The Great Tang Dynasty: The Celestial Master Descends the Mountain, Starts by Being Deceived into Ma

Chapter 40 I want this mountain

That mountain?

Zheng Rentai looked in the direction Lu Jinghe was pointing, and the smile on his face instantly froze.

Zheng Rentai chuckled twice: "Is the Prince Consort referring to that mountain north of the city?"

"To be honest, that mountain is not peaceful. There are rumors among the people that demons and monsters gather on that mountain."

"Oh?" Lu Jinghe raised an eyebrow, chuckled twice, and said nothing.

Where do all these demons and monsters come from? Rat demons are rare, appearing only once every few hundred years. How can so many demons and monsters gather together like this?

Do you think Lu Jinghe is a child?

Zheng Rentai realized that Lu Jinghe was not easily fooled, and a layer of cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

He quickly turned his head, thinking about how to get Lu Jinghe to change his mind.

"To be honest... that mountain belongs to my clan."

"Your Highness, you may not know this, but that mountain is steep and full of jagged rocks. Every year, people fall to their deaths from the cliffs, which is why it has a reputation as a gathering place for demons and monsters."

"If Ma really wants to do business, I do have a few good places to go. Would you allow me to introduce them?"

Lu Jinghe nodded and smiled, "Go ahead."

"South of the city, there is a vacant lot near the official road, which is convenient for transportation."

"And in the west of the city, there are several vacant shops in excellent locations..."

""

"My lord, what do you think? Isn't this much better than that wretched mountain?"

"No need." Lu Jinghe blew on the steaming tea. He didn't really like drinking this stuff, but it was nice to have it occasionally for a change of pace.

"I only want that mountain."

Zheng Rentai's fake smile crumbled. "Don't make me say anything more."

Besides, even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake, let alone you, who are just a prince consort, not a real dragon. What right do you have to suppress this local snake?

The Zheng family of Lantian is a branch of the Zheng family of Yingyang. Let alone a horse, even if Li Shimin himself came, would he dare to take it!

Do you think the Five Clans and Seven Noble Families are afraid of your mere Tang Dynasty?

While Zheng Rentai was muttering and criticizing Lu Jinghe in his heart, he also didn't forget to criticize Li Shimin.

In his view, what was the Li Tang dynasty? It was nothing more than a nouveau riche who made their fortune in the chaos of war, and they were still subject to the control of the five clans and seven noble families.

However, he still had some sense, so he only dared to make things up in his mind and didn't dare to say them out loud. If he had actually said them, Li Shimin would definitely have chopped off his head.

"This... Your Excellency, that mountain has been cultivated and maintained by our ancestors for generations..."

"Is it that important?" Lu Jinghe put down his teacup and interrupted him lightly.

"I only want that mountain." Lu Jinghe didn't want to waste words, so he brought up Li Shimin instead, "Your opinion is not important, that mountain is what His Majesty wants."

He picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and said, "If you insist on stopping me, I'm afraid His Majesty won't be too happy."

"It's just a barren mountain. Ma Feng came to inspect it on His Majesty's orders, but the magistrate of Lantian County tried every means to stop him. It seems there's something shady going on in that mountain."

"Private soldiers? Or armored soldiers? Or...?"

'

"Your Highness, be careful what you say!"

Lu Jinghe immediately accused Zheng Rentai of treason, which frightened Zheng Rentai so much that he knelt down on the ground.

His face turned pale instantly. Regardless of whether the charge of treason was true or false, if Li Shimin really wanted to kill him, who cared whether the charge was true or false, since he had genuinely stopped him.

Zheng Rentai immediately knelt down and said, "Your Highness, the Zheng family has been favored by the Emperor for generations. How dare we rebel? If you want those mountain horses, take them!"

Lu Jinghe looked at Zheng Rentai with a half-smile and said, "Magistrate Zheng is indeed a man of great principle."

Zheng Rentai wiped away his cold sweat, forcing a smile, but inside he felt like a million horses were galloping through his mind.

That business on that mountain was built up by the Zheng family of Lantian over several generations. Now they're just handing it over to someone else. When they get back to their clan, they'll probably be cursed to death!

But then I thought, if I could use this to get on the good side of the prince consort and have a powerful backer in the court, what would this wretched mine matter?

He might be able to join the Zheng family of Xingyang through a horse; he's had enough of staying in the Zheng family of Lantian.

Not only did he have to watch the faces of those old-fashioned people all day long, but he was also scolded almost every day.

He wanted to rebel, but he was put in this position by those same people. If he dared to rebel, he would probably be replaced very soon.

Zheng Rentai's mindset changed quickly, and a fawning smile appeared on his face.

"If Your Highness does not mind, I would like to offer this horse in my own name as a token of my goodwill, hoping only that Your Highness will take good care of me in the future..."

"9

Lu Jinghe glanced at Zheng Rentai, and then went all in?

If he were to do it in his own name... he might be removed from the official list by the Zheng family of Lantian, and he would lose his official position.

"Magistrate Zheng is very kind." Lu Jinghe nodded slightly. "I don't mind having someone help me with business matters. You have been operating in Lantian for many years. If you need anything in the future, I will definitely trouble you, Magistrate Zheng."

Zheng Rentai was overjoyed and quickly expressed his gratitude.

With these words, he managed to keep his position as county magistrate and also broke away from the Zheng family of Lantian. Without these incompetent fools dragging him down, his career prospects would likely be much brighter.

It's just a dilapidated mine. He wouldn't get much money from it on a regular basis. Giving it away is fine. He's managed to climb the social ladder by marrying into the prince consort. This deal is incredibly profitable!

Lu Jinghe took a sip of tea, too lazy to expose Zheng Rentai's ulterior motives.

This kind of person is the most useful; you can tell what they want at a glance, and they actually believe in empty promises.

Building a factory in Lantian meant that the county magistrate would handle all the troubles, saving him a lot of effort.

The Zheng family of Lantian... The Zheng family of Xingyang...

Lu Jinghe glanced at Zheng Rentai, who was beaming with joy, and thought to himself: These aristocratic families aren't all of one mind... they still have their own selfish motives.

He had previously thought they had a very good relationship and were united against outsiders.

Gao Yang sat to the side holding the little Sizi, and couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth as he watched this scene.

She raised an eyebrow at Lu Jinghe, thinking to herself: This guy is really wicked; he managed to fool Zheng Rentai into this state with just a few words.

Not only did he take back the mountain, he also made the county magistrate listen to him.

Oh, how awful! She likes it so much.

Lu Jinghe put down his teacup and stood up, thinking to himself that this rubbish made him even thirstier the more he drank it. He asked, "Where's Cheng Chumo?"

"Call him over, and then you take us to see that mountain."

Just as Zheng Rentai was about to send someone to call Cheng Chumo over, he heard a commotion outside the courtyard.

"Young Master Cheng, the master is discussing matters with an important person. Please do not go in yet!"

"Get out of my way! I'm here to see my brother Lu!"

Cheng Chumo staggered in, his clothes disheveled, his hair messy, and his face smeared with rouge. He looked like he hadn't sobered up yet, still in a daze.

Hearing the commotion, everyone looked over.

Cheng Chumo stood there, stunned. What was he doing here?

He glanced at Lu Jinghe, then at Gao Yang holding the baby, then at Zheng Rentai standing to the side with a fawning expression, and finally at his own disheveled appearance.

He sobered up considerably instantly. "Um... good morning, Brother Lu..."