Chapter 1 The Crown Prince

  Very soon, Zou Jiu arrived in the hall and sat down at the top seat. Not long after he sat down, the armored soldier who had been ordered to go out earlier walked in, bringing a man with him.

  Around forty years old, extremely thin and slender, with a sharp face. This is Zhang Kuai, the leather goods merchant from Shangdang.

  "This is Mr. Zhang from the Upper Party, sir."

  The officer bowed and saluted.

  "Nice to meet you, Lord Mò." Zhang Kuai bowed and said.

  "You're too polite, sir." Just as Liu Feng had guessed, the merchant, who was also from a merchant background, nodded politely.

  That gentle appearance brings peace of mind.

  Zhang Kuai is now in such a mood, just like the intelligence that Zou Jue knows. He is an upper party member, with a big business, but his reputation is not good or bad.

  In this era, being an official is more awesome than being a merchant. Zhang Kuai, due to his identity, sometimes encountered many obstacles, and then saw the emperor's edict saying that donating money could obtain the title of Guannei Hou.

  Although it's still selling official positions and titles, at least it's a dignified thing. Zhang Kuai thought about the pros and cons, gritted his teeth, and came anyway.

  However, when dealing with officials, he was still a little nervous. But after seeing Zou Jue's attitude, he completely put his mind at ease.

  Zhang Kuai smiled and bowed again to Mo Zhen.

  "En, you go down first." Zou Zhu also nodded towards Zhang Kuai and then turned his head to face the soldier.

  "Yes." Xia Shi responded with a "yes" and immediately turned around and left.

  In this way, there were only Mi Zong and Zhang Kuai left in the hall.

  "May I ask, Lord Mei, what is the procedure for making a donation?" Zhang Kuai, being a merchant by origin, treated even the sale of official positions as a business transaction, and raised his fist in a very calm manner.

  "Five hundred taels of gold, or three million copper coins. Bring the money here and register it. For every ten people, I will take you to the palace to meet His Highness the Crown Prince, and then report to the Emperor. That's all." Zou Shi explained in detail.

  "Is it that simple?" Zhang Kai was slightly stunned, much simpler than he had imagined, and thought it would be more troublesome.

  "It's just that simple." Zou Yu smiled and nodded.

  "All right, I'll send someone to deliver the 500 gold coins immediately." Zhang Kuai said with a happy nod. Zhang Kuai traveled all over the world and happened to be passing through Xu Du this time, just in time to get rid of his leather goods and had sufficient funds.

  Five hundred jin, and he got a noble title of Guannei Hou just like that, what a bargain.

  "Goodbye, sir." Zou nodded and said.

  "Goodbye." Zhang Kai bowed to Mou Zhong and immediately turned around and left.

  "It's another 500 gold, pure profit!" Zou Zhu shook his head, as a merchant, he really couldn't resist this temptation, the temptation of making money without any capital.

  "Ah."

  He let out a sigh.

  The Emperor issued a decree, saying that donating money could obtain the title of Guannei Hou. After all, it was released relatively late, and the spread speed was limited. Although Xu Du was the capital of the emperor, it was impossible for countless people to come and ask for a title at once.

  Apart from Zhang Kuai, it took Zong Ze fifteen days to gather ten people.

  On this day, in the grand hall of the Mou Zuo government office.

  Meng Zong knelt down and sat in the first position, with ten people seated on both sides below him. Although these people were of different ages and appearances, they all had one thing in common - a sharp and astute face.

  The first one who sought for the title of "Jue" was Zhang Kuai.

  These guys are either nine cows and one hair or they bankrupt their families. What they want is the title of Guannei Hou, which is the foundation of Liu Feng's business.

  "Today I will take you into the palace to meet His Highness the Crown Prince."

  Miao Zhu swept his eyes over these ten people and said.

  "Thank you, sir." The ten merchants bowed in unison and said.

  Immediately, Zou led ten merchants out of the gate and headed towards the imperial palace by carriage. Five thousand taels of gold were also brought along.

  They soon arrived at the gate of the palace. Zuo Ci took out the token and showed it to the guards, who immediately stood aside.

  "Let's go." Zou said with a smile, facing a row of businessmen.

  The businessmen nodded, but they couldn't hide their tension. Although they were all masters in their respective fields, such as Zhang Kuai, a wealthy merchant from Shangdang who was second only to Mi Zhen in terms of wealth. There were also merchants who could rival Mi Zhen and even surpass him slightly.

  But in front of royal dignity, it's still not enough. Although everyone actually knows clearly, who is now in power.

  After lingering at the palace gate for a moment, Mei Zhu led his troops into the Crown Prince's Palace.

  It was afternoon now, Liu Feng didn't read books and rested in the palace. So after receiving the news, he immediately came to the grand hall to wait.

  On the throne, Liu Feng wore a crown and a robe, extremely solemn.

  Liu Feng regarded this group of people as a fat sheep, accumulating funds to counter Cao Cao's fundamental, naturally attached great importance to it. The attire was also naturally solemn.

  Liu Feng sat beside Zhao Yun, and Dong Xi also stood by.

  "Let them in." Liu Feng raised his hand and said.

  "Alright." Dong Xi responded with a "yes" and immediately walked out. A moment later, he led a group of people including Mang Zhong back in.

  "Greetings, Your Highness."

  Under the leadership of Zou Jue, ten businessmen lined up and bowed to Liu Feng, all very respectful, not one dared to raise their heads to look at Liu Feng.

  Looking at this situation, Liu Feng had an inexplicable feeling in his heart. He had already seen the information of these people, and none of them were not wealthy and influential.

  Although it's not powerful, but also cool enough.

  But seeing this puppet, he is still diligent. What does this show? It shows that the Han dynasty still has some prestige, and it's no wonder that Cao Cao, even with great power in his hands, had to use the name of the Han dynasty.

  During this period, Liu Feng began to resist Cao Cao and also began to understand the outside world. The more he understood, the more he felt the majesty of the Han dynasty, which was like heavenly power.

  The heart that wants to regain power is heavier with each passing day.

  He was originally born as the crown prince.

  "You're welcome." A thought flashed through his mind, but Liu Feng's face remained extremely calm as he spoke.

  "Thank you, Your Highness."

  The crowd of onlookers bowed again.

  "Now that the country is in difficulty, you, although merchants, are thinking of the country, which is commendable. I will praise you before the Emperor. As for the title of Marquis within the Passes, you can also rest assured."

  Liu Feng spoke up.

  "Thank you, Your Highness."

  The crowd of merchants thanked him again, all showing a relieved expression.

  "Alright, you wait here for a moment, I'll go and ask the Emperor for his decree. And also, the seal of the Marquis of Guannei, but because time is pressing, it's likely that the marquis attire won't be able to be made in time. You can take care of making it yourselves." Liu Feng nodded his head and said with a smile. After finishing speaking, he paused for a moment, then continued: "When I return, I'll host a banquet to treat you."

  "Thank you, Your Highness."

  Many merchants were shocked at first, but soon became excited. Who would have thought that selling official titles and nobility could receive the hospitality of the Crown Prince? What is this? Is it a banquet in the imperial palace?

  What kind of treatment is this? I'm afraid even ordinary ministers can't enjoy it. And yet they are just merchants.

  At this moment, many people's hearts felt grateful to Liu Feng.

  "Hmm." Liu Feng nodded and stood up, saying: "Zizhong stay behind, Zilong follow me." Before he had even finished speaking, Liu Feng walked out of the grand hall.

  "Agreed."

  Zhao Yun responded with a "yes" and immediately followed him out.