On this mission, Ji Yanran actually asked to go along.

Xiang Shaolong asked, "Why did you remember that you were going to Qi Kingdom?" ”

Ji Yanran said: "My father-in-law, Master Zou, died of illness in Linzi a few years ago, and I went to pay homage this time, and then collected my father-in-law's works and prepared to come back and publish them." ”

Xiang Shaolong asked: "Master Zou is the master Zou Yan who founded the 'Five Virtues and the Beginning of the Theory'?" ”

Ji Yanran said: "Exactly." He studied in the Jixia School Palace in the era of King Qi Xuan, and appeared in the princes with the main luck of yin and yang, and later entered Yan as the teacher of Yan Zhao. Later, the Five Kingdoms were destroyed in Qi, my father-in-law cherished his homeland and refused to participate, and was imprisoned by King Hui. The main purpose of my visit this time was to bring back his books for editing and publishing. (Historically, Zou Yan died around 250 BC)

Xiang Shaolong nodded, he was not very interested in Zou Yan's doctrine, in his eyes, Zou Yan was closer to Fang Shi. But in this era, he did make a name for himself, and his doctrine designed new political programs for the rulers, which were valued by various kings.

Xiang Shaolong has always believed that "what exists is reasonable", and he believes that he has a very superficial understanding of the theory of yin and yang, and the prosperity of culture is to "let a hundred schools of thought bloom together, and a hundred schools of thought contend". No matter what the theory, Xiang Shaolong is willing to spread it, and he will not be prejudiced because of his likes and dislikes. There are many smart people in the world, and some people are willing to believe in his theory, which means that he still has a market, so he agrees with Ji Yanran's desire to publish Zou Yan's theory. No matter what, the most terrible thing is that a single flower is not spring, and a hundred flowers bloom in spring.

The envoy of Qin to Qi must pass through Wei, and the last time Xiang Shaolong sent Zhao to be robbed and killed halfway, there was the shadow of Wei behind him. Among all the countries, the one he is most worried about is the Wei State, not to mention that his trip to the Qi State has the intention of targeting the Wei State.

Therefore, Xiang Shaolong decided to go secretly, break it into pieces, and the advance troops secretly infiltrated Linzi first. And his entourage was broken down into multiple teams, just following Xiang Shaolong not far away, not knowing Xiang Shaolong, if there was no emergency, they would go their separate ways.

Xiang Shaolong only took Ji Yanran and an entourage by his side, riding an ordinary inferior horse, and turned into an ordinary civilian.

All the way to the outside of Linzi City, the advance team contacted Qi Xiang and won the victory. Knowing that Xiang Shaolong was coming, Hou Sheng personally went out of the city to greet him, for fear of snubbing Xiang Shaolong.

The guests and hosts in the Prime Minister's Mansion sat down, and Hou Sheng raised his glass first, and said: "It is an honor for Lord Zuo Xiang to go to our country, and it is even more rare that Ji Cai Nufang is here in person, and I admire all the students." ”

Ji Yanran said: "Yanran's trip is only to worship her father-in-law, Master Zou, and she has nothing else to do, so she doesn't dare to bother Lord Xiangguo." ”

Xiang Shaolong said: "I came this time because I have an important matter to discuss with Xiangguo. As he spoke, he took out a sample of refined salt and handed it to Hou Sheng.

Xiang Shaolong doesn't like to beat around the bush and play some tricks that he wants to get away with. This is true with soldiers, and the same is true with bribery. Go straight with a single knife, cut through the mess with a quick knife, and don't bargain, directly enlarge the moves, and use money to smash the opponent and lie down.

Xiang Shaolong said: "I have the technology to produce this kind of refined salt, but unfortunately my Daqin is located in the west and lacks raw materials, so I have long intended to seek a partner to make this business bigger and stronger." Since the last time I met Xiangguo, I have a preliminary idea in my heart, I will give out the technology, and the rest will be handed over to Xiangguo, and the profits will be shared equally between me and Xiangguo, how about it? ”

Hou Sheng was overjoyed, and when he heard Xiang Shaolong mean to cooperate with himself, not with Qi Guo, the difference here is big.

