The next day at noon, Wen Chao arrived at the Ghost Market and upon seeing Zheng Qing, he respectfully said,
“Sir, my master requests your presence.”
Zheng Qing nodded.
When they arrived at Pei’s Mansion, a carriage was waiting.
After getting into the carriage, Pei Jian said softly,
“The Emperor wishes to see you. Due to time constraints, let us keep things simple.”
Zheng Qing had no objections.
The carriage headed towards the palace.
The sight of opulent splendor, with imposing guards everywhere, still impressed Zheng Qing.
They walked to a lotus pond and a pavilion, where a man in a bright yellow robe stood with his hands behind his back, radiating an aura of authority without anger.
“Commoner Zheng Qing greets Your Majesty!”
Li Dan raised his hand, “No need for ceremony. I heard from Pei Shi Lang that you are from the Zheng family of Xingyang?”
Zheng Qing replied naturally,
“Your Majesty, I am indeed from the Zheng family of Xingyang.”
Li Dan furrowed his brows,
“The Zheng family of Xingyang has been keeping a low profile lately and prides itself on being a prestigious family. How could there be someone like you who engages in commerce in the Ghost Market? Not only do you not consider this a disgrace, but you even brazenly revealed your identity to Pei Shi Lang, causing me to see you. Do you know that this is a crime of deception against the Emperor?!”
His voice was imposing, perhaps due to his long years of issuing commands. It was full of pressure.
But the truth was, there were hardly any high officials in the current court who regarded the Emperor as a threat!
Zheng Qing nodded,
“I understand.”
Li Dan clenched his fist. He was impressed by Zheng Qing’s composure. Anyone else in this situation would have knelt down and begged for mercy.
“Oh? Since you understand, why did you still do it? Do you know that I can throw you into Jinwu Prison at any time? If I were to cut you into a thousand pieces, no one could save you!”
Zheng Qing nodded, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for not taking my life. However, if I hadn't taken such risks, I wouldn't be able to see Your Majesty. Currently, the Crown Prince and the Princess are locked in a fierce power struggle. I am here to relieve Your Majesty's worries!”
Li Dan snorted coldly,
“Such audacity! Do you know that the Crown Prince and the Princess are incredibly powerful both in court and among the people? Yet you dare to claim that you are here to relieve my worries? Do you think your abilities are comparable to those of the four or three chief ministers?”
Li Dan appeared calm on the surface, but he was actually furious inside!
Although he was still the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty in name, he was essentially stripped of his power. Even matters like personnel appointments were interfered with by the Princess and the Crown Prince!
He believed that if this were to spread, people would think he was incompetent!
Therefore, he had to make some changes.
Zheng Qing said earnestly,
“I have a slight understanding of commerce. Currently, Chang’an red tea is widely enjoyed both in court and among the people. Many officials are indulging in it. Your Majesty, do you know that the merchants who sell red tea are raising their prices every day, and there is even a shortage of supply!
I am willing to do my part to help Your Majesty suppress the other two factions!”
Li Dan’s eyes gleamed. He seemed to understand something.
In fact, it wasn't wrong to say that he had orchestrated the whole Chang’an red tea affair. How did this Zheng Qing figure it out?
The Zheng family of Xingyang… No, this person, perhaps he is worth employing!
“Tell me your thoughts.” Li Dan became interested.
Zheng Qing said seriously,
“Although Chang’an red tea is good, it is being exploited by scoundrels in the Ghost Market. Moreover, based on my observations, the current market price of three taels of silver is not the peak. It is possible that in the future, it will rise to one tael of gold!
We can stockpile goods and then make a profit by buying low and selling high. We can hand over all the profits from this to Your Majesty!”
Li Dan stroked his beard.
“You wanted to see me. It must be about more than this.”
“Your Majesty is wise. I beg Your Majesty to grant me the authority to investigate cases, allowing me to enter certain places.”
Zheng Qing presented his request.
This was actually his true purpose for coming to see Li Dan today!
After all, he was a transmigrator. Although there was an identity document at the place where he crossed over showing that he was from the Zheng family of Xingyang, he didn’t have much of an impression of the other Zheng family members.
And clan consciousness was very strong in the Tang Dynasty. Without being able to use this identity, he could only seek an official position in court.
Furthermore, in the future, when Su Wuming and the others appear, he can intimidate them!
He believed that since the Emperor had arranged an identity for him, the Princess and the Crown Prince would find out soon enough.
Unlike Li Dan, those two were very cunning. Approaching them actively would only arouse suspicion!
Li Dan, too, was not a pushover. Seeing that he couldn’t defeat the Princess and the Crown Prince, he first used Chang’an red tea as a means of framing him.
But this scheme was foiled by Su Wuming and the others. However, the money earned from manipulating the red tea trade was used to build the Tower of Heaven!
It can only be said that everyone in the Li family was no pushover!
【You have gained 5000 points in Fame from Li Dan’s Favor.]
Zheng Qing’s eyes narrowed slightly. Wow, this was the power of the head of the Tang Dynasty! He was making a killing!
That day, Zheng Qing left the palace, satisfied with his new identity as a Supervisory Censor and the waist token personally bestowed by Li Dan.
He opened the Fame Point Mall.
【Martial Arts Category:
Horsemanship Mastery: 500.
Swordsmanship Mastery: 1000.
Fist Techniques Mastery: 1000.
Lightness Skill Mastery: 1000.】
He exchanged all four of these and learned them. Now he had some confidence in venturing into the world!
As for Fame Points, he didn’t need to worry about that. He had another opportunity to fleece people soon!
That night, he went to the Ghost Market again and met Yin Shi Lang.
At that time, Yin Shi Lang was counting the amount of Chang’an red tea, laughing ominously as he checked the accounts.
Zheng Qing shook his head, “Truly worthy of a transvestite. This kind of thing is not something ordinary people can do. It’s really not acting.”
Under the effect of Stealth, Yin Shi Lang didn’t notice him until he got close.
“Stop laughing, you’ll scare the soul out of me!”
Zheng Qing suddenly spoke, but unexpectedly, Yin Shi Lang seemed frightened and quickly retreated.
“Who are you?!”
Zheng Qing looked at the androgynous Yin Shi Lang and said coldly,
“I am here by the Emperor’s command to check the progress of red tea sales. I have a mission for you.”
Yin Shi Lang scoffed, “What kind of stray cat or stray dog dares to use the Emperor’s name? I just happen to need your heart and liver to make a Re魂香 (Re-Soul Incense)!”
Whoosh!
Yin Shi Lang rushed forward in a burst of speed. His claws were extremely sharp. He swiped forward, his attack resembling a black tiger grabbing the heart!