While Huang Zhicheng and the others were boasting, Shi Kefa frowned frequently and hesitated several times.
Zhu Yuanzhang had previously suspected that Shi Kefa had leaked the maritime ban. Now that he saw this, he knew that the matter had nothing to do with him, and he felt more appreciative.
Although Zhu Yuanzhang was quite dissatisfied with the three Huang Zhicheng people in front of him, he was short of money now, and by winning over Tong Wanjin and Ye Fangheng, he could also divide the wealthy businessmen in Jiangnan.
So he suppressed the anger in his heart, and after some false talk with the three of them, he smiled and said, "We are very relieved that you two are so loyal and can donate money selflessly."
"If you have any difficulties, just bring it up and we will make the decision for you!"
When Tong and Fang heard that Zhu Yuanzhang said that the donation was a selfless donation and did not grant them the qualifications for overseas trade, they were stunned for a moment and then stole a glance at Huang Zhicheng.
Huang Zhicheng didn't know what Zhu Yuanzhang meant for a moment, so he looked at the two of them with a smile and said: "Since His Majesty has opened the mouth of gold, if you have any needs, you can just say it!"
When Tong Wanjin heard this, he hurriedly said that it was a blessing to see Tianyan this time and he had nothing to ask for.
Zhu Yuanzhang could not help but feel less disgusted when he saw that he was interested. He was about to send them away, but unexpectedly Ye Fangheng said: "Your Majesty, the officials in Jiangnan are very reasonable and the common people are very grateful."
"It's just that some businessmen are too vicious and have no intention of being loyal to the emperor and serving the country, like our Gu in Kunshan..."
"Ye...Fang Heng, Your Majesty has many things to do every day, so don't disturb Your Majesty with such trivial matters."
Shi Kefa, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke, interrupting Ye Fangheng's words.
When Ye Fangheng saw that Shi Kefa was trying to stop him, he accused him again and again: "Yes, it's just a villain who is confused. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Shi Kefa and said with a smile: "It doesn't matter, although it is not a trivial matter related to people's livelihood, but there is Shi Qing in charge of Jiangnan, so I can't give in to you even if I think about it."
"If you really have any grievances, you can come to the capital to find us, and we will definitely make a decision for you!"
When Ye Fangheng heard this, he even said he didn't dare, and then started chatting again.
At this time, a Jin Yiwei came in to report that Xia Wanchun, Zhang Mingzhen and others were outside seeking an audience.
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard Zhang Mingzhen's name and was thinking about who it was, he suddenly noticed a flash of panic in the eyes of Tong and Ye, and asked Jin Yiwei to bring Xia Wanchun and others in.
Shi Kefa had long wanted to leave, but because Huang Zhicheng had been reluctant and because Zhu Yuanzhang was very talkative, he didn't mention it.
At this moment, seeing Zhu Yuanzhang announcing that Xia Wanchun had come in, he stood up and said goodbye, while Tong and Ye also agreed.
Zhu Yuanzhang deliberately delayed for a while, and only allowed Xia Wanchun and the other five to leave after they came in, and secretly observed the expressions of both parties.
He found that when Xia Wanchun said hello to Shi Kefa, both parties looked normal.
However, when Xia Wanchun saw Huang Zhicheng behind Shi Kefa, he immediately showed contempt, and the other party also looked dissatisfied.
Then when a general behind Xia Wanchun saw Tong and Ye, his face immediately showed anger, and Tong and Ye also looked panicked.
However, when Ye Fangheng saw the middle one of the three Confucian scholars behind him, he showed a provocative look.
It was just that the Confucian scholar turned a blind eye to him, which made him a little angry.
But when he saw the last Confucian scholar glaring angrily, he quickly withdrew his gaze.
Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang took a closer look at the Confucian scholar in the middle. Although he was dressed as a Confucian scholar, his eyes were shining brightly and his steps were very steady. He should have martial arts skills.
He couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration when he thought about this man's martial arts skills and his ability to deal with provocation calmly.
Afterwards, he observed several other people and found that although their temperament was a little worse than that of the Confucian scholar, they were still of average quality, and he was overjoyed.
But he immediately thought that since these people were with Xia Wanchun, they might be either Donglin Party members or members of the Restoration Society.
Nowadays, the Donglin Party members in the court have reared their heads. If these people are reused, it will be detrimental to the overall situation.
