bastard seizes tang

Chapter 300 Du Ruhui Knows the Goods
"The king has not been in Yangzhou for the past few days, has any major event happened in the city?" Everyone got up, and Li Ke got on his horse, and Ma Zhou, who was entrusted by Li Ke to decide all the affairs of Yangzhou, followed behind Li Ke, and Li Ke turned his head. Ask Ma Zhou.

Ma Zhou thought for a while and replied to Li Ke: "Du Xiang came very quickly. With Du Xiang sitting here, there is not much chaos in Yangzhou City."

Du Ruhui started in the army and was a prime minister. He was able to rule the world with ease, so how could a mere Huainan be a problem? With him, even if someone wanted to create chaos, he would not dare to make a move.

However, Ma Zhou paused, as if thinking of something, but said to Li Ke: "There are no people who take advantage of the opportunity to cause chaos, but there is one thing, if His Highness hears it, he must be a little displeased."

Hearing this, Li Ke asked, "Oh? What's the matter?"

Ma Zhou replied: "Only two days after His Highness disappeared, the price of salt in Huainan has been rising all the way, from 180 Wen per bucket to [-] Wen, and now it has reached nearly [-] Wen, and there are many people who cannot afford to buy salt. Although the crisis of salt is not as menacing as the flood, it should not be ignored."

Li Ke listened to Ma Zhou's words, and nodded slowly while showing a trace of coldness in his eyes.

When Li Keshang was in Xuyi, he issued a strict order that the price of Huainan table salt should not exceed 180 renminbi per bucket, but now that Li Ke has been missing for more than ten days, and the flood has stopped, these salt shops in Huainan have become rampant. Openly raised the price of salt to [-] Wen, which is too much.

Li Ke asked Ma Zhou, "Since Du Xiang is here, why is this happening?"

Du Ruhui was ordered by the emperor to go south to Huainan, and when Li Ke was away, he served as an envoy to the southeast, and the rise in salt prices was no small matter. Logically speaking, Du Ruhui should not ignore this matter.

Ma Zhou sighed, and said to Li Ke: "You don't need to say much about Du Xiang's talents, but he is a descendant of Du Xiang's family, and most of his eyes are on government affairs in Huainan prefectures. I didn't want to compete with the people for profit, so I didn't pay attention to it."

Listening to Ma Zhou's words, Li Ke also slowly understood that Du Ruhui was a child of an aristocratic family, and he was not an ordinary one.

The so-called "Fan Chuan Wei Du, go to the sky five feet." Although Jingzhao Du's family is not among the seven clans and five surnames, in terms of fame and reputation, it is not inferior.

Such a background made it difficult for Du Ruhui to be fully sympathetic to the people's feelings even though he was a prime minister, and he was naturally incomparable to officials like Ma Zhou who started from humble beginnings.

"Where is Du Xiang now?" Li Ke asked Ma Zhou.

Ma Zhou replied, "Master Du knows that His Highness will return, and is already waiting in the inner city of Yangzhou."

Du Xiangfei is Li Ke's retainer, so he needs to avoid suspicion. Naturally, he doesn't have to go out of the city to welcome him like Ma Zhou and the others. Moreover, Du Ruhuigui is the Duke of the state, and he used to be the prime minister. Li Ke lost face.

Li Ke thought for a while, and said to Ma Zhou: "After the king returns to the mansion, you will make a hard trip later, go with Huaidao and lead the army, and "invite" Zhou Dingfang, the chief executive of the Southeast Salt Industry, to the king. , this king wants to entertain him."

As Li Ke spoke, his tone became more and more cold.

With Li Ke's status, Zhou Dingfang, even if he is rich in the southeast, is not worthy of being such a person to "invite" him over, and even treat him to a banquet in person.

Hearing this, Ma Zhou responded, and said, "I'll do it right now, but I don't know if there will be a banquet tonight, so should Prime Minister Du be counted?"

