Thief Emperor

Chapter 280 Interest Representative

Mr. Zhuo's surname is Zhuo and his given name is Pu. He is the head of this branch of the Zhuo family and also the father of Zhuo Guangrui, the magistrate of Shan County.

In the generation before Master Zhuo, several elders of the Zhuo family were officials on the salt road. Therefore, when Master Zhuo was young, he also worked on the salt road and made his fortune as a salt merchant. However, his family's official luck was not good. As some retired and some were dismissed from office, gradually there were no more officials in the family.

Without the official master in the family, it was naturally difficult to eat the official's food. Soon, the Zhuo family was squeezed out from the salt merchants.

Fortunately, the Zhuo family spent a lot of money to build connections at that moment. Although they lost their position as salt merchants, they managed to escape unscathed and did not fall to the bottom.

Later, Master Zhuo took over the family business and started to find other ways to make a living, doing business such as cloth, grain and wood. He was good at business and was more cautious. Although he still did not recover his wealth to its former heyday, he finally recovered 70% to 80% of his vitality.

It was precisely because of this that Mr. Zhuo insisted that someone in his family become an official, so he spent a large sum of money on Zhuo Guangrui. Finally, a few years ago, Zhuo Guangrui passed the Mingjing exam, and Mr. Zhuo made some efforts to secure an official position for Zhuo Guangrui.

After all, the lesson learned was too profound. Without an official in the family, Master Zhuo couldn't sleep well.

After hearing Li Yun's compliment, Master Zhuo followed behind Li Yun, bowed his head slightly, and said respectfully: "This house was saved by my parents. I'm not afraid of being laughed at by you, sir. I almost sold it a few years ago. I worked hard all these years and barely managed to keep this house."

The two of them walked one after the other and soon arrived at the main hall of the Zhuo family and sat down. Li Yun originally wanted to sit in the guest seat, but Master Zhuo insisted and asked Li Yun to sit in the main seat. After Li Yun refused twice, he did not hesitate and sat in the main seat.

After the servants served tea, Li Yun looked at the old man in front of him who looked very smart and capable, and said with a smile: "Master Zhuo, have you received Brother Zhuo's letter from home?"

Zhuo Pu looked at Li Yun, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "I got it. My son only asked me in the letter whether my envoy had arrived in Gusu. He didn't say anything else."

Li Yun smiled dumbly, took out the letter written by Zhuo Guangrui from his sleeve, handed it to Master Zhuo, and said, "I have another letter from Brother Zhuo here, but it took a lot of time on the way. Now it seems that it is a little late to deliver it."

Master Zhuo took the letter from Li Yun with both hands. He took a deep breath and looked at Li Yun: "Sir, can I take a look at it now?"

"What are you talking about, Master Zhuo?"

Li Yun smiled dumbly: "You can read your family's letters if you want."

Zhuo Pu then opened the envelope and took out the letter from Magistrate Zhuo. After reading it carefully, he put it back into the envelope, stood up and bowed to Li Yun, saying, "Thanks to the envoy's promotion, the entire Zhuo family is grateful."

Li Yun pressed his hands and shook his head, saying, "It can't be considered a promotion yet. I can only start to deal with Brother Zhuo's affairs after I go back. However, Master Zhuo should have understood the purpose of Li's visit today."

Li Yun looked at Zhuo Pu with a smile and said, "Besides, Master Zhuo is willing to open the middle gate to welcome me, so he must have heard some news."

The main door of a wealthy family, especially one belonging to an official, would not be opened easily. Guests and guests would be welcomed and seen off through the side door. Only when there were distinguished guests of higher rank than the family's own would the middle door be opened.

The Zhuo family has been entrenched in Gusu for many years, and judging by Zhuo Guangrui's generosity, the Zhuo family is still a wealthy family. It is impossible for them not to know about such a big commotion in Gusu City.

Master Zhuo bowed his head slightly and said to Li Yun, "I have heard a little bit, but no one in my family works in the government. I just heard that the envoy brought people to protect His Royal Highness the King of Chu and entered Gusu, but I don't know anything else."

Li Yun lowered his head to drink tea and said with a smile: "That's basically it, but since Brother Zhuo and I know each other and I came to Zhuo's house on purpose, there are some things that I won't hide."

Li Yun looked at Master Zhuo and said, "The imperial envoy has uncovered a major case in Wu County. Officials throughout Wu County may be implicated, especially officials on the salt roads and major salt fields. They are all implicated."

Li Yun paused and continued, "I'm afraid we all need to change."

At this point, Mr. Li stopped talking nonsense and got straight to the point: "Master Zhuo, if the people on the Wujun Salt Road need to be replaced, can you find a suitable replacement for me?"

Master Zhuo was drinking tea, but he froze on the spot when he heard the words. He looked up at Li Yun blankly, with the beard on his chin soaked in the tea bowl.

"Envoy... Envoy, what do you mean?"

Li Yun looked at him, and then continued: "Before coming here, Brother Zhuo told me that the Zhuo family has deep roots in Gusu and once took root in the Salt Road."

"Can't the Zhuo family do this?"

“Yes, yes…”

Master Zhuo put down his tea bowl and said hurriedly, "It will definitely be done!"

"It's just, it's just..."

He looked at Li Yun and whispered, "It seems that the officials on the salt road need to be appointed by the court. Your Excellency..."

