Gou was a member of the imperial family in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 173 Two-handed Arrangement
Seeing that Zhu Shenzhui had made up his mind, Zhou Anmin stopped trying to persuade him and immediately nodded to indicate that he understood and that he would arrange the matter as soon as possible.

However, it is not so easy for people to travel from Yiwu to Shanxi. The journey is long. In addition, winter is coming and it is inconvenient to travel in cold weather. It is best to wait until the beginning of spring next year. It will take at least March next year to arrive in Shanxi.

Zhu Shenzhui also knew about this situation and immediately expressed that he understood. He had waited for so long and could wait a little longer.

After some calculations, he decided that he would probably be in Mongolia instead of Shanxi around March next year, because Tana was going to give birth soon in the spring. After the New Year when the weather was a little warmer, he would set off north to the grassland. This was his first child, and he had to stay with Tana and watch the baby being born.

After thinking for a while, Zhu Shenzui told Zhou Anmin to ask him and others to help settle them in the garrison after they were picked up. He would go to his uncle Wang Rong to say hello later. Although he didn't know whether these three people could be of any use, they were veterans of the Qi family army anyway. Even if he had to spend a fortune, Zhu Shenzui had to make proper arrangements.

After finishing this story, Zhu Shenzui continued to ask about the fireworks craftsman.

Zhou Anmin told Zhu Shenzhui that this matter was handled more smoothly than that of Qi's army.

In Nanzhili, Zhou Anmin's people finally found a firework craftsman who was proficient in it after some effort, and persuaded one of them to come to Shanxi. It was similar to Yiwu. When the spring came next year, this firework craftsman would be able to leave with them and arrive in Shanxi around March.

"How is this family's craftsmanship? How many people are there in the family?" Zhu Shenzhui asked anxiously.

Zhou Anmin roughly told Zhu Shenzhu about their situation. Fireworks craftsmen are also a type of craftsmen, but they are slightly different from ordinary craftsmen. In comparison, they have more freedom than ordinary craftsmen.

Making fireworks is a craft that is passed down from generation to generation. Many special skills are passed down from father to son, and usually not even to daughters. After all, fireworks craftsmen make a living from this, and it is the foundation of their survival.

There are many fireworks craftsmen in Nanzhili, and several of them are famous, but these people are unwilling to leave. After all, they live a good life in Nanzhili, and they are not used to the life in a place like Shanxi after traveling thousands of miles from the prosperous Jiangnan. Even if the people sent by Zhou Anmin offered good conditions, the other party did not agree.

As a second choice, Zhou Anmin's people could only look for it among other people, and finally found one. This shop was also quite famous among local fireworks craftsmen. Although it was not the top one, it was also first-class.

The family of this fireworks craftsman is not complicated. There are only two brothers in the family. The elder one is in his early twenties, and the younger one is only nineteen years old. The elder one is married with a wife and two children, while the younger one is single. Their parents just passed away, and the two brothers did not separate but supported each other in life. Because of their parents' serious illness and the subsequent funeral, the family savings were used up and they still owed a lot of money. Although the two brothers have a good skill in making fireworks, it is not so easy to make up for the hunger.

It was also for this reason that after learning that Zhou Anmin was hiring fireworks craftsmen with a high salary, the two brothers discussed and agreed to Zhou Anmin's conditions, and were willing to move their family to Shanxi.

When Zhu Shenzhui heard that the brothers were so young, he was quite surprised. For a moment, he wanted to ask whether such a young fireworks craftsman was reliable. But then he thought that his brother-in-law Zhou Anmin was not an unreliable person. Since he said that this fireworks craftsman was quite famous in the local area, and the fireworks business had always been passed down from father to son, although the father of the two brothers had passed away, they grew up in this business since childhood and should have some skills.

However, it is not yet known whether Zhu Shencui's requirements can be met. In any case, we can give it a try after waiting for someone to arrive. After all, even Zhu Shencui is not absolutely sure whether this thing can be accomplished.

"By the way, little brother, I understand that you are looking for the descendants of Qi's army, but why are you looking for this fireworks craftsman? Are you planning to make fireworks in the garrison and sell them?" Zhou Anmin had wanted to ask this question for a long time, but he had been busy with other things before. In addition, when Zhu Shenzhu got married, Zhou Anmin and Zhu Xiu'er were in Pingyang to help with the arrangements, so he forgot to ask. Now that the person has been found for him, Zhou Anmin couldn't help but ask the question in his mind.

"Hahaha, brother-in-law guessed right, that's exactly it." Zhu Shenzhui laughed.

"Are you really selling fireworks?" Zhou Anmin asked doubtfully.

Zhu Shenzhui nodded and told Zhou Anmin that in the entire Ming Dynasty, only the Southern Zhili had the highest skills in making fireworks. Don't underestimate it. High-quality fireworks are very valuable in the north, and some rich and powerful people need them. Even on the grasslands, some Mongolian nobles are reluctant to give them this product.

At present, the workshop in Zhaowuling has begun to take shape. It would be a good business if we could set up another fireworks workshop there to make some fireworks and sell them.

