Why were noble merchants prevented from going to Sanchuan?
The reason is very simple, it is to support civilian merchants and to weaken the power of the nobility. There is no doubt that this is a long-term solution that focuses on the overall situation, but unfortunately, these reasons are not enough to be put on the table.
Because the nobles are also paying huge commercial taxes to the Ministry of Household Affairs, it is no exaggeration to say that the current contribution of the Wei State, the royal family, the public family, and the nobles to the Wei State is much greater than that of civilian merchants.
Under such circumstances, it is actually unreasonable for Zhao Hongrun to suppress the power of aristocratic merchants. Therefore, he has been avoiding discussions with the royal family, the public family, and the nobles about Sanchuan.
But now, the great uncle Zhao Tairu has broken his wrist and agreed to pay a huge sum of money to Zhao Hongrun. This leaves the latter with no way out. He can only fight with Zhao Wenshen, the king of Chengling, Zhao Wenzhuo, the king of Jiyang, Zhao Wenxuan, the king of Zhongyang, and Zhao Wenkai, the king of Yuanyang.
These four representatives of the aristocracy negotiated.
It must be said that this change was unexpected by Zhao Hongrun.
He didn't expect that his great-uncle, who was in his seventies, would still have such courage and vision.
"I have been in the Meditation Chamber for seventeen days. I want to go back to my hometown to recuperate for a few days."
Putting aside this excuse, Zhao Hongrun ended the day's entanglement.
But he knew very well that the Zongfu would not let him go. Within two days at most, the Zongfu would definitely send someone to invite him over again to meet with Chengling King Zhao Wenshen, Jiyang King Zhao Wenzhuo, Zhongyang King Zhao Wenxuan, and Yuanyang King Zhao Wenkai.
and others to discuss the matter of Sanchuan.
What's worse is that this time Zhao Hongrun will definitely not be able to repeat his old tricks and mess around, otherwise, the clan government is likely to seize the opportunity and take the opportunity to teach him a lesson.
After all, this time, Zhao Hongrun had offended both his great uncle and his third uncle.
"Look at the good things you've done!"
When he and his son Zhao Hongrun walked out of the gate of the Zongfu, Emperor Wei had a gloomy face and shouted in a low voice.
"..." Zhao Hongrun said nothing.
Because he also knew that his behavior this time not only failed to achieve the goal he really wanted, but also implicated his father.
If nothing else happens, he and his father will definitely be controlled by the clan in the future.
"Father, there is no need to worry. Since it was my son who caused the trouble, he will solve it on his own!"
Zhao Hongrun spoke calmly to his father.
"I hope so..." Emperor Wei looked deeply at Zhao Hongrun, got on the jade chariot, and went straight back to the palace.
"Your Highness."
Not far away, Zongwei Shen Yu and Lu Mu came slowly in a carriage. They heard that Emperor Wei came to the Zongfu in person today, and felt that Zhao Hongrun might use this to get out of trouble, so they drove the carriage in the palace.
Come and greet.
"Your Highness is in a bad mood? Could it be that he has been detained again?" Lu Mu asked as he welcomed Zhao Hongrun into the carriage.
After hearing this, Zhao Hongrun let out a melancholy breath and said rather depressedly: "Being imprisoned is the next best thing. After scolding those old guys, I was relieved. The current problem is... I put this
Things are messed up.”
Shen Yu and Lu Mu looked at each other. After a while, Lu Mu said cautiously: "Your Highness, let's go back to the palace first. Several mistresses were worried. Even Miss Su was worried after hearing the news that His Highness was trapped in the clan mansion.
I ran to the palace and worried about His Highness's situation day and night..."
Zhao Hongrun's eyes warmed up after hearing this and he nodded.
However, as soon as the carriage left the gate of the Zong Mansion, he suddenly felt something in his heart, raised his hand to stop it and said, "Wait a minute."
"Your Highness, what's wrong?"
Shen Yu immediately reined in the reins and asked doubtfully.
Zhao Hongrun did not explain, he just raised the curtains in the carriage and looked at the front door of the Zongfu.
I saw four carriages standing in front of the gate of the Zongfu. They were brand new and bright. One glance showed that they were not carriages that ordinary people could afford.
As expected, not long after, Chengling King Zhao Wenshen, Jiyang King Zhao Wenzhuo, Zhongyang King Zhao Wenxuan, and Yuanyang King Zhao Wenkai walked out of the Zongfu together. The four of them stood in front of the Zongfu and said a brief farewell. Then they each boarded the four carriages.
"Pick any car and follow it." Zhao Hongrun ordered from inside the carriage.
Shen Yu and Lu Mu looked at each other. Although they were confused, they still followed His Highness's instructions, picked a car at random, and followed it.
The owner of the carriage they were following was the King of Chengling, Zhao Wenshen.
The two carriages, one behind the other, passed through the streets and alleys, and then arrived at the palace where Chengling King Zhao Wenshen temporarily lived in Daliang, the royal capital.
It can be seen that Chengling King Zhao Wenshen looks very bad.
It's no wonder, after all, today they were all scolded by Zhao Hongrun, ridiculed and even insulted. It's strange that they are in a good mood.
But just when Prince Chengling returned to his palace and was about to drink a few glasses of wine to calm down his anger, he was surprised to find that a valuable carriage followed him to his mansion. The wooden sign on the carriage The words "Prince Su's Mansion" are clearly engraved on the pendant.
"Is it that arrogant boy? What is he doing in my palace?"
King Chengling was stunned for a moment, and then he seemed to have thought of something. A cheerful smile appeared on his face, and he stood there with his hands behind his back, waiting for Zhao Hongrun to show up.
