The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

Two days later, Chen Huai'an returned from the Ministry of Revenue, and the matter of adding another vice minister to the Ministry of Revenue was completely confirmed.

It has to be said that the efficiency of many things in ancient times was really slow. So much time has passed since he proposed this matter, and Li Shimin had already agreed long ago, but it has been dragged on for so long.

Several times he wanted to urge them on.

After all, Liang Bingyi is indeed lacking in many aspects, and I have too many things to manage, so this can't go on for long.

Fortunately, it was finalized today, and the new Vice Minister of Revenue should take office in a couple of days.

"gentlemen."

"What's wrong?" Chen Huai'an asked casually as he walked inside.

Wang Bai followed behind, hesitatingly saying, "Sir, it's like this, at the end of the ninth year of Wude, didn't you ask me to go to various places to collect low-priced grain?"

"I met a grain merchant named Wang Jinbao back then. He helped me a lot and gave me a very good price. Today he came to see me and said he has something he wants me to tell you."

"I was thinking... I had indeed received help from others before, so I listened to what they had to say."

"The result..." "What was the result?" Chen Huai'an didn't care about the matter, his interest was low, and he was thinking about going to the kitchen later to see what food was available.

"As it turns out, Wang Jinbao told me that Changsun Shunde had used fake glass to cheat countless people and profited hundreds of thousands of strings of cash," Wang Bai said, both laughing and crying.

"Hmm?" Chen Huai'an stopped in his tracks, finally showing interest. "You mean, Wang Jinbao thought the person who sold him the glass was Changsun Shunde?"

"Yes." Wang Bai couldn't help but chuckle. "He spoke with extreme anger at the time, as if he had a great grudge against Changsun Shunde."

Chen Huai'an was amused.

You have to admit, Li Shimin was quite adept at scheming against people.

He thought the matter would take some time to develop, but he didn't expect that the victim would come looking for him just a few days after the sale.

"Erfeng is really skilled."

Chen Huai'an sighed inwardly, then looked at Wang Bai, who was suppressing a laugh, and his lips twitched.

He knew what Wang Bai was laughing at; in a way, Wang Jinbao hadn't chosen the wrong person.

But you're asking the person who cheated you out of money to stand up for you... doesn't seem right, does it?

"Where is he?" Chen Huai'an asked after thinking for a moment. "Replying to you, sir, he's still in Chang'an. I heard he rushed over from Luoyang," Wang Bai said, adding a sentence afterward.

Chen Huai'an said, "Here's what we'll do. The canal transport between the Central Plains and Lingnan has been opened up, and ships can start operating soon. Let him handle this business. Tell Ouyang Shu not to make things difficult for him and not to let him be bullied."

"After all, he helped us collect grain before, so consider this some compensation."

"I understand," Wang Bai nodded.

Despite Wang Jinbao helping them, he was still swindled out of so much money, and all he got in return was this casual instruction.

But even with just this one casual instruction, no amount of money could buy it.

You should know that he was in charge of the current Lingnan Transport Commissioner, a third-rank official.

With this statement, Wang Jinbao could travel freely on this canal route from then on.

In the long run, I wonder how much more money I could make.

Before leaving, Wang Bai suddenly thought of something, stopped in his tracks, and hesitated, saying, "Sir, I feel that Wang Jinbao is probably trying to curry favor with you."

"Over there, regarding the canal transport... Sir, you should also need someone to work there."

"Wang Jinbao's business of selling silk and grain has been of great help to us. Shall I bring him to meet you?" "Silk? Grain?" Chen Huai'an was somewhat surprised.

"Indeed, sir. He deals in silk and grain, and is considered one of the biggest merchants in Luoyang," Wang Bai replied.

Normally, Wang Bai would completely ignore someone trying to curry favor with Chen Huai'an.

There are countless people in the world who want to curry favor with Chen Huai'an.

But currying favor with Chen Huai'an... it's simple in some ways, and difficult in others.

Simply put, you can sell a sesame seed cake on the main street of Chang'an.

If it's difficult... you might get beaten up.

Of course, what's more important is that it has value.

Wang Jinbao is undoubtedly valuable.

Grain and silk were the hardest currencies among hard currencies.

The imperial court often gave silk to officials as their salary.

"Okay, bring him over to see me later." Chen Huai'an agreed. If it were in Luoyang, where they were still trading silk and grain, it would indeed be very valuable.

"Understood, sir. I'll be leaving now."

Just as Wang Bai was about to leave, Chen Huai'an suddenly thought of something interesting and called out to him, "Wait."

"Is there anything else you need, sir?" Wang Bai asked, puzzled.

Chen Huai'an grinned and said, "Wang Bai, I remember this Wang Jinbao is probably your relative, right? You two are distant cousins!"

"Huh?" Wang Bai was stunned. "Is...is that so?"

So now I have a cousin?

"Isn't that right?" Chen Huai'an glared. "His surname is Wang, and yours is Wang too. You're still saying you're not cousins?"

Wang Bai hesitated for a moment, then said helplessly, "Yes, sir, Wang Jinbao is my cousin. Please tell me what's wrong."

"Good, it's good that you're my cousin!" Chen Huai'an patted his shoulder with satisfaction. "Over the past two years, you've worked hard for me without complaint. Even if you haven't done anything special, you've certainly put in a lot of effort."

"Now that your cousin has been bullied and swindled out of so much money, I can't just sit idly by. Here's what we'll do: you use my name to go to Changsun Shunde's house and help your cousin get the money back!"

"We can't let anyone be bullied." Wang Bai: "..."

At that moment, he couldn't help but open his mouth wide, and in his heart, he began to mourn for Changsun Shunde.

If things continue like this, this matter will likely escalate quickly, and once rumors start circulating, it will be difficult to clarify the situation.

In particular, it was Chen Huai'an who sent him to collect the debt, and Li Shimin was behind it.

Even if Changsun Shunde had ten mouths, he couldn't explain it clearly.

Wang Bai asked, "What if he refuses to give it to me?"

"Why shouldn't he give it to me?" Chen Huai'an raised an eyebrow. "He thinks he's right after cheating people out of their money?"

"Take the gifts and go politely. Show him respect. I'm not being unreasonable. For Empress Zhangsun's sake, just make him return the money. I won't hold it against him for lying."

Wang Bai: "..."

What I'm saying is, if you're going to lie to others, can you please not lie to yourself as well?

Didn't all that money end up in your and His Majesty's pockets?

What does this have to do with the eldest grandson of the family, Shunde? "What if he insists on not giving it to him?"

Chen Huai'an waved his hand: "If he insists on not giving it to me, then I'll say that the Chen family is currently struggling financially, and that I've heard he's made a lot of money recently. I'm asking him to lend me some money to get by, and I'll pay him back once I receive my salary."

"..."