Liu Bian at the start, so you're called Dong Zhuo, right?

Chapter 45 Tianshang Guild

Chengde Hall, East Palace.

Liu Bian was hunched over his desk, writing something, while Wang Ming quietly ground ink beside him, barely daring to breathe.

A soft cough suddenly came from outside the curtain.

Wang Ming's hand trembled, and the ink almost spilled:

"who!"

Immediately afterwards, a figure lifted the curtain and entered.

Zhang Rang.

He bowed to Liu Bian and said:

"Your Highness, why aren't you resting so late?"

He paused, as if making a pointed remark.

"Young people who stay up late damage their kidneys, but Your Highness staying up late..."

"It's people's hearts that are hurt."

Liu Bian put down his pen and looked at Zhang Rang.

He seemed oblivious to the hidden meaning in Zhang Rang's words, and instead smiled and said:

"It is quite unusual for Attendant Zhang to visit at night."

"Strange?" Zhang Rang said with a forced smile. "What's strange is that Your Highness dared to use my hand and even let His Majesty see it."

Wang Ming tensed up and instinctively wanted to back away.

Liu Bian raised his hand to stop him, stood up and said to Zhang Rang, "Zhang Changshi, please speak frankly."

Zhang Rang looked at the boy who was already as tall as him and felt a little dazed.

"Never mind." Zhang Rang shook his head and took two steps closer: "Last night in Zhangde Hall, His Majesty did not scold you."

"This is not a good thing."

Liu Bian raised an eyebrow slightly: "What do you mean?"

Zhang Rang said slowly, "When His Majesty scolds you, it's because he treats you like a son; when he doesn't scold you, it's because he considers you—"

He didn't say the second half of the sentence, but instead changed the subject:

"His Majesty has become suspicious."

"What do you suspect?"

"Of course I suspect you."

Zhang Rang flicked his sleeve: "I suspect you of being a member of the Tongsheng Society, I suspect you of being a soldier in the Eastern Palace, I suspect you of being able to cut off trade routes, establish medical clinics, and set up charitable granaries."

"I suspect you even more, that you not only extended your reach outside the palace, but also to those around him."

Zhang Rang took a half step closer, his voice even lower:

"Your Highness, you have won today, but you should tone it down in the future."

Liu Bian waved his hand as he looked at Wang Ming's trembling figure behind him.

Wang Ming breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly bowed his head and retreated.

Liu Bian then turned to Zhang Rang: "Did you come here specifically to remind me, Attendant?"

Zhang Rang smiled and said, "I've come to save myself."

"Since the throne has already been given to Your Highness, I naturally stand on Your Highness's side."

"Besides—"

"Wasn't Your Highness trying to drag me into the water with the same idea last night?"

Liu Bian did not defend himself, but instead smiled and said, "You have misunderstood me. I had no choice but to do this."

He then bowed slightly to Zhang Rang.

"However, I still thank Zhang Changshi for coming to tell me these things."

Zhang Rang looked at Liu Bian, seemingly unable to see through this 10-year-old boy.

After a moment, he finally spoke:

"Your Highness's composure is beyond my expectations."

"I presume Your Highness already has a plan in mind, then my actions are unnecessary."

"This servant takes his leave."

Zhang Rang bowed and withdrew.

Liu Bian watched Zhang Rang's departing figure, then turned around and called out to Wang Ming.

Hurried footsteps sounded behind him, and a moment later, Wang Ming arrived in front of Liu Bian.

"exist."

"Take the brocade bag and the new seal."

Wang Ming was taken aback, but dared not ask any further questions.

"...Here you go."

Liu Bian let out a soft breath, then walked to the desk and put away what was written on it.

Before leaving, Wang Ming noticed a corner containing two words—

Merchant registration.

Inside the Zhangde Hall.

Emperor Ling of Han sat on the throne, his hand still playing with a jade ring.

He looked at Liu Bian, who had come to pay his respects, and before letting him speak first, he offered a brief compliment:

"Your Highness, you handled the matter in court yesterday very well."

There was still half a sentence left unsaid—

She was so beautiful that he couldn't sleep a wink all night.

