Xu Miaoqing's reminder made Zhu Gui know that if he wanted to open up a business situation in Nanjing, it would ultimately depend on Zhu Yuanzhang's attitude.
So he planned to go to the palace during this period to explain the matter to Zhu Yuanzhang.
However, he himself felt that there was little hope, not only because of the historical tradition of emphasizing agriculture over commerce, but also because he had no influence at all in Zhu Yuanzhang's mind.
Coupled with the previous 'Imperial Garden Coup', although Zhu Gui was cleared of suspicion, I am afraid that Zhu Yuanzhang would only think that he was a person who was 'not doing his job properly'.
Therefore, Zhu Guisi thought about it and felt that he must find a breakthrough. He did not expect to make Zhu Yuanzhang change his attitude towards him, but he also had to obtain a legal business license so that the Datong Chamber of Commerce could officially enter the Nanjing market.
But how to find this breakthrough?
While Zhu Gui was thinking hard, many businessmen in Nanjing finally couldn't sit still.
They originally thought that Zhu Gui was just on a whim and could not compete with the power of merchants like them who had been operating in Nanjing for many years.
But they couldn't compete with Zhu Gui's store's business strategy of giving away refined salt and low-priced goods.
Fortunately for those big families, they have a big business, and even if their business is bleak for a period of time, their foundation will not be shaken.
They can completely continue to wait and see.
But those small shops do not have this strength. Their shops are all rented. It can be said that there is no income for a period of time. Plus taxes, they will suffer from the northwest wind.
It was under such circumstances that many small businessmen finally came to Daiwang's Mansion.
However, they were obviously very afraid of Dai Wang's reputation, so they did not finally arrive in front of Dai Wang's palace until a very large number of people had gathered.
Zhu Gui was notified by his servants, but he was not surprised at all.
But just going out to meet these small businessmen like this really lowered his worth.
So he called the person in charge of the caravan and asked him to communicate with these small businessmen.
The person in charge of the caravan was very excited. After all, this was not Datong Prefecture, but Nanjing, at the feet of the Emperor. Even if these people were just small merchants, they might have some background behind them.
It's just that it doesn't have a strong backend like Dai Wangfu.
However, he quickly realized that this was his chance. King Dai was his backer, and many people would never have this opportunity once in their lifetime.
So, accompanied by caravan guards, he went to the gate of Prince Dai's Mansion and negotiated with the representatives of the small merchants.
Zhu Gui didn't pay much attention to this matter.
He left Prince Dai's Mansion through the back door and headed towards Prince Yan's Mansion.
Unexpectedly, Xu Miaoqing got into the carriage not long after it had gone out.
"Why didn't you call me when you went out? You are too heartless. Where are you going?" Xu Miaoqing said.
"Go and see King Yan and see what the current situation is in Nanjing City." Zhu Gui said with a smile.
"The situation in Nanjing City? Why didn't you ask my father?" Xu Miaoqing asked doubtfully.
"Although Xu Guogong is an important minister, his position is biased towards the imperial court, and he does not talk much about matters among the kings in the team. At present, the only person who understands this situation best and can explain the situation to me is King Yan.
.”
Zhu Gui explained.
Xu Miaoqing nodded, not sure if she understood.
But soon she raised another doubt: "Didn't Zhu Yunwen become the successor of the prince? Shouldn't the rebellion of the kings be over? By the way, shouldn't we go see the prince?"
Xu Miaoqing finally realized something.
Zhu Gui smiled bitterly and said: "I would like to, but I haven't been summoned by the emperor. The palace is not so easy to enter, but maybe King Yan has a way."
Zhu Gui was still a little ashamed of Prince Zhu Biao. He could treat Zhu Biao's illness, but in order to let the history he was familiar with happen as usual, he could only choose to turn a blind eye.
Based on his understanding of Zhu Biao, if Zhu Biao had not died of illness and actually became emperor, given his generous character, it is very likely that the subsequent reduction of vassal status would not have happened.
Then Zhu Gui would have no reason to "rise up", "fish in troubled waters" or side with the emperor.
Then his idea of taking advantage of the trend to expand his power and expand the territory of the Ming Dynasty is just an idea.
The things Zhu Gui was thinking about made him a little upset.
Fortunately, the carriage arrived at Prince Yan's Mansion soon.
When the servants of Prince Yan's Mansion saw that it was the acting king, they took him in directly and then sent someone to pass the news. It seemed that they had received instructions from Prince Yan.
At this time, in Prince Yan's palace, a group of servants were packing their things, and it looked like they would leave Nanjing soon.
As he expected, the emperor's birthday banquet had already passed for more than half a month. If it hadn't been for the "Royal Garden Coup", King Yan and other feudal lords would have returned to their fiefdoms long ago.
Soon Zhu Gui met Zhu Di and was taken to the living room.
Zhu Gui keenly discovered that there was a hint of unknown color in Zhu Di's eyes at this time, and his face was no longer as open and natural as when the two met last time.
It seems that this message of congratulations on the chaos of kings may have changed Zhu Di's mentality.
It's just that I don't know if it was at a later stage that he had already had the idea of seizing the throne.
"Your Majesty, you are here. If I hadn't been waiting for you, I would have been on the way now. I would have much to thank Miaoyun for."
Zhu Di said very politely.
Zhu Gui just nodded. He was a little unfamiliar with the Zhu Di in front of him.
But he also knew that Zhu Di at this time should be the Yongle Emperor who created the Yongle prosperous era in later generations.
Seeing that Zhu Gui didn't speak, Zhu Di looked a little surprised. He asked his servants to make tea while asking: "Is it because of that thing that my father summoned you this time?"
Zhu Di lowered his voice and said.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Gui took out a pistol from his arms and placed it on the table, and said, "That's right."
His move frightened Zhu Di to the point where he stood up immediately, and then his expression suddenly changed.
It turns out that Zhu Di has not yet come out of the shadow of the "Imperial Garden Coup".
At that time, he almost died on the spot like the other four feudal princes.
That's why he was so excited when he saw the pistol again.
Zhu Gui also realized something and immediately put the pistol back.
"I'm sorry, fourth brother, it was my negligence." Zhu Gui quickly apologized.
Zhu Di breathed a sigh of relief, then waved his hand and said: "It's okay, it's just that this thing has left such a deep impression on me, I'm afraid I'll never forget it in this life. By the way, King Dai, how many more of these do you have?"
?”
Zhu Di looked at Zhu Gui and looked very interested in the pistol.
Zhu Gui couldn't help but smile bitterly. He was worthy of being the leader of the war, and he walked out of the shadows so quickly.