The entire Ming Dynasty was immersed in endless laughter today. Zhu Yuanzhang was so happy that he abandoned his usual frugality and held a banquet to entertain the envoys and the princess!

The main hall was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.

Looking at the East Island side, everyone's face was filled with dejection, especially the princess, who least wanted to see Zhu Yunwen right now!

If that bastard makes me kneel down in front of so many people, I'll definitely kill him!

However, Zhu Yunwen didn't take her seriously at all, and didn't even glance at her.

"The trade documents between the Ming Dynasty and Dongdao have been drafted. Once the envoy has reviewed them and found no problems, we will arrange for the formal communication!"

The envoy from the Eastern Island took the document and looked at it for a long time, his brows furrowing in worry.

Zhu Yuanzhang was truly cunning and shrewd; relying on his victory over Dongdao, he pushed the conditions down as low as they could go!

"Your Majesty, aren't there some issues with the terms in this document?"

"Which point is the envoy dissatisfied with?"

"For example, the import tax rate on grain is a bit high, and the export tax rate on seafood is too low."

Zhu Yunwen reached out and patted the envoy from the Eastern Island.

"Brother, your price keeps fluctuating, how can I finally satisfy you?"

The envoy from the Eastern Island trembled and looked at Zhu Yunwen.

"I'm just wondering if we can balance the tariffs on these things, otherwise Dongdao will be at a huge disadvantage?"

Zhu Yunwen raised an eyebrow.

"The things from our Great Ming Dynasty are quite different from those from your island nation, so it's natural that they're a bit more expensive."

The envoy then turned his pleading gaze to Zhu Yuanzhang.

“We’re getting old, it’s time to let the younger generation take the lead. We agree with the Grandson’s suggestion. There’s something quite good about your Eastern Island!”

As he spoke, he waved his hand, signaling the palace maids to bring up the food made with carrots.

Upon seeing that it was a radish, the ministers frowned.

Why does His Majesty have to put on a show of reminiscing about past hardships and appreciating present happiness at a victory celebration banquet?

Zhu Yuanzhang picked up a piece and put it in his mouth, the crunching sound echoing between his lips and teeth.

Seeing the Emperor's satisfied expression, the ministers also picked up the radishes on the table and put them in their mouths.

A faint sweetness rushed into my throat; it tasted really good!

The envoy was proud to see that even His Majesty of the Ming Dynasty liked his local specialties so much!

"These are newly grown fruits and vegetables on Dongdao Island, and they're unique right now!"

Zhu Yunwen was somewhat disdainful, thinking that he could grow this wonderful thing by grafting vegetables, but now was not the right time.

"Hmm, it instantly sobered me up, and it tastes sweet and refreshing. It's really a great food!"

"I felt like I had gas in my stomach earlier, but I feel much better after eating!"

"That's right, I always felt like something was stuck in my stomach, but now it feels much better!"

Zhu Yunwen seemed to already see these scholars and military officials enjoying themselves in the latrines after returning home. He estimated that their residences would be filled with the sound of firecrackers tonight!

As everyone was eating, another dish of radish soup was served.

The broth was so rich and vibrant that even the princess didn't recognize it as her own local specialty!

Thinking to myself, the Ming Dynasty is truly wonderful; such ingredients are a waste if left on the Eastern Island!

The envoy and Zhu Yuanzhang discussed the trade issue for a long time and finally reached a consensus!

You could say this is all thanks to the carrots!

Zhu Yunwen was a little bored at this moment. He slowly walked to the Imperial Garden. The moon was very round and bright!

The cold wind instantly sobered him up considerably.

Zhu Yunwen walked slowly forward, when he saw a graceful figure appear in front of him.

"Your Highness, have you had too much to drink?"

As she spoke, the woman pressed herself against Zhu Yunwen with her softness.

He had never seen anything like this before, and he instantly got the hang of it.

Having just drunk alcohol, he grabbed the woman in front of him.

Thinking she had succeeded, the woman pounced on Zhu Yunwen as if she were a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey.

"Your Highness, shall I serve you tonight?"

Zhu Yunwen nodded and followed the woman into the depths of the Imperial Garden.

The two slowly drew closer and closer, and just as they were about to touch, a cold dagger was pressed against the woman's neck.

Zhao Qingzhu suddenly appeared and stared at the woman.

Zhu Yunwen's eyes also turned cold as he stared at the woman and rebuked her:

"Tell me, who sent you?"

The woman was startled. Had her affair been discovered?

"What is it, Your Highness? This servant does not understand."

"I'll only ask you who sent you!" Zhu Yunwen said.

The woman shook her head. Zhu Yunwen told Zhao Qingzhu to take the palace maid away first, and then walked towards the East Palace.

He had a feeling that this assassination attempt on him was probably not simple, and that there might be other things going on.

Sure enough, Zhu Yuanzhang summoned him to the imperial study the next day.

"We received a memorial today; there seems to be some unusual activity in the desert. What do you think?"

Zhu Yunwen glanced at the memorial, then at the remaining silver in the national treasury.

"Grandpa Emperor, the desert is a remote place where water and food are problems. If we want to appease people, we need to provide them with something that will allow them to live!"

Zhu Yuanzhang thought so too, but the national treasury was tight and there was no more silver to give to the desert.

"The most important thing right now is to replenish the national treasury. If we rashly ask officials to donate, they will definitely exploit us layer by layer, and then the people will suffer again!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was furious when he heard this. Those officials seemed so respectable on ordinary days, but they were useless when it came to the crucial moment!

Asking for donations, especially money, is like skinning them alive.

Zhu Yunwen frowned: "If you want those officials to spend money, they have to be willing!"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked, "Tell me, how can we get everyone to spend money willingly?"

Zhu Yunwen took out a jar of wine.

Zhu Yuanzhang examined it carefully; the wine jar was exquisitely crafted, and there was a piece of paper on it.

There was a sentence printed on the paper, which looked like a couplet or a poem.

Zhu Yuanzhang asked, "I don't quite understand why there are these things on the wine jars?"

Zhu Yunwen: "This is the wine I distilled, but it's far inferior to my grandfather's. Your wine is a bit too expensive! There's a couplet or a poem on it, but only the first or second line!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was somewhat puzzled and asked why.

"Grandpa, don't you want to know the next line after seeing the first one?"

"Of course! Now I just want to know what the second line of this jar of wine is!"

Zhu Yunwen smiled: "This special-supply wine is sold exclusively to literati and officials, and we've limited the quantity, so they'll definitely be scrambling to buy it."

"I'll release another matching couplet in three months, and I can make another fortune!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was taken aback: "Your idea is good, Grandson, but we're afraid those literati won't buy it!"

"Your Majesty, you can rest assured. With the addition of the word 'limited quantity,' the value of this thing will increase several times over!" Zhu Yunwen said confidently.

Zhu Yuanzhang came from a poor background, so he certainly didn't understand the competitive mentality among those officials.

"I'm leaving the rest to you!"