Chapter 309 After listening to Manager Li’s fantastic ideas, even the assassins began to be tempted
Shopkeeper Li said mysteriously: "I have a distant relative who works as a supervisor in the Imperial College. He told me that as long as I subscribe to the 'Education Fund' launched by Daming Money House, I can get the qualification to open an academy.

The imperial court now intends to reopen the imperial examination system and stipulates that all civil servants must use the imperial examination as a stepping stone for advancement, and those who have not participated in the imperial examination cannot be appointed as officials.

Therefore, subscribing to the 'education fund' to open a college is a promising future. "

The blue-clothed constable named Fang, who was standing in front of the counter, picked up the teapot and poured himself a cup of tea.

“Manager Li, people asked you about obtaining a large amount of salt, but you talked about opening a school.

The two are totally unrelated and irrelevant. "

After being rebuked by the blue-clothed constable Fang, Shopkeeper Li said smugly, "The reason why I want to obtain the qualification to open an academy is to find a reasonable and legal way to consume the salt in my hands.

Since the new governor-general of Southern Zhili, Li Zhitai, has allowed the Ming Dynasty money houses to exchange silver for salt, he will not watch us sitting there with salt and having nowhere to spend it.

As long as the academy is opened, I can use the salt I have to offset part of the teachers' tuition fees.

This will not only save them some grain, but also attract more outstanding teachers. After all, salt is not so easy to get. "

After listening to Manager Li's brilliant ideas, Zhao Hu, deputy commander of the Hidden Dragon Guard, couldn't help but admire his intelligence.

At this moment, a leader of the death squad standing behind Zhao Hu suddenly whispered: "Since the Ming Dynasty Bank can exchange silver for salt, we can't let others get it for free!
In my opinion..."

However, before he could finish his words, Zhao Hu interrupted him without hesitation.

"We have important matters to attend to, so we shouldn't cause any unnecessary trouble.

Besides, it is inconvenient to carry silver with you, so it is better to make a good relationship with the shopkeeper and exchange all the silver into 100-wen notes.

As he spoke, he took the lead in taking out all the silver he had on him, then turned around and handed it to Shopkeeper Li.

"Please, shopkeeper, exchange all the silver in Zhao's hand into small-denomination banknotes."

Upon seeing this, the leader of the assassination squad reluctantly took out some loose change from his pocket.

Then he turned around and said to the other assassins, "Don't just stand there, didn't you hear what Master Zhao said?
It was inconvenient to carry the silver with you, so you exchanged it all for small-denomination banknotes.

In order to avoid unnecessary trouble, don't even think about going to Daming Money House to exchange silver for salt!"

The words of the leader of the death squad undoubtedly added fuel to the fire. Zhao Hu clearly felt that the looks from other people towards him were filled with a hint of anger but not being able to speak out.

Zhao Hu, who sensed that something was wrong, shouted, "I am only making a suggestion. Whether or not to exchange the silver in your hands for small-denomination banknotes is entirely up to you."

Seeing that the duck that he had caught was about to fly away, Manager Li quickly took out a box from the counter and placed all the small-denomination banknotes in front of everyone.

"Young Master Zhao has an extraordinary bearing and is obviously someone who will accomplish great things.

I will be generous today. One tael of silver can be exchanged for twelve 100-wen notes in our store. I will never let you suffer a loss!"

Even so, what the assassins handed over was still some scattered silver coins.

This further confirmed Zhao Hu's guess, but he ultimately chose to remain silent.

After the assassins completed the exchange transaction with Manager Li, Zhao Hu turned around and left the restaurant with the assassins sent by the Jiangnan aristocratic family alliance to carry out the assassination mission.

However, in less than half an hour, the blue-clothed constable named Fang stood in the study of Prince Jin's Mansion in Shangyuan County.

"I am Tang Fang Wenyao, a ninth-rank official from Jiangning County, and I am here to pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin!"

Zhu Gang, who had already put on his wedding dress, took a sip of tea from the blue and white porcelain bowl on the table. He knew very well that from the moment Dong Zhongshu proposed "Confucianism as the only doctrine", people were forcibly divided into countless classes.

The reason why successive dynasties have continued this practice is for one purpose: to facilitate better governance.

"I heard from Commander Zhang of the Hidden Dragon Guard that you have very important intelligence and need to report it to me personally?"

Fang Wenyao said straight to the point: "When I was inspecting Tongfu Restaurant today, I found that the shopkeeper Li and a group of diners there exchanged a large number of small-denomination banknotes.

The leader among the diners is not an ordinary person at first glance, and is obviously a master who has practiced martial arts for many years. "

Since Jiangning County is located in the capital area, the detectives here must not only be familiar with the local society and have rich experience in handling cases, but also have to possess both extraordinary kung fu and sharp intelligence.

Of course, such outstanding talents are usually the foremen of the constables.

Although they were all lowly yamen runners with no rank or position, common people would respectfully address them as "Buye" when they saw them.

Fang Wenyao is still a blue-robed constable. Apart from not having the corresponding background, the most important reason is that he refuses to go along with the corrupt crowd.

Zhu Gang has always been willing to give more opportunities to capable officials like this one.

"Do you still remember the appearance and clothing of the leader among the diners?"

Ever since he was appointed as the ninth-rank official of Longxiang Pavilion, Fang Wenyao has been waiting for an opportunity to showcase his talents.

Now that he heard the King of Jin asking him a question, he quickly said excitedly: "I remember it very clearly, and I will describe it to Your Highness."

Zhu Gang ordered someone to bring paper and pens specially used for drawing. As Fang Wenyao described the character, Zhao Hu's appearance gradually came to life on the paper.

"I have long heard that Your Highness is a master of painting. Today I see that he is indeed extraordinary."

Facing Fang Wenyao's somewhat clumsy compliments, Zhu Gang frowned and said, "There is no shortage of flatterers around me, so you should focus on your work.

Remember to take this note to collect the reward later. This is the reward you deserve."

Looking at the withdrawal receipt with the seal of King Jin, Fang Wenyao suddenly knelt down and kowtowed.

"I serve Your Highness without asking for any reward, only to see my sister again."

Zhu Gang did not immediately agree to Fang Wenyao's request, but stood up and helped him up from the ground.

“A man’s knees are made of gold, but they can only be used to kneel to heaven, earth, and parents. They must not be used for such a grand ceremony.

Tell me about my sister's situation, and I can mobilize the Royal Guards to help you find her."

Fang Wenyao's eyes suddenly lit up, "Thank you for your grace, Your Highness!
My sister was from Mingguang, Jiashan, in eastern Anhui. She was summoned into the palace when she was twelve years old.

There has been no news since then. My father's greatest wish before his death was to find his sister.

No matter what her condition is, as long as we can be reunited, that's all that matters."

Zhu Gang sat back in his original seat, ready to drink some tea to moisten his throat, but when he heard this, he almost dropped the tea bowl on the table.

Although he has always been calm and composed, he still found it a little difficult to accept this kind of coincidence that was even more bizarre than a story.

(End of this chapter)