Li Shimin

Chapter 813

The shopkeeper of the tea shop was the same Cui Gongming that Li Xuan had seen before.

As a member of the Cui family, but towards Li Xuan, he still looks loyal.

As for the two stewards of the caravan, one belonged to the eldest grandson's family and the other belonged to Li Chongyi's family.

Among the four people, only the accountant of the bank was from Li Xuan's house.

After these four people came to Li Yuanjing's palace, they were startled when they saw the young gentlemen of their own family in the palace, and hurriedly saluted.

"This is the Supreme Emperor!"

Li Chengqian leisurely introduced Li Yuan to the four of them.

"The Supreme Emperor?"

Hearing this, the four of them were shocked, and hurriedly saluted.

"The villain sees the Supreme Emperor!"

"Okay, you don't need to be too polite!"

Li Yuan waved his hand slowly, and said directly: "Today, I called you here to inquire about something, I hope you can answer truthfully!"

A few people thought in their hearts, and hurriedly bowed their hands again.

"Please rest assured, the Supreme Emperor, the villain and others will definitely know everything and say everything!"

"Very good!"

Li Yuan nodded in satisfaction, and pointed to the sofa beside him.

"Just sit down and chat while drinking tea!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The four of them sat down as promised, but in front of the Supreme Emperor, His Highness the Crown Prince, Jin Wang, Zhao Wang, Wei Wang, and Xiao Lang from their families, how could they sit with peace of mind.

Sitting with half of his buttocks, he looked at Li Yuan expectantly.

"Both the old man and Liu Lang want to know, what is the real situation of Pyongyang City now under Liu Lang's rule?" Li Yuan said.

"This?"

Hearing this, Cui Gongming and the other three could not help but feel embarrassed.

"Ok?"

Li Yuan's eyes flashed, he smiled gently, and asked again: "If you are in trouble, then I will change the topic."

"The old man only came to Pyongyang City for one day, and saw a lot of Goguryeo hozen. They were extremely afraid of my Tang soldiers and the people, and even hated them.

The old man wanted to know, where did their hatred come from? "

"Reporting to the Supreme Emperor, Goguryeo was attacked by His Royal Highness King Jin. More than 20 Goguryeo soldiers were killed outside Pyongyang. Many of the soldiers were relatives and descendants of the Goguryeo people in the city. They were afraid of my Tang soldiers. Love and hatred are human nature!
However, please rest assured, the Supreme Emperor, these Goguryeo hozens have long been frightened by the battle of King Jin, and they dare not have any thoughts of resistance in the face of my soldiers of the Tang Dynasty! "

Cui Gongming quickly replied.

"I see!"

Li Yuan nodded slightly.

"Talk about it, how about those officials in Pyongyang?"

Hearing this, Cui Gongming and the other three couldn't help their eyes flickering, their faces full of hesitation.

"Why, what are you hiding, why don't you tell the old man?"

Li Yuan said slowly.

Hearing this, Cui Gongming and the other three couldn't help but look at Li Yuanjing subconsciously.

"Let's see what this king is doing. This king sits in the palace all day, and he is not very clear about what the officials below are doing. That's why I asked the third brother to bring you here. If you know anything, just speak bluntly." That's it!" Li Yuanjing said.

"You don't need to hide, and you don't need to worry, just speak up!"

Li Xuan also said.

"Yes, the Supreme Emperor!"

Cui Gongming looked certain, and slightly arched his hands to Li Yuan, and said: "The villain has been in charge of the tea shop in Pyongyang for several years. Therefore, for those Goguryeo rich and powerful merchants in Pyongyang, more or less It's all a little familiar."

"Before His Royal Highness King Zhao took over Pyongyang City, these Goguryeo dignitaries and rich merchants, in Pyongyang City, can be said to be in charge of the life and death of the people in Pyongyang City. They are happy and happy every day, and they are more nourishing than the days of the Goguryeo King. .

However, since His Royal Highness King Zhao took over the entire Pyongyang City, the good times of those powerful and wealthy businessmen have come to an end! "

"Oh?"

Li Yuan's expression froze, "Tell the old man about it in detail!"

Cui Gongming subconsciously glanced at Li Yuanjing again.

"Don't look at Liu Lang, he also wants to know the specific truth!"

Li Yuan said directly.

Li Yuanjing nodded slightly.

"Yes, the Supreme Emperor!"

Cui Gongming sorted out his thoughts, and then 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 at the same time he was responsible for patrolling the streets and alleys of Pyongyang City.

Fortunately, at the beginning, the people of Goguryeo were full of joy, and those local ruffians who committed crimes in the city all day were sent to prison.

However, after a few months, the people and dignitaries of Goguryeo began to complain.

Because, without the local ruffians and bullies, Liu Duwei came again. "

As he said that, Cui Gongming couldn't help but glanced at Li Yuanjing again, and said hesitantly: "I heard that in order to send money and beautiful prostitutes to His Highness King Zhao, Captain Liu targeted those rich and powerful merchants.

It's better for me to wait for these merchants from the Tang Dynasty, as long as they pay enough taxes.

However, in addition to paying full 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 Goguryeo prostitutes, or Japanese prostitutes , Silla prostitutes.

These are their offerings to the King of Zhao. If they fail to hand them over, they will be beaten in the street by Liu Duwei with a group of soldiers, or they will break into his home and beat him badly, and they will rob his family's property and family members ! "

"So cruel?"

Hearing this, Li Xuan and Li Yuan couldn't help being startled.

"How much property does each wealthy businessman or dignitary pay each month?"

Li Xuan asked.

"Returning to Your Majesty, Captain Liu has a different distinction between those rich businessmen and dignitaries. According to the wealth of the wealthy businessmen and dignitaries, they are divided into five classes.

The fifth-class rich and powerful merchants have the least property, and they only need to hand in a rare treasure, or twenty pennies, or a beautiful prostitute every month!
Then, it is the fourth class, and the members of the fifth class will be doubled;
Then there is the third class, adding four times to the members of the fifth class... and so on, all the way to the first class! "

Cui Gongming said cautiously.

"What a money-making minister!"

Li Xuan couldn't help but chuckled.

Li Chengqian, Cheng Chusi and others on the side were dumbfounded.

"How many wealthy businessmen and dignitaries are there in Pyongyang? How much money can they receive in a month?"

Li Yuanjing's face was gloomy, "Liu Zongxin, he is indeed a good and loyal minister. I didn't expect him to be simple and honest, and dare to do such evil things behind my king's back!"

"Okay, in front of the old man, there is no need to do this!"

Li Yuan waved his hand slowly, and continued to look at Cui Gongming.

"You have been in Pyongyang for so many years, do you know how many wealthy businessmen and dignitaries of the fifth class, how many wealthy businessmen and dignitaries of the fourth class, how many wealthy businessmen and dignitaries of the third class, second class, and first class are there in Pyongyang City? How much money can Liu Zongxin receive in one month? ? Or beautiful prostitutes, rare treasures?"

Li Yuanjing smiled awkwardly, his face full of embarrassment.

At the same time, he also stared at Cui Gongming closely. He also wanted to know these questions.

……

(End of this chapter)