Zhu Bai initially thought it was salt that was transporting fortune. But the salt-operating messenger didn't know it.
The governor of Yangzhou would not be so stupid as to let Japanese pirates come in and kill his own people.
This person might be the one who set fires and incense.
But why did he help the Japanese pirates?
His status as a guide for so many Japanese pirates must be high.
It's not worth taking the risk for that little money.
Who did he miss?
He has checked all the people the Japanese pirates came into contact with.
No, no.
That person might just be helping to guide the Japanese pirates.
No subsequent contact is required.
Well, be sure to check again.
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Two days later, Zhu Bai returned to the palace.
Lao Zhu took him to the study and talked to him alone behind closed doors for nearly half an hour.
This made everyone nervous, including Queen Ma, Liu Bowen, Zhu Biao and Hu Weiyong.
In fact, Lao Zhu was listening to Zhu Bai's explanation of the detailed process of transferring the salt envoy from Chadu to the Salt Envoy Division, so as to prevent Zhu Bai from omitting anything due to the length of the memorial.
When Zhu Bai talked about it, his mouth went dry, and Lao Zhu lowered his eyes and listened without saying a word.
When Zhu Bai stopped, Lao Zhu tugged at his beard: "No more?"
Zhu Bai: "Ang."
No, I put in a lot of effort, do you just listen to it as a story?
Lao Zhu said: "It's wonderful. It's true that we have found out everything. It's a pity that there is no evidence left at all, just killing people."
This is also true.
All witnesses are dead, including Xiang'er.
Zhu Bai choked, smacked his lips and changed the subject: "Father, please tell me whether Xiang'er is the daughter of a local slave."
Lao Zhu smiled sinisterly: "He is still locked up in Yingtian Prison. We will tell someone tomorrow to tell him and see his reaction. By the way, we will also see if he really obeys."
Zhu Bai said: "Now Yangzhou Salt Transport and Red Mansion need to be reorganized. How do you plan to deal with it?"
After returning to Yingtian, the chief and deputy salt envoys of the Yangzhou Du Salt Envoy Department were scolded by Lao Zhu.
Lao Zhu said that they were blind and deaf, and had been deceived by their subordinates for so long that they didn't even notice at all.
Then Lao Zhu directly demoted the chief and deputy transport envoys to a remote small county in the southwest to become a county magistrate.
Going directly from the third level to the seventh level is really a bit cruel.
But it's pretty good to be able to save your life.
After all, they couldn't prove that they had no contact with the Japanese pirates.
Therefore, the Yangzhou Salt Transport Department has now completely become an empty yamen.
Recently, the teeth chief from Yangzhou Official Tooth Bureau is managing it on your behalf.
Although it was actually under the control of the Guanya Bureau, if Lao Zhu didn't nod, it would be unfair.
I will talk about this while Zhu Biao is not around.
Lao Zhu narrowed his eyes and looked at Zhu Bai: "The Red Mansion is fine, but don't even think about intervening in the salt transportation."
It was because the Huaiyan salt tax was very important to the Ming Dynasty, so when the Huaiyan salt tax was reduced, he asked Zhu Bai to investigate. How could it be handled by the Guanya Bureau?
Zhu Bai sighed: "If my father appoints someone else, how can he be sure that he will be better than before?"
That's the problem.
But since we know that the current manager is not good, we obviously can’t use him again.
Otherwise, the current leader will think that Lao Zhu has no one else but to use him, and he will become more unscrupulous or do nothing.
Lao Zhu said: "What do you want?"
Zhu Bai said: "Either this, you draw a line for me according to the data over the years, and stipulate how much tax the official teeth bureau will collect each year, the sales volume and price of official salt. Unless there are special circumstances, such as natural or man-made disasters, from now on I will follow the rules This amount is given to the state treasury. If the ministers overcharge, even if it is the income of the Guanya Bureau, the less than the Guanya Bureau will make up for it. The court will be able to maintain its income during droughts and floods. The Guanya Bureau can also make a profit. Everyone is happy."
