Ming Dynasty: Zhu Biao's younger brother, the most rebellious son in history

Chapter 65: Zhu Yuanzhang's Thoughts! Is the Crown Prince going to be replaced?

One by one, they expressed their concerns about the future, believing that Zhu Yuanzhang was deliberately creating conflicts to make it difficult for the Ming Dynasty to remain stable.

Hu Weiyong stood in the hall, debating with the officials. In the end, he was so thirsty that he simply untied the belt outside his official uniform and held it in his hands: "You corrupt and sour scholars can only show off your power in the court. If you have time, why don't you go down to the fields and help the Second Prince to grow potatoes, corn, and sweet potatoes, which are high-yield crops... If it weren't for the Second Prince, how could the people have enough to eat?"

"Who among you said that the Second Prince can't be the head of the royal family? Come on! Stand up! Let's not just talk, let's fight with our hands!"

Zhao Yong: Is there such a good thing?
Although he had become a civil official, Zhao Yong was also a military general who fought in battles, and he believed that he had no problem defeating Hu Weiyong.

Hu Weiyong looked at Zhao Yong who was kneeling on the ground and looking up at him. He was speechless and could only turn his head to look at Zhu Yuanzhang: "Your Majesty, I would like to invite the Second Prince to the court. These sour scholars who can only gossip behind people's backs will not dare to stir up trouble in front of the Second Prince!"

"Weiyong, this is the Grand Court Hall, please don't make trouble."

Zhu Yuanzhang stopped Hu Weiyong and said, "At first, I also felt that this arrangement was not a good one, so I asked two people. They said that our decision was very wise and that we should do this. Today we invited them here. Yuanqi, call them here and let them have a good talk with these ministers who oppose it."

After he finished speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang yawned and said, "I spent too long reviewing memorials yesterday. I am a little tired. You two can chat first. When you have come up with a conclusion, we can come back."

After saying this, Zhu Yuanzhang left his seat with a smile without caring about the reactions of the court officials.

The Jinshen Hall was just behind it. Zhu Biao did not attend court today, so he was waiting for Zhu Yuanzhang. When he saw Zhu Yuanzhang, he immediately walked over and bowed to him: "Dad, you are really amazing. You actually invited them here."

"They are our subjects anyway, why can't they come?"

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the recliner, his hands folded around his abdomen, relaxed and comfortable: "Mr. Li turned the wasteland into private land, and I didn't punish him, I just took back the red book and iron certificate, he must remember this favor! Our Earl of Chengyi looked down on me, but he treated Kai'er differently. Let him help Kai'er, he is quite happy?"

Duke of Korea Li Shanchang!

Sincerity Earl Liu Bowen!

These two are the helpers invited by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang invited the two of them over, and Zhu Biao felt relieved, but at the same time he also had a faint expectation in his heart: "Dad, my Huguang area needs capable officials, and the Chengyi Marquis's side..."

"Him? You can't!"

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately dispelled Zhu Biao's idea of ​​asking Liu Bowen for help, and said to him: "We want you to rule the world together with the scholars and officials. Liu Bowen is a scholar and official, and he looks down on us. You are easily influenced by him, so he cannot go to Huguang with you."

"Uh……"

Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and asked curiously, "Dad, do you have any other plans for Marquis Chengyi?"

"That's right!"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, "Do you still remember Shen Rong and Shen Sen, father and son?"

Zhu Biao immediately said, "Remember, Dad, you called Shen Wansan's descendants here to settle accounts. What is their relationship with Earl Chengyi?"

"Our Kai'er is proficient in mathematics. Liu Bowen admits that he is not as good as Kai'er in mathematics, and Kai'er has taught him a lot of numbers and various symbols. During the two years that Liu Bowen has been at home, he has promoted these symbols of Kai'er. Shen Rong and Shen Sen were inspired by these numbers and symbols, and combined with their family teachings, they were able to sort out the accounts for us. Hey... there are quite a few problems found in it."

"It just so happens that we are going to set up a special office in the Imperial Army Commandant's Mansion to help us check the accounts of the whole country. With Liu Bowen as a good teacher, are we afraid that we won't be able to train good people?"

Check the accounts?

In the Royal Guard Commandant's Mansion?

Zhu Biao was puzzled: "Dad, isn't the Imperial Guards' Mansion here to protect you? How can it be in charge of the accounts?"

"..."

Zhu Yuanzhang realized that he had let the cat out of the bag and smiled awkwardly: "Silly boy, how can we know what is going on in the world when we are in the deep palace? If we listen to the court officials in everything, won't we become a decoration?"

