I support the army through farming and business.

Chapter 249 Abandoned Courtyard
After the victory of Dayu over Tubo, the people were overjoyed. Seeing that the situation had stabilized, Tang Zhao opened all three city gates except for the west gate, which connected to the valley pass, which remained closed.

Wuwei City was bustling with people and its trade was thriving.

Tang Zhao looked at the bustling crowd on the main street with admiration, "The army outside the city is locked in a stalemate, and we don't know when the war will break out again. The people are busy with their own affairs and don't seem to be afraid at all!"

The innkeeper personally served the food, saying, "With the Northwest Army protecting us, we ordinary people naturally have nothing to fear."

"Your Highness, you may not know, but when General Song was alive, even though there was a battle raging outside Wuwei City and the shouts of battle were deafening, people inside the city continued to do what they were supposed to do without any disruption."

Tang Zhao cupped his hands in admiration, "I admire you!"

"Princess and gentlemen, please enjoy your meal," the innkeeper said with a smile as he went to greet the other guests.

"Lord Lu, Lord Shen, Mr. Zhang, please have some."

"Princess, please."

Tang Zhao picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks first, and only then did the others at the table begin to eat.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Tang Zhao called the waiter to bring him hawthorn water. As he drank, he said, "I invited the three of you here today because there is something I want to discuss with you."

Lu Ying sat up straight. "Please speak, Princess."

Tang Zhao stood up and walked to the window, pointing to the street vendors who were setting up stalls and shouting. "Lord Lu, look, the people are setting up stalls and occupying both sides of the street, making the originally spacious road crowded. After they finish setting up their stalls, they leave behind a lot of garbage, which greatly affects the appearance of Wuwei."

Lu Ying was well aware of this. The street cleaners had filed complaints with the authorities more than once, trying to ban street vendors.

How can we prohibit it?

"Vendors can't afford to rent shops, so they can only set up stalls along the street to earn a little money to make a living."

If we don't allow people to set up stalls, it might affect their livelihoods.

Zhang Anzhi pondered for a moment, "Does the princess intend to designate special trading areas for the vendors?"

Tang Zhao looked at Zhang Anzhi with appreciation, "That's right. The reason why people set up stalls on both sides of the street is simply because there are many people coming and going, making it easier to sell. But the most important reason is that people don't have a dedicated place to buy and sell."

"Therefore, I plan to build a trading market so that people can buy and sell goods there."

"That's a great idea!" Lu Ying agreed. "The people will have a place to set up stalls and a place to buy goods. It will reduce street space occupation and also allow for centralized garbage disposal. It's a win-win-win situation!"

Shen Jiawen agreed, "It's a good idea that benefits the people."

"Since both of you agree, let's discuss where to build this trading market."

Lu Ying was about to call someone back to the government office to retrieve the map when Tang Zhao had already instructed a waiter to bring over pen and ink. He quickly sketched a simplified map of Wuwei City, then pointed to an abandoned house and a large open space in the east of the city and asked, "How is this place?"

Shen Jiawen's eyes lit up, "The place the princess chose is excellent!"

"What's so good about it!" Lu Ying rolled her eyes inwardly. What kind of place is the east of the city? It's the residence of wealthy officials and nobles, frequented by dignitaries. There are so many things going on, and everyone is incredibly arrogant. They're masters at bullying the weak and fearing the strong.

If it weren't for the fact that Lu Ying hadn't made a single mistake in his words and deeds since taking office, and that he had Tang Zhao and Prince Xuan to rely on, he would have been devoured alive by that group in the east of the city long ago!

If even a local official like him behaves this way, what about ordinary people?

Even the eastern part of the city is a place that no one dares to set foot in casually!
Lu Ying suggested, "Princess, how about we change the location? I think the open space in the west of the city is quite nice."

Tang Zhao shook his head, "That piece of land is too small, it's not enough."