This refined salt has not appeared for a few years, but unfortunately the production is small and the price is high, and it has only been circulated in the upper class. Qi is close to the sea, and the salt industry is an important pillar industry of Qi, and they have long wanted to find this technology. But I haven't found the source of refined salt for a long time, and I didn't expect it to be in Xiang Shaolong's hands.

With the geographical location of Qi country, how much profit can be made in the future, Hou Sheng himself dare not imagine. He never thought that this was Qin Guo's ill-intentioned intentions, intending to buy him, just as a deal between Xiang Shaolong and the two of him, wanting to make a fortune. Or maybe he thought about it, but pretended not to know.

Hou Sheng patted his chest and promised: "Don't worry, Lord Zuo, everything is wrapped up in me." ”

The next day, Xiang Shaolong met Qi Wangjian at Huan Gongtai.

Huan Gongtai is the most magnificent building group in the Wangdian District, located in the north and west of the small city. It is only more than 80 zhang away from the west wall of the small city, and it is a magnificent high platform. This rectangular high platform is as long as 25 zhang from north to south, 20 zhang from east to west, and the height is more than 5 zhang, and its majestic momentum can be imagined. Ascend to the high platform, overlooking the large square that can accommodate the drill of ten thousand soldiers between the Huan Gong Platform and the Jinluan Palace.

Huan Gongtai itself is very distinctive, like a flat-topped pyramid, there are two layers on the top of the platform, the east, west and north triangles are steep, the south side is slightly gentle, the stone steps of the stage are built more than 100 steps, and the top of the platform is surrounded by gray brick dwarf flower wall. In the middle of the top of the platform, there is a square platform that is about five feet high, and the table top is paved with patterned square bricks, which is elegant and luxurious.

Qi Wangjian, in his thirties, medium stature, ordinary appearance,

After the ceremony, Xiang Shaolong sat under the head of King Qi.

King Jian of Qi said Kankan: "Since the first king proposed to respect the king, I have always held the ambition of Kuang Tianxia and the princes. As for your country's merchant monarch to change the law, our Qi and Qin countries are hidden as the two major countries of the east and the west, and the combination is beneficial, and the division is harmful, and the situation is obvious. ”

Xiang Shaolong said: "Huan Gong repaired politics and economy internally, and externally governed the armed forces, established the hegemony of Qi in one fell swoop, resisted Yi Di and saved the Central Plains, and the good fighters were undefeated, and the merit was in the community, which I have always admired." The Qi State set up the Jixia School Palace, creating a prosperous cultural era, and it was the first of all countries. Shaolong came here with an attitude of learning and came to make a pilgrimage, and the literary style of Qi was far better than that of Daqin. I intend to follow the example of Jixia School Palace, run a school and teach for my Daqin, and I have come to learn from the scriptures, hoping that the king can give him teaching. ”

King Qi was overjoyed when he saw Xiang Shaolong's humble attitude. Since the Qi State was almost destroyed, its mentality immediately became a little cowardly, immersed in the glory of the past all day long, empty talk, cowardly attacking, and facing Qiang Qin, more and more fearful.

Xiang Shaolong chatted with the king of Qi with or without a partner, and at this time, a close minister walked up to the throne, knelt down and presented a letter to the king of Qi, and said a few words.

King Qi was surprised when he heard this, and looked at Xiang Shaolong and said, "Duke Cao said that there is a letter from the widow, please hand it over to the general." ”

The king of Qi asked the courtiers to deliver the letter to Xiang Shaolong.

After Xiang Shaolong took out the silk book and read it, he smiled and said: "Cheng Cao Gong can afford it, and it will be an honor to learn skills on the stargazing platform of the Jixia School Palace in three days." ”

Cao Qiudao, the sword saint under Jixia, Xiang Shaolong is like thunder, every person who practices martial arts has a totem in his mind, and Cao Qiudao is a totemic figure in the minds of martial artists in this era.

