Chapter 76: The Selfish

How to win over a person depends on what that person wants in their heart. Liu Li repeatedly watched the scroll of bamboo slips in her hand, feeling that the focus was still on this guest named Lei Bei.

Historical records state that eight years later, in the first year of Yuanshou, Lei Bei, because he offended the Crown Prince of Huainan, Liu Qian, and was afraid of being retaliated against by Liu Qian, fled to Chang'an overnight, submitted a letter to Liu Che, and reported that Liu An intended to rebel.

At that time, Liu Che was trying to find "fault" with the King of Huainan. After hearing Lei Bei's report, he took advantage of the situation and arranged for people to investigate, and actually found the weapons of rebellion hoarded by Liu An.

Liu An knew that the matter had been exposed, so he committed suicide in advance. Afterward, his Queen Tu, Crown Prince Liu Qian, and some people who participated in the rebellion were all beheaded. Liu Ling was also ordered to die because of this matter.

Liu Li was not sure what role Liu Ling played in her father's rebellion. If she also supported this matter, then there should be no need to win her over.

If she was only forced by her father's order to come to Chang'an as a spy, Liu Li really wanted to turn enemies into friends with Liu Ling.

She could let Liu Ling return to Huainan and persuade her father to give up the idea of rebellion and be a peaceful King of Huainan, so that the lives of the whole family could be saved.

If so, then her witnessing the "Rebellion of the Three Kings" event should not be completed, right? Just like the previous "Witchcraft Deposition of the Empress" event.

And to win over Liu Ling and have a showdown with her, it could not be done by the Emperor, but must be done by Liu Che, who was the Empress, to make it clear to Liu Ling.

With Liu Che's temper, if he knew that he could grasp the evidence of the King of Huainan's rebellion, he would definitely not let it go easily. How could he persuade Liu Ling to surrender?

He was probably hoping that the King of Huainan would act quickly, and then wipe them all out.

Why are the tasks triggered recently so difficult?! Liu Li felt that her head was two sizes bigger. She had to think carefully about how to recruit Liu Ling.

The clothing factory plan proposed by Liu Li had been carried out in an orderly manner under the arrangement of Sang Hongyang. Because down jackets were to be issued to soldiers, and considering that soldiers had training activities, Liu Li specially changed the down jackets into down vests.

This was both warm and would not restrict the soldiers' arm movements.

And considering that everyone's body shape was different, she specially reminded the palace maids who made the clothes that they could make three different sizes of down jackets. After they were made, each soldier could receive clothes of a similar size according to their build.

In ten days, under the efforts of the weavers in Shanglin Park, the soldiers guarding Chang'an City all wore warm down vests. This was the first time everyone felt the warmth of winter.

The Feathered Forest Guard training in Shanglin Park were the first batch of soldiers to wear down vests. Everyone saw such clothes for the first time and didn't know how to wear them.

"This clothing has no sleeves, why does it look a bit like armor?" A soldier put the clothes in front of him and gestured.

"Leader, how do you wear this? I've never seen such clothes in my life."

Wei Qing remembered the prompt from the clothing official, so he stood in front of all the soldiers and demonstrated how to wear the down vest. Everyone followed suit and put on the new clothes they had just received.

"I heard that this clothing was invented by our Princess of Jianling." The soldiers chatted while putting on their clothes.

"Is it that princess protected by the gods?"

"Yes, it's her." The little soldier A who spoke nodded and said: "This clothing was also proposed by the Princess of Jianling to the Emperor to be issued to us soldiers."

Little soldier B: "Really? The Princess would even think of us little soldiers?"

"Isn't the clothing on our bodies the best proof?" Little soldier A patted the down vest on his body: "Our Princess is truly a good person."

Little soldier C on the side also nodded: "At the beginning of the year, didn't the Emperor bring the Princess of Jianling to Shanglin Park? I was on duty at the palace at that time and had the honor of seeing the Princess of Jianling once."

Other little soldiers gathered around and asked: "And then, and then?"