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and stopped Zhu Biao from asking any more questions: "The Imperial Guard Commandery and the Imperial Court are all ours, so don't worry about it."

"it is good."

If Zhu Yuanzhang didn't let Zhu Biao interfere, Zhu Biao would not interfere.

The emperor has his own methods.

The prince also has his own methods.

……

In the court, Li Shanchang and Liu Bowen arrived, and the situation became a one-sided defeat.

Li Shanchang, Zhu Yuanzhang called himself "our Xiao He".

Liu Bowen was a meritorious official who helped Zhu Yuanzhang establish the Ming Dynasty. However, he was too arrogant, so he was only given the title of Marquis of Chengyi.

These court officials would not be a match for any one of these two men, let alone two of them coming at once.

This made Hu Weiyong extremely arrogant.

He was unable to debate with his ministers alone, but who would have thought that two big men would show up at once.

One is your teacher and the other is your opponent.

Now, everyone has to speak for the Second Prince.

Hu Weiyong felt so happy when he saw Li Shanchang and Liu Bowen making the court officials unable to raise their heads.

"No, I have to go see the Second Prince after the court is dismissed and ask him when he will accept the teacher and the Earl of Chengyi into his camp."

Have the teacher and Liu Bowen also become loyal servants of the Second Prince?

This one dog intimidates the court officials... won’t the three dogs be able to fly to the sky?
Hu Weiyong's eyes lit up. He had been waiting for this day for a long time.

……

Among the many court officials, the only one who was relatively difficult to deal with was Song Lian.

Song Lian was well-read, knowledgeable, and had a character like a stone in a toilet, smelly and hard. No matter what Li Shanchang and Liu Bowen said, he just said: "The second prince should not have such great power."

Hu Weiyong looked at Song Lian and calmly pulled out his belt and held it in his hand. When Song Lian was arguing, he suddenly said, "Hey, Your Majesty, you are back?"

When Song Lian heard that Zhu Yuanzhang was coming, he immediately stopped the debate and wanted to turn around and persuade Zhu Yuanzhang to take back his decision.

But where is Zhu Yuanzhang in the main hall?

That guy Hu Weiyong deceived me!
Song Lian was about to scold Hu Weiyong, but unexpectedly, he felt a heavy blow on the head. Before he could figure out what was going on, his eyes went dark... and he didn't know what happened next.

Li Shanchang: "..."

Liu Bowen: "..."

courtier:"……"

General: "..."

"As noisy as a brothel owner!"

Hu Weiyong put away his belt, then smiled flatteringly at the stunned Li Shanchang and said, "Sir, the Second Prince said that we should act when it is time to act, and we must not drag our feet! I agree with him, and now it seems that the Second Prince is right!"

Hu Weiyong was beaten with forty sticks and then carried out of the palace by strong men.

My goodness, Song Lian is already 62 years old, and you, Hu Weiyong, knocked him out with just one punch... Did you learn this damn skill of beating both the old and the young from the second prince?

It would have been fine if he had just been knocked unconscious. If this punch had killed Song Lian, Zhu Yuanzhang would have no idea how the matter would have ended.

Hu Weiyong was very satisfied with today's results, except for one thing that he felt quite regretful.

He could not immediately tell the second prince about his glorious deeds of debating with the scholars in the court and defeating Song Lian.

It’s all my poor health’s fault!
He was beaten with forty sticks and even passed out.

Hateful...

This time the good news will definitely be announced first by that guy Liu Ji.

……

Hu Weiyong's guess was correct. Liu Bowen was in Fengxian Hall at that time, talking with Zhu Kai and Meng Duan, and Luo Guanzhong was serving tea and water beside him, and was very obedient.

When he was helping Zhu Kai as a gunman, he did not forget his dream. The Romance of the Three Kingdoms was also in preparation. For the description of Zhuge Liang, Luo Guanzhong planned to add some color to him. Zhuge Liang was already far away from him, but there was a living "Zhuge" Liu Bowen in front of him.

Zhu Kai and Liu Bowen chatted about all sorts of things.

And they were all strange stories that no one present had ever heard of: "Old Liu, I heard that you dug up Zhuge Liang's tomb, right?"

"Where did the Second Prince hear this from?"

Liu Ji didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and said, "Since I left Yingtian, I have been idle at home, teaching the numbers and mathematical symbols that the Second Prince gave to my subjects to my students for the purpose of spreading mathematics. I have never even been out of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, so how could I have looked for Zhuge Liang's tomb?"

"You are so disrespectful to your teacher. I heard that there is a lineage of Ma Yi's divine appearance, and Zhuge Liang is your master..."

