Zhu Yunwen also noticed her change and reached out to nudge Zhao Qingzhu.
"What? Did you go crazy after hearing what I said?"
"No, Your Highness, there seems to be someone nearby!"
Although Zhu Yunwen wasn't very good at martial arts, he was still very perceptive of changes in his surroundings.
He had already sensed the shadowy figure as soon as it climbed to the wall.
"It's alright, the stray cat must have come running because of the smell. I have something else to tell you!"
Zhao Qingzhu nodded.
“I’ve built a craft workshop in the nearby town. How about I take you to see it tomorrow?”
Zhao Qingzhu remained vigilant, watching her surroundings and protecting Zhu Yunzhu's safety at all times.
"Don't worry, if I'm not mistaken, it should be a spy sent by my grandfather."
Zhu Yunwen suddenly approached her and said something that made Zhao Qingzhu blush instantly.
No man had ever gotten this close to him before.
Zhu Yuntong found Zhao Qingzhu's shy appearance quite adorable.
Under the influence of alcohol, he didn't retreat; instead, he moved forward even further.
"Your Highness, you've had too much to drink!"
Zhao Qingzhu left after saying that, and Zhu Yuntong smiled slightly as he watched her disappearing figure.
Then he looked at the tree trunk by the East Palace wall, and things seemed to be getting more and more interesting!
...
When they returned to town the next day, the accountant had already organized everyone in town into their respective groups.
"Call those workers over first; I have something to say to them."
Zhu Yunwen gave his orders.
Soon the open space was filled with men working, all with smiles on their faces.
Zhu Yunwen cleared his throat.
"I've gathered you all here today to discuss a few things. From today onward, our town is in your hands."
"First of all, every worker with a town-level job receives a monthly stipend, which is about five taels of silver per person per month."
Upon hearing this news, all the people were in an uproar. They were merely servants bestowed upon the Crown Prince by His Majesty, or to put it bluntly, the Crown Prince's slaves.
They are already being blessed by heaven for not being beaten or scolded, yet they are being given monthly stipends?
"Your Highness, we dare not accept it!"
"Yes, Your Highness, it is already a blessing to be your person. If we were in someone else's hands, we might not even be able to save our lives!"
"Your Highness, we will certainly serve you well!"
Zhu Yunwen shook his head helplessly.
"You are independent individuals with your own thoughts and aspirations!"
These people had never heard of what Zhu Yunwen said before. They were the lowest-ranking servants, people that everyone could trample on and kick.
Now suddenly someone stands up and tells them that they can earn money by working, and that he even has his own ideas!
Everyone knelt down on the ground.
"Your Highness is joking, we wouldn't dare!"
Zhu Yunwen sighed helplessly. Changing these people's outdated ideas was not something that could be done overnight.
"Not only that, your wives will also participate in our production!"
The men worked in the workshop, while the women were responsible for cooking and logistics.
We can all make money, and since we eat together, we must have meat at every meal.
As for those children... naturally they have to go to school, but the school is free.
Some older clan elders can teach children to read and write.
Such a life was unthinkable in the past!
After Zhu Yunwen finished speaking, even the dignified men shed tears of emotion.
Everyone says the Crown Prince is no ordinary person, and today I've truly witnessed it!
Without further ado, everyone pitched in to set up the distillation room and warehouse, and found two more rooms to serve as the children's school.
The town has at least several thousand people, if not ten thousand, so eating is a big deal. Several stoves and pots were set up to barely meet the demand.
The work here is in full swing, and the accountant in the office is also drenched in sweat.
Yesterday's calculations were just rough; only today, when we actually put them into practice, did we realize what it means to spend money like water!
With the training ground yet to be built and his money running low, the accountant frowned deeply.
However, Zhu Yunwen was unaware of all this. He was still holding a pot-opening ceremony with the people in the center of the town!
The children's laughter and the workers' enthusiastic chants made him feel like he wasn't in the Ming Dynasty!
Zhu Yunwen then went to the distillery and warehouse, and instructed the workers to pay attention to safety hazards, especially the distilled liquor.
There must be no open flame.
Everyone nodded, making sure they remembered everything His Highness the Crown Prince said.
Zhao Qingzhu had something come up and didn't come with Zhu Yuntong. She heard lively sounds coming from inside the town as soon as she arrived at the entrance.
Soon, Zhu Yuntong's figure came into her view in the crowd.
At this moment, the setting sun shone on Zhu Yunwen, forming a halo around him. He was holding something and dipping it in a pot.
Soon, a crystal-clear candy appeared before Zhao Qingzhu's eyes.
Inside are bright red fruits, covered with a shiny outer layer.
Zhu Yuntong looked up and saw Zhao Qingzhu waving at her.
The children took the candy and ran away from Zhu Yunwen, laughing.
"Your Highness, what is that?"
"That's called candied hawthorn. It's only really delicious if you replace the fruit inside with hawthorn. It's sweet and sour, but I don't have any hawthorn right now."
As he spoke, he dipped another one and handed it to Zhao Qingzhu.
Zhao Qingzhu had never eaten this before, and the candied hawthorn looked especially beautiful in the setting sun.
"Try it!"
Zhao Qingzhu put the candied hawthorn in her mouth, and a sweet taste filled her mouth.
It struck her heart.
"How about it?"
Zhu Yunwen asked.
"So sweet!"
Zhao Qingzhu was a martial artist and could only describe the object in his hand in two simple words.
"I'm not bragging, but this thing would definitely fetch a good price if sold in the capital!"
Zhu Yunwen's mind is now filled with money-making techniques, which is understandable, as he spends money like water to manage such a small town.
Without income, it's unlikely we can survive; relying solely on the restaurant's revenue will probably soon lead to financial difficulties.
"Does Your Highness intend to sell this?"
Zhu Yunwen nodded, "Not only do we have to sell, we have to sell well!"
"There's no way around it. Those officials are very tight-lipped. It's not easy to squeeze any money out of them without coming up with some new tricks!"
Even Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't do anything about those ministers, let alone a grandson of the emperor.
The two then walked to the training ground, where workers were busily setting up the ring. Zhao Qingzhu had never seen some of the items in the training ground before.
"Your Highness, won't training our own army arouse His Majesty's suspicion?"
"I've already discussed this matter with my grandfather, so you can rest assured!"
It should be noted that since its founding, the Ming Dynasty has always valued civil affairs over military affairs, which is why the power of the regional princes has grown increasingly stronger.
This would inevitably arouse His Majesty's suspicion, thus leading to his death.
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