Datang: Hiding private money, exposed by Xiao Sizi

Chapter 637 Tell them! Leave now!

“It’s not good for me to get involved in the past.”

"You can't tell anyone to prevent a case from happening, right?"

"Then isn't this clearly telling everyone that something unexpected might happen?"

Wu Shiqi frowned and said, "Master Shen is right."

"But without Lord Shen's participation, I always feel a little unsure."

"This Wanbang Chamber of Commerce is of great significance. Even the slightest accident may lead to huge consequences."

"So, no matter what, no accidents can happen."

"And in this world, if there is anyone who can do this, it is only Lord Shen."

"So, Lord Shen, please be sure to join us in the affairs of the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce."

Shen Lian pondered for a moment.

He said, "If I were to join, Sir Wu, I would probably share some of your credit. Aren't you worried?"

Wu Shiqi smiled and said, "It's all for the betterment of the Tang Dynasty."

"And at our level, to be honest, merit is no longer that important to us."

"Besides, the trust and salary that Your Majesty has given me are more than enough. I only hope that I can live up to Your Majesty and make the Great Tang Dynasty that all of us have worked so hard to build even more prosperous."

Shen Lian nodded with emotion and said, "I admire Master Wu's selflessness."

Wu Shiqi smiled bitterly and said, "It's not so much selflessness, it's more of a fact."

"After all, I am now the Minister of Revenue. If I am promoted again, I will be the Prime Minister. But there is only one position for the Prime Minister. I know my ability, so I don't think about it."

"I will be satisfied if I can do a good job as the Minister of Revenue."

Shen Lian smiled.

What the warrior said is correct.

Having reached this position, his official career has come to an end.

Not everyone can be the prime minister.

Moreover, Fang Xuanling is in good health and sitting very steadily, so others have even less chance.

Therefore, for Wu Shiqi, doing his job well and not competing for anything might leave a good impression in Li Shimin's mind, and maybe this would give him extra points...

Shen Lian thought for a moment and said, "I do have a reason."

"But this reason may cause some criticism."

Wu Shiqi asked hurriedly: "What's the reason?"

Shen Lian smiled and said, "Master Wu, don't forget that I'm getting married soon."

"So, I have another identity, that is, the future imperial consort of the Tang Dynasty."

"Therefore, if I show up in this capacity, I think people will be able to accept me."

When Wu Shiqi heard this, his eyes lit up immediately.

He said: "Yes, how could I forget that Lord Shen is about to get married."

"Everyone knows that once the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce is successfully run, it will definitely be a great achievement."

"So if Your Majesty allows the future prince consort to participate in the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce and take some credit for the future prince consort, this is indeed completely understandable."

"but……"

Wu Shiqi looked at Shen Lian and said, "As Lord Shen said, doing this might leave some impression on Lord Shen, because some people might think that Your Majesty is specifically trying to open a backdoor for Lord Shen, and Lord Shen is coming here just to take credit."

Shen Lian smiled and said, "This is a good thing, isn't it?"

"what?"

The warrior was startled.

Shen Lian just smiled and said, "My appearance will make people think that I am just trying to take credit for the achievements instead of targeting Beidou and other thieves from other countries. This will make them relax their vigilance."

"So, this is a cover-up just for me, isn't it?"

When Wu Shiqi heard Shen Lian's words, he looked at Shen Lian in a daze.

He said: "Master Shen is right."

"Indeed, the more they think so, the more they will relax their vigilance and will not be so defensive against Lord Shen."

"only……"

He looked at Shen Lian and said, "This will have some impact on Lord Shen's reputation."

Shen Lian shook his head and said with a smile: "It doesn't matter."

"I am not a great scholar who needs to rely on reputation to make a living."

"Moreover, the people support me because of my ability to solve cases. If I don't have this ability, then my so-called reputation is like the moon in the water or the flower in the mirror."

"So, this kind of reputation is gone, and I don't care! As long as I solve more cases for the people and do more practical things, the people will naturally support me again!"

"Besides, if the Beidou Society really takes action and I crush their plan, then the people will know the real reason why I joined the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce."

"That would help to enhance my reputation."

"Therefore..."

Shen Lian smiled and said, "Master Wu, don't worry about me. This has no impact on me."