If other masters challenged Xiang Shaolong, Xiang Shaolong didn't have to pay attention to it at all, and his identity would not be good.

Xiang Shaolong, as the left minister, the general, and the prince and the prince, not everyone can challenge it.

But Cao Qiudao is different, he belongs to the first person in the industry, and he is fundamentally different from other so-called masters, he can completely ignore other identity restrictions. Civil and military first, martial arts second, in the swordsman industry, he is the emperor, his challenge, Xiang Shaolong must accept.

King Qi was shocked in his heart, and his face was pale. Cao Qiudao is an emperor and has a transcendent identity, in case he doesn't know the severity of his attack and kills Xiang Shaolong, Qi Guo will be miserable.

Back at the Prime Minister's Mansion, Hou Sheng was also worried and asked, "Does Lord Zuo know Cao Gong?" Cao Gong's swordsmanship was extraordinary, and even the king could hardly influence him. ”

Xiang Shaolong said: "I don't know Cao Gong, I have admired the name of Cao Gong's Sword Saint for a long time, but I didn't expect him to challenge me." ”

Xiang Shaolong was also surprised, as the number one master in the world, shouldn't he sit at home and wait for someone to come to challenge? Why are you still interested in yourself? Isn't he afraid that Qi Guo will offend my Great Qin?

Ji Yanran said: "He is Han Quan's master, and it is normal to challenge you." ”

Xiang Shaolong was stunned, he forgot about Han Quan. At that time, Lü Buwei also mentioned that Han Jian was a disciple of Cao Qiudao, but Han Jian was really an insignificant little person to him, and he didn't think about this matter at all when he came to Qi Country this time.

Ji Yanran looked at Xiang Shaolong stunned and asked, "You can't be that you don't know that Han Qian is a disciple of Cao Qiudao, right?" ”

Xiang Shaolong said: "I know that I know, but I forgot about it." ”

Ji Yanran was very helpless, she really didn't know if Xiang Shaolong was confused or big-hearted, and asked, "Then how much do you know about Cao Qiudao?" ”

Xiang Shaolong said: "I only know that he is known as the Sword Saint and is invincible in the world, but I don't know the others." ”

Ji Yanran said: "In today's world, if you talk about swordsmanship, no one's rank can be more than Cao Qiudao, who is known as the Sword Saint and calls himself Mr. Forget Worries. Cao Qiudao opened a dojo under Jixia and accepted apprentices very strictly, so there were no more than 100 apprentices. And it is said that he once told the king of Qi that among the apprentices he accepted, only three of them had obtained his true inheritance, and one of them was this Han Quan. Guan Zhongyi and Lian Jin's master Zhao Jianzhai once challenged Cao Qiudao by Wei Xiangqi and cut off his tail finger. Cao Qiudao made a move, either dead or injured, you have to be careful. ”

Xiang Shaolong asked, "How old is he?" ”

Ji Yanran said: "He became famous very early, at least sixty years old. ”

Xiang Shaolong said: "People don't take their muscles and bones as their ability, and they are afraid of being young and strong, even if he was once invincible in the world, but after all, he is old and weak, so why should I be afraid." ”

Sixty years old is considered a high life expectancy in this era. Although Xiang Shaolong has said that there are a lot of mundane things in these years, he has practiced every day, and now he is at the peak of his body, how can he be frightened by an old man.

Ji Yanran said: "Don't be careless, Guan Zhongxie's current strength in Xianyang is probably the first." His master was still defeated by Cao Qiudao, and when Han Qian first arrived in Xianyang, his reputation was not weaker than that of the evil in the tube, but he was accidentally planted in your hands. It is inferred from this that Cao Qiudao must be worthy of his reputation, I heard that he is the best at health and qi training, and his physical strength is not weaker than that of young people. ”