Chapter 116: Should I buy a skewer of candied haws to coax him?

"You might not believe me when I say this, but forget about the wine; consider it a filial gesture from a junior to Imperial Grandfather. However, the packaging for the wine is no less impressive than the wine itself. This is truly not me trying to fool you, Your Excellency; you will see for yourself when the time comes."

Upon hearing these words from Zhu Gaoxu, how could Eunuch Li not understand his meaning?

Never mind the packaging or whether he believed it or not; those were matters for later.

It was clear that Zhu Gaoxu was looking for a benefit.

In truth, this matter was really nothing to Eunuch Li.

For one, even if it cost money, it wouldn't be his money; it would be the palace's money.

For another, he was the Grand Superintendent of the palace; this matter was really just a word and a stroke of the pen for him.

After understanding Zhu Gaoxu's intent, Eunuch Li immediately stated, "Oh my, little ancestor, as long as you have that wine, everything is negotiable. We shall just treat it as a palace procurement when the time comes."

Hearing Eunuch Li's words, Zhu Gaoxu immediately changed his expression and feigned anger, saying, "As Imperial Grandfather's grandson, how could I take Imperial Grandfather's money for things from my own home? What would Imperial Grandfather think of me if he found out?"

Eunuch Li rolled his eyes and understood Zhu Gaoxu's meaning.

Eunuch Li immediately reached out and slapped his own face, saying, "Oh my, this old servant spoke wrongly."

"This old servant just remembered that not only is the wine in the palace insufficient, but we are also lacking in silks, satins, and ingredients for the birthday celebration, which will require a large sum of money to purchase. The wine you are offering happens to solve this old servant's urgent need. I will record it for you now: Nanyang Commandery Prince offers wine..."

Speaking to this point, Eunuch Li paused and looked at Zhu Gaoxu.

Zhu Gaoxu muttered in a low voice, "It seems there are only two thousand bottles."

Although Zhu Gaoxu's voice was soft, it was heard clearly by Eunuch Li.

He immediately continued, "Offering two thousand bottles of wine!"

Hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu nodded with satisfaction and then said with a chuckle, "I'm not bragging, but my wine sells for at least fifty taels of silver a bottle outside. If you were craving a drink, it would be forty taels, but for Imperial Grandfather's birthday, let alone me, even if the entire Yan Wangfu were to go bankrupt, we would not hesitate!"

Hearing Zhu Gaoxu's words, Eunuch Li's face immediately crinkled into a smile like a chrysanthemum, and he nodded, saying, "Little ancestor, this old servant thanks you."

Just like that, the two foxes, one big and one small, smiled at each other and then took their leave.

Eunuch Li's words just now were very simple: he meant to use funds earmarked for other supplies to purchase Zhu Gaoxu's wine.

And Zhu Gaoxu's wine would be presented to Zhu Yuanzhang as a tribute.

Zhu Gaoxu's indication was also very direct.

He let Eunuch Li calculate it at fifty taels of silver per bottle; two thousand bottles would be one hundred thousand taels of silver, and since Eunuch Li would earn a ten-tael difference per bottle, that would be equivalent to pocketing twenty thousand taels of silver for free.

Watching Zhu Gaoxu walk away, Eunuch Li found himself in a difficult spot.

While money is easy to earn and seems right before one's eyes, it is not so easy to make up for a shortfall of one hundred thousand taels of silver.

He sighed, secretly feeling fortunate that there was still some time before Zhu Yuanzhang's birthday, so it was not impossible to manage...

As for Zhu Gaoxu, after parting ways with Eunuch Li.

Zhu Gaoxu headed straight for his Divine Weapon Battalion.

Fortunately, he had Ada and the others with him; otherwise, he really wouldn't have known where his newly established government office was.

The more he thought about it, the more ashamed Zhu Gaoxu felt.

And it was as if the heavens themselves could not stand to watch Zhu Gaoxu anymore.

By the time Zhu Gaoxu rode at full speed to the entrance of his office, he was actually blocked at the door by his own yamen runners.

"Where did this little brat come from? This is not a place you should be."

Ada, behind him, saw a lowly runner daring to speak to Zhu Gaoxu like that and immediately stepped forward to teach him a lesson.

However, just as Ada made a move, he was stopped by Zhu Gaoxu.

The office had been built for half a month, and the people under him had never even seen their own direct superior; Zhu Gaoxu could only admit that this one was on him.

Knowing he was in the wrong, Zhu Gaoxu did not get angry, but instead said to the runner in a friendly manner, "I am the Nanyang Commandery Prince, Zhu Gaoxu. Go call Yan Zhenzhi out to see me."

Upon hearing Zhu Gaoxu's identity, the runner was stunned, then looked at the four Embroidered Uniform Guards behind Zhu Gaoxu and immediately confirmed Zhu Gaoxu's identity.

And then, thinking of something else, his eyes suddenly turned fearful.

Nanyang Commandery Prince... wasn't that his direct superior, the Director of Military Equipment? Rumor had it that their Director of Military Equipment was a four-year-old child, and the person before him matched perfectly.

At this moment, the runner felt like dying.

He had only been transferred here for less than half a month and had already offended his direct superior; what was he to do?

Should he buy a skewer of candied haws to coax him?

After all, his own five-year-old child loved that treat.

Although countless thoughts flashed through his mind, the runner's expression changed very quickly.

He first bowed respectfully to Zhu Gaoxu, then put on a smile uglier than crying and said, "Your Highness, please wait a moment; this lowly one will go call Director Yan immediately."

Saying this, he stumbled as he ran inside.

The other runner on duty beside him felt a sense of relief; fortunately, it wasn't him who had spoken just now, or he would be the one dead.

Thinking this, the other runner stood even straighter, hoping to leave a good impression on his direct superior—and, of course, hoping not to get caught in the crossfire.