Little soldier C raised his head very proudly and said: "At that time, the little princess asked me for directions, and she actually said thank you to me!" Although it was just a trivial sentence, it was enough for little soldier C to brag about for a lifetime.

(Continued from above)

"The Princess of Jianling is truly too good." The soldiers with poor language could only use this sentence to praise their princess.

"Do you feel a bit hot on your body?" Little soldier B reached out and covered his chest: "It seems that the clothes I just wore are effective!"

"It's really warm." Little soldier D also nodded: "This clothing is really magical. I have never worn such warm clothes."

Little soldier C said piously: "Let us thank the Princess of Jianling for giving us this clothing together. May the gods always bless the Princess and bless our Han Dynasty."

Huo Qubing was considered half a member of the Feathered Forest Guard, so he also received a down vest. Wearing the clothes, he stood next to these little soldiers and heard their conversation, and the corners of his lips could not help but rise.

She must not know that her reputation in the army is already so high.

The down jackets made by the palace maids of Weiyang Palace for the court officials were made of silk, and each one was very exquisite.

After the palace maids finished making them, they were presented to Xuanshi Hall by the eunuchs and attendants, and then bestowed upon the courtiers by the Emperor himself.

After the bestowal of clothes, A Jiao said slowly: "This clothing is called a down jacket, which is a method of keeping out the cold thought of by the Princess of Jianling. Now that the weather is cold, everyone must take good care of your bodies so that you can better serve the Han Dynasty."

The courtiers held the down jackets in their palms and said one after another: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the clothes."

A Jiao raised an eyebrow: "It was Jianling who proposed to me to bestow clothes upon you all. The gods protect Princess Li, and the people of our Han Dynasty also receive the blessings of the gods."

Saying this attributed all the credit to Liu Li.

Yes, if it weren't for the fact that the Princess of Jianling was protected by the gods, who among them would have thought that the down on poultry could also be put into clothes to keep warm.

"The Princess of Jianling is the lucky star of our Han Dynasty. May the heavens bless the Han Dynasty with prosperity for ten thousand generations!" Prime Minister Dou Ying stood out and sighed.

The people behind also followed: "The Princess of Jianling is the lucky star of our Han Dynasty. May the heavens bless the Han Dynasty with prosperity for ten thousand generations!"

The courtiers' down jackets were finished, and the next step was the down jackets for the palace maids and attendants of the three palaces: Weiyang Palace, Changle Palace, and Ganquan Palace.

The down jackets for the palace maids and attendants were made of hemp. Because the clothing factory in Shanglin Park was also rushing to work, in just a few days, the palace servants in the palace changed into down jackets before the New Year.

Liu Li could see with the naked eye that the palace maids and attendants serving in Jiaofang Hall all had happy smiles on their faces. Especially when they saw Liu Li, the smiles on their faces were even more genuine.

In their hearts, the Princess of Jianling had become their god. No one in the entire Weiyang Palace and Changle Palace dared to say a bad word about the Princess of Jianling.

Pixiang Hall—

"Lady Wei, the Wengzhu of the King of Huainan is here." Xia Ling lifted the curtain that blocked the cold wind outside and reported to Wei Zifu.

The room was lit with a heater, and it was warm. The little prince Liu Ju was lying on the warm kang, and his little face was flushed. Because the palace issued down jackets, Liu Li also thought of Wei Zifu and specially ordered the palace maids to send the down jackets for Pixiang Hall.

Whether it was little Liu Ju, Liu Yue, or Liu Ling, they were all prepared. Even the Second Prince in Lanlin Hall had a small down jacket.

Liu Li felt that she had done what she should do and taken care of everyone. As for whether Liu Yue and Liu Ling would appreciate this favor, it was not within her consideration.

Being a person, having a clear conscience is the most important thing.

Wei Zifu put down the toy she was using to tease her son and sighed helplessly: "Take her to the side hall, I will go over now."

"Nuo."

Wei Zifu simply tidied up her clothes before setting off to the side hall next door, where Liu Ling had long been waiting at the table.

The palace maid served hot tea to the two of them and then carefully retreated.