As he expected, when the carriage from Prince Su's Mansion stopped, Zhao Hongrun got off the carriage.
Seeing this, King Chengling snorted and laughed, mockingly saying: "My invitation was sent to King Su's house years ago. Why did King Su come to keep the appointment today?"
However, Zhao Hongrun just glanced at him coldly and said lightly: "King Chengling, do you really want to talk to me in this tone?"
"This kid..."
A strange look flashed in King Chengling's eyes. After frowning, he asked in a normal tone: "I wonder what your responsibilities, King Su are?"
"Let's talk about it after entering the house!"
Without saying a word, Zhao Hongrun walked into the palace without anyone else around, as if Chengling Palace was his residence.
Seeing this, King Chengling frowned, cursed, and quickly followed.
After a while, King Chengling led Zhao Hongrun to the side hall of the mansion, and asked the servants in the mansion to serve some wine, vegetables and dried fruits.
"Prince Su came here today, must he have changed his mind?"
While pouring a glass of wine for Zhao Hongrun, King Chengling asked tentatively.
After hearing this, Zhao Hongrun looked at the two guards behind King Chengling but did not speak.
King Chengling understood and waved his hand to dismiss the two guards behind him. As for the clan guards Shen Yu and Lu Mu behind Zhao Hongrun, he pretended not to see them at all.
After all, Zong Wei's loyalty is well known, and he doesn't believe that Zhao Hongrun will hurt him, so there is no need to worry about anything.
"Now that there are no outsiders, His Highness Prince Su can finally reveal his intention, right?"
"Revealing what?" Zhao Hongrun replied lightly, then raised his glass and drank the wine in the glass.
Seeing that Zhao Hongrun remained silent, King Chengling laughed, shook his head and said, "Since His Royal Highness Prince Su is thin-skinned and unwilling to speak lightly, you might as well let me, the clan uncle, make a guess..." After that, he narrowed his eyes. Narrowing his eyes, he said sharply: "Is King Su going to deal with the clan?"
"Is it obvious?" Zhao Hongrun didn't mean to hide it at all.
"...Of course." King Chengling was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said: "That ancestor has given you a difficult problem for His Highness King Su? Otherwise, how would King Su be willing to lower his status and take the initiative to visit me?
Clan uncle?"
"..."
Zhao Hongrun glanced at Prince Chengling lightly, and while pouring wine, he said calmly: "I have reminded you, does your uncle really plan to speak to me in this tone?"
After hearing this, King Chengling felt a little complicated.
On the one hand, he was angry because Zhao Hongrun threatened him again, and on the other hand, he was a little flattered because Zhao Hongrun called him uncle.
After thinking for a moment, King Chengling considered his tone, shook his head and said: "No matter what promise His Highness Prince Su makes, in short, I will not help His Highness weaken the clan. This move is tantamount to cutting off the future!"
"Is it true?" Zhao Hongrun raised his head and glanced at King Chengling, and said calmly: "Those who are enemies of this king have not had a good end so far... Is the clan uncle confident that he will be an exception?"
King Chengling's expression suddenly changed when he heard this, but after a few breaths, he still regained his smile, shook his head and said: "His Royal Highness, Prince Su, has been taught by the clan uncle in the clan, but... His Highness, Prince Su, you can't defeat him.
Zongfu, you have to compromise sooner or later... His Highness Prince Su, although he has made great achievements, but in front of most of the royal families, public clans, and noble forces in the country, even His Highness Prince Su had to compromise, and finally opened Sanchuan to us.
Isn’t it?”
"That's right." Zhao Hongrun put down the wine bottle, then crossed his hands on the table, looked at King Chengling intently, and said seriously: "I also know this matter, and I will eventually compromise. But this does not prevent me from doing so.
Consider Chengling King's group as enemies... Clan uncle, my king's intimidation in Sichuan and Luo is not comparable to that of the Zongfu. Even if the Zongfu finally forces me to agree to open Sanchuan to you and others, I still have 50,000 Sichuan North in my hands.
Bow cavalry..."
"Your Highness Prince Su, what does this mean?"
"It's not interesting. I just want to tell my uncle that there are many bandits in Sanchuan. They like to rob the nobles' caravans the most..."
Prince Chengling suddenly felt as if he was drowning, and said coldly: "Your Highness, Prince Su, are you threatening me?"
Zhao Hongrun didn't care about Prince Chengling's hostility, picked up a fruit and put it in his mouth, and continued: "With a nod, I will allow my uncle's caravan to travel unhindered in Sanchuan... Think about it carefully.
Let’s take a look, although the clan uncle has a huge fortune, if the caravan going to Sanchuan is robbed one after another, even the clan uncle must not be able to bear it, right?”
"..." King Chengling took a deep look at Zhao Hongrun and asked in a deep voice: "What do you want?"
"It's very simple." Zhao Hongrun picked up the jug, poured a glass of wine for each of them, and said lightly: "I just feel that the elders like the great uncle and the third uncle are old, and I should not give them any more
With more burdens, they should be allowed to retire in peace and contentment..."
After hearing this, King Chengling's expression changed drastically again.
He never thought that the King Su in front of him not only wanted to weaken the clan, but also wanted to kick out the clan elders in the clan!
When King Chengling's expression changed drastically, Zhao Hongrun felt helpless.
You know, at first he didn't want to come into contact with these royal clan members, but now that he had completely offended Zhao Hongrun of the clan, he had to change his original plan and give priority to suppressing the clan and getting rid of those clan elders who relied on their elders and betrayed them.