Ming Dynasty: The ghost betrays the Confucian sage, my son Zhu Yuanzhang

Chapter 8: On the surface he is a businessman, but in reality he is a gangster

Zhu Yuanzhang's face turned red with anger. He didn't like businessmen from the bottom of his heart. In his eyes, businessmen were all profit-seeking people.

"What can you do? Is it so easy to make money?" he asked angrily.

"I already have a way to make money." Fourth Master Zhu smiled slyly, "That is making refined salt."

In the first year of Hongwu, the salt system was not yet perfect.

Private merchants can make salt, but they cannot sell it privately and must collect it from the government.

In other words, he could make salt and sell it to the government.

"You can also make salt?" Zhu Yuanzhang was surprised.

"Of course, the salt I make must be finer than the salt from the government." Fourth Master Zhu was excited when he said it.

Because he had checked earlier that there were salt mines around the capital.

However, there is no reliable private method for refining mineral salt.

But for the time traveler Zhu Siye, this is simple. A salt mine is enough for him to get his first pot of gold.

Moreover, the current salt mine, known as the Salt Poison Mountain, is untouched by no one. For him, it is almost a cost-free transaction.

The premise for all this is that he must be a businessman and have business qualifications before he can sell the refined salt to the government.

"We just don't understand. How about buying you a few acres of land and living a down-to-earth life?" Zhu Yuanzhang was anxious.

"Eight Lang, I know you are doing it for my own good." Fourth Master Zhu patted him on the shoulder, "But I have my goals."

He felt Zhu Yuanzhang's true emotions, and his heart was quite warm.

Although the two have known each other for a short time, they have gradually regarded each other as family members.

"Okay, I know I can't persuade you." Zhu Yuanzhang said helplessly, "I'll take you to Yingtian Mansion to handle it another day."

"Awesome, Ba Lang, you really have someone in Yingtian Mansion." Fourth Master Zhu was overjoyed.

"There is a fellow who is the governor of Yingtian Mansion, who happens to be in charge of household affairs." Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Fourth Master Zhu can’t wait to do it now.

Because he has his eye on Salt Mountain and is waiting to make big money.

……

"After changing your business registration, I am no longer the leader of your Beggar Clan?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked with a smile.

"On the surface he is a businessman, but in reality he is a gangster." Fourth Master Zhu raised his eyebrows, "He walks on two legs."

"You are not trying to unify the secret forces in the capital, are you?" Zhu Yuanzhang spread his hands, "We work in the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion, and we know something about the secret forces in the capital. Maybe we can give you some advice."

Fourth Master Zhu’s eyes lit up.

He really needs a helper in the court, and Zhu Shou alone will definitely not be enough.

Zhu Yuanzhang began to analyze it for him.

Among the eight major forces in the capital, it seems that the Yulong Gang is the strongest, but in fact it is not.

Tanma Junsi is the real strongest, but this Beiyuan spy focuses on collecting intelligence, not seizing territory and interests.

Moreover, Tanma Junsi has infiltrated the imperial court, and many officials in the imperial court are secretly helping them.

Especially some officials who surrendered from Beiyuan.

"Then why didn't you kill Tanma Junsi?" Fourth Master Zhu asked.

"It's easier said than done?" Zhu Yuanzhang smiled bitterly, "The Tanma Army Division is divided into the North Fang and the South Fang. They are not subordinate to each other, do you know? Daru Huachi from these two Fangs is hiding in the capital, and the court has not found them yet."

Fourth Master Zhu frowned slightly.

In the first year of Hongwu's reign, the capital city of the Ming Dynasty was really undercurrent and full of crises.

……

Zhu Yuanzhang continued his analysis.

Fourth Master Zhu was secretly frightened while listening.

It turns out that almost everyone in the imperial court knows the details of these eight dark forces, except for the Yulong Gang.

The salt gang is the remnant of Zhang Shicheng, the remnant of this private salt dealer, who really sells private salt.

Mingjiao is Ming Yuzhen who helps Shu.

Ming Yuzhen established the Daxia Dynasty in Shu. Although he was dead, his son Mingsheng ascended the throne and still occupied Shu.

