manynovel Chapter 1691: Developments and Changes
Chapter 1691: Developments and Changes
Li Shen didn't understand and didn't think too much about it.
"Don't worry about Changsun Wuji for now. Pay attention to the dynamics of the family first. Also, send a message to Xizhou and ask them to make a bigger move.
Let everyone know that our Ji Wang Mansion is also investigating this matter.
Just now, His Majesty said that someone was intercepting and killing messengers who were delivering messages from Xizhou. This matter might also be related to the aristocratic families.
Tell the people over there to pay attention to this matter and report any news immediately."
"Yes, I obey your command." Wang Xuance bowed and accepted the order.
"Well, don't forget our main goal, to find out which of the rebels in Anxi have any connection with the Western Turks.
We must find them out. We cannot allow such a cancer to exist within the Tang Dynasty.
Have the people sent to Western Turkestan to gather information returned? "
Li Shen added.
"Your Highness, he hasn't come back yet, maybe he hasn't found anything yet." Wang Xuance shook his head.
Wang Xuance knew that Prince Ji had always suspected that the affairs of Xizhou were related to the Western Turks.
He even suspected that the Western Turks were preparing to attack the Anxi Protectorate with internal and external support.
Li Shen frowned, he felt that his guess was not wrong:
“Spring is coming soon, maybe they are waiting for the weather to warm up. Besides Western Turks, we should also pay attention to the movements of Tubo.
The Tubo behavior this time was a little strange. It has been such a long time, and they just proposed that their princes should share the sun and praise together, but they have never been in a hurry to negotiate with our Tang Dynasty.
Logically, they should be anxious now.”
The Tibetan delegation had returned a long time ago, and only sent a letter of credence once, and there has been no further movement since then. This inevitably made Li Shen feel that something was wrong.
"Yes, I will arrange it right away. As for the prince's case..." Wang Xuance reminded.
Li Shen waved his hand and said:
"Don't worry, I'm thinking of a solution. I don't want to disrupt the plan until the last step.
It seems that I have to find time to talk to Changsun Wuji.
He is the chief judge. This old thief is extremely sinister. He must have some tricks up his sleeve. We cannot let him use them."
"Talk to Duke Zhao?" Wang Xuance was stunned after hearing this. He didn't understand what Prince Ji wanted to talk to Duke Zhao about. Was he begging for mercy?
“Of course I have to talk to him. The prince even suspects he is involved.
Don't worry, I know what's going on. We can only use force, coercion and inducement to deal with him. If we use soft tactics, this old thief will think we are easy to bully."
Li Shen smiled evilly.
"It's good that Your Highness has a plan. Since there is nothing else to do, I will take my leave." Wang Xuance stood up, saluted, and then walked out.
Li Shen stared out the door in a daze for a while.
"Come here, bring my raccoon slaves here, bring them all here."
Feeling irritable, Li Shen decided to pet a cat to relieve his stress.
~~~~~~~
The news that Prince Ji was impeached for treason soon spread.
There are so many civil and military officials in the imperial court, it is difficult to block the news.
Everyone who heard the news was skeptical.
Prince Ji is now rich enough to rival a country, so why would he want to rebel? He is already second only to the emperor.
Moreover, it was rumored that Prince Ji had no interest in the throne and only liked to enjoy himself and play around.
Judging from Prince Ji’s condition in recent years, this should be true.
Besides, Prince Ji has such a bad reputation that no one would agree to his ascending the throne even if he were to rebel. Don't emperors all care about their reputation?
This left everyone puzzled.
However, someone in the market soon gave the answer. King Ji had been wantonly accumulating wealth in Xizhou, oppressing the people, killing people and robbing them, colluding with local people, and had evil intentions.
Some people also said that the rumors about many officials being killed in Xizhou some time ago were that Prince Ji killed them to silence them.
Many merchants who traveled to the Western Regions also confirmed these rumors.
For a time, rumors spread throughout Chang'an City, many people believed them to be true, and the people cursed.
Whenever anyone mentions King Ji, they would spit.
“Your Majesty, recently some merchants have been instigating against our Chamber of Commerce.
They said that our chamber of commerce’s collection of commercial taxes was illegal and they were going to sue us in the government.
Some people are organizing merchants to form their own chamber of commerce, and they don’t charge any fees.”
In the study, Wang Hongfu stood in front of Li Shen and reported what had happened in the past few days.
Li Shen lay in the rocking chair with his eyes closed, holding a white Persian cat in his arms, rocking back and forth.
“Well, if they are willing, let them form it, but they should know the rules of the Chamber of Commerce.
Our Chamber of Commerce does not accept fence-sitters. Since we have established a Chamber of Commerce, we must withdraw from the Number One Chamber of Commerce in the Tang Dynasty.
If they want to join again, they have to start from being a low-level member. Let them think it over themselves and don’t blame the Chamber of Commerce for not reminding them.
And find out who is instigating this.
Just check it out, don't touch them, let him instigate more people, the membership level has been too high in recent years,
The discount given is too big, and someone could help them downgrade, so why not do it.
It would be best to persuade the top ten members to quit."
Li Shen didn't even open his eyes as he spoke while shaking his head.
The Chamber of Commerce's membership fees are based on a membership level system with corresponding discounts.
Over the years, most members have been at the intermediate level or above, and there has been no change.
This made Li Shen feel like he had lost a lot of money.
“Your Majesty, that being said, if all merchants are against our Ji Palace, then our Chamber of Commerce will not be able to collect money.
This involves great interests, Your Majesty, do you want us to explain it?"
Wang Hongfu was not as impulsive as Li Shen. He also had to consider the issue of making money for the Prince Ji's Mansion.
How can you make money if all merchants are against you?
“No, this is not a big problem, as long as the king’s problem is solved, everything will be solved.
They are just a group of businessmen. What kind of trouble can they cause?
If you push them too hard, you can deal with them too. Don't forget that they are staying in the industrial park of my Ji Wangfu."
Li Shen had a look of disdain on his face.
He has been very kind over the years, and in actions against aristocratic families and nobles, Li Shen tried his best not to harm innocent people.
It seems that there are still some people who don't know how to be grateful. If so, Li Shen doesn't mind punishing them.
"Your Majesty, there is one more thing. These people are lobbying everywhere, hoping to ask the court to intervene.
Let's let Ji Wangfu publish the formula of the products under our name, saying that it will benefit the country and the people..."
"fart!"
Before Wang Hongfu could finish speaking, Li Shen opened his eyes, his eyes full of murderous intent.
This is trying to dig up my roots.
"What a bunch of ignorant people, with wild ideas.
They actually want to take over the merchandise of my Ji Wang Mansion. Don’t they know how to live or die?
Send someone to investigate, who is behind the instigation?
This is an attempt to undermine the foundation of my Ji Wang Mansion."
Li Shen was really angry. You can poach my walls, but you can't dig up my foundation.
Isn't this going to tear my house down?
“After the investigation is complete, I will also cut off their roots and record all the merchants involved in this matter.
We will settle the score with you, these idiots."
(It’s Chinese New Year, so don’t drink too much.)