After Zhou Shixian left the "Nanjing Ordnance Bureau" and said goodbye to Ni Yuanlu, he immediately headed to the northwest of Nanjing City, to the intersection of the Qinhuai River and the Yangtze River, which was one of the strongholds of the Nanjing Water Camp.

Originally, he planned to go to the Qinhuai River to enjoy the scenery, learn more about the local customs and strengthen his muscles. After all, it had been more than a month since he arrived in Nanjing, and it was time for Zhou Shixian to try the water in the Qinhuai River.

Deep.

However, he had offended too many people during this period. When the personal guard reminded him, he thought of the censors and officials who hated him with all their teeth. In addition, there were still things to do, so he finally gave up.

.

At this critical moment, he couldn't let his guard down. In fact, with Li Banghua here, it didn't matter what the censor said, but Emperor Chongzhen's attitude decided everything.

My strength has grown so rapidly recently, and what I fear most is that it will arouse the other party's fear. If Chongzhen seizes the opportunity and defeats his entire army, it will not be good.

To be on the safe side, Zhou Shixian had no choice but to turn around and head north to inspect Nanjing Water Camp.

Of course, inspecting the Nanjing Water Camp and then taking a boat down the river to inspect various military camps was just a pretense. Zhou Shixian came here mainly to meet Lu Jiude and Wang Chaodong.

Lu Jiude relied on his many years of business in Nanzhili and had many capable people under his command. He could also recruit people from all walks of life. In addition, with the 50,000 taels of silver activity funds given by Zhou Shixian, Lu Jiude spread all over Nanzhili and began to go to Henan.

, an intelligence network for the penetration and development of Shandong, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi is being established.

Moreover, as a dead person in the eyes of the world and officials, he is the most suitable person to command this invisible and intangible secret front.

But Wang Chaodong is different. Now he has been promoted to the commander of the Jinyi Guards and has been reused by Chongzhen to restrain the ministers and Zhou Shixian.

However, Wang Chaodong had already identified Zhou Shixian, and he did not think that Chongzhen could defeat Zhou Shixian, let alone that he was Zhou Shixian's opponent.

That being the case, why not join directly?

"Gao Jie and Huang Degong are both loyal, but Liu Liangzuo and Liu Zeqing seem to have a tendency to defect to the Qing court. They have secretly sent people to Henan and Shandong to find out information."

Lu Jiude's voice was a little gloomy. He paused and then said: "There is also Xu Dingguo in Henan. This person is ready to make a move. I am afraid he has colluded with the Qing court."

Zhou Shixian nodded and asked: "How is the situation with Zuo Liangyu? Is he in good health now?"

After hearing this, Lu Jiude was suddenly startled and said quickly: "When I return to my consort, according to the report from the old slave's informant, Zuo Liangyu may have contracted an illness and has been acting strangely recently, but what is the specific illness and is it serious?

, it’s still unknown at the moment.”

"Xu Dingguo, continue to pay attention. If there is a chance, send someone to kill him. If Liu Zeqing and Liu Liangzuo make any changes, report immediately. Zuo Liangyu, just keep an eye on him."

Zhou Shixian thought for a while and then ordered: "Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan and Hunan, Yunnan and Guizhou must also arrange for manpower to go there as soon as possible. At least a few informants should be sent to the provincial capitals."

If nothing else goes wrong, Xu Dingguo should have almost colluded with the Qing court. Historically, Gao Jie wanted to take advantage of Shunqing's fierce battle in Shaanxi and the Northern Expedition to regain Henan and Shandong, but he died in his hands.

Even if this scum didn't intend to surrender because of Zhou Shixian's butterfly wings, he still deserves to be killed based on what he did in Henan.

Although Zhou Shixian knew the general actions of these people because of his understanding of the history of the late Ming Dynasty, he did not tell Lu Jiude, but planned to test the opponent's strength. Lu Jiude did not disappoint him.

However, Lu Jiude now suspected that Zhou Shixian had other informants besides him. Otherwise, how could he know about Zuo Liangyu, and he was not surprised at all by these reports.

"Yes, Prince Consort, I also have that plan." Lu Jiude responded again.

If it were just Southern Zhili, Lu Jiude had basically completed the deployment of the intelligence network, and he could observe the movements of all parties. However, due to time and manpower issues, he had not been able to deploy further away.

"Husband-in-law, how has Prince Fu been doing recently?" After Lu Jiude finished reporting his work, he struggled for a while and finally asked. He knew that Zhou Shixian might be angry because of this, but he was too worried about him and couldn't hold it back for a while.

When Zhou Shixian heard this, he kept a smile and looked at Lu Jiude in front of him and said coldly: "Jiuguo, you care about King Fu. I can understand it, but don't miss the business, let alone disturb him. King Fu and

The rest of the kings are now settled in Nanjing, and they will be entertained with good food and drink, so you don’t have to worry."

When Lu Jiude heard this, he knelt down quickly. He didn't expect that Zhou Shixian actually knew that he had sent someone to secretly observe King Fu. He suddenly felt guilty and said, "Prince-in-law, I don't dare."

"Get up. Don't kneel all the time from now on, and don't act like an old slave. It's time to change your tune."

Zhou Shixian sat upright in his position and did not help Lu Jiude. He had to pull the old eunuch a lot before he could completely subdue him. Prince Fu was an important bargaining chip in his hand, so he naturally had to hold on tightly.

It's not that Lu Jiude couldn't believe it, but Zhou Shixian must have a trump card in his hand.

"Yes, subordinate, subordinate, I understand." Lu Jiude said as he stood up slowly. It was obvious that he was not used to this way of getting along with his new master.

Zhou Shixian said nothing more, turned to look at Wang Chaodong, who stood upright and listened quietly for a long time without speaking, and said: "Old Wang, how is the situation here at Jinyiwei?"

"When I return to the Prince Consort, the Nanjing Jinyi Guardsmen have been reorganized, leaving more than 50 people who can be used, and more than 300 people have been recruited from other places. Now the North and South Town Fu Divisions have been enriched."

Wang Chaodong has been assisting Zhou Shixian behind the scenes for more than a month, and he has become more and more impressed by this resolute and capable prince-in-law.

"The ministers in Nanjing, as well as the eunuchs in the palace, the vassal princes of the southern provinces, and the shops and houses of the emperor's relatives, I have sent people to start a thorough investigation. The Holy One also has this intention. It is justifiable for me to act according to the imperial edict."

"Okay, Jinyiwei can continue to expand. If necessary, you can also share some secrets with the emperor so that he won't doubt it."

Zhou Shixian smiled slightly and added: "We will need millions of taels of silver every year for military training in the future. Adding in other things, the court may need more than 10 million taels a year. Those national worms should also be slaughtered.

"

Upon hearing this, Wang Chaodong and Lu Jiude did not answer. Wang Chaodong was used to Zhou Shixian tying up his own people, while Lu Jiude was a little surprised by the other party's ruthlessness.

However, nowadays, various expenditures are very huge, and we really need urgent funds. After these two years have passed, and the country is on the right track both inside and outside the court, it will be fine.
Chapter completed!