When Hunjun begins to make elixirs

Chapter 40 The immortal is an honest man
After Li Shun tried his best to appease the stubborn Liu Zheng, he immediately started the gift giving session.

He decided to let them read out the gift list themselves. Those who gave less would surely be ashamed, right?

First of all, there were the vassal kings from various places. They did not come in person. After all, there was a faint tendency of separatism in various places outside. It was not safe along the way, but the things they sent were very valuable.The court spends so much money to support them every year, and it is not in vain.

Next was Hu Minde, who was the leader of the officials. He cleared his throat, opened the gift list, and presented the "Picture of Immortals Holding the Sun, Wanshou Jade Cup, Wanshou Jade Rhinoceros Stove, Wannian Ruyi Jade Cup, Longevity Jade Bottle..." "Twenty treasures in total.

Li Shun felt so happy when he heard it, he almost gave a thumbs up, but in the end he just patted his thigh and praised: "Hu Aiqing, I feel your filial piety."

It seems absurd for a person who has just entered youth to say that he has "filial piety" to a person who is about to enter old age, but in fact it is a reflection of the emperor's role as the "king and father" of the world.No matter how unhappy Hu Minde was, he had to endure it. He thought to himself: "Sooner or later these things will still be mine!"

Next came the contributions from Zhou Qing, the right prime minister, governors and generals from various places, and other officials.Zhou Qing only sent ten items, but it was right to think about it. How dare he send more than Hu Minde.

Except for Liu Zheng, none of the governors from various places came in person, and even the gifts were given as perfunctory as souvenirs.On the contrary, Liu Zheng gave Li Shun a "Guotai Minan Jade Ink Screen" and a "Eternal Blue Brush Washer", which was also well-intentioned.

A gift can see through the world and people's hearts.

The embarrassment of the emperor's decree not leaving the capital showed up again, and as time went by, Li Shun became less and less interested.

When the court finally ended, he walked faster than anyone else: "My dear friends, go and watch the magic show first. I will come back after I have finished handling the affairs in the palace." After that, he strode away, because there was still a group of people in the palace. People are waiting for his summons.

The ministers didn't take it seriously, it was just a polite remark.Of course they will not join in the fun with those untouchables. They will only go and have a look with the emperor when the finals come.

Baoning Palace was one of Li Shun's bedrooms. He specially changed into regular clothes and asked people to bring in those people he had long wanted to see.They were the eight imperial merchants headed by the Zhu family.

The Zhu family's uncle who is leading the team this time, the contemporary head of the Zhu family, Zhu Qingping, has a good name, a high style, and a peaceful world.In this world, these merchant families are different from bureaucratic families. Although they maintain the so-called eldest son inheritance system on the surface, they don't attach much importance to it privately.

Take the Zhu family as an example. Although the eldest son inherits the majority of his property, the concubine will also get a lot.His position as head of the family was not directly held by the eldest son who occupied the most resources at the beginning, but was elected within the family through the evaluation of business ability.

In some families, even the wealthy owners, shopkeepers and clerks who own stock dividends can participate in the selection of the family head.They are more like an interest group than the traditional family bonded by one family name.

"The humble minister pays homage to the emperor, and wishes my emperor long life, long live, long live, long live." Zhu Qingping led the eight royal merchants to kneel down. Although they are elders, they still have to salute before the righteousness of the emperor and his ministers.He had an official position awarded by the imperial court, so he called himself a minor minister.

"Get on your back, uncle, there's no need to be polite." Li Shun helped him up, asked him to sit down, and greeted him sincerely: "We haven't seen each other for more than half a year, right?"

Zhu Qingping can be the head of the family, and he has some influence from Li Shun. His nephew is the emperor, who dares not to give him face?But his own abilities are still good. He is well-read in poetry and books and is a Confucian businessman. When facing Li Shun, he spoke clearly and clearly: "I saw you during the Chinese New Year. It's been more than half a year."

"It's been a long time, but I am not a ruthless king. People often say: 'Mother is the uncle,' and my mother and concubine left me long ago. My uncle is a close person to my mother's family. How can I not miss him?" Reason? Unfortunately, the country's affairs are in dire straits, and I can't help myself."

Zhu Qingping's eyes were red because of Li Shun's emotional speech, and he was about to cry.Li Shun stopped there and patted the back of his hand: "Today is a happy day, so don't say these sad words. You did a good job and you worked hard. I will reward you generously."

Li Shun talked to Huang Shang one by one. After a round, Li Shun established a very good image of himself as a person who values ​​emotion, benevolence and justice, and distinguishes rewards and punishments.Representatives of the eight major imperial merchants said one after another: "They all work for the emperor and serve Dayin."

Li Shun also asked them about the situation in various places. The businessmen went deep into the people, so they naturally had a lot of valuable information, and some of them deserved Li Shun's attention.Two major royal merchants in the north said that there was a severe drought in the north this year, and people in some areas had no harvest. The relief grain purchased by the imperial court had only lasted less than a month and was exhausted. Subsequently, conflicts among the victims gradually intensified, and the local troops guarding They even directly sent troops to suppress it.

