Tian Laosan's mouth was full of blood from the beating, but his men could only watch in fear, not daring to utter a sound.
Tian Zhong is a prominent figure in Tokyo's underworld, and in the past year he has shed a layer of skin and put on a new one, starting to whitewash his image.
For example, they actively responded to the imperial court's call, established trading companies, recruited laborers for construction, built roads, mined, constructed houses, and even donated money when the emperor was at war.
However, he still has many shady dealings going on.
His trading company and the businessmen he collaborates with need his subordinates to handle certain matters.
Tian Laosan was one of his confidants.
In the past, Tian Laosan only fawned over high-ranking officials and nobles. Even when he fawned over them, those polite and courteous officials and nobles would not casually beat him.
But today, he was beaten.
Moreover, he had his front teeth knocked out right away, and it was the Imperial Guards who did it.
In Tokyo, some say that it's better to scold a prince than to provoke the Imperial Guards.
Therefore, after being beaten, Tian Laosan could only swallow his broken teeth.
Zhao Huan ignored them and turned back to Chunhua Tower.
Xie Dahai immediately had someone arrange a new pavilion for Zhao Huan.
There weren't many people left inside; those who had been drinking late into the night had either left, and those who had been playing around with women had all gone to sleep.
Before long, the servant brought out some food and soup.
Liu Hong fed Zhang Kaichun soup with a spoon. After more than a dozen spoonfuls, Zhang Kaichun gradually regained his senses and had a little strength left.
Liu Hong continued to feed Zhang Kaichun soup, while Tian Laosan and the others were terrified and their faces turned ashen.
Old Tian was filled with regret. This young man was definitely not an ordinary person. If only he had taken the next alley, he would not have run into him!
Zhao Huan stared coldly at Tian Laosan. Tian Laosan felt that Zhao Huan's gaze was as sharp as a knife, and he also exuded a kind of oppressive aura that made people worship him.
"It's none of my business!" Tian Laosan covered his mouth, stammering, "I only accepted Zhu Xi's mission to kill this person, I don't know anything else!"
Zhao Huan asked, "Then why did you lie to me earlier and say that you were a servant of the Zhu family?"
"This... I just said it offhand..."
Zhao Huan gestured to Xie Dahai: "Break his kneecaps first, so he can speak while kneeling. Some people will only tell the truth when they have to kneel!"
"don't want……"
Tian Laosan was terrified and turned pale. Xie Dahai kicked him, and with a crack, shattered Tian Laosan's right kneecap.
He stumbled and fell to the ground.
The usually ruthless subordinates didn't dare utter a single word when they saw Tian Laosan being beaten.
"I'll talk... I'll talk... Please don't hit me anymore... I'll tell you everything..." Blood kept flowing from Tian Laosan's mouth. His whole body was convulsing. He clutched his right kneecap, curled up on the ground, and wailed miserably like a wounded wild beast.
"It's Zhu Xi! It's Zhu Xi! This man is Zhu Xi... a laborer he recruited to build a cement road south of Gyeonggi Province. He escaped, Zhu Xi... Zhu Xi ordered me to capture him and bring him back... no, kill him!"
People in ancient times certainly didn't know what had happened inside, or why Zhu Xi would kill a laborer.
But Zhao Huan, being a time traveler, immediately guessed what had happened, after all...
A surge of anger burned within him.
Sure enough, I've been busy fighting wars and haven't paid much attention to you, and you've caused me all this trouble.
The laborers, driven to the brink of escape or rebellion by the merchants, would ultimately vent all their anger and resentment on the imperial court.
The common people would only blame the court and the emperor for their inaction.
Excellent! My empire has no shortage of officials, nor does it lack merchants!
Why did Zhu Xi want to kill him?
"I don't know... I really don't know!"
At this moment, Zhang Kaichun finally came to his senses: "Please, sirs... please save us..."
Zhao Huan said, "Tell me slowly and clearly, and I will stand up for you!"
“That Zhu… Zhu Xi, he tricked us… we signed indentures, and he hasn’t paid us for five months… We quit, and he’s going to kill us. He’s forcing everyone to do hard labor, corvée labor… Wasn’t corvée labor abolished by the court…”
Zhang Kaichun seemed to have used his last bit of strength, and then he fainted after speaking.
Zhao Huan frowned upon hearing this.
He stood up and said, "He Liming!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
"Send this man to Tang Ke's residence and have him take good care of him, or I will hold him accountable!"
"yes!"
Zhao Huan was furious: "That fat Tang has done me a great service!"
After saying that, Zhao Huan left dejectedly, and Xie Dahai followed him with his men.
Tian Laosan was so frightened that he collapsed to the ground, utterly desperate.
He Liming instructed his men to hand over Tian Laosan and the others to the Kaifeng Prefecture's civil affairs department, while he himself hailed a carriage and took Zhang Kaichun to the Tang residence.
Tang Ke was sleeping soundly with his concubine in his arms. In his dream, he dreamed that he was eating a new kind of hot pot, which made his mouth water.
But suddenly, I was awakened by shouts outside.
"My husband! My husband!"
The butler outside was shouting loudly.
Tang Ke asked impatiently, "What is it!"
"Officer He from the Imperial City Guard has come to see you."
Upon hearing the words "Imperial City Guard," Tang Ke immediately jumped out of bed.
These three characters represent the emperor!
The Imperial City Guard's visit late at night must mean the Emperor has something to discuss with him!
The emperor's affairs are of paramount importance!
Even when it was freezing cold, he got out of bed and quickly started getting dressed.
He Liming waited in the lobby, drinking tea as he pondered what had just happened and how to tell Tang Xiangong.
Tang Ke came out shortly afterward.
"Brother He, I am so sorry to have visited you so late at night!"
Tang Ke wore a gentle smile. As a high-ranking official in charge of the Ministry of Commerce of the Song Dynasty, Tang Ke's style of dealing with people was gentle, and he always had a kind smile on his face no matter who he met.
Even though He Liming was many ranks below him, he was still very polite to He Liming.
This is one of the reasons why he was able to navigate the power dynamics of the Song Dynasty court so effectively.
He Liming felt very comfortable talking to Tang Ke, and he was also quite moved.
What could I possibly say when a prime minister was so friendly to a lowly sixth-rank official like myself?
"Lord Tang, I have come with bad news."
Tang Ke calmly replied, "Speak freely."
He Liming then recounted what had happened, and when Tang Ke learned that it was related to the construction of the cement road, his expression changed.
This is terrible!
Tang Ke quickly had Zhang Kaichun settled in and then ordered someone to fetch a doctor immediately.
"Brother He, please excuse me."
"It's alright, I'll take my leave now."
Tang Ke hurriedly changed into his official robes, which he only wore to court, and rushed to the palace.
P.S.: Don't ask me why I updated three chapters. I'm happy, I'm willing, and I plan to update even more tomorrow!
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