Emperor of the Tang Dynasty

"Sure enough, His Royal Highness the King of Chu is innocent, and the tyrants of aristocratic families are all nonsense!"

"I'll just say, His Royal Highness the King of Chu has done so many good things for the people of Youzhou, how could it be as bad as they say?"

For the people of the Tang Dynasty who lacked entertainment, any new thing can spread for a long time, so this "White Haired Girl" is still an important topic of discussion after dinner.

But the remarks of the people on the streets were too unfriendly to Lu Xuanji.

"Damn!"

Lu Xuanji slapped the table 237 angrily, causing the food to jump up, but he was still unable to vent his inner anger.

"I didn't expect this part of the money to be spent in vain, but there is no return at all!" Lu Xuanji thought painfully, "Think of me, the dignified patriarch of the Lu family, who was defeated by a brat like Li You, the king of Chu, in a duel? !"

how can that be!

Lu Xuanji absolutely did not want to admit such humiliation: "This is only temporary! King Li You of Chu must have thought we were hurting a lot now, right? But he didn't know that this loss was only for Fan Yang Lu's family. It's just a fur injury!"

This is not Lu Xuanji's self-comfort, but the terrifying power of the five surnames and seven Wang is really beyond imagination, no one knows how rich and powerful they are after so many years.

After all, it is said that the Fan Yang Lu clan of Lu Xuanji still existed until the Qing Dynasty, and it is still powerful. It has not fallen through the past dynasties, and it can survive more lasting than any dynasty. It can be seen that it is extremely terrifying and powerful!

Just as he was thinking about this, several voices of discussion entered Lu Xuanji's ears.

"By the way... Speaking of this, have you heard the recent rumor? I heard that His Royal Highness Chu King plans to take action against the salt merchants entering Youzhou, and it seems that the tax will be increased!"

Chapter 221 The scene was very embarrassing for a while

"what?!"

When Lu Xuanji heard the words, he was taken aback and immediately perked up his ears to continue listening.

"This matter has been rumored throughout Youzhou..."

"That's probably true, but I don't know why His Royal Highness the King of Chu would do this?"

After listening for a while, Lu Xuanji's expression became solemn.

He knows more than the common people who don't know anything. For example, the salt tax is in charge of the imperial court. It is absolutely impossible for a prince of Chu Wang Li You to charge a salt tax. There is only one and that is to add tariffs and transaction taxes to the entry of salt merchants, that is, taxes on top of taxes!

In this way, the salt tax of the imperial court can be bypassed, and the big fat sheep like the salt merchant can be exploited in other names.

"It's really a good plan... It's just why this news has been spread all over the city, but I rarely hear it?"

Lu Xuanji frowned and pondered for a while, then decided to settle the bill and return to the house, inviting his cronies to ask questions.

After hearing this, the cronies immediately said: "Master Hui, this is indeed the case, but the villain thinks that most of these are impossible rumors, so they dare not report it to disturb you."

"Don't make up your own mind like this in the future!" Lu Xuanji scolded, "If there is such sensitive news, no matter how big or small, it must be reported as soon as possible!"

"Yes!"

The cronies were scolded in cold sweat, and Lu Xuanji also pondered.

Thinking about it, he had been dealing with various matters of the Lu family's subordinate shops before, so he didn't have any extra energy to divide, and naturally he didn't notice the crazy rumors of this matter.

And the cronies didn't want to disturb him at such a busy time, so they kept pressing it down and didn't report it. Besides, Lu Xuanji was very understandable what the cronies said.

"Generally speaking, this is indeed like a rumor... Because if this is really done, wouldn't it be said that the King of Chu, Li You, committed suicide..."? "

After thinking about it, Lu Xuanji shook his head again: "No, maybe he didn't see this..."

In any case, Lu Xuanji had to confirm and grasp such important news as soon as possible.

After all, salt is a lucrative and just-needed industry, and their major families and tyrants have completely controlled it. It can be said that all salt except official salt has their channels, including salt smuggling!

"Quick! Go and invite Gao Lin and Jiang Hongkai, as well as Sima Tongzhi and He Tongzhi to discuss it!"

Lu Xuanji gave an order, and soon everyone gathered together again, but they all had a heavy expression on their faces.

"I think it's time for us to get together and discuss it again. I was thinking about what time it would be..."

Sima Tian was the first to break the silence, and Lu Xuanji also smiled slightly when he saw this.

"It seems that Lord Sima is thinking of going with me."

"It seems that Lord Sima is thinking of going with me."

As soon as the words fell, Lu Xuanji and Sima Tian smiled at each other in tacit understanding, and spoke at the same time.

"It must be because of the tax increase for the salt merchant..."

"It must be for the matter of the Chu King Li You..."

Before the words were finished, both of them shut up at the same time, and Qi Qi fell into silence.

The scene was very embarrassing for a while.

"Ahem, anyway, it's all related to that Chu King Li You..." Gao Lin opened his mouth to smooth things out.

"That's right," Sima Tian smiled awkwardly but politely, "mainly because the strategy we discussed some time ago turned out to be completely useless to King Li You of Chu. Big, it's really not good."

Lu Xuanji also coughed and said, "I know this too, but today I invited a few adults to come, mainly to confirm one thing - the matter that King Li You of Chu wants to increase taxes on salt merchants, is this true? ?"

If we really want to increase taxes on salt merchants in various detours, then it is impossible for the officials in various places to not know about it, so it is undoubtedly the safest way to confirm with the acquaintances.

"Speaking of which, it is true."

Sima Tian nodded solemnly, and said, "It's just that this kind of behavior is a little bit contrary to common sense, so isn't Chu King Li You digging his own grave?"