Liu Ling curled her lips slightly, poured herself a cup of tea, took a light sip, and then looked up at Wei Zifu: "Sister Wei, have you considered the matter I told you last time?"

Wei Zifu's heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously tightened her hand under her sleeve, then refused: "My affairs do not need to trouble the Wengzhu."

(Continued from above)

Hearing that Wei Zifu actually refused her, Liu Ling felt a bit surprised: "Sister Wei, have you really thought it through?"

Wei Zifu lowered her eyes and then smiled: "Naturally, Wengzhu should find someone else to cooperate with."

In fact, a month ago, when Liu Ling appeared in front of her with Chu Fu and proposed cooperation, she was shaken for a moment.

If Liu Che died at this time, her Ju'er would definitely be the future Emperor.

But... what if Chu Fu failed?

Just like in the previous life, the witchcraft Chu Fu cast on Liu Che did not succeed, not only causing the Empress Chen to be deposed, but Chu Fu herself was also beheaded.

Wei Zifu knew too well how much Liu Che feared witchcraft.

If she cooperated with Liu Ling this time, but Chu Fu still failed in the end, given her current status, she would probably die even more miserably than in her previous life.

After all, she was now just a concubine who had lost favor.

What's more... Liu Ling's motive for coming to her for cooperation must not be simple. Thinking of the fate of Liu Ling and the King of Huainan's family in her previous life, Wei Zifu decided to refuse Liu Ling.

"Sister Wei, you have no advantage in this Weiyang Palace now." Liu Ling was not annoyed after being refused, but smiled and said: "I heard that when Princess Li was a fool before, the one the Emperor loved most was your daughter, Princess Yue. Look at it now, tsk tsk tsk... in the entire Weiyang Palace and Changle Palace, who doesn't praise the Princess of Jianling?"

"Little Li'er only used one year to make all the palace servants praise her. Princess Yue was loved by the Emperor."

Wei Zifu locked her brows: "Wengzhu, what exactly do you want to say?"

"Because of your mother's lack of fighting and grabbing, your children are in such an awkward position. In my opinion, when the Empress gives birth to a legitimate prince again, you and your children will not even have a foothold in Weiyang Palace." Liu Ling provoked: "Think about the fate of that Crown Prince Liu Rong when the late Emperor was alive."

Wei Zifu took a deep breath, tried to maintain a smile and said: "Why does Wengzhu keep provoking me like this? What good does it do you to want me to cooperate with you so much? You don't really think I would believe you are doing it for my brother, do you?"

"Why not?"

"Then... what about that wandering knight named Lei Bei?"

When Liu Ling heard the name Lei Bei, her originally smiling expression suddenly turned cold: "How do you know Lei Bei? Are you investigating me?"

Wei Zifu certainly did not investigate Liu Ling. She knew about Lei Bei because she remembered things from her previous life. In the first year of Yuanshou, Lei Bei fled from Huainan to Chang'an, and it is said that he did not intend to report the King of Huainan at first.

As a result, Lei Bei bumped into the affair between Liu Ling and the Marquis of Antou, Zhang Cigong, and in a fit of anger, he reported the King of Huainan's rebellion to Liu Che.

So from the moment Liu Ling expressed her liking for her brother Wei Qing to her, Wei Zifu did not take the liking in Liu Ling's mouth to heart, and even strongly opposed Wei Qing's liking for Liu Ling.

"Wengzhu, I don't want to participate in your Huainan affairs, and I also ask Wengzhu not to disturb me in the future." Wei Zifu said slowly: "Since Chu Fu's witchcraft is so powerful, why don't you directly order Chu Fu to deal with the Emperor, why bother to come to me for cooperation?"

It must be said that Wei Zifu was still very sober. Liu Ling wanted to cooperate with her so much, just to find a scapegoat after the incident. Just like in the previous life, Liu Ling chose to let Empress Chen be the scapegoat.

Liu Ling narrowed her eyes and stared at Wei Zifu closely. After a long time, she smiled: "Lady Wei is intelligent, which truly makes A Ling admire."

Wei Zifu curled her lips lightly: "Wengzhu is over-praising."

