Chapter 175: The Longevity Festival Banquet Begins

Just like that, Zhu Gaoxu and Guo Zhen stayed in the small courtyard until the afternoon.

At this time, the restrictions on Zhu Gaoxu and the other were finally lifted.

Zhu Yuanzhang announced for everyone to go to the Fengtian Hall.

Zhu Gaoxu and Guo Zhen walked out of the small courtyard.

Following behind Empress Ma and the others, they headed toward the Fengtian Hall.

Upon arriving at the Fengtian Hall, the various officials were already there, and envoys from various countries were also there to offer birthday wishes to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Seeing Empress Ma arrive, the crowd offered their greetings one after another.

Zhu Yuanzhang also hurriedly had Empress Ma sit by his side, then immediately arranged for the others to take their seats.

Although Zhu Gaoxu's rank was not high, his status was what it was, and he was also Zhu Yuanzhang's beloved grandson, so naturally, his seat was positioned relatively far forward.

As everyone took their seats, Zhu Yuanzhang gave a wave of his hand, and then a group of beauties walked onto the hall; the musicians began to play, and as the palace music rose, a group of singing girls began to dance.

And immediately following, Eunuch Li also clapped his hands at the opportune moment.

Then a group of palace maids brought up the fine wine that Zhu Gaoxu had presented as tribute.

Zhu Yuanzhang was clearly seeing wine in glass bottles for the first time, and the other officials were the same.

Looking at the glass bottles, which were as smooth as mirrors and transparent, everyone could not help but curiously take them in their hands to fiddle with them.

Even without drinking the wine inside, the packaging alone added three parts to its appeal.

And at this moment, someone discovered that there were actually eight large characters engraved on the glass bottle.

The sun and moon, the mountains and rivers, may they flourish for all eternity!

Another glass bottle was likewise engraved with eight large characters.

The Great Ming landscape, may the people be healthy and the goods abundant!

Seeing this scene, Zhu Yuanzhang was immediately delighted.

He slapped the Dragon Desk and said, "Reward the person who presented this wine!"

Eunuch Li immediately replied in Zhu Yuanzhang's ear, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this wine was presented by the Nanyang Commandery Prince. Such a novel item, even this old servant finds it astonishing to behold upon seeing it for the first time."

Zhu Yuanzhang guessed in his heart that it must have been something Zhu Gaoxu cooked up.

But this time, it truly made him very happy.

He secretly thought, "This little monkey did a beautiful job!"

Nodding, Zhu Yuanzhang said to Eunuch Li, "Reward the Nanyang Commandery Prince by having him come forward to drink with Us."

Eunuch Li nodded after hearing this, then walked toward Zhu Gaoxu.

At this moment, Zhu Gaoxu was secretly feeling proud.

He watched as a group of officials, like country bumpkins, held the glass bottles and were incredibly delighted.

There were even some who wanted to finish the wine quickly so they could hide the glass bottle on their person and take it back.

Who would have thought that after just two sips, they would already show signs of intoxication.

Many people present knew that this item was created by Zhu Gaoxu; after all, while they hadn't seen the glass bottles, they had previously drunk similar fine wine at the banquet hosted by Zhu Di.

Seeing this, quite a few people walked toward Zhu Gaoxu to ask where they could buy this kind of wine.

"After the Longevity Festival, you will naturally know. When the time comes, this wine will be officially sold, and I hope all my uncles and elders will show their support."

Hearing this, the group nodded, just about to continue exchanging pleasantries.

Eunuch Li, however, walked over.

"Your Highness the Prince, the Emperor has issued an edict for you to come forward to drink with him."

Hearing Eunuch Li's words, the group tactfully dispersed, and Zhu Gaoxu, before his seat was even warm, followed Eunuch Li to the very front.

The number of people qualified to be by Lao Zhu's side could be counted on one hand.

Besides Empress Ma, there was only the Crown Prince Zhu Biao.

Now there was an additional Zhu Gaoxu.

Just like that, Zhu Gaoxu sat behind a newly added table.

And Lao Zhu, seeing this, said to Zhu Gaoxu, "Little monkey, I ask you, what is this transparent thing, and how exactly was it made?"

Hearing Lao Zhu's words, Zhu Gaoxu understood in his heart that Lao Zhu had his eye on this piece of fat.

Understanding this, Zhu Gaoxu did not beat around the bush with Lao Zhu and said directly, "If Imperial Grandfather likes it, then take a share; you don't need to pay, I'll give you half the profits."

Lao Zhu nodded with satisfaction upon hearing Zhu Gaoxu's words, but he did not speak.

Instead, he poured out the wine from the glass bottle and began to drink.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu could only continue, "Fine, I'll give you half the profits from the wine as well."

Hearing this, Lao Zhu finally laughed out loud.

"You little monkey, it seems I haven't doted on you in vain; let these be considered your tribute to me."

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu put on a helpless expression.

In fact, this was all part of the plan he had already made.

Why insist on waiting until after Lao Zhu's birthday banquet to sell the Drunken Immortal Brew?

For one, although there was the intention to advertise.

But another reason was to get Lao Zhu involved as well.

Even if Lao Zhu hadn't brought it up, Zhu Gaoxu would have taken the initiative to say it.

The reason was simple: Jingcheng was a place where all sorts of people gathered, and his Wangfu alone could not handle such a large operation, at least not for now.

The profit from selling wine was too great; profits a hundred or a thousand times higher were sitting right there.

No one would be unmoved.

Even if you are a Prince, it wouldn't work!

But with Lao Zhu there to hold down the fort, it was different.

Who would dare to easily touch a business belonging to the Imperial family?

Are they not afraid of losing their heads?

And although Lao Zhu did not know what Zhu Gaoxu was thinking, he had also inquired about the profits involved.

Otherwise, he would never have bothered to ask a junior for any profits.

Seeing that he had already taken quite a few benefits from the little monkey, and thinking that he should set off and leave tomorrow, Zhu Yuanzhang could not help but say to Zhu Gaoxu: "You are to leave tomorrow; have you prepared everything?"