Zhu Kai talked a lot, "It's all spread in Yingtian Prefecture that you, Liu Bowen, arrived at Zhuge Liang's tomb. There was a stone tablet in front of the tomb with a sentence written on it: "No one came when I came." You didn't believe it, so you smashed the stone tablet with a hammer and saw another line of words under the stone tablet's base: "Only Bowen came!"

"..."

After hearing this, Liu Ji shook his head and said, "Where has this kind of weird talk ever been spread in Yingtian Prefecture? Even if there was, it must have been spread by the Second Prince."

After hearing this, Luo Guanzhong's eyes lit up... This, this is another good story topic.

Write it down, write it down.

Luo Guanzhong was a novelist. He always carried a charcoal pencil and a small notebook with him. Whenever he had any inspiration or heard anything interesting, he would write it down so as not to forget it.

No one comes when I arrive!
Only Bowen arrived!
Just ten words reveal the essence of Zhuge Liang's tomb.

Good, it’s really good!
As for the color of Zhuge Liang, I have the material myself... No, that's not right. This little story told by His Royal Highness the Second Prince can be used to write a book of strange stories. People like to listen to this.

Even the name of the novel "Strange Stories" was thought of by Luo Guanzhong!
It could be called "Liu Bowen's Exploration of Zhuge Liang", or it could be called "Commoner's Divine Appraisal"...

Write it down! Write it down!
Zhu Kai saw Luo Guanzhong secretly taking notes and kicked him: "You bastard, you copied the prince's ideas again!"

"hey-hey……"

Luo Guanzhong had been with Zhu Kai for a long time, and he didn't think that serving the Zhu family would bring any harm to his life, so he became thick-skinned. When he was kicked by Zhu Kai, Luo Guanzhong didn't get angry at all, and said with a smile: "It's nothing, it's nothing... I'm just helping His Royal Highness the Second Prince find some materials, so that I can make more money from the books I write, right?"

This kid is quite sensible.

Liu Ji knew Luo Guanzhong and that he had been Zhang Shicheng's counselor, but he did not expect Zhu Kai to recruit Luo Guanzhong. This surprised Liu Ji: "Second Prince, what is Luo doing..."

"What kind of military advisor is this? He's just a lousy novel writer."

Zhu Kai curled his lips in disdain and said, "This guy copied my idea and used me as the prototype for his book. It's really hateful. So I pulled him to my side to write books to pay off his debts and help the bookshop I run to expand sales."

Zhu Kai is preparing to do business.

Liu Ji couldn't help but shake his head and smile bitterly. This second prince was different from others and often did incredible things.

"Is the Second Prince planning to start a business? This is a good choice."

Liu Ji looked at Zhu Kai and asked, "Your Majesty has transferred me to Yingtian to teach the Second Prince the art of mathematics. If you are doing business, it will be very suitable. No one can compare to the Second Prince in terms of accounting."

"Really? I think so too."

Zhu Kai was praised by Liu Ji and smiled happily: "I just don't want to do it, otherwise how can he, Shen Wansan, have any business? I am the businessman who knows how to do business best in the world. No one knows how to do business better than me."

Zhu Kai picked up the wine and said, "Old Liu, come on, let's have a drink. This is Maozi. I don't let ordinary people drink it. Even my father has never drunk it. I'm giving it to you. Don't you think you are honorable enough?"

The Maotai was found by Zhu Kai on a super ocean-going freighter. There were twelve full containers of Maotai. As for whether it was real or not, Zhu Kai didn’t know, but this wine was really delicious!
Even Liu Ji, who has a rather picky taste, couldn't help but exclaim in praise after drinking the wine.

"I've drunk this kind of wine once. It's only available in Yunnan and Guizhou. But the Second Prince's wine is better than the wine in Yunnan and Guizhou. Second Prince, if you want to do business, you can do this wine business."

Liu Ji drank the Maotai in the cup, took a long breath, and then said to Zhu Kai: "Your Majesty is banning alcohol, but it is this ban that will make the sale of alcohol more profitable."

When Meng Duan heard what Liu Ji said, he couldn't help but roll his eyes!
Liu Ji really dares to say anything, even selling wine.

In order to protect food, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered a ban on alcohol. When the father was banning alcohol and the son was selling alcohol, could the ban on alcohol be implemented?

No!

Putting aside other things, the fact that Zhu Kai is selling wine means that the wine business cannot be banned in the world.

Think about it... Your Majesty is banning alcohol, and the prince is selling alcohol. If Zhu Yuanzhang ordered a thorough investigation of all restaurants in the world, and did not deal with Zhu Kai, but instead dealt with other alcohol merchants, there would be a lot of complaints.

