Datang: Hiding private money, exposed by Xiao Sizi

Sishe was following behind Shen Lian, so he clearly saw how Shen Lian walked.

Shen Lian was just walking around casually, and his eyes were just casually passing by like an ordinary citizen who came here for a stroll.

But just with this casual glance, he discovered so many details that he hadn't noticed even when he looked carefully!

Sishe just felt that the young master’s brain was really terrifying!

Is this something a human brain can do?
This is something only gods can do, right?

However, Shen Lian just said nonchalantly: "It's nothing. They are not well prepared. It would be strange if I couldn't find such an obvious problem."

Snake thinks the young master is really too modest.

Even if these businessmen's performance is somewhat obvious, it is only relative.

If no one specifically keeps an eye on them for a period of time, Snake believes that no one will be able to discover the problems of these people.

But sir, it was just a glimpse!
That’s all I found!

This is truly divine!
Shen Lian saw Sishe's shocked expression, smiled and shook his head, he said: "Okay, don't worry about being shocked, send someone to keep an eye on them next, make sure to keep a close eye on them."

"We're not sure what their plans are right now."

"I'm not sure if they are planning to assassinate at night like Japan."

"It's still the same as the Khitan, just take action and cause trouble."

"The unknown is always the most dangerous, so you must keep a close eye on them. Once there is something wrong with them, you must control them directly even if it means exposing your presence!"

"We must not allow any ordinary citizen here to be harmed!"

When Sishe saw Shen Lian’s serious expression, he immediately stopped smiling.

Sishe stood up straight and said, "Master, don't worry. We have brought enough people here today. We are not afraid of them causing trouble, but we are afraid of them not causing trouble!"

"Now that the young master has discovered their identities, they will never have any chance to cause trouble again!"

Shen Lian nodded.

He said: "Si Snake, I'll have to work hard on you guys from now on. No matter what, you must ensure the safety of the people. This is our bottom line!"

"We can accept them causing trouble, and even accept merchants from other countries getting into trouble, but we can never accept anything happening to the people of the Tang Dynasty!"

Shen Lian is a person who protects his own shortcomings.

As an official of the Tang Dynasty, he naturally has to put the safety of the people of the Tang Dynasty as his top priority!
Therefore, if it is really impossible to protect everyone, then we should prioritize protecting the people of the Tang Dynasty!

This is what Shen Lian has always understood!

This is also the understanding of the Snakes!

Sishe said: "I understand!"

Shen Lian said no more. Si Snake had followed him for a long time, and he believed in Si Snake's abilities.

He continued to walk forward, still as he did before, his eyes seemingly casual, but in fact he was carefully observing a person's behavior, and at the same time processing and comparing them in his mind.

So as to discover the problem.

However, after Shen Lian completed the round this time, he did not find any abnormal behavior from the people in the caravan.

He narrowed his eyes.

Although he didn't find anyone with a problem anymore.

But that doesn’t mean there will be no problem for other caravans.

Perhaps some enemies have noticed this and have conducted special training.

If that were the case, it wouldn't be so easy to detect.

After all, Shen Lian didn't have enough time and energy to waste on each one of them, so he could only explore as he walked.

If the enemy was on guard, it would be normal that Shen Lian couldn't detect it.

However, this time, being able to discover the problems of the Kingdom of Kucha can be considered a gain.

At least for Shen Lian and his team, one less enemy lurking in the dark was eliminated.

Reduced the risk by one point.

Shen Lian went around all the stalls and returned to his starting position.

As soon as he arrived here, a guard came over and whispered to Shen Lian, "Sir Shen, His Majesty wants to see you."

"His Majesty?"

Shen Lian's eyes flashed: "Your Majesty is here too?"

The guard lowered his voice and said, "It's in the restaurant across the street."

Shen Lian immediately understood.

It seems that Li Shimin also cares a lot about the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce!

Therefore, he could not sit still when the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce was convened.

Shen Lian said: "Lead the way."

As he said that, he and the guards came to the Jiulou opposite.

The restaurant was exceptionally lively at this time.

The diners were drinking and discussing the affairs of the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce across the street.