Wu Shiqi listened to Shen Lian's words and couldn't help but sigh: "Lord Shen doesn't care about fame, wealth and fortune. He is frank and natural, and he does what he wants. I admire him very much."

"To be honest, I can't do what Lord Shen does."

"Although I know that it will be difficult for me to get promoted to a higher position, I don't want my reputation to be affected."

"After all, I have struggled all my life, and I don't want to be misunderstood in the end."

"That's why I admire Lord Shen even more. Not every official in this world can be as open-minded as Lord Shen."

Shen Lian smiled and said, "People have different pursuits, so naturally they have different views on some things."

"Anyway, it's settled."

He looked at Wu Shiqi and said, "Please tell His Majesty that Lord Wu will cooperate with us to perform this play well."

Wu Shiqi nodded and said, "That's no problem. I'm going to see His Majesty soon. I will tell His Majesty about Lord Shen's plan."

Shen Lian nodded, took a few more bites of the food, and said, "This dish tastes really good."

Wu Shiqi and Wu Meiniang were stunned for a moment.

A second ago, Shen Lian was still seriously discussing the business of the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce.

The next second, he said the food tasted really good.

This topic jump is really a bit abrupt.

But they also knew that Shen Lian said this because he had said everything that needed to be said.

There is no point in discussing it further.

So it’s better to relax.

Just like this, everyone toasted each other again, and the meal was a great enjoyment for both the host and the guests.

Half an hour later, everyone left the restaurant.

Wu Shiqi went to the palace to find Li Shimin.

Before leaving, he also took Wu Meiniang with him, for he was afraid that Wu Meiniang would cause trouble if he was not careful.

Shen Lian and Wang Xiaohua walked towards the Dali Temple.

On the road.

Shen Lian asked Wang Xiaohua: "What do you think of Wu Meiniang?"

Wang Xiaohua blinked, looked at Shen Lian in surprise, and asked, "Why would Lord Shen pay attention to Miss Wu?"

"Sir, do you have any ideas?"

Shen Lian's eyelids jumped: "Why do you have such an idea?"

"I'm just asking."

"After all, Miss Wu has done a lot of unexpected things. I just want to hear your opinion of her."

In fact, it was no wonder that Wang Xiaohua was surprised. Shen Lian had never shown any curiosity towards any woman before.

So she suddenly lost her mind.

After hearing Shen Lian's explanation, she felt relieved.

She smiled and said, "Miss Wu, I think she is very smart and has unique insights into many things."

"She is different from other women I have met. She is a person who never gives up. Her wish is not to be a wife and mother, but to create her own career."

"Anyway..."

She thought for a moment and said, "He is definitely not someone who is content with the status quo. I have a feeling that in the future, she will either create a great career, or...something big may happen."

As a thief, Wang Xiaohua has her own way of judging people.

When she was a thief in the past, she also used these methods to determine whether she could steal other people's things.

So, although her contact with Wu Meiniang was not long.

But I also saw a lot of things.

Shen Lian narrowed his eyes.

He was thinking, she is worthy of being Wu Meiniang!
In just a short period of time, such an image has been established in Wang Xiaohua's mind!

And Wang Xiaohua is really good at judging people!
Indeed, Wu Meiniang will create a great career in the future!

She's become an empress.

Isn’t this a big business?
The next day.

early morning.

The Qinyuan Restaurant in Yonglefang in Chang'an City was extremely lively at this time.

Foreign caravans gathered here one after another.

At this time, the people from the foreign chambers of commerce were queuing up to get the keys to their rooms from the waiter.

Outside, people were watching this scene with curiosity.

“Why are all these Gentiles gathered together?”

"I heard that they are all businessmen who came to participate in the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce. The Honglu Temple gathered them together to facilitate the preparations for the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce."

"I see. No wonder all these foreign merchants gathered together."

"But the fact that the Honglu Temple chose Qinyuan Restaurant shows that they put a lot of thought into it!"

Qinyuan Restaurant is a very famous restaurant in the bustling Yonglefang.

It covers a large area, has many houses, is luxuriously decorated, and the prices of vegetables are extremely high.

It is one of the largest restaurants in Chang'an City.

