standing up and hurried over. He had not been asleep all night and had been observing the prince carefully. Seeing that he showed the god of relaxation, he knew that the prince had figured it out.
"Okay, Commander Chi, you go and book a table of the best banquet, and then take my post to the Hou Mansion to invite Hou Zhongzheng, so that he must come to Fulai's restaurant to attend the banquet at noon." Li An's brain was extremely active at this time, and he was not tired of not sleeping all night last night. This time he came to Heicheng not to save the affairs, guards, nor to maintain the dignity of the Prince of Yue, but to make friends with Zhong Wei. After getting along with Zhong Wei, he not only fulfilled his father's instructions, but also to find an alliance for himself in the future. Even if the emperor is really dissatisfied with the Prince of Yue, he will have another way at that time.
"Yes, prince, I'll go and hold it right away." Chi Xianfeng was very happy for Li An's attitude. It turned out that such a banquet should be Zhong Wei's banquet for Li An, but yesterday the prince was angry and did not agree to Zhong Wei's retention at all. Now the prince of Yue is a courtesy and handed over a marquis. No matter what unhappiness occurs between them, Chi Xianfeng believes that it will disappear invisible.
"Commander Chi, you reminded me very promptly last night. I will report to my father when I go back." Li An nodded at Chi Pioneer and said. If it weren't for Chi Pioneer's advice, he wouldn't know how to regret it at this time.
"Criminal, the great general's kindness to me for his support, I cannot repay you in this life, and I have no mention of the trivial matters." Chi Xianfeng said quickly,
"In addition, you go to Ma Wanli's mansion now and invite Ma Wanli to come." Li An said. His attitude towards Ma Wanli yesterday was also very problematic. If it could be repaired, it would be of great help in the future.
Ma Wanli did not expect Li An to send someone to invite him again. He left with him last night. The prince's tone and eyes hated him. But he didn't expect that he would send a deputy commander of the guard to visit him early this morning. The title of deputy commander of the royal palace was no lower than that of him.
"General Chi, I wonder what important things are for the prince if he meets the officials?" Ma Wanli asked nervously.
Chapter completed!