Chapter 8

"Given to Uncle Chang!" Li Yuanxing immediately said.

"No!" Chang Hong shook his head: "Very few wooden artifacts from the Tang Dynasty have been preserved to this day, and this one is unique. Although it's not worth a lot, it can be a valuable addition to the museum. You might get a million or two if you sell it, but I'll take it on behalf of the museum."

When Li Yuanxing first heard that the money wasn't much, he didn't take it seriously. But when he heard "a million or two," he was stunned, and Xiao Hou immediately jumped up. He couldn't believe that this broken bowl was so valuable.

There were many collectors, and with Chang Hong making the call personally, the provincial museum provided a certificate of authenticity. The Tang sword without a scabbard was priced at ten million, and the other party didn't even haggle. When Li Yuanxing mentioned that the original scabbard could still be obtained, the other party immediately offered to pay another three million when the scabbard was delivered.

The two earthenware bowls weren't worth much, but the big boss surnamed Hao offered a million on the spot.

This was a matter of face, both for Chang Hong and for Li Yuanxing.

When the money was transferred to Liangzi's card, he kept his left hand on his waist, where he had a knife, and his right hand in his pocket, where he kept his wallet. He didn't speak to anyone, and anyone who approached him aroused his suspicion.

Damn, ten million!

He could eat meat sandwiches for the rest of his life with this money, damn it, money!

Back at the shop, Gu Ye told Li Yuanxing: "Xingwaizi, that long sword must be brought back. If anyone dares to sell it, I'll take their life. I have nephews in the army who can handle a few thieves."

A tough guy, this was a real tough guy.

Li Yuanxing was both scared and relieved. This Gu Ye was a good grandpa.

"Gu Ye, don't worry. If I can't get the sword with money, we'll deal with them!" Li Yuanxing promised, patting his chest.

Gu Ye understood that in the world, dragons have their clouds, snakes have their holes, and mice have their paths. As long as it wasn't a matter of principle, it was better to spend some money and avoid conflict. Otherwise, Gu Ye wouldn't have let Chang Hong help Li Yuanxing authenticate those items.

However, a long sword used by Qin Qiong must remain in the museum; this was a matter of principle.

Sitting on the second floor of the shop, Li Yuanxing and his three brothers all breathed a sigh of relief. Liangzi's tense expression relaxed, and Wang Wu finally said, "Ten million, brothers, we're rich now. Let's buy some meat sandwiches and eat them!"

Ha ha ha!

Everyone relaxed a bit.

Li Yuanxing cleared his throat: "Getting that sword is my responsibility. Brothers, mobilize some people to handle some tasks. Liangzi, write it down so we don't forget."

First, build a countryside resort on the mountain forest Li Yuanxing's family has leased. The reason Li Yuanxing gave was that the brothers needed a base, so it must be well-built, with a basement and a secret room. Wang Wu would lead the team, and money wasn't an issue.

Second, Houzi would set up a film company. The reason he gave was that they shouldn't envy the beautiful actresses or complain about the industry's unwritten rules; they could create their own rules. The brothers all laughed and cheered, agreeing that this was a great idea and that money made everything easier.

In reality, Li Yuanxing's true reason was for the Tang Dynasty. He had a vague plan in mind.

Third, since the sword Wang Wu lost last time, this time they would select good steel, and even hire a few masters if necessary, to make three truly excellent swords within three days. They must be at least as good as the previous ones, capable of slicing through a watermelon knife like a piece of wood.

Wang Wu agreed, knowing that this was crucial for acquiring the important Tang sword. He would work day and night to get it done.

Building the resort wouldn't be a quick task; just the design would take ten to fifteen days.

Fourth, Houzi would buy some very exquisite saddles, real ones that could be ridden. Money wasn't an issue; the key was quality.

The last task was for Xiao Qi: spend a lot of money to ensure he didn't end up disabled.

The three brothers went out to work. As they were leaving, Xiao Hou asked, "Brother Xing, how about buying a car?"

"Get lost! Fifty thousand each, buy a car you like," Li Yuanxing laughed and scolded.

The three brothers weren't very happy. Fifty thousand was neither enough for a high-end car nor enough to spend on a low-end one. They quietly discussed it as they left.

Gu Ye was a great mentor, and Li Yuanxing had the idea to seek his advice about the Tang Dynasty.

Over the next three days, Gu Ye, a true professor-level mentor, systematically trained Li Yuanxing. The foundation was the cultural environment of the Tang Dynasty, with a focus on Tang swords. Gu Ye was genuinely afraid that Li Yuanxing would be cheated and end up with a fake Tang sword.

When Li Yuanxing heard that the Turks had bullied Emperor Taizong and forced him to sign the Treaty of Weishui in the early years of the Zhen Guan era, he was stunned. Calculating the time, it seemed to be just a few months away.

Li Yuanxing didn't know much about history; he only knew that the Tang Dynasty was powerful and an empire.

But he never imagined that the Tang Dynasty had such a humiliating history, especially after he had begun to see Emperor Taizong as his true brother. Anger rose in his heart, and he slapped the table hard: "Damn the Turks!"

"What's there to be angry about? The Tang Emperor wasn't being weak; he was just pulling back his fist," Gu Ye, a living history book, analyzed from a later perspective.

"Can we avoid this humiliating treaty?" Li Yuanxing asked Gu Ye.

"In theory, yes, but it's difficult. The Tang Dynasty being attacked is unavoidable, and the lack of national strength is a hard injury. However, we can use surprise tactics and ambush the Turks in Gansu, eliminating their threat. Then we can negotiate a treaty, which would be much better than a treaty signed under duress and would greatly benefit the Tang Dynasty's development over the next three years."

Gu Ye's words gave Li Yuanxing great hope. He immediately picked up the phone: "Hou! Buy a 3D printer right away. Money is no issue; I need to print a topographic map of the Turk region!" Hou was completely confused. What were the Turks?

Good students always make teachers happy.

Gu Ye took on the task, instructing Hou to buy a high-quality 3D printer and send it to the provincial museum. The museum would then help complete the topographic map of the Turk and Gansu regions during the Tang Dynasty.

"Three, three days, can you do it? Even if the initial version isn't very accurate, I need to study it every night!" Li Yuanxing was excited. If the provincial museum did it, it would be the most accurate.

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