hsntnovel Chapter 1692: The Aristocratic Family Reunites Again
Chapter 1692: The Aristocratic Family Reunites Again
Chang'an City is now extremely bustling. As a world-class international metropolis, Chang'an City gathers people from all over the world.
There were merchants coming to do business, scholars coming to study, and envoys from various countries.
The permanent population of Chang'an City now is 500,000 to 600,000.
In addition to the non-resident population, there were more than 200,000 passing merchants.
Overall, the total population of Chang'an City has exceeded one million, including 260,000 imperial guards.
With such a huge population base, the daily demand for supplies is huge, so there are frequent merchants coming in and out every day.
The news brought was also varied, including strange stories from all over the country, local customs, natural disasters, etc.
Among these news, the hottest one recently is the news about Anxi Protectorate.
Because this news is related to the richest prince of the time, Prince Ji.
Many merchants who came from the northwest swore that they had been plundered by Prince Ji's palace in Xizhou.
They all said that it was their own experience and that they saw their fellow merchants being killed and their goods being stolen.
Others said that they saw the Ji Wang Mansion oppressing the people in Xizhou, giving the people who grew cotton 10% of the price and forcing them to buy or sell, and killing them if they refused.
What he said was so convincing that it was hard to tell whether it was true or false.
This led to a wave of condemnation of Prince Ji throughout the entire Chang'an City. Words like Prince Ji was rich but unkind, Prince Ji was overbearing, Prince Ji was cruel and ruthless, etc. were heard everywhere.
Li Shen's reputation was like a rat crossing the street, everyone wanted him to be beaten.
There were also undercurrents among the merchants, and the business volume of the First Chamber of Commerce in the Tang Dynasty began to decline.
And at this time, another piece of breaking news came out that Prince Ji, who had never spoken out, fell ill.
It is said that after hearing all kinds of comments outside, King Ji became so angry that he vomited blood several times and fell into a coma.
He was rushed to Datang First Hospital for treatment, and his current condition is still unknown.
Although this news has not been confirmed, many merchants said that they saw the carriage of Prince Ji's mansion rushing out of the East City, as if there was something urgent.
Everyone guessed that the news was almost certain and should be correct.
The Wang family mansion.
This is the Wang family’s stronghold in Chang’an City.
It is not far from Chang'an City, and is next to the official road from Chang'an City to Luoyang City.
Li Shen called it the Two Capitals Corridor. It was definitely a wealthy area, with people from aristocratic families, Shandong gentry and other wealthy families living along the Two Capitals Corridor.
They didn't want to stay in Chang'an, but they didn't want to be too far away from the center, so this was the best place.
It is very convenient to go to Chang'an or Luoyang.
At this moment in the Wang family mansion, in Wang Wei's study, there were several people sitting.
"Hahahaha, you guys heard that Prince Ji was so angry that he vomited three liters of blood and fell into a coma. He has been sent to the First Hospital for treatment.
I didn't expect that he would end up like this.
This really helped me vent my anger."
The person who was speaking was Wang Weiqu. He was demoted and expelled from Chang'an and never employed again. He hated Ji Wang Li Shen very much.
Over the years, he has been in charge of the Wang family's affairs in Chang'an in the old house, just waiting for an opportunity to take revenge.
So when he heard the news that Prince Ji had vomited blood and fainted, Wang Wei laughed three times towards the sky, feeling extremely happy.
"Brother Wang, has this matter been confirmed? Could it be a trick of King Ji?
Everyone knows that King Ji is always cunning and good at using tricks.
Maybe this is a way for him to divert attention from the outside world."
Looking at Wang Weiqu who was laughing, Cui Renzhi asked rationally.
They have been dealing with King Ji for many years and have always been suppressed and beaten by him. To be honest, it is indeed a bit aggrieved.
After all, they are all aristocratic families with a thousand-year heritage, and their power, financial resources, and influence are all top-notch.
Even if all the noble families united, the royal family would still be no match.
However, they were defeated by a young kid and suffered heavy losses, which had shaken the foundation of the family.
This was somewhat unacceptable to them, but they had no choice but to accept it.
“Yes, I also suspect that this is some evil plot of King Ji.
Don't forget, Prince Ji has grown up and is no longer the child he used to be. We should be more careful and cautious."
Zheng Jingsi also felt that Cui Renzhi was right.
Prince Ji was so vicious when he was young. Now that he has grown up, his methods will naturally become more sophisticated.
Hearing what Cui Renzhi and Zheng Jingsi said, Wang Wei said with a smile:
“Everyone, I have already sent someone to confirm this matter. Although they did not see Prince Ji, the people I sent have inquired about it in the hospital.
At that time, some people actually saw Prince Ji being carried down from the carriage.
Although there were guards to disperse the crowd, some people still saw it.
I don’t think it’s false, because it doesn’t make any sense.”
After learning about this, Wang Wei immediately sent people to Chang'an City and the Medical College to investigate. Otherwise, he would not be so happy.
“In fact, I think it doesn’t matter whether this matter is true or not. Prince Ji’s coma has no impact on his case in Xizhou.
Your Majesty will not let this matter go just because he is unconscious." Lu Chengqing said after thinking for a moment.
"Haha, reveal it? How easy is that? Even if Your Majesty wants to reveal it, it depends on whether we agree, whether the civil and military officials of the court agree, and whether the people of the world agree.
If Your Majesty still wants to protect Prince Ji in such a major event, how can you stop the people from speaking out? Wouldn't that be a joke to the law? The world will be in chaos."
Cui Renzhi laughed calmly.
They all knew that even the emperor couldn't do whatever he wanted.
Unless he is a tyrant who doesn't care about the Tang Dynasty, if even the emperor is partial and bends the law, how can he restrain the officials under him?
By then, the world will be in chaos.
"Brother Cui is right. As long as we keep holding on, even His Majesty will be helpless.
However, if Prince Ji really became so angry that he vomited blood and fainted, it would save some trouble.
Otherwise, this little prince is always outside, and I always feel a little uneasy. "
Zheng Jingsi stroked his beard.
Everyone nodded frequently. Yes, it was a good thing that Prince Ji fainted. At least he wouldn't cause any trouble.
Otherwise, everyone would always worry about what King Ji might come up with.
"How is the investigation into the Xizhou incident going? There must not be any mistakes." Zheng Jingsi continued to ask.
Upon hearing this, Wang Wei immediately said:
"Our Wang family and Cui family have already sent people over, so there shouldn't be any problems. After all, what Wang Wencheng did is true.
Wang Wencheng was the chief manager sent by Prince Ji's Mansion. Everything he did represented Prince Ji's Mansion, and Prince Ji had no room for excuses.
Prince Ji's only chance is to prove that this incident was Wang Wencheng's personal act and that Prince Ji's palace was completely unaware of it.
As long as we deny all the evidence presented by Prince Ji, he will not be able to exonerate himself.
We must make sure this time we are absolutely sure.”