Although the decree was very brief, it caused a much bigger storm than Zhu Gui thought.

He didn't know how many people in Datong Mansion were waiting for him to make a fool of himself, so he was collectively dumbfounded.

The salt tax was an important source of revenue for the Ming Dynasty, and as a result, the acting king only received a symbolic punishment of 'half a year'? A lot of people can't accept it.

The first to bear the brunt was naturally Liu Jingming, but he was now in prison for trial, and the other Yandao officials also knew that their good days were over.

Although they will not be stupid enough to go against the Acting Palace, it also means that there will not be much oil and water in the future for the official positions they have worked so hard to obtain.

On the contrary, the five major salt merchants, small and medium-sized merchants in the city, and the common people collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

Although the five major salt merchants used to sell official salt, they used to have to hand over most of their profits to salt officials, and they also had to bear a lot of risks.

Although their profits are not as good as before, with the addition of the Datong Chamber of Commerce, the sales of refined salt have also increased a lot.

In addition, with the smooth opening of the road, it is foreseeable that their business will only get bigger and better.

As for those small and medium-sized businessmen and the people in Datong Mansion, their interests at this time have been tied to the Daiwang Mansion.

Seeing that the acting king was not severely punished, they were also happy from the bottom of their hearts.

The atmosphere in Datong Mansion is quietly changing.

However, at this time, Zhu Gui was not as happy as the outside world imagined.

He had already read the handwritten letter from the crown prince Zhu Biao to him, which described Zhu Yuanzhang's displeasure with his performance, and how Guo Guifei interceded for him, and also mentioned Zhu Yuanzhang's one-year appointment.

That is to say, if Zhu Gui collects 3 million tax dollars tomorrow, he, the vassal king, may not be guaranteed.

Zhu Biao reminded him not to make any more trouble, and he might as well speak for him within this year, and after Zhu Yuanzhang's anger subsided, the matter could be calmed down.

Zhu Gui said that he was suffering, and he couldn't predict if Zhu Yuanzhang knew that he had reached out to other taxes, would he want to strangle him with his own hands.

After thinking about it, he felt that he couldn't sit still like this.

So that afternoon, after sending off the middle-aged eunuch, he summoned Xu Yingxu.

Xu Yingxu was a little surprised when he saw Zhu Gui with a stinky face: "Is the acting king still dissatisfied with the emperor's decision?" ”

Zhu Gui shook his head and said, "General Xu, don't make fun of this king, I invited you to come this time because I have something to entrust." ”

Xu Yingxu noticed Zhu Gui's serious face, so he said with a straight face: "But it doesn't hurt to say it, as long as it doesn't violate the laws and morality of the Ming Dynasty, I can consider it at my discretion." ”

When Zhu Gui heard this, the corners of his mouth couldn't help twitching.

"General Xu is serious, I just want to ask the general to repair a letter to this king's father-in-law, so that he can enter the palace and say a few good words for this king in front of the emperor."

Zhu Gui said frankly.

"Let my father come forward? Didn't the emperor punish the acting king heavily? ”

Xu Yingxu asked with a puzzled expression.

Zhu Gui sighed, knowing that with the other party's character, if this matter was not explained clearly, it would probably be useless, so he had to hand the prince's letter to the other party.

Xu Yingxu quickly finished reading it, and his face became solemn.

"It turns out that there is such a reason, the prince is benevolent and righteous, and I admire it."

Zhu Gui nodded impatiently and said: "The prince has done enough for this king, and this king is also grateful, but the thief Liu Jingming is afraid that he has already played the impeachment of this king's tax reduction and agency, if the emperor knows about this matter again, ......."

Xu Yingxu then understood what was going on.

"This matter is indeed very important, but I was afraid that it would be difficult to explain it in letters, so I still returned to Nanjing overnight and explained the matter to my father in person."

Zhu Gui looked at Xu Yingxu in some surprise, his attitude towards this matter seemed to be more important than his own.

After thinking about it, he could only think that it was likely to be related to his sister Xu Miaoqing.

"Okay, then it's troublesome General Xu, this king will prepare a thin gift, and the general will hand it over to his father-in-law."

Zhu Gui said.

……

Due to the urgency of the situation, Xu Yingxu returned to Nanjing alone.

Knowing this, Xu Miaoqing couldn't help but be a little worried.

She looked at her empty pistol, thought about it again, and still found Zhu Gui.

"Zhu Gui, give this back to you." Xu Miaoqing put the pistol in front of Zhu Gui's table and saw that the other party was drawing something on the paper.

Zhu Gui just glanced up and asked casually, "What?" Isn't it easy to use? ”

Xu Miao wanted to do it angrily, but still held back: "There are no bullets." ”

"Oh, I almost forgot."

Only then did Zhu Gui react, slapped his head, and then took out a few magazines from the side.

"Will you reload? I'll teach you, you can come and get it yourself when you don't have bullets in the future. ”

Zhu Gui finished speaking without raising his head, and then neatly changed a magazine and handed it to Xu Miaoqing.

Xu Miaoqing took the heavy pistol, looking like she wanted to speak and stopped.

"Say whatever you want." Zhu Gui felt Xu Miaoqing's appearance, and then put down the work in his hand.

"My brother will come to Nanjing for your business, right?" Xu Miaoqing asked.

"Yes, but don't worry, I also gave him a pistol, and your brother is good, so he will be fine."

Zhu Gui also thought that Xu Miaoqing was worried about Xu Yingxu's safety.

Xu Miaoqing's brows furrowed.

"I mean, isn't it very big that you've done this time? Otherwise, how could my father come forward? ”

"You heard it all."

Zhu Gui reacted immediately, it seemed that Xu Miaoqing had heard the conversation between him and Xu Yingxu.

Xu Miaoqing nodded.

"It's not big, it's not small, it's just that the old man's patience with me is limited, and I'm afraid that he is making some irrational decisions in anger."

Zhu Gui said frankly.

"Old man?"

Xu Miaoqing looked at Zhu Gui in a daze.

"Oh, it's the emperor, it's smooth, don't spread it."

Zhu Gui hurriedly said.

Unexpectedly, Xu Miaoqing actually laughed out loud.

Then he turned and left.

"Hey, don't let anyone else know, you're going to kill your head."

Zhu Gui shouted from behind.

Xu Miaoqing stopped at the door, turned around and said, "You have a handle in my hands now, and you are not allowed to bully me or lie to me in the future." ”

After a moment's hesitation, she continued: "Whether you are the acting king or not, I will always be with you. ”

After speaking, Xu Miaoqing's figure disappeared at the door.

Zhu Gui looked in the direction of the door, stunned for a moment, and then smiled.

"Do you see the truth in adversity?"

Three days later, Xu Yingxu finally rushed back to Nanjing after running and killing three horses.

"Father, the acting king is in trouble, and you need to come out this time."

Xu Guogong Xu Huizu was reading a book in the study, and when he saw Xu Yingxu, he immediately walked over.

"What happened to the king? Is your sister okay? ”