Meng Duan thought that if the Second Prince and Liu Ji could do business together, they would be a match made in heaven.

Of these two, one dares to make suggestions, and the other is very brave and dares to do anything. When it comes to business between these two, Shen Wansan has no chance of success.

But what Zhu Kai said next surprised Meng Duan.

"I'm already doing it." Zhu Kai pointed outside the palace and said, "All the wine shops in Yingtian Prefecture are mine."

"..."

After Liu Ji was stunned, he laughed:
"The Second Prince is indeed a good businessman. I admire him! I admire him!"

But Meng Duan was thinking: I was wrong just now. Even without Liu Ji, Zhu Kai alone could surpass Shen Wansan.

This guy is so brave!

Meng Duan couldn't help but ask Zhu Kai: "Second Prince, if a court official impeached you for selling alcohol, how would you respond?"

Zhu Kai did not answer Meng Duan's question, but pointed to the Maozi with the label torn off on the table: "Meng, how about this wine?"

Meng Duan smacked his lips and said, "I've never tasted this wine before. It's not an exaggeration to say it's unique. It tastes delicious! After drinking it, the fragrance lingers on my lips and teeth, and the aftertaste is long."

"How about giving such a good wine a royal name?"

"Uh... well-deserved."

Meng Duan seemed to have already thought of how Zhu Kai would do the wine business.

Zhu Kai said with a smile: "Since you are worthy of it, my father will write a few words saying that this wine is exclusively supplied to the royal family. Will anyone in the world have any objections?"

Zhu Kai looked at Liu Ji and Meng Duan and said, "My wine is a high-end luxury product. Old Liu just said that this wine is available in Yunnan and Guizhou, but not as good as my wine... Haha, I will buy all the wine in Yunnan and Guizhou, change all the brands to the Royal Specialty Wine, and sell them in different grades. For the third grade, I will exchange ten jars of wine for one bottle of Maozi; for the second grade, I will exchange five jars of wine for one bottle of Maozi; for the first grade, I will exchange one jar of wine for one bottle of Maozi... The price will be increased fivefold for each grade. How do you think?"

When Meng Duan heard Zhu Kai's words, he almost vomited blood.

This guy is actually planning to sell fake wine!
"Good idea!"

Liu Ji smiled, and his eyes showed a shrewd look:

"Second Prince, above the first grade, you should add another top grade!"

“Exquisite, top-notch…all of these are fine!”

Zhu Kai and Liu Ji laughed, all of them were treacherous... Meng Duan couldn't help rolling his eyes, wondering how could the Second Prince be so treacherous.

It doesn't read smoothly!

……

It was impossible for Meng Duan to stay in the palace, he had to leave at a certain time.

Meng Duan left Fengxian Hall as usual.

But he did not leave the palace directly as usual, but went to Wuying Palace.

Wuying Hall is where Zhu Yuanzhang usually met with court officials.

Meng Duan was kept by Zhu Kai, and Zhu Yuanzhang did not say anything, obviously tacitly agreeing that Meng Duan should stay in Yingtian Prefecture.

This meeting with Zhu Yuanzhang was the first time that Meng Duan came to pay a visit to Zhu Yuanzhang after becoming Zhu Kai's chief secretary.

When Zhu Yuanzhang saw Meng Duan, he motioned him to sit over and chat, saying, "Old Meng, you are no longer a minister of the Ming Dynasty. You are now following Kai'er as the chief secretary, so you are one of us. We should not talk behind closed doors. Be casual and don't be restrained."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness."

Meng Duan first bowed to express his gratitude, and then said solemnly: "Etiquette cannot be abolished!"

"I feel relieved to have a secretary like you by Kai'er's side."

Yuan Qi brought the tea over, and Zhu Yuanzhang sat down lazily, leaning against the back of the chair. He looked at Meng Duan who was sitting upright and asked, "How about staying with Kai'er?"

"It's very easy. The Second Prince is very approachable, has no rules or airs, and doesn't have much to do on weekdays. I still have time to go home and hug my grandson."

When talking about the time he spent with Zhu Kai, Meng Duan seemed very happy, and told Zhu Yuanzhang what he usually did. Zhu Yuanzhang nodded repeatedly after hearing it.

This loyal minister gave up his position as the prefect of Yingtian Prefecture for Zhu Biao's growth, and now follows Zhu Kai, which is a good result.

"However... there is one thing I want to remind Your Majesty. Although the Second Prince is intelligent, he seems to have no moral standards."

Meng Duan was very angry when he mentioned that Zhu Kai and Liu Ji were discussing selling fake wine. "Especially the Second Prince and Liu Ji, they are in cahoots with each other... Ahem, Your Majesty must not let them do business together."