The air inside the hall tightened.

Zhao Zhong's lips curled into a smile. His Majesty had indeed become suspicious.

Liu Bian remained calm and prostrated himself, saying:

"Yesterday in court, I was not in control of my own destiny and only sought to protect myself."

Emperor Ling's voice was devoid of any emotion: "Preserve yourself?"

"Now that you have preserved yourself, what brings you here today?"

Liu Bian looked up at Emperor Ling of Han:

"Your subject has come to present something."

Emperor Ling of Han raised an eyebrow slightly: "What should we offer?"

Liu Bian raised his hand.

Wang Ming handed over the prepared account book with both hands.

Zhang Rang took it and gently placed it on the imperial desk.

He then lifted the brocade pouch, untied it, and revealed the new seal.

Liu Bian spoke slowly and deliberately:

"Tongshenghui."

The hall fell silent.

Even Zhao Zhong's smile faltered for a moment.

Emperor Ling of Han narrowed his eyes: "You mean, hand over the Tongsheng Society?"

"Yes," Liu Bian answered readily. "From today onwards, the Tongsheng Society will no longer be under the jurisdiction of the Crown Prince."

"Return to the imperial court."

"Return to Father Emperor."

Emperor Ling of Han tapped his knuckles lightly on the table.

Yesterday he was still hesitant, but today the crown prince has already personally offered up what he cares about most.

Emperor Ling of Han stared at the seal for a long while before speaking:

"Why did you present the Tongsheng Society to me?"

Liu Bian laughed:

"In my opinion, what the Han Dynasty lacks is not just a merchant guild."

What's missing is a way to make merchants all over the world listen to one banner.

Emperor Ling of Han became interested: "Continue."

Liu Bian bowed and kowtowed again:

"Your Majesty, I only ask that you issue an edict."

"Change Tongsheng Association to Tianshang Association, meaning the world's business association."

"Nominally under the jurisdiction of the Grand Minister of Agriculture, the accounts were entered into the government, and the annual revenue was used for tribute."

"But the bylaws, business registers, road signs, and warehouse receipts—the old system of the Tong Sheng Society will continue."

"The official titles are provided by the government, and the manpower is provided by the Tongsheng Association."

"All shops in the land may be registered; those who are registered will be protected; those who are not registered will not be allowed to travel on official roads and trade routes."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhong's expression changed.

He got it.

This is to use the Tongsheng Association to bring all the world's merchant guilds under the control of the imperial court.

Emperor Ling of Han's eyes lit up, and all the merchant guilds in the world were brought under the jurisdiction of the imperial court!

He was worried about not having enough money.

He showed no joy whatsoever; instead, he was still testing the waters.

"Can all shops in the world obtain citizenship?"

"Do you know how to proceed?"

Liu Bian began, "The Tongsheng Society is currently being piloted only in Luoyang and a few other prefectures, yet its annual revenue is already enough to support the Imperial Garden, the Western Garden, the granaries, and the medical clinics without end."

"If it becomes the Heavenly Commerce Guild—"

"Salt, iron, wine, cloth, paper, sugar, medicine, and grain—trade routes are unified, taxes and profits are unified, and rumors are unified as well."

He paused, then continued:

"What was said in court yesterday was a rumor that misled people's minds."

"The Heavenly Merchants Association shall be established. Wherever rumors arise, the merchant register shall be investigated first; wherever counterfeit medicines are circulating, the roadblocks shall be blocked first."

"To kill 'rumors,' there's no need to draw your sword—"

"Cut off its path, and it will die on its own."

"good!"

Emperor Ling of Han slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed, "I grant it!"

They can control the situation and amass wealth.

Emperor Ling of Han finally couldn't resist and granted his request.

Zhang Rang immediately prostrated himself on the ground: "Your Majesty is wise."

Liu Bian also prostrated himself on the ground: "Father Emperor is wise."

Zhao Zhong's face was gloomy, but he followed suit: "Your Majesty is wise."

"Your subject has come here regarding the Tian Shang Guild."

"Since Father has agreed, I will take my leave now."

Emperor Ling of Han was in high spirits at the moment and waved his hand, saying, "Step down."