Liu Ling stood up: "Then A Ling has disturbed Lady Wei today."

Wei Zifu also stood up, and the surface work was still done: "Wengzhu, walk slowly, I will not see you off."

Liu Ling snorted and turned to walk out of the side hall.

She didn't expect that this Wei Zifu would not be moved at all, which made Liu Ling feel surprised, and she actually knew about Lei Bei.

Thinking of this, Liu Ling's expression became more and more depressed.

Her father used Lei Bei's life to threaten her,

asking her to come to Chang'an to inquire about the news. She could not refuse her father's request and had to agree. After the assassination attempt arranged by her father failed last time, he was still unwilling to give up and wanted her to poison the Emperor to harm him.

Liu Ling really couldn't understand why her father wanted to be the Emperor so much. Even if she really poisoned the Emperor now, the throne would not be her father's turn. It was all the fault of the alchemists around her father, who made up absurd statements, making her father feel that he had the fate of an Emperor.

"Since this Lady Wei is so ignorant, why doesn't Wengzhu let Chu Fu do it directly?" The spy beside her offered a strategy.

Liu Ling said angrily: "Do you think I'm stupid?"

The spy was puzzled: "?"

"If I don't find a scapegoat, what if the incident fails? How can I get out of it?" Liu Ling said coldly: "My father only cares about the great cause of rebellion in his heart, and doesn't care about the life or death of me, his daughter, at all."

"The Lord naturally has Wengzhu in his heart." The spy spoke to save face for the King of Huainan: "Otherwise, the Lord would not have agreed to send Chu Fu to Chang'an to be at Wengzhu's disposal."

Liu Ling sneered.

The spy said again: "Why doesn't Wengzhu start from the Empress? Although the Empress is favored now, she has not been pregnant for such a long time. Why not offer Chu Fu to the Empress to obtain things from the Emperor's side."

"Let Sister A Jiao be the scapegoat?" Liu Ling frowned, feeling somewhat unwilling.

"Wengzhu, don't forget, Lei Bei's life is still in the Lord's hands." The spy had to remind Liu Ling: "When the Lord's great cause succeeds, you will be a princess of a country. At that time, not only Lei Bei, but even Wei Qing, whom you like, can become your guest."

Liu Ling's eyebrows moved slightly, and she only said: "I will consider it carefully."

The spy nodded: "I hope Wengzhu makes a decision as soon as possible. The Lord has been waiting for your news."

Liu Ling's expression was slightly restrained, as if weighing the pros and cons.

In fact, for Liu Ling, Chen Ajiao was just a sister who treated her well when she came to Chang'an when she was young. If she could not hurt her, Liu Ling would naturally not want to hurt her.

But if it involved her own interests, Liu Ling would prioritize herself first. In the words of modern people, Liu Ling was an exquisite egoist, with everything centered on herself.

Unless it was a last resort, Liu Ling did not want to hurt Sister A Jiao, but at present, she seemed to be able to obtain the Emperor's objects only through Sister A Jiao.

In the blink of an eye, it was the New Year's Eve again. Like last year, a sacrificial ceremony was to be held in Weiyang Palace. However, unlike last year, this year Liu Che would no longer pin his hopes of changing bodies on the High Priest.

Because it had been snowing for several days, a thick layer had accumulated on the ground of Weiyang Palace. Early on New Year's Eve, after the palace servants cleaned up the snow in front of the palace, they began to prepare to send the Empress and the Princess to the front hall for the sacrificial ceremony.

Liu Che held Liu Li's little hand and stood in front of the officials and palace servants, watching A Jiao, as the Emperor, accept the blessings of the sacrifice.

At this time, he no longer had the resentment and injustice of last year. His only worry was the reunion banquet in Weiyang Palace tonight.

"A Li, this hot pot you mentioned, is it really going to work?" Liu Che asked repeatedly.

Liu Li quietly made an "OK" gesture: "Don't worry, Father, I guarantee that this year's reunion banquet will be livelier than last year."

Sitting with the famous ministers and generals of the Han Dynasty eating hot pot, what kind of scene would this be? Liu Li looked forward to it.

