After this matter was settled, Zhu Youxiao no longer cared much about it. He turned around and saw Wei Changsheng standing beside him and asked, "How is Cao Bang from the Cao family?"
"Your Majesty, he is a very good businessman." Wei Changsheng thought for a moment and then said, "This Cao Bang is a very prestigious person among the Huizhou merchants. His family has a lot of assets."
"In recent years, the salt merchants in Lianghuai have risen, and their family has also done these things. They can be regarded as big businessmen and have more face in the officialdom. Cao Bian, the Minister of Works in Nanjing, is actually Cao Bang's uncle."
After hearing this, Zhu Youxiao nodded and didn't think there was anything strange about it.
This is very normal. In the Ming Dynasty, families with high-ranking officials would more or less have some industries, but what those industries are is not certain.
Most of them were looking for land, since they didn't have to pay taxes, so they used tax evasion to make money. They also accepted a lot of donated land. Many families owned tens of thousands of acres, and some even owned hundreds of thousands. It's just that few families had as much as the Kong family; this was their standard practice.
They usually opened some shops in the city to sell some things, which was also normal. It was not uncommon for them to mix in brothels, gambling houses, and whorehouses.
Although he talks a lot about benevolence, righteousness, morality, what Confucius said, what the book says, and the classics, in fact, his mind is full of business.
Especially in an industry like salt, if you want to expand the scale, you cannot do so without an official background.
Zhu Youxiao had deep feelings about this.
Not to mention in this era, it will be the same in future generations. There are many industries that you cannot do if you are not an official, so don’t even think about it.
It's not surprising that the Cao family has officials; it's not surprising that other families also have officials. That's why these people are becoming more and more unscrupulous, daring to take any money, not only not paying taxes, but also daring to do any business, with only money in their hearts.
But this is not surprising. Even in later times, there were many people like this.
Zhu Youxiao said, "Let's arrest the Cao family as well."
Isn't this a bit hasty?
The people around looked at each other, but no one spoke. The expressions on their faces betrayed them.
In fact, they felt that His Majesty's actions were somewhat inappropriate. After all, endless arrests might only make things worse.
However, no one dared to remonstrate with them, as their status was clear. They were not civil servants, but eunuchs, Jinyiwei, or the Imperial Household Department, all of whom were the emperor's personal servants, so they naturally did not have to consider anything else when doing things.
The emperor has said it, so let’s do it.
Xu Xianchun said, "Yes, Your Majesty. I will arrange it immediately."
However, at this time, a man stood up, and that man was Huang Changzong.
Glancing at Zhu Youxiao, Huang Changzong said cautiously, "Your Majesty, before coming here, Cao Bang had someone send a letter to me, hoping to see you."
After hearing this, everyone's attention was focused on Huang Changzong.
Even Zhu Youxiao looked at Huang Changzong with a playful smile on his face.
In fact, speaking at this time is a very unwise choice, after all, the emperor has made a judgment and decision. In such a situation, it is best to do nothing and obey.
But Huang Changzong chose to speak, which was actually a disguised plea.
Zhu Youxiao asked, "What's the matter? Did you accept bribes from them? Or do you have any business dealings with them, and someone has something on you that they can use against you?"
After hearing this, Huang Changzong fell to his knees on the ground with a thud.
"Your Majesty, I have absolutely done nothing to offend you! It's just that the Imperial Household Department has some business dealings with Cao Bang, and we are quite familiar with each other, so I thought he could be of help." Huang Changzong kowtowed as he spoke. Then he said, "Your Majesty, please understand!"
"Really? Then tell me about it." Zhu Youxiao said with some hesitation after hearing this.
"Your Majesty, in addition to the salt business, Cao Bang also engages in overseas trade. Moreover, this person has a good vision and can get things done. I think if he can be used by Your Majesty, he will definitely be able to help Your Majesty do a lot of things." Huang Changzong said a little nervously.
"Hearing you say that, he is a talented person." Zhu Youxiao smiled and said, "Then go and meet him. The location will be arranged at Lichunyuan."
Zhu Youxiao turned to look at Wei Changsheng and said, "Prepare room number one for them to talk."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Wei Changsheng agreed and looked at Huang Changzong with some sympathy.
Although he didn't know why Huang Changzong did this, Wei Changsheng thought that Huang Changzong was going to put himself in trouble this time. If that Cao guy didn't say something good, then no one would be able to save him.
Huang Changzong also had sweat on his forehead at this time. He didn't know how things would turn out. He hoped that Cao Bang would not do anything rash.
"Okay, make your own arrangements." Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said.
Everyone did not dare to delay and quickly retreated.
In fact, they were still very busy. After all, Zhu Youxiao had already assigned tasks. Everyone had their own things to do and no mistakes could be made.
As they left, everyone looked at Huang Changzong with sympathy in their eyes.
Huang Changzong was helpless. At this point, he could only hope that Cao Bang would get things done. If Cao Bang messed things up, then he would probably be finished too.
At this time, Cao Bang was like an ant on hot pan, pacing back and forth in the room.
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