Everyone who was talking and laughing to each other, and the atmosphere on the surface was quite harmonious, all fell silent.
The scene was solemn, and everyone stood up to greet the prince with respectful expressions of respect.
Only one person was still sitting upright.
It was Zhuang Ming.
"Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty."
Everyone saluted and showed respect.
Prince Chen had dull eyes and a smile on his face. He looked quite friendly and kind, like a polite and virtuous corporal.
He walked slowly, and everyone on both sides saluted him respectfully and addressed him by his honorary title.
When he got to the middle, he paused.
Everyone saw the prince stopping there, his eyes slowly sweeping over and landing on Zhuang Ming, who was sitting upright.
The atmosphere at the scene suddenly stagnated.
The two looked at each other for just a moment.
But Zhuang Ming chuckled lightly and was about to speak out.
King Chen then withdrew his gaze and walked forward slowly, appearing quite magnanimous and not caring about his disrespectful act of sitting down.
Zhuang Ming patted his legs. Based on some records of the prince in the past, as well as the other party's every move just now on the boat next door, Zhuang Ming vaguely guessed some of the thoughts in the other party's mind.
This prince, in his next words, would not even mention his disrespectful act, nor would he give him a chance to explain. Instead, he would use this to show his prince's generosity and Zhuang Ming's overbearing power.
There were huge forces in Huai'an, but they ignored the law and disrespected the royal power.
Next, as long as we take the opportunity to spread this matter, and the literati and scholars nearby fabricate and forge some things out of dissatisfaction and disgust, and hatred of the rich, then in Fengcheng, Huai'an, and even within the Dongsheng Dynasty,
When many people speak, three people become tigers, and what is imaginary becomes real.
At that time, there will be a clear distinction between good and evil, and he, Zhuang Ming, will become the villain in the storyteller's mouth.
If King Chen used this in the future to destroy his Zhuang Trading Company, then in the history of the Dongsheng Dynasty, it would be him who was the prince of the dynasty who came under the Holy Order and went through all kinds of conspiracies and tricks to finally destroy the disaster.
The huge power of the Sixteenth Prefecture of Huai'an thus received meritorious service.
Zhuang Ming guessed based on this move that the prince had no intention of making peace before and refused his proposal of government-business cooperation to seek common interests. Perhaps the other party was thinking not only of revenge... but also of seizing the assets of Zhuang's Trading Company.
While using it for his own benefit, he also obtained a share of credit from the emperor for stabilizing the Sixteenth House of Huai'an and received a reward.
"You are all well-known figures in Fengcheng. You run various businesses and have rich families. It can be said that your family is big and your business is big."
The prince ascended to the high position, sat down slowly, stretched out his hand, and said: "The people in the building next door are men of letters, and on this side, they are all the powerful people in Fengcheng. You know why I made this division.
?”
At that moment, someone responded at the right time: "May I ask what your Majesty wants?"
The prince said calmly: "You are all in Fengcheng, you have considerable power, and you all have convoys to escort goods. And I always hate people who do evil and violate the laws. This time I was ordered to check, not only to check for prohibited items
One thing, and another investigation into tax evasion."
The man just now bowed and said: "Your Majesty, it is clear that we all belong to the Dongsheng Dynasty, and we are law-abiding people. We have never transported any prohibited items, and we have never done any tax evasion."
This remark was deeply appreciated by everyone, and everyone immediately echoed it in unison.
"Your Majesty is aware of this."
"Don't misunderstand me."
The prince then raised his hand and said: "You are all the mainstays of Fengcheng. Naturally, I hate these illegal things, but there is no guarantee that there will be some black sheep among them..."
After he finished speaking, he glanced over, seemingly staying on Zhuang Ming unintentionally for a moment, then turned around and said: "I summoned you all this time, firstly, to get acquainted with you, secondly, just to discuss with you, and then
Let’s talk in detail about some taboos in this area to prevent you from accidentally committing this matter unknowingly, that’s all.”
Even so, as his gaze paused, everyone still looked at Zhuang Ming.
The people in charge of each family are not ordinary people. No matter how you look at it, it seems that the prince is here for Zhuang's Trading Company?
What happened today was that only Zhuang's Trading Company was closed down.
Zhuang Ming, on the other hand, looked calm and even smiled. He sat there and listened quietly to what King Chen said, appearing calm and content.
——
Half an hour later.
Prince Chen just finished discussing with everyone.
In fact, it was said that it was a discussion, but it was just King Chen speaking out and everyone agreeing.
