Zhu Xu sat in the carriage and walked towards the Fu Mansion.

He also secretly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. He was always very alert to Luo Sigong. If Luo Sigong really doubted him and used some means to him, his secret might not be able to be completely kept.

When they arrived at Fu's mansion, Fu Changzong was waiting at home early in the morning. When the two of them arrived at the secret room, Fu Changzong still looked worried.

"What's wrong with uncle?" Zhu Xu sat down and asked curiously as he looked at Fu Changzong's face.

Fu Changzong sat opposite Zhu Xu, poured herbal tea for Zhu Xu, shook his head and said, "I looked at the notes presented in various places in the yamen today. Shaanxi, Xi, Sichuan, Gansu, and Su, and the drought is severe. Many prefectures and counties have no grains, and even Jiangnan has been affected. I am worried that this year's tax and silver may not be collected as much."

Zhu Xu laughed and said, "What my uncle is worried about."

Seeing that Zhu Xu was indifferent, Fu Changzong said, "The disaster will be serious, and the civil unrest will become more serious, and the imperial court will spend more money. If this continues, the imperial court will not be able to bear it sooner or later."

Zhu Xu took a sip of herbal tea and said, "Uncle, you have thought too much. The court has been unable to make ends meet. It has started in the forty years of Wanli."

Fu Changzong took office as Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and naturally knew more about the treasury situation than Zhu Xu. He looked at Zhu Xu with a strange look and said, "Xu'er, when did you earn money..."

Zhu Xu understood what Fu Changzong meant and shook his head and said, "Uncle, it's too early for you to make an appointment with me now. It's about the same in five years."

Fu Changzong paused, nodded, and sighed: "I know, but the officials in the court were also worried about this, but they were unable to start. Perhaps, I should have listened to you for a long time, and now there might be a silver emergency."

"It's not too late now," Zhu Xu also knew that Fu Changzong had always been concerned about what he did, and did not circumvent it on this, and changed the topic: "By the way, how are the arsenal prepared?"

Fu Changzong looked at Zhu Xu and knew that he didn't like to get involved in the affairs in the court. He pondered for a while and said, "I have chosen the address of the firearm factory. In a village outside the city, this village has made a living by slapping iron for generations. I quietly packed a conspicuous yard and dug it underground. It can be used after a while. Gunpowder is not lucky at the moment. It should be more convenient at the end of the year. There is no problem with pig iron and coal at present."

Zhu Xu nodded. This is what he cares most about at the moment. He did not require Bi Maokang to make a flintlock rifle that is very practical at once. What he wants is continuous progress, running-in, and firearms suitable for practical combat. Not to mention three to five months, three to five years, or even ten years.

When Fu Changzong saw Zhu Xu nodding, he thought for a while and said, "Xu'er, what do you think about the canal transportation?"

Zhu Xu smiled, and he knew that Fu Changzong would ask this question, and he knew that no one knew his true thoughts yet.

He narrowed his eyes and organized his words, "The sea transportation has stopped, the land transportation is long and long, with many checkpoints, not to mention tolls and bandits. Therefore, the canal transportation is the most important passage for connecting the north and the south, and I want to hold this passage."

"It's just that?" Fu Changzong frowned and said in confusion: "If you want to expand your business to Jiangnan, there is no need to make such a big deal?"

Zhu Xu's face moved, and his eyes were a little deep, "Of course not, I want to tie this passage and some people's necks. I want them to help me expand my business, whether it is a workshop, a money house or a private salt. The most important thing is that I must control their businesses!"

Fu Changzong still didn't understand and said, "You mean Donglin? If you want to peel a layer of skin from them, there is no need to do this? I will use some methods in the Ministry of Revenue, and if you cooperate a little, it should be possible."

Zhu Xu naturally had no way to tell him that what he targeted was actually the Eight Great Masters in the future. These Eight Great Masters were too important and had too great harm, so Zhu Xu would never let them go.

After thinking about it, Zhu Xu found an excuse and said, "At present, I am not targeting Jiangnan, but Shanxi merchants."

