In Zhao Huan's strategy, Jiaozi (paper money) belonged to the top-level strategy!
He wanted every neighboring country to use the Song Dynasty's paper money; anyone who didn't would be forced to use it by force!
Only in places where paper money had infiltrated could the wealth and power of the local elites be controlled by the Song Dynasty.
However, now someone wants to stop the emperor from taking the first step in implementing the top-level strategy.
Should he die?
To the onlookers, this might just be a minor matter, since they don't need to pay taxes and already have copper and iron coins.
But in Zhao Huan's eyes, this was an absolutely huge deal.
Today the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce is setting up a paper money preservation fee here. Will the Dog Shit Alliance be smearing dog shit on paper money tomorrow?
This is still in Tokyo, right under the emperor's nose. What about other places?
Indeed, as Tang Rui said, Tang Ke is currently sitting at home eating and drinking to his heart's content, thoroughly enjoying himself.
The people of the Tang residence only let him in because he was Zhang Yang, a friend of Tang Rui. Zhang Yang rushed in and shouted, "Master Tang, Master Tang, something terrible has happened..."
After rushing in, Zhang Yang quickly bowed and said, "Lord Tang..."
"Oh, it's Nephew Yunyi. Didn't you go out with Tang Rui?"
Zhang Yang then recounted Jiang Nanchun's story.
Tang Ke's expression immediately changed: "What did you say?"
"Because of the money exchange preservation fee, some people are now causing trouble at Jiangnanchun."
"No, no, no, the sentence before that."
"Brother Ziming asked me to come back and tell you to go to Jiangnan Spring. He said that an official surnamed Zhao asked him to do so."
Tang Ke's chubby face began to twitch: "What does that official surnamed Zhao look like?"
"With striking eyebrows and sharp eyes, a commanding presence, and an air of dominance over the world when he speaks..."
Tang Ke scrambled to the door and put on his shoes.
"Quickly! Prepare the horses!"
Tang Ke turned around and instructed the steward, "Go with Zhang Yang to Master Xu's residence quickly."
Zhang Yang then went to invite Xu Churen as Tang Rui had instructed, but Xu Churen was enjoying himself with his concubine at the time.
If it weren't for the Tang family's steward frequently visiting, Zhang Yang would never have been able to see Xu Churen.
Xu Churen, who was interrupted midway, was furious. If Zhang Yang did not give him a sufficient reason, he would take his anger out on Zhang Yang.
A fire burned within Xu Churen. After listening to Zhang Yang's words, he silently turned around and quickly went to change his clothes.
"Prepare the horses!"
Shangguan Hongru brought ten bigwigs from the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce to Jiangnanchun, including Wang Qi's father, Wang Wenshan.
Upon seeing Shangguan Hongru arrive, Wang Qi and the others felt somewhat relieved.
"My name is Shangguan Hongru. May I ask your honorable name?"
"Are you all from the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce?"
"That's right, I am the president of the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce."
"Alright, wait for Tang Ke and Xu Churen to arrive. Once they're here, you two will give me a proper explanation of this bullshit paper money preservation fee!"
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Hongru was immediately filled with rage.
Who the hell do you think you are?! You're so young, yet you're quite the show-off!
Are we still waiting for Tang Ke and Xu Churen to arrive?
Do you know that these two are the current prime ministers?
Earlier, Shangguan Qi went to deliver a message and told Shangguan Hongru about what had happened along the way. Shangguan Hongru also guessed that this must be an important person, most likely a member of the imperial family.
Tokyo is the imperial capital, and members of the imperial family are everywhere. It's not unusual to run into a few of them.
Shangguan Hongru had good relationships with several members of the imperial clan, mainly by frequently sending them money.
However, the imperial family of the Song Dynasty had no political power; at most, they could help merchants acquire some airs of nobility.
Even if you are a member of the imperial family, even if you are a prince, you cannot do anything to Xu Churen and Tang Ke.
These two men were the emperor's chief ministers, wielding power far exceeding that of princes!
Are you some kind of emperor?
What is the emperor doing here for no reason?
Actually, it wasn't that those present hadn't considered Zhao Huan's true identity; it's just that that identity was too damn taboo.
No one dared to step forward and ask, just in case it wasn't true.
What if it is?
This was truly a dilemma, and Zhao Huan didn't say anything, just let Tang Rui sit next to him while he leisurely drank his wine.
This puts everyone in a difficult position!
They knew Zhao Huan was no ordinary person, but they didn't know how to prove his identity!
When Wang Qi saw a plump, fair-skinned man walking towards him, he almost jumped up in excitement.
This... isn't this Tang Ke, the Grand Chancellor and Minister of Commerce of the Great Song Dynasty?
He had only seen Tang Ke from afar that day, but he would never mistake him for someone else!
"Greetings, Chancellor Tang..."
When Shangguan Hongru looked over, he was startled. He saw not only Tang Ke, but also Xu Churen.
He had met both of these big shots before, but he never expected that they would actually come!
So this person really is...
Tang Ke and Xu Churen didn't even glance at him, and walked straight toward Zhao Huan, bowing deeply.
Just then, Shao Chengzhang arrived and rushed over, loudly proclaiming, "Your subject kowtows to Your Majesty!"
The moment the word "Your Majesty" was uttered, everyone's face froze.
Especially Manager Liang, who was already unsteady on his feet and almost fell down.
Wang Qi looked like he'd swallowed a fly, while Yuan Ziyan almost peed himself. All his so-called gentlemanly manners were gone.
Everyone in the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce looked extremely grim, especially Wang Wenshan, who wished he could slap his son to death.
Everyone in the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce knelt down and shouted in unison, "This humble subject kowtows to the Emperor!"
After that shout, everyone heard it and turned to look in this direction.
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