"You don't have to be rigid, I have always been easy-going, and tonight's banquet is hosted by Mr. Zhao. There will be fine wine and delicious food. Please do not let Mr. Zhao down."
Having said this, the prince smiled again and said: "I still have some things to do, so I will go and deal with them and come back later."
Then, under many guards, he walked to the back of the building boat.
Before leaving, he took a deep look at Zhuang Ming. There was a slight smile in his eyes, but there seemed to be a murderous intention hidden in his eyes. It felt like there was a knife hidden in the smile.
Zhuang Ming looked calm and faced everyone's gaze.
The atmosphere was slightly tense.
Then Zhuang Ming was heard speaking.
"Qianyang, push me out and blow the wind on the lake."
——
After Zhuang Ming left, the atmosphere here seemed to become quite warm.
The prince's hostility towards Zhuang Ming was very obvious, and it was the subject of whispers among everyone.
Qian Yang pushed the wheelchair and pushed Zhuang Ming out.
The lake breeze is cool.
The wind made ripples.
The moonlight shines down, the waves are sparkling, and the silver light shines.
At this moment, a man walked out from the side, a young man. He bowed and said, "Your Majesty invites you."
Zhuang Ming nodded slightly and said, "Please lead the way."
The boy nodded, but did not turn around, but took a step forward.
Zhuang Ming's eyes narrowed slightly.
Qian Yang was driven by him and clenched his fists.
But the boy did not take action. Instead, he handed over a piece of paper and whispered: "This is from Mr. Zhao."
Zhuang Ming's expression remained normal and he simply said: "Please lead the way."
The boy took half a step back, turned sideways, and said, "Please follow me."
——
Behind the ship.
This area is divided into many rooms, which are quite exquisite.
And King Chen is sitting here.
Qian Yang pushed Zhuang Ming and came here.
Behind King Chen, there are four guards, their eyes are like fire, and their energy and blood are strong.
After the young dragon's induction, these four guards were all at the pinnacle level of the second level of martial arts, and were not inferior to Lu He's martial arts attainments.
In addition, Zhuang Ming also sensed the aura around him, which seemed to be an ambush. His energy and blood were very different from ordinary people. Although he had not yet entered the martial arts, he was still a capable person. There were about dozens of people, and they must all be elites in the army.
.
After all, Qian Yang and Yin Ming were already well-known strong men in the Dongsheng Dynasty, and were recognized as the three great masters of martial arts.
This King Chen was obviously also afraid that Zhuang Ming felt hopeless, so he ordered Qian Yang and Yin Mingyu to break the deadlock, so he summoned these four masters to his side. If something happened, they would be enough to resist him a little, allowing him to leave calmly, and then ordered him to leave.
The soldiers in ambush nearby took action.
"Your Majesty."
Zhuang Ming sat in a wheelchair, raised his hands and bowed, and said: "Zhuang's legs and feet are inconvenient, so he can't stand up, and it's hard for him to bow down. I hope you can forgive me."
Having said this, he raised his head slightly and looked at the prince.
He has a thin face and a long beard, and looks about forty years old.
He sat upright on it and looked quite strong.
Wearing a high crown on his head, a jade ring on his hand, and a python robe, he looked very majestic.
At the same time, the prince was also sizing up this bold young man.
He has a handsome appearance, about 20 years old, with a pale complexion and a lingering sadness between his eyebrows. He is sitting in a wheelchair with an upright demeanor and looks neither humble nor arrogant.
This is Mr. Thirteen, who started from scratch and became the richest man in the Sixteenth House of Huai'an in six years, amassing countless amounts of money?
Is this young man so bold that he ruined his most profitable business?
"I can't believe that such a delicate and gentle young man can be so bold and ruthless, and he will do whatever it takes."
The prince stroked his beard slightly and said: "There is no one else here, so I won't play riddles with you."
Zhuang Ming chuckled softly and said: "The prince and Zhuang know many things well. In this case, getting straight to the point saves a lot of words."
Having said this, Zhuang Ming patted the hem of his clothes and said: "If the prince gives up, you and I will make peace! Since then, Zhuang's business has developed with your strong support, earning two taels of silver every year. Apart from all the expenses, I have nothing left."
No matter how much you make, how about you and I share half of it equally?"
The prince chuckled lightly, waved his sleeves, and without concealing the disdain on his face, said with a sneer: "Idiots are talking about dreams!"
Zhuang Ming looked as usual, no surprise at all.
But the prince had already stood up, put his hands behind his back, looked hard, and said in a cold voice: "If Zhuang's Trading Company belongs to me, and all the silver belongs to me, why should I share half of it with you?"