"Shenzhen merchant?" Fu Changzong was stunned for a moment, then nodded suddenly, and said, "So that's it. Shanxi merchants have developed rapidly in recent decades, with business spread all over the country, and even the Tatars and the Jin people have foundations. It would be great if they could curb it."

Seeing that Fu Changzong did not care about the word "current" in his words, Zhu Xu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and asked about the land purchase, sweet potatoes, corn sowing, etc. These were all done by Fu Changzong because of his identity. Most of the land purchases were taken to the fields, which was smooth sailing and there were not many twists and turns.

The two of them discussed the handling of private salt from Huimin Chamber of Commerce and Huitong Trading Company. It was not until the evening that Zhu Xu said goodbye and left and left the Fu Mansion.

"Your Highness." As soon as he left the Fu Mansion, Cao Wenzhao came over with a slightly strange expression.

Zhu Xu was stunned and said, "What happened?"

Cao Wenzhao hesitated and said, "Your Highness, you have missed the time. Will the Empress blame you? I will not let you leave the palace in the future?"

Zhu Xu waved his hand and smiled, and got on the carriageway: "It's okay, the emperor's sister-in-law has lifted my confinement in disguise before."

When Cao Wenzhao heard this, he looked a little relaxed. He drove the carriage and whispered as he walked: "Your Highness, there is one more thing, Yang Zhe committed suicide."

Zhu Xu, who had just sat down, raised his eyebrows and said, "In the Ministry of Justice?"

"Yes." Cao Wenzhao said.

Zhu Xu had a playful look on his face, and couldn't help laughing, saying, "The old fox Luo Sigong probably hadn't had time to take action yet. It was either the Ministry of Justice or the Dongchang. Hehe, I really want to see the old fox's expression now."

Cao Wenzhao drove the carriage and walked slowly, saying, "Your Highness, what should we do? Should we do something?"

"Nothing needs to be done," Zhu Xu smiled strangely and said, "When I return to the palace, I must study the way of poetry and make a good poem worthy of passing on the world."

Cao Wenzhao heard what His Highness Hui said, and knew that someone was going to be in trouble again.

The entire Ministry of Justice was obviously relieved at this moment.

With Yang Zhe committing suicide fearlessly, the case ended here, and Wang Ji also concluded the case as quickly as possible.

"Sir." Wang Ji walked to the backyard with the case closing document and looked at Zhao Nanxing.

Although both of them are second-rank Shangshu, Zhao Nanxing's qualifications are too strong. In addition to Donglin's status, Wang Ji has been lowered in front of him for a lifetime and has always been a junior student etiquette.

Zhao Nanxing took a sip of tea and said lightly: "Is the case settled?"

Wang Ji could hear his confidence in Zhao Nanxing's voice, and said with a smile: "Yes, all those involved in the canal transportation have been completed. Shen Aodong was executed and Li Jinyan was imprisoned for ten years. Now it's still a little trouble for Guan Yingzhen, and he shouldn't give up easily."

Zhao Nanxing hated Chu Party deeply, but didn't care much. He nodded and said, "Just settle the case. Don't give others a handle. It must be a tough case."

"Don't worry, this lord, I can't get over the case!" Wang Ji sat down beside Zhao Nanxing, looked at Zhao Nanxing and said, "The case has been settled, and the canal transportation side will not have much impact. If they are integrated internally, the storm should be calmed."

Zhao Nanxing's expression remained unmoved and said with a domineering attitude: "Well, the canal transportation is related to the national economy, and I will never allow anyone to do anything randomly."

Wang Ji also said, "Sir, you must block some mistakes in the canal transportation as soon as possible, so as not to find another place to keep an eye on it and cause trouble."

Zhao Nanxing looked up at the outside, and a cold look appeared on his old face, saying, "I will deal with this. However, the position of the Governor of the Cao Transportation is too critical and no one can take it at will. Brother Sancai has worked hard for so many years to maintain it, so he must not leave it to those villains!"

Wang Ji knew who Zhao Nanxing was talking about, and his eyes were also decisive.
Chapter completed!