Chapter 16

16 Selling Houses in the Pleasure District, Su Liang Attacked

Changle was busy playing with the Rubik's cube Su Liang had made.

Ever since Changle moved into Furong Garden, she had been clinging to Su Liang every day.

Before they were married, she would not allow Su Liang to take any concubines.

Su Liang was speechless about this; he already had enough women as it was.

Seeing that Changle was silent, Su Liang said, "Changle, accompany Brother Su to the East Market today to take a look."

"Okay," Changle said with a smile.

She then stood up and took Su Liang's arm.

Half an hour later.

Changancheng East Market.

In front of the general store, the commoners were discussing.

"This stove is different from the previous ones..."

"Of course, what would be the point if the things Young Master Su made were the same as before..."

"Look, you can also grill food under the base..."

"There's a valve here; you can get water just by turning it..."

"There's a rack here for drying clothes..."

"The stove Young Master Su made is just great..."

"Not only can you keep warm and boil water, but you can also cook meals..."

"Exactly, you can even have hot pot and barbecue..."

"But isn't what Young Master Su selling too cheap..."

"In my opinion, the cost is at least one thousand wen, yet it's only selling for one hundred wen now..."

"I wonder what Young Master Su is thinking..."

"Hehe... who told Young Master Su to be so rich..."

"Go, go, go... what do you know? Young Master Su is benefiting the people..."

"They say the sweet potatoes roasted in this stove are especially fragrant..."

"Hehe... acting as if you've eaten them before..."

"Won't we be able to eat them in a few days..."

"Hehe, you're overthinking it... Young Master Su only brought out 3,000 jin of sweet potatoes, enough to plant only 30 mu of land..."

"They say those 3,000 jin of potatoes were only enough to plant 15 mu of land..."

"It's said they will be ready for harvest in 10 days..."

"The places where they are planted are the most fertile land in the Capital Region. According to the Imperial Son-in-Law, the yield per mu can reach 8,000 jin. That's why the imperial court has sent heavy troops to guard them, to prevent any accidents..."

"Hehe... don't even think about eating them; after the harvest, they still have to be used as seeds next year..."

"I heard that the Drunken Immortal Pavilion will have a small supply then..."

"I must go and taste it then..."

"Sigh, when the Emperor let the commoners try them outside Changancheng, I missed out..."

"I say, why are you worrying so much? At worst, we'll eat them next year... Last time, the aristocratic families donated over a million shi of grain; they won't let you starve..."

"The Imperial Son-in-Law also donated one hundred thousand shi last time..."

"You'd better worry about whether you can buy a stove today; each household can only buy one this time..."

"There are only one hundred thousand today..."

"It's said the Imperial Son-in-Law has already arranged for a large number of people to work through the night to make them..."

"Sigh... the Imperial Son-in-Law is truly too good to us..."

"Do you think we should enshrine the Imperial Son-in-Law when we get home..."

At this moment, Su Liang and Changle were quietly listening from the side, and Su Liang had black lines all over his head upon hearing this.

Su Liang immediately walked toward the person who spoke with a dark face and said, "Why do you want to enshrine me? I'm not dead yet."

The man explained, "The Imperial Son-in-Law is an immortal descended to earth, and you have such a heart for the people; it is only right to offer incense and worship you morning and night."

Su Liang was speechless and said, "Alright, this young master does not need your worship."

He paused and continued, "You all hurry up and line up to buy; in a few days, there will be a supply of high-quality coal."

After saying this, he left immediately.

He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, he would really be enshrined by these people.

The stove Su Liang designed was cylindrical, two feet high and one foot wide.

Wood, charcoal, and coal could all be used.

There was a water inlet on top and a water outlet on the bottom; once a pipe was attached, it was convenient to get water.

The top of the stove could be used for cooking, hot pot, barbecue, etc.

The base was used for ash removal and could also be used to grill food.

