"Really?" Li Ying was so excited that he almost jumped up, completely unable to believe his ears. It's only 1,000 taels of gold, why is Zhuluhou willing to sell it?

Li Mu nodded and said indifferently: "It's not that difficult, why are you so excited?" ”

"I'll get you the money!" Li Ying jumped so high that without waiting for Li Mu to answer, the person had already run away.

The reason why Li Ying was so excited, Li Mu was clear. This is a very interesting thing - ancient China has thousands of years of history, and there are no four-wheeled carriages. Of course, the simple installation of four wheels on the frame of the 'four-wheeled carriage' has long been thought of. It was present as early as the Warring States period, but because the front wheels could not be turned, the straight road of the Ichima Hirakawa was fine, but when it came to the place where it needed to be turned, it immediately became a scrap. Therefore, the "four-wheeled carriage" recorded in the ancient pictorial records was mostly ridden during royal sacrifices, and was not substantially applied to production and life.

Don't talk about antiquity, it's modern. Before the popularization of four-wheeled tractors, the 'oxen carts' used in rural ploughing were also two-wheeled.

Why is this happening?

Li Mu really knew that in the years when he was reading idle books aimlessly, he once saw an article that specialized in the study of ancient carriages. In the article, this problem is summarized. The most fundamental reason is that ancient China has never made a 'steering differential'. This thing was invented in the 15th century in the West, and when it was transmitted to China, it was already the end of the Qing Dynasty.

Li Mu also wondered why China, as one of the four ancient civilizations, couldn't build a device that didn't seem complicated. He also looked through a lot of information, but he didn't get an answer. Later, he figured out that perhaps in the torrent of history, there are some questions that are unanswered.

For example, the Chinese invented papermaking and the compass, why didn't the Westerners invent it first? There is no answer, maybe it is because everyone's head structure is different. This question also illustrates one thing, that is, the progress of human civilization cannot be accomplished by one race alone. It is only when the knowledge of all nations in the world is integrated that the progress of mankind can be promoted in a real sense.

It's just a layer of window paper, and before it is pierced, I can't figure it out. After stabbing it, I will think, how can it be so simple.

In addition to the "steering differential", the wooden construction of the carriage was also a problem. The wooden structure of the carriage determines that its load capacity will not be very high. Fitting a carriage with four wheels can certainly increase the load area, but the wooden frame may not be able to withstand it. Moreover, the four-wheeled carriage has a higher load and requires more animal power. This is also a very big challenge for the 'handlebar momentum' driving technique.

Then there are the roads, most of which were in very bad condition in ancient times. Moreover, the wheels of the carriage do not yet have rubber tires, and bumps can easily cause the wooden frame to loosen. It's even worse if it's muddy, you have to unload the goods on the cart before you can get out, and after tossing back and forth, the advantages of the carriage are all negated.

But for Li Ying today, the four-wheeled carriage still has a fatal attraction.

First of all, if the Zhao Jun Li clan mastered the technology of the four-wheeled carriage, this is unique and has epoch-making significance. In addition, with the inspiration of Li Mu's 'iron-clad plate car', the use of iron-clad technology can strengthen the strength of the frame. And the handlebar type of driving the carriage, monopolizing more than half of the 'carriage and horse shop' business, Zhao Jun Li's family, the most important thing is such talents.

As for the road conditions, Taiyuan Road and Longyou Road are being repaired. It's really not good, and it can still be used in the city, which is not a problem.

Li Ying knew the importance of the four-wheeled carriage, so he was so excited, worried that Li Mu would regret it, and was busy withdrawing money.

The "steering differential" invented in the West has gone through two major stages, and the steering differential commonly used in later automobiles is actually a very modern product. That's something that gradually evolved after the invention of various alloy gears. Prior to this, the steering device commonly used in the West was called 'bogie'. The first two wheels of a four-wheeled vehicle are mounted on one frame, and the last two wheels are mounted on another frame, and the two frames are connected by a vertical shaft, which is actually a combination of two 'two-wheeled vehicles'.

It was such a simple problem, but it was not solved until the 15th century, thousands of years ago, the human mind seemed to be shielded out, and it had to be embarrassing.

The front and rear frames are generally large and suitable for transporting goods. The front is small and the back is large, suitable for manning. The 'RV' that Li Mu plans to make is what it looks like is small in the front and big in the back.

Li Mu accepted 1,000 taels of gold from Li Ying and told him to go to the 'Patent Division' tomorrow to get a patent, and then left the workshop. As for whether Li Ying will jump to scold people after seeing the patent tomorrow, Li Mu can't care so much. This transaction is not a forced purchase and forced sale, you love what I want, and regret is also deserved.

……

The next day, the Gaochang delegation resigned, and Li Shimin, in order to express his praise for Gaochang's annexation, made an exception to go out of the city for ten miles to see him off. Li Mu was also among the send-offs, and said goodbye to Ju Zhisheng. Just as the Gaochang mission was leaving, Li Mu also made a big deal with Ju Zhisheng.