The Liang Gang is mainly engaged in the business of escort agencies. In fact, behind them was King Liang of Yunnan.

This Liang King of the Yuan Dynasty was entrenched in the southwest. Zhu Yuanzhang even tried to recruit him, but he directly killed the envoy.

"What about Feiyan Tower and Qianjin Terrace?" Master Zhu asked.

"These two are local forces, one is a brothel and the other is a gambling house." Zhu Yuanzhang said, "They are weak, but rich."

"It seems I have to attack the Salt Gang first." Fourth Master Zhu's eyes suddenly became sharp.

"If you know how to make salt, it would be best to start with the Salt Gang." Zhu Yuanzhang smiled.

Of course he knew in his heart that Fourth Master Zhu had already gone to the Yulong Gang.

However, he didn't know what happened to Fourth Master Zhu in the Yulong Gang.

There are three thousand Qingyi members of the Yulong Gang. They only believe in themselves. It is difficult for outsiders to get in. Even the Jinyi Guards have not been able to place secret agents.

"I have to conquer the Fish Dragon Gang." Master Zhu's eyes were like lightning, "Then I have to show my strength to the Salt Gang and suppress them with force."

"Conquering the Yulong Gang? Isn't it that easy?" Zhu Yuanzhang was surprised.

"You don't know, right? The leader of the Yulong Gang is Zhang Dingbian. This man is very loyal." Fourth Master Zhu smiled and said, "I have a way to subdue him."

Zhu Yuanzhang was shocked.

Zhang Dingbian? Chen Youliang's remnant party?

That guy who almost killed us in Poyang Lake?

What the hell, is Jin Yiwei blind? Haven't found this out yet?

……

The next day, early in the morning.

Zhu Yuanzhang hurried back to the palace and went to the morning court.

The commander of the Jin Yiwei ordered Mao Xiang to follow him. Seeing that the emperor looked bad, he did not dare to ask more questions.

"Mao Xiang, do you know who the leader of the Yulong Gang is?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

"I don't know." Mao Xiang answered truthfully.

"It's Zhang Dingbian!" Zhu Yuanzhang said coldly, "You Jin Yiwei are doing it for free? After checking for so long, you can't find out? Chen Youliang's more than 3,000 men are in Xuanwu Lake, under our noses."

"I am guilty." Mao Xiang was numb, "I will lead the Jinyi Guards to destroy them."

"No!" Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, "Fourth Master Zhu has his own arrangements, so don't do anything yet."

"Yes." Mao Xiang nodded.

He was secretly relieved, but he was extremely confused in his heart.

The emperor was getting better and better towards Fourth Master Zhu, and even stayed overnight in his courtyard.

What did they talk about one night?

What is so magical about Fourth Master Zhu? The emperor would do so much for him.

"We also know that in the early days of the Ming Dynasty, the capital was a mixed bag, and you, the Imperial Guard, had a lot to do." Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Your energy is focused on the safety of the palace."

"I have selected the eunuchs and maids of the imperial palace three times." Mao Xiang frowned, "But I still dare not take it lightly."

If Chen Youliang, Zhang Shicheng's remnants, or people who visited the military affairs department sneaked into the palace, and something happened to the empress and prince in the palace, then he, the commander of the Jinyi Guards, would lose his head.

Zhu Yuanzhang was thoughtful while listening.

The two entered the palace. At this time, an old man on the tower of the imperial city gate played the horn and sang a song.

His tone was desolate and sad, and the voice echoed over the capital with a handful of suffering.

It’s hard to be a king, it’s hard to be a minister, it’s hard to be a minister!

It’s hard to start a business, it’s hard to keep a business, it’s hard too!

It’s hard to protect your family, it’s hard to protect yourself, it’s hard!

This is the song "It's hard, it's hard". Zhu Yuanzhang ordered that every morning in the morning, people must be arranged to play the horns and sing this song on the tower in the imperial city.

On the one hand, it is to remind myself not to forget my original intention, and on the other hand, it is to warn the officials.

It’s hard to start a business, but even harder to stay in business.

(End of this chapter)