"What a bunch of silverfish! I just allocated 30 taels last month and it's gone?"

"It's not that it's gone, it's that it's not used at all to buy food. They want to support the army. This is the foundation for their livelihood."

"How much do they withhold from local taxes every year? And they still rely on misappropriating disaster relief funds to support the army? These people have simply lost their conscience!"

Faced with Li Shun's harsh words, all the emperors and merchants remained silent.As power gradually returned, Li Shun's royal authority became increasingly stronger.

Zhu Qingping added: "Your Majesty, calm down, those honorable nobles deserve to die. This year, the purchase quantity of salt, iron, kerosene, wood and other military supplies in various places, whether official or smuggled, has been investigated in detail, and it has increased by at least three percent compared to last year." times."

"Between provinces, and even between states, there are multiple cards and layers of exploitation. Tolls are required to cross roads, bridge tolls are required to cross bridges, and various taxes are created in an endless stream. Not only business people suffer, but ordinary people are also miserable. Word."

"But the common people know that it is not easy for the emperor, and they also know that these are the actions of the nobles below."

Li Shun understood that the following words were to comfort him. How could the people not blame him?Not to mention the countless crimes, the crime lies in my thoughts. Just the various rumors about him among the people are enough to make him bear the blame.

The few of them chatted some more, and by the time they were sent off, it was already afternoon.Li Shun sighed: "You have to be so tired even on your birthday. The emperor is really not a human being." Of course, with his current physical condition, he couldn't feel tired, but he couldn't withstand the mental exertion.

Regarding the issue of military honors, although Li Shun cursed, he was still a little happy in his heart. He was not afraid that they were greedy, but that they would win people's hearts.

At this time, Zhang Liansheng hurriedly walked in from the door and shouted: "The Emperor! Here he comes! Here he comes!"

Li Shun looked at Zhang Liansheng's excited expression with confusion, as if he was giving birth to a child: "What's coming?"

Zhang Liansheng took two breaths: "The alchemist is here!"

Li Shunxu stood up: "Isn't it going to be a few days?"

Zhang Liansheng said: "They know that today is the day of the emperor's long life, so they rush on the road to congratulate the emperor!" Li Shun smiled: "If they have the intention, they will go to Qingyuan Palace and hold a banquet on the spot. I will meet you immediately them!"

Qingyuan Palace is far away from Changsheng Palace. One of the two palaces is in the east and the other in the west.The alchemist Li Shun had been dreaming about for two months finally arrived. It wasn't that he didn't want to make alchemy as soon as possible, but it was hard to find an alchemist. In addition, the Li family was a sinister family. The late emperor's last trick was hard to avoid. Woolen cloth!
This time, according to an excerpt from the Shenji Guardian, nine alchemists were found in Tianyi Mountain. Originally, they did not agree to come to Beijing, but they could not withstand the intimidation and inducement of the Shenji Guard. They went to the mountain to harass them every day while promising to After entering the capital, the emperor will treat him with the courtesy of a national master and enjoy royal worship.They reluctantly agreed.

The way of practicing martial arts is very strange.They are different from the martial arts cultivators and Fa cultivators who focus on the quality of the true energy. Although they also rely on the true energy to gain strength, they use secret methods to directly transform the true energy into a power close to the soul, which they call "mana". , which facilitates them to communicate with the world, micro-manage when refining alchemy and alchemy, and give the refined items abilities.

Since ancient times, they have had different names, such as shamans, priests, etc. Until now, people have uniformly called them "warlocks".Their skills are also constantly being added up, from prayers, sacrifices, divination to witchcraft, alchemy, alchemy... and gradually developed into a huge school covering all aspects.

Li Shun was very interested in this. In an era when Dharma cultivators were reclusive and martial arts cultivators were struggling, some martial arts cultivators gradually integrated into the lives of ordinary people.

After Li Shun learned that dragon veins had the effect of suppressing cultivators, he had a wrong idea for a moment in order to seek immortality.Can he add fuel to the flames and let the people from the Dragon Slaying Organization dig out the dragon's veins?See if the restrictions on yourself can be lifted?
Li Shun immediately rejected this stupid idea!This kind of thing that harms oneself and benefits others will only be done unless you have a brain.If the dragon's veins are dug out and some disaster befalls oneself, wouldn't it be a self-inflicted crime and one's life will be ruined?Besides, if Dayin dies, he will have no resources, no connections, no connections, and he won’t have enough to eat. How can he talk about immortality?
It's strange to say that Taizu found nine dragon veins to suppress the national destiny. Why was Dayin still in so many disasters?He looked like his country was about to be subjugated.

