The heavy rain suddenly stopped, and the rain and fog started again.
Three large ships passed through Yangzhou City along the Li Canal in the rain and fog.
As far as the eye can see, there are countless buildings and courtyards scattered far and near in Yangzhou City.
It is looming in the sea of mist, and the heights are consistent. It has a feeling of beauty like a fairyland, which makes people look at it.
The big ship sailed slowly towards the outside of Yangzhou City, and the dock in the south of the city could be seen from a distance.
Li Xuan stood on the bow of the ship, looking at the crowd waiting to see off on the pier in the distance, and couldn't help but frown slightly.
The fog gradually dissipated, and the figures in the distance could be clearly seen.
Lu Yuanfang, He Zhizhang, Wang Zhe, Wang Yan, Xu Taizhi, Meng Qingran, Shen Zhuang, and many other acquaintances appeared on the dock at the same time. Z.br>
But besides them, there are a few unfamiliar people in the distance...
"Those are the people from the Caogang." Liang Fuling, who was standing behind Li Xuan, suddenly spoke. This sentence immediately attracted the attention of Li Xuan, Yu Ze, Qiu Zhenmu, Wang Bo and others.
"People from the Cao Gang?" Li Xuan raised a brow and looked sideways at Qiu Zhenmu: "If my memory is correct, the leading figures of the Cao Gang should have been arrested by the Governor's Mansion... Those people on the shore , and he doesn’t look like someone from the older generation in the past, does he?”
"Of course not." Liang Fuling pursed her lips and sneered, "Those three are the three most likely candidates to take over as the next leader of the Cao Gang."
In the past, she would hide her familiarity with the Caobang, but since the relationship between the Yongchang Palace and the Caobang was exposed in front of Li Xuan early in the morning, Liang Fuling did not hide it at all.
"Are the three most likely to be the other three among the four hall masters of the Cao Gang?" Li Xuan's face suddenly darkened.
How could these three people be released so easily? Is Dou Xuande so impatient?
"Perhaps Dou Changshi has other considerations." Yu Ze stood on one side and persuaded in a low voice.
Li Xuan nodded and sneered: "The Cao Gang cannot tolerate chaos. I understand this. For the sake of the stability of the Cao Gang, perhaps these people should be released. Yesterday, I arrested them as a show of diplomacy. On my behalf, it is indeed convenient to release them today and deal with Cao Gang affairs in a low-key manner. I understand this, but they should not appear here today."
The dissatisfaction on Li Xuan's face was clearly visible. How could these things be put on the table?
Liang Fuling, who was wearing green clothes and dressed like a handsome man, walked up to Li Xuan, pointed at the three people in the distance and said: "The first one is Jiang Hun, the leader of the Cao Clan Shipping Hall. Jiang Hun is the leader. Xu Ji's eldest disciple; Wei Peng, the leader of the Fiber Weaving Hall, is Xu Ji's son-in-law. Yan Shen, the leader of the Dragon and Tiger Hall, is the youngest and the most skilled, having risen from the bottom. Not long ago, Xu Ji said he would My granddaughter will marry Yan Shen."
Liang Fu briefly introduced the identities of the three leaders of the Cao Gang.
Jiang Hun, who was wearing a gray linen robe, was in his forties and had a heavy face.
Wearing a green robe and dressed like a scholar, just over thirty years old, it was Xu Ji's son-in-law Wei Peng.
Among the three, the one wearing a black robe and with his left hand involuntarily clasping towards the left is Yan Shen, who looks about twenty-three or four years old and is very young.
"Yan Shen's skills are indeed very good." Li Xuan nodded in agreement. Compared to Jiang Hun and Wei Peng, Yan Shen attracted more attention.
"His left hand should be used to holding a sword. He is a guy who can't live without a sword. It's quite scary." Qiu Zhenmu's eyes also fell on Yan Shen. Just this action of Yan Shen was enough to prove His character became fortified.
If he had outstanding talent and a well-established inheritance, it would not be surprising to become the number one master of the Caobang today.
"Through these three people, Xu Ji can still control the entire Cao Gang." Liang Fuling said lightly, and the expressions of everyone present changed instantly.
Sensitive nerves are aroused.
Li Xuan looked at Lu Yuanfang who was standing at the front on the pier. After thinking for a moment, he shook his head and said, "This may not be what Dou Changshi meant. It should be the idea of the four major Yangzhou aristocratic families. They wanted to establish a new gang leader as soon as possible, so they joined forces. Apply pressure and force Dou Changshi to release these three people."
Everyone present nodded subconsciously at the same time. The three leaders of Caogang could only stand behind the young disciples of the four major families in Yangzhou, and they could tell what was going on inside.
Li Xuan smiled coldly and said: "The four major aristocratic families in Yangzhou have made it clear to me that the future of the Caobang will be under their control, and what happened to He Chang will never happen again. The four major aristocratic families have taken action. Caobang will be more stable in the future."
Li Xuan's expression turned dull: "There is a huge connection of interests between the four major Yangzhou aristocratic families and the Caobang, and they have a profound influence on the Caobang. They are the ones who control the Caobang behind the scenes, so anything that happens is accidental.
