Dad, don't be greedy! My brother climbed into the emperor's bed, and I became famous overn

The news that Pujitang had "collision insurance" spread quickly.

The minor nobles in the surrounding area who ran their own canal transport businesses were already living in constant fear.

On one hand, they had to pay high transport fees to the Cui family, and on the other hand, they had to worry about being robbed by river bandits.

Now that people have heard that Pujitang offers this kind of insurance, they are all coming to inquire about it.

"Young Master Pei, may my family's ship also join the Puji Hall? We will follow all the rules of the Puji Hall and obey its management."

Gu Mingyue had already explained this to Pei Yu before.

As word spreads about the insurance business, more and more businesses will come to seek long-term cooperation with Pujitang.

All will be collected at that time.

Pei Yu did not hesitate and waved his hand.

"Yes! Absolutely! As long as you follow the rules of Puji Hall, you'll receive compensation for any number of pirate ships you collide with!"

As a result, Pujitang's transportation capacity began to grow explosively at a visible speed.

More and more merchant ships joined Pujitang, and they all flew Pujitang's flag.

The hull was reinforced by covering it with steel plates.

Pujitang Shipyard is so busy that it's running non-stop.

Business is booming.

Outside the Pujitang Wharf.

The modified and reinforced canal boats stretched as far as the eye could see, like an endless armored dragon.

Half a month has passed.

Finally, a bizarre scene unfolded.

With more ships joining, the pirates' ships suddenly became insufficient to ram.

There were too many wolves and not enough meat, and everyone was starving.

They decided to take the initiative to search for river bandits along the river.

Sometimes, three or four boats from Pujitang would chase after a pitiful little cargo ship belonging to a bandit, running all over the river.

The scene resembled a pack of hunting dogs surrounding a mouse.

The four branches of the Canal Gang that were affiliated with the Cui family have now had even their own docks demolished.

Zhou Deshui, the head of Xuanwu Hall, squatted in the warehouse of his own dock, hugging his knees, his face full of despair.

"Even if we don't go out now, those thugs from Pujitang will still come knocking on our door!"

The four hall masters huddled together, staring at each other.

"Who exactly are the river bandits? Is there no law anymore?"

They finally broke down in tears.

After crying, they wiped away their tears and decided to join forces to find a solution from the Cui family.

After all, they've been relying on the Cui family for so many years, surely someone has to keep an eye on them?

……

Cui Mansion.

Incense was burning in the study, its smoke curling upwards.

The four leaders of the shipping gang knelt on the ground, their faces covered in snot and tears.

The White Tiger Hall Master, He Laosi, cried the most.

"Lord Cui! You must do us justice! Those bastards at Puji Hall! They're a bunch of outright river bandits!"

"They were driving those tin boats, ramming anyone they saw! Our dock is gone! Our boats are gone! The brothers aren't even left with their underwear!"

Zhou Deshui, the head of Xuanwu Hall, wiped his face and joined in the howling.

"Yes, sir! We've served the Cui family for eleven years, and our annual tribute has never been short. Now that we truly can't survive, you can't abandon us!"

Cui Ming sat in a grand chair, stroking his black and white beard, slowly twirling a string of sandalwood prayer beads in his hand.

After listening to the four people's tearful complaints, he calmly picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"What's the panic?"

The study fell silent instantly.

The four hall masters all looked up at him.

Cui Ming's eyelids drooped slightly, and he let out a cold snort.

"Do you think that Pujitang's arrogance and domineering attitude is because they've gained an advantage?"

Old He was stunned.

"What does 'Master' mean...?"

Cui Ming placed the Buddhist prayer beads on the table, stood up, and paced back and forth for a couple of steps.

"Pujitang recruited our people, sank our ships, and demolished our docks."

"What's this called?"

The four hall masters looked at each other in bewilderment.

Cui Ming walked back to the armchair and sat down, flicking his sleeves with a relaxed and calm tone.

"Those are called river bandits!"

"Puji Hall spends money to support river bandits, who then forcibly seize the private canal transport docks."

