Cheng Yaojin stood to the side, no longer speaking. He could swing his axe and hack people, but offering advice was beyond his capabilities.
Yuchi Hei Zi, like him, was only good for fighting, not for thinking.
Fang Xuan Ling stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, it would be best to first send out scouts to the grasslands to investigate whether this news is true, and then send people to find the itinerant physician mentioned by General Cheng. What is Your Majesty's decree?"
Li Er pondered for a moment, then looked at Du Ruhui and Changsun Wuji, "What do you two think?"
Changsun Wuji stroked his beard and cupped his hands, "Your subject has no objections."
Du Ruhui also expressed his agreement with Fang Xuan Ling's suggestion.
"Very well, Li Ji, I entrust this matter to your department. You shall return to Bingzhou tomorrow and ensure a thorough investigation!"
"Your subject obeys the imperial decree."
Li Ji had just returned from Bingzhou to report his duties. Bingzhou was very close to the grasslands, making him the most suitable person for this task.
Afterward, Li Er arranged some daily affairs and then dismissed everyone.
Exiting the Taiji Palace, Cheng Yaojin slung an arm around Yuchi Hei Zi's shoulder, "Hei Zi, the new acquaintance I just made has created a fine wine. Shall we go together tomorrow?"
"If you praise it so highly, I must try this so-called fine wine. I'll go with you tomorrow."
Yu Chi Gong also enjoyed good wine. It could be said that none of these warriors could resist a drink.
The two walked out of the imperial palace, arm in arm.
The next day.
Fang Er crawled out of Xiao Qing's bed.
Xiao Qing stood by with clothes, preparing to help Fang Er dress.
Speaking of which, this kind of layered clothing in the heat of summer made one sweat profusely with the slightest movement. Fang Er had had enough of wearing it for the past few days.
Without any regard for Xiao Qing standing nearby, he directly retrieved a set of modern pure cotton Tang clothing from his storage space.
Seeing a set of clothes appear out of nowhere in her young master's hand, Xiao Qing's mouth fell open in surprise. She looked at the clothes, then at Fang Er.
"How's my young master's magic trick?"
Fang Er winked at Xiao Qing, a playful expression on his face that was as smug as it could be.
Then, as if performing another trick, he produced a cheongsam and handed it to Xiao Qing.
"Here, this is for you. It will be much cooler to wear. Change into it and show me?"
Xiao Qing took the clothes and opened them up, her eyes sparkling.
"Such beautiful clothes, and this fabric! It feels so smooth. And the embroidery on it is too exquisite."
"Wait, something's not right. This is embroidered with phoenixes!"
Xiao Qing quickly threw the clothes onto the bed.
"Young master! Where did you get these clothes from? They are embroidered with phoenixes! Burn them quickly, for if anyone finds out, it is a crime punishable by clan extermination!"
Xiao Qing's voice trembled as she spoke, nearly in tears.
She was truly terrified.
Dragon and phoenix patterns could only be used by the imperial family.
Anyone outside the royal family who used them was committing treason.
Fang Er was also startled. He hadn't paid any attention to the embroidered patterns.
Seeing Xiao Qing's pale, frightened face, Fang Er felt a pang of concern.
He put the clothes back into his storage space, cursing inwardly, "This damn system is too much of a rip-off."
He then cautiously looked at his own set of clothes. Fortunately, it was only embroidered with a mountain tiger.
Patting Xiao Qing on the shoulder, he comforted her, "It's alright, don't be afraid. This was just a magic trick by your young master. Look, where are the clothes embroidered with phoenixes now?"
Xiao Qing, who had been on the verge of tears, looked at the bed. The clothes she had thrown were nowhere to be seen.
"Young master, you really didn't lie to this servant? There really aren't those clothes? Then just now I also..."
Xiao Qing looked at Fang Er in disbelief.
"There really aren't any. I was just playing a magic trick on you. Next time, I'll conjure up something for you to wear, similar to that one, but without the phoenix. Are you relieved now? Alright, go and prepare my washing things."
Seeing her still shaken expression, Fang Er stopped teasing her.
After telling Xiao Qing to leave first, Fang Er quickly stripped off his clothes and changed into the pure cotton Tang suit he had exchanged from the system.
"Heh, this is much more comfortable."
The clothes fit him perfectly.
Wearing clothes that were so out of place in this world, Fang Er swaggered out of the side room.
Xiao Qing was waiting outside with a basin of water, a brush, and some green salt. Upon seeing Fang Er, she was once again astonished.
At 1.7 meters tall, he was already of a superior height in this era. His handsome and clean face, coupled with the pure white Tang suit, perfectly accentuated Fang Er's lean physique without an ounce of excess fat. A mountain tiger on the right chest of his top, roaring with its mouth open, made Fang Er appear exceptionally spirited.
Xiao Qing felt like a deer was running wild in her heart. Why had she never known her young master could be so handsome?
"How is it? Isn't my outfit cool, young master?"
Fang Er provocatively lifted Xiao Qing's chin, a mischievous smile on his face.
Xiao Qing was already captivated by Fang Er's attire. As the saying goes, "To be beautiful, wear filial piety," it wasn't just empty talk.
Caught off guard by Fang Er's sudden move, she felt her legs turn to jelly.
Her cheeks flushed as she looked at Fang Er, "My young master looks truly handsome in these clothes, but this servant has never seen such clothes before."
"Haha, young master has many more tricks up his sleeve. You'll be amazed in the future."
After speaking, Fang Er picked up the DIY brush, dipped it in the green salt, and began to rinse his mouth.
Once everything was tidied up.
Fang Er went to the kitchen. The three carpenters had already started distilling the wine.
The steward had only bought a small amount of wine, and it was estimated that it would all be distilled by noon.
Thinking about the intruders from last night, Fang Er decided to increase the number of guards.
Now that he had money, he couldn't afford to be in danger.
Zhu Zi was still recuperating. Fang Er went to check on him. Xiao Qing had already given him medicine, and he was sleeping again.
Calling for Hu Zi and Da Li, Fang Er went out and headed towards the West Market.
The East Market mainly consisted of local shops, primarily selling daily necessities.
The West Market, on the other hand, was mainly for livestock, slaves, and shops opened by merchants from Western countries.
The slave trade was a legal business in the Tang Dynasty.
Some prisoners of war from conflicts between Western countries, as well as families of convicted officials or their servants, were sold as slaves by the government. There were also families unable to support their children who reluctantly sold them, or people who sold themselves. These were the main sources of slaves, and they were all legal, with official documentation and guarantees.
Of course, there were also illegal ones, such as those abducted by unscrupulous merchants from remote areas or those who were forced to sign indentured servitude contracts.
Fang Er intended to buy those with official documentation.
The three carpenters at home had sold themselves here and were encountered and bought by Zhu Zi.
Upon arriving at the West Market, the pungent smell of cattle and sheep dung assailed his nostrils, making it a truly pungent experience.
Fang Er frowned, covering his mouth and nose as he walked and looked around.