A burly man emerged from the crowd carrying a tael or two of loose silver.

Everyone's attention was drawn to him, wanting to see what was inside the cloth bag.

After receiving the money, Xiao Si let the burly man choose a cloth bag.

The burly man casually picked one out, and it turned out to be a pair of jade earrings!

This thing is worth more than a tael of silver. The burly man happily took the earring and went home.

This was like throwing a huge stone into a calm lake; the crowd surged forward, and everyone stepped forward to ask for a cloth bag as well.

Xiao Si tried his best to maintain order, but unfortunately, the people were pushing and shoving each other, creating chaos.

Behind the second-floor curtain, Zhu Yunwen leisurely sipped his tea.

Lantian across the street looked down and clicked his tongue.

"Today's scene isn't spectacular yet. I dare say this street will be packed with people in three days. Then my cousin can count his money!"

Lantian still doesn't believe that anyone would want a jar of wine for 100 taels!

Before long, Xiao Si came in with the silver and the account book.

I never expected to earn over forty taels of silver in such a short time!

What exactly is in your bag?

"There are expensive ones and cheap ones, most of them are beverage coupons!"

What are coupons?

"It means you can save money on wine, but it's nothing compared to a jar costing a hundred taels!"

Lan Tian nodded as if he understood, but not quite. He seemed to understand, yet he also seemed not to understand!

After finishing his tea, Zhu Yunwen handed Lantian a cylindrical object.

"This is called a loudspeaker. I reckon you'll need it the day after tomorrow!"

After saying that, he got into his carriage through the back door, but as soon as he got in, he seemed to remember something.

He lifted the curtain.

"By the way, you'd better park your carriage in the back alley that day too!"

Lantian didn't take any of this seriously at all, and was still waiting to see Zhu Yuntong make a fool of himself.

If there's no one there on opening day, you can't blame yourself!

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Zhu Yunwen only came to the restaurant that day, and ran away in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn!

More and more people gathered in the streets, and horse-drawn carriages began to block the roads.

As more and more people gathered at the entrance, Lan Tian finally stood on the second-floor balcony.

"Dear customers, our shop sells wines and spirits. To celebrate our opening, we are launching a limited edition of a wine that is appreciated for its poetry and literary elements. Each jar of wine is worth one hundred taels of silver. We hope you will come and purchase it!"

Upon hearing this, everyone complained, wondering what kind of wine could cost so much money.

Some people looked at the coupons in their hands and realized they could only be used to redeem five taels of silver.

What good is that?

"This batch of our poetry appreciation wine only includes the first line or the first half of the couplet. The second line and the second half will be available for sale in three months. Moreover, you will need proof of purchase for this batch of wine to buy it!"

People finally understood, and a well-dressed young man walked out of the crowd with a hundred-tael silver ingot.

"I'll have a jar!"

Lan Tian was stunned. Someone actually bought this liquor?

Looking out the window, it was indeed an old acquaintance; this fellow was none other than the youngest son of the Minister of Rites!

"Give me a jar too!"

"You all have them, so I can't let my dad down, right? I want one too!"

"Me too!"

"I didn't bring enough silver ingots. Where are my servants? Go home and get me the ticket!"

"I'll lend it to you, but you have to pay me back thirty!"

Are you trying to extort me?

Lan Tian simply couldn't understand why someone would be willing to spend a hundred taels to buy a jar of wine but wouldn't be willing to give an extra thirty taels to their colleague.

In no time, the streets became crowded, with people moving in and out, none willing to give way to the other.

Carriages collided with each other, and people huddled together tightly.

In no time at all, all the drinks were sold out!

"I haven't even bought it yet! Where's your boss? Does he even know who I am?"

"My money is still on its way, what's going on with you?"

"How can a restaurant sell out of drinks? Did you do it on purpose?"

"Get your boss out here, or I'll smash up your little restaurant!"

Seeing that things had gotten out of control, Lan Tian simply pushed open the wooden door to the balcony.

"Everyone, I am the owner of this restaurant. Listen to me!"

"Isn't that Lantian?"

"That's right, it's him!"

"Lantian, you didn't tell us about this good thing? Are you looking down on us?"

"That's right! I was on good terms with you, and I never expected you to treat me like this!"

The sons of officials downstairs also recognized the restaurant owner and called out to him.

Lan Tian shouted loudly, but the people downstairs couldn't hear him at all.

Left with no other choice, he picked up the trumpet that Zhu Yunwen had given him.

This stuff really works; it became much quieter down there instantly.

"Our restaurant will officially open tomorrow! Come and enjoy our drinks, and you can also use our coupons. Everyone is welcome! We're closed for today!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd below began to stir. Lantian, clutching the silver, hurriedly ran out the back door.

At this moment, Zhu Yunwen was discussing with Zhu Yuanzhang in the imperial study how to deal with the Japanese pirates.

Lan Tian came to hand over the silver, but unexpectedly, the restaurant received a total of 70,000 taels of silver ingots today!

"Seventy thousand taels? If we ask these ministers to donate, they'll all complain endlessly. It's infuriating!"

Zhu Yuanzhang shouted in a fit of rage.

"Grandpa Emperor, if they're unwilling to donate, that's fine. We'll just find a way to get the money into our hands. That way, we'll have enough to fight the Japanese pirates!"

Zhu Yuanzhang thought that made the same sense and nodded.

"The Crown Prince is right. How do you plan to deal with the Japanese pirates?"

Those who invade me will be killed without mercy!

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't know why he would get so excited every time he mentioned Zhu Yunwen of Dongdao!

Back at the Eastern Palace, he looked at his still again; the liquid inside had been distilled many times.

It has a faint fragrance.

Zhu Yunwen took a sniff; the scent seemed a bit faint.

Zhao Qingzhu walked in at this moment, and her eyes lit up when she smelled the fragrance filling the room.

"Your Highness, what are you doing? It smells so good here!"

"This is called perfume, and it serves the same purpose as a sachet, except that the fragrance lasts longer and it's easier to make!"

Zhu Yunwen applied some of the juice to Zhao Qingzhu's body, and the little girl instantly became fragrant.

With the slightest movement, a fragrance would inadvertently waft out, drawing people closer.

"Your Highness... I have never smelled such a wonderful fragrance before!"

"It's perfect timing! You and I can go to the Imperial Garden and pick some more flowers to bring back; they'll smell even sweeter when combined!"

Zhao Qingzhu nodded and followed Zhu Yunwen out of the East Palace.

"By the way, Your Highness, the woman who acted improperly towards you in the Imperial Garden last time is still in the water dungeon. Should we tell His Majesty about this?"

If Zhao Qingzhu hadn't mentioned it, I would have completely forgotten about it!

"No need. I will personally interrogate her tomorrow. We shouldn't trouble His Majesty with such a trivial matter!"