Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 113: Not a family, don’t enter the same family
Jiang Jiao knew very well why her nephew suddenly wanted to follow Li Qiao; it was because Li Longji was very interested in opera.

He doesn't object to this. The reason is simple: if the leader says you're capable, you'll be capable even if you're not; if the leader says you're incapable, you'll be incapable even if you are.

The fastest way to rise through the ranks is to gain the emperor's approval, which will give you the opportunity to showcase your talents.

Li Linfu was indeed not very good at writing essays and poems, but he was very proficient in music, which made him well-suited for this path.

Little did he know that his nephew was far more cunning than he had imagined. While seeking refuge with Li Qiao, he had also won over the Wu family, thus ensuring his invincibility.

Coincidentally, Wang Xi was also having the same idea.

It can only be said that the favored ministers share the same view!

Meanwhile, after leaving the nameless academy, Wang Shouyi immediately went to the Huangfu family to discuss matters with Huangfu Shangde. After taking charge of the Anye Bureau, he immediately transferred Huangfu Shangde over.

“Sir, you are truly meticulous,” Huangfu Shangde said. “If this matter goes wrong even slightly, it will indeed offend many people, including our relatives and friends.”

Wang Shouyi asked, "So you also agree with doing this?"

Huangfu Shangde nodded and then asked, "Does Your Highness not agree?"

"Of course I agree."

Wang Shou nodded and said, "We not only need to keep a low profile about this, but we also need to play dumb so as not to offend those people."

Huangfu Shangde asked in astonishment, "Playing dumb?"

Wang Shouyi said, "For now, let's ignore everything and leave it all to the Nameless Academy. They'll have to do good deeds anyway, so they might as well take care of our Anye Bureau's work while we're at it. We'll just cooperate with them."

Huangfu Shangde asked in confusion, "If that's the case, why did we fight for this job?"

Wang Shouyi said, "You're confused. If they do a good job and don't cause any trouble, then we can say it was our arrangement and the credit will go to us. If they don't do a good job, no one will bother with a bunch of kids. We can then act according to the situation and help them make amends. That way, we can be on the safe side."

Huangfu Shangde felt that doing this was somewhat unethical. "Is this the right thing to do?"

Wang Shouyi said matter-of-factly, "What's wrong with that? They're all our sons. They wouldn't need the credit anyway. The master doesn't care about fame or fortune. They might even thank us. Besides, by doing this, we can also deceive one person."

Huangfu Shangde asked, "Yuwen Rong?"

Wang Shouyi nodded and said, "Since he's the one doing this bad thing, we should at least appease him a bit and not argue with him. But my brat is a bit neurotic. Compared to him, Sengnian is much more sensible. You should talk to Sengnian more often these days."

Huangfu Shangde nodded and said, "I know what to do."

Although Wang Shouyi had been idle for many years and his mind was somewhat slow in political affairs, it did not mean he was stupid. He was still very clear-headed when it came to self-preservation.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been the first to step forward and use his power to exchange for wealth and status with Li Longji.

If Empress Wang hadn't encountered a crisis, he would never have strived for advancement.

He never expected that his son, Wang Xi, was also planning to intercept him halfway, steal his stocking plan, and take it for himself.

It just goes to show that birds of a feather flock together.

Although Wang Xi personally strongly disliked wearing stockings, he increasingly admired Wang Shouyi's idea.

After gaining Li Jieman's approval, he called Xue Jun and the others over and gave them the stockings, saying they were specially prepared as costumes for their future performances on stage.

There's a saying that goes, "What is poison to them is food to me."

Wang Xi couldn't accept it for a while, but Cui Gu'er and Xue Jun loved it very much!

They not only thought it looked good, but also found it very convenient to move around in. Like Li Jieman, none of them wanted to take it off.

On this cold winter day, these animals actually came to the academy dressed in short tunics, just to show off their black stockings.

But this made the junior female students blush and scold.

"Hey! Why are you all dressed like that?"

"Junior Sister Qin'er, is it pretty?" Xue Jun stepped forward quickly and asked with a grin.

Qin'er looked at her strangely and asked, "What are you wearing?"

Xue Jun said, "These are stockings, which are said to have been designed by His Majesty himself."

"is it?"

