Looking up, she saw that Concubine You had changed into clothes, which were not so gorgeous, but very bright. At the same time, her current clothes were no longer so "revealing".

"The imperial concubine has summoned you, what's the matter?" Zhu Xiuyuan asked, not daring to look further.

Concubine You sat dignifiedly on the throne and did not say anything. She only waved to the maids serving beside her and ordered: "You all can get off."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The little maids all went out and closed the door.

Zhu Xiuyuan was slightly startled and became even more curious. I wonder what Concubine You wants to do?

When he thought of this, Zhu Xiuyuan couldn't help but think of the nonsense that Kou Wanwan had said before.

What to say... let him conquer Concubine You, and then let Concubine You help him better, achieve a career, etc...

Zhu Xiuyuan shook his head and threw such nonsense out of his mind.

He couldn't help but stood up and worshiped: "Your Majesty, this is..."

"Wish you, Aiqing, peace and quiet, please take a seat!" Concubine You sat there, looking very dignified, smiling and waving her hands, speaking softly.

That trace of majesty has also been reduced to the lowest level.

Zhu Xiuyuan sat down as instructed, but his heart was in his throat.

Concubine You summoned her privately, but she still chose such a place. Maybe... there is a conspiracy in this.

"I have summoned Zhu Aiqing here for a very important matter. Zhu Aiqing is a close friend, so I will speak directly if I have anything to say." Concubine You said with a smile.

"Your Majesty, please speak, I am all ears!" Is Zhu Xiuyuan's journey finally about to begin?

"Just now in Jinshen Hall, after Zhu Aiqing mentioned the southeastern salt merchants, the situation in the court suddenly changed. I wonder if Zhu Aiqing noticed it?" Concubine You said with a smile.

"Uh... Your Majesty, I am confused about this matter, and I would like to ask your Majesty for some advice."

Zhu Xiuyuan frowned, didn't he just tell the truth? Why did he start a riddle again...

"Zhu Aiqing may not know that the southeastern salt merchants are entrenched in Fuzhou and control all the coarse salt supply in Dachen... It is precisely because of this that the southeastern salt merchants have accumulated endless wealth!"

"However, the problem of the salt merchants in the southeast has caused trouble since the founding of our country. When Your Majesty inherited the throne, the salt merchants in the southeast had already become powerful. Their wealth is as rich as the country!"

"His Majesty has tried to solve the problem of the salt merchants in the southeast, but failed several times, and ended up with a bloody blow... The problem of the salt merchants in the southeast is so deep-rooted that it is almost impossible to solve it!"

"So, after Zhu Aiqing said in court that once refined salt is launched, it will intercept the interests of southeastern salt merchants, how did His Majesty and the other ministers behave like that!"

Concubine You spoke slowly, unhurriedly, as if she was talking about a trivial matter submerged in the dust of history.

"I see..." Zhu Xiuyuan finally understood.

At the same time, Zhu Xiuyuan's heart sank to the bottom.

If the southeastern salt merchants are so overbearing that even the imperial court can't do anything to them, it may be difficult for his refined salt to open up a market!

Then all of this, such as achieving four birds with one stone and any strategies to strengthen the army, are probably all empty talk.

Concubine You stared at Zhu Xiuyuan and saw that his face was gloomy. She couldn't help but smile and said: "However, Zhu Aiqing does not need to be discouraged. Zhu Aiqing's refined salt and the cooperation with the inner treasurer must continue. I will try my best to persuade His Majesty and make up his mind to take advantage of the opportunity.

This is an opportunity to eradicate the stubborn problem of salt merchants in the southeast in one fell swoop!"

"Why is the imperial concubine..." Zhu Xiuyuan was a little confused.

"I wish Aiqing, the southeastern salt merchants have controlled my salt administration in Dachen. Although it is despicable, what Aiqing doesn't know is that the southeastern salt merchants have an even more abominable thing!"

"It is precisely because of this matter that I have made up my mind to persuade His Majesty to promote refined salt and take the opportunity to eradicate the salt merchants in the southeast!"

When Concubine You said these words, her tone was slightly firm, which showed her determination.

"I wonder...what's going on?" Zhu Xiuyuan asked.

"Zhu Aiqing is a confidant, and I have no intention of hiding it from you... The southeastern salt merchant secretly colluded with the Prime Minister to force the prince out of the East Palace and let King Jinling become the prince of Chen!" Concubine You said.

"King Jinling!?"

Zhu Xiuyuan exclaimed and frowned at the same time.

It turns out that this matter actually involves the struggle for the crown prince of Chen State. No wonder, no wonder, Concubine You will come to see him in private...

"Your Majesty's efforts to clean up the salt merchants in the Southeast a few times before were unsuccessful because he was afraid of cutting off the supply of coarse salt to the people of Dachen. Salt is an important tool for stabilizing the world. If you are not absolutely sure, you should not act rashly. What about Southeast Salt?

The merchants have firmly controlled the coarse salt. For so many years, they have attacked dissidents. Except for the southeastern part of our country, there is no salt field in the whole country..."

"My dear, that Southeast Salt Merchant has always been a top-notch businessman, why is he so difficult to deal with?"

Zhu Xiuyuan suddenly felt that this was incredible and a bit fake.

"In short, the things here are very complicated and cannot be explained clearly in a few words. It is inconvenient today. I will tell you in detail when I come to the Japanese Palace."

Concubine You paused and then said: "But now it's better. Once Aiqing's refined salt comes out, Your Majesty is not afraid of cutting off the supply of coarse salt to the people across the country, because there are better refined salts available..."

"Now that the right time, right place, and right people are in place, I have great confidence in persuading Your Majesty to fully promote refined salt! At the same time, we will eradicate the southeastern salt merchants in one fell swoop!" Concubine You said firmly.

"What you have to do, my dear, is to prepare the salt boiling as soon as possible and be fully prepared. When the time comes, we will kill the southeastern salt merchants in one fell swoop!" Concubine You said with a smile.

Zhu Xiuyuan thought for a moment, then stood up and bowed: "Please rest assured, I will do my best to handle this matter!"

"Okay!" Concubine You smiled happily, and then said: "As for the cooperation with the inner treasure supervisor, Aiqing can rest assured that I have been in the palace for many years and have already firmly controlled the inner treasure supervisor. I will order

The inner treasure supervisor will do his best to assist Aiqing!"

"Thank you, Imperial Concubine!" Zhu Xiuyuan bowed again.

"With the words of Aiqing, I feel relieved..." Concubine You stood up and said, "The matter has been settled. I wish Aiqing please come back. I will be able to convince Your Majesty as soon as tomorrow."

"Well, I'll just wait for the good news from your Majesty!"

After meeting Concubine You, Zhu Xiuyuan left the palace again.

Outside Chengtian Gate, I met up with Yan Dashan and the others, mounted their tall horses, and rushed to the Shen Lei Army camp ten miles outside the city.

The Divine Thunder Army will be expanded to 50,000 people, and Chen Huang will give priority to ensuring the food and salary supply of the Divine Thunder Army. This is great news!

Zhu Xiuyuan went to the camp immediately and told them the good news.

Recruiting troops should be done sooner rather than later. Tell them today, and then you can start preparations today.
Chapter completed!