Wang Pu arrived in Lantian County only one day later than Li Mu. In fact, he could have earlier because he was light and simple, and only brought a Changsui. Compared with Li Mu's team of troops, he was naturally much lighter. But he could not arrive earlier than Li Mu, because he had no way to explain. He could only say that after returning to Chang'an, he learned that Li Mu went to Lantian to chase him. He could not say that he had investigated Li Mu early and had arrived one step first. Even if this could not be hidden from Li Mu, but if he said that, wouldn't it be a slap in the face? He had always known Li Mu's temper and nature, so how could he easily make a thunder? He didn't hide it a little?

After arriving in Lantian, he did not show up directly, but first found a shop in the Taiyuan Wang family in Lantian. Lantian was so inconspicuous that the families knew very little about the news about Lantian. In order not to make a fool of themselves, Wang Pu must investigate and understand the situation first.

He originally thought that Li Mu had a big deal to come to Lantian County in a hurry. But the truth of the matter seemed to be like this. Li Mu came to Lantian for three days without any action. He only did one thing every day, taking his woman to play in the mountains and rivers. A "luxury" four-wheeled carriage wandered slowly, followed by three cars, full of Li Mu's necessities for eating, drinking and having fun, and was accompanied by more than a dozen servants. It seemed that the more dandy you would be, the more dandy you would be.

Wang Pu has also seen it, and he does not feel novel about Li Mu's extravagant methods. He has done this before, but it is not as exaggerated as Li Mu. Moreover, he also feels that this level of enjoyment is nothing as much as Li Mu's status, wealth and property.

After staying for three days, Wang Pu couldn't stand it anymore and found Li Mu.

When Li Mu saw him, he was not surprised. He just pointed to the chair next to him and signaled him to sit.

"Well, that old guy Wang Gui, is here in Chang'an?"

In one sentence, Wang Pu almost scared him out of his body. He turned his mind and knelt down in a flash.

He may not be like this, but he must do so. At 0:01 just now, he had thought about denying it. But he quickly figured it out. Since Li Mu could tell this, it means that Li Mu's grasp of the news has reached the point where he could not deny it at all. Think about it carefully, it is the same. Li Mu now represents the court, and the bad guys and Dongchang's monks can be used by him. Li Mu has already recognized his mother, Mrs. Lu, and the news channels of Jisitang must be controlled by Li Mu. What kind of news can be hidden from him in this world?

Therefore, it was easy for Wang Pu to make a choice. He knelt directly, saving the process of going around, so as not to get upset Li Mu.

Li Mu laughed, raised his hand, and said, "No need to do this, it's normal for each person to have his own thoughts, but he's like a fool without his heart." He paused and said, "I guess, that old guy Wang Gui asked you to come to me for cement?"

Wang Pu pestled the ground with his head and said, "The Marquis predicted things like a god, and it is indeed the case. A villain died ten thousand times, and a thousand times died—"

"If you get up, you will get up." Li Mu signaled again, and Wang Pu stood up, sat down tremblingly, and only half of his butt was hit.

"It's not easy to live." Li Mu sighed, Wang Pu was stunned and almost cried. The difficulties of the aristocratic family were revealed by Li Mu. In fact, what is the difference between the so-called aristocratic family and the common people? It's just a small difference between the family. Who doesn't want to live a good life, who doesn't want to maintain this good life?

The aristocratic families have lived their best days. If they take another step forward, they can only rebel. But throughout history, why are few people from aristocratic families rebelling? It’s not because they have no strength, but because they don’t have that ambition at all. Will a person who already has 100 billion risk his life for more money? But if he is a poor man, he may get 100 billion by fighting. As long as this person is not too mud to support the wall, he will definitely choose to take a try.

Since the Qin and Han dynasties, few founding emperors have been killed, almost all of whom have fought and shed blood. Why can they achieve a lifetime of hegemony? Because they dare to fight and fight. For the great families, the first iron law is always inheritance and always guaranteed capital.

"I am indeed looking for some powerful partners to join the cement factory. However, the conditions for investing are not money, but—" Li Mu was thinking of the right words, and Wang Pu continued: "Does the Marquis want to say, resources?"

"Ah, yes, that's right, resource!" Li Mu said strangely: "How did you know this word?"