Liu Che nodded suspiciously: "Okay, I believe you."

This matter can be traced back to more than ten days ago. As the Empress, Liu Che needed to prepare for the upcoming New Year's Eve banquet in advance. Liu Che was impatient to do these things, so he ordered the palace servants to make an identical one according to last year's standard.

Liu Li happened to hear it and felt that it should be lively during the New Year. In addition, people were now using high-legged tables when eating in Weiyang Palace, which was different from last year.

So Liu Li proposed that everyone should gather at a large round table to eat hot pot at the New Year's Eve banquet.

Liu Che: "What is hot pot?"

Liu Li explained to Liu Che patiently. Liu Che felt fresh when he heard this way of eating, so he agreed.

So half a month ago, Liu Li began to let carpenters build several larger round tables, and then drew a copper pot, and found craftsmen to make the real thing according to the copper pot she drew.

Although it was not as standard as the modern copper pot, it was no problem to use it for hot pot.

Liu Li also held the finished copper pot and tried a hot pot in Jiaofang Hall first. A Jiao praised it after eating and directly agreed to the proposal of everyone eating hot pot at the New Year's Eve reunion banquet.

The hot pot base was exchanged by Liu Li from the system mall. Because it was food, the price was quite cheap. As for the ingredients needed for hot pot, she tried to choose ingredients that were already available in the Western Han Dynasty. Finally, Liu Li calculated that there were more than ten kinds, enough to eat at the banquet.

【Ding, host made a copper pot, reward 500 points.】

The sudden system sound made Liu Li remember that after inventing and creating something, the system would also give rewards.

However, there was one thing that Liu Li didn't quite understand, and she asked the system: "Why didn't you give me a reward when I made chairs and down jackets before?"

Liu Li clearly remembered that the system said before that as long as she created something that didn't exist, she could get points, and the rarer it was, the higher the points.

But when she designed tables and chairs, as well as down jackets before, the system didn't give any rewards. "The wood used for tables and chairs, and the materials used for down jackets were not exchanged from the system mall, why didn't you give me any rewards?"

【After testing, tables and chairs and down jackets are physical changes, not chemical changes, so they cannot be rewarded to the host.】

Liu Li: "?" Does this thing have to be divided into physical changes and chemical changes?

Paper is a product of many things fused together, and in essence, it has changed from one type of thing to another. Similarly, the copper pot is also reshaped into the shape of a copper pot by melting copper.

But chairs and clothes are not. Chairs are made of wood, and in essence, they are still wood. Down jackets are also clothes in essence, and cannot be considered inventions and creations, so these do not count.

Liu Li understood: "So if I want to get points, I must come up with something that has changed, right?"

【Yes.】

Liu Li raised an eyebrow: "Does a compass count? Does gunpowder count? Does printing count?"

【Yes.】

In fact, since the improved paper was made, Liu Li had been wanting to come up with the Four Great Inventions of ancient China. After paper books spread, printing was bound to appear.

Otherwise, it would be too troublesome for people to write books one by one by hand.

As for the compass, Liu Li remembered that magnets were discovered during the Warring States period, and it seemed that there was already a compass at that time, so this did not need to be completed by herself.

The most important thing is gunpowder!

Historical records state that gunpowder was first discovered in the Tang Dynasty. The reason for the discovery seemed to be that people had been refining alchemy for a long time and finally practiced it step by step. In the late Tang Dynasty, gunpowder was used in the military.

Although Liu Li didn't know the formula, she knew that there were many people in the Western Han Dynasty who pursued refining immortal pills. She could completely start from this aspect, and maybe she could come up with gunpowder a thousand years in advance.

It's just... is it really a good thing that gunpowder is discovered in advance? Will it cause a scene of misery? It was precisely because of these things that Liu Li had never proposed the concept of gunpowder.

She wanted to wait until she had the ability to fully lead the Han Dynasty, so she should not manufacture such dangerous things.

She thought that while she lacked the ability to fully dominate the Han, she had better not manufacture such dangerous things.