Ju Wentai actually didn't know that the Tang Dynasty merchants were killed. He just ordered the investigation into the reasons for the sudden surge in grain prices and arrested the merchants who raised grain prices.

He knew that although the grain merchants in Gaochang were supported by the Tang Dynasty merchants, they were all locals operating on the surface. Moreover, he just ordered people to be arrested and did not say how to deal with these merchants. The people under his command would not be bold and arrogant to kill those merchants, right?

He directly summoned the palace guard commander and his brother-in-law Su Xiong, who was in charge of this matter, into the palace and asked about the merchants in the Tang Dynasty.

Su Xiong's answer made Ju Wentai's originally calm face look extremely ugly in an instant!

"I ordered you to investigate the rise in grain prices and arrest those merchants who raised grain prices. Why did you arrest merchants in the Tang Dynasty? And... they were also tortured, causing the death of many merchants in the Tang Dynasty? Do you know that the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty specially sent envoys to me, Gaochang, for these merchants?"

According to Su Xiong, he did arrest many Tang Dynasty merchants, and he did die during the arrest and interrogation process after the arrest!

Facing Ju Wentai's questioning, a strange thing flashed across Su Xiong's face, and then said solemnly: "Your Majesty, it's not that I am not following the king's orders and doing things indiscriminately. It's just that when I investigated the merchants who raised the price of grain, I discovered something huge..."

Ju Wentai frowned slightly and asked, "What's the matter?"

"When I was investigating the reasons for the surge in grain prices, I found that some grain merchants had hoarded a lot of grain, spread rumors everywhere, raising the price of grain. So I wanted to arrest these grain merchants. But who would have thought... When I found the secret base of these people according to the clues to be arrested, I encountered fierce resistance!"

"Fierce resistance?" Ju Wentai was surprised at first, then looked at Su Xiong with some anger, and asked sternly, "Why have you never reported to me for such a big deal?"

"Your Majesty, please listen to me and finish your words!"

"you say!"

"Although I encountered some resistance, the imperial guards in the palace are not comparable to ordinary soldiers? In the end, my brother took down these people completely, and the imperial guards did not die, only some were injured! This is one of the reasons why my brother had not reported to the king! Another and most important reason is... These people are not ordinary merchants. I suspect that they may have the idea of ​​rebellion!"

"What?" Ju Wentai stood up from the chair in horror, "Are you sure?"

Su Xiong shook his head slightly and said, "It is precisely because my brother is not completely sure that he has never reported this to the king!"

"Then how do you conclude that they are going to rebel?"

"In their secret stronghold, I not only found a mountain of food, but also found weapons and equipment enough to arm thousands of elite soldiers! Moreover, those who resisted the arrest of the Imperial Guards were vulnerable, but it can be seen that they were all soldiers who had received certain military training, not as simple as ordinary merchant guards! Therefore, I have been pursuing this matter for a while and failed to report it to the king in time. It was my negligence!"

Su Xiong's words made Ju Wentai completely throw the affairs of the Tang Dynasty merchants. The only thing he cares about now is these suspected thieves!

"Since you've been chasing, what are you finding?"

Su Xiong shook his head and said, "Not yet. When I was arresting these people, I suddenly encountered resistance. I was not aware of it and almost suffered a great loss. I was angry and asked the guards to take all their strength... So I did not capture many living things, and most of the people caught were just some unimportant minions. The real important figure seemed to have already received the news that I led my army to arrest them, so I left first, so I did not get any meaningful clues from those people!"

Ju Wentai frowned deeply again, obviously not very satisfied with Su Xiong's investigation results, and said in a deep voice: "To investigate this matter with all your might, you must find out whether these people still have accomplices, what power they belong to, and what their purpose is! Do you understand?"

"Yes, I understand!"

"Well, you go down first!"

When Su Xiong left the palace, Ju Wentai's mind was filled with the suspected thief power that Su Xiong just mentioned.

In the following days, Su Xiong would be recruited into the palace every day to ask about the latest progress, but unfortunately there were no new clues.

When Shi Wannian appeared in front of him again, he remembered the murder of the Tang Dynasty merchants. He explained to Shi Wannian with a somewhat embarrassed face: "Brother Shi, I have investigated the matter clearly. This is just a misunderstanding. There is now a mysterious force in Gaochang, which secretly forged weapons and raised elite soldiers. During this period, I have hoarded food and raised the price of grain, so I ordered them to be arrested. Who knew that the people below were reckless in doing things and mistakenly regarded the Tang Dynasty merchants as thieves... I will personally write a letter to His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty to explain the matter, severely punish the perpetrators, and make compensation for the innocent Tang Dynasty merchants who died in the matter! I wonder if Brother Shi is satisfied?"

Shi Wannian did not answer immediately, but looked at Ju Wentai very seriously and said nothing for a long time. This made the latter feel unhappy. He thought that he was the lord of a country and was stared at by a small envoy, but did not dare to have an attack. It was such a shame and humiliation!

Shi Wannian also noticed the look of shame and anger in Ju Wentai's eyes, and finally shifted his gaze away, and asked in a serious tone: "Master King is sure it's just a misunderstanding?"

"Yes, I have investigated it clearly. This matter is indeed a misunderstanding!" Ju Wentai still trusts Su Xiong very much, otherwise he would not have given him such an important position as the commander of the imperial guards! Moreover, after Su Xiong reported to him, he also asked other confidants in the imperial guards, and their statements were not biased from Su Xiong!

As for the arrest and murder of the Tang Dynasty merchants, Ju Wentai learned after inquiring, it was only Su Xiong who suspected that they had a relationship with the Tang Dynasty merchants when he was investigating those rebel forces. But it was later proved that the Tang Dynasty merchants had only a simple commercial relationship. They bought weapons, salt, iron and food from the Tang Dynasty merchants. That's all, and there was no unknown connection!

Shi Wannian did not continue to ask, just nodded, stood up, and said solemnly: "Since the king has already made a reply, the envoy should return to the Tang Dynasty to report!"

"It should be, it should be... I hope Brother Shi will say a few good words to Gao Changduoduo in front of His Emperor. Tai is very grateful!" Ju Wentai said with his fist. After saying that, he signaled to the waiter beside him. The other party held a plate covered with silk cloth and handed it to Shi Wannian. "This is my little intention. I hope Brother Shi will not dislike him!"

Shi Wannian did not refuse, took the plate, thanked him, and left the palace directly, returned to the inn, and left the Gaochang royal city that day and returned to the territory of the Tang Dynasty!

Just as Shi Wannian left, a fast horse galloped into the palace, bringing Ju Wentai a bolt from the blue!

"This, this...how is it possible, how is it possible...why is it like this..."
Chapter completed!