"I remember it in my heart after hearing the Marquis mention it." Wang Pu hurriedly said, "I can understand what the Marquis mean. It's just that Marquis, I don't know what the Wang family in Taiyuan is. Is it the Marquis you who saw it?"

Wang Pu's words were not humble, but really doubtful. Li Mu enjoyed too many resources now, so many that Wang Pu didn't know. What other resources could the Wang family in Taiyuan have, which Li Mu couldn't get.

"There are certainly some, but you can decide." Li Mu said with slightest: "Or you'd better call that old man Wang Gui to talk to me, he's a person who can decide."

Wang Pu knew that Li Mu had made some decisions and quickly said, "Mr. Marquis, my brother knew that it was a serious crime to come to Beijing without permission, so after instructing the villain, he had already set off to return to Luoyang. If he went to stop now, he would have to take a few days to go back and forth, and delay the matter of the Marquis. Don't worry, my brother said that as long as the Marquis can pity Wang, Wang would never give him shame. As long as the Marquis is in one day, no matter who is in the Taiyuan Wang family, he will only follow the Marquis's leader!"

Li Mu laughed and said, "He is afraid he wants to use my power to let you take the helm! The old guy, the older he gets, the more thief!"

Wang Pu was already soaked in cold sweat. He was really frightened to lie in front of Li Mu. If he hadn't known Li Mu's personality and wouldn't take people like him seriously, he would have thought that Li Mu had prepared several days of homework for today's conversation.

"Let's not talk about the details. Since you are here, I will take you to the Lantian County."

As he said that, Li Mu got up, and Wang Pu followed Li Mu step by step. The two got on the carriage, circled up along the mountain road, and arrived at the highest point in Lantian County, a mountain top called "Jinri Peak".

Looking down at the entire county town, Li Mu asked Wang Pu, saying, "What do you think of this county town?"

Wang Pu looked into the distance and saw several low city walls, and the smoke curling when they arrived at the meal, was no different from all the barren county towns in the Tang Dynasty.

Wang Pu was puzzled and shook his head, saying respectfully to Li Mu: "Mr. Marquis, the villain is stupid, and he really can't see anything special."

Li Mu kicked the stone under the kick and said, "It's special about this stone. This gray stone is called limestone."

Wang Pu bowed slightly, looking humbly asking for advice.

Li Mu continued: "There is another thing that is accompanied by limestone, called gypsum." Li Mu kicked the stone a few times, found a small piece of gypsum, showed it to Wang Pu, and taught him to identify it.

"The gray soil on the hills over there can be used to burn pottery."

Wang Pu still understood, and finally one of them could understand it. He quickly said, "The pottery villain understands it a little, a little."

"The most important thing about cement is these three materials."

Hearing this, Wang Pu was stunned. He never thought that Li Mu would tell him the cement formula. He couldn't help but feel a cool breeze behind his neck. This wilderness wouldn't kill people to silence him?

When Li Mu saw his expression, he smiled and said, "Are you scared?"

"No, no!" Wang Pu smiled awkwardly, cursing himself as a person of such a big age, and his emotional fluctuations were written on his face. How could it be? How could cement be made by knowing the ingredients? There must be a specific recipe! He hurriedly adjusted his expression and said respectfully: "Be careful, I was grateful, but I didn't expect that the Marquis trusted the villain so much."

"Say less if you flatter me." Li Mu waved his hand and continued: "In addition to these three things, Lantian also has a considerable amount of coal - using coal instead of wood as the main fuel for calcining cement can greatly reduce the calcination time."

"Cement can be made without leaving the county. Now you understand why I built the cement factory in Lantian?"

Wang Pu suddenly realized, but at the same time, a thought came out in his mind, Taiyuan can also satisfy these conditions!

Limestone is available in Taiyuan, and clay that can make pottery is also available in Taiyuan. Not to mention coal, just dig a few shovels, and if the soil is broken, it will be coal. He had heard Li Mu say before that if the amount of coal is stored, the world is respected near Taiyuan.

But just thinking about this kind of thing, he didn't dare to question Li Mu why.

