The Ming Dynasty: Starting with the border troops, it was overthrown and the Qing Dynasty was destro

Chapter 30 Attending the Banquet
Three days passed in a blink of an eye.

That morning, Jiang Han was still fast asleep in bed when he heard a series of urgent knocks on the door.

Yu Chengye's loud voice followed closely behind:
"Uncle Jiang, the Li family is here, they're looking for you!"

Jiang Han frowned at the noise, without even opening his eyes, turned over, and replied in a loud, irritated voice:

"Shut up! I'm sleeping. We'll talk about it after I wake up!"

Yu Chengye, standing outside the door, pursed his lips and muttered under his breath:

"You just eat and sleep all day long, Uncle Jiang, you're really something."

Despite his complaints, he dared not go in and wake Jiang Han.

If Jiang Han gets angry, he might have to work like a donkey for a few more days when he gets back.

Yu Chengye could only turn around dejectedly, slip back to the front hall, and shrug at Manager Li, who was waiting anxiously:

"Uncle Jiang is still sleeping, why don't you go back first?"

Upon hearing this, Steward Li quickly waved his hand, his face beaming with smiles:
"No rush, no rush, I'll wait here until Lord Jiang wakes up."

At this moment, Steward Li was completely different from his previous arrogant self, bowing and scraping as if he were a completely different person.

Yu Chengye, who was watching from the side, was quite surprised:

"Manager Li, was that cement really effective?"

Upon hearing this, Steward Li immediately began to speak with great enthusiasm:
"It's more than just useful. This thing looked like a lump of mud when I first saw it, but after only two days, it became as hard as a rock, indestructible by knives and impervious to water and fire."

"I didn't believe it, so I specially brought out a firearm to try it out, but it couldn't be penetrated at all. It's truly a strange thing!"

He became more and more excited as he spoke, talking on and on.
"I rushed to report it to my employer that very night, and he was amazed when he saw it."

"So they immediately booked the largest restaurant in the city, slaughtered cattle and sheep, and specially sent me to invite Lord Jiang to the banquet."

Upon hearing this, Yu Chengye felt a surge of excitement and secretly resolved to definitely try and freeload off this meal.

After all, he had worked like a donkey for two days to get this done, and the understanding Uncle Jiang had to give him credit for it.

Manager Li waited for most of the day, until the sun was high in the sky, before Jiang Han finally emerged from the room at a leisurely pace.

Upon seeing Jiang Han emerge, Steward Li immediately went to greet him:

"Lord Jiang, you're awake. Did you sleep soundly?"

Jiang Han slowly poured himself a cup of hot tea and lazily asked:

"Oh, isn't this Steward Li? What brings you here?"

Steward Li gave an awkward smile and quickly apologized:
"Lord Jiang, you flatter me. My master is very interested in that cement and has specially prepared a banquet at Hongbin Restaurant, ordering me to invite you over."

"I was blind and offended you before. Please forgive me."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Han didn't bother to argue with him any further.
"In that case, lead the way."

After saying that, he beckoned to Yu Chengye beside him and whispered an instruction:
"Kid, go and have your Uncle Shao Yong call everyone together, and bring all the guys from the carriage. They're coming to the banquet with me."

Jiang Han wasn't sure whether this banquet would be a blessing or a curse, but bringing more people along would always be a good thing, providing more security.

Guided by Steward Li, Jiang Han led Shao Yong and the others slowly toward Hongbinlou.

Before we even reached the entrance of Hongbinlou, two figures came out to greet us.

Leading the way was Li Shichang, the patriarch of the Li family, who was over fifty years old, full of energy, wearing a brocade robe, and with a big smile on his face.

The man in question was Li Lihui, the second son of the Li family. He was only twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with one half of his left sleeve hanging limply down his back, and a gloomy smile on his face.

The maids at the door had already lined up in two rows, bowed their heads, and said in unison:

"Welcome Mr. Jiang!"

Seeing this scene, Jiang Han paused, stunned for a moment.

What is the Li family trying to do by making such a big show of force?
Li Shichang spotted Jiang Han in the crowd from afar, quickly stepped forward, and was very enthusiastic:
"I am deeply sorry for not welcoming you properly, Mr. Jiang. Please come in. I have prepared a small cup of wine for you today, and I hope you will do me the honor."

Jiang Han snapped out of his daze and quickly declined:
"Mr. Li, you are too kind. I am just a humble merchant and do not deserve such a grand occasion."