Lao Zhu: "Let us think about it."
Zhu Bai continued: "Guanya Bureau's transportation network and post stations are all over the world. It is actually the easiest and safest for Guanya Bureau to transport official salt. If the father agrees to my condition, I can still guarantee private business in the future. safety."
Lao Zhu frowned: "Tell me how you can guarantee it."
Zhu Bai said: "Private traders with complete water charts and routes are allowed to travel with the Guanya Bureau's convoy and stay at the 'Juren Inn' in the post station."
It is absolutely safe to follow the Guan Ya Bureau's convoy. No one dared to rob me even if I stayed at the "Juren Inn" at night.
Lao Zhu gritted his teeth and thought: Let's just say it. There is no way that this bastard spent a lot of money to build the "Ji Ren Inn" just to earn money for lifting people once every three years. So he was waiting here?
Salt merchants are not just all over the world, but there are many of them and they are all very wealthy...
As long as they are fed, drank, and taken care of, they will definitely be willing to spend money to buy peace and convenience.
But if you don’t give it to Zhu Bai, the rebellious son, who will give it to him?
No matter who we send down there, there is no guarantee that they will not be greedy or join forces with outsiders to deceive us.
Even if Zhu Bai was greedy, he was still able to get things done in the end, and the money he earned eventually went back to the court and armaments.
In fact, it’s the left hand passing over the right hand.
Lao Zhu said: "The Red Mansion can't give it to you, you are still young. Yanyun, let me think of an explanation for you. After all, it is best to make it impossible for these ministers to find fault."
The key is not to let Zhu Biao have a grudge.
Zhu Bai came out of the imperial study and saw Erhu standing by the door. He stopped and bowed to Erhu.
Erhu was so frightened that he hurriedly returned the greeting: "Your Highness, you have betrayed me. If you have anything to do, just give me your orders."
The main reason is that this "little king of hell" must be up to no good.
Zhu Bai said: "Sir, I would like to check the official transfers in Yangzhou City in the past month. Both the health office and the government office should be checked."
Erhu knew that something big had happened in Yangzhou, and there must be a reason for Zhu Bai's investigation, so he hurriedly said: "As ordered, I will tell His Highness immediately after I investigate."
As soon as Zhu Bai left, Erhu reported the matter to Lao Zhu.
Lao Zhu pondered for a moment and said: "He is trying to find a traitor. Because he is not sure yet, he didn't tell us. Go and check. If you do, tell us."
This transfer is easy to check. For transfers from the guards, go to the Governor's Office and the Ministry of War to check. For transfers from the government offices, go to the Ministry of Personnel.
Finally, it was found that Lin Xian, the commander of the Yangzhou Guard, was transferred to the Mingzhou Guard as the commander half a month ago.
Mingzhou later became Ningbo, right by the sea.
Zhu Bai heard what Erhu said and secretly gritted his teeth: He is the traitor. No wonder those Japanese pirates can enter and exit the city gate at will. He is making a good golden cicada escape from its shell.
Now there is no reason to deal with him.
Zhu Bai asked Zhang Yu: "Who is this Lin Xian?"
Zhang Yu said: "I used to be a subordinate of Chen Youliang and was good at water warfare. I have been serving as the commander of the Coastal Guard Station in recent years. I have made some achievements in the eradication of Japanese pirates."
Zhu Bai: "What is his relationship with Hu Weiyong?"
Zhang Yu was silent for a moment before saying, "I don't know, I am a lowly official."
In this current situation, anyone is likely to give up their principles and take refuge with Hu Weiyong.
It is also possible that it is just to preserve the strength, and to be conciliatory.
There is no investigation now, so he can't make random guesses.
Because that might unjustly kill a colleague.
Erhu also reported the news to Lao Zhu.
Lao Zhu sneered: "Okay. Let's talk about how Hu Weiyong got in touch with the Japanese pirates. It turned out to be through Lin Xian."
Erhu asked: "Do you want to transfer Lin Xian away?"
