Liu Tan thought about it for a moment. Since he had cheated Lu Xuan so many times, it seemed like... he should fight for Lu Xuan's favor.

So after everyone discussed it, they were always worried that such "stinginess" would make Lu Xuan dissatisfied.

Liu Tan took the opportunity to say, "If you're worried, why not increase the number of caravans traveling, or even open more trade routes?"

After he finished speaking, everyone else looked confused: "Mutual trade?"

Liu Tan thought about it for a while before he remembered that this concept basically did not appear until the Tang Dynasty. Now China is basically in a state of all foreign races being enemies, and Zhang Qian's road to breaking through has just been opened, so no one thinks about it in this direction.

Liu Tan immediately explained, "It's a fixed-point market. It's basically barter, or bartering for gold and silver. The best location for the trade is somewhere between the Han Dynasty and the Wusun people. And the trade must be strictly managed. Salt, tea, and iron should and must not be allowed to flow out. If the Wusun people have a need, they can petition the court, and the court will sell them accordingly. Trade is strictly prohibited."

The more the Grand Minister of Agriculture listened, the brighter his eyes became. He was in charge of the national finances and was naturally sensitive to these things. In fact, although the Western Regions were poor, they also had many things that were lacking in the Central Plains and were very popular.

Those things were sold at high prices when they arrived in the Central Plains. Nowadays, the national finances are more based on taxes, and there is no awareness of investment and increasing revenue and reducing expenditure. Therefore, the first thing that the Minister of Agriculture thought of was that if he could conduct trade, he could benefit his family.

Of course, such thinking was normal at the time and was not even considered corruption.

After Liu Tan finished speaking, he turned to look at Liu Che. Liu Che was also thinking about his own wallet at this time, and felt that his son seemed to have found another way to make money for him.

Although all the taxes in the world were equivalent to his money, Liu Che was not a foolish ruler and would not excessively occupy state resources, so his own little purse was more important.

Liu Tan was very happy to see that everyone was discussing in a low voice after he finished speaking, and everyone was very receptive to his opinion.

However, when the discussion began, Liu Tan felt something was wrong. Why did everyone start from the perspective of small vendors?

Although this description may not be quite correct, no matter how powerful a businessman is, he is still a weak individual to the country.

The more Liu Tan listened, the more he couldn't bear it anymore. He couldn't help but ask, "This... shouldn't it be under the control of the imperial court?"

Everyone looked at him, their faces filled with confusion. Gongsun He was very patient with him: "Isn't the matter we are discussing now about how the court should control it?"

Liu Tan had no choice but to say, "I'm talking about commodity control. That is... the court funds trades with the Wusun people, then sells them to merchants, who then resell them to the people. Well, it's not like the court completely controls everything, but large-scale transactions are subject to court control, right?"

The court fell silent for a moment. This method... had never been used before. At most, it was used to collect taxes from merchants. In fact, collecting taxes was so easy and the money came quickly. Doing business on your own... this... was very risky.

Seeing that no one was talking, Liu Tan was wondering if this step was too big, so he simply shrank back and stopped talking.

Liu Ju had been thinking a lot and had some ideas at this moment. Then when he looked again, his fifth brother had changed from being full of energy and ambition just now to trying hard to be invisible. He couldn't help but feel a headache for a moment. He was relieved that Liu Tan had changed a little after going out, but now he looked...isn't it still the same as before?

However, Liu Ju could more or less see that Liu Tan did not have a particularly complete idea about this proposal. Perhaps it was just a flash of inspiration, but this flash of inspiration made Liu Che's thinking diverge a lot.

Liu Che did not force Liu Tan to come up with a complete plan. Seeing that today's court meeting was about to be delayed until the afternoon, Liu Che waved his hand and directly adjourned the court, and took his two sons away by the way.

Liu Tan and Liu Ju followed behind him. Liu Che walked slowly with his hands behind his back and asked, "How did you come up with this idea of ​​mutual trade?"

Liu Tan tilted his head and said, "When we were attacked before, we didn't know at first that it was the Xiongnu who were allied with the Huhu, Cheshi, and Jie Kingdom. So at first, the little Wusun said that there were often such horse bandits in the Western Regions, and they only robbed Han caravans. So I thought, instead of letting everyone risk going out, it would be better to hold a market so that everyone would be safe."

Liu Che was a little surprised: "Oh? Are you here for those caravans?"

Liu Tanxin said you are right, but I can't say that, so he said very seriously: "I feel sorry for the taxes. They took the property of the big man away, not only did they not get back the property of equal value to pay the taxes, but they also benefited the robbers!"

Liu Che laughed heartily at his distressed expression, then said, "You've solved another problem today. How should I reward you?"

Liu Tan asked cautiously, "Is anything okay?"

Liu Che was not the head of the Xiong family, so of course he would not nod directly, so he just said: "You tell me first."

Liu Tan said boldly, "Then... then please allow me to marry freely."

After hearing this, Liu Che stopped and looked at Liu Tan deeply. Liu Ju, who had been watching from the side, couldn't help but look at Liu Tan and tried to wink at him to make him change his words.

Liu Tan withstood the pressure and refused to change his words. He just looked at Liu Che with expectation.

If it were someone else, Liu Che would have probably been angry by now, but when Liu Tan looked up at him with those round, dark eyes full of hope, he looked quite cute.

Liu Che was a complete face-obsessed person, even towards his sons. Good-looking ones were more likely to be favored.

The three sons who remained in the palace were considered the most outstanding in appearance among all his sons, so Liu Tan's appearance softened his heart a little, and he said lightly, "Don't make trouble."

Liu Tan: ???

What is going on?

Why was Liu Che so insistent on his marriage?

Although parents need to agree to their children's marriage, they will consider changing their minds when their children strongly oppose it and it is not for other lovers.

After all, most parents in the world want their children to live a good life. What else can a forced marriage do except making their children suffer after marriage?

He always felt that his marriage was strange. He was about to say something when Liu Ju pulled him back. Then he heard Liu Ju say, "Father, it's getting late. I will take my fifth brother back to Sui Yu Palace."

Liu Che waved his hand at them and said, "Go ahead."

So Liu Ju simply dragged Liu Tan away.

After they had walked a certain distance, Liu Ju finally let out a long sigh and said, "You are so bold! The marriage has already been decided, and the six ceremonies have already begun. You want to cancel the engagement now?"

Liu Tan's face instantly turned bitter. "How could I ask to cancel the engagement now? I didn't want to get married in the first place. Isn't it time to start the six ceremonies? Why are you in such a hurry?"

Liu Tan felt a bit uneasy. How many days had he been notified? And the six rituals had already begun? Even if the etiquette at that time was not as complicated as in later dynasties, it couldn't just start in a few days, right?

Shouldn't we prepare clothes and other things first? Those things will take a while to prepare, right? We also need to prepare the props for the six rituals. Why are we in such a hurry?

Liu Ju looked at Liu Tan and hesitated for a moment before saying, "This... Well, forget it. I shouldn't have kept this from you in the first place. Do you still remember that I sent you out of the palace because I said your horoscope was incompatible with the palace?"

Liu Tan was stunned for a moment: "Yes, is the old story being brought up again?"

It would be better to bring up the old things again. Wouldn't it be better to just give him a fiefdom and let him be a vassal so that he wouldn't be afraid?

Liu Ju responded, "That's not all. A while ago, you were possessed by Li Guangli, and my father was worried. He consulted many alchemists and ultimately came to the conclusion that it would be best for you to get married within the year to eliminate the effects. Otherwise, it might even affect your lifespan."

Liu Tan almost vomited blood when he heard this.

Just say that feudal superstition kills people!