All kinds of talk and boasting continued to be heard.

Wanbang Chamber of Commerce is an unprecedented super event.

This time, it really attracted everyone's attention.

For a time, in Chang'an City, anyone who did not talk about the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce would be considered out of touch with the news.

When eating melons, you are looked down upon.

Therefore, the four words "Wanbang Chamber of Commerce" were heard everywhere in the restaurant.

Shen Lian came to the second floor with such accompaniment.

Then, he was taken to a private room by the guards.

He knocked on the door.

Soon, a steady voice came from inside the door: "Come in."

The guard looked at Qin Wenyuan and said, "Sir Shen, please!"

Shen Lian entered the private room.

In the private room, Li Shimin was sitting by the window, looking at him with a smile.

Shen Lian stepped forward and bowed to Li Shimin: "Your Majesty."

Li Shimin smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Don't be so polite, sit down."

"I ordered your favorite dish. Please try it and see if it suits your taste."

When Shen Lian heard this, he looked towards the table.

There were braised duck and smoked lamb legs on the table. These dishes were indeed his favorites.

He smiled and said, "It seems that I will have a chance to feast on my appetite today."

Having said that, Shen Lian did not bother to be polite with Li Shimin.

He sat directly opposite Li Shimin, not being restrained at all.

Shen Lian and Changle's wedding is approaching, and they will soon be a family, so Shen Lian has no reason to be polite.

Li Shimin liked Shen Lian's casual and natural attitude towards himself.

He smiled and added a piece of braised duck neck to Lu Qing, saying, "Try it."

Shen Lian picked up the duck neck and took a bite, his eyes suddenly lit up. He said, "It tastes very good, not too salty or bland, the marinade is completely absorbed into the duck neck, very good."

It’s a pity that chili peppers had not yet been introduced to the Tang Dynasty at that time.

Otherwise, add some chili and make it spicy duck neck, which will be even more delicious.

Seeing that Shen Lian liked it, Li Shimin also smiled and nodded.

He said, "This duck neck was specially prepared for you by Changle. She said that you and him are going to get married soon. According to the rules, she can't leave the palace at will. She knows you are busy and is worried that you won't eat well. Knowing that I am going to leave, she came to me and asked me to prepare your favorite food for you."

Shen Lian felt touched and warmed when he heard this.

He said, "Your Highness is very kind."

Li Shimin snorted, "Of course it's good, but she hasn't even married you yet, and she's already leaning on you. She only cares about what you like to eat, but completely forgets what I also want to eat. As a result, all the dishes on this table are your favorites."

Shen Lian smiled and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. Your Highness is just concerned about me now. When I marry Your Highness, Your Highness won't have to worry about me anymore. We will honor Your Majesty together."

After hearing Shen Lian's words, Li Shimin nodded with satisfaction.

He said, "You are still good at talking."

Shen Lian smiled and said, "What I said is the truth. My father... I don't know where he is now. My mother... I don't know where she is either. I don't know whether she is alive or dead."

"So, in front of us, there is only one elder, Your Majesty. If we don't respect Your Majesty, who else can we respect?"

Hearing Shen Lian talking about his life experience, Li Shimin felt a little distressed.

Shen Lian grew up under his own eyes. After Shen Lian's father passed away, Li Shimin had been secretly taking care of Shen Lian on behalf of Shen Lian's father.

So in Li Shimin's heart, even if Shen Lian did not marry Changle, he was still half his son.

Therefore, as he knew Shen Lian inside and out, he felt even more sorry for this optimistic and smart child.

Because Shen Lian was too smart, Li Shimin couldn't say any words of comfort.

Li Shimin sighed and said, "Sometimes, not knowing the news may be the best news."

Shen Lian smiled and said, "I understand."

He smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you should eat quickly too, don't leave me alone to eat."

Li Shimin felt relieved when he saw that Shen Lian's carefree attitude was not fake.

While eating, he said, "Is the convening of the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce going smoothly?"

Shen Lian nodded: "Before the meeting, there were some twists and turns, but I solved them."

"It's going smoothly now, but because there are several forces with ill intentions hiding in these caravans, there will definitely be twists and turns later."

