Although they are both important towns in Jiubian, the situation in Datong Prefecture is obviously much worse than that in Yanjing.
If it weren't for the secret Zhu Gui held, Zhu Di might not have come.
But when he asked about the secret of making salt, Zhu Gui just laughed it off.
Just kidding, how could he possibly tell others the key to his fortune?
Not even the acting king can do it.
Even though salt production now accounts for less than 30% of Zhu Gui's total income, he has no intention of cultivating a competitor for himself.
Of course, the more important thing is that he all exchanged his refined salt from the system store. Even if he told Zhu Di, the other party might not believe him.
It's just that this time I personally led the troops here, whether it helped Zhu Gui or not, it was all a favor.
If Zhu Gui doesn't shed some blood this time, then the next time he wants to ask for help from the other party, the other party will not take action again.
And don't forget that Zhu Di was the protagonist of the Jingnan Campaign a few years later, and he was also the Yongle Emperor in later generations.
So making good friends with each other from now on is also considered by Zhu Gui.
So after the dinner was over, under Xu Miaoqing's slightly resentful eyes, Zhu Gui still went to see Zhu Di.
Zhu Di seemed to have been prepared for this, and had even prepared tea.
"Thirteenth brother, I already know the situation in Datong Mansion pretty much. To be honest, everything you did made me very surprised and even ashamed, because there are some things that even brother Wei can't do.
"
Zhu Di said with emotion.
"Fourth brother's words are serious. Who in the imperial court doesn't know King Yan's talent and strategy, holding on to most of the north, and fighting the Mongols who dare not easily invade the border? Compared with fourth brother, what I have done is really not worthy of publicity."
Zhu Gui said quickly.
The two complimented each other, and after drinking a cup of tea, they finally got down to business.
"Now can you tell me, Brother Wei, how you defeated those Mongols?"
Zhu Di said seriously.
Zhu Gui scratched his head and said: "Actually, this can be said to be simple or complex, but actually I am like this..."
Zhu Gui briefly told him about building the city, dividing his troops, and attacking the golden tent.
As for the reaction of the Mongols, it was indeed beyond his expectation.
Originally, Zhu Gui really expected King Yan to lead troops to rescue the situation, but he did not expect that the Mongols took the lead in proposing a 'peace agreement'.
Zhu Di nodded repeatedly.
But when he heard about the "peace agreement" reached by Zhu Gui and the Mongols, his brows furrowed.
"Brother Wei feels that this is just a delaying tactic by the Mongols. If they are given time to recover, they will definitely come back. Moreover, in places like the grassland, they, the nomads, can live, but it is difficult for us Han people to cultivate it."
Zhu Di said.
Zhu Gui nodded and said: "Fourth brother is right, so I plan to make the Mongolians inseparable from us through trade."
"Trade? You mean..."
Zhu Di didn't say it clearly, but he could still infer Zhu Gui's plan from Zhu Gui's words.
Naturally, it was an urgent need, which was the salt and iron tools that the nomads lacked most.
However, these two items were strictly prohibited from being exported to the Mongols by the Ming Dynasty. Once discovered by the court, Zhu Gui's position as vassal king might not be guaranteed.
Zhu Gui smiled and said, "Fourth brother, I want to show you something."
Zhu Gui took out a rolled piece of parchment from the nearby bookshelf and spread it on the table.
This is a map of the world he drew.
"This is?"
When Zhu Di saw the map, his eyes immediately lit up.
"As the fourth brother can see, this is the map of the world we are in now, and our Ming Dynasty is in this corner, and the Mongolian grassland is just a tiny place."
Zhu Gui explained.
Zhu Di stared at the map and said nothing for a long time, but the expression on his face changed several times.
After a long while, he patted Zhu Gui on the shoulder and said, "It seems that my thirteenth brother and my brother have the same idea."
Zhu Gui nodded.
The two hit it off immediately and chatted all night long.
During this period, Xu Miaoqing came to the door several times and tried to knock on the door several times, but gave up.
…
Early the next morning, Zhu Gui accompanied Zhu Di to visit many new facilities in Datong Mansion.
Zhu Di was amazed again and again.
The two finally came to the Datong Chamber of Commerce.
Zhu Di was very interested in the task board at the door.
After talking with the representative of the Chamber of Commerce on duty, he turned around and told Zhu Gui that he wanted to open up trade from Datong Prefecture to Yanjing.
However, the two places are thousands of miles apart. According to Zhu Gui's idea, it is obviously unrealistic to build roads first and then trade.
Moreover, the folk customs near Yanjing are fierce and there are many bandits and robbers, which places very high demands on the armed force of the caravan.
However, facing Zhu Di who was very interested, Zhu Gui could not refuse, so he had to say that he would consider the matter and give him a reasonable plan before Zhu Di left.
Finally, the two of them came to a restaurant, which was so high up that they could overlook half of Datong Mansion.
Zhu Di put away his smile and said to Zhu Gui: "There are still many things in Yanjing that I need to handle for Brother Wei, so Brother Wei plans to leave tomorrow, but before that, Brother Wei still wants to confirm with Brother Thirteen.
"
Zhu Gui said seriously: "Fourth brother, please tell me."
"The three-eyed gun you gave me before was copied by a craftsman for my brother, but various problems always occurred. Do you have the blueprint of the three-eyed gun in your hand?"
Zhu Di stared at Zhu Gui and asked.
"This is it."
Zhu Gui pondered.
"Haha, you kid, don't let the hawk catch the rabbit before you see it, right? OK, I will give you a promise as my brother. Whenever you are in trouble in the future, I will definitely stand up for you. How about that?"
Zhu Di said with a smile.
"Okay, here are the drawings."
Zhu Gui took out a piece of parchment from his arms and placed it in front of Zhu Di.
Zhu Di was stunned for a moment, picked up the drawing and took a look at it. After confirming that it was the drawing of the Three-Eyed Gun, he looked at Zhu Gui meaningfully and said, "You have been prepared for a long time, right? Brother Wei has been plotted by you."
Zhu Gui smiled indifferently and did not answer.
He had indeed prepared the drawings of the Three-Eyed Gun a long time ago. As for the impact it would have on the Battle of Jingnan, he could not speculate now, but at most it would end early, which was not a bad thing for him.
As for Zhu Di's promise, it is also very important to Zhu Gui.
Zhu Gui is not sure about Zhu Di's attitude towards him in the future after he becomes emperor. With this promise, he at least has room to bargain with the other party.
After the two sat in the restaurant all morning, they finally couldn't resist their sleepiness and returned to Prince Dai's Mansion to rest.
At this time, the Mongolian envoy also came to Datong Mansion with the agreement signed by all the Mongolian tribal chiefs.