Chapter 118: Li Quan

"Hmm, I will draw another blueprint now; you can hand it to the craftsmen to look over later."

After speaking, he picked up the paper and brush on the table and began to draw.

This time, Zhu Gaoxi drew very slowly, stopping from time to time to add notes to certain places.

Sometimes, while drawing, he would think of something and then go back to supplement it.

This drawing took half a day; at noon, Zhu Gaoxi took the opportunity to have a meal with Yan Zhenzhi at a restaurant outside, then returned to continue drawing the blueprint.

Finally, after writing and drawing on a total of over twenty sheets of paper, Zhu Gaoxi finally put down his brush.

Handing the stack of paper to Yan Zhenzhi, Zhu Gaoxi instructed: "Give these blueprints to those old craftsmen and see if they can actually be forged. This matter will likely require experienced blacksmiths; see if you can find some. If there are any difficulties, tell me, and I will resolve them for you."

Yan Zhenzhi took the blueprints from Zhu Gaoxi and looked at them. Clearly, he could not understand what was inside. After carefully putting the blueprints away, Yan Zhenzhi nodded.

Zhu Gaoxi, who had been drawing blueprints for half a day, stretched, and then said to Yan Zhenzhi: "Later, establish a new department within the yamen, mainly for researching various implements. For example, like the Daming Gun, look at its principles, see if there is room for optimization, or manufacture more optimized firearms on this basis. Additionally, while researching, one must also invent; see if you can come up with some fresh things yourselves."

Upon hearing this, Yan Zhenzhi immediately understood what Zhu Gaoxi meant, and then asked: "Then what should this department be called, and how should we select personnel?"

"Just call it the Research Department. It belongs to our own internal changes. Later, I will greet the Imperial Grandfather to see if we can get a rank for it. As for the specific candidates, of course, the capable shall occupy the positions. Later, find someone among the craftsmen who is capable and can command respect to report to me."

After finishing the official business, Zhu Gaoxi did not continue to stay in his yamen, but planned to go to his Xianniangfang to take a look.

Leaving the yamen of the Divine Weapon Battalion, Zhu Gaoxi arrived at the Xianniangfang, which he had not visited for a long time.

The red cloth on the plaque at the entrance had not yet been removed, but there was not a speck of dust on it; clearly, Li Quan had sent people to clean it often.

Entering and knocking on the door, a manservant opened it. Seeing that it was Zhu Gaoxi, he hurriedly bowed.

Waving his hand, Zhu Gaoxi walked into the shop and headed straight for the backyard.

As soon as he entered the backyard, a rich fragrance of wine assailed his nostrils.

Although there was a wine fragrance outside, it was nowhere near as rich as it was inside.

Zhu Gaoxi had a feeling that if one stayed inside for a long time, it could even intoxicate them.

Shaking his head to bring his thoughts back to reality, Zhu Gaoxi had someone call over Li Quan, who was busy bookkeeping.

"This humble one greets the Master."

Zhu Gaoxi raised his hand, signaling for Li Quan to forgo the formalities.

With time tight and the task heavy, Zhu Gaoxi could not be bothered to exchange pleasantries with Li Quan and asked directly about the business.

"The glass bottles have all been received, right?"

"Received!"

Speaking of the glass bottles, even though quite some time had passed, Li Quan still could not help but admire Zhu Gaoxi.

In his entire life, he had never seen such clear and transparent treasures.

First fine wine, then glass—what else could this master before him possibly do!

Zhu Gaoxi could not be bothered to care what Li Quan was thinking; he nodded and then said: "How much of the current stock of wine can be filled according to the size of the glass bottles?"

After pondering for a moment, Li Quan replied: "That glass bottle can hold about one jin. Our current stock of wine can fill at least three thousand bottles."

After hearing this, Zhu Gaoxi nodded and said: "Have people fill the bottles now. In a few days, people from the palace should come looking for you. Take one thousand bottles each of the ones engraved with idioms and hand them over to them."

"Still follow what I instructed before: keep the high-proof and low-proof wines separated."

Zhu Gaoxi had already explained the issue of wine proof to Li Quan before.

Li Quan was able to understand this, so he nodded and immediately called over a manservant, giving the instructions in front of Zhu Gaoxi.

He was the shopkeeper; he did not need to do this kind of work himself. After Zhu Gaoxi left, he would just go and supervise.

Afterward, Li Quan turned around again, waiting for Zhu Gaoxi's instructions.

And Zhu Gaoxi indeed had more to say to Li Quan: "With your brain, you must have already guessed that the reason the palace wants wine this time is because the Imperial Grandfather's birthday is almost here. This matter cannot be handled carelessly; put aside the work in your hands and supervise it personally."

"Rest assured, Master, this humble one understands."

"Hmm, I trust you with your work. Additionally, I have already set the price for this wine. Once the Imperial Grandfather's birthday passes, we will officially open for business!"

Hearing these words from Zhu Gaoxi, Li Quan felt a surge of joy in his heart.

He knew all too well whether this wine could make a profit, especially when paired with those glass bottles; the price could be multiplied several times over.

And once they officially opened for business, he would also get a share of the profits.

Resisting the joy in his heart, Li Quan could not help but ask: "What price does the Master intend to set?"

"The Drunken Immortal Brew in ordinary bottles will be one hundred and fifty taels of silver; the Drunken Immortal Brew engraved with congratulatory messages will be two hundred taels for the low-proof and two hundred and eighty taels for the high-proof!"

After Zhu Gaoxi finished saying this, Li Quan's legs went weak, and he almost sat down on the ground.

Fortunately, there was a table next to him, which allowed him to steady himself and avoid falling and making a fool of himself.