Chapter 219: The Current State of Xianniangfang

Next, A Si began to introduce the situation at Xianniangfang in detail.

At the very beginning, when Xianniangfang opened, many high-ranking officials and nobles came to make purchases.

But once they heard that a single bottle cost over a hundred taels of silver, everyone felt it was too expensive.

However, thinking about it, it made sense; it was a crystal-like bottle, and it was a fine wine they had never tasted before.

Upon closer consideration, the price was not actually too high.

But having said that, a bottle held at most one jin of wine, and starting at one hundred and eighty taels of silver—that was just for the cheapest one.

Many people expressed that they could not accept it.

But since they had already arrived, whether it was out of respect for Zhu Gaoxu, respect for Zhu Di, or because they cared about their own face.

Since they had come and even asked for the price, they were all people of status and felt embarrassed not to buy.

Therefore, basically everyone bought one bottle, and it sold out very quickly.

But soon, when some wealthy merchants or other officials came to buy, they discovered that it had already sold out.

To some people, this meant the wine was a rare commodity to be hoarded.

Some wine-loving military officers or civil officials, upon hearing that a colleague had managed to buy wine from Xianniangfang, would shamelessly pay them a visit, regardless of whether they were close or not.

For a time, the officials in Jingcheng seemed to have all become well-acquainted.

A minor fourth-rank official, simply because he had bought wine from Xianniangfang, had several high-ranking first or second-rank officials knock on his door to visit that very noon.

This left that official flattered and overwhelmed; later, at the wine table, he called those high officials brothers, and after learning the reason, he became even more determined that no matter how expensive the wine was, he had to keep it stocked at home.

This wasn't just wine; this was a path to promotion!

Or, two officials of similar rank who were not familiar before met because of this wine and instead became acquainted, both benefiting greatly.

And after some wealthy merchants or prominent families bought the wine, their status and standing seemed to rise significantly.

Praised by their friends, they had plenty of face for a time!

Consequently, the number of people buying wine the next day increased more than tenfold.

For a time, the entire Jingcheng went crazy over it!

Of course, there were some blind thugs who wanted to cause trouble, but don't forget.

This was a business of the Wangfu of the Prince of Yan; ordinary people naturally could not touch it.

Once, when pushed to the limit, someone wanted to smash the sign of Xianniangfang.

Li Quan, also pushed to the limit, pointed directly at the sign and said, "This plaque was written by the current Emperor himself; if you aren't afraid of having your nine generations executed, then go ahead and smash it!"

Upon hearing this, the thug was so scared he wet his pants, and from then on, no one dared to provoke Xianniangfang again.

And the business of Xianniangfang reached an even higher level because of this incident.

It is said that the wine from Xianniangfang is now being traded at sky-high prices on the black market.

Some are even offering gold to purchase it.

And A Si returning to Jingcheng this time was naturally to collect the money.

The news had long since spread, and now some grain merchants from nearby had already gathered in Huangshan Town.

How could one manage at a time like this without money?

Asking Lao Zhu for it was something Zhu Gaoxu was unwilling to do from the bottom of his heart.

Did he really think the eighty thousand taels of silver brought from the Imperial Palace were earned with a black heart?

That was taking the opportunity in advance to ask for the money to buy grain.

As for the rest, it was naturally to be taken from his own hands.

However, Zhu Gaoxu did not feel much heartache over this.

How many days had it been since he came out?

He already had so much silver.

Money is just like that; the more you spend, the more you have; it isn't saved up.

Currency must circulate!

Thinking this, Zhu Gaoxu nodded and then signaled for A Si to continue.

Upon seeing this, A Si did not hesitate in the slightest and continued, "After your subordinate took the money from Manager Li, I followed your instructions, Your Highness, and went to the Imperial Palace to see the Emperor."

Hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu nodded and asked, "Did you hand the letter to the Imperial Grandfather?"

"I handed it over personally."

"What did the Imperial Grandfather say?"

"The Emperor didn't say anything, he just nodded and cursed, 'Little monkey brat'."

Hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but laugh, then nodded and asked, "Did you bring the other things, the people, and the goods?"

Since Zhu Gaoxu had gone to the trouble of sending someone to Jingcheng, he naturally couldn't say he only handled two matters; after all, the trip back and forth was not easy.

And A Si, hearing Zhu Gaoxu's words, replied, "Your subordinate was afraid you would be worried, Your Highness, so I came back first to report; the people and goods are behind, and I estimate they will arrive in these two days."

Hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu said with satisfaction, "This Prince knows. You have worked hard on this journey, go back and rest."

A Si nodded after hearing this, said no more, bowed, and withdrew.

Zhu Gaoxu did not stop for a moment; he turned and went to the Study, then called for Ada.

"Ada, take this ten thousand taels of silver, buy some grain first, and then place it in the various counties of Shandong. Cooperating with the grain released by the local government offices, it should be enough to temporarily solve the grain problem in Shandong province."

As he spoke, Zhu Gaoxu took out the ten thousand taels in silver notes.

But at this moment, Ada hesitated slightly.

Although he took the silver notes, his feet did not move.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu frowned and asked with some displeasure, "Why haven't you gone to handle it yet?"

Hearing this, Ada then said, "Your Highness, this move of yours is no different from drinking poison to quench thirst. Do you know how terrifying the price of grain in Huangshan Town has become now?"