Chapter 115: A Tacit Transaction

Zhu Yuanzhang's words were practically naming names; Zhu Gaoxu understood clearly in his heart, but he just sat to one side, silent.

Following that, seeing that his grandson already understood his meaning, Zhu Yuanzhang did not say more, but instead brought up another matter.

"The office for your Divine Weapon Battalion was finished half a month ago. Right now, only Yan Zhenzhi is keeping an eye on it. If you don't have anything going on, you should go take a look; you can't always be an absentee manager, can you?"

Hearing these words from Lao Zhu, Zhu Gaoxu finally remembered that he was still holding the position of Director of Military Equipment.

Moreover, he only just learned that his department's office had been completed.

Truth be told, Zhu Gaoxu felt a bit sorry for old Yan; he felt he was a bit derelict in his duties.

He knew nothing about the situation within the department; he only knew to ask the office for Daming Guns when the time came, and he had ignored everything else.

The key was that old Yan had never sought him out, always working hard without complaint like an old ox; if not for Lao Zhu's reminder today, he would have forgotten about this entirely.

By this point, Lao Zhu's official business was considered completely finished.

Next, he chatted with Zhu Gaoxu about family matters, and subsequently, seeing that Lao Zhu looked weary, Zhu Gaoxu tactfully took his leave.

Just as he walked out of the Imperial Study, Zhu Gaoxu saw Eunuch Li waiting outside the door.

His eyes rolled, Zhu Gaoxu thought of something, then stepped forward to greet him: "This prince greets Eunuch Li."

Seeing Zhu Gaoxu speak this way, Eunuch Li was immediately startled and bowed at once: "Oh my, little ancestor, you must not bow to this servant; this servant cannot bear it."

Eunuch Li truly dared not let Zhu Gaoxu bow to him; if it were anyone else, it would be one thing.

But as someone by Zhu Yuanzhang's side, he was very clear about the position this young master before him held in Lao Zhu's heart.

Even when not seeing him, he often kept the words "little monkey cub" on his lips.

If people found out that this person had actually bowed to him, that would be the end of it.

To put it exaggeratedly, even if Zhu Gaoxu's father, Zhu Di, bowed to him, he would not have such a large reaction.

Zhu Gaoxu clearly had not expected Eunuch Li to be so startled, but in the blink of an eye, he understood the other's meaning.

Simply, Zhu Gaoxu stopped being polite and said immediately: "At present, Grandfather Emperor's birthday is approaching; is everything prepared in the palace?"

"Please rest assured, this old servant has been keeping an eye on this matter; preparations have already begun in the palace."

Hearing Eunuch Li's words, Zhu Gaoxu nodded, then hinted: "Has the wine for the palace been prepared?"

Eunuch Li did not know what Zhu Gaoxu meant for a moment, but he dared not be negligent and replied immediately: "Please rest assured, not only are there fine wines offered as tribute by various countries, but our local fine brews are also all complete."

Hearing these words from Eunuch Li, Zhu Gaoxu deliberately furrowed his brows, his expression somewhat unhappy: "Are you sure these fine brews are complete?"

Seeing Zhu Gaoxu's expression and tone, Eunuch Li was suddenly flustered.

Although he had already confirmed it over a dozen times, if there were truly a problem and someone found it, that would be entirely his fault.

Thinking this, Eunuch Li said somewhat anxiously: "Little ancestor, do you have some matter to instruct this old servant on?"

Seeing that Eunuch Li was already flustered, Zhu Gaoxu then said unhurriedly: "This prince previously entered the palace to give Grandfather Emperor a few jars of fine brew; you know about this, right? A few days ago when I came to see Grandfather Emperor, Grandfather Emperor kept praising how good the wine I brought was; you know about this too, right?"

Zhu Gaoxu really wasn't lying; last time Zhu Gaoxu visited Lao Zhu, Lao Zhu indeed said Zhu Gaoxu's wine was not bad, and even said it was worthy of the sign he had personally written.

And once Eunuch Li heard this, he suddenly realized.

"Oh my, thanks to you, little ancestor; if the Emperor remembered this taste during his birthday and this old servant hadn't prepared it, this old servant's head would likely not be safe."

Saying this, he was about to kneel and kowtow to Zhu Gaoxu.

Although this was said somewhat exaggeratedly, while Zhu Yuanzhang would not necessarily kill Eunuch Li for this, a reprimand would be unavoidable.

If it were more serious, and Eunuch Li were removed from his post, that would truly be no different from killing him.

What do eunuchs rely on to stand in this palace? It is the Emperor's favor.

Especially for a high-ranking eunuch like Eunuch Li, he had stepped over who knows how many heads to get there.

Once he lost power, who knows how many people would want his life.

Therefore, it was the truth that Zhu Gaoxu's reminder was a huge help to Eunuch Li.

And Eunuch Li also knew that since Zhu Gaoxu had said this, he definitely had an idea.

Eunuch Li could climb to this position in the palace, so he was certainly not a brainless person.

After a slight thought, he understood Zhu Gaoxu's meaning.

But Eunuch Li did not state it clearly; instead, he feigned ignorance and said: "Little ancestor, you must save this old servant; who inside or outside the palace doesn't know that only you can produce that immortal brew?"

Hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu did not refute it, but pondered slightly, then said somewhat embarrassedly: "Logically speaking, for a junior like me to be filial to my grandfather is only right and proper, but you don't know about this wine; the production cost is too high, and the key is that even the bottles for packaging are top-tier treasures."