Chapter 166: Chain Stores

Hearing Li Hao's words, Li Xingshan frowned and asked, "Uncle, why do you say that? Even if His Majesty and Zhu Gaoxu have reached an agreement, what does that have to do with us?"

Hearing his nephew ask such a moronic question, Li Hao immediately raged, "What is our Ministry of Rites for?"

"Regardless of anything else, our Ministry of Rites is the legitimate government office for dealing with outsiders. By rights, if His Majesty has any imperial edicts, he should instruct us first, yet now he has told Zhu Gaoxu directly."

"What does this signify?"

Hearing his uncle put it this way, Li Xingshan also understood.

He immediately realized with a start, "Could it be that His Majesty does not trust us?"

After hearing this, Li Hao nodded, sneered, and said, "It's more than just not trusting us; I fear he also looks down on us."

Hearing his uncle's words, Li Xingshan frowned and said nothing.

Subsequently, Li Hao continued, "Zhu Gaoxu knows he is playing a bit too big, and he also knows we cannot play along with him."

"Because we do not know His Majesty's intentions, we must quickly report this matter to His Majesty, and he can then discern His Majesty's attitude from that."

"I reckon that the moment I left, Eunuch Li went to find Zhu Gaoxu right after."

Li Hao was indeed worthy of his background in a prominent noble family; he was truly thoughtful.

Although he hadn't guessed it entirely correctly, he had still guessed eighty or ninety percent of it.

Li Xingshan, standing to the side, had understood, but he still asked with some confusion, "Even so, that wouldn't warrant getting rid of Zhu Gaoxu, would it?"

Hearing his nephew's words, Li Hao snorted coldly and said, "Not only must we get rid of him, but we must also get rid of his father along with him!"

"Why is that?"

Li Xingshan was completely bewildered.

Li Hao sighed and said, "Xingshan, you must remember, what do we noble families rely on to survive?"

"We rely on intricate interpersonal relationships!"

Next, Li Hao finally told Li Xingshan the most direct reason.

"The great succession must be secured by Zhu Biao, and since his son Zhu Xiongying belongs to the military faction, for us civil officials to get ahead, it must be his second son Zhu Yunwen who ascends to power!"

Hearing his uncle's words, even if Li Xingshan were a fool, he would have understood.

For a moment, he felt it difficult to breathe, unable to believe it.

Li Hao, however, continued as if it were only natural, "Right now, His Majesty clearly values Zhu Gaoxu more. Although this threat is not worth mentioning to the Crown Prince, regarding such a major matter, there cannot be the slightest carelessness!"

"Therefore, we must nip all accidents in the bud!"

Hearing Li Hao's words, Li Xingshan instantly understood his meaning.

He then said with some worry, "But Zhu Gaoxu is currently enjoying imperial favor; I fear ordinary methods won't be enough to topple him!"

After hearing this, Li Hao smiled slightly and said, "It would indeed be difficult under normal circumstances, but it is different now. This brat has just happened to deliver the evidence right into our hands!"

As he spoke, Li Hao beckoned, and after Li Xingshan leaned in close, Li Hao whispered into his ear.

Zhu Gaoxu did not yet know that someone was targeting him again.

Returning to the Yan Wangfu, thinking that he still had to attend the morning court with his old man tomorrow, Zhu Gaoxu simply decided not to leave the city and planned to just sleep at the Yan Wangfu.

Of course, it was not yet time to sleep, so he had someone call Li Quan to the residence.

Zhu Gaoxu drank tea in the front hall, waiting for Li Quan's arrival.

Before long, Li Quan trotted into the courtyard.

"Sit."

Zhu Gaoxu set down his teacup, signaling for Li Quan to sit.

Li Quan nodded and sat halfway down beside Zhu Gaoxu.

Zhu Gaoxu then took a one-thousand-tael silver note from his bosom and said, "I brought you here this time because I want you to help this Prince buy a small courtyard in the city. You can decide on the specifics yourself."

Hearing Zhu Gaoxu's words, Li Quan nodded, carefully took the silver note, and then waited for Zhu Gaoxu's further instructions.

He understood in his heart that it was impossible for Zhu Gaoxu to have called him here just to buy a courtyard.

After all, buying a courtyard was not a matter of a day or two; there was no need to be so urgent.

And Li Quan's thoughts were indeed correct; Zhu Gaoxu continued, "You've seen the glass factory outside the city, how is the production?"

Li Quan had clearly done his homework and immediately reported the situation in detail.

Zhu Gaoxu nodded and said, "This Prince will be leaving the capital after the Longevity Festival. The Xianniangfang in the city is easy enough to handle, but you must be extremely careful with the glass factory outside the city; there cannot be a single slip-up."

Hearing Zhu Gaoxu's words, Li Quan nodded solemnly.

And that was not all; Zhu Gaoxu continued, "With this departure from the capital, I fear the earliest I can return is the middle of next year. By then, our Brewery will likely have already opened."

"It is truly a pity that this Prince won't be able to see the opening of this Brewery, but I intend to open chain stores, and I came to discuss this with you this time."

Chain stores?

Li Quan listened with a look of confusion.

Zhu Gaoxu smiled and explained, "Actually, to put it plainly, it means opening our Xianniangfang in other places to earn money in other towns. This time, I just wanted to give you a heads-up."

Hearing Zhu Gaoxu's words, Li Quan's eyes lit up.

Zhu Gaoxu was discussing it with him first—wasn't this a roundabout way of saying that this matter would be under his management in the future!

wap.