Although the remaining three major hall leaders of the Cao Gang have a close relationship with Xu Ji, they are still more controlled by the four major families. In addition, they now owe such a huge favor to the four major families, and it will be harder to get rid of them in the future. "
"Even Xu Ji can't influence them?" Wang Bo on one side couldn't believe it.
"Especially Xu Ji." Li Xuan suddenly emphasized something, turned to look at Liang Fuling, and saw her cold face, then continued: "Jiang Hun is just Xu Ji's disciple, and Wei Peng is just his Son-in-law, and Yan Shen has a more distant relationship with him.
Only one person can occupy the highest position of power in the Cao Gang, and they are too late to fight for it themselves, let alone Xu Ji.
Perhaps they had been dissatisfied with Xu Ji a long time ago. "
"Then why are they here?" Wang Bo was a little confused and asked: "Are they also here to see off the prince?"
"No, they came here for the position of leader of Cao Gang." Li Xuan looked at everyone from a distance and said in a low voice: "No one can decide the choice of leader of Cao Gang privately without my nod."
Downstream, the boat travels very fast.
Almost half a moment later, Li Xuan's boat arrived at the dock.
The other two official ships went first, and the ship Li Xuan was on slowly docked.
Jumping off the boat, Li Xuan, Qiu Zhenmu, and Yu Ze faced the people present at the same time.
"Uncle Shi, and several brothers. It's raining heavily today. Why bother to come here? It's such a hard work. I'm really flattered. If I really want anything, it's Xuan's fault." Li Xuan said to Lu Yuanfang and those present Everyone sincerely handed over their hands and said, "One day, Xuan will definitely come to thank you and repay your hospitality."
"Your Majesty, you're welcome." Lu Yuanfang cupped his hands to Li Xuan and said, "Your Majesty came to Yangzhou and I'm really ashamed that I couldn't fulfill my duties as a landlord. In addition, Governor Dou and Chang Changshi couldn't get away, so I'd like to express my gratitude to you The official came to say goodbye to the prince and wish the prince a successful and safe trip."
"Thank you, Uncle Shi, and all the brothers." Li Xuan's eyes fell on He Zhizhang, Wang Zhe, Wang Yan, Xu Taizhi, Meng Qingran, Shen Zhuang and others.
For Wang Zhe, Li Xuan passed by calmly like everyone else, without any abnormality.
He Zhizhang took a step forward and asked directly: "Your Majesty, is Mr. Zian on the boat? I wonder if the students can..."
"Please..." Li Xuan stepped aside slightly, and He Zhizhang immediately ran towards the boat like a jumping rabbit, his excitement palpable.
"Ji Zhen!" Lu Yuanfang's face turned cold instantly. He Zhizhang's behavior was somewhat rude.
"It doesn't matter. Brother Ji Zhen has a straightforward temperament, which is rare and valuable." Li Xuan smiled sincerely.
He Zhizhang, a mad guest from the Siming Dynasty, asked Wang Bo, one of the four heroes of the early Tang Dynasty.
I don’t know if it will be like Li Bai’s consultation with He Zhizhang and the Golden Turtle for wine, leaving a lasting story.
It's a pity that Li Xuan has other matters to deal with, otherwise she would really have to go to this rare literary event.
Li Xuan's eyes fell on Wang Yan, Xu Taozhi, and Meng Qingran. Seeing the unbearable expressions on their faces, Li Xuan waved her hands and said, "What are you still doing in a daze? Hurry up and go. We only have a quarter of an hour at most." In time, I will go south."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your accommodation." Wang Yan agreed, and Meng Qingran's face became solemn at the same time. She bowed gratefully again, and then immediately ran onto the boat.
After seeing several people leaving, Li Xuan's expression gradually faded, and finally, his eyes fell on Shen Zhuang.
"Brother Shen, apart from these three people in the Cao Gang,
Can't you choose a suitable person who can lead? "Li Xuan's words hit Shen Zhuang like a sword.
Shen Zhuang did not expect that Li Xuan had already guessed his purpose without asking who these three people were or even how they came out.
Shen Zhuang looked a little embarrassed and took a step forward with a bitter look on his face: "Your Majesty, the water transportation cannot be delayed at all. The sooner a new gang leader is elected, the sooner the Cao Gang will be restored to stability. How many more days will it take?" The summer harvest is about to begin, please be more considerate, Your Majesty."
Ever since Xu Ji was controlled and senior officials of the Cao Gang were arrested one after another, the pressure on Cao Yun was immediately put on the four major families.
Logically speaking, now is the best time for the four major families to completely control the water transportation. However, no, the four major families can be the controllers behind the Cao Gang, but they cannot come to the front because the palace does not allow it.
As a result, their profit margins will be much smaller.
There are not such big benefits, but there are also such big responsibilities, so few people are stupid.
Shen Zhuang raised his hands in a pitiful tone and said, "Please give me some advice, Your Majesty. Among the three of them, who is the most suitable to serve as the temporary leader of the Cao Gang?"
Today, the reason why these three people were brought here is that Shen Zhuang and the others wanted Li Xuan to select a suitable leader of the Cao Gang from among the three, and then they could get the full support of the four major families.
Li Xuan's face became indifferent for a moment, and then he said expressionlessly: "The Cao Gang will help the master choose, you can choose yourself, how can I allow you to comment?"
With Qingpiaopiao's words, everyone present could not help but change their color slightly.
