Abacus is more difficult to learn than expected. Liu Hong taught what three times five divides two, three, and seven adds to one. Li Mengxi listened at a loss and couldn't understand the deeper meaning, but it didn't matter, he was already here anyway, and he had a long time to go, so he had plenty of time to study.

Li Mengxi felt that Liu Hong's Bagua-shaped abacus was really awkward, so he suggested changing the abacus into a square one. Liu Hong, who liked Yili, preferred the Bagua abacus. Li Mengxi was his savior and could not easily refute, so he agreed.

Li Mengxi did not know how to abacus, but he had numerical notation and vertical calculation methods. Li Mengxi spent a short time teaching ten digits and calculation methods to Liu Hong. With Liu Hong's arithmetic ability, he quickly accepted mathematical knowledge.

, Liu Hong was discerning enough, and he saw the wonderful use of digital counting at a glance.

With Liu Hong's affairs over, Cai Yong felt relieved and went to work on other things for Li Mengxi.

Other tasks entrusted by Li Mengxi include seeking rare crystal artifacts from royal relatives, recruiting various high-level talents such as mapping, water control, and calculations, and the establishment of a righteous school.

Counting talents, it is a worthwhile trip to get Liu Hong. As a world-famous scholar, Cai Yong is acquainted with many people with real talents and knowledge. Cai Yong knows many talented people who are rarely seen. Cai Yong

After going out for a few days, Cai Yong's identity was useful enough, Liu Bei and Liu Xuande's names were also extremely useful, and the talent recruitment went very smoothly.

Because Li Mengxi designated talents in these three areas for mapping and water conservancy calculations, Cai Yong specially found talents in these three areas.

Cai Yong summoned many water conservancy officials who were idle at home. Water conservancy was a major issue in people's livelihood. Cai Yong was afraid that Liu Bei would not have enough manpower, so he deliberately recruited many river craftsmen on his own initiative.

In terms of cartography talents, Cai Yong invited poor friends who were good at cartography to be introduced to Julu. He also recruited some poor students from Taiyuan College who were good at cartography and wanted to make a career in Julu.

A few days later, Cai Yong recruited more than 200 relevant talents from all parties.

Li Mengxi received the talents solemnly and paid everyone a huge settlement fee to stabilize everyone's hearts.

There was a problem encountered. Li Mengxi spent too much money. The Julu Merchant Store was full of money, and he also brought a lot of money with him on this trip. However, Li Mengxi raided the market in Luoyang and spent all the money in a short period of time.

bottomed out.

Encountering this problem by chance, Li Mengxi thought of borrowing money, to be precise, the bond method.

Although the National Debt Law had been presented to the imperial court by Liu Bei, the imperial government had established a National Debt Department, which had been in operation for a long time.

However, it is expected that the imperial court will not be able to deal with bonds.

Julu Commercial House has the convenience of paper and printing. Li Mengxi also knows many anti-counterfeiting technologies, which allows Julu Commercial House to sell bonds better.

A bond means borrowing money from someone else, paying interest to someone else, and repaying it on a scheduled date.

Selling bonds can raise a large amount of money in a short period of time, and you can use the wealth in the future to solve today's urgent needs. Sometimes, you just need a breath at the critical moment to issue bonds in a disaster year, repay them in a good year, pay in another installment, and bear the burden of another year.

Long-term transfer, only bonds, can bring the dynasty back to life several times.

Julu Commercial Store has too many monopoly products with huge profits and will not be short of money. The role of bonds in raising money is actually dispensable.

But bonds have another effect. The lending relationship will turn both parties into a strong community of interests.

For example, if you sell a bunch of bonds to a senior official, this senior official is more afraid of the collapse of Julu Commercial Store than others, because if Julu Commercial Store collapses, no one will pay back the money.

In Julu Commercial House, where money is being made every day, the political role of bonds is far greater than the role of collecting wealth.

Li Mengxi told the shopkeeper that Julu would send some bond bills after a while, and he would see the opportunity to sell the bonds bit by bit to the powerful and high-ranking officials.

