Planning

“Instant noodles?”

"instant noodles?"

"Your Majesty, I wonder what this 'instant pastry' is?"

In the Hongwen Hall, Li Shimin set up a banquet for several important officials under his command, Fang Xuanling, Changsun Wuji, Cen Wenben and Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Jingde, Gongsun Wude and Qin Qiong who were growing stronger and stronger.

Each person has one seat, and a square table is placed on the table without exception. There is no other way around.

Several bigwigs witnessed the whole process of opening a bag of noodles, putting them in bowls, and then brewing and sealing them with boiling water. They were all stunned and looked at each other. What was going on? Didn’t you mean to have a big meal? Why is there only one bowl, and most of them are boiling water? Isn’t such a royal banquet too shabby?

It’s okay to be shabby, but at least you have to make something to eat? I heard of mutton soaking buns. When life was hard, I had eaten vegetable soup soaking rice, but I still saw this boiled water soaking noodles for the first time. Could it be that life has been too luxurious over the years, and the emperor wants to pull them, these old ministers, to remember the bitterness and sweetness?

Because they were all old ministers, and before they came, the emperor said that this was a family dinner without being too restricted, so Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Gong and other generals, who had always been relatively strong, couldn't help but ask after hearing what Li Shimin said about the so-called "instant noodles".

Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji were also confused, so after hearing the inquiries of the three rude masters, they were so happy that some people spoke first. They all looked up at Li Shimin, who was heading up, waiting for the answer given by the boss.

"This is the pastry sent by Liu Erzhao a few days ago," it will take some time to soak the noodles, so Li Shimin was not in a hurry to let these ministers taste it. When he heard Cheng Yaojin and the others ask, he said slowly: "It was made by Liu Yiren, but it is a bit unique. Therefore, I invite you all to taste it together."

"Made by Boy Liu? You have to try it." As soon as he heard that the pastry was made by Liu Yi, the three big guys suddenly lost their words. Even Qin Qiong, who had always been calm, also looked expectant.

The things that Liu Boy has always thought of have always been very exciting. Not to mention the "Three Bowls of Noodles" and "Sanyuan Tea", but the cotton coat and quilt they created by Liu now have benefited the people present, especially Qin Qiong, who is old and weak, and has poor qi and blood. He is most afraid of the cold winter in normal times, and he rarely goes out in winter. Even when he sleeps at night, he has to have three or four stoves bake and heat next to the couch, otherwise he will be unable to sleep all night.

Now that the cotton coats and quilts provided by the Liu family have greatly improved Qin Qiong's sleep quality and travel convenience. If it weren't for the cotton coat to protect his body, he would probably have been difficult for him to come today's imperial banquet.

"Since it is made by Liu Yi, I think there must be something extraordinary," Fang Xuanling, Changsun Wuji, Cen Wenben looked at each other, and finally Fang Xuanling took the lead and asked Li Shimin: "I would like to ask the emperor to answer the questions!"

"Well," nodded lightly, and looked at the incense candles lit before the instant noodles next to him that had reached a specific position. Li Shimin reached out to lift the instant noodles on the table in front of him, and at the same time signaled to the old ministers present: "It's just the right time. How about the taste of this pasta, my dear friends?"

"Yes, the emperor!" He responded in unison, and the people under the seat lifted the oil paper covered on the bowl like Li Shimin. Suddenly, a heat and fragrance came from the big bowl under the oil paper.

“Huh?!”

"Fanpan? How did it become a fanpan?!"

A bowl of boiling water and a piece of dough were turned into a bowl of steaming pasta under their noses without any idea. Even though Fang Xuanling, Changsun Wuji and others were well-informed, they were shocked by the strange scenery in front of them.

"Yeah, it's so damn good!" Cheng Yaojin was even more exaggerated. When others were marveling at the strange changes in the pasta, he had already picked up his chopsticks and drank half a bowl. While chewing, he was still muttering loudly: "It's more delicious than what my mother made back then. I haven't eaten such a delicious noodle cake for many years."

"This Liu Yipeng has some methods. It's fine if you have good medical skills. The things you make are so surprising," Yuchi Jingde took two sips of the noodle soup, and Ba smacked his lips and said loudly: "I, Lao Hei, actually tasted the chicken soup from this noodle soup. He... well, Duan is magical, Duan is magical."

