A group of middle-aged people with stern faces were huddled in a remote corner.
"Brother, what's going on with the Japanese people? They haven't come here for so long."
"These things we do are fatal."
"If you get caught..."
Among the crowd, a slightly younger man spoke up, with a worried look on his face.
Although the rest of the people did not speak, there were worried looks on their faces.
Although they are gangsters from Chang'an City, not everyone dares to provoke them.
Had it not been for the large amount of money given by the Japanese this time, they would not have taken such a big risk to help get those books.
Although the books were not worth much, the Lord in the court strictly prohibited large amounts of books from flowing into other countries.
Nowadays, they are helping Japanese people take away large quantities of books. If they are caught, they will definitely not end well.
"Why are you panicking? Zhao Chen won't be back today."
"Besides, the government officials in Jingzhao Mansion are busy welcoming the army back to the city and have no time to take care of our affairs."
"Although the Japanese people are disgusting, they do give me a lot of money."
"With this money, we won't have to do these jobs anymore in the future. We can find a serious job and not have to worry about food and drink for the rest of our lives." The gangster leader scolded.
The Japanese people who responded have not come yet, so naturally he can't help but feel a little worried.
After all, it's okay if you don't get caught doing this kind of thing, but if you get caught, it's all over.
The other gangsters stopped talking and just looked at the street in front of them cautiously.
Half an hour later, they finally saw movement ahead.
A short Japanese man ran towards them with his waist bent.
"Everyone, I've been waiting for a long time." The Japanese and a group of hooligans handed over their hands.
Ignoring him, everyone stared at him indifferently.
The Japanese people felt a little cold in their hearts, but they pretended to be indifferent on their faces, forced out a smile, and said: "I was delayed on the way. This is the deposit I promised you before."
The Japanese man took out a cloth bag from his arms and handed it to the gangster leader.
When the gangster leader opened the bag and took a look, his eyes suddenly bulged.
The other gangsters came closer, with shocked expressions on their faces.
"Everyone, this is just a deposit. Tomorrow morning, you will transport the last batch of books to the designated place, and someone will naturally pay the balance for you there." The Japanese said with a smile.
At this moment, he also looked down upon these gangsters.
As expected, Xindao is a guy who has never seen the world, and some small profits and benefits can make these people dizzy.
"Okay, okay, don't worry, those things will definitely be at the designated place tomorrow morning."
"But I still want to ask one more question. Tomorrow morning, my Majesty, the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, will return to Beijing."
"Especially that Zhao Chen, you are not afraid that Zhao Chen will catch you." The gangster leader put away the bag and asked the Japanese people.
Even at this moment, the gangster leader was still worried that he would be caught by Zhao Chen.
After all, Zhao Chen will return to Chang'an tomorrow.
No matter how much money you have, you have to spend it wisely.
"Caught?"
"Then Zhao Chen is not a god. He doesn't even know what's going on here. Why should he catch us?"
"Besides, even if he comes back to his senses, we will have left Datang by then. Will he still want to find us?"
"As long as there is no evidence, he will just stare."
"Tomorrow, you'd better leave Chang'an, otherwise..." The Japanese left the last words before turning around and leaving.
All the gangsters were silent.
"Brother, shall we go now?" a gangster asked.
The gangster leader squeezed the cloth bag in his arms.
They had already boarded the pirate ship, and the Japanese had given them so much money.
Moreover, the Japanese themselves said that Zhao Chen did not discover this matter so quickly.
As long as they finish delivering their things early tomorrow morning and leave quickly, going to a place where no one knows them, then there is no fear that Zhao Chen can still catch them.
"Go, go home now and pack everything up."
"After delivering the things and leaving the city tomorrow, we will leave Chang'an." The gangster leader made final decision and said to everyone.
…
On March 17, the twelfth year of Zhenguan, Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty led an army and was about to return to Chang'an from the border front.
Empress Changsun ordered that officials of fifth rank or above in Chang'an City must go out of the city fifty miles to meet her.
On this day, the streets in Chang'an City were deserted.
A large number of people spontaneously went fifty miles outside Chang'an City to welcome the emperor back to Beijing.
Empress Changsun rode in the phoenix chariot, and all the civil and military officials followed behind the phoenix chariot on horses or in sedan chairs.
On both sides were the Chang'an Qianniu Guards, who greeted the procession in such a mighty manner that the end could not be seen at a glance.
"Mother, I haven't seen my father for a long time." Xiao Li Zhi has grown up a lot. Looking at the quiet official road in front of him, he can't help but feel a little anxious.
Xiao Li Zhi was liked by the emperor.
This kind of love is no less than the previous love for Li Chengqian and Li Tai.
It is also because of this that before Li Tai became the crown prince, some officials hoped that the emperor could make Li Zhi the crown prince.
However, the possibility today is too small.
"My mother has not seen your father for a long time, but today, our family can be reunited." Empress Changsun said with a smile.
While the emperor was away at war, Empress Changsun would never tell Xiao Li Zhi about her worries and longings.
When Xiao Li Zhi heard Empress Changsun talking about family reunion, his eyes fell on Li Ruoshuang who was standing aside.
He had already heard that his mother publicly recognized Zhao Chen's identity in the Taiji Hall.
He said that Zhao Chen was the eldest son of his father and mother.
That means Zhao Chen is his elder brother.
Xiao Li Zhi doesn't like Zhao Chen very much.
Because when he lived in the Zhao Mansion, Zhao Chen bullied him a lot.
She also forced him to study from time to time.
Moreover, Wu Jue often said that she did not like herself, but liked men like Zhao Chen.
Thinking of this, Xiao Li Zhi couldn't help clenching his fists.
"Pheasant slave, what's wrong with you?" Queen Changsun noticed that Xiao Li Zhi looked a little happy, and she couldn't help but be curious.
"Mother, is Mr. Zhao really the son-in-law and the emperor's brother?"
"But Erchen doesn't like him!" Xiao Li Zhi said to Queen Changsun, and expressed his displeasure with Zhao Chen.
Queen Changsun's expression changed slightly.
She was worried that Xiao Li Zhi would be like Li Chengqian and Li Tai before.
Because of some unnecessary things, he became an enemy of Zhao Chen.
No matter who wins or loses, her eldest grandson Wugou will be the only loser.
"Pheasant slave, why do you have such an idea?" Queen Changsun and Xiao Li Zhi asked.
The expression on his face was very serious.
Xiao Li Zhi had never seen his mother show such a look to him, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of fear in his heart.
"Mother... mother, son... I just feel that Mr. Zhao... often bullies my son, and sister Xiao Wu also likes him, but doesn't like me..."