Li Shimin

"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 by Captain Liu with a group of soldiers in the street, or they will break into his home and beat him badly, and they will rob him of his property and daughters. roll! "

"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.

……

Chapter 811 Fortunately, there is only one person

"Reporting to the Supreme Emperor, according to the villain's statistics, there are more than 200 fifth-class wealthy merchants in Pyongyang, one hundred fourth-class wealthy merchants, more than 60 third-class wealthy merchants, thirty second-class wealthy merchants, and first-class wealthy merchants. There are only ten powerful families."

As he said that, Cui Gongming hurriedly bowed his hands to Li Yuan again, and said with a look of panic.

"Just, please forgive me, the Supreme Emperor. These wealthy businessmen and dignitaries are the villains who relied on the data they obtained when they sold tea. Since Liu Duwei began to collect money, many rich merchants and dignitaries have no money to buy. tea.

Even, the villain also heard that some wealthy businessmen lost their families because of this.

Therefore, the villain is not too clear about how many wealthy businessmen and dignitaries there are. "

"All of you have to do the math quickly. According to Cui's book on rich and powerful businessmen, how much money does Captain Liu receive in a month?"

On the side, Li Xuan gave instructions directly to Li Baoding and Wang Xuance.

"Yes, Master!"

Several people responded and began to calculate.

Cui Gongming and the other three looked at Wang Xuance and Li Baoding in surprise.

Immediately, several people also began to secretly calculate.

As stewards of major shops and caravans, they are confident that no one in the hall can surpass them in terms of calculations.

"Returning to Master, if you just count the money, it should be [-] guan!"

However, before Cui Gongming and the others could figure it out, Li Baoding said hastily.

Hearing this, the four of Cui Gongming were astonished, they couldn't help but glanced at each other, and quickly lowered their heads again to count carefully.

Li Yuan and Li Xuan nodded slightly, then looked at Li Yuanjing.

"Then how much money can Liu Zongxin hand over to you every month?"

"This……"

Li Yuanjing was taken aback, and quickly looked at the chief steward of his own palace.

"Returning to Your Majesty, the amount of money, rare treasures, or beautiful prostitutes that Liu Zongxin donates to His Majesty every month is different. However, according to the old servant's estimate, the maximum amount per month is no more than [-] guan!"

Li Yuanjing's supervisor thought for a while, and hurriedly replied.

In fact, this is just his estimate, and if it is calculated carefully, it may be even less.

"Ten thousand strings?"

But just hearing this, Li Yuanjing was furious, with a cold look on his face.

"He borrows this king's name every month to snatch [-]."

"Okay, what a loyal minister, it's in vain that the king trusts him so much, let him lead the [-] troops in Pyongyang City, and let him be in charge of the inner and outer city defenses in Pyongyang City! I didn't expect that he would repay the king in this way?..."

And this time, Cui Gongming and the others also figured it out, subconsciously looked at each other with surprise on their faces.

However, when they looked up, they saw Li Yuanjing's frosty expression, and they couldn't help but tremble again.

"Okay, Liulang, calm down!" Li Yuan said slowly.

Hearing this, Li Yuanjing took a deep breath, and slightly cupped his hands at Li Yuan.

"Make Aye laugh!"

"It's good to calm down, this is such a big deal, it's not worth losing your mind!" Li Yuan said lightly.

"Yes, Aye!" Li Yuanjing hurriedly replied, but his eyes were still full of anger.

Li Yuan looked at Cui Gongming again.

"When did Liu Zongxin start collecting money and treasures from the wealthy businessmen and dignitaries in Pyongyang, and how much has he collected so far?"

Hearing this, Li Yuanjing's expression tightened, and he quickly looked at Cui Gongming and the others.

After thinking for a moment, Cui Gongming quickly replied.

"Back to the Supreme Emperor, this matter started at the beginning of last year, and it should have been more than three months a year!"

Li Yuan nodded slightly, then raised his head to look at Li Yuanjing: "Liu Lang, then since then, Liu Zongxin has offered you property and beautiful prostitutes?"

"Back to Aye, it seems to have started at the beginning of last year!"

Li Yuanjing quickly replied.

"In this way, Liu Zongxin has accumulated at least 15 coins or rare treasures in his hands!"

Li Yuan thought of something, and asked thoughtfully: "Since this is the case in Pyongyang, how about the surrounding cities?"

Hearing this, Li Yuanjing's expression tightened.

He not only commanded Pyongyang City, but also commanded the four cities of Yashan, Huangcheng, Donghu and Hutian around Pyongyang City.

And these four cities are cities near the capital of Goguryeo, and there are many wealthy businessmen in them.

"Back to the Supreme Emperor, the villain has never heard of the rich and powerful merchants in these four cities handing over such money!"

Cui Gongming replied honestly, "However, these four cities are very close to Pyongyang City, so the rich merchants and dignitaries in these four cities are actually branches of the rich merchants and dignitaries in Pyongyang City.

Therefore, the wealthy businessmen in Pyongyang paid money to Liu Duwei, but in fact it was the wealthy businessmen and dignitaries in these four cities who paid Liu Duwei! "

"I see!"

Hearing this, both Li Yuan and Li Yuanjing breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Yuan asked again: "So, is there any corrupt official like Liu Zongxin among the officials in these four cities?"

"This?"