Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

The main function of the Salt Gang is to "launder" illegal salt. The specific steps were once researched by Zhang Lian and are top secret. Now no one knows the "laundering" method except Mo Lang.

Zhang Jingwei's eyes widened in shock, and he shouted, "Two million strings of cash! If you take the payment, how will you explain it to your fellow salt gang members? It's autumn now, and the weather is getting cooler. Are you going to let them continue sleeping on mats?"

Mo Lang looked embarrassed, but still said with a stiff upper lip, "Master, things have come to this point. For now, I can only solve your immediate problem. As for the other matters, I will find a way to make up for it later. My son..."

Zhang Jingwei interrupted Mo Lang with a wave of his hand and said loudly, "It's okay. As long as I withdraw the lawsuit, the teacher will naturally release him!"

Hearing this, Mo Lang breathed a sigh of relief, and quickly bowed, saying, "Thank you, young master, for your kindness!" He carefully pulled a small booklet from his pocket and handed it to Zhang Jingwei, respectfully saying, "This is a list of our branch offices in each of the northern states, as well as the Salt Gang's jade talisman. These originally belonged to the boss, and now that you've taken over, it's perfectly legitimate and well-deserved!"

Zhang Jingwei took the booklet and the jade talisman, and thought to himself: "I didn't expect that my father was such a powerful figure, simply a gangster godfather! I just don't know why he chose to retire before?" Thinking of this, he looked up at Mo Lang and asked puzzledly.

However, Mo Lang was completely confused by the sudden use of the term "gangster godfather" by Zhang Jingwei. He stood there in a daze, completely unable to understand what Zhang Jingwei was talking about.

Zhang Liu, who was standing by, saw this and quickly stepped forward. He lowered his voice and explained to Mo Lang, "Master Mo, don't mind it. The young master often says some strange things, but we're all used to it!"

Mo Lang finally came to his senses and nodded in understanding. He then calmed himself and answered Zhang Jingwei's question, "Young Master, I think you're asking about the Dong family's retirement. In fact, the Dong family chose to retire because of rumors circulating in the court. Forced by circumstances, the Dong family had no choice but to relinquish control of the Salt Gang!"

Zhang Jingwei said sincerely, "Uncle Mo, I truly cannot repay your kindness in helping me this time. After much deliberation, I've decided to let the Salt Gang become the majority shareholder of our Huangfu Military. This money will count as investment capital. I'll calculate your shareholding and distribute dividends to you at the end of each year!"

Mo Lang quickly waved his hand and declined, "Young Master, you're too polite. The Salt Gang is part of the Zhang family's fortune, and I, an old salt merchant, am just trying to keep it running. To be honest, I don't know much about business operations. The Mo family is like a bottomless pit, constantly wasting money. But no matter who Young Master wants to arrange to run the Salt Gang's affairs, even if it means just letting me lead your horses or pour night incense, I will do my best to do it. I only ask Young Master not to abandon us!"

Hearing this, Zhang Jingwei couldn't help but look embarrassed and replied helplessly: "Uncle Mo... I only have a donkey for transportation now, and... I no longer use the toilet. I go to the toilet every day."

Mo Lang was confused and asked doubtfully, "Master, what exactly do you mean by this?"

At this time, Zhang Liu, who was standing by, came to the rescue and said, "Old Salt, the young master has many important matters to deal with at the Huangfu Army and has no time to talk to you. You should go back first!"

Mo Lang knew in his heart that this was actually an order to expel him, but he couldn't say anything more. He could only say goodbye to Zhang Jingwei and hurried to the Yunzhou branch.

After Mo Lang left, Zhang Liu asked Zhang Jingwei in confusion, "Master, you had such a great opportunity just now, why didn't you take over the Salt Gang?"

Zhang Jingwei shook his head and refused to explain the reason.

……

Huangfu Changshui frowned and asked, "How much money have we raised in the past few days?"

Zhang Jingwei hesitated for a moment, then replied in a low voice: "Currently, there are more than eight million..."

When Huangfu Changshui heard this figure, a hint of joy appeared on his face, and he said, "I'll try to find a way to raise more than one million. It should be enough to deal with the current situation!"

However, Zhang Jingwei shook his head and said seriously, "If we were simply raising funds to expand the camp, this amount of money would indeed be enough. But my plan goes beyond that. I intend to expand the garrison to 10,000 men and establish a garrison of 1,000 men. A few million men alone would be far from enough. And even if we recruit the men, without sufficient farmland for them to cultivate, are we going to leave all these soldiers to starve?"

Huangfu Changshui nodded slightly, agreeing with his point, but then raised a question: "In a village, there are at least a few thousand acres of arable land, and even tens of thousands of acres in some. However, there are usually only a few hundred households in a village, and on average, each household does not own much land. In fact, most of the arable land is concentrated in the hands of wealthy families, some of which own hundreds of thousands of acres of fertile land! Even our Huangfu family owns a full 200,000 acres of land! What are you thinking? Are you not only trying to get them to donate their land to support us financially, but also to donate their own land?"

Zhang Jingwei raised the corner of his mouth, revealing a mysterious smile, and slowly said: "Of course, we are not asking them to donate for nothing, but to use their money to buy these lands from them!"

Huangfu Changshui's eyes widened, and he retorted in disbelief: "What a joke! They wouldn't be so stupid!"

Zhang Jingwei responded confidently: "When benefits are put before their eyes, many people will become fools."

Huangfu Changshui widened his eyes and roared in anger: "Nonsense! I don't even know what means you use to make the military profitable, and you still dare to speak so shamelessly here?!" His voice was deafening, as if the entire tent was shaking.

Zhang Jingwei, however, remained unmoved. Instead, he burst into laughter, his laughter echoing throughout the silent tent. After his laughter subsided, he slowly spoke, "Father-in-law, please think about what is the most expensive item in this army?"

Huangfu Changshui frowned slightly, and after a moment of thought, he replied, "Of course it's the armor. Not only is it strictly controlled, but it's also very valuable! I usually take good care of my armor, and I do things like oiling it myself... No, why are you asking this? Are you planning to steal the armor?" At this point, Huangfu Changshui's face instantly became gloomy, and he stared at Zhang Jingwei with a sharp gaze.

Zhang Jingwei quickly waved his hand and explained, "Father-in-law, please don't misunderstand me. I wouldn't dare try to trade that armor... To be precise, it's actually an armor-related business."

Huangfu Changshui was furious when he heard this. He slammed the table and shouted, "You lunatic! As a garrison commander, I have the responsibility to protect my country. How can I allow you to act so recklessly?"

Zhang Jingwei was a little flustered when he saw Huangfu Changshui so furious, but he managed to calm himself down and said hastily, "Father-in-law, calm down. Please listen to me first!" However, Huangfu Changshui no longer had the patience to listen. He waved his hand and roared, "Get out! Get out!"