Therefore, it can be seen that the Honglu Temple chose this place to receive these merchants, which definitely cost a lot of money.

At this time, a carriage stopped.

Wu Shiqi and Shen Lian walked out of the carriage.

Looking at the restaurant where the crowd had gathered, Wu Shiqi said, "This Qinyuan Restaurant is actually controlled by the Ministry of Revenue."

"The national treasury has not been very abundant in recent years, so we have to find a way to get more money to maintain expenses."

"Therefore, with the permission of His Majesty, we secretly controlled some businesses, and this Qinyuan Restaurant is one of them."

"This restaurant is located in a prosperous area. The price of dishes can be sold at ten times the original price, and the profit is also several times higher. There are many wealthy people coming and going. It is not an exaggeration to say that they make a lot of money every day. They have created a lot of wealth for the court."

"This time, in order to accommodate these foreign chambers of commerce in one go and to show our sincerity, we let them stay in Qinyuan Restaurant."

Wu Shiqi sighed and said, "If we let them stay for one day, we will lose one day's profit, which is a lot of money."

Shen Lian smiled and said, "If the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce is successfully held, the income it brings to Datang will be far more than a restaurant can match."

Wu Shiqi smiled and said, "Master Shen is right."

He looked at Shen Lian and said, "Sir Shen, are you going to show up next?"

Shen Lian pondered for a moment.

He immediately shook his head.

He said: "Just tell them that I will come over occasionally and I will keep an eye on them in secret."

"At this time, it is more appropriate to be in the dark than in the light."

"But I will definitely show up in the future, so I have to take precautions in advance to avoid appearing too abruptly and causing others to have objections."

Wu Shiqi nodded and said, "Okay, then I will go and entertain them first."

Shen Lian nodded slightly: "Master Wu, don't worry about me. I have my own arrangements."

Wu Shiqi knew Shen Lian's abilities.

Shen Lian is smart and wise, and knows what should be done better than him.

He said, "Then Sir Shen, please do as you please."

The warrior did not delay any longer and turned to leave.

After Wu Shiqi left, Shen Lian turned around and went to a nearby alley.

Here, someone is already waiting.

Sishe bowed to Qin Zulai and said, "Young Master."

Shen Lian nodded and said, "Did you bring the things?"

Snake took out a box.

Shen Lian opened it and found a full set of disguise equipment inside.

He quickly picked up the human skin mask and changed his appearance.

After a moment, Shen Lian turned into a middle-aged man with a very ordinary appearance.

Shen Lian smiled and said, "Let's go and see what's going on."

The two walked in through the back door of the restaurant.

Then he pretended to be a member of the restaurant, standing aside and looking at these foreign merchants curiously.

At this time, Wu Shiqi was introducing to them the reason why they were brought together.

They also said that their weapons would be temporarily taken away.

Wu Shiqi did not target them specifically, but said that this was the rule of the Tang Dynasty. In the city of Chang'an, no one except government officials could carry weapons. This was for the safety of everyone.

With this reason, these Gentile merchants did not refuse or object.

Shen Lian leaned against the pillar, looked at the expressions of these merchants, and said: "Sishe, the shadow guards have been watching some people for a while, have you found anything unusual?"

Sishe shook his head: "Everything is normal. The people the shadow guards are watching are all very well behaved. I didn't find anything unusual."

Shen Lian narrowed his eyes.

"It seems that everyone is very cautious!"

"But that's okay……"

He raised the corners of his mouth and said slowly: "Without weapons, they will have to find a way."

As the Minister of Revenue, Wu Shiqi naturally has extremely strong abilities.

So dealing with some businessmen is naturally a piece of cake.

Soon, these merchants handed over their weapons according to Wu Shiqi's instructions.

Then they collected their keys and returned to their rooms.

The samurai did not prohibit them from traveling or restrict their personal freedom.

After all, most of these businessmen are here to do real business.

Only a few people have problems.

Therefore, it is impossible for Wu Shiqi to do so, because that minority of people influenced the majority’s views on the Tang Dynasty!

Therefore, apart from gathering them together and taking away their weapons, the warriors did not restrict them from doing anything else.

He just told them to attend the Parliament of All Nations on time in two days and then left.

…………