Li Shimin faked his death? Then I will be powerful enough to conquer the world!

Chapter 490 I will repay you with my loyalty!

Chang'an, this ancient capital that carries the prosperity of the world, has streets and alleys filled with the flavor of life.

In the bustling streets, there are cars and people jostling each other.

Shops are lined up like stars, and the colorful signs sway gently in the breeze, telling the story of their respective business.

In the silk shop, the shop assistants are enthusiastically showing the gorgeous silk to the customers.

In front of the rice shop, the boss skillfully measured the grains with a bucket, and his shouts came one after another.

Mr. Qi lives in a quiet courtyard, and the house is filled with books.

He was wearing a plain robe, holding a brush, and writing leisurely on the rice paper.

In stark contrast, Lin Dafu's mansion was bustling with activity.

As the largest imperial merchant in the Tang Dynasty, Lin Dafu's business spread all over the world, ranging from rare treasures in the Western Regions, to silk and tea in the south of the Yangtze River, to furs and medicinal materials in the north.

At this moment, his house was like a busy commercial center, with accountants carrying thick account books and coming in and out in a hurry.

The abacus beads in the room clattered non-stop, like rapid drumbeats, playing the sound of wealth.

Lin Dafu sat in the main seat, his brows furrowed, his eyes fixed on the densely packed numbers in the account book. Sometimes he picked up a pen to circle and draw on it, and sometimes he whispered with the manager beside him, handling a series of complicated matters.

When Zhang Xianhuai stepped into the mansion, he was overwhelmed by the tense atmosphere in the house.

He walked towards Lin Dafu cautiously, but before he could open his mouth, he was met with Lin Dafu's angry gaze.

Lin Dafu frowned, the wrinkles on his forehead twisted into the shape of a "chuan" character, and he started to scold him: "You little brat, can't you see I'm really busy and exhausted?"

"Why did you choose this time to come? You have no sense at all!"

Zhang Xianhuai shrank his neck when he was scolded, but he still had a humble smile on his face and did not show any anger at all.

He hurriedly explained: "Teacher, it was His Majesty who asked you to enter the palace."

Upon hearing this, the anger on Lin Dafu's face instantly seemed to be blown away by a gust of wind, and was replaced by a face full of flattery.

He frantically tidied up his slightly disheveled clothes and said, "Oh, child, why didn't you tell me earlier? What if I delayed His Majesty's business? What will happen then?"

Just as he was about to step into the palace, he suddenly felt like he was hit on the head. He slapped his forehead hard and a look of regret appeared on his face.

Then he fumbled around in his arms in a panic, and soon took out a golden lock.

This gold lock is exquisitely made and the craftsmanship is amazingly complex.

Every pattern is carved in great detail, and inlaid with nine pieces of warm and beautiful jade, the jade is crystal clear.

Zhang Xianhuai looked at the golden locket with confusion in his eyes and couldn't help but move closer to take a closer look.

This golden locket is very similar to the one Lin Dafu had given her before, except that this one is more gorgeous and obviously worth a lot of money.

Lin Dafu looked at him absorbed in his thoughts, glared at him unhappily, and said, "What are you looking at? This is for Jiaojiao. Remember to bring it back to him."

Zhang Jiao was the son of Zhang Xianhuai.

Lin Dafu has no children and no intention of getting married.

In his heart, he had already loved Zhang Xianhuai as his own son.

In his opinion, having children is full of uncertainties. Whether the children will be filial when they grow up and whether they can inherit his legacy are unknown.

It would be better to choose a smart and sensible student like Zhang Xianhuai and raise him as a son, so that you can be sure that there will be someone to take care of you in your old age.

Moreover, he is now in a high position and his status is really embarrassing.

Back then, if Your Majesty had not become Your Majesty, he might have been like an ordinary wealthy businessman, living in a corner of Chang'an, marrying and having children, and leading a simple but prosperous life.

Even if his descendants become prodigals, he will only sigh helplessly and will not care too much.

But now, Your Majesty has become the Son of Heaven, and he holds almost all the economic lifelines of the Tang Dynasty in his hands.

He used to be just an ordinary man struggling in the market, running around for money and only caring about interests.

But since he met His Majesty and Mr. Qi, his state of mind has undergone a drastic change.

