When Zhu Gui heard this, he was stunned for a moment, and then said: "Okay, with General Xu here, my safety is guaranteed, but I still have a small problem."
"Small problem?" Xu Yingxu repeated.
"Didn't the Emperor mention that the King established a royal bodyguard?"
Zhu Gui asked.
Xu Yingxu shook his head.
This makes Zhu Gui a little disappointed. It seems that this problem can only be solved when the old man celebrates his birthday or pays taxes next year.
However, it is a good thing that Xu Yingxu can stay in Datong Mansion. At least once the Mongols invade, he will not have to worry about anything.
The two of them talked late into the night about the recent problems in Datong Mansion.
During this period, Xu Miaoqing came to invite Zhu Gui to dinner twice, but saw that the two were chatting happily and did not disturb him.
A few days later, the household registration statistics in Yunzhou were finally completed, and there were more than 200,000 more people than last year.
This does not include four states and seven counties.
Zhang Mao came to visit him personally. When he talked about this matter, his face looked a little embarrassed but relieved.
Externally, this can naturally be regarded as his political achievements, but he knows that he has not done anything substantial here.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but remind him: "Your Majesty, the Fang family has great influence in the local area. The official has heard that the Fang family has an affair with the Mongols outside the customs. Please be careful, Your Majesty."
This is also a sign of loyalty.
When Zhu Gui heard this, he couldn't help but feel a little surprised.
Zhang Mao's knowledge was quite surprising to him, but he didn't expect that the Fang family was actually connected with the Mongols.
This matter deserves his serious attention.
So after sending Zhang Mao away, he immediately sent for Xu Yingxu and mentioned the matter to him.
Xu Yingxu was in the process of rectifying military affairs. He discovered that although the garrison in Datong Prefecture belonged to the border army, its military affairs were in a state of neglect, and there were actually half empty posts.
That is to say, there are 5,600 soldiers in the military register here, but in fact there are only just over 4,000.
Hearing what Zhu Gui said again, he couldn't help but get furious.
"It must be that these powerful and evil gentry have forcibly bought all the soldiers' land, which is why there are so many empty positions in the guardhouse."
At this point, he looked at Zhu Gui: "Your Majesty, didn't you take back all the land in Datong Mansion? Can you give some to the Guards?"
Zhu Gui smiled bitterly and said: "The land has been taken back, but most of it has been divided. The rest will be reserved as experimental fields to try to plant some high-yielding fruits, vegetables and other crops."
Seeing Xu Yingxu's gloomy expression, he continued: "However, only the land in Datong Prefecture has been recovered, and the land in the seven surrounding counties has not yet been recovered. You can wait for a while."
Xu Yingxu nodded. He was already very satisfied with Zhu Gui's promise.
Unexpectedly, Zhu Gui continued: "Although there is no land for the time being, I can provide some military pay and equipment to the guard. With a little training, it should be enough to deal with the Mongols."
"Equipment? Is it the kind of firearm used by the prince's personal soldiers?"
Xu Yingxu's eyes lit up when he heard "equipment".
"General Xu, don't be joking. I have already said that it is very difficult to make that kind of flintlock gun. I can't even equip a squad of 100 people, let alone equip the soldiers in the guard station."
Zhu Gui quickly excused himself.
In fact, during this period, as the Datong Chamber of Commerce gradually connected various states and counties in Yunzhou's jurisdiction, Zhu Gui has received very considerable returns.
And now he can exchange money and system stores for experience points in exchange for more useful items.
But even so, he still planned to strictly control the number of flintlock guns.
Because once there are too many flintlock guns, they will easily flow into the black market and even into the hands of people who are unfavorable to him.
At that time, he will be the only one in danger.
He doesn't have enough tools to save his life right now.
This is done to be on the safe side.
…
The Fang family residence.
Fang Shiru was walking around in the study.
"Did they really say that?"
"That's right, sir. They all say that the King forced them to lend money to the Datong Chamber of Commerce. Now they are complaining that their family's land is gone."
The housekeeper of the Fang family said with a grimace.
"This acting king is really not easy. If he really gets a firm foothold here, I'm afraid there won't be any place for me to establish myself in Datong Mansion."
Fang Shiru's eyes showed a dangerous look.
"Sir, the date we agreed with the Mongols this month is coming soon. Do you think the limelight is so tight now, should we reject them?"
The butler said in a low voice.
"It doesn't matter, you send someone to contact the Mongols immediately. We will provide double the amount of grain and refined salt this time, and open the city gate of Datong Prefecture to let them in."
Fang Shiru clenched his fists and said.
"This, this, sir, those are Mongolians. If..."
The housekeeper was obviously frightened by Fang Shiru's idea.
However, his words were interrupted by Fang Shiru reaching out.
"Don't worry, there are troops stationed outside Datong Mansion. The Mongols will not cause too much damage, but the responsibility for the king's dereliction of duty will be firmly established. When the emperor is angry, he will definitely revoke his position as vassal king."
Fang Shiru said very firmly.
"yes."
The housekeeper sighed inwardly, thinking that the master was really crazy, but he could only act according to the order.
…
There are more than a dozen Mongolian tribes, large and small, scattered outside Shanxi.
During the rule of the Yuan Dynasty, they were nobles who enslaved the Han people. Now they have been driven back to the grasslands. Many Mongolians have not yet adapted to this change in status.
Although the once invincible Mongolian cavalry has declined, they are still used to raiding border towns.
Datong Prefecture is one of the important towns on the Nine Borders, and due to its large population and fertile land, the number of Mongolians gathered here is also the largest in the border areas.
That night, the housekeeper of the Fang family found the closest and largest Mongolian tribe to Datong Mansion.
He knelt on the ground and presented the letter.
The Mongolian chief held the wild woman in his arms, gnawed on the leg of lamb, and asked his men to tell him what was on their mind.
"It's interesting. I didn't expect the old fox to be helpless against a wolf cub. Haha, go back and tell your master that the price will be increased to five times the original price, and I will help him deal with the wolf cub."
The housekeeper was surprised and happy, but he couldn't make the decision, so he could only return overnight and tell Fang Shiru what happened.
"Five times the money and food, Hei Muhan has a huge appetite."
"But if we can really remove the acting king, I don't believe that the emperor will send a vassal king here. By then, Datong Mansion will become my world again."
Thinking of this, Fang Shiru nodded fiercely, agreeing to the transaction.
I only had pity on the housekeeper, who had to rush out of the city again at dawn.
What he didn't know was that his actions had been noticed.
Hu Shidao sat on the city wall, took a sip of wine, and said to his two men: "I didn't expect that at such an old age, I would still be lucky enough to work for the prince, and even catch a big fish."