"Oh?"

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard about doing business, his eyes lit up and he couldn't help but sit up straight and asked, "Tell me, how did he and Liu Ji collude with each other?"

Very interested and want to listen.

Zhu Yuanzhang already knew the joy of doing business, but most of the business he did was done by Zhu Kai first, and he followed up with a bigger one. He made a lot of money at the time, but the follow-up was basically a steady stream of income.

Zhu Yuanzhang still preferred to do big business with a profit of 40% to 50% at a time and experience the joy of making money.

Now, Zhu Kai is discussing doing business with Liu Ji again, and the profits must be very high.

Meng Duan only knew that Zhu Yuanzhang attached great importance to the power in his hands, but he did not know that Zhu Yuanzhang had now become obsessed with money, so when faced with Zhu Yuanzhang's inquiries, he told him about Zhu Kai and Liu Ji's discussion on selling fake wine.

After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang was very angry. He slapped the armrest of the chair with a gloomy face and said, "This bastard!"

With such a good business, why don’t you think about us!
Meng Duan was very satisfied when he saw Zhu Yuanzhang was angry: "That's right, Your Majesty! Such actions are harming the people. Moreover, Your Majesty has ordered a ban on alcohol, but the Second Prince has chosen to engage in fake wine business. This practice is against Your Majesty's will and should be stopped."

"Yeah, Lao Meng, you are right."

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't wait to find Zhu Kai to discuss the division of the wine and beverage profits.

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't take Meng Duan's words seriously.

How is Kaier deceiving the people by doing fake wine business?

It's clearly a scam to trick the scholars and officials!

Zhu Yuanzhang stood up and said to Meng Duan, "You go back first. I will go find Kai'er now!"

Meng Duan was very satisfied with Zhu Yuanzhang's attitude and felt that only Zhu Yuanzhang could control Zhu Kai.

"Your Majesty, I take my leave."

After saying that, Meng Duan left.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not go to find Zhu Kai immediately, but wrote a few words before going to Fengxian Hall to find Zhu Kai.

When Zhu Kai saw Zhu Yuanzhang, especially his angry face, he was still confused.

What happened to Zhu Yuanzhang? He has been very honest these days and has not caused any trouble. Zhu Yuanzhang looks angry. Who has pissed him off again?
"You traitor!"

When Zhu Yuanzhang saw Zhu Kai, he scolded him directly: "I issued an order to ban alcohol, but you are doing the alcohol business behind my back? And you are selling fake alcohol! You have made us lose face!"

When Lai Fu saw Zhu Yuanzhang's angry look, he was so scared that his legs went weak and he fell to his knees.

When Zhu Kai heard Zhu Yuanzhang's words, he immediately realized that someone had gone to Zhu Yuanzhang to report his selling of wine.

It was impossible for Liu Ji to report.

Luo Guanzhong...even more impossible!
He was Luo Guanzhong's financial backer, and Luo Guanzhong's legs trembled when he saw Zhu Yuanzhang, let alone being a spy.

Then...it's only Meng Duan.

This Old Meng...actually told tales!
However, it doesn't matter this way. I have to go to Zhu Yuanzhang to discuss business anyway. He will know sooner or later.

"Dad, stop pretending." Zhu Kai curled his lips, indicating that his acting skills were not good enough: "Don't you just want a share? Can't we just talk about it?"

Zhu Yuanzhang failed to deceive Zhu Kai, so he could only curse him unhappily as a "rebellious son".

He thought his acting skills were pretty good, and court officials and Zhu Biao were often fooled by him, but why didn't his trick work on Zhu Kai?
Zhu Yuanzhang sat down and said straight to the point: "I want 50%!"

"Fifty percent?"

Zhu Kai laughed and said, "Dad, you are asking for too much. You are taking 50% of the profit without doing anything? Where in the world is there such an easy business?"

"Boy, you have to give me 50% of this wine business!"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked confident of winning and spread the paper in front of Zhu Kai: "These few words are worth 50%!"

Written in black and white on the paper were four words: Made by the Imperial Court.

These four words... Zhu Yuanzhang only wants to take away 50%?

Zhu Kai sneered: "Dad, these four words are worthless!"

After saying that, Zhu Kai saw Zhu Yuanzhang taking off his shoes and about to hit someone, so he immediately dodged to the side and distanced himself from Zhu Yuanzhang: "Dad, let's talk business, don't do it!"

"Rebellious son! Stand right there!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was so angry that he blew his beard and glared, saying: "How dare you say that my calligraphy is worthless? Do you know how many people in the world want my calligraphy but can't get it?"