On both sides of the handle on top of the stove were two U-shaped iron racks, which could be set at a 45-degree angle to facilitate drying clothes.

They could also be easily removed when not in use.

Three days later, a steady stream of honeycomb coal was sold in the East and West Markets of Changancheng.

Unlike charcoal.

Charcoal could only burn for a little over an hour.

Honeycomb coal could burn for two hours.

At this time, the price of ordinary charcoal in Changancheng was three wen per jin.

High-quality charcoal cost ten wen per jin.

Each honeycomb coal weighed two jin, and each person was limited to ten jin, enough for winter heating.

Within ten jin, it was one wen per jin; the excess portion was three wen per jin.

Su Liang was also using an expedient measure, as the current mining level of the Great Tang was limited.

There was not enough time this year, and only the Taixi coal from He Lanshan was easy to mine.

By next year.

He would naturally introduce smokeless coal at two wen per jin, or even one wen per jin.

Tang Wude Year 9, November 15th, at noon.

Chang'an City, Pingkang Quarter.

Su Liang announced that the houses in Taoyuan City were for sale.

Originally, Su Liang planned to announce the sale of the properties at Tianqiao Workshop in Taoyuan City.

Seeing that Su Liang had not come to Pingkang Quarter for many days, everyone refused to let him go.

They kept asking, so he had no choice but to announce it on the spot.

Afterward, he had people bring over various floor plans.

They were all modern Sihe Academy designs, ranging from 100 square meters to 1,000 square meters.

The 100-square-meter ones were 1,000 wen per square meter.

The 200-square-meter ones were 2,000 wen per square meter.

And so on...

The largest 1,000-square-meter ones cost 10,000 wen per square meter.

Most of the houses were under 300 square meters; 100 square meters was a small unit, similar to an apartment; 200 square meters was a standard unit for ordinary people to live in; 300 square meters was a large unit, mostly for wealthy families.

Units over 300 square meters were mostly near the park, with relatively better locations and higher prices.

However, compared to the housing prices in Changancheng, they were still quite cheap.

At this time, an ordinary household in the Great Tang could save at least ten taels of silver a year.

The houses in the 72 villages of Taoyuan County only cost 300 wen per square meter, which a family of five could afford with one year's income.

Many people had seen the houses in Taoyuan City.

If there were no accidents.

They would not need repairs for twenty years.

The news of the sale of houses in Taoyuan City instantly swept through Changancheng.

The commoners of Changancheng flocked there, and many children of officials and aristocratic families were all there.

Even from the counties around Changancheng, a large number of people came one after another.

That day, Pingkang Quarter was overcrowded.

In just half a day, 50,000 units were sold.

Except for the 10,000 units Su Liang kept for himself, only 100,000 units remained.

The children of officials and aristocratic families bought out all the units over 300 square meters.

Even many women from the pleasure districts who had redeemed themselves bought houses.

They all asked Su Liang when the Tianqiao and Tianman workshops would open.

They all volunteered to go to Taoyuan City to work.

Su Liang was speechless about this; he only wanted to announce the house sale.

Helplessly, word of mouth spread that Su Liang was selling houses in Pingkang Quarter.

For three consecutive days, people kept coming in and out of Pingkang Quarter.

Three days later, the houses in Taoyuan City were sold out.

At the same time.

Su Liang also announced that the 16 Shanzhuang in Taoyuan County were for sale.

They would be auctioned publicly in Tianqiao Workshop in a month, and the highest bidder would win.

He would definitely let everyone move in before the New Year.

Tang Wude Year 9, November 20th.

7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Twenty li outside Changancheng.

Su Liang stood on a hillside not far from the official road.

At the bottom of the slope lay nearly a hundred corpses scattered about.

After a long time.

Su Liang put away his sword, which did not have a single drop of blood on it.

He then said, "Have you found out clearly? This is already the third time."

A man in black clothes and a black robe to the side said, "Reporting to the Young Master, it has been found out."