"Your Majesty, can this kind of pasta be mass-produced?" After seeing the magic of instant pasta and having tasted the deliciousness of instant pasta, Fang Xuanling's eyes narrowed slightly. At this time, if he did not understand the emperor's intention to let them come over, then there would be no need for him, the Shangshu Youpushe, to be on the way.

"Liuyi Village has more than one million dans of grain. As long as you need it, you can continue to give me an order. In less than three months, a million dans of grain can be turned into this kind of instant noodles." Knowing the meaning of Fang Xuanling's inquiry, Li Shimin put down the chopsticks in his hand and replied softly.

"What the emperor means is that he wants to use this pastry to replace the military food and grass?" After hearing the conversation between Li Shimin and Fang Xuanling, the old Duke Qin Qiong, who had not spoken, suddenly asked.

"I do have this intention," Li Shimin has always looked very respectful to this benefactor who has saved his life several times. Therefore, when he heard Qin Qiong's question, he turned his head and asked Qin Qiong softly: "What do you think of Yiguo?"

"The Emperor is thinking about the hundreds of thousands of soldiers of the Tang Dynasty. It is a blessing for the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty. How could I have any objection?" Qin Qiong bowed and replied: "It's just that this pasta is convenient and tastes good. It's faster than ordinary food and grass whether transported or eaten. It's really useful to use it when marching in a hurry or to rescue disasters and disasters."

After a short pause, Qin Qiong continued, "But pastry is pastry, which is not as good as a daily meal. It is okay to eat some occasionally, but if you eat more or eat such a food for a long time, you may end up being as greasy as fat meat. Therefore, I suggest that you should give it a while before talking about it. Even if you need to replace military rations at that time, you don't need to replace them all."

If Liu Yi was here, he would definitely point out his finger at Qin Qiong. The old man is the old man. He has many things to do, so his knowledge is naturally extraordinary. Although it is the first time to eat instant noodles, he has already grasped the advantages and disadvantages of instant noodles.

This is the case with instant noodles. People who eat it for the first time will think it tastes delicious and is a rare delicacy. They will still think it tastes good when they eat it for the second, third or even the tenth or tenth time. However, if you eat it for a month or half a month, many people will think it is a torture and will never take a second bite when you see it.

"Weichen also has this meaning," after hearing Qin Qiong's words, Changsun Wuji also interrupted: "It is undeniable that the 'instant pastry' made by Liu Yiu is indeed very convenient. It is several times better for the soldiers to carry some dry food with them when they are marching urgently or long. The emperor wants to use military food, and Weichen agrees 120 times."

"But the disadvantages of this kind of thing are also very obvious," Changsun Wuji said, "As Duke of Yiguo said, this pastry is not the staple food, and long food is useless, so the empress also advises the emperor not to replace it all."

"Well, this is a problem. If it weren't for the two dear friends, I wouldn't have thought about it for a while." After listening to the suggestions of the two, Li Shimin nodded thoughtfully. He had been thinking about the benefits of instant noodles before, but he didn't expect it to have such disadvantages.

As the saying goes, one person has a short mind, two people have a long mind, and one person has a strong mind, no matter how capable he is, he will never be able to do anything and cannot think about it. Li Shimin, a famous king of all ages, is no exception. Fortunately, Li Shimin has always been good at doing good. He is a person who is willing to listen to the opinions of his subordinates and is brave enough to admit his mistakes. He also has a group of loyal ministers who dare to propose in person. Therefore, under his leadership, the Tang Dynasty had the Zhenguan rule in history.

"I think that boy Liu Yi thought he was extremely clear in his heart. Otherwise, with his stingy personality, how could he agree to sell instant noodles to the court so easily?" After understanding the disadvantages of instant noodles, Li Shimin also understood why Liu Yi became so easy to talk during the day.

"One is to avoid crime, two is to operate legally, and three is to obtain a considerable profit from the procurement of the court." Li Shimin didn't believe that the price Liu Yi gave him would be the so-called 'cost price' of instant noodles.

What a pity, Li Shimin sighed softly in his heart. Such a talented person had a heart that was trapped in the eyes of money and was covered with the smell of money.

While the monarch and ministers were discussing military rations here, Liu Erzhao also rushed to Chang'an Liu's house while Ye'er was rushing. Without the need for servants to report, Liu Erzhao walked directly through the front hall and came to the study where Liu Yi was in the backyard.

