The shopkeeper of the tea shop is still the Cui Gongming whom Li Xuan met before.
As a member of the Cui family, he still looks loyal to Li Xuan.
As for the two stewards of the caravan, one is from Changsun's family and the other is from Li Chongyi's family.
Among the four people, only the accountant of the bank was from Li Xuan's house.
After these four people arrived at Li Yuanjing's palace, they were shocked when they saw all the young men in the palace, and they hurriedly greeted them.
"This is the Supreme Emperor!"
Li Chengqian leisurely introduced Li Yuan to the four people.
"The Great Emperor?"
Hearing this, the four of them were shocked and hurriedly bowed.
"Meet the Supreme Emperor!"
"Okay, you don't need to be polite!"
Li Yuan slowly waved his hand and said directly: "Today, I have called you here to inquire about something. I hope you can answer truthfully!"
Several people were surprised and quickly bowed their hands again.
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, the villain and others will tell you everything they know, and they will tell you everything!"
"Very good!"
Li Yuan nodded with satisfaction and pointed to the sofa beside him.
"Just sit down and chat while you drink tea!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The four of them sat down as they were told, but they couldn't sit down in peace in front of the Supreme Emperor, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, King Jin, King Zhao, King Wei, and the young men of their respective families.
Sitting half on his buttocks, he looked at Li Yuan expectantly.
"Both I and Liu Lang want to know what is the real situation in Pyongyang City now that it is under Liu Lang's rule?" Li Yuan said.
"this?"
Hearing this, Cui Gongming and the other three people couldn't help but look embarrassed.
"Um?"
Li Yuan's eyes flashed, he smiled gently, and asked again: "If you are in trouble, then I can change the topic."
"I only came to Pyongyang for one day and saw a lot of Koguryeo hozens. They were extremely afraid of my Tang soldiers and people, and they even had hatred on their faces.
I want to know where their hatred comes from?"
"Reporting to the Emperor, Goguryeo was conquered by His Majesty the King of Jin. More than 200,000 Goguryeo soldiers were killed outside Pyongyang City. Many of the soldiers and generals were the relatives and heirs of the Goguryeo people in the city. They attacked our Tang soldiers and generals.
Fear and hatred are human nature!
However, please rest assured, Your Majesty, these Goguryeo hozens have already been scared out of their wits by King Jin’s battle, and they don’t dare to have any thoughts of resistance when facing our soldiers of the Tang Dynasty!”
Cui Gongming quickly replied.
"I see!"
Li Yuan nodded slightly.
"Tell me, everyone, how are the officials in Pyongyang?"
Upon hearing this, Cui Gongming and the other three people couldn't help but have their eyes flickering and their faces full of hesitation.
"Why, do you have any unspeakable secrets that you can't tell me?"
Li Yuan said slowly.
Hearing this, Cui Gongming and the other three people couldn't help but look at Li Yuanjing subconsciously.
"Look what I'm doing. I've been sitting in the palace all day. I don't know much about what the officials below are doing. So I asked the three brothers to call you here. If you know anything, just tell me.
That’s it!” Li Yuanjing said.
"You don't need to hide anything, and you don't need to worry. Just tell me what you have to say!"
Li Xuan also said.
"Yes, the Great Emperor!"
Cui Gongming looked determined, slightly arched his hand to Li Yuan, and said: "This villain has been in charge of the tea shop in Pyongyang City for several years. Therefore, he has more or less control over the powerful and wealthy Goguryeo businessmen in Pyongyang City.
They are all somewhat familiar.”
"Before His Royal Highness King Zhao took over Pyongyang City, these Goguryeo powerful and wealthy businessmen could be said to be in charge of the life and death of all the people in Pyongyang City. They lived a happy life every day, which was more nourishing than the life of the King of Goguryeo.
.
However, since His Highness King Zhao took over the entire city of Pyongyang, the good days of those powerful people and wealthy businessmen have come to an end!"
"oh?"
Li Yuan's expression condensed, "Tell me the details!"
Cui Gongming glanced at Li Yuanjing subconsciously again.
"Don't look at Rokuro, he also wants to know the specific truth!"
Li Yuan said directly.
Li Yuanjing nodded slightly.
"Yes, the Great Emperor!"
Cui Gongming sorted out his thoughts and continued: "After King Zhao took over Pyongyang City, he asked his confidant General Liu Zongxin to take over the city defense of Pyongyang City, and he was also responsible for patrolling the streets and alleys of Pyongyang City.
It was okay at first, the people of Goguryeo were full of joy, and those ruffians and bullies who committed crimes in the city all day long were sent to prison.
However, a few months later, the people and dignitaries of Goguryeo began to complain.
Because, instead of the ruffians and bullies, Captain Liu is here again."
As he said that, Cui Gongming couldn't help but glance at Li Yuanjing again and said hesitantly: "I heard that Captain Liu attacked those powerful and wealthy businessmen in order to send money and beautiful prostitutes to His Highness King Zhao.
I expect that these merchants in the Tang Dynasty are better off, they only need to pay enough taxes.
However, in addition to paying enough taxes, those Goguryeo dignitaries and wealthy businessmen also need to pay an extra sum of money every month, or some rare treasures, or a team of beautiful Goguryeo prostitutes, or beautiful prostitutes from Japan.
, a beautiful prostitute from Silla.
These are their tributes to King Zhao. If they fail to hand them over, they will be beaten in the street by Liu Duwei and a group of soldiers, or they will break into their homes and be beaten, and their property and women will be robbed.
!”
"So cruel?"
Hearing this, Li Xuan and Li Yuan were all startled.
"How much money does each wealthy businessman or powerful person pay each month?"
Li Xuan asked.
"Back to your Majesty, Captain Liu has a different distinction between rich merchants and powerful people. According to the amount of property, shops and caravans of those rich businessmen and powerful people, they are divided into five levels.
The fifth-level rich and powerful businessmen have the least wealth. They only need to hand over a rare treasure, twenty guan of money, or a beautiful prostitute every month!
Then, it is the fourth degree, with twice as many elements as the fifth degree;
Then comes the third grade, adding four times to the fifth grade... and so on, all the way up to the first grade!"
Cui Gongming said cautiously.
"What a great money-maker!"
Li Xuan couldn't help but chuckle.
Li Chengqian, Cheng Chusi and others on the side were stunned after hearing this.
"How many wealthy businessmen and powerful people are there in Pyongyang? How much money can they receive in one month?"
Li Yuanjing's face was full of gloom, "Liu Zongxin is indeed a good and loyal minister. I didn't expect that he would dare to do such evil things behind my back with his honest face!"
"Okay, there's no need to be like this in front of me!"
Li Yuan slowly waved his hand and continued to look at Cui Gongming.
"You have been in Pyongyang for so many years. Do you know how many fifth-class wealthy businessmen and dignitaries there are, how many fourth-class wealthy businessmen and dignitaries, how many third-class, second-class, and first-class wealthy businessmen and dignitaries there are in Pyongyang City? How much money can Liu Zongxin receive in one month?
?Or a beautiful prostitute or a rare treasure?"
Li Yuanjing smiled awkwardly, his face full of embarrassment.
At the same time, he also kept a close eye on Cui Gongming. He also wanted to know these questions.