Chapter 87

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On Monday, I ask for recommendations and collections!

Today, there's an extra chapter, and Laozhuang is in high spirits.

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The two brutes became friends right after their fight, sharing a sip of wine and a bite of meat, as if they had known each other for a long time.

Liang Xiao recounted his purpose to Dongfang Shuo and finally said, "Brother Dongfang, can you help me find out who from the Gai Marquis's residence is causing me trouble?"

Before Dongfang Shuo could speak, Qin Ge said, "Brother Liang, you've only recently arrived in Chang'an, practicing archery every day and rarely going out. You shouldn't have had the chance to offend the Gai Marquis's residence, right?"

"I thought so too. But the Gai Marquis's residence came to me, demanding ten bolts of silk within a month. This is clearly a provocation," Liang Xiao said helplessly. "Moreover, my mother's eyesight is failing, and she can no longer weave silk."

Dongfang Shuo stuffed the last piece of meat into his mouth, took a big gulp of wine, and wiped the corner of his mouth with his sleeve. "Don't worry. This is a bit tricky. Although the Gai Marquis is wealthy, he isn't as vicious as the Wu'an Marquis. Perhaps someone is taking advantage of your unfamiliarity with Chang'an and using the Gai Marquis's name to scare you."

Liang Xiao nodded. If that were the case, it would be the best outcome. Given his status, if he really offended Liu Che's uncle, with the Empress Dowager's protective nature, he would have no chance to fight back. If it was just someone pretending to act on the Gai Marquis's orders, the matter would be much easier to handle.

Qin Ge volunteered, asked for a description of the person, and went to investigate their true identity. Liang Xiao described the person, but he didn't know how Qin Ge could find him. With hundreds of thousands of people in and around Chang'an, and the person having no distinctive features, even the most detailed description would be just that—a description. How could Qin Ge find him based on a few words?

Qin Ge smiled but didn't answer, and turned to leave with Pang Shuo. Dongfang Shuo comforted him, "Don't worry. Qin Ge admires Ji Bu, who keeps his promises. Since he's agreed to help you, he will find a way. He's very familiar with the youxia in and around Chang'an and has many sources of information."

Liang Xiao felt relieved. He thought for a moment and then said, "Brother Dongfang, is there something you need?"

"What do you want? You just treated me to a meal, and now you're ready to ask for a favor?"

"I want to visit the Prince of Huainan's residence, but I'm afraid my knowledge isn't enough, and I might be laughed at. I thought if you came with me, you could help if someone wants to discuss scholarship."

Dongfang Shuo shook his head repeatedly. "Why are you going to the Prince of Huainan's residence? If you want to be an official in the future, it's best not to get too close to the feudal princes."

"To discuss some business with Deng Guobin."

At the mention of Deng Guobin, Dongfang Shuo immediately became interested. He told Hu Xijun to go back home and then dragged Liang Xiao straight to the market, lecturing him as they walked, "Young brother, since you have the heart for an official career, you should listen to my advice. This path isn't for just anyone; at the very least, you must be a scholar. Do you know what a scholar is?"

"A scholar is the head of the four classes: scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants."

"Wrong. Nobles excel by bloodline, farmers and artisans by strength, but scholars excel by talent and intelligence. Scholars are the ones who think, not to be lumped together with commoners. Therefore, a scholar should wear a hat, eat fish, live in a house, and travel by carriage. You can't be a scholar without these. How can you go to the Prince of Huainan's residence without a carriage?"

"Wait." Liang Xiao quickly grabbed Dongfang Shuo. "I don't need a carriage. I have a horse. Li Danghu just gave me one yesterday."

"What about me?" Dongfang Shuo countered.

Looking at the self-righteous and unashamed Dongfang Shuo, Liang Xiao suddenly felt like he had fallen into a trap. As long as he stayed here, he couldn't get rid of this leech. He had just borrowed three thousand in the morning, and now he was asking for a carriage. This guy was treating him like a rich man.