Your Majesty has the world in his heart and wants to create a peaceful and prosperous era where the people can live and work in peace and contentment. Such a lofty and great ideal makes him feel his own narrow-mindedness and ashamed.

Among the three of them, he always felt that he was the one who lagged behind. He was not as knowledgeable as Mr. Qi, nor as strategic as His Majesty. The only thing he was good at was making money.

But as long as he could get money for his two brothers, help His Majesty realize his ambitions, and make the Tang Dynasty prosperous, he felt that his existence had value.

As a businessman, with business acumen, he naturally has a sense of favors in his mind.

No one can calculate it better than him.

I was able to rise from an ordinary citizen to my current position and become an important imperial merchant in the Tang Dynasty, all thanks to your Majesty's promotion and trust.

Your Majesty must have endured immense pressure in order to help him gain a foothold in the court.

In the court, undercurrents surged, and the forces of various parties were intricate and complex. Those people could not stand the fact that he, a businessman, could hold such a high position and power.

Officials who were jealous of his wealth were always watching in secret, looking for opportunities to suppress him.

It's easy to guess that there are countless people in the Tang Dynasty who are jealous of him and want to step on him and take the wealth in his hands for themselves.

But His Majesty, despite the opposition, granted him asylum, allowing him to display his business talents.

If you treat me as a national hero, I will repay you as a national hero. I will never be ungrateful if I am stingy with great blessings.

If he had children or descendants, Your Majesty would definitely be in trouble.

He holds the economic lifeline of the Tang Dynasty and has descendants. Once His Majesty is in trouble, he can easily buy people's hearts with the wealth in his hands and even cause the Tang Dynasty's economy to collapse.

By then, who knows how many people in the court would jump out to impeach him, saying that he intends to rebel and disrupt the government.

He was not afraid of the rumors or the attacks, and he knew that His Majesty was not afraid either.

But he could not let His Majesty fall into a dilemma, nor could he let His Majesty bear the infamy and threaten the country and people of the Tang Dynasty because of his own selfish desires.

What does it matter if there are no offspring?

Compared to your majesty's kindness, this is nothing.

He never regretted his choice and firmly believed that his decision was correct.

In the Liangyi Hall, Li Chengqian sat upright on the armchair. Although his face was still majestic and solemn, a closer look revealed traces of time in the corners of his eyes, the marks left by years of hard work in state affairs.

Mr. Qi stood aside, wearing a long robe, his posture as straight as a pine tree.

He held a folding fan in his hand, sometimes waving it gently, sometimes nodding slightly, his expression indifferent, always calm and composed.

Lin Dafu hurried over and stepped into the hall. The moment he saw Li Chengqian, he was stunned.

It's only been a year since we last met, Your Majesty, how come you look so much older?

Back then, the three of them were young men full of vigor and vitality, running freely in the streets and alleys of Xianyang, talking about their ideals.

At that time, His Majesty concealed his identity as the crown prince.

At that time, they were full of vigor and energy, and had infinite longing for the future.

Now they have all entered middle age, and the years have left marks on each of them, deep or shallow.

Lin Dafu calmed himself down, a smile plastered across his face as he quickly stepped forward, bowing to Li Chengqian and Mr. Qi. "Your Majesty, Grand Tutor Qi, I'm late. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Li Chengqian looked at him, smiled and touched his beard.

"Fatty, how come you've lost so much weight? Are you too tired?"

"I have so many decrees every year, it really makes things difficult for you!"

There was heartache in Li Chengqian's eyes. Over the years, the economic development of the Tang Dynasty could not have been separated from Lin Dafu's efforts.

He spent countless efforts to implement policies that benefit the people, such as reforming commercial taxes and opening up new trade routes.

In order to ensure the smooth implementation of policies, he often traveled to various places in person, dealing with local wealthy businessmen and officials and coordinating the interests of all parties.

Lin Dafu heard this and quickly shook his head, a sincere smile on his face: "Your Majesty, what are you talking about? I am still suffering? Your Majesty has made me the richest man in the Tang Dynasty!"

"If I continue to complain, how will the people live? It is my honor to share your majesty's worries and contribute to the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty."

Hearing this, Li Chengqian and Mr. Qi couldn't help laughing. This laughter seemed to bring back the days when they were young, drinking and talking about their ideals.

At that time, they were not bound by their identities, nor were they involved in court disputes. They only had pure friendship and beautiful expectations for the future.