Master Qian brought Gu Wuji soon after.
Mr. Wu stated his intentions.
Gu Wuji was both shocked and delighted.
It turned out that Xu Qing had planned early on. Once he successfully captured Dongming Island, he intended to establish a stronghold there.
Dongming Island is strategically located and close to Jinhua Prefecture.
And Meng Yuxuan is the Assistant General of Jinhua Prefecture.
Whether it’s the Court continuing to eradicate pirates in the East Sea and Southern Ocean or opening trade routes, Dongming Island holds utmost strategic importance.
The Court plans to set up a significant military outpost here, which would inevitably develop into a commercial hub.
Xu Qing alone couldn’t handle such a big "cake".
He had several considerations initially.
Now with Gu Wuji, it gave Xu Qing new ideas.
Gu Wuji was not directly related to Duke Wei, but he had received much favor from him.
Therefore, Xu Qing planned to invite Gu Wuji to open a martial arts school on Dongming Island; officially that was the plan. Privately, he intended to establish a covert connection with Duke Wei, ensuring the transfer of goods from Duke Wei’s faction.
He could even charge lower fees than the East Sea Gang.
After all, Jinhua Prefecture now belonged to Zhijiang Province; Duke Wei’s influence wasn’t that significant there.
Tolls still had to be paid.
Since it’s all about paying, why not give Xu Qing, a fellow South Zhili countryman, a cheaper deal for mutual benefit.
After all, within South Zhili, internal conflicts weren’t uncommon, but outside, they were the closest kinfolk, sticking together. This wouldn’t hinder Duke Wei Mansion from kicking Xu Qing when he’s down one day.
In this underworld, everyone is out to make money and enjoy life; if there’s a grudge, would they stop making money?
Through Gu Wuji, Xu Qing secretly did business with Duke Wei. If Duke Wei refused, would other scholars and nobles of South Zhili refuse as well?
If he refused, Xu Qing would thereafter control this shipping route. All goods from Duke Wei Mansion would be priced high, while others might even offer discounts. After playing this game for a while, the people under Duke Wei would be forced to press him to make peace with Xu Qing.
Unless Duke Wei dared to attack Dongming Island.
But the problem is, Dongming Island has already been captured by the Court.
Of course, the critical factor is whether Xu Qing can ensure the Court lets him handle the business on Dongming Island.
On this point, Xu Qing naturally had a way.
He had risked his life, but his rank had not been promoted, and he hadn’t been given money; even a saint wouldn’t suffer such mistreatment.
Even the Grand Secretary wouldn’t be so unreasonable.
Besides, Xu Qing wasn’t withholding money from the Imperial Navy.
As long as the money could be promptly shared with the Navy, when the time comes, even the Court couldn’t stop it. Moreover, if Xu Qing wasn’t allowed to do this business, it would merely go to other powerful officials, and who knows, maybe they would lose Dongming Island to the East Sea Gang in a year.
It’s better to give it to Xu Qing.
Key to note, Dongming Island’s location and South Zhili’s maritime routes are separated by the Giant Whale Gang.
To the north of the Giant Whale Gang’s territory lies Jiangning Prefecture and King Lin.
Thus, Xu Qing would be striking from both the south and the north.
Duke Wei cooperating with Dongming Island on land and at sea essentially tightens the grip on the Giant Whale Gang, and Gu Wuji, having received too many favors from Duke Wei, has no ties with the local people of South Zhili.
Gu Wuji, acting as this intermediary and Duke Wei’s henchman, fits the role perfectly.
With this, Gu Wuji’s private visit to Xu Qing was justified.
After he returned, carrying this good news, even if Duke Wei still harbored doubts, facing these benefits, he couldn’t refuse.
He could only accept.
As power grows, regardless of what the superiors think, it fundamentally comes down to bringing benefits to the subordinates; if it can’t be done, then someone else will replace them.
This point is most clearly and thoroughly explained in the Dao of the military from the late Tang and Five Dynasties period.
When giving money, they’d add a piece of clothing for you and address you as Your Majesty; without money, even if you truly are Your Majesty, they’d bury you directly.
Moreover, Xu Qing supporting Gu Wuji also had a benefit.
Currently in the worldly society, everyone knows that Yan Kong betrayed Xu Jieyuan and ran off to the Giant Whale Gang.
Xu Qing wanted these people to know, if you hang with Mr. Xu, even if you had past conflicts with Mr. Xu, as long as you are useful, Mr. Xu will still treat you well.
If you betray Mr. Xu, even if you find a new backer, Mr. Xu can still break your new support.
Once Xu Qing’s plan succeeds and he’s settled things with Duke Wei, with King Lin and Dongming Island on two fronts, it’s like clamping down on the Giant Whale Gang, and having Duke Wei controlling the onshore assets of the Giant Whale Gang.
Under this double pressure, the Giant Whale Gang would have no room to struggle and must honestly cooperate with Xu Qing, continuing to serve Duke Wei.
And Duke Wei Mansion wouldn’t worry about the Giant Whale Gang turning to Xu Qing, as he controlled the roots of those gang members.
This way, naturally, it would create a situation where only the Gang Leader Ren Tianyou is hurt while others gain the power they desire.
Of course, while all this is a plan, its realization depends on whether Xu Qing’s fists are strong enough.
If he can secure Dongming Island and expel the influence of the East Sea Gang from this maritime region.
After all, interests are fought for, not obtained through mere words.
If the Court hadn’t trained the Navy and maintained authority, they couldn’t make these pirates surrender their territories willingly.
Let’s not mention how Gu Wuji quickly responded to Heavenly Mansion and relayed the message back to Duke Wei.
Meanwhile, on Dongming Island.
This day is the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first month.
It was supposed to be a day of joyful celebration, but the gang of pirates on Dongming Island were despondent as if mourning the deceased.