Liang Xiao thought about refusing but then smiled. Just as Dongfang Shuo had warned him about the powerful figures in Chang'an, the Gai Marquis's people had come to cause trouble. This guy either knew something beforehand or was incredibly smart and had a gut feeling. Considering his survival skills, like urinating in the palace without consequences, having such a friend in Chang'an would be beneficial, and he couldn't ask for more.

Now that he was offering himself, it would be foolish to push him away. Spending some money was nothing.

"Alright, let's buy a carriage!" Liang Xiao made up his mind and didn't hesitate. "What else do you need? Tell me everything."

Dongfang Shuo laughed heartily and patted Liang Xiao's shoulder. "I like your style. A man should not value money too much."

"Brother Dongfang is right. Money spent can be earned again. Knowing how to spend is knowing how to earn. A fortune is not as good as a night of joy."

"Indeed!" Dongfang Shuo's eyes lit up. "Young brother, I didn't misjudge you. You have a good heart. Though you can't write, you have a way with words. 'Money spent can be earned again'—that's a brilliant saying."

Liang Xiao smiled but didn't speak, thinking that he had many more brilliant sayings to surprise him with. He turned to Tuniu and said, "Tuniu, go back and get the money. Bring all of it."

Tuniu hesitated, but Dongfang Shuo waved his hand. "No need to make it so complicated. For such a big purchase, you can pay when the goods are delivered. Who carries so much money around? That's too rustic!"

Even the slow-witted Tuniu could sense the ominous intent. Dongfang Shuo was determined to spend all of Liang Xiao's money. He kept giving Liang Xiao warning looks, but Liang Xiao was determined to see how Dongfang Shuo would pull it off.

"Let's do as Brother Dongfang says."

Dongfang Shuo led Liang Xiao into the market and went on a shopping spree. They bought a carriage, horses, and swords for both Liang Xiao and Tuniu. According to Dongfang Shuo, Liang Xiao needed a sword to enter the officialdom, and Tuniu, with his excellent martial skills, should also have a sword to match his status. Look at all the youxia on the street; which one doesn't carry a sword? Besides, no matter how good your fists are, you need weapons in battle. You can't fight with bare hands.

In addition, Dongfang Shuo bought a lot of fabric. Although there were ready-made clothing shops in the Han Dynasty, Dongfang Shuo said the quality varied. It was better to have custom-made clothes that fit perfectly. Hu Xijun was skilled at sewing, and having her make the clothes would be more cost-effective.

Hearing the word "cost-effective," Liang Xiao almost shed tears of joy. So this guy did know about cost-effectiveness. Seeing his spending like water, he thought Dongfang Shuo must have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

After a series of purchases, Dongfang Shuo left the market, satisfied. "Let's go home and wait for the delivery."

While shopping, Liang Xiao had been estimating the cost. He felt they had overspent. "Brother Dongfang, it seems we don't have enough."

"Not enough? How much is missing?" Dongfang Shuo pulled out two cakes from his sleeve, gave one to Liang Xiao, and took a big bite of the other.

Liang Xiao handed the cake to Tuniu. "We're about three to five gold short."

"That's no problem. Let Deng Guobin bring it."

"On what basis?" Liang Xiao smiled. He already had an idea of Dongfang Shuo's answer but wanted to hear it from him.

"Didn't you want to go to the Prince of Huainan's residence to sell the double-sided silk technique?" Dongfang Shuo glanced at Liang Xiao with a half-smile. "Although it's a move to avoid trouble, you shouldn't let her off easy. Huainan has many silkworms and mulberry trees. This technique, once in Huainan, will bring them more than a hundred gold each year. We should charge her a few hundred gold, not for the money."

He paused and added, "Of course, now even if you give that Liu Princess a pile of shit, she'll take it with a smile."

Liang Xiao felt a bit embarrassed. He had indeed thought about it, but he wasn't that greedy. A few hundred gold? That was like robbery. Liu Ling had done him a favor, and he couldn't be so ungrateful.

Dongfang Shuo grabbed Liang Xiao, unusually serious. "Young brother, listen to my advice. You should charge more, not less. Charging more benefits both parties, while charging less harms both."

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