Although this imperial edict was very brief, the turmoil it caused was much greater than Zhu Gui thought.
He didn't know how many people in Datong Mansion were waiting for him to fail, but they were all dumbfounded.
The salt tax was an important source of tax revenue for the Ming Dynasty. As a result, the king only received a symbolic punishment of "half a year's fine"? Many people could not accept it.
Naturally, the first person to bear the brunt was Liu Jingming, but now he has been taken to prison for trial. When other salt road officials saw this, they all knew that their good days were over.
Although they would not be stupid enough to go against Dai Wangfu, it also means that the official positions they have worked so hard to obtain will not have much profit in the future.
On the contrary, the five major salt merchants, small and medium-sized businessmen in the city, and the people all breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Although the five major salt merchants used to specialize in selling official salt, they had to hand over most of their profits to salt road officials, and they also had to bear considerable risks.
Although their profits are not as good as before, after joining the Datong Chamber of Commerce, the sales volume of refined salt has also increased a lot.
In addition, as the roads become smoother, it is foreseeable that their business will only grow bigger and better.
As for the small and medium-sized businessmen and the people in Datong Mansion, their interests at this time have been tied to the Dai Wang Mansion.
Seeing that King Dai was not severely punished, they were also happy from the bottom of their hearts.
The atmosphere in Datong Mansion is quietly changing.
But at this time, Zhu Gui was not as happy as the outside world imagined.
He had already read Prince Zhu Biao's personal letter to him, which described Zhu Yuanzhang's displeasure with his memorial and how Concubine Guo interceded on his behalf. It also mentioned the one-year appointment mentioned by Zhu Yuanzhang.
In other words, if Zhu Gui collects three million cars of tax money tomorrow, he, the vassal king, may not be safe.
Zhu Biao emphatically reminded him not to cause trouble again, and that he would be able to speak for him within this year. After Zhu Yuanzhang's anger subsided, the matter could calm down.
Zhu Gui was in trouble. He couldn't predict whether Zhu Yuanzhang would want to strangle him to death with his own hands if he knew that he had extended his hands to other taxes.
After thinking about it, he felt that he couldn't just sit there and wait for death.
So that afternoon, after seeing off the middle-aged eunuch, he summoned Xu Yingxu.
Xu Yingxu was a little surprised when he saw Zhu Gui with a stinky face: "Is the king still dissatisfied with the emperor's decision?"
Zhu Gui shook his head and said: "General Xu, please stop making fun of me. I invite you here this time because I have something to entrust you with."
Xu Yingxu noticed Zhu Gui's serious face, and then said seriously: "But it doesn't matter. As long as it doesn't violate Ming law and morality, I can consider it as appropriate."
When Zhu Gui heard this, the corner of his mouth couldn't help but twitch.
"General Xu is serious. I just want to ask the general to write a letter to my father-in-law, so that he can enter the palace and say a few good words for me in front of the emperor."
Zhu Gui said frankly.
"Let my father come forward? Didn't the emperor punish the acting king severely?"
Xu Yingxu asked with a puzzled look.
Zhu Gui sighed, knowing that given the other party's character, if this matter was not explained clearly, there would probably be no chance, so he had no choice but to hand the prince's letter to the other party.
Xu Yingxu finished reading it quickly and his expression became solemn.
"It turns out there is such a reason. I admire the prince's benevolence and righteousness."
Zhu Gui nodded impatiently and said: "The prince has done enough for me, and I am very grateful. However, I am afraid that the thief Liu Jingming has already filed an impeachment report about my tax reduction and contract work. If the emperor knows about this again,
thing……"
Only then did Xu Yingxu understand what was going on.
"This matter is indeed very important, but I was afraid that it would be difficult to explain it in a letter, so I returned to Nanjing overnight and explained the matter to my father in person."
Zhu Gui looked at Xu Yingxu with some surprise. His attitude towards this matter seemed to be more serious than his own.
After thinking about it, he could only think that it might be related to his sister Xu Miaoqing.
"Okay, let me trouble you, General Xu. I will prepare a small gift, and the general will give it to my father-in-law on my behalf."
Zhu Gui said.
…
Due to the emergency, Xu Yingxu returned to Nanjing alone.
Knowing this, Xu Miaoqing couldn't help but feel a little worried.
She looked at her empty pistol, thought over and over again, and finally found Zhu Gui.
"Zhu Gui, I'll give this back to you." Xu Miaoqing put the pistol in front of Zhu Gui's desk and saw that the other person was drawing something on the paper.
Zhu Gui just looked up and asked casually: "What? Isn't it easy to use?"
Xu Miaoqing was so angry that she wanted to take action, but she still held back: "There are no more bullets."
"Oh, I almost forgot."
Only then did Zhu Gui react, slapped his forehead, and took out several magazines from the side.
"Do you know how to change bullets? Let me teach you. If you run out of bullets in the future, you can come and get them yourself."
Zhu Gui finished speaking without raising his head, then quickly changed a magazine and handed it to Xu Miaoqing.
Xu Miaoqing took the heavy pistol and looked like he was hesitant to speak.
"If you have anything to say, just say it." Zhu Gui felt Xu Miaoqing's look and then put down what he was doing.
"My brother came to Nanjing for your business, right?" Xu Miaoqing asked.
"Yes, but don't worry, I also gave him a pistol, and your brother is very skilled, so he will be fine."
Zhu Gui thought Xu Miaoqing was worried about Xu Yingxu's safety.
Xu Miaoqing frowned.
"I want to say, is the thing you committed this time very big? Otherwise, how could you let my father come forward?"
"You heard it all."
Zhu Gui reacted immediately. It seemed that Xu Miaoqing heard the conversation between him and Xu Yingxu.
Xu Miaoqing nodded.
"It's not a big deal, it's not a small thing, but the old man's tolerance for me is limited. I'm afraid he will make some irrational decision in anger."
Zhu Gui said frankly.
"Old man?"
Xu Miaoqing looked at Zhu Gui blankly.
"Oh, it's your Majesty. It's all right, but don't spread the word."
Zhu Gui said hurriedly.
Unexpectedly, Xu Miaoqing burst out laughing.
Then he turned around and left.
"Hey, don't let others know, they will be beheaded."
Zhu Gui was still shouting from behind.
Xu Miaoqing stopped at the door, turned around and said, "You have something in my hands now. You are not allowed to bully me or lie to me in the future."
After hesitating for a moment, she continued: "Whether you are the acting king or not, I will always be with you."
After saying that, Xu Miaoqing's figure disappeared from the door.
Zhu Gui looked in the direction of the door, stunned for a moment, and then smiled.
“A friend in need is a friend indeed?”
Three days later, Xu Yingxu finally rushed back to Nanjing after killing three horses.
"Father, the king is in trouble, and I need you to take action this time."
Xu Huizu, Duke of Xu State, was reading in the study. When he saw Xu Yingxu, he came over immediately.