Li Ke immediately said: "No need, on this matter, since Du Xiang has a different opinion from this king, why ask him to ask for trouble. This king will ask this matter in person, without going through Du Xiang."

Li Ke was not in Huainan, Du Ruhui was the chief official of Huainan, but now that Li Ke had returned to the east, Du Ruhui naturally took the second place.

But in fact, Li Ke deliberately avoided Du Ruhui, not because of Du Ruhui's identity, but because of his own selfish considerations.

People cannot live without salt, and Li Ke knows better than anyone how profitable the salt business is.Li Kegui is a prince, with a wealth of wealth and ten thousand acres of land. He himself is not short of money, but if he wants to seize the heir, he must naturally raise retainers and win over all parties from the ruling and opposition parties. These expenses are not small sums. Now there are people who earn such money The business comes from Li Ke, how could he miss it.

It can be said that "every man is innocent but he is guilty". When Zhou Dingfang revealed his wealth in front of Li Ke, Li Ke had already missed him. Zhou Dingfang and their Southeast Salt Company were also bullying the people. Why not Li Ke instead?He took over this lucrative salt business and made it his own pocketbook.

Now that Li Ke has such thoughts and wants to do such a thing, he will naturally not call Du Ruhui again, and make things difficult for him for nothing.

"Your Majesty, I'm sorry." Ma Zhou also responded when he heard the words.

Although Ma Zhou didn't know what Li Ke was thinking, since Li Ke deliberately mentioned this matter, he must have other plans, most likely to avoid Du Ruhui and the court.

When Li Ke was away, Du Ruhui was a giant Buddha, capable of controlling the Jianghuai River, and of course had a great effect on the current situation in Huainan, but now that Li Ke is back, there are two big figures in Huainan, a small Huainan, and Du Ruhui is still Li Shimin's confidant. Du Ruhui can only be a hindrance to Li Ke.

After all, Du Ruhui is different from ordinary courtiers. His identity is too sensitive. He is a confidant who has followed Li Shimin for more than ten years. With his position, Li Ke is only seeking his favor at most, not, let alone dare to win over Du Ruhui. , otherwise Li Shimin would be dissatisfied with Li Ke.

Li Ke was thinking about Du Ruhui in his heart, and was walking towards the inner city of Yangzhou. As soon as he arrived at the gate of the inner city, he also saw Du Ruhui waiting outside the city.

"Chen Du Ruhui, I pay my respects to Your Highness." Li Ke rode his horse to the outside of the inner city, and Du Ruhui paid his respects first.

Li Ke got off his horse, stepped forward to help Du Ruhui up, and smiled at Du Ruhui, "I haven't seen you in a year, but Cai Guogong's body is much healthier, it's really gratifying."

Du Ruhui stood up and said, "Your Highness is in danger all over the place, and it is a blessing for the people to return safely. We are gratified and congratulated."

Li Ke said: "The Duke's words are serious. With the Duke sitting here, even if the king is not there, it is as solid as gold. Both the father and the king are at ease."

Du Ruhui shook his head when he heard the words, and said, "I dare not take credit for the safety of Huainan. The stability of Huainan is due to the contribution of two people. One is for His Highness to control the water, and the other is for King Bin to secure the people. If it is not for the great talent of King Ma Bin, who is good The way of governing the people, stabilizing the hearts of the people in the southeast, I am afraid that even if I come here, it will be useless."

Obviously, Du Ruhui spoke highly of Ma Zhou, Li Ke turned his head to look at Ma Zhou, and said to Du Ruhui, "It's a surprise to my king that a minister under the sect can get such praise from the Duke."

Li Kezhi's words were meant to be humble, but Du Ruhui said seriously: "Your Highness, why should you be so humble? King Ma Bin has the talent of a prime minister, which is rare for a minister in his life. Such a minister, how can your highness hide his personal interests, and only use a mansion within a hundred miles?" Among them, it would be a waste of money."

(End of this chapter)