Emperor Ming Dynasty

Chapter 236 Thirst for Talent
"Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun—"

At the city gate of Xiangyang, a carriage, under the protection of a dozen guards, slowly entered Xiangyang.

The simple and ordinary carriage, as if dripping into the Han River, did not splash a single wave.

This is in line with Zhang Daoku's original intention.

He was just an ordinary Taoist priest, who stayed in Hanzhong for more than half a year, and finally came to Xiangyang, the shogunate and power center of His Royal Highness Prince Yu.

"Compared to Nanzheng, it looks clean and tidy!"

Opening the curtain of the car and looking around, I saw that the streets are neat and tidy, and the people are rubbing shoulders, very prosperous.

From time to time, you can see a group of police officers in white clothes, constantly patrolling, maintaining law and order, which makes people feel at ease.

"It seems that His Highness has a solid foundation in Huguang."

Knowing this in his heart, Zhang Daoku stroked his goatee, and couldn't help but think that he could set up the Taoist temple outside Xiangyang City, which is better than Hanzhong.

Afterwards, he entered Prince Xiang's Mansion.

Unfortunately, King Yu was not there, and only Zhao Shu received him.

"The Taoist priest is safe and sound!"

"Director Zhao is still in style!"

The two are familiar with each other, and it is much more relaxed and natural.

"In the past few days in Hanzhong, a lot of money and food have been delivered, and it is still thanks to the Taoist priest."

Zhao Shu sighed, and said involuntarily: "His Royal Highness can be said to never fight without the moon. If it weren't for the grant of land, the money and food would have been insufficient."

"Time is fate!" Zhang Daoku did not respond positively, but said with a smile: "This is the important task of King Yu, let's cooperate."

"However, the transportation in Hanzhong in the past few years is worth the money. The intruders have never thought of breaking through the customs again."

"That's good!"

Zhao Shu picked up the tea, took a sip, and said with a light smile: "Your Highness is calling you here now, I'm afraid there is a heavy responsibility to explain, and you are always afraid that you will shoulder more responsibilities."

"You still have to listen to your Highness."

Zhang Daoku said indifferently: "The poor have no desires or desires."

Hearing this, Zhao Shu almost laughed, who doesn't know that Zhang Daoku likes gold and silver the most.

However, he did not reveal that they were old acquaintances.

"His Royal Highness is inspecting the military camp in Xiangyang Mansion, and I'm afraid it will take a few days before he comes back."

Zhao Shu said, looking at Zhang Daoku's immortal appearance, he couldn't help but move in his heart, and said:

"Master Daoist, there is one matter now, and I'm afraid it's best for you to handle it."

"Me?" Zhang Daoku was taken aback for a moment, then looked at Zhao Shu's square face with some doubts.

In Hanzhong, under King Yu, although Zhao Shu was No.1, Zhang Daoku sang by the side of King Yu, and he had a lot of fame and status, nominally at the same level.

I never thought that now I have become the person who is ordered. This gap is really annoying.

But there was nothing he could do. He was a Taoist priest, and the possibility of gaining power was too low, so he was naturally hated by civil officials.

"You are the most suitable."

Zhao Shu smiled lightly.

"Ok?"

Yan Chongxin looked at Zhang Daoku who came out, he was a little surprised, then went inside, and said: "Zhang Daochang returned to Xiangyang, what should we do in Hanzhong?"

"Hanzhong is stable!"

Zhao Shu said softly: "There are tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, who dares to be presumptuous?"

"Besides, this is His Highness's intention."

Yan Chongxin nodded. Although he was a little disgusted, he did not dare to object to King Yu's words:

"Although the imperial court bestowed His Royal Highness Shang Fang with a lot of rewards and rewards, they are even more jealous. A new checkpoint has been set up in Anqing, and the tax rate is very high. Especially the grain from Jiangxi is not allowed to come from the west."

"food!"

Zhao Shu frowned: "It seems that the imperial court has secretly turned to the light, and there is no cover."