After listening to what Zhu Shenzhu said, Zhou Anmin was skeptical. Although what Zhu Shenzhu mentioned about the demand for fireworks and sales profits in the north was indeed true, he also knew about the situation in this regard among some rich and powerful people. Every year, a large number of fireworks were shipped to the north from Southern Zhili, and they sold well.

But Zhou Anmin didn't believe that Zhu Shenzhu only valued the value of fireworks. He knew his brother-in-law too well. Zhu Shenzhu always looked ahead and planned everything. He never did what he wanted. If that was the case, although this business was quite profitable, it was not worth it. For example, if a restaurant has good food, you don't necessarily want to pack up the chef of the other restaurant and bring him to your home just to eat such a meal? And then use this chef to open a restaurant to do business? Although this statement barely makes sense, the investment and return are far less than imagined.

Instead of doing this, it is better to focus on other aspects. In addition, when Zhu Shenzhui asked Zhou Anmin to do this, he gave detailed instructions, as if it would be of great use. Zhou Anmin still did not believe that it was just such an arrangement.

Seeing Zhou Anmin's puzzled and puzzled expression, Zhu Shenzhui sighed in his heart.

He didn't mean to hide this from Zhou Anmin on purpose. If there was anyone in this world who could be truly trusted, Zhou Anmin was definitely one of them.

The reason why he didn't tell Zhou Anmin the truth was because Zhu Shenzhui considered that this was not an ordinary matter, and it was too early to say it now. After all, even Zhu Shenzhui himself had no idea whether the fireworks craftsman he hired could make what he wanted and how much practical value he had.

To put it bluntly, making such an arrangement is just an idea and an attempt. In addition, if this thing succeeds, it will bring about revolutionary changes. Before it succeeds, the fewer people who know about it, the better. The more confidential the information is, the more reliable it is. If it is leaked in advance, it will not be a trivial matter.

After thinking it over, Zhu Shenzhui felt that it would be better not to tell Zhou Anmin the truth for the time being. It would not be too late to tell him after things became clearer.

Zhu Shenzhui laughed it off and tried to get over the matter for the time being, then asked about Zhang Xijun's arrangements.

Zhang Xijun's identity had been ascertained not long ago, because Zhang Xijun told Zhu Shenzhui his true background, and Zhu Shenzhui soon got some clues through Zhou Anmin's investigation.

Zhang Xijun did not hide anything from Zhu Shenzhui, and everything he said was true, which was known from the investigation of the Jinyiwei. After confirming Zhang Xijun's identity, the arrangement for him to go to the capital was also implemented. Before Zhu Shenzhui went to the grassland, he wrote a letter to Zhou Anmin, telling him to help solve Zhang Xijun's identity and request to serve in the Jinyiwei.

Zhou Anmin said that this matter had been settled. Half a month ago, Zhang Xijun had come to him with Zhu Shenzhu's letter. He also arranged a Jinyiwei identity for Zhang Xijun. The identity was very simple, just like when Zhou Anmin was a post in Jinyiwei when he was a postmaster. The position was not high, just a lieutenant. This position was not considered a formal establishment of Jinyiwei, but just a nominal one.

With this identity, it was much easier for Zhang Xijun to travel from Shanxi to the capital, or to move around in the capital. As for his household registration, it might be a little difficult for others, but it was not a problem at all for Zhou Anmin, who controlled the Luzhou Guard.

Zhang Xijun did not stay in Luzhou Wei for long. After obtaining his identity, he set off for the capital. If nothing unexpected happened, Zhang Xijun would have arrived in the capital now. How he would operate in the capital and how he would open up the situation next would depend on Zhang Xijun himself.

"Where is Wei Liangqing?"

"I have also sent the news. Before Master Zhang left for the capital, he wrote another letter for him to take. With these, Wei Liangqing will receive Master Zhang for my sake, but what to do next and how well he does it will depend on him." Zhou Anmin continued, "Brother, I understand your intention of sending Master Zhang to the capital. If you can use this opportunity to open up the situation in the capital and establish a relationship with Eunuch Wei, it will be a good thing. But brother, isn't it a bit hasty to rely on Master Zhang alone? Should we send a few more people to assist? In addition, should we say hello to the Jinyiwei in the capital? It will also be good for someone to take care of us in the capital?"

"No need." Zhu Shenzhui shook his head and said, "Too many people will only attract attention. It's better for Master Zhang to go alone. If this little thing can't be done, this person is useless."

"But you can find two reliable and smart people to go to the capital in a few days and secretly keep an eye on Master Zhang. They should carefully record what he does in the capital, who he meets, and where he goes, and report back at any time. Oh, and don't do anything else, and don't let anyone know about these arrangements."

"What do you mean...?" Zhou Anmin asked with his eyes wide open.

Zhu Shenzhui nodded without saying anything, but Zhou Anmin knew in his heart that this method was commonly used by the Jinyiwei. As soon as Zhu Shenzhui said it, he knew the purpose of this arrangement.

"So if there are any unusual movements or changes in the capital, do we need to..." Zhou Anmin asked cautiously.

Zhu Shenzhui thought about it and shook his head: "We'll talk about this later, but when the time comes, the necessary arrangements will still be made. Get ready first, but remember, the people you send must not touch him without my order!"

(End of this chapter)