"Brother, how is the matter going?" As soon as he entered the house, before his butt was touched with the seat, Liu Erzhao asked their boss urgently.

"Well, the agreement has been basically settled." Looking up at ***, Liu Yi signaled him to sit firmly and said softly: "The crime has been forgiven. The emperor also agreed to our Liu Chamber of Commerce for the normal operation of instant noodles. The only condition is that if the court needs it, the Chamber of Commerce will sell instant noodles to the court at an unlimited low price."

"Unlimited quantity? And it's still low price?" Liu Ertiao frowned slightly: "Is this appropriate? If the emperor really wants to purchase a large number of people, wouldn't our Liu family have to do a loss-making business?"

"When I came, I heard my father-in-law mention it," Liu Ertiao continued, without waiting for Liu Yi's answer, "The emperor seems to have invited several officials in the court tonight. If the younger brother expected it, the emperor would probably do it for our Liu family's instant noodles."

"Haha," Seeing their family's anxious look, Liu Yi couldn't help but shake his head and chuckled: "You don't need to worry about this matter. Although instant noodles are useful, the emperor can't even ask for so many."

"And," seeing that Liu Ertiao was about to say something again, Liu You said in a voice: "Even if the court wants to make a lot of purchases, we will not lose money. The cost of making instant noodles is much lower than the price sold to the court."

"Uh?" Liu Ertiao suddenly became silent. He didn't expect that his elder brother would be so bold and cunning. He dared to keep a secret while doing business with the emperor.

"The emperor should be very clear about this," he saw the worry in Liu Ertiao's eyes, and Liu You said again: "How can you say something? 'There is no fish when the water is clear, and there is no disciple when the person is careful'. The emperor is the king of a country and understands this principle more than anyone else. The emperor is also afraid that doing things too much will cause the thoughts of merchants all over the world."

"That's right, but I finally feel something is wrong..."

"Okay, this matter is your own measure, so don't worry about it." Liu Yiuan interrupted Liu Erzhao's words and said, "The most important thing for you now is to do your job well and strive for an early promotion. As for the business at home, don't worry about it."

"And that's it," Liu Yiuan said again after thinking for a while, "You should try to separate your relationship with the Liu Mansion as much as possible. If there is no need, it's better to come less in this yard."

Officials are officials, and merchants are merchants. Since Liu Ertiao had already declared to leave the Liu Mansion, it must be done thoroughly, at least in the open, people will be unable to find any reason. Only in this way can Liu Ertiao's official career last long, and even if the Liu Chamber of Commerce makes any mistakes in doing things or offends some powerful people in the future, it will not be implicated by Liu Ertiao.

"I know this, but," Liu Erjo said: "But, brother, you must be careful too."

"I don't have to worry, my second brother. If nothing happens, you should go back first." Liu Yishen nodded gently and said, "When the war is about to begin, although you are not a military post, don't miss any opportunity to make meritorious service. It's not a mistake to make more preparations."

"Well, I'll say goodbye to my parents now. Brother must be careful in everything." After that, Liu Ertiao stood up and bowed to Liu Yi, then turned around and left.

"Young Master!" Seeing their second young master walking away, Liu Cheng, who had been guarding the door, pushed the door in and bowed to Liu.

"Yeah," nodded gently, Liu Yi looked up at Liu Cheng and asked, "How is the matter going? Does the manager sent to Gaochang have a letter back?"

"Reply to the young master," Liu Cheng replied respectfully: "After General Chu, Liu Bing was in place. Following the young master's instructions, half of the money he brought here was temporarily stored in Young Master Yang's army."

"Well," Liu Yi nodded again and said, "Although this trip is much safer than the previous time, it is always not harmful to take more precautions."

"Young Master said yes." Sui replied, Liu Zhi stopped talking and waited for their young master's instructions.

"Go back and say to Butler Liu, prepare more warehouses and more staff," he tapped his fingers on the table, and Liu Yi said in a faint voice: "Before the New Year, there will be a large number of white stacks coming from Gaochang. Let Butler Liu make more cotton jackets and quilts, and prepare to sell them in large quantities to all counties and counties in the country. If necessary, the selling price can be reduced as appropriate and as much as possible to accumulate some silver and money for backup."
Chapter completed!