Chapter 55: Making Friends in Many Ways

Li Yuanhui only glanced at the Donghai Pearl on the table. He had never been interested in jewels and curios. The value did not matter to him. If the Li family could rule the world, what treasures would they want?
He also asked about the problems between Murong Xuan and Gao Huang, Qi County and Qingzhou Military Governor's Office, and Cui Xiaotong answered them one by one.

The simple fact is that Murong Xuan was devoted to the country and the people, but Gao Huang, out of personal grudge, obstructed the suppression of the rebellion in Qi County and was very picky.

Why not allow Qi County to recruit more militiamen and forge weapons, which resulted in Qi County's state and county soldiers and newly recruited militiamen being inadequately armed and unable to deal with the rioters who came and went freely?
However, the more he listened, the more he felt that there seemed to be nothing wrong with Gao Huang.

Qi County was a large and superior county. When there was a civil uprising within the territory and the state and county troops were insufficient, the prefect had the right to recruit able-bodied civilians as soldiers.

But even if Qi County is a superior county, it can only recruit 3,000 people at most. This is not a decision made by the Qingzhou Governor's Office, but a court order.

Besides, the military equipment used in the army was all cast in workshops under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Household Department, and then the various military governors-general coordinated with the Ministry of War for their use.

This all needs to be approved by the Shangshutai and the prime minister. A governor wants to forge weapons?
It would be strange if Gao Huang could agree to it.

Moreover, the governor of Qi County, Murong Xuan, was also a member of the royal family of Great Yan. Could he let his subordinates run to Chang'an to give gifts in order to protect the country and the people?

Are all the royal family members of Dayan so devoted to the country?

After thinking it over, Li Yuanhui said, "Take this thing back. Since Governor Murong wants to protect the country and the people, it is only natural for me to say a few words on his behalf. However, I dare not guarantee whether it will succeed or not."

Cui Xiaotong wanted to say something else, but Li Yuanhui waved his hands and said, "If you insist on giving me a generous gift, I will not be responsible for this matter."

Only then did they take back the Dongzhu and express their gratitude hurriedly.

"No need to be polite. I am a nobody and my words are not taken seriously. Although I am engaged to His Highness Jinyang, we are not married yet and cannot meet casually. However, I will try to see if I can meet the King of Wu in the next few days."

"Thank you, my dear."

"You're welcome, Tan'er. Go ask the kitchen to prepare some wine and meat. I'm going to hang out with a few of you guys until we're drunk."

As they were talking, Liu Xuanji, who had already visited Li Yuan, came over and said, "Silang."

"Brother Liu is here, please take a seat in the hall. Come on, Brother Liu, let me introduce you. This is Brother Zhang, from the Wucheng Marquis family in Jiangdu. These are the heroes under the command of the Qijun Murong prefect. Brother Liu is my colleague, the captain of the Xiaoguo Army."

When Liu Xuanji saw the room full of heroes, he also hurriedly introduced himself, "I am Liu Xuanji from Zhuo County, nice to meet you brothers."

"Brother Liu, you are too polite. I am Qin Bogui."

"Zhang Jian, from Jiangdu, Yangzhou."

They introduced themselves to each other, and since they were all warriors, they quickly became familiar with each other. By noon, when the wine glasses were served, they were like brothers.

The reason why Li Yuanhui was so enthusiastic was that in another time and space, Qi County had produced a famous general named Zhang Xutuo. He led his government troops to successively wipe out many rebel armies, and many ruthless and fierce generals were Zhang Xutuo's subordinates.

Judging from the names, Qin Bogui, Qin Zhongyu, Bozhongshuji, maybe they have a younger brother named Qin Shubao.

Moreover, having been in the army for quite some time, Li Yuanhui had also learned some skills in judging people. Judging from their body shapes, expressions, and calloused hands, these people were all strong men.

If you leave some friendships now, you never know when and where you might meet old friends and chat about your friendships. Many problems may be easily solved.

As for the matter they asked him to do, he could just go back and mention it to King Wu Murong He.

He was not a person who was eager to do good for others, nor did he hold power. Moreover, there might be something fishy involved in this matter. If he really ran around for this matter, and Murong Xuan raised the flag of rebellion, hehe, Li Yuanhui would not be able to explain himself even if he had eight mouths.

So, no gifts are accepted.

I can still talk to my brother-in-law Murong Yang about this matter. After all, I have to keep my word, but I have to keep this mess away from myself.
After coming out of Li's house, several people first solemnly thanked Zhang Jian for his matchmaking.

"Thanks to Brother Zhang, I was able to meet the Marquis of Ye in person today. I didn't expect that the Marquis of Ye would be so straightforward. The matter of Lord Murong has finally been settled."

