I am Li Shen and Li Shimin, the free kings of the Tang Dynasty

Li Shen had already cursed Wang Hongfu a hundred times in his heart. This guy was too bold to speak.

He asked for one million strings of cash as soon as he opened his mouth.

He thought money was so easy to make that one million strings of cash could buy an entire family.

How could a declining family like Wang Clan of Langya come up with so much money?

Isn't this going to kill people?

I just want to teach the Wang family a lesson so that they won't be so arrogant in the future.

It is also a warning to other families that the Tang Dynasty is not a lawless place, so they should restrain themselves and not oppress the people easily.

Li Shen wanted to tell all the powerful people that the Tang Dynasty had laws and ruled the country according to law, and that one could not escape legal sanctions just because they had power.

If they do this, naturally someone will sanction them in the same way.

When it comes to dandies in the Tang Dynasty, Li Shen is the biggest dandy. Not only does he have a profound background, he also has top privileges.

If he really does something evil, no one can compare to him, it's that simple.

But Li Shen never thought about fighting with the other party.

Wang Hongfu was not overly nervous when he heard Prince Ji's reprimand.

He glanced at Wang Zhengli below, then bowed respectfully to Li Shen.

"Your Majesty, I have verified it several times and it is indeed this number.

During these two months, we invested more than one million strings of cash in the tea and cloth businesses.

We have lowered prices and sold at a loss, offending so many of our peers, and we must compensate them."

For more than two months, sanctions were imposed on the Wang family's industries. In addition to a price war, they also purchased their raw materials at high prices, paid liquidated damages, and so on.

Li Shen himself didn't know how much these expenses were, as they were all paid for by Wang Hongfu, the chief treasurer of the Prince Ji's Mansion.

"Your Highness Prince Ji, this is so much money that even if you take out all the money of the entire Wang family, it still won't be enough."

Wang Zhengli felt like crying now, and he felt even more aggrieved after hearing what Wang Hongfu said.

What does the money you spend on us have to do with us?

Who made you so cruel? You let us pay for your losses, then who should we hold responsible for the Wang family's losses in the past two months?

Wang Zhengli really felt like crying but had no tears. He even wanted to beat Wang Wanqing to death.

If it weren't for her arrogance and beating up people, this wouldn't have happened.

There are rumors outside that they have offended Prince Ji's Mansion, and those merchants who used to cooperate with them are now afraid to cooperate with them.

This affected not only the tea and cloth business, but also their other businesses.

Seeing Wang Zhengli's anxious look, Li Shen comforted him with an expression that he was doing it for your own good:

"Don't worry, Mr. Wang. I have always been fair in my actions and would never do anything that would take things by force or plunder.

Please be patient for now. The Wannian County Magistrate is also here and can be a witness.

We will completely solve this matter today."

"Thank you, His Highness Prince Ji."

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhengli hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

Li Shen looked at Wang Hongfu with an unfriendly expression.

"Manager Wang, although the Wang family was at fault first, they have already admitted the punishment. They don't need to pay so much, right?"

"Your Majesty, the amount of compensation is entirely up to you. I am only telling you how much we spent on this matter.

When the princess blames me, I will need the prince's help to explain something.

Otherwise, if the princess investigates the matter, I won’t be able to afford it.”

Wang Hongfu saluted and did not seem to give Li Shen any face.

"Manager Wang, His Royal Highness Prince Ji is right. Even if the Wang family is at fault, they are not guilty of capital punishment. You just asked for one million strings of cash.

Do you want to force people to death?

Just ask, how many people in the Tang Dynasty can come up with a million strings of cash?

In my opinion, Shopkeeper Wang asked for too much. "

Chief Secretary Wang Xuance also spoke, his tone as unfriendly as Li Shen's.

"Master Wang, I've just said that I am only responsible for telling His Majesty how much money the palace has spent.

The specific amount of compensation is entirely up to Your Highness. I am not forcing anyone to die.

However, the huge palace industry is managed by Wang.

Every year's financial information must be reported to the princess.

The king cannot afford to be blamed by the princess for such a big vacancy. If the princess asks, as a servant, I will certainly tell him everything.

When the time comes, I hope Your Majesty can be a witness for me."

Wang Hongfu's attitude towards Wang Xuance also hardened. He did not seem to be afraid of Wang Xuance at all.

Logically, Wang Xuance was the chief officer of Prince Ji's palace and a fourth-rank official, while Wang Hongfu was just a merchant of humble origin, and was not at the same level as Wang Xuance.

In terms of etiquette and hierarchy, Wang Xuance is much higher than Wang Hongfu.

But Wang Hongfu's status in Ji Wang Mansion is different. He is in charge of the entire industry of Ji Wang Mansion, makes money for Ji Wang Mansion and is deeply trusted by Ji Wang. It is normal for him to be arrogant because of his favor.

Wang Zhengli saw the expressions of the two people and kept analyzing in his mind. It seems that among the three giants of Ji Wang Mansion, there are rumors that Wang Hongfu and Wang Xuance, who are in charge of business and government affairs, have some discord.

But Wang Zhengli soon felt relieved. This was actually very normal if you thought about it carefully.

The drama of powerful officials vying for favor can be seen everywhere, not just in the imperial court, and the same is true for the servants of the Wang family.

What’s more, it is Prince Ji’s Mansion.

Prince Ji's Mansion is like a small imperial court, and everyone wants to gain Prince Ji's favor and obtain greater benefits.

It is common for people to fight openly or covertly, compete with each other, and some even persecute each other.

Li Shen listened to his two generals talking back and forth, and couldn't help but guess in his heart,

Did you two rehearse this beforehand, or is this just a genuine outpouring of emotion?

Why does it seem real to me?

"Well, there are outsiders here, how can you two behave like this?

This matter will be decided by the king himself.

Manager Wang, I will talk to the princess. In order to seek justice for my palace and fief, what does the loss of some money matter?

I believe the princess won’t blame you.”

Li Shen felt that the road ahead had been paved and the drama had been completed, so it was time to ask for money.

Wang Hongfu also understood what he meant and bowed quickly:

"Yes, then it's all up to the prince."

Li Shen looked at Wang Zhengli.

"My dear Mr. Wang, according to the law, Wang Wanqing should be punished with 70 strokes of the cane, but since she is young, I can show some mercy.

But this depends on how sincere you are.

I will not force you, and I will not do anything that involves force or plunder.

It's all voluntary on your part. Remember, it's voluntary, not forced.

Don't accuse me of being ruthless afterwards."

Wang Zhengli gave a bitter smile. When he came here, the most his family offered was 30,000 strings of cash.

This is already a lot, but compared to one million strings of coins, it is insignificant.

Asking for a high price and paying a low price, but this is too much bargaining.

Wang Zhengli thought it was ridiculous that the other person asked for one million and he only gave 30,000.