Li Lihui also stepped forward, leading Jiang Han into the restaurant:

"You're too kind, Lord Jiang. Please come in!"

Jiang Han was a little confused by the father and son's enthusiasm, so he had no choice but to follow them into the restaurant.

In the lobby, the entire first floor had been cleared out, leaving only a large round table sitting alone in the center of the lobby.

The surroundings were decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, creating a festive atmosphere. The table was already laden with delicacies, eight meat dishes, eight vegetable dishes, eight cold dishes, and eight hot dishes, each with its own unique color, aroma, and taste. Even the wine pot was made of gilded gold, making it so luxurious that it left people speechless.

Jiang Han secretly took a breath; the Li family had really gone all out.

After taking his seat, Li Shichang frequently raised his glass, his words full of flattery:

"Young and promising Lord Jiang, your visit to Ansai today is truly a blessing for our county!"

After saying that, he picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp, his eyes crinkling into a deep smile.

Jiang Han drank a glass with him and said calmly:
"You flatter me, Mr. Li."

Although he smiled, he remained tense, unable to fully believe the warmth between the father and son.

After a few drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly harmonious.

Li Shichang slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed:

"My Li family is new here and has some assets, but it's a pity that we always lack opportunities to contribute to the county."

"Having met Lord Jiang today, I truly feel reassured!"

These words were spoken so earnestly, as if Jiang Han were truly the benefactor they had been waiting for for many years.

Jiang Han agreed outwardly, but inwardly he became increasingly puzzled.

The Li family's attitude is completely at odds with their rumored arrogant and domineering demeanor.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Li Shichang finally put down his wine glass, his smile unchanged but now tinged with a hint of seriousness:

"Lord Jiang, besides the banquet, there is another matter I wish to discuss with you today."

"To be honest, I am very interested in the cement formula you have, Lord Jiang, and I am willing to pay a hefty sum to buy it. How about one thousand taels?"

A moment of silence fell over the private room upon hearing this. Jiang Han put down his chopsticks, a cold smile creeping across his face. A hefty sum? A thousand taels?

He composed himself and casually made up a lie:

"This recipe is a family heirloom. It would be difficult to explain to my ancestors if I sold it. I am sorry, I cannot comply."

What a joke! How could I possibly sell this recipe? If I did, it would become commonplace.

If you hold it in your hand, you can set the price however you want. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
Li Shichang was not angry; instead, his smile deepened.
"Does Lord Jiang think it's too little? One thousand taels isn't enough, how about three thousand taels?"

Jiang Han remained calm and shook his head, saying:
“I appreciate Mr. Li’s kindness, but I only sell finished products, not the finished product.”

Seeing Jiang Han's resolute attitude, a hint of displeasure flashed in Li Shichang's eyes, but he quickly concealed it.

He's determined to get this prescription today, no matter what. If bribery doesn't work, he'll have to try another method.

He then adopted a worried and concerned expression, and let out a long sigh:

"Lord Jiang, you may not know this, but my Li family's desire to purchase this cement formula is not solely for profit."

"If this thing can be promoted and applied throughout our Great Ming Dynasty, it can not only build cities and defend against foreign enemies, but also build canals and dams to benefit the people."

“The water conservancy system in Ansai County has been in disrepair for years. Every drought season, countless families are destroyed and people die. Lord Jiang, can you bear to see the people suffer?”

Jiang Han frowned. Good heavens, are they using ordinary people to intimidate others? They've resorted to moral blackmail.

What a joke! What do these starving people have to do with me? I'm not surnamed Zhu.

Moreover, the Zhu family in the Forbidden City hasn't cared about the starving people; on the contrary, they keep increasing the quotas, pushing people to the brink of death.

Even for Jiang Han, the more starving people there were, the more advantageous it would be.

Jiang Han raised his head and chuckled softly:
“Master Li, disaster relief and saving the people is the government’s business. We small merchants and vendors dare not get involved.”

"These important national affairs are the concern of the high-ranking officials of the court. We common people are only concerned with making a living."

Li Shichang stared at him for a moment, his smile gradually fading, his tone becoming more meaningful:

"Lord Jiang, this is a rare opportunity. You should think it over carefully. My Li family has some influence in Ansai and even Yan'an Prefecture."

"As long as you nod in agreement, I will immediately offer you three thousand taels of silver."

He paused, then changed his tone, adding a hint of threat:

"If you don't agree, Lord Jiang probably won't be able to stay in the vicinity of Ansai."

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(End of this chapter)