Qin'er couldn't help but look down and ask, "Was this really designed by His Majesty?"

"How could I lie about that?" Xue Jun said hurriedly, "Besides, these clothes are comfortable, not cold at all. Qin'er, do you think they look good?"

Qin'er looked at it for a moment longer, "It's actually quite pretty, though."

"Just what?"

"It's just that these boots don't seem to match quite well."

"boots!"

Xue Jun looked down and said, "That seems to be true. I'll go talk to Brother Que later and ask him to get us a pair of suitable boots."

Speak of the devil, and he appears! A shout rang out: "Sparrow is here!"

Xue Jun and the others felt a dizzying sensation, and in the blink of an eye, only a faint fragrance remained on the grand stage.

The group turned around and saw Qin'er and several other junior sisters surrounding Wang Xi, who had just arrived.

"Brother Que, when are you going to study in the dressing room?"

"Brother Que, what's the schedule for the classes in the makeup room? I...I want to learn too."

"Brother Que, could you teach us some makeup techniques?"

Surrounded by beautiful women, Wang Xi chuckled and said, "Junior sisters, don't be impatient, don't be impatient. I have some things to take care of later. After I finish, I'll come and do your makeup one by one. I guarantee you'll all have your own unique charm."

"Then we'll remember that, Brother Sparrow, don't lie to us."

"I would never lie to my junior sisters! Hehe!"

"How foolish! How utterly foolish!"

Seeing Wang Xi monopolize all the junior sisters, Xue Jun stood on the stage with his head down and stamped his feet, "How could I not have thought of this? Such a good opportunity to get close to the junior sisters, and I didn't even seize it. I'm so angry. I don't even know if it's too late to change subjects now."

Cui Gu'er said, "Shuang Ge is also helping over there, but no one pays attention to him. They say that Que Ge is skilled in makeup, which is why he is so popular with the junior sisters."

"It was premeditated, it must have been premeditated."

Xue Jun said, "Brother Que must have known that the teacher would arrange this lesson, so he has been practicing this makeup technique at home. No, I will ask my maid to teach me this makeup technique when I get home."

This looks so tempting!

Just then, a beautiful figure appeared in the large classroom.

"teacher!"

Wang Xi immediately shook off his junior sisters' entanglement and walked towards that figure.

Hongxiu had been watching for a while when she saw Wang Xi come over and jokingly asked, "Wang Xiaoque, when did you become so popular?"

Wang Xi's heart skipped a beat, and he sighed, "To be honest, Teacher, Little Sparrow can't possibly accept such a welcome." "Is that so?"

Hongxiu said with a smile.

Wang Xi said with an air of seriousness, "Teacher, look at Xue Jun and the others, they're almost killing people. My mother always taught me that one shouldn't be too outstanding, and I only understand this principle today."

Hongxiu gave Wang Xi a strange look.

Wang Xi said, "Teacher, only you can save me now."

Hongxiu asked in astonishment, "How can I save you?"

Wang Xi said, "I'll quickly teach this makeup technique to the teacher, and then the teacher can teach the younger sisters. That way, I won't attract jealousy."

Hongxiu thought for a moment and said, "If you are willing to teach, then the teacher will naturally be willing to learn."

Actually, she was also very interested in that kind of makeup technique because it perfectly matched her aesthetic; she didn't like heavy makeup.

Wang Xi immediately said, "Then it's settled. But I still need to go to Yi Xian Jue. When I get back, I'll help you with your makeup."

"Okay!"

Hongxiu nodded subconsciously, then suddenly said, "That's not right, you're teaching me makeup techniques, not doing my makeup."

Wang Xi said, "But if we don't help the teacher with his makeup, how can we teach him?"

Hongxiu wanted to say that she could help Qin'er with her makeup, but when she thought of Wang Xi's reprimand that day, she felt that it was inappropriate to say it like that.

Qin'er should now be considered his student, not his maid.

Wang Xi said, "Teacher, it's settled then. I'll go now."

"Huh? Wait."

When Hongxiu looked up, Wang Xi had already run far away. She quickly said, "Wait a minute!"

"Don't worry, teacher, the student will be back soon."

Hongxiu couldn't help but stomp her foot lightly, "Who's in a hurry? You really are something!"

