Chang'an merchants refer to merchants who live temporarily or long-term in Chang'an City.
They may be locals in Chang'an, or they may come from various parts of the Tang Dynasty.
But Zhao Chen thought about it and found that he didn't seem to know any Chang'an merchants.
Originally, Li Ruoshuang was handling such matters.
If you don't know someone, you shouldn't tell Zhao Chen.
"Master, my wife said that these Chang'an businessmen were responsible for the renovation of Zhuque Avenue last year." The maid said to Zhao Chen.
Renovate Suzaku Avenue!
Zhao Chen thought for a while and then recalled what happened at that time.
At that time, Zhuque Avenue was in disrepair, the ground was full of potholes, and even the stinking ditches were blocked in some places.
Zhuque Avenue is the hub connecting all roads in Chang'an City.
In this case, it must be renovated.
But at that time, Lao Litou had no money and could not renovate it at all.
So I found Zhao Chen and asked him to help me come up with an idea.
Zhao Chen came up with a solution for Lao Litou. He first contracted the construction of Zhuque Avenue to businessmen, and then asked the businessmen to collect tolls.
If Zhao Chen remembered correctly, this toll was collected for ten years, and the collection of this toll was also agreed upon.
However, Zhao Chen only gave an idea on this matter, and Lao Li Tou discussed the rest with the businessmen.
As for why these businessmen found him, Zhao Chen was also surprised.
He asked the maid to take him to the front hall, rested for a while, and then Zhao Chen slowly walked over.
"Your Majesty the County Duke!"
"Your Excellency, we are businessmen who are renovating Zhuque Avenue. Today, Your Excellency, we are here to talk to you. It's really a shame."
As soon as Zhao Chen arrived, several middle-aged people who were still sitting immediately stood up and held hands with Zhao Chen with apologetic smiles on their faces.
"Sit down." Zhao Chen nodded expressionlessly.
He didn't understand why these people came to him.
The maid served tea, but Zhao Chen didn't say anything, so he waited for a few people to take the initiative to speak.
There was silence for a while, and one of them couldn't sit still, so he said with a smile: "My Lord, this is Huang Zhi from the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce. We spent a lot of money on the renovation of Zhuque Avenue."
"Now that the construction of Zhuque Avenue is completed, we could collect tolls to repay the cost, but in Chang'an City, there are all high-ranking officials and nobles, how can we dare to collect this money?"
"What does this have to do with me?" Zhao Chen frowned.
The construction of Suzaku Avenue was not arranged by him, he just had an idea.
Is it possible that we have to collect tolls for them ourselves?
"My Lord, don't be upset, just listen to what the villain has to say." The businessman was still thinking very quickly. Seeing that Zhao Chen was displeased, he immediately advised him.
"It's like this. We just asked Your Majesty to know about this through our relationship, but His Majesty only sent a decree saying that the matter was originally arranged by the County Duke, and asked the young people to come and ask the County Duke for help." The businessman continued.
said.
"You see, this is His Majesty's will." A piece of thin silk was unfolded, and it did contain the content of the matter for Zhao Chen to handle.
Zhao Chen was curious.
How could this old Litou do this?
If a high-ranking official doesn't want to pay the toll, why should he ask Zhao Chen to collect it?
Doesn't this mean that you will offend those people to death?
Zhao Chen felt that Lao Li Tou thought he was not dying quickly enough, so he pushed him as hard as he could.
"Your Excellency, please help us. Your great kindness will be unforgettable in our lifetime."
Before Zhao Chen could say anything, he saw several businessmen in front of him kneeling on the ground.
Zhao Chen is not a holy mother.
He would not rush forward stupidly when something like this obviously offended someone.
"I've been very busy recently. His Majesty also insisted on letting me see some spring hunting. I really don't have time..."
"My lord, your majesty has also sent a message, don't forget how everyone treated you at today's meeting. He also said that your Majesty, you are here to guard the city gate, and you have the final say in and out of the city.
"
The words of rejection were on his lips.
I also heard the businessman in front of me convey the emperor's message to Zhao Chen.
Good guy, how could Zhao Chen forget those officials who just had to kill him one by one?
The emperor had to think about stability, but Zhao Chen didn't need to. Zhao Chen had long thought of punishing them severely.
This old Li Tou is also cunning. It is estimated that this is not the first time that businessmen have gone to tell the emperor about this matter.
Old Li Tou asked himself to guard the city gate, so he must have thought of this place for a long time.
"Have you ever submitted this matter before?" Zhao Chen asked.
"Yes, this is the third time today. We thought it would be the same as before, but we didn't expect..."
awesome!
This old Li Tou is indeed the emperor, and he absolutely hides it.
He had already calculated himself into it.
But I really couldn't refuse this job.
"Okay, you go back first, I already know about this."
"County Lord..."
"Yes, yes, sir, you are busy, so we will leave first. Oh, by the way, these are some small gifts, please accept them, sir."
The businessman named Huang Zhi smiled and held hands with Zhao Chen, pulling the others beside him to leave.
There was a small box on the table, and I didn't know what was in it.
…
"Mr. Guanyin, I almost revealed Zhao Chen's identity on the spot today."
"The little brat was prepared and didn't tell me in advance."
"When I'm free tomorrow, I'm going to kick his ass hard."
In the Li Zheng Hall, Li Shimin said angrily.
It seemed that he was still annoyed with Zhao Chen's performance in the court today.
"Your Majesty, have you ever noticed that there are only a few civil and military officials in the entire dynasty who speak for Zhao Chen?" Empress Changsun said, knitting bright red clothes in her hands.
"I'm trying to protect Zhao Chen today. I guess many people will see the fishiness in it, and there will probably be a lot of speculation."
"If they insist on letting me and Zhao Chen have a bloody acknowledgment..." Li Shimin shook his head and did not continue.
Although this kind of thing is just speculation, it is extremely inappropriate for Zhao Chen, Li Chengqian, and Li Tai.
Li Shimin believed that Zhao Chen must be his biological son.
What about Li Chengqian? Can he accept it?
"I was really afraid that the boy would be cornered, so I acted impulsively." Li Shimin shook his head again.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. Most of the ministers in the court have never seen His Majesty when he was young, and the ministers who have seen His Majesty when he was young will not spread this matter rashly."
"They also know that if this matter spreads, the entire court will be overthrown."
"Your Majesty and your concubines should try to be calmer in the future." Empress Changsun advised.
"Just now Hong Fu Nu came to ask me again when Zhao Chen and Ruoshuang's wedding will be held. If it is not decided, she wants to make her own decision and get married as soon as possible." Empress Changsun said again.
What she was sewing was Zhao Chen's wedding dress, and she didn't know how long it would take to finish sewing it.
"Just wait a minute, I will give Li Ruoshuang an identity first. Even if she is not officially married to Zhao Chen, she will still be the principal wife of the Zhao family." Li Shimin thought for a moment and said.