The Dumb Prince of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 74 Zhu Yuanzhang: Oh no! I've been tricked by Li Jiujiang!

Qianqing Palace.

Li Jinglong came to report to Zhu Yuanzhang that the bruises on his face had finally disappeared and he was no longer walking with a limp. Zhu Yuanzhang looked up at him, seemingly a little disappointed.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Why didn't I get beaten up today?"

Li Jinglong puffed out his chest: "I am now the boss of three wards, who dares to mess with me?"

He began to recount his great achievements, using both his hands and feet.

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed loudly, "You're getting more and more arrogant, firing guns in the street."

"I call this subduing the enemy without fighting. One shot is all it takes to resolve the situation, saving my brothers from taking so many punches and kicks," Li Jinglong said.

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "The money from the gambling den must be handed over. You've taken over their place, surely the vault isn't empty?"

"

"Why? Those officials didn't touch a single penny of the money; it was all distributed. What kind of places do those beggars live in? Their houses leak, the alleys are filled with stinking water, and children run around barefoot. This money should be used back to them to repair the roads, patch up the roofs, and buy some quilts for the lonely old men," Li Jinglong said.

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at Li Jinglong for a while, then nodded: "It's good that you have this intention."

"I haven't finished speaking yet; the important part is yet to come," Li Jinglong said, waving his hand.

Zhu Yuanzhang raised an eyebrow: "Is there another important point?"

Li Jinglong briefly recounted what Zhang Laojiu had said.

"So, that Darughachi not only knows us, but also knows Wang Baobao? And he doesn't even respect him?" Zhu Yuanzhang was shocked.

Li Jinglong nodded: "I thought to myself at the time, you could count the number of people like that on your fingers. Your Majesty, can you remember who it was?"

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned deeply: "People like that should all be dead."

Li Jinglong: "————"

"What Zhang Laojiu said may not be true." Zhu Yuanzhang quickly regained his composure. "These rascals are full of people who say one thing and mean another."

Li Jinglong nodded: "Of course I know that. Zhang Laojiu is as cunning as an eel, so I will continue to investigate."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and asked, "You mean they're having a roast chicken feast tomorrow night?"

"Yes. I heard from Zhang Laojiu that this Master Hong is hosting a banquet and has invited all the beggar leaders." Li Jinglong suddenly had a bright idea. "Your Majesty, why don't you go and take a look incognito? If that Darughachi is really at the banquet, you might recognize him at a glance."

Zhu Yuanzhang glared at him: "What kind of terrible idea is this? You want us to eat roast chicken with a bunch of beggars?"

"Your Majesty, are you afraid?" Li Jinglong blinked.

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted: "With the Embroidered Uniform Guard protecting us, what do we have to be afraid of? Speaking of which, back when I was in the Beggars' Sect, I heard about this roast chicken feast. At that time, I was just a little beggar and I wasn't qualified to participate. I couldn't even get a chance to participate if I wanted to."

"

Li Jinglong raised an eyebrow: "Now the opportunity has come."

Zhu Yuanzhang retorted irritably, "I am the emperor now! The supreme ruler! Why would I care about such things?"

Li Jinglong cupped his hands in greeting: "Very well, I shall take my leave."

The following day, in the evening.

In front of Yongchangfang, there is a large lawn.

A bonfire was burning brightly in the middle, and long tables were set up on both sides of the bonfire, with roast chicken and wine on the tables.

Those who are allowed to take a seat are all beggar leaders, and each person can bring two subordinates.

When Li Jinglong arrived, there were already quite a few people sitting in the arena. He brought Wang Dong and Ding Xiu with him, and he touched the short-handled rifle at his waist.

Tonight, we're going to pull off something big.

After he took his seat, Wang Dong and Ding Xiu stood on either side of him behind him.

Sitting to the side was Zhang Laojiu, who had already torn off a chicken leg and was gnawing on it.

"Which one is Master Hong?" Li Jinglong asked.

Zhang Lao Jiu pointed to the empty seat in the main room: "Master Hong hasn't arrived yet."

