frightfiction Chapter 531 Rumors 4
Chapter 531 Rumors 4
The emperor originally didn't want to deal with the people behind him, but when Fatty Wang, who was riding in the leading carriage, saw the fat and strong horses eating grass by the roadside, he immediately wanted to make friends with them.
Fatty Wang, with his belly sticking out, walked forward with a smile on his face, and laughed out loud when the guard's hand touched the big knife at his waist.
"How are you, brother? I am a member of the Wang family in Shanxi, known as Fatty Wang. I am impressed to see that you have sent people to clear the roads along the way."
"It's just that there's quite a lot of gravel on the road. I'd like to ask my servants to come up and help clear it. I wonder if that would disturb you, sir?"
Fatty Wang's face was almost frozen from laughing when he heard a low and majestic voice coming from the inconspicuous carriage.
"The Shanxi Wang family? Are they from Wang Dengku or Wang Dayu's clan?"
The two people mentioned by the unseen man were two of the eight imperial merchants personally appointed by Emperor Taizu.
Fatty Wang saw that the other party called him by his name, obviously not taking them seriously, so he quickly replied respectfully.
"My Lord, I am from the same clan as Wang Dayu."
"I see. Then you can have your servants go forward and clear the way."
The emperor was in a hurry to return to Beijing, and now that he knew the other party's background, he agreed without hesitation to Fatty Wang's request to send someone to help.
It is said that businessmen are profit-driven. Less than ten days after the earthquake in the important capital, those big businessmen swarmed in like flies smelling blood, trying to devour the flesh and blood.
A cold light flashed in the emperor's eyes, and he whispered instructions to An Lingrong.
"It's a bit stuffy in the carriage, sir, I'm going to get off and take a walk. You keep an eye on the children."
"Yes, I know."
An Lingrong responded softly and used her eyes to stop Hongyao who wanted to stand up.
Although the carriage they were riding in had its secrets, the constant stops and starts along the way were indeed annoying.
The emperor got off the carriage on the pretext of getting some fresh air only after hearing Fatty Wang introduce himself.
An Lingrong had served the emperor for nearly ten years, and she didn't think the emperor would be interested in the royal merchant's family for no reason.
Sure enough, not long after, she heard the emperor speaking as if he were chatting.
"Brother Wang, a powerful earthquake struck the capital not long ago. I'm rushing back with my wife and children because my mother is frightened and seriously ill. I wonder what brings you back to the capital?"
As soon as the noble master arrived, he asked him the purpose of returning to Beijing. Fatty Wang was stunned for a moment, then smiled and bowed.
"Sir, may I ask your name?"
An Lingrong was sitting in the carriage, and the emperor came casually.
"My surname is An. Before the Reunion Festival, bad news came from my Yue family. My father-in-law... Alas! I rushed over with my wife and children to celebrate the festival, but I didn't expect a major disaster to hit the capital."
"Master An, please accept my condolences!"
Fatty Wang comforted him in a hypocritical manner.
It is said that the current emperor was celebrating the festival in the courtyard with his clan members and important court officials. When the earth dragon turned over, he hurriedly hid in the water and was spared.
These powerful people are extremely afraid of death, so why would they return to Beijing at this critical moment?
Fatty Wang secretly laughed at himself for being too vigilant and thinking everyone looked like a high-ranking official.
"To be honest, Master An, I returned to the capital this time for the clan's business. The clan leader heard that the capital was seriously affected by the disaster and was afraid that the remaining clansmen would be greedy for money and disrupt prices, so he specially ordered me, Fatty, to return to the capital to keep an eye on those restless people."
In fact, the clan leader wanted him to take advantage of the chaos to earn more money, but on the way here, he received a letter from the capital via carrier pigeon.
Prince Guo and Zhang Tingyu in the city were so bloodthirsty that the blood at Caishikou was almost unceasing.
Fatty Wang was shocked by the emperor's cruelty and quickly sent a pigeon to the clan leader.
After both sides discussed it, they temporarily changed their minds.
"The fat man is being escorted by a team of people. When they enter the capital later, all the Wang family's shops will still sell goods at the same prices as before the Earth Dragon turned over."
Fatty Wang became more and more excited as he spoke, "The current emperor loves his people like his own children. Although we are humble people, we can also feel his kindness."
"Brother An, you..."
"Your Majesty is wise... I will sacrifice my life for you..."
The mouth of a businessman is a liar!
An Lingrong looked at the emperor's uncontrollable smile and complained silently in her heart.
Although she looked down on the smooth-talking Fatty Wang, she was pondering every word he had just said in her heart.
It’s nothing, the emperor just likes to hear it!
Whenever the carriage stopped for too long along the way, Fatty Wang would come forward and talk to "Master An" attentively.
As the carriage drove into the city gate, the emperor's expression relaxed a lot.
As soon as the two teams parted ways, the emperor whispered orders outside the carriage.
"Su Peisheng, send someone to keep an eye on that Fatty Wang. If what he said is false, throw him to death row immediately!"
"Yes, I understand."
Fatty Wang on the other side became more and more worried as he walked, and gave instructions to the servant who was also in the carriage.
"Just now, a naughty child lifted the curtain on Mr. An's horse, and I caught a glimpse of a beautiful woman with extraordinary temperament sitting inside."
"Judging from his appearance, this Mr. An is old enough to be a father."
"I suspect he's not an ordinary person. You should follow him and see where he's staying."
"Yes, sir."
The servant got out of the carriage, ignored the moving carriage, and jumped into the crowd in a few seconds.
He had remained in the carriage without showing up, and soon found the carriage he was following.
But no matter how he hid, he was stopped and knocked unconscious by two men with fierce looks.
Fatty Wang waited for his servant for a long time but he didn't see any return. He didn't even have time to rest. He directly ordered people to summon the shop owners of various shops in the capital and issued one order after another that made his heart bleed.
Late at night, Su Peisheng hurried over and reported to the emperor in detail about Fatty Wang's every move after he arrived in Beijing.
"Hmph! He's sensible. I'll spare his life for now."
"Su Peisheng, have someone pass the message to Zhang Tingyu. If there are any unscrupulous merchants who refuse to change their ways, drag them to Caishikou and behead them in public!"
"Yes, I will do it right away."
As soon as Su Peisheng went out, the elusive Xia Qi knelt on the ground.
"Your Majesty, I have been monitoring the public opinion in the capital and have discovered that a group of people with ill intentions are taking advantage of the situation to spread rumors."
The emperor took a deep breath and put down the memorial in his hand.
"Tell me everything, what are the rumors?"
"Your Majesty, this... your humble servant..."
Xia Qi hesitated and didn't dare to report it.
"I forgive you, tell me now!"
The emperor urged with a dark face, he wanted to see which other restless brothers were making small moves behind the scenes.
"I will report this to you immediately. First, I say that you are morally deficient, and the earth-dragon turning over is a punishment from Heaven. Second, I say that you murdered your father and mother, and your throne is not legitimate. Third, I say that you insisted on welcoming the deposed concubine back to the palace, which caused the displeasure of Heaven. Fourth, I say that your actions went against the will of Heaven, which is why you have no children. Fifth..."
The Emperor interrupted angrily.
"Enough! Go investigate! Find out the source of these rumors!"