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墨書 Inktalez
Since there is no circulation, why does Luzi still have some on hand? The truth is quite simple, and it becomes clear upon reflection. This time, Lu the Shopkeeper personally came to the Linzi Branch, and Kong Liang took out a portion to give as a meeting gift to several of Luzi's companions, which is quite reasonable.
For this reason, Kong Liang specifically instructed the brothers to keep it and not to spend it as ordinary currency.
Sun Thirteen had no intention of keeping the coins to pass down to his grandchildren. Besides, passing on these Knife Coins was less practical than passing on jewelry or gold and silver! Therefore, he didn't care much about whether they were collectibles or not; when he bought Brown Sugar Hawthorn Skewers this time, he casually pulled them out and gave them to the old man.
If it weren't for Luzi's reminder earlier, he wouldn't have remembered this matter at all!
The carriage carried the two nearly tooth-aching fellows to the gates of Qi King's Palace. Luzi jumped out and handed over his name card. He explained his purpose to the Palace Guard, requesting that this brother kindly inform the Empress Dowager that he had urgent business.
Even without the gilded name card, the guards knew who Lu the Shopkeeper was. The new Military Uniform he wore was sponsored by Prosperity Record! So they asked Lu the Shopkeeper to wait a moment while someone hurried inside to deliver a message to the Queen Dowager.
Sun Thirteen looked at the tall city gate and deliberately let Luzi see the sugar-coated hawthorn in his hand. His intention was clear: if Big Shopkeeper didn't return tonight, he would simply come back early tomorrow morning.
While waiting for news, Luzi turned and saw certain expressions on people's faces, immediately understanding what was going on. If that were truly the case, there would be no way to clear his name even if he jumped into the Yellow River. "I trouble this Brother outside to wait a moment; I will be out in no more than two quarters of an hour."
"The Empress Dowager has summoned! Lu Ziquan from Prosperity Record is requested for an audience!"
Upon hearing the call from inside the palace gates, Luzi quickly adjusted his attire and took back the Brown Sugar Hawthorn Skewers. He first bowed slightly to the palace Manager who came out to greet him, then exchanged cheerful greetings before following behind the Manager into Qi King's Palace.
The Queen Dowager seemed to know someone would come tonight to inquire about matters, so she didn't bother dressing up again. When she saw Luzi step in with bright red sugar-coated hawthorn, she ordered someone to take it and offered a chair to Lu the Shopkeeper. Then she commanded everyone else to withdraw before smilingly asking, "Luzi, why are you not resting well at the inn but running here late at night?"
After watching the maid bring in the hawthorn balls without sticks and leave, Luzi finally replied, "Empress Dowager, you may not know! The Scoundrel may not have long left in this world!"
Do not be fooled by the stars twinkling outside; the hall is brightly lit. The Queen Dowager, using the firelight to observe Luzi's expression, couldn't help but be surprised. "What do you mean by that!? Look at Lu the Shopkeeper, his face is glowing, he doesn't look like someone with a short life!" After saying this, she gently pinched a round hawthorn ball with her thumb and index finger to examine it.
Hearing the sound of chewing from above, Luzi felt both amused and exasperated. Here he was, nearly worried to death, while some people still had the leisure to eat hawthorn! Just as he was feeling down, he heard the Queen Dowager ask if he wanted to try one. He quickly replied, "Please rest assured, Empress Dowager, Scoundrel has already tried it."
Upon hearing such a loyal statement, the Queen Dowager put down the hawthorn ball and sighed deeply. "But I wonder if General Lu has let King Qin taste it?"
Luzi was quite straightforward and immediately stated that this had not happened. In Qin State, there were specific people responsible for this matter; others simply could not get involved.
It was unclear whether the Queen Dowager heard him clearly; she casually agreed while gazing at the hawthorn balls on the plate. She recalled her youth when she accompanied her three-year-old son back to the country to ascend the throne with Prince Tian Fazhang. She vividly remembered Oda Ken's excited expression when he first saw hawthorn gourds in the city.
Thinking back now felt as if it had just happened. It seemed like she had merely blinked, and nearly twenty years had passed. Alas! This is what life is about; in a moment of laughter, everything has changed...
Hearing the sigh from above, Luzi felt a sense of empathy. Perhaps unintentionally, just a glance could convey a thousand words. Similarly melancholic, Luzi held back his comforting words and quietly said, "Please forgive Scoundrel for being rude! This time Qi State's military action in Shangdang probably isn't just for one family, right?"
Unable to resist the sweet and sour taste, the Queen Dowager gently picked up a hawthorn ball and turned to look at the seeker who stood up before ignoring him again. Covering her mouth with her sleeve, she slowly savored it. "Hmm! Only by removing the seeds can it taste so sweet; not bad! It's still that old flavor!"
"......"
The Queen Dowager, who was in no hurry at all, picked up a teacup to rinse her mouth and spit it out before asking, "Luzi's identity is too complicated! Should I call you General or should I call you Lu Keeper?"
At this moment, with thoughts filled with "Only women and Scoundrels are difficult to raise," Luzi felt even more frustrated upon hearing this but still said, "It's fine! As long as it's what Empress Dowager likes, you can call me whatever you want!"
The Queen Dowager smiled slightly. "Some things are beyond our control! Alas! General Lu, listen to my advice and do not return to Shangdang. Stay in Qi and do your business; you are still Lu the Shopkeeper! I believe in my Qi State; no one would dare use your Prosperity Record against you!"
If only things were that simple!
Now, wanting to turn the passive into the active, only the Queen Dowager can help! Luzi took a deep breath and bowed deeply to the Queen Dowager sitting above. "If the Empress Dowager still remembers all that the Prosperity Record has done for my Qi State in the past, the Scoundrel only asks for guidance. I dare not say too much in gratitude, but from now on, if there is any way I can be of use to the Prosperity Record, I will do so without hesitation!"
A weak woman maintaining peace for Qi State by her own efforts is certainly not an ordinary person. The Queen Dowager pulled the Bowstring taut, aiming for Luzi's words. She had every reason to believe that Luzi would not go back on her word; once she promised, she would keep her promise.
As a qualified politician, one must have perfect control over the rhythm. At this moment, the Bowstring was pulled to its limit; perhaps just a little more force would cause it to snap.
If the string breaks, no one will listen anymore, and this little tune will naturally come to an end! As for the topic of the Ten Li Fragrant Restaurant, it was merely a pretext. If this Bowstring was not pulled to the optimal position, even if Luzi agreed to kill that little vixen mentioned by the Queen Dowager, it would not change any bargaining chips in the negotiation.
Finally waiting for an answer, the Queen Dowager decided to ease up, as she could not afford to lose the assistance of this top figure from Qin State in her subsequent conditions. Thus, she sat upright and gestured for Luzi to sit down and speak.
"Well then! I only want to know one thing now: does General Lu dare to accept this condition?!"
Having settled back down, Luzi knew that if she hesitated even slightly now, the glimmer of hope she had just seen would immediately extinguish. With a slight smile, she replied, "Whatever the Empress Dowager commands, I will follow! The Scoundrel may be lacking in talent, but I will take on this task!"
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