"All three attacks were instigated by Khan Jieli's youngest son, Ashina Teqin, and his nephew, Ashina She'er."

Su Liang asked, "No one else?"

The man in black said, "No one else."

Su Liang said lightly, "Has the reason been found? It can't just be for revenge. Without a special reason, they wouldn't have the guts to go south."

The man in black said, "After Khan Jieli died, the other four Turkic tribes demanded an explanation from Khan Tuli. Khan Tuli stayed behind closed doors all day and was mocked."

"Zhishi Sili saw this and wanted to support Ashina Teqin as Khan."

"Under pressure from the other four tribes and instigated by Zhishi Sili, they gathered ten thousand people to ambush and kill the Young Master."

"Currently, fewer than one thousand have reached the Capital Region; the rest were all killed by us."

"Hehe..." Su Liang chuckled and said, "They are merely coming to their deaths."

A moment later.

Su Liang asked, "What about Khan Jieli's other sons?"

The man in black said, "Khan Jieli had three sons: the eldest, Ashina Poluomen; the second, Ashina Dieluozhi; and the youngest, Ashina Teqin."

"In the battle of the Capital Region, the eldest, Ashina Poluomen, was killed in action."

"The second son, Ashina Dieluozhi, is kind by nature and does not like fighting."

Su Liang asked, "Then Dieluozhi doesn't want revenge?"

The man in black said, "According to our investigation, Dieluozhi did not participate."

Su Liang asked suspiciously, "Does this matter have anything to do with Princess Yicheng?"

"This has not been investigated; currently, we can only find Zhishi Sili, Ashina Teqin, and Ashina She'er."

The man in black replied.

A moment later, Su Liang asked, "Where is Princess Yicheng now?"

"Yinshan Market," the man in black said.

"Alright... later, have Wang Xuance write a memorial to the Emperor; presumably, the Emperor already knows of your existence."

Su Liang left immediately after speaking.

Furong Garden Inner Courtyard Rear Hall.

At this moment, only Su Liang and Wang Xuance were there, and the two were quietly tasting tea.

Su Liang suddenly asked, "How are the horses prepared?"

Wang Xuance said, "They are already prepared, all purchased with heavy gold according to the Young Master's requirements. Although they cannot travel a thousand li by day and eight hundred by night like the Cloud-Stepping Black Steed, they can still travel six hundred li by day and four hundred by night."

"Excluding rest time, can they travel a thousand li in a day and night?" Su Liang asked.

"Yes," Wang Xuance affirmed.

"What about the weapons?" Su Liang continued to ask.

"The weapons and armor have all been made," Wang Xuance said.

"Good..."

Su Liang immediately said good.

He thought for a moment and continued, "Take a set of armor and weapons and send them to the Emperor, so he doesn't come to bother me every day."

"Have the White Robe Guards prepare; we depart tomorrow."

Half an hour later.

Taiji Palace Ganlu Hall.

The ministers were discussing matters when Su Liang walked straight in.

Seeing Su Liang enter, Li Shimin immediately asked, "Son-in-law, how do you have time to come to my Ganlu Hall today?"

Everyone stared at Su Liang, wanting to see what the Imperial Son-in-Law was up to. Su Liang had been in the capital for nearly half a year, and this was his second time coming to Taiji Palace; the last time was when the Emperor ascended the throne.

Su Liang walked slowly, found a seat, sat down, and then said, "I just want to go to Mobei for a walk and bring back some cattle and sheep."

"It's only a month or so until the New Year, so I need to prepare some New Year goods and send some holiday gifts to the Emperor."

"I specifically came to inform the Emperor."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin was happy and immediately said, "Oh... Son-in-law, are you planning to lead troops north?"

"I wonder how many troops you are planning to lead?"

"Hehe..." Su Liang smiled upon hearing this.