Wang Xi went to Yixianjue, naturally to brew wine.

When Wang Xi first started brewing the wine, it was purely for the purpose of going out, so he didn't focus too much on it. As a result, the wine didn't taste that good. It could be said that it won over a group of loyal customers with its unique strength.

Wang Xi didn't intend to focus on it anyway; he wasn't short of money.

However, times have changed. He was determined to become a favorite minister, and wine was also His Majesty's favorite drink. In addition, the current educational reforms and vivid teaching methods were all included in the idea of ​​providing property for the people.

He needs to set up some workshops, not necessarily to make a big splash, but at least to prove that there is some truth to it, so that he can survive for the time being.

However, he had no experience in running a workshop, so he decided to go to Yixianjue to take a look and fulfill his promise to Bai Ningsu, which was to introduce a new brewing method.

"Hey! Sparrow!"

"Brother Que, when will we be able to see Dream of the Red Chamber?"

As soon as we arrived at Yi Xian Jue, the customers inside immediately surrounded us.

After those days of performances, this exceptional guest was no longer afraid of the gull-headed vulture; on the contrary, he would occasionally have a drink or two.

Now, the performance of Dream of the Red Chamber has suddenly been extended to once every two weeks, which is completely unbearable for them.

It's hard to go from extravagance to frugality!

"Right away! Right now!"

Wang Xi could only offer vague replies, "We're not doing this to whet everyone's appetite, but to strive for perfection. We hope you can understand."

At this moment, Bai Siyong also came out to help Wang Xi out of the predicament and led him to the backyard.

"Old Bai, your business is doing well. It's not even lunchtime yet, and you already have so many customers," Wang Xi said with a smile as they walked.

Bai Siyong hurriedly said, "This is all thanks to Young Master. It was because of Dream of the Red Chamber a few days ago that these customers have gotten used to coming here to sit for a while."

Wang Xi joked, "If we don't talk about Dream of the Red Chamber, you're doomed."

Bai Siyong hurriedly said, "That's really bad."

Wang Xi laughed heartily and said, "Don't worry, it can't be finished even without Dream of the Red Chamber!"

"Young Master Wang has arrived."

Bai Ningsu suddenly followed him out through the back door.

Wang Xi looked the woman over and noticed that she seemed much more energetic than before, not as tired. He asked, "Have you rested enough?"

Bai Ningsu nodded hurriedly and said, "I've rested well, I've rested well."

Wang Xi said, "Today I am here on the orders of my teacher to teach you a new method of brewing wine, but you must first take me to the winery."

"Young Master Wang, this way please."

Bai Siyong quickly led the way.

"How much wine can this make?"

Wang Xi stood in the small workshop behind Yixianjue, looking at the few busy old winemakers, half of whom were from Wang Shuang's family, and couldn't help but feel worried!

Bai Siyong immediately said, "Young master, please don't be offended. It's not that I'm stingy with money, but we can't hire people easily to avoid leaking the secret recipe. There are many people outside who are eyeing the secret recipe of our Hero Wine."

“But this scale won’t make much money,” Wang Xi said.

Bai Siyong said, "We can take it slowly. If we rush things and accidentally reveal the secret recipe, it will be a loss."

In ancient times, people valued secret recipes more than their own lives. Often, a single secret recipe was the livelihood of an entire family; without it, they might starve to death.

Wang Xi frowned and said, "I will discuss this with you, sir."

Bai Ningsu suddenly asked, "I wonder what new brewing method you brought, young master?"

Wang Xi glanced at Bai Ningsu with a smile in his eyes and asked, "Do you know what kind of wine people love most these days, and what kind of wine sells for the highest price?"

Bai Ningsu said, "Naturally, it's that wine."

After saying that, her eyes lit up, "Young master, are you perhaps planning to use this brewing method to make wine?"

Wang Xi smiled and nodded, saying, "Smart."

Bai Ningsu was increasingly delighted as she thought about it. "Yes! How come I didn't think of that?"

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "You're so stupid, how could you possibly have thought of that?"

Bai Ningsu retorted, "If the teacher hadn't told you, you might not have been able to think of it."

Wang Xi did not argue with them. Looking at the old winemakers, he said with distress, "The problem now is not the winemaking itself, but the scale of production."

(End of this chapter)