One hundred acres isn't enough?!
Lu Ying couldn't think of any other excuse for a moment, so she desperately tried to signal Zhang Anzhi with her eyes.

Zhang Anzhi ignored his friend, saying, "The place the princess chose is excellent. It's big enough, in a good location, with convenient transportation, and close to wealthy families, so local ruffians won't dare to cause trouble." "It's just that abandoned house; it'll probably cost a lot of money to buy it."

"Why buy it?" Tang Zhao retorted. "That was just an abandoned house and vacant land; it should naturally be confiscated!"

Lu Ying: . . . . .

“Princess, that abandoned house was the dowry residence of the Lady of Zhongyong’s younger sister. When Wuwei City fell in the 30th year of Kangzhi’s reign, the Zhao family woman fled there, and that’s why it was left vacant.”

Therefore, from a legal perspective, this residence belongs to the Zhao family.

Tang Zhao asked, "So?"

Therefore, it cannot be confiscated!
“The Zhao family moved away from the Northwest long ago, so where are we going to find them now?” Tang Zhao said matter-of-factly. “Since they didn’t buy or sell this house, they naturally don’t want it anymore. As the lord of Wuwei City, I naturally have the right to dispose of it.”

That makes so much sense, Lu Ying didn't know how to refute it.

"What if the Lady of the Marquis of Zhongyong comes looking for us..."

"As long as the Lady of Zhongyong has the land deed to that abandoned house, I will buy it at the market price."

"What if the Lady of Zhongyong doesn't want to sell?"

"Lord Lu, have you ever heard of forced demolition?"

Lu Ying: ?
Holding the blueprints that Tang Zhao had prepared long ago, Lu Ying stood in front of the abandoned house in the east of the city, took a deep breath, and ordered, "Demolish!"

The villagers who were called to work rushed forward with tools, smashing walls, digging bricks, transporting stones, and demolishing houses with great efficiency.

The clanging and tinkling sounds reached the surrounding area, and many gatekeepers leaned out to look.

Lady Zhongyong frowned. "What's that noise outside? It's so loud!"

Steward Zhao rushed over, shouting, "Madam, something terrible has happened! Our house has been demolished!"

Zhao retorted lightly, "Nonsense! Who dares to demolish the villa of the Marquis of Zhongyong?"

"It's not the Earl's mansion, it's the dowry of Fourth Aunt from a nearby family!" Butler Zhao reminded him, "It's a residence given as part of the Zhao family's dowry!"

"What?!" Zhao was furious. "Who dares to demolish my Zhao family's house?"

“Yes,” Steward Zhao stammered, “it was Lord Lu who dismantled it.”

"That Lu Ying! A mere fifth-rank prefect, how dare he bully me!" Madam Zhao stormed out, furious. "I'll see if he's got the guts to back it up!"

"Mother!" Bai Rouyin stopped her. "Mother, think about it. Lu Ying has been in Wuwei City for so many years. When has he ever demolished the Zhao family's house? When has he ever dared to disrespect the Earl's Mansion? Why does he suddenly dare to slap the Zhao family and the Earl's Mansion in such a way?"

After being told this by her daughter, Zhao calmed down and said, "Lu Ying doesn't have the guts; there must be someone backing him up!"

“Lu Ying is Tang Zhao’s man,” Zhao sneered. “Besides Tang Zhao, who else in the entire Wuwei would dare to do this!”

"Well, first they forced the Zhao family out, and now they're forcibly seizing their house. Are they just going to bully the Zhao family like this?"

"I'm going to find Tang Zhao right now. I want to ask her what right she has to demolish my Zhao family's house?"

"Does Mother think we can find Tang Zhao? Didn't Mother go to his house to look for him so the hot pot restaurant wouldn't perform that play? Did she find him?"

The Protector General's Mansion was much larger than the Prince Xuan's Mansion, and its security was extremely tight. The mother and daughter were kicked out before they could even enter the backyard.

My darlings, I've accumulated quite a few drafts these past few days, so I can update twice a week in September!