The Gaochang mission came to Chang'an this time, in addition to major events at the national level, there was no shortage of business. Gaochang is located at the throat of the Silk Road, some are gold and silver from the Western Regions merchants such as Dashi, this time I came to Chang'an, I saw what is 'abundant products', and I think everything is a good thing. In the past half a month, almost everything in Chang'an City has been bought out.

Wang Ou's silk shop in Tongshanfang was bought out three times by the merchants who came with the Gaochang mission. As for the wine in Bashang Distillery, it was robbed as soon as it came out. The price has climbed several times, and the customers of Chang'an City can no longer afford it.

Li Mu made a lot of money because of this, but this is all small money, and the real big head is still on the Ju father and son.

After the matter of attachment was settled, Li Mu found Ju Zhisheng and proposed a huge cooperation plan. In view of the fact that the merchants of Chang'an still rarely operate the Silk Road, and in view of the fact that the Tang Dynasty is in urgent need of precious metals such as gold and silver as currency. Li Mu decided to use Gaochang as a springboard to cooperate with merchants in the Western Regions.

Every three months, a caravan from Chang'an would arrive in Gaochang, where Gaochang would settle the settlement, and then sell it to merchants in the Western Regions. Although after Gaochang, it was necessary to transfer part of the profits, but Datang did not lose anything. Li Mu calculated, Datang's goods will be twice as expensive when they arrive in Gaochang, and they will be 50% more in addition to freight and losses. These are all dividends that are digested within Datang and cannot be obtained at all.

The point is that this can prevent merchants from the Western Regions from coming directly to the Tang Dynasty and plundering the properties of the Tang Dynasty with the high-value currency in their hands. Li Mu has stipulated that business through the Ministry of Internal Affairs is not allowed to be traded privately. Anyone who violates it will be banned by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. To put it simply, merchants are not allowed to trade with merchants in the Western Regions without permission, and must pay taxes and settle accounts through the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The advantage of this is that the pricing power is firmly in the hands of Datang, and the advantage is firmly in the hands of Datang.

Li Mu finally got a handful of the moon before the water, and he sold Feng Qiuhuang's perfume, soap, and silver mirror to Ju Zhisheng at a tenfold mark. The 300,000 guan brought by the Ju father and son, in addition to the money bribed by the officials of the other three provinces and six ministries, were all exchanged for perfume, soap and silver mirrors and brought back.

Coupled with the 1,000 catties of gold and 1,000 catties of silver that Li Mu had bribed before, 200,000 of the 300,000 guan went into Li Mu's pocket.

In this way, Ju Zhisheng is still grateful. Because he still has a lot of money, the farther west he goes, the greater the body odor, and perfume is suitable for them. There are many small countries in the Western Regions, and this batch of perfumes, even if they are only sold to the royal family, is not enough, and the scarcity is expensive, even if he doubles the price, he will definitely not worry about selling.

Moreover, Li Mu also stated in the contract very righteously that he would not accept merchants from the west of Gaochang. In other words, if the merchants of the Western Regions want to get perfume, they can only go through him. In this way, he is the only one in the Western Regions, and he can set the price however he wants, almost lying down to make money.

It's finally time to say goodbye, thinking back on this trip to Datang. Ju Zhisheng's heart was mixed, especially with Li Mu, which made him feel a lot of emotion. His most unbearable scene was seen by Li Mu, he racked his brains to plan, was pierced by Li Mu, and when he was leaving, he bought Li Mu's things at a price ten times more expensive...... This feeling was very uncomfortable, but he couldn't say anything, and even in the bottom of his heart, there was still a trace of gratitude.

All kinds of tastes came to his heart, Ju Zhisheng blurred his eyes, he came to Li Mu, gave a deep salute, and said: "Master Hou, Gaochang and Datang are seven thousand miles apart, and I don't know when we will be able to meet each other." Master Hou, you have to take care. ”

Li Muman laughed nonchalantly: "The prince should also take care...... But don't be so pessimistic, Gaochang has signed a contract with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and there will be a caravan back and forth every three months, if the prince is worried about me, you can entrust the caravan to bring me some souvenirs! ”

When Ju Zhisheng heard the word "souvenir", his expression instantly froze. Native products worth 110,000 yuan, he really can't afford to give them away. Ju Zhisheng didn't dare to continue this topic, grinned dryly, diverted the topic, and said, "Master Hou is really good at laughing...... Oh, Xiao Wang suddenly remembered something, he must tell Hou Ye, if he doesn't say it, his heart will be uneasy. ”

"Oh?" Li Mu was puzzled: "Is there anything more important than local products?" ”

Ju Zhisheng didn't answer, and said to himself: "Master Hou, I saw your fourth lady in your mansion that day...... Tell me the truth, your fourth lady, I know. ”

Li Mu narrowed his eyes and said, "Shizi, I remember I told you that whoever beats my woman's idea, I will beat whom—"

"Master Hou misunderstood," Ju Zhisheng hurriedly said: "How dare Xiao Wang, what I want to say is that she is actually a horse bandit." Her father is one of the three horse bandits in Longyou, the leader of Zhangjiazhai. This Zhang Xun is not simple, Hou Ye must be more careful. ”

The horn sounded, and the Gaochang mission opened. Ju Zhisheng turned over and got on his horse, hugged Li Mu and left.