Is there any actual evidence that this stuff works? "The Chronicles of Taizu of the Dade Dynasty" contains: "The king is born, and the earth has the aura of king. Find the veins of the earth and gather the spirits to protect the destiny of the country. This is the vein of the dragon. Evil spirits are not allowed to invade."

Li Shun had read this sentence a long time ago and didn't take it seriously at the time. After all, according to his knowledge in his previous life, most of the contents in the history books were fiction, such as getting pregnant by stepping on a footprint, getting pregnant by eating bird eggs, and being pregnant by a dragon. ?If it's true, those emperors are really big-hearted!
Now he has no choice but to believe that God's protection has happened to him.As he was thinking wildly, Long Chu was carried to the Qingyu Palace. He stood up and walked down. The eunuch guarding the door announced loudly: "The Emperor has arrived!"

Li Shun walked into the palace. In the huge courtyard, there were two rows of people standing on the left and right, one row of divine machine guards and the other row of alchemists.

Nine alchemists stood one after another. The one at the head was a man with white hair and a childlike face. He was tall and thin, with a round head, like a pencil stuck in an apple, with a small mouth and narrow eyes.Li Shun almost laughed out loud when he saw it. He really wanted to ask him if he had taken too many poisonous elixirs?
When the man spoke, Li Shun was surprised again. It turned out to be an old man's voice!

"I have the inspiration to disperse people, Zhang Tingnian, and all his disciples to see your majesty."

"His Majesty?"

It is also a respectful title for the emperor, but no one has used it to address the emperor since the previous dynasty.

Li Shun straightened his face and returned the gift: "The immortal is so polite. I have been looking forward to it for a long time."

The alchemist is the only person in the alchemy sect who is still pursuing immortality.Although this person's appearance is strange, he has a good look and should have some moral integrity.

Next, he looked behind Lingji Sanren. His eight disciples looked pretty good. When he saw the No. 6 disciple, he frowned slightly, but his eyes quickly moved away from him.

"Okay, let's go to the main hall and chat." Li Shun smiled warmly and invited Lingji Sanren in.

Lingji Sanren was very cautious and motioned for the emperor to go first.Li Shun refused to be polite to him and walked up the steps first and opened the palace door. It was empty inside.

Li Shun explained: "According to the drawings sent by the Immortal Chief called Shen Jiwei, I have ordered people to build the alchemy furnace. It will probably be completed the day after tomorrow."

Lingji Sanren nodded and looked around. Should we just ask them to stand and chat?
Li Shun clapped his hands, and twenty eunuchs and maids carried tables, chairs, melons and fruits inside to decorate: "I'm neglecting the Immortal! The Immortal came suddenly. This place was only completed yesterday and there was no time to decorate it. Today, I will be here first." I’m here to invite you all to a banquet to welcome you and wash away your dust.”

"Do the Immortals have any taboos?"

Ling Ji Sanren shook his head like a rattle.

Seeing his appearance, Li Shun found him really cute, and his eyes were full of admiration: "Well, today, I will have a few more drinks with you."

The imperial dining room quickly sent someone to deliver the food.Although this group of warlocks were cultivators, they usually focused their energy and resources on refining alchemy. They had never seen so many delicacies, and they were instantly dumbfounded.

Li Shun was very satisfied with how they had never seen the world. He was not stingy about this meal. He served it according to the standard of [-]: "Come! Come! Come! I will give you a cup of immortality first. From now on, as long as you You can prepare the elixir of immortality for me. I will never treat you badly!"

Wealth enchants the eyes, luxury confuses the people's hearts.If some companies want to retain their migrant workers, they must first let them get used to enjoying themselves, or let them think they have a bright future, and then go crazy and buy a house or a car. If they have debts, they will not dare to jump.There is also a reason here, let them adapt to the luxurious life in the palace and forget the past, so that they can be used by him with peace of mind.

Who doesn’t want to live a good life?Of course, there will be more temptations in the future.

Three rounds of wine, five flavors of food.

Li Shun asked a little presumptuously: "How old is the immortal?"

Lingji Sanren was about to eat a meatball made of sika venison. When the emperor asked, he had to put it down again: "One hundred and three years old."

Li Shun showed a bright smile: "Immortals really have a way to live forever." The average life expectancy in Dayin is only 37 years, and people over 100 years old are rare.He rubbed his hands and said shamelessly: "I wonder if the immortal has some elixirs on his body now. Can you share a few bottles with me?"

After two months of discontinuing medicine, Li Shun missed the taste very much. Sometimes he felt it was unpleasant, but when it was gone, he wanted it again.People are all bitches.

"Don't worry, Immortal, I won't ask for you in vain. As we agreed before, the elixir will be refined to [-]%, and you can just deduct [-]% from me in the future."

Lingji Sanren said "oh", took out two bottles of elixirs from his pocket, and asked the little eunuch serving at the side to pass them over.

Li Shun took the elixir and smiled brighter, thinking: "The immortal is an honest man!"

(End of this chapter)