While he was deep in thought, Xia Wanchun and others knelt down and saluted:
"Your Majesty, Xia Wanchun (Zhang Mingzhen), calls on you!"
"Gu Jishen (Guizhuang, Wu Qihang), a grassroots citizen, comes to pay homage to Your Majesty!"
Zhu Yuanzhang let them level up, pondered for a moment, looked at Xia Wanchun, and said with a smile: "Xia Qing, you have found so many talents for us in less than two days since you left. Please tell me how you want us to reward you." !」
Xia Wanchun said with a look of shame on his face: "Your Majesty, I came late to rescue you. I have already failed the emperor's favor. How can I dare to ask for a reward?"
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he looked at Xia Wanchun carefully and saw that although he was young, his expression was calmer than when he first met him, and he nodded secretly in his heart.
Then he encouraged: "Xia Qing, you are wrong. In fact, when you left the city, you already weakened the rebels and gave them worries. What's more, you also asked your subordinates to spread messages everywhere, so this first achievement should be yours. ..."
After listening to Zhu Yuanzhang's words, Xia Wanchun's expression of guilt lessened slightly.
Zhang Mingzhen, Gu Jikun and others looked surprised, and at the same time they looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with respect.
Later, through Xia Wanchun's introduction, Zhu Yuanzhang learned that Zhang Mingzhen was originally a guerrilla general in Shipu, Taizhou.
When Guo Sheng caused trouble to Jiangnan, Shi Kefa ordered soldiers from Jiangsu and Zhejiang to come to the rescue.
Zhang Mingzhen's boss was afraid of fighting, so he asked him to take 2,000 people northward.
Gu Jikun, Guizhuang, and Wu Qikang were students from Kunshan. They originally aspired to make a career, but due to the darkness of the officialdom, they failed many times, so they gave up on this idea and started studying and practicing martial arts for their own entertainment.
This time they heard that the rebels were heading south, so they summoned hundreds of local warriors to come to support them.
However, when they arrived in Huai'an, Guo Sheng had already been defeated. They were going to return to their hometown. Later, under Chen Zilong's persuasion, they worked with Zhang Mingzhen to encircle and suppress the rebels.
After they discovered the rebel movement a few days ago, they suggested that Ma Shiying and Ma Huabao go north. Since they had not received a response, they rushed to Linyi with their own troops.
Unexpectedly, I met Xia Wanchun halfway. When I learned that the Holy Master was here, I hurried over.
After listening to Xia Wanchun's story, Zhu Yuanzhang knew that the Donglin Party members had always looked down on military men, and it was unlikely that Zhang Mingzhen was from the other side.
Although Gu Jikun and the other three are literati, they are still just students in their thirties, and they are not from Donglin after all.
However, to be cautious, Zhu Yuanzhang still took the opportunity of small talk to test everyone secretly.
After some conversation, he found that Zhang Mingzhen was upright, forthright, and quite strategic. If he was cultivated, he would be able to stand alone in time.
It's just that he has close contacts with the Donglin Party members and is prone to breeding tigers.
Although Gu Jikun and the other three joined the society, they were not close to the Donglin people because of their weird personalities. They also advocated being practical, benefiting the country and enriching the people, and opposed party strife, which harmed the interests of some Donglin Party members.
Moreover, although the three of them are not officials, their views on some practical social issues are far better than those of ordinary officials.
Gu Jikun, in particular, had extensive research on military systems, field skills, money laws, etc., which made Zhu Yuanzhang want to recruit.
However, he knew that literati are arrogant, and the more talented they are, the more unruly they are.
The three of them, Gu Jikun, are both civil and military, but they are only students so far. They must have very arrogant temperaments. If they don't get it right, it may be difficult to make the other party surrender.
Suddenly, he thought of the situation when Gu Jikun and others came in, and he asked tentatively: "We intend to impose a sea ban and prepare to let Tong Wanjin, Ye Fangheng and others go to sea to do business. What do you think about this?"
When he returned to the village and heard the words, he immediately changed his expression and said: "Your Majesty, this is absolutely impossible. You must know Ye..."
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"
Gu Jikun interrupted Guizhuang loudly before he could finish his words.
When Zhu Yuanzhang saw Guizhuang looking at Gu Jikun in surprise, he couldn't help but feel happy.
