Married To The Cruel Crown Prince

Jian Guozhi and Nianzu took the disguise as the commoners. They came out of the room, where Xiao Zhan and Commander Yang were waiting for them, who were also in disguise.

"General Xiao, you will follow Prince Nianzu while Commander Yang will accompany me. We both will separate in the middle of the market," Jian Guozhi explained to them the plan, followed by the rest of the plan.

"Later in the evening, we will meet at the market center. Keep in mind that no one would be able to find that from Luoyang we have come to check the situation," Jian Guozhi told them to be cautious.

Xiao Zhan handed the daggers to Jian Guozhi and Nianzu respectively. They hid the daggers inside the sashes around their waists.

"Let's go then," Jian Guozhi said and they left for the market.

Changying was a busy marketplace because of its easy access to the ocean and also neighboring Kingdom, in the North-East.

Upon reaching the center of the market, they separated their paths. Jian Guozhi and Commander Yang went to the fish market while the other two went to the cloth Market.

By now, they had realized that in Changying people were not bothered by the new independent leader. It seemed that they were happy with the situation, or most of them were still unaware since this unknown leader was in the village adjacent to Changying.

Jian Guozhi and Commander Yang stopped by a shop in the fish market, where a group of men had gathered around.

"Did you hear that Changying will soon get separated from the Han Empire?" One of the men in the group asked another one, who was checking the fish quality. Some of them moved ahead to the other shops.

"Yes. I think the Emperor and the Princes are so busy in their lives that they forgot their own people," he said while checking the fish.

"It seems rotten. Are you going to sell it?" He asked the middle-aged man, who shook his head.

"Chief Tang, it is still early morning, so I have not checked yet. Forgive me, I will put it aside," the fish seller separated the fish while Tang Lao looked at him with a suspicious gaze.

"Your tax is still pending. When are you going to pay that?" He questioned the seller.

"Chief Tang, give me a week. I will surely pay the remaining tax," the seller again asked for the time. Tang Lao was a kind officer, so he agreed with him.

Commander Yang went to the other side of the fish market while Jian Guozhi thought to follow those two officials.

"Chief Tang, I do not think that it is easy to get separated from the Han when the Emperor is," the man, who was assistant to Tang Lao lowered his voice and leaned closer to his ear, "the famous Prince of the Han. Everyone knows how strong he is on the war ground!"

Tang Lao closed the ledger book in his hand and turned to look at him. "However, His Majesty will not step out of the Palace. The Empress is pregnant and I have heard that he is devoted to his wife more."

Jian Guozhi realized that the thoughts of a lower rank official about Sheng Li had changed drastically.

"Chief Tang, but the Empress is known for her intelligence. I do not think that they will neglect this issue," the assistant said.

"Did you not hear about the matter of the South-Western province? How did the then Crown Prince and the Crown Princess solve the matter?" The assistant queried Tang Lao.

"Who knows what will happen to us. Let's go ahead. I need to submit a report today," Tang Lao told his assistant and they walked ahead.

Judging from their conversation, Jian Guozhi realized that people like them did not want to get separated from the Han. He walked ahead while listening to the random talks of the people in the market.

"EVERYONE! EVERYONE! EVERYONE! LISTEN TO ME!"

A man's voice reverberated in the fish market. The people started to gather around him. Jian Guozhi also walked ahead, wondering what could be the matter.

"What happened, Rujing?" An old man asked this young man.

"Uncle, we are going to get freed from the taxes from tomorrow," Rujing's sudden announcement perplexed Jian Guozh. He knitted his brows as it was the most unusual announcement he had ever heard in his life.

"What are you saying, Rujing?"

"Did some kind of Royal decree come?"

"Did His Majesty waive our taxes?"

People started to ask many questions at once.

Rujing motioned his hands in the air. "The Emperor will not waive the taxes. Lord Lian has announced this. If the people from Changying city support him and unanimously follow his idea of becoming the ruler of Changying, then we will be freed from the taxes," Rujing pronounced with a broad smile.

"Is it true?" Many people at once asked him. Rujing nodded and showed them the sheet that he had taken with him.

"I found this at the southern gate of Changying. In the early morning, Lord Lian himself pasted this announcement at the wall," he told them. The people got happy upon hearing this.

Tang Lao and his associates were astonished to hear it.

"See, I told you that the Emperor and the Princes are busy enjoying their lives. I miss the old Crown Prince," Tang Lao said with a chuckle. Jian Guozhi heard him and then thought to speak, but then stopped.

"He will free us from tax!" An unknown loud voice was heard and then a man in his early 20s jumped down the wooden roof.

He tied the headband around his head and then rested his hands on his waist.

"Zhe Yan, do you think I am joking? This is the proof!" Tang Lao said and showed him the white paper on which letters were written in black.

Zhe Ya scratched the back of his head. "I am illiterate, Rujing. And why did you tear this announcement from the wall? Do you not want the Governor to know about this? At least, help will come from Luoyang," Zhe Yan said.

"Who wants help from Luoyang? We will support Lord Lian," a man said from the crowd and the others supported him.

"You all have lost your minds. If taxes are removed, then how will the nation grow?" Zhe Yan questioned them.

Jian Guozhi found his personality amusing. Despite being illiterate, he knew economics well.

"Your Highness, you must come with me. I need to show you something important," Commander Yang whispered in Jian Guozhi's ear.