"There are hundreds of merchants in our two cities inside and outside the imperial capital. Which one does not have the support of several clans? Needless to say, the Lin's cloth shop, Qian's oil shop, Zhao's grain shop and others."
"In addition, I also asked people from the Five Cities Military and Horse Department to investigate. In the outer city alone, there are more than a dozen underground gangs, large and small, including gambling houses, dog fighting rings, and Goulan Huachang that raises secret prostitutes.
They are all in control."
"The silver transactions that occur in these places every day are in the tens of thousands, and they are extremely exclusive. No one else can even think about getting involved."
"A few years ago, Lin Chaoyun, the eldest son of Lin Jie, the left minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, and others went to the outer city to set up a gambling house in an attempt to make some money."
"These people were wiped out in less than three days. Lin Chaoyun almost had his leg broken when he wanted to take revenge. The Lin family didn't even know who was responsible."
Zhao Kang stirred the tea in the cup: "Think about it, they dare to touch the son of a third-grade official, so what else will they care about?"
Xiao Xuance was stunned for a while after hearing this: "Isn't this too arrogant? What do the people of the Bingma Division do for food, and you don't care?"
The Wucheng Military and Horse Division is responsible for the security of the imperial capital, so hearing what Zhao Kang said, His Royal Highness felt a little incredible.
Zhao Kang laughed and said: "You are too naive. Not to mention that those people are just trying to get something out of the side and have nothing to fear. People who have been able to operate in the imperial capital for so many years without being wiped out must have their own way."
"Can you guarantee that there aren't anyone more powerful than the Lin family standing behind those people?"
Zhao Kang pointed with his hand, and His Royal Highness looked over and found the curtains rolled up around the pavilion.
When the weather is good, they put it away. When it is windy or rainy, the palace maids and eunuchs will put it down.
"Let me give you an analogy. The imperial capital is like a bead curtain. Every bead on the curtain is a clan member, big or small."
"They formed this curtain to maintain the operation of the imperial capital. Now you still think that everywhere in the world belongs to you?"
Xiao Xuance seemed to understand a little. After all, he was still a child, so he asked: "Then what should we do?"
Zhao Kang smiled and said: "It's very simple. Take off one bead on this curtain, let us fill it in, and then swallow the other beads step by step."
"Only by being able to enforce orders and prohibitions, will His Highness be able to better build his own territory."
Xiao Xuance didn't know what to do. At this time, the eunuch outside the courtyard shouted: "Your Majesty is here."
The two hurriedly stood up and saluted to greet Her Majesty the Empress.
After Xiao Linglong walked in, she said softly: "Xuance, please go down first. I have something to discuss with the Imperial Master."
Xiao Xuance said oh and thought about what Zhao Kang said as he left.
"What are you two talking about?" Xiao Linglong asked.
Zhao Kang walked beside him, not hiding anything, and said: "I am going to let His Highness Xuance come with me to stir up the troubled waters."
Her Majesty the Empress was immediately startled. She understood what Zhao Kang meant and immediately refused: "No, this is too dangerous! He is only a child, how can he do such a thing?"
Zhao Kangdao: "But his identity is there, and it is too obvious to me. Once those clans know about it, they will be wary."
"But it will be much better if His Highness is with me. They will just think that I am just messing around with him. When I have had enough trouble, I will stop."
Xiao Linglong: "But Xuance is too young after all."
Zhao Kang asked back: "It's impossible for him to grow up forever, right? How long can you protect him?"
"Common people, at his age, have already married and raised children in groups. If you still treat him as a child, how can he take over your position in the future?"
Xiao Linglong was left speechless by the question, her eyes full of worry: "Are you sure he can do it?"
"Give it a try, and he's quite motivated." Zhao Kang said with a smile.
"When are you going to start?"
Zhao Kang: "It will be almost done tomorrow. We can start operations as soon as my manpower arrives in Yuanjiang County."
"Be careful, you know, it's not convenient for me to get involved in this kind of thing." Xiao Linglong sighed.
Zhao Kang nodded: "I won't let you down."
The two of them were walking in the imperial garden, a monarch and his ministers, but they looked like a couple of gods and goddesses.
The next day.
When His Royal Highness the Prince learned that Zhao Kang had convinced Her Majesty the Empress to let him leave the palace at will.
He immediately rushed to the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion with great interest.
As soon as he saw Zhao Kang, he said: "Old Zhao, I'm ready! Let's get started!"
Zhao Kang smiled and asked someone to bring tea: "Wait a little longer."
"What are you waiting for?" Xiao Xuance was full of energy at this moment.
Zhao Kang smiled and said: "If you want to seize territory, you have to have someone, right?"
Just as he was talking, Qin Yufeng walked in with graceful steps: "Sir, there are a few people coming outside, saying they are your subordinates in Yuanjiang County."
"I really said that Cao Cao and Cao Cao are here, let them come in."
Xiao Xuance looked out curiously, and soon four people walked in. The leader was Huang Tianxing, the number one thug in Yuanjiang County.
As soon as the four of them saw Zhao Kang, they immediately shouted: "I've seen the master!"
Xiao Xuance's eyes were a little frightened. Looking at these four people, Brother Diao, needless to say, the man with a body of nearly two meters tall stood like an iron tower, which was scary to look at.
The other three were all wild dogs who had followed Zhao Kang to kill the bandits and survived, and their ferocious aura made His Royal Highness even more frightened.
"We are all here, let me introduce you. This is our Prince, from now on we will hang out with him and call him the boss!"
"Boss!"
The four of them shouted in unison, which made His Highness the Prince's blood boil. Although Zhao Kang's words were a bit strange, he didn't understand what they meant.
late at night.
Six figures were wandering around the outer city. There was no curfew in the imperial capital recently, and pedestrians could still be seen vaguely on the street, so they did not attract too much attention.
Zhao Kang and Xiao Xuance were all dressed in regular clothes. The six cats were looking into the distance in the corner. Xiao Xuance asked doubtfully: "Old Zhao, what are we doing here? Aren't we going to grab the territory?"
Zhao Kang: "I have already investigated clearly. There is a small gambling house in the third alley ahead. You will do as I say later and go in to play a few games..."
Xiao Xuance gradually widened his eyes as he heard this: "Isn't this a rogue thing?"
Zhao Kang clicked his tongue: "We are turf grabbers, why do you care about being a rogue? Remember it all. From now on, when we are together, we will not be called His Highness the Prince, but our Lord. From now on, His Highness the Prince will be our Boss Xiao. Understand.
Yet?"
"I understand!" Brother Diao and the other four responded quickly;
Xiao Xuance asked: "What about you?"
"You can call me Zhao Laoer." Zhao Kang smiled and glanced at the sky.