Li Mu seemed to see what he was thinking and said slowly: "In fact, it is not difficult to produce cement. Although there are not many places that can meet the conditions, the Tang Dynasty has a vast territory, and there are definitely many. As for me, there is only one reason for choosing Lantian County. Guess what it is?"

Wang Pu thought to himself, where did I know where to go, but he still said, "The villain doesn't know, the marquis must have arrangements."

Li Mu grinned and said, "There is no arrangement, it's just because it's close."

Immediately, Li Mu laughed, stopped suddenly, and said, "You probably know the purpose of cement. In the future, there will definitely be more and more places to use cement, so the demand for cement will inevitably increase. This thing is inconvenient to transport, and it is impossible to even pay for the bus and foot when traveling a long distance. It must bloom everywhere to play its role."

Wang Pu's heart was pounding, he suppressed his excitement and said, "The Marquis means--"

"If you do things, you are naturally looking for like-minded people. If you have money, you can make money together." Li Mu looked at Wang Pu's eyes and said, "For example, near Taiyuan, I think it is very suitable for making cement!"

Speaking of this, Wang Pu didn't know that his thoughts had been completely seen through by Li Mu. He opened his mouth, then closed his mouth dejectedly, pursed his lips hesitantly, sighed, and said, "Mr. Marquis, please tell me, as long as you can get the Wang family in Taiyuan, you will agree."

"Good." Li Mu patted Wang Pu on the shoulder and said, "Since you are so honest, I won't make things difficult for you. If you want to enter the game, there are only one conditions. From now on, Taiyuan Wang's transactions with all aspects will need to be settled through Datang Bank."

"All taxes paid to the government must be deposited first in Datang Bank, and then the tickets will be issued by Datang Bank. Bulk transactions can only be made with the tickets issued by Datang Bank... Such a small requirement can be achieved, right?"

Is this a little request? Wang Pu almost turned his back on his anger, and he would like to give you all the real money and silver, and then use the tickets you gave as money to spend?

Wang Puwei said: "Marty, this is probably-"

Li Mu smiled and said, "I just said that everything was agreed. I followed my head and turned around and didn't keep my word." He sighed and said, "It's true that the sincerity of a family is true. Okay, there is no need to explain or talk more. Just come here for a walk and go back tomorrow."

After saying that, Li Mu turned around and walked down the mountain. Wang Pu quickly caught up and said, "Half Marquis calmed down. The villain just wanted to, alas! To be honest, the villain is worried! I'll give out this real money and get back with a bunch of tickets. Who can rest assured!"

"So you are worried about this." Li Mu stopped and said to Wang Pu: "Have you ever used the glass chips from Sihai Gambling?"

Wang Pu nodded and said, "It is really convenient to use more than a thousand guan of chips."

"Then what else do you have to worry about?"

"This is not the same thing, Marquis!" Wang Pu said helplessly: "Only you can make the glass chips, no one can imitate them. But this ticket may be imitated. What if anyone imitates it, what should I do if real money and silver are exchanged for a pile of waste paper?"

Li Mu understood what Wang Pu meant. According to later generations, Wang Pu’s meaning was called ‘turn on the printing press’. When the printing press is turned on, the currency will definitely depreciate.

Li Mu clearly remembered that in the year he took the college entrance examination, the lunch box at the entrance of the school was 3.51 yuan. However, when he graduated from university, he could not find lunch box for less than ten yuan near the school.

In just a few years, the price of lunch boxes has doubled, and the price of housing has almost doubled. Developed cities have more than three or five times.

This is the consequence of currency depreciation, but as of the time when he traveled, the depreciation was still controllable. There are also examples of uncontrollable ones. For example, there is a place called Zimbabwe, where tens of billions of dollars cannot buy a roll of toilet paper, which is more depreciable than the currency of "Tiandi Bank".

There are many such examples in history. The treasure banknotes issued during the Ming Dynasty and Hongwu period were worthless by the middle of the Ming Dynasty. The people could not control the behavior of the state, but they had a simple way, that is, I can’t afford to offend them. If you issue treasure banknotes, I don’t need them, because the country’s credit has completely gone bankrupt. No one will be fooled anymore.

Why does this happen? Because the issuance of currency itself is the state "borrowing" the surplus value of the people. Even the most conscientious government does this.
Chapter completed!