The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 366

"Lord Zhang, your presence is an honor. I apologize for not being able to greet you properly."

Sun Ao, the leader of the Salt Gang, approached Zhang Cong with a beaming smile and bowed.

With each word he spoke, the fat on his cheeks jiggled, making Zhang Cong feel like he couldn't bear to look at him.

However, Zhang Cong knew very well that although this fat man looked like a lazy, good-for-nothing pig, if you were fooled by his appearance, you would often die a terrible death.

Zhang Cong was from Wenzhou Prefecture in Zhejiang Province, which was about a thousand miles away from Yangzhou. Even before he entered officialdom, he had heard of the famous salt gang leader.

Sun Ao became the leader of the Salt Gang by virtue of four words: ruthless and vicious.

Zhang Cong had heard many stories about this leader of the Salt Gang before.

"Chief Sun, there's no need for such formalities. I've come here today because I have something I'd like to ask you."

Zhang Cong gave a forced smile.

Zhang Cong naturally didn't have a good impression of such a rough and unruly person, especially since Sun Ao's crimes were too numerous to count.

In other words, the imperial court is not yet prepared to take action against the salt gang, otherwise Zhang Cong would not have let Sun Ao off the hook.

Zhang Cong originally estimated that it would be soon, since the sea ban had been lifted and salt was originally transported by river. River transport of salt was labor-intensive and time-consuming, which led to the formation of salt guilds and interest groups along the way.

Zhang Cong knew very well that if anyone were to make a move against Lord Zhou, Sun Ao would definitely be the first, because even Zhang Cong could see that after the sea ban was completely lifted, the next step for the court would probably be to change the salt transport from river transport to sea transport.

Once the shipping method is switched to sea freight, although it can greatly save costs and increase efficiency, the salt guild will lose its purpose, and it will be difficult for the salt merchants in Yangzhou to do anything underhanded.

The root of all this is Zhou Chu. Once Zhou Chu dies, the Japanese pirates will run rampant again, and the imperial court will have to close the maritime ban in the same way it was opened.

On this point, the Salt Gang and Li Xian shared the same goal, which is why they were able to reach an agreement so quickly.

This is also why Zhang Cong suspected the Salt Gang immediately.

"Oh? I wonder what Lord Zhang wishes to ask? I will certainly answer to the best of my knowledge."

Sun Ao laughed.

"More than a thousand people in Yuyao attempted to assassinate Commander Zhou of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Is Chief Sun aware of this at this time?"

As Zhang Cong spoke, he stared intently at Sun Ao, afraid of missing any of his expressions.

However, Sun Ao is a seasoned veteran; he wouldn't be easily swayed by such psychological tactics.

"Is that so? I only just heard about it from you, sir. You do know that Yuyao is five or six hundred miles away from Yangzhou, and it's not a major town. My information isn't that reliable."

Sun Ao looked surprised, and it could be said that his performance was flawless.

Zhang Cong had long anticipated Sun Ao's response. Although Yangzhou was closer to Nanjing than Suzhou, it was classified as part of Jiangnan Province, which made Zhang Cong extremely grateful. Otherwise, if Yangzhou had belonged to Southern Zhili, he would have been held responsible if the assassination attempt had been found to be related to the Salt Gang.

This is why Yan Song was completely unaware. Yangzhou Prefecture was quite far from Suzhou Prefecture. Although Yan Song controlled most of the Jiangnan region, Yangzhou was an exception, as it had always been controlled by the salt guild and these salt merchants.

Yan Song had been working to reorganize the other prefectures in Jiangnan Province. Yangzhou was a matter of great importance, and without the imperial order, Yan Song dared not act recklessly. Yan Song could also see that with the opening of the sea, the salt guilds and salt merchants in Yangzhou would be purged sooner or later.

Yan Song originally thought that he should keep them in check and not provoke them before the court dealt with them, but he did not expect them to do such a thing.

Yan Song, now imprisoned, was filled with remorse. He naturally realized that the Salt Gang was definitely involved in the assassination attempt.

"More than a thousand people were involved in the assassination attempt on Lord Zhou. Where in the entire Jiangnan region could more than a thousand skilled fighters suddenly appear? I'm afraid that apart from Chief Sun's Salt Gang, no one else has that capability, right?"

Zhang Cong sneered.

He never intended to feign compliance with Sun Ao. Zhou Chu was assassinated, the court was furious, and the emperor was furious. If he remained calm and unhurried at this time, what would the emperor think?

Let alone the emperor, Zhang Cong felt that if he really did that, he would be betraying Lord Zhou's kindness in promoting him.

Zhang Cong was well aware that he represented the wrath of the imperial court, so he naturally had to strike at the heart of the matter.

Sun Ao's expression changed upon hearing this.

"What makes you say that, Lord Zhang? Do you have any evidence to support your claim? Our Salt Gang has always been dedicated to transporting salt for the imperial court and the people of the Ming Dynasty. How did it come to be a place that harbors assassins in Lord Zhang's mouth?"

Sun Ao showed no fear whatsoever.

This is his Salt Gang's territory. He has countless Salt Gang disciples. Why would he be afraid of Zhang Cong?

"Whether it is true or not, Chief Sun's words alone are not enough. I am here to investigate this case. I ask for Chief Sun's cooperation in allowing me to search your place."

Zhang Cong said with a serious expression.

"Lord Zhang, aren't you going too far? Don't you even know where you are?"

As soon as Sun Ao said this, hundreds of Salt Gang disciples immediately surrounded him.

"What does Chief Sun mean by this?"

As Zhang Cong spoke, he clapped his hands, and the thousands of soldiers following behind him pressed forward.

"I didn't mean anything by it, but I just think that the government should be based on evidence when handling cases. It's inappropriate to search my Salt Gang headquarters without any evidence."

Sun Ao looked at the thousands of soldiers in front of him without fear, but he did not dare to make a move easily. After all, Zhang Cong was a high-ranking official in charge of a region, and it would be unreasonable to attack a mere governor without warning.

Zhang Cong understood this principle, so he didn't bring too many people. He only brought over a thousand people to ensure his own safety and prevent himself from being assassinated.

"Evidence? What kind of evidence do you need?"

Just as the two were facing off, a woman's voice came from behind. The two looked over and saw a woman in full armor leading a large number of fully armored soldiers to Zhang Cong and Sun Ao.

The one who arrived was none other than Yun Jin leading the Xuanwu Army.

Upon seeing Yun Jin, Zhang Cong was startled. He had met Yun Jin before at Zhou Chu's place and knew about her relationship with Lord Zhou. However, he wondered when she had become a general and was leading such a formidable army.

The sight of the heavily armored troops sent chills down Zhang Cong's spine. If this young lady were to cause trouble, the entire Jiangnan region would likely be plunged into chaos.

“Sun Ao, the leader of the Salt Gang, openly led troops to oppose Lord Zhang and intended to rebel. Arrest all of them.”

Yun Jin said with a frosty expression.

Upon hearing this, the Xuanwu Army immediately surrounded Sun Ao and the Salt Gang disciples behind him.

"What are you trying to do? Do you have any evidence?"

Sun Ao panicked when he saw the Xuanwu Army. How could a fully armored army suddenly appear? If a battle broke out, he wouldn't even know how he died.

"Evidence? What kind of evidence do you need?"

Yun Jin sneered.