Zhang Jian waved his hand and said, "Brothers, it's too late to thank you. We are friends who have fought side by side for life and death. If you really want to thank me, then treat me to a good meal and some wine."

Qin Bogui laughed and said, "Hahaha, no problem. However, I have to visit some nobles on behalf of Lord Murong in the next few days. Brother Zhang, you also have to stay in Chang'an for a while. How about we have a drink and chat in a few days?"

"Hahaha, of course it's fine. By the way, I suddenly remembered something else. Brother Qin and Brother Cui, you should go back to the inn first."

"Okay, then we'll go back first. Brother Zhang also needs to be careful. The gates of Chang'an City have to be closed at night. It's not good to break the curfew."

"Well, thank you Brother Qin for the reminder." After Zhang Jian and the people from Qi County parted at the gate of the square, they took a walk and returned to Guangdefang where Li's house was located.

At this moment, after seeing everyone off, Li Yuanhui and Liu Xuanji returned to the hall to drink tea, and told Liu Xuanji what they wanted.

Liu Xuanji is now considered a member of the Li family's family, so Li Yuanhui has no guard against him and tells him all his worries and concerns.

Old Liu laughed and said, "I see, these guys are all strong men. Qi County Governor Murong Xuan has won over so many heroes, so he must have great ambitions."

Li Yuanhui said: "Murong Xuan is a descendant of the King of Chu, and General Zhendong Gao Huang is the confidant of the Saint. Naturally, they would pay more attention to him. But I have also interacted with Gao Zhendong before, and he does not seem to be a narrow-minded person. Moreover, there are many strange things they said."

Old Liu asked curiously, "Then why did you agree to speak for Murong Xuan?"

Li Yuanhui said: "Firstly, these people were brought by Zhang Jian. I saw that Zhang Jian was a man of great character and wanted to make friends with him. Secondly, I also wanted to make good friends with these heroes."

As soon as he finished speaking, the steward came to the courtyard with Zhang Jian who had returned.

"Mr. Li, I am sorry to bother you again. Please forgive me."

Li Yuanhui smiled and went out to pull Zhang Jian into the house to sit down. "Brother Zhang, you are too polite. We hit it off right away. I wanted to keep you to talk more, but I was afraid that you would miss your trip. I couldn't ask for more if you came back."

"Mr. Li has a broad mind, but I have something to say."

"Brother Zhang, please speak."

Zhang Jian said, "I and the brothers from Qi County have a friendship of fighting side by side to kill the bandits, and you, Mr. Li, looked hesitant when you responded to their request just now. I would like to ask you, Mr. Li, is there anything strange about this matter?"

Li Yuanhui was silent for a moment. He wanted to make friends with Zhang Jian, largely because the Zhang family was very powerful in Yangzhou. They were famous for being wealthy. If he really wanted to follow Murong Ying to Jiangdu in the future, it would not be difficult to save his life with the help of the local snake Zhang family.

Zhang Jian himself is a kind-hearted man, generous and chivalrous, and worthy of making friends.

So Li Yuanhui immediately told Zhang Jian all the strangeness of the matter without hiding anything.

Zhang Jian heard this and said with a serious face, "I didn't expect that our chance meeting would cause trouble for you today."

Li Yuanhui waved his hand and said, "Brother Zhang, you are too polite. It's just a few words. It's nothing serious. It's my honor to meet you, Brother Zhang."

When Zhang Jian heard this, he felt even more favorable towards Li Yuanhui.

Although he comes from a prominent family, he is not arrogant and has a broad mind.

He is a kind person who can consider his face even if we just met by chance.

"Mr. Li, Zhang Jian has behaved inappropriately today. Please forgive me. If you need me in the future, please let me know."

"Brother Zhang, you are too polite. You and I are destined to be together. Can we be friends?"

"In this case, Zhang is marrying above his station."

Li Yuanhui smiled and felt relieved. The Wucheng Marquis Zhang family didn't have many connections in Chang'an, but they were powerful in Yangzhou.

This means more friends, more paths.

　Thank you for the support of all readers. The pace of this book may be a bit slow and there are many characters appearing.

　　But I hope to bring every character to life, and due to fate, the protagonist also needs time to grow.

　　Otherwise, if a modern social animal went to ancient times and immediately started killing everyone, punching Li Er and kicking Zhao Da, then it would not be a historical text but science fiction.

　　As for the plot, it will not be exactly the same as that at the end of the Sui Dynasty. After all, Dayan has its own national conditions.

　　Finally, I would like to ask for your support, dear readers. Please try to follow the book and don’t put it aside for the time being. The early stage of follow-up reading is very important.

　　Thank you very much.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)