"Yes, your words are valuable, but they are worthless to me!"

Zhu Kai looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "Let's just say that the wine I'm going to sell is second to none in the world. This is a unique business. Dad, you want to take half of my profit at once. How can this be allowed?"

After hearing what Zhu Kai said, Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a long time, and then said: "Three percent, you must give me three percent profit! Otherwise, don't even think about doing this wine business!"

At this point, Zhu Yuanzhang acted as if he was telling Zhu Kai, "The alcohol ban has not been lifted yet. You are violating our orders by running a liquor business. If I don't punish you, how can I rule the world and let you violate our orders?"

"Prohibition? Are you sure?"

Zhu Kai laughed and held up a finger:
"Dad, I'm not bragging. I just need to offer one condition and your alcohol prohibition will fall apart."

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't believe Zhu Kai's words at all, and then asked: "Can we take back the order we issued personally?"

"Is it?"

Zhu Kai laughed and said to Zhu Yuanzhang, "Dad, I heard that after years of war, people in Huguang, Henan, Shandong and other places are still living in poverty, right? Don't you feel bad to leave such a large area of ​​land there to grow grass?"

"I have a plan that can restore these places to life within three years and make them the granaries of the Ming Dynasty."

After hearing what Zhu Kai said, Zhu Yuanzhang was silent. After a moment of hesitation, he asked Zhu Kai: "Tell me, what idea do you have in mind?"

"hey-hey."

Zhu Kai chuckled, looked up at Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "Dad, if you just give an order, the grain grown in these sparsely populated areas can be used to make wine! With this sentence, can we add another granary to the Ming Dynasty?"

"hiss!"

Zhu Yuanzhang took a breath when he heard Zhu Kai's words.

Why didn't we think of this idea?

Apart from anything else, the fact that the crops grown can be used to make wine is enough to attract countless people.

Merchants are profit-oriented, and huge profits drive people crazy!

In order to make a profit, those businessmen dared to violate the Prohibition and make wine at the risk of their lives. Now Zhu Yuanzhang lifted the ban on the Prohibition, allowing the businessmen to keep their heads and still make wine for profit.

Who doesn't do it?
No fool would do it!
As for whether this order conflicts with Zhu Yuanzhang's previous prohibition on alcohol...

No, there is no conflict at all.

Moreover, after hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's order, all officials would shout "Your Majesty's benevolent rule!"
In those places where there were starving people everywhere, people were living in poverty, and fields were overgrown with grass, Zhu Yuanzhang used business to promote the recovery of people's livelihood in these places... Isn't this a benevolent policy?

This shows that Zhu Yuanzhang was helping the people and solving their urgent problems!
After hearing Zhu Kai's plan, Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a long time...

I have to admit that the plan Zhu Kai proposed is a good plan and is very beneficial to the Ming Dynasty.

This is a great plan!

But it was not enough to make Zhu Yuanzhang give up the wine business that Zhu Kai was planning to do.

"Tell me, how much will you give us?"

Zhu Yuanzhang pointed at the four characters "Palace Imperial Design" and said to Zhu Kai, "How much are these four characters worth? I don't need to tell you, right?"

"It is worthless!"

Zhu Kai shook his head and still insisted on his point of view: "The main consumer groups of the wine I sell are those scholars and wealthy people. They have tried all kinds of good wines. The imperial wines are not very attractive to them. It's okay to cheat ordinary people."

"Besides, I don't need your calligraphy. I can ask my elder brother to write the three words 'Prince Wine' by hand, and people will still flock to buy it."

"Besides, Big Brother will definitely not talk to me about money."

Therefore, there are many alternatives to Zhu Yuanzhang's calligraphy, and it is not necessary to use his calligraphy.

Want a 30% profit?
dream!

"You... you bastard, you rebellious son!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was so angry that he was shaking all over!
He knew that given Zhu Kai's money-obsessed personality, it was simply wishful thinking to expect to make any profit from him.

Although he was angry, Zhu Yuanzhang was still very reasonable when it came to doing business.

He can cultivate other businessmen as leeks.

But Zhu Kai is his own son, why should he be treated like a leek?
The key is that this leek cannot be cut.

Zhu Yuanzhang was angry for a long time, but Zhu Kai just didn't say anything. Zhu Yuanzhang had no choice but to sit on the chair and said, "Tell me, how much do you want?"

"Easy to say."

Zhu Kai looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with a smile, "Half done!"

"Half percent?"

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he stood up angrily and said, "Rebellious son, do you really think I'm a beggar?"

"As long as I can make money, what's wrong with begging?"

Zhu Kai thought of the vast army of beggars in the future and said with a smile:

"It makes money, it's not shabby!"