"But we will find a way to prevent the twists and turns from affecting the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce. Basically, it will not have a major impact on the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce. Your Majesty can rest assured."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin nodded slightly.

He said, "I am very confident in your work."

"This Wanbang Chamber of Commerce will have a huge impact and will be of great significance to the development of Datang in the next few decades or even hundreds of years. So no matter what happens, we must ensure that the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce is held normally."

"Whatever you want to do, just do it. If you need manpower or other support, just tell me directly. I will give you the greatest power and let you do it."

Shen Lian listened to Li Shimin's words, smiled and nodded.

He said: "Your Majesty, the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce actually doesn't have any major problems right now, and I am not worried about the problems of the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce."

"On the contrary, what I am worried about now is things outside the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce."

When Li Shimin heard Shen Lian's words, his eyes flashed.

He couldn't help but frowned, looked at Shen Lian, and asked: "Why do you say that?"

"You are worried about things outside the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce? Why should you worry about things outside the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce?"

Shen Lian took a bite of the lamb leg and said, "I have a few questions I would like to ask Your Majesty first."

Li Shimin said: "Ask."

"The first question is, how important is the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce to the Tang Dynasty?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin was somewhat confused about the purpose of Shen Lian asking this question.

But he still said: "Of course it is very important."

"Now the alliance of nations has achieved initial results in military affairs. Nanzhao is about to be conquered. This will be the first military victory of our alliance of nations."

"It can be said that the Alliance of Nations was just a newly formed alliance before this, and it was very loose."

"Now, the alliance of nations has truly achieved tacit understanding and the ability to cooperate militarily!"

"However, the connection between countries is not as simple as military!"

"Really wanting the alliance of countries to play its due value, so that we can benefit each other and advance and retreat together militarily, is only one aspect."

“More importantly, in daily life.”

"As long as the people of each other recognize each other, then the alliance of nations can truly unite."

"And this requires the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce!"

Li Shimin explained the value of the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce in a very organized manner.

He said: "On the surface, the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce is just a simple business transaction."

"But in fact, this is a channel for people in each country to understand other countries."

"Through doing business, they will have an impression of people from other countries and connect with each other in their hearts."

"And as the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce develops, the people of each country will benefit from it. By then, the people will spontaneously support the Alliance of Nations because they will clearly feel the improvement in their lives brought by the Alliance of Nations."

"Therefore, the important role of the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce is to build a channel for mutual connection and to create an opportunity for the alliance of nations to identify themselves among the people!"

Shen Lian nodded.

He couldn't help but feel emotional.

As expected of an emperor, he has a commanding view.

Although no one had ever told Li Shimin about the value of the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce, and although there were limitations of the times, Li Shimin was able to express the same opinion as later generations.

Shen Lian said: "Since the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce is so important, now that the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce has been convened, how high is its status in the hearts of His Majesty and the officials during this period of time?"

Li Shimin said: "Of course it is the highest position!"

"The Wanbang Chamber of Commerce is so important that all of us have to work hard for it, so he is naturally the most important!"

Shen Lian said: "That means that everyone, including Your Majesty, is paying attention to the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce!"

"Even today, His Majesty came here in person to see the convening of the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce."

Li Shimin nodded and said, "Isn't this normal?"

"The Wanbang Chamber of Commerce is so important. It is the most important thing in the entire Tang Dynasty at present, so it naturally attracts more attention."

Shen Lian put down his chopsticks.

He sat upright and looked at Li Shimin, saying, "It has attracted much attention, so there is no problem with that!"

"But the question is, what if not all the thieves are targeting the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce?"

"what?"

Li Shimin was stunned.

Shen Lian said: "If there is a thief, what if his goal is something else?"

"And it just so happens that the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce has attracted everyone's attention. This Wanbang Chamber of Commerce has naturally diverted everyone's attention for them, right?"

"And it just so happens that the Wanbang Chamber of Commerce has attracted everyone's attention. This Wanbang Chamber of Commerce has naturally diverted everyone's attention for them, right?"

(End of this chapter)