In terms of the design of bonds for high-ranking officials and powerful people in Luoyang, the bonds actually function as amulets, so the interest rate can be higher to attract more powerful people to invest money.

——

Cai Yong began to do the second thing for Li Mengxi. As a loyal person, Cai Yong was entrusted by Li Mengxi to find an exquisite and clear crystal object made of the same material as ice cubes.

Cai Yong, an honest man, went directly to General He Jin's house as his first stop.

He Jin, the butcher who was drunk and drinking in the mansion, heard a servant coming to report that it was Cai Yong asking for an audience. He Jin's face was confused for a while, "Who?"

"Cai Yong."

When He Jin suddenly remembered who Cai Yong was, He Jin quickly stood up and said, "Please come in quickly!"

He Jin was extremely solemn and he was about to stand up to greet him. Then he saw that his clothes were disheveled and he quickly ran into the house to change clothes.

Needless to say, although He Jin was a vulgar butcher, he also respected Cai Yong, a world-famous scholar.

He Jin was even a little flattered when he suddenly heard that Cai Yong had come to visit.

When Cai Yong arrived, He Jin did not dare to neglect, and directly invited people to serve wine and meat, and also summoned a beautiful maid to accompany him.

No matter how vulgar it is, he only thinks that wine, meat and beautiful women are the best hospitality etiquette, but his behavior made Cai Yong feel disgusted in his heart.

Cai Yong explained the purpose of his visit straightforwardly, saying that he wanted to buy an exquisite crystal object as clear as ice. A friend asked for this object, which would be of great use. No matter how valuable it was, he would buy it for the full price.

Cai Yong came here to ask for rare treasures. He Jin was even happier. He didn't know what the crystal Cai Yong was talking about was. He Jin directly asked his servants to move the rare treasures in the mansion, as many as they could, and brought them to Cai Yong.

Take a look.

Then, Cai Yong saw with his own eyes how luxurious the general's mansion was.

The servants of He Jin's house brought up rare treasures in an endless stream, such as blood-red corals as big as trees, a large number of gold, silver and jade articles, and eight golden horses as tall as a man.

Cai Yong didn't even look at the naked white jade beauty figurine that he liked.

The rare treasures are piled up in a room, and another batch is changed, and the same one is found in the next room.

Cai Yong sighed in his heart when he saw He Jin being so extravagant.

After a long time, the servants did not know whether they had carried thousands or tens of thousands of rare treasures. The servants were all sweating and tired.

Finally, a servant came holding a small transparent basin.

This artifact is exactly what Li Mengxi said was exquisite and as pure as an ice cube.

Cai Yong hesitated for a moment, then hesitantly said that this was what he wanted.

He Jin was in a good mood, and gave the crystal basin to Cai Yong with a big wave of his hand, and asked the people to take out all similar things and give them to Cai Yong.

Finally, Cai Yong was given a crystal basin, a small crystal tripod, and a set of four crystal cups from the mansion of the extravagant general He Jin.

He Jin also said that whatever Cai Yong likes should be sent directly to Cai Yong's house.

Cai Yong sighed and couldn't help but persuade He Jin that as a general, he should pay more attention to state affairs and not be greedy for luxury and pleasure. He Jin was unhappy and held back.

Cai Yong didn't want to stay in He Jin's house for a moment anymore. He took the crystal utensils and left. Before leaving, he said that Julu Merchant would come to pay for it soon.

He Jin gave Cai Yong enough respect and Cai Yong's face. This was not a matter of money. No matter how much money he gave from Julu Commercial Store, if it weren't for Cai Yong's face, he would smash the things and not sell them.

Give it to him, and He Jin becomes sullen.

Cai Yong went back with the crystal utensils. When Li Mengxi saw the utensils, everyone jumped with excitement.

Oh my god, there are so many natural crystals. Judging by their size, they can be used to grind dozens of lenses and make dozens of telescopes!

Cai Yong was curious and asked about the function of the crystal, but Li Mengxi prevaricated him. The military and state had important weapons, so it was inconvenient to tell others.
Chapter completed!