He then said, "The Emperor is overthinking it. This time, I'm only taking the White Robe Guards. I'll go early and return early; I don't want to spend the New Year on the Mobei grassland."

"Not to return a favor is impolite; the Turkic people treat me this way, so I cannot lose my manners."

Zhangsun Wuji suddenly said, "Son-in-law, wouldn't three thousand people be a bit too few? You should take at least thirty thousand to prevent any accidents."

Du Ruhui said, "The Imperial Son-in-Law wants to use speed against speed; more people might be bad. Presumably, the Imperial Son-in-Law is moving with light cavalry this time."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's eyes narrowed as he stared at Su Liang and said, "Son-in-law, are you trying to imitate the three thousand Tiger Guards of the Great Han?"

"I wonder if you have thought about your march route?"

Su Liang said lightly, "I can go through Ningzhou and Qingzhou until I reach Lingzhou, then depart from Lingzhou and go straight to the Yinshan Market!"

"It's only 2,000 li to Yinshan; the White Robe Guards' horses are all fine steeds, and we can arrive in five days at the latest."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin said, "Son-in-law, are you trying to borrow a path through Liang Shidu?"

"Hehe..."

Su Liang chuckled and said, "The Emperor just needs to wait for my good news."

He then immediately took his leave.

Tang Wude Year 9.

November 24th, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Twenty li outside Shuofang City.

Wang Xuance looked at Su Liang and asked, "Young Master, aren't we going to Lingzhou?"

Su Liang answered irrelevantly, "How much do you think is appropriate for Changle's bride price?"

Wang Xuance said in confusion, "Young Master, what do you mean? Are you trying to take down this Liang State?"

Liang Shidu had been defeated repeatedly, and at this time, the military strength in Shuofang City was less than twenty thousand, so they could take advantage of the situation.

Su Liang thought to himself, then said, "Why not?"

"Liang Shidu has repeatedly colluded with the Turkic people to lead troops south and has repeatedly harassed the Great Tang border; he deserves to die!"

"Let's go... let's go meet this Prince of Liang."

He then led the White Robe Guards toward Shuofang City.

Half an hour later.

Three thousand six hundred White Robe Guards were arrayed under the walls of Shuofang City.

They were only three hundred meters away from the city wall.

Su Liang looked at Wang Xuance and teased, "Xuance, shall we compare archery skills?"

"How shall we compare?"

Wang Xuance also asked with interest.

"Your range is also three hundred meters; how about we compare who shoots more?"

Su Liang said lightly.

"Good... today Xuance will accompany the Young Master to have some fun."

After Wang Xuance finished speaking, he immediately drew his bow and shot an arrow.

"Shoo..."

A sharp arrow pierced the void and shot toward the soldiers on the city wall.

Suddenly, a soldier on the city wall was seen slowly falling down.

"Good, it's my turn..."

Su Liang immediately took out the Overlord Heaven-Splitting Bow.

"Shoo... shoo... shoo..."

As each sharp arrow was shot, a soldier on the city wall slowly fell down.

After hundreds of breaths, no soldiers on the city wall dared to show their heads.

"You lost..." Su Liang laughed and then had someone call out to Liang Shidu.

A quarter of an hour later.

Liang Shidu also climbed the city wall under the protection of soldiers.

At this time, Su Liang and Wang Xuance had already reached twenty meters from the city wall.

Seeing that the person who came was Su Liang, Liang Shidu immediately said, "I don't know why the Prince of Chu of the Great Tang has come in person?"

Su Liang was immediately filled with black lines; he had clearly already killed his way to the door, and yet he was still like this. No wonder he was defeated repeatedly.

He then said, "Of course, I want to ask you to open the city and surrender, and from now on submit to our Great Tang."

Liang Shidu immediately snorted coldly, "My Shuofang City wall is four zhang high, and the moat is one zhang and seven chi wide. Do you think your mere three thousand people can break it?"

"Oh... then may I ask how many people it would take?" Su Liang also asked lightly.