He glanced at the four people and sneered.

"That brat Gu Mingyue. She thinks she's so clever."

Little did they know, the bigger they became, the faster they would die.

"These bandits, forming gangs and robbing the people of their property, are, according to the laws of the Great Yong Dynasty... fit to be executed!"

The four hall masters' eyes gradually widened, and their previous dejection disappeared.

They could tell.

Cui Ming is making them "bite back"!

As long as they insist that they are law-abiding citizens who were robbed by river bandits.

Those canal transport workers at Pujitang were all river bandits!

He Laosi licked his lips.

"My lord...then we..."

Cui Ming waved his hand.

"Someone will write a memorial and submit it."

"The Gu family is behind Pujitang. If Gu Debai dares to vouch for this, it means the Gu family is raising a private army and plotting a rebellion."

"The entire Gu family shall be executed."

At the same time.

The Gu residence.

The windows of the study in the main house were tightly closed.

Gu Debai sat behind his desk, a newly delivered secret letter spread out in front of him.

Two men in black stood in the room, respectfully obeying orders.

Gu Debai raised his head.

That face lacked its usual gentle and kind smile.

All he could see was a ruthless and vicious scheme.

"Is Cui Ming planning to use the Grand Canal Gang case to his advantage?"

The man in black lowered his head.

"Yes. I've learned that Cui Ming met with four leaders of the Grand Canal Gang at the Cui residence today. Cui Ming has already begun drafting his memorial."

Gu Debai scoffed.

Those eyes were full of shrewdness and ruthlessness.

"They dare to make a move on my daughter? They're asking for trouble."

"In that case, let's change our plans."

"Take action against the Cui family first."

He looked up at the man in black.

"How much farmland and wharves along the canal route did the three generations of the Cui family, as documented in the records, seize in total?"

The man in black cupped his hands in greeting.

"According to my statistics, this involves seven prefectures and twenty-three counties, covering more than 46,000 hectares of farmland."

"The methods of embezzlement include forging land deeds, forcing tenant farmers to sell their land, and colluding with local officials to falsify household registrations. The relevant evidence has been compiled into a book."

Gu Debai nodded.

"Divide these things into two parts. Quietly place one part in the Ministry of Personnel's file room. Send the other part secretly to the Censorate's archives."

The man in black clasped his hands in a fist salute, "Understood, subordinate."

"in addition."

Gu Debai picked up his teacup and took a sip of tea.

"Send more people to secretly keep an eye on Mingyue and Mingli."

"Yes."

……

In the palace, in the imperial study.

Gu Mingli didn't come today; he said he wanted to take a day off and sleep in.

Xiao Ye approved it.

He sat alone in the hall, reviewing official documents.

A young eunuch came to report from outside the door, "His Highness Prince Qi has arrived."

Xiao Ye grunted in acknowledgment and invited the person in.

A short while later, Xiao Jue strode in.

After bowing, he stood to the side of the imperial desk.

Without beating around the bush, he spoke with a smile.

"Your Majesty, there's news from the grain transport sector."

Xiao Ye put down his vermilion pen and looked up at him.

Xiao Jue tried to suppress his smile, but couldn't.

"Those guys from Pujitang rammed and sank all of the Cui family's boats on the canal!"

"Not a single one of the river bandits or the Cui family's transport boats was left."

Xiao Ye's fingers paused slightly.

Xiao Jue chuckled softly and continued:

"Now, on the entire Grand Canal, any boat that doesn't fly the Pujitang flag will be rammed by anyone who comes near it."

"Those minor nobles who ran their own canal transport businesses all joined the Puji Hall. They all flew merchant flags."

At this point, he couldn't help but click his tongue twice.

"It's said that girl is truly trustworthy. She spends the compensation money like water. Pei Yu is overseeing things over there, approving the money without batting an eye."

Xiao Ye leaned back in his chair, tapping his index finger lightly on the armrest.

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"They spent money, erected a signboard, and demolished the Cui family's house."

"Pujitang is worth it."