Of course he understands that with the expansion of King Yu's power, the imperial court will only restrict more and more, which is the influence of Beijian Jiannu.

"nothing!"

Zhao Shu thought about the cost in Huguang, and then said, "I will let the Sichuan grain be transported to the east."

"Then, do you want to cut the tax card too?"

Yan Chongxin asked.

"My family, what kind of tax card do you set up?"

Zhao Shu said without hesitation, and immediately understood, and said with a smile: "You are afraid of affecting the business tax!"

"But there is no way. Your Highness requests that there should be no tax card between Sichuan and Huguang. The two provinces are one, and there is no distinction between you and me."

During this period of time, Huguang recovered so quickly, thanks to the merchants who brought food and supplies to fill the loss of the army and reduce the exploitation of Huguang.

Otherwise, with the mess in Huguang, even if you have gold and silver, you can't buy supplies.

Therefore, canceling the tax card in the province, paying taxes repeatedly, and creating a convenient business environment are what King Yu has always insisted on doing.

"That's all."

Yan Chongxin was a little unhappy that the Transshipment Department sacrificed and the shogunate profited. He thought for a while and said:
"Sichuan has a large population and there is not enough food and grass. It is better to import food from Lingnan, which can also increase business taxes."

"Lingnan?"

Zhao Shu frowned, and then said: "Go and see, if it is feasible, His Highness will definitely support it."

Yan Chongxin nodded.

The shogunate took a defensive position in the north, with Sichuan in the west and Jiangxi in the east. It was equally difficult to do anything, so it naturally turned its attention to Lingnan.

The ironware in Foshan and the commercial tax in Guangzhou are all needed by the shogunate, not to mention, there is also Macau, where Fran cannon is good at making guns.

Attacking is difficult, but penetration is indeed possible.

Here, after Zhang Daoku received the task, he left the palace and went directly to the door.

"you are?"

Zhang Shenyan was taken aback when he heard that the Taoist priests were visiting. He didn't know many monks.

But the etiquette is still there, so I welcome you in, after all, you are a monk!

"The poor are polite!"

Zhang Daoku paid a salute, seeing Zhang Shenyan's dignified appearance, refined and easy-going, he couldn't help nodding, he looks pretty good.

"The priest knows me?"

Zhang Shenyan said in surprise, "But I have no impression."

"Zhang Shangshu is famous, but who in Nanjing doesn't know?"

Zhang Daoku said with a smile, sat down on his own, and looked at the hall from time to time: "Now you are living in Xiangyang City, but why?"

"The Taoist priest has a lot of knowledge."

Zhang Shenyan's face turned cold, and he said expressionlessly: "The old man lives in Xiangyang, so there is no delay!"

"It's natural!"

Zhang Daoku didn't take it seriously, but said with a little deep meaning: "It's just that your servant has been transferred to work in the Military and Political Department. It's very interesting."

"It really belongs to King Yu."

Zhang Shenyan looked calm, he calmed down: "This is his choice, what does it have to do with the old man?"

"I won't lie to you either!"

Zhang Daoku smiled, and said: "I heard that you have settled in Xiangyang, and His Royal Highness the King of Yu is thirsty for talents, and wants to accumulate as much strength as possible for the restoration of the Great Ming Dynasty."

Opening his mouth and shutting his mouth is Daming, but King Yu shouted nicely, but in private it was for his own heart!
Zhang Shenyan frowned: "This old man is just a wanderer, he has long since lost his ambition to pursue politics, so I can only thank King Yu for his great love."

"Shang Shu, what the King of Yu is striving for is to restore the country. Your hometown, Shanxi, has already been occupied by slaves. Even for the sake of the elders in your hometown, you have to do your best!"

Zhang Daoku persuaded him earnestly.

Of course he understands that he has already been tempted, and now he only lacks a reason, a ladder.

Otherwise, have you been a secret agent in Xiangyang for so long?

(End of this chapter)