"Rebel!"

Zhu Yuanzhang gritted his teeth in anger, but facing the stubborn Zhu Kai, he had no choice but to say, "Half is too little, at least 20%!"

Zhu Kai said indifferently: "Then I'll go find my eldest brother!"

"you!"

Zhu Yuanzhang glared at Zhu Kai, "Do you believe I will beat you up?"

"Beat him."

Zhu Kai said as he lay down, "Hurry up and beat him, I'll go find my brother after you're done."

"..."

Zhu Kai insisted on killing Ban Chengli and refused to let him go, so Zhu Yuanzhang had to endure it no matter how angry he was.

There is no profit in beating Zhu Kai, so we still need to negotiate properly.

"One and a half percent! One and a half percent at the lowest!"

Zhu Yuanzhang gritted his teeth and said to Zhu Kai: "Otherwise, no one of us will do this wine business."

"Dad, don't you understand that harmony brings wealth?"

Zhu Kai looked very disappointed. He stood up and said to Zhu Yuanzhang, "Alright, alright, since you want to do business with me so much, I'll give you 10%! No more!"

"In addition, you have to let me take full responsibility for the exclusive rights to the Imperial Court Wine. Also, while you are selling the Imperial Court Wine, you cannot write inscriptions for other wine merchants, otherwise our cooperation will be void."

"According to your!"

Zhu Yuanzhang agreed reluctantly, but still felt unsatisfied and had to get something from the little bastard: "Give me two bottles of that Maozi wine. I want to taste it."

"Okay."

Zhu Kai then took out two bottles of Maozi from the drawer under the table: "It's only for internal use, people outside can't drink it."

"Rebel!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was so angry that he gritted his teeth, but he had no way to deal with Zhu Kai. He could only grab the two taels of wine Zhu Kai gave him and leave Fengxian Hall angrily.

Zhu Kai smiled and sent Zhu Yuanzhang away: "Dad, you won't lose out by taking this 10% profit. Besides, after deducting the costs of brewing the wine, the site requirements, the wages of the winemakers, transportation, etc., how much can I earn?"

Not much, just about ten times the profit.

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't understand.

He felt much better after hearing what Zhu Kai said.

Although I only got 10% of the profit, but a mosquito leg is still meat, right?

After Zhu Kai saw Zhu Yuanzhang off, he immediately put away the four words "Imperial Court Written" on the table.

These four words are worth a fortune!
There can't be any mistakes!
Take it first and we’ll talk about it later.

"Laifu! Laifu!"

Zhu Kai called Lai Fu over and reminded him seriously: "Frame this calligraphy for me. If it gets damaged, I'll slice you into pieces!"

"Yes, Your Highness."

Lai Fu quickly put away Zhu Yuanzhang's calligraphy, but still asked curiously: "Your Highness, don't you dislike His Majesty's calligraphy? Why are you so careful?"

"You know nothing!"

Zhu Kai kicked Lai Fu and said, "This is called business negotiation, don't you understand?"

How can you leave enough profit for yourself without lowering the value of your business competitors?
Old Zhu, Old Zhu, compared with me, you are still a little inexperienced in doing business.

Thinking about those dealers who were crazy about giving him franchise fees, Zhu Kai couldn't stop smiling.

All the hard-earned money must be put into our bowls!

……

Returning to Kunning Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang saw Ma Xiuying sorting a stack of papers and asked curiously, "What is this?"

"Kai'er said this is a contract."

Ma Xiuying showed the deed to Zhu Yuanzhang with a smile, and then explained:
"After he sent Liu Ji away, he came to me and asked for the four characters 'Qiongjiangyuye', saying that he wanted to sell wine, saying that it was wine from the Western Regions. Drinking two glasses a day can invigorate blood circulation, strengthen the tendons, beautify the complexion, and prolong life... Haha, what Kai'er said is quite interesting. He can say so much about a wine."

"That kid is so good at doing business! That bastard is really not like our kind!"

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but complain:
"You're always scratching your head, unlike me... humph!"

In front of Ma Xiuying, Zhu Yuanzhang really couldn't find any words to praise himself. He could only hum a little and then look at the contract signed by Zhu Kai and Ma Xiuying.

When Zhu Yuanzhang saw Ma Xiuying's share, his eyes widened immediately:
"What? Fifty percent?"

"Yes, fifty percent profit."

Ma Xiuying said happily: "Kai'er said that this is what I deserve, and those four words are worth the price."

"This traitor!"

Looking at the 50% profit written in black and white, Zhu Yuanzhang was so jealous.