Li Jinglong then asked, "Is Master Hong very powerful?"

"To put it another way, Master Hong's business isn't just limited to brothels and gambling dens. His caravans, armed with official documents stamped by the imperial court, travel freely from Yingtian all the way to the Northwest."

"I have connections in the imperial court."

Li Jinglong frowned.

How did a beggar-turned-businessman become a big boss?

Zhang Laojiu kept greeting the beggar leaders opposite him.

Many beggar leaders' eyes fell on Li Jinglong, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

The strongest newcomer, huh?

Li Jinglong was unconcerned, his sharp gaze sweeping over them.

Then, he was completely stunned.

Sitting on the opposite side was a beggar, Mao Xiang, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

A thousand alpacas galloped through Li Jinglong's mind as he looked up at the two attendants standing behind Mao Xiang.

I almost fell headfirst under the table.

One of them was Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Which beggar leader is that?" He calmed himself down, pointed at Mao Xiang, and asked Zhang Laojiu. Zhang Laojiu glanced at him and introduced, "It's Mao Siliu, the beggar leader of Yonghua Ward. He doesn't talk much, but he's ruthless and has tough methods."

Li Jinglong blinked; it seemed these people didn't know Mao Xiang's true identity.

Not long after, a hearty laugh came from outside the arena.

Master Hong has arrived.

He was a burly man with piercing eyes. He waved and said, "Sit down, everyone! It's rare for the brothers to get together today, so eat and drink to your heart's content!"

After some pleasantries, the meal began.

The beggar leaders respected Master Hong very much, and one by one they stepped forward with a wine bowl to offer him a toast.

Grandpa Hong never refused anyone's offer; he would tilt his head back and finish a bowl in one go.

-

Li Jinglong had been observing from the shadows.

Seeing Mao Xiang stand up, Zhu Yuanzhang followed behind him, and the two went to offer a toast.

Li Jinglong quickly got up and followed, walking a few steps to Zhu Yuanzhang's side.

"Your Majesty, do you recognize any faces?" he asked in a low voice.

"no."

"Didn't you say you weren't coming?"

"It's been a bit boring staying in the palace for too long, let's go out and have some fun."

Before Li Jinglong could say anything more, the group had already walked up to Master Hong.

Mao Xiang picked up his wine bowl: "Master Hong, Mao Si Liu toasts you."

Li Jinglong stepped forward and said, "I am Li Chongliu. I have long admired Master Hong's name. Please have a drink with me."

Master Hong's gaze fell on him, sizing him up and down, and he said coldly, "You're the Sixth Brother who's been grabbing territory everywhere lately? You've got some nerve."

"What? You have a problem with that?" Li Jinglong asked coldly.

Master Hong's face instantly turned cold.

Li Jinglong stepped forward, reached for his waist, pulled out his short-handed rifle, and aimed it directly at Master Hong's chest.

boom!

With a loud bang, Master Hong was thrown backward and crashed to the ground.

Mao Xiang and Zhu Yuanzhang were stunned on the spot.

Li Jinglong tucked the pistol into his belt: "Are you stupid? Run!"

Mao Xiang reacted extremely quickly, grabbing Zhu Yuanzhang's arm and rushing out.

The beggar leaders around them didn't realize what was happening until then.

"Master Hong! Master Hong is dead!"

"Someone killed Master Hong!"

The scene instantly descended into chaos.

Mao Xiang protected Zhu Yuanzhang, and the two of them rushed out of the arena.

"Your Majesty, the Duke of Shao didn't even give a warning before firing a musket; I wasn't prepared at all!"

Mao Xiang was covered in cold sweat.

Zhu Yuanzhang remained calm and snorted, "This kid actually tricked us."

Mao Xiang wiped his sweat and said worriedly, "He killed Master Hong. Now the beggars are going to be in chaos."

"Chaos? The more chaotic it is, the more opportunities he'll have. The muddier the water, the more visible the fish hiding in it will be." Zhu Yuanzhang laughed. "This kid really dares to gamble."

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