Tang Dynasty: To win Yang Guifei, they asked Emperor Xuanzong to die.

Chapter 91 Close Personal Relationship

Li Mao stood in the dark room, his gaze cold and stern, the surrounding air seemingly frozen.

Su Ming was tied to a chair, his face pale, sweat dripping from his forehead, and he dared not look directly at Li Mao.

"A misunderstanding?" Li Mao's voice was cold and firm. "If it's a misunderstanding, then how do you explain these tools disguised as goods?"

Su Ming stammered, his lips dry, "Your Highness, please understand. All of this was done at someone else's request. I was forced into this situation."

"Who forced you?" Li Mao continued to press.

Su Ming hesitated, his eyes darting around.

Confessing means certain death, but not confessing probably won't get you out alive either.

"Why resist so stubbornly? You might as well confess and save your life." General Feng stepped forward, placed a hand on Su Ming's shoulder, and applied slight pressure.

Su Ming took a few breaths, and finally steeled himself, saying, "It was Censor-in-Chief Zhang who instigated me to do this."

"Lord Zhang?" Li Mao frowned slightly, his mind racing as he went through the relationships between the people in the court, but found no connection.

"Yes, he has no official contact with merchants in Jiangnan, but he has been secretly sending people to conduct transactions by waterway." Su Ming said with a slight tremor.

Li Mao's expression grew increasingly solemn. "Then what is his purpose?"

“As far as I know, he wants to accumulate wealth.” Su Ming lowered his head, not daring to meet Li Mao’s gaze.

"Is it really just about the money?"

Li Mao clearly did not believe this explanation.

He then signaled to General Feng to continue interrogating Su Ming.

The night is getting darker.

Li Mao breathed a slight sigh of relief, turned around and walked out of the dark room.

When Li Mao returned to his residence, he saw that Afu was already waiting there.

Afu said thoughtfully, "Lord Zhang has always been low-key; that might just be the tip of the iceberg."

“Indeed,” Li Mao nodded slightly. “The power dynamics in the court are deeply entrenched, and any slight movement can have far-reaching consequences.”

"Your Highness, could we take this opportunity to hold a banquet and invite all the suspicious individuals here? Perhaps we can find some clues in their words," Afu suggested.

Li Mao pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Good. Hold a banquet, ostensibly for celebration, but in reality for investigation."

A few days later, a lavish banquet was held at the residence of the Jiangnan military governor.

Those involved were all prominent merchants from the south and influential figures in the imperial court.

As the mastermind behind the scenes, Li Mao naturally took the main seat at the banquet, carefully observing the words and actions of each guest as he raised his glass in toasts and conversations.

Li Jingqing stayed by his side, seemingly laughing it off, but the heaviness in his heart gradually intensified.

"Your Highness Prince Shou, today's grand banquet truly lives up to its reputation." A wealthy merchant from Jiangnan, accompanied by several companions, approached Li Mao with a delighted expression.

Not far away, General Feng and Afu frequently exchanged glances, silently noting down the names and behavior of each guest as a basis for subsequent investigations.

The banquet was lively and bustling, with guests toasting and drinking, and before they knew it, it was past midnight.

Li Jingqing picked up his wine cup, approached Li Mao, and asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, was there anything of interest at this banquet?"

"The general's support will make things twice as effective," Li Mao replied with a faint smile.

"The peace and tranquility of Jiangnan is thanks to Your Highness's wise plans; how could Jingqing dare to claim credit for it?" Li Jingqing bowed slightly.

Li Mao nodded, then turned to face the guests in the square, "Ladies and gentlemen, tonight the moon is full, and the prosperity of Jiangnan in the future depends on everyone working together."

The guests cheered and showered them with compliments.

After the banquet ended, Li Mao and General Feng walked out of the hall together.

"General, did you notice anything amiss tonight?" Li Mao asked with a light laugh.

"Is Your Highness referring to that wealthy merchant who seems to talk at length about the state of the world, but occasionally hides his wariness?" General Feng asked at the opportune moment.

“Exactly.” Li Mao paused slightly, and only when no one was around did he whisper, “His words were full of caution regarding the court situation, but after a few rounds of drinks, his eyes were full of panic. Everyone at the banquet was extraordinary.”

"I will send people to keep a close eye on these merchants." General Feng nodded slightly.

The next day.

Li Mao secretly sent people to investigate and find evidence of the dealings between the suspicious merchants and the Imperial Censor Zhang.

During this period, Li Mao maintained a superficially friendly relationship with Li Jingqing, the military governor of Jiangnan, while skillfully maneuvering among various merchants.

A few days later, Afu arrived quietly, bringing with him the preliminary results of his investigation: "Your Highness, we have discovered that some of the fleets have close ties with Lord Zhang, and that a batch of gold and silver was secretly transferred into his home with each transaction."

"Just as I thought," Li Mao replied softly.

"Your Highness, should we continue the investigation?" Afu asked.

"Of course." Li Mao nodded. "We must be careful not to alert them."

at the same time.

Inside Chang'an, Li Longji was painstakingly reviewing memorials in his imperial study.

At this moment, Gao Chen walked in, bowed slightly, and presented a newly released intelligence report.

"Your Majesty, this is the latest news about Jiangnan." He spoke softly, as if afraid of disturbing Li Longji.

Li Longji took the report, read it carefully, and his brows furrowed slightly.

Jiangnan has always been a vital area for the nation's finances, and no mistakes can be tolerated.

He slowly put down the file, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.

Li Longji instructed the eunuch beside him: "Pay close attention to the movements of Prince Shou in the Jiangnan region."

Gao Chen stood aside, carefully pondering the deeper meaning behind Li Longji's words. "Your Majesty, is there anything in Jiangnan that requires special attention from Prince Shou?"

Li Longji nodded slightly, his eyes revealing a hint of profundity. "Although Prince Shou, Li Mao, has no real power, he has always maintained harmonious relations with all parties. This trip to Jiangnan is partly to test his abilities, and partly to give him a period of training."

Gao Chen nodded in agreement, understanding that Li Longji was setting up a scheme that not only involved the rise and fall of the Tang Dynasty but also Li Mao's future and destiny.

“But the situation in Jiangnan is no child’s play,” Li Longji continued. “If the situation gets out of control, it will not only affect the national economy and people’s livelihood, but also shake the foundation of our Great Tang.”

"Does Your Majesty need to send more personnel to ensure the stability of Jiangnan?" Gao Chen tentatively suggested.

"No need for now," Li Longji waved his hand.

“Since I have entrusted this matter to Prince Shou, I will naturally trust him. Since he is in his position, he is certainly capable of handling it.”

Gao Chen nodded slightly, understanding the deeper meaning behind it.

"This servant understands." Gao Chen bowed deeply once more, then carefully withdrew from the hall.

at the same time.

Li Mao once again convened a banquet for all the merchants.

After all, there were only two purposes for this trip south: to solve the flood problem and to deal with the rebels.

Now that the rebels have been dealt with, the only way to solve the flood problem is to raise money and grain, and have local merchants support the local disaster victims.

Of course, there is no free lunch in the world.

To get these merchants to take money out of their pockets, you ultimately have to give them some benefits...