He had to argue for a long time and still gave it reluctantly after deducting 10% of the interest from Zhu Kai. But to Ma Xiuying, Zhu Kai directly gave 50% of the interest!
Zhu Yuanzhang had the urge to go back to Zhu Kai and hang him up and beat him up.

Isn’t this too bullying?
You were unwilling to accept my 10% interest, and now you are giving your mother 50% interest directly?

Mother is my biological mother, so isn’t father my biological father?

Call ~
"Don't be angry, don't be angry, let's talk business, harmony brings wealth..."

Zhu Yuanzhang tried to calm down his anger, and then he smiled and discussed with Ma Xiuying: "Wife, let me discuss something with you... That rebellious son sells wine, and we are also planning to let Liu Bowen do the wine business. How about we form a partnership? You use this 50% interest deed as capital, and we can do it together as a couple?"

Girl!

"Ha ha……"

Ma Xiuying laughed and looked at Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Yuanzhang also tried hard to keep smiling, but Ma Xiuying took the opportunity when Zhu Yuanzhang was not paying attention and snatched the deed back directly, and replied to Zhu Yuanzhang with two words: "No!"

Then he carefully put the deed away and said, "This is what Kai'er gave me. I have to keep it well. Chongba, I'm not trying to discourage you, but you can't do business as well as Kai'er! That kid is very shrewd. Don't worry about doing business with him."

"..."

So you're not confident about doing business with me.

Zhu Yuanzhang was very depressed and felt that his family status had been lost.

It’s all Zhu Kai’s fault!

The more Zhu Yuanzhang thought about it, the angrier he became. He felt that he had to beat Zhu Kai up to vent his anger.

I looked around and Yuan Qi was not around.

Zhu Yuanzhang could only order Zhang Cheng, the eunuch beside Ma Xiuying: "Zhang Cheng, go hang up that little bastard Zhu Kai and whip him forty times!"

One tenth of the profit is ten whips...

Forty lashes are exactly 40% effective, which is exactly the same as Ma Xiuying's 50% effective!
Zhu Yuanzhang had to find a way to raise his status, otherwise he would be bullied every day.
Zhang Cheng: “…”

He didn't say anything, just stood to one side of the hall, pretending he heard nothing.

If you tell me to go, I will go?

How can it be!

Zhu Yuanzhang saw Zhang Cheng didn't move, his eyes widened with anger, and just as he was about to scold him, he was stopped by Ma Xiuying: "You, you are such a grown-up, and you still care about a child like this, aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"

Ma Xiuying saw that Zhu Yuanzhang was angry with Zhu Kai, so she said something to Zhu Yuanzhang first.

Then he said to Zhang Cheng: "Zhang Cheng, if we don't bully Kai'er, I will still rely on Kai'er to support us in our old age."

Zhang Cheng then bowed and accepted the order: "Yes, Madam."

"you……"

Zhu Yuanzhang felt so disappointed.

It's over!
My status in the family is completely gone.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his sleeves in anger, stood up and walked towards the back hall.

Left behind two words full of resentment:
"go to bed!"

Ma Xiuying shouted to Zhu Yuanzhang from behind: "Are you not going to eat?"

"I'm already full of anger, what the hell!"

Ma Xiuying laughed but said nothing. This old fellow... his desire to win was still so strong. In the past, he would compete with his enemies, and also with his military generals and civil officials. Now that he has become the emperor, he actually wants to compete with his own son.

Really...

A smile appeared on Ma Xiuying's face.

But this kind of noisy family is exactly what she wants to see. Noisy and noisy is what a home is.

"As a father, I am not as good as my son in some aspects, so I am jealous!"

It doesn't read smoothly!

Ma Xiuying muttered something, and then called Zhang Cheng: "Zhang Cheng, His Majesty doesn't want to eat anymore, come and eat with us."

"No need, miss, we're not hungry yet."

Zhang Cheng smiled and politely rejected Ma Xiuying. Although he was Ma Xiuying's retainer, he still had to abide by the rules of the palace.

……

The next day, Meng Duan came to Fengxian Hall as usual.

When Luo Guanzhong saw him, he immediately became sarcastic: "Hey, isn't this your Majesty's retainer, the great retainer Meng? Why did you condescend to come to Fengxian Hall?"

Retainers have existed since the Warring States Period. They are equivalent to counselors of a certain family head and only serve the family head.

But the word "retainers" mentioned by Luo Guanzhong has more or less derogatory meaning.

Meng Duan is Zhu Kai's chief secretary. He eats the food given by Zhu Kai, but now he secretly reports to Zhu Yuanzhang. This is the behavior of a mean person who is servile and treacherous.

"..."

(End of this chapter)