Zhu Gui's words reminded Xu Yingxu. He suppressed his curiosity about the new firearms and said seriously: "The thugs in the city are getting more and more serious. I don't have enough manpower here. Your Highness should have made plans in advance."
"What's the plan?"
Zhu Gui looked at the training situation of the soldiers on the other side. Although it still took an average of three shots to hit the target, the situation was much better than the first day.
The corner of Xu Yingxu's mouth twitched, and he suppressed his anger and said: "I have investigated and found out that those thugs are from the salt gang. Your Highness should either increase the price of refined salt and reach an agreement with them, or stop building roads and avoid direct conflict with them."
"Raise the price of salt? Stop building roads? Both of these things are actions to benefit the people. This king is benefiting the people, why should I compromise with those thugs?"
Zhu Gui asked rhetorically.
"That's right, second brother, you are a general. Since you know those people are from the Salt Gang, why don't you destroy their lair?"
Xu Miaoqing listened for a long time and finally couldn't help but speak. What Zhu Gui and Xu Yingxu didn't expect was that she actually spoke for Zhu Gui this time.
Seemingly realizing something, Xu Miaoqing immediately explained: "I am helping with the marriage, not the marriage. Why do you look at me like this?"
As she said that, she took the pistol Zhu Gui gave her and ran aside to practice shooting.
"Your Highness, I don't want you to compromise, but to retreat in order to advance. The Salt Gang is currently very powerful. We should assess the situation, proceed step by step, and act with caution."
Xu Yingxu said anxiously.
The matter now has gone beyond his responsibilities. If Xu Miaoqing hadn't been here, Xu Yingxu might have led his troops back to Nanjing to resume his duties.
Being able to patiently persuade Zhu Gui shows that his attitude has changed.
But I didn't expect that the other party still didn't buy it.
Zhu Gui shook his head and said: "Compared with my safety, I care more about the people's hearts. The most important thing about political orders is capriciousness. What's more, I don't believe that the people from the Salt Gang dare to mess around. If they really want to do that, then...
It’s no different than rebellion.”
While the two were talking, a militiaman ran over from a distance and handed a letter to Zhu Gui.
Zhu Gui did not avoid Xu Yingxu. After opening it, a smile appeared on his face.
"The turning point is here."
After speaking, he handed the letter to Xu Yingxu, who looked puzzled.
After Xu Yingxu read it, his expression became strange.
"The Salt Gang is actually in internal strife. Hu Shidao is also a figure. He actually chooses to cooperate with Dai Wangfu at this time. He really knows how to choose the right time."
"Is General Xu interested in going with me to meet this former Salt Gang leader?"
Zhu Gui's backhand shot hit a target thirty feet away.
This made Xu Yingxu's eyes shine again.
…
The story of the split of the Salt Gang quickly spread throughout Datong Mansion.
One-Eyed Dragon won the support of most of the salt gang members, and only one-third of the conservatives started a new venture with Hu Shidao.
But if they want to clear their name, they still have to look at the attitude of Prince Dai.
So after receiving Zhu Gui's edict, Hu Shidao came to Prince Dai's Mansion alone.
In the reception room.
Accompanied by Xu Yingxu, Zhu Gui met this influential figure in Datong Mansion.
This is the first official meeting between the two.
Hu Shidao looked at the handsome young man in front of him in surprise. It was difficult to connect him with the king who made refined salt and promulgated many far-reaching policies.
He glanced at Xu Yingxu, who was standing aside, maybe this was the 'master behind the scenes'?
Including Liu Jingming, Zhang Mao and him, almost all the powerful officials and gentry in Datong Mansion felt that there was an expert behind this young prince.
"Hu Shi Dao?" Zhu Gui looked at the skinny old man who was over fifty years old and asked calmly.
"Your Highness, the common man is Hu Shidao." Hu Shidao lowered his head and said.
"The people who have been harassing migrant workers building roads and robbing the chamber of commerce warehouses these days are from your salt gang, right?"
Zhu Gui's tone was calm, but his aura of calmness and self-importance had already spread.
Hu Shidao immediately knelt down and said: "Your Highness, although Cao Min is the leader of the Salt Gang, what happened this time was not ordered by a villain. It was done privately by the second leader, the one-eyed dragon. Cao Min is now unwilling to cooperate with
His associates broke away from the Salt Gang and hope to cooperate with His Highness."
"Cooperate with me? How?" Zhu Gui snorted coldly.
"This villain has been running the Salt Gang for many years. He is familiar with the salt transportation routes throughout Shanxi and has a very strong intelligence network. All of these are willing to be offered to His Highness."
Hu Shidao said eagerly.
But what made him a little disappointed was that the young prince in front of him seemed not to hear, and was still looking at him with cold eyes.
Doesn't he know the value of these things at his disposal?
Impossible. Since this young prince started by selling salt and chose to build roads, he has already made preparations for this, but...
Countless thoughts flashed through Hu Shidao's mind.
Finally, he was startled and seemed to have finally figured out something.
"Does His Highness want to completely eradicate the threat of the Salt Gang?"
This time Zhu Gui finally spoke.
"Yes, times have changed. There is no need for the Salt Gang to exist. If you can help me get rid of those thugs this time, I am willing to give you a new identity."
Zhu Gui said calmly.
"It's settled, thank you Your Highness for your kindness."
Hu Shidao agreed without much thought. If he could really take advantage of the previous generation's palace, he would have successfully cleared his name.
Xu Yingxu on the side listened to the entire conversation between the two, from being impatient at the beginning to being shocked at the end.
It felt as if the ages of the two people in front of me had been reversed. The leader of the Salt Gang, who was over fifty years old, was manipulated by a boy who was only fourteen years old. If this was spread, no one would believe it, right?
Until Hu Shidao left, Xu Yingxu was still in a daze.
"General Xu, I need your assistance for this operation. How about something like this as a reward?"
Zhu Gui put a silver pistol on the table.
When rescuing Xu Miaoqing, he exchanged three pistols, one of which was given to Xu Miaoqing. He kept one for himself, which was enough for self-defense.
Xu Yingxu originally wanted to refuse outright, but when he saw the silver pistol, he immediately agreed.
This kid used the pistol in the back mountain just to show me, right? Xu Yingxu thought in his mind.
The Prince's Palace is in action, and Liu Jingming is not idle either.
After he heard that Hu Shidao had left the Salt Gang, he approached the current Salt Gang leader One Eyed Long.
For him, without the old fox Hu Shidao, the Salt Gang would be easier to control.
"How are the preparations going?" Liu Jingming asked, hiding behind the curtain in the restaurant.
"Sir, please wait for my good news. As long as this operation is completed, it will be impossible for Dai Wang's Mansion to monopolize refined salt. With this financial path cut off, Dai Wang's Mansion's other policies will naturally be out of the question." Cyclops said with a smile.
"Don't do anything wrong. Don't let anything happen to you as the king, otherwise I won't be able to protect you when the time comes." Liu Jingming said.
There was a glint in the one-eyed dragon's eyes, and he obviously didn't take the other person's words to heart.