"Don't worry about this, Mr. Zhuo. Now that I have said it, I will do it."

Now, the imperial court has no reach into Jiangdong, and His Royal Highness the Prince of Chu is very sensible. As long as His Royal Highness the Prince of Chu reports to the imperial court and lays off officials while submitting a "replacement list" to the imperial court, the imperial court will most likely use all of them.

Although this does not conform to the rules of the Ministry of Personnel, there are actually not many rules to follow in the current Zhou Dynasty court.

"in addition…"

Li Yun smiled and said, "I'm afraid the current salt merchants will have to be replaced. Can the Zhuo family replace them and continue the salt business?"

Master Zhuo was stunned again.

He couldn't help but look at Li Yun seriously, and began to wonder in his heart.

He was already over fifty years old, and he had lived for so many years, so he had come into contact with many officials. This official, let alone the governor of a state, even the county magistrate or the chief clerk in the county government, spoke in a roundabout way, wishing that no one could understand what he meant.

I said a hundred sentences, but not a single one was true!

And the words of this Li Shishi were… too damn solid! Every word was so solid that it even made Master Zhuo feel unreal.

Seeing Zhuo Pu in a daze, Li Yun frowned and asked, "Master Zhuo, is there any difficulty?"

"No, no."

Master Zhuo came back to his senses and quickly shook his head. After taking a deep breath, he whispered, "As long as you can do it, I promise to take over the affairs on the salt road without any mistakes, and even do better than those people did before."

"Well."

Li Yun smiled and said, "It's settled. I'll get started on it in the next few days. But let's agree on how to split the money in advance to avoid conflicts in the future."

Li held up five fingers and said calmly, "Master Zhuo must give me 50% of the revenue from the Wujun Salt Road."

Li Yun paused and added: "It's not 50% profit, it's 50% income."

"This income does not refer only to salt merchants, but to the income of the entire salt road."

Master Zhuo swallowed his saliva and asked, "Sir, after paying what you have, do any other officials have anything to pay?"

Li Yun smiled and said, "There has definitely been no salt tax in recent years. After His Royal Highness the Prince of Chu came here, he will not have to pay the salt tax to the court in the next few years. If the court sends someone to collect it, just refuse."

"That's absolutely fine."

Master Zhuo was beaming with joy. He stood up and bowed to Li Yun. After hesitating for a moment, he gritted his teeth and said, "If you don't have to pay the court, you can give 70% of the revenue from the major salt fields in Wu County to the envoy!"

Li Yun couldn't help but be stunned when he heard this.

He knew that the salt trade had huge profits, but he didn't expect it to be so huge!
You know, he takes 50% of the turnover, not the profit!
He was the one who took the lion's share in the first place. After all, he had to hire people on the salt road and collect salt from salt farmers, so there were some costs involved.

Unexpectedly, I could squeeze out some more!
Seeing Li Yun stunned, Zhuo Pu smiled and said, "Your Excellency, don't be surprised. In previous years, officials at all levels and the court probably took far more than 70% from the salt road."

Li Yun rubbed his brows, thinking, and said: "I heard that Master Zhuo is a businessman. If he is a businessman, why would he give up 20%?"

"money…"

Master Zhuo sighed first, then looked at Li Yun and said softly: "Sir, the world is in chaos. I have heard about the city sending soldiers out to intercept the imperial envoy a few days ago. This would have been impossible in the past."

"When the world is in chaos, money is of little use. Since my son has gained the envoy's trust, the Zhuo family naturally cannot just seek profit. We only hope to help the envoy do something, and we will be satisfied. Moreover..."

He whispered, "Even if only 30% is left, the Zhuo family will still make a profit."

Li Yun rubbed his eyebrows and looked carefully at the old man in front of him.

He truly is worthy of being the head of a family who brought back a declining family. He has a very unique vision.

He doesn't ask for money, but mostly wants more.

Li Yun opened his eyes and said slowly: "If things can go as smoothly as Master Zhuo said, I will definitely remember the Zhuo family's contribution."

"Brother Zhuo may be able to return to Gusu to serve as an official."

Master Zhuo looked serious and shook his head slightly, saying, "Sir, since my son is now with you, let him stay with you and do his best to serve you."

Li Yun exhaled, stood up from the chair, and walked out. When he reached the door, he turned back and smiled at Master Zhuo: "Then let's discuss this matter first. After a few days, I will deal with the people who need to be dealt with, and then come to Master Zhuo to discuss the matter in detail."

Zhuo Pu bowed repeatedly and said, "Where does the envoy live now? I will go to your house to pay my respects to you in a few days."

Li Yun smiled and said, "I should be staying at the county governor's office these days. How about this? I will wait for Master Zhuo at the county governor's office in the afternoon of three days later."

Zhuo Pu nodded repeatedly in response.

In this way, Li Yun walked all the way out, and Master Zhuo accompanied him all the way until he reached the gate, and then he watched Li Yun leave.

Only after Li Yun's back disappeared in the distance did Master Zhuo turn around, return to his study, and write a letter to his son Zhuo Guangrui.

After sending the letter, Master Zhuo was still upset. Thinking of what Li Yun had said when he first entered his house, he suddenly thought about it and went back to the bedroom to find his first wife.

"Madam, the title deed to our house..."

"Where did you put it?"

(End of this chapter)