The courtesan didn't stand on ceremony and simply sat down in front of the guzheng.
The melodious music flowed from those slender fingers, filling the air around the Drunken Red Mansion.
Everyone felt as if they were in a dream, and everything began to become hazy and dreamlike.
Everyone looked completely absorbed in the moment, except for Zhu Yunwen, who calmly ate the candied fruit on the table.
The wine from this Drunken Dream Pavilion is the most ordinary and unpalatable, a far cry from their own distilled spirits.
But there were so many people coming here.
This clearly shows that the color industry has been quite profitable for thousands of years!
As he thought about it, he grabbed a candied fruit and put it in his mouth.
Young Master Yue listened with rapt attention, occasionally clapping along to the rhythm.
"Everyone says the women here only sell their art, I wonder if that's true!"
Young Master Yue looked at the courtesan's face and smiled.
The laugh was somewhat lewd, and Zhu Yunwen snorted disdainfully.
Any palace maid in the palace could match his appearance, so he didn't feel much about it.
Seeing that Zhu Yunwen did not respond, Young Master Yue drank another cup of wine to cover up his embarrassment.
After the song ended, everyone cheered and applauded, and the atmosphere of Drunken Dream of the Red Chamber was brought to a certain height.
"Great! That sounds amazing!"
"This music should only exist in heaven; how often can it be heard on earth!"
"The courtesan's musical talent is truly remarkable, making us all feel ashamed!"
"You are the most beautiful courtesan in my heart, Chang'e. I would give my life for you!"
Zhu Yunwen sneered inwardly, thinking, "These people are really rich but brainless!"
How many people in the Ming Dynasty are being displaced by the Japanese pirates, yet all they know is to eat, drink, and have fun!
Young Master Yue wanted to say something more, but seeing Zhu Yunwen's low spirits, he could only sigh inwardly.
Compared to my own country, the Ming Dynasty was truly like heaven on earth.
How wonderful it would be if I could be a carefree prince in the Ming Dynasty.
Looking at the person next to me, it's rare to see someone so calm despite being surrounded by beautiful women all day long.
"Your Highness, what do you think of this girl's singing?"
"generally!"
Although the doors and windows of the private rooms were specially made, the sound insulation was indeed only so-so.
This conversation was overheard by the group of people outside!
Everyone looked at the private room, wondering who was sitting inside.
How dare they say their ideal woman is like a white moonlight?
Zhu Yunwen sat for a while and then got bored. He thought it would be better to drink some distilled liquor at his own restaurant!
"Brother, you said the courtesan is neither good-looking nor good-singing. May I ask which family's young master you are?"
A young man appeared at the door of the private room; he was the son of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.
He came here today to win over the courtesan, so he was naturally displeased to hear someone say that.
If not now, when will I ever have a chance to impress my goddess?
Zhu Yunwen did not reply, after all, it was not good to reveal his identity here.
As the crown prince, coming to a brothel would inevitably arouse suspicion from others!
"The courtesan sings of love and loss, oblivious to the nation's ruin, still singing 'The Song of the Rear Courtyard' across the river! You people are all brainless!"
Young Master Yue looked at Zhu Yunwen in surprise. Wasn't this guy supposed to be shooting at the calm lake water?
Should I leave a bit to avoid harming innocent people later?
Hearing Zhu Yunwen say this, the men outside became even more impatient!
"My Great Ming Dynasty is safe and sound now, and the land is unified. How dare you say such a thing?"
"That's just how it is. Right now, our Great Ming is beset by internal and external troubles, yet you so-called ministers are unwilling to contribute to the Great Ming, instead wasting money in these brothels. Do you even have a brain?"
"How dare you! Do you know who I am?"
"Who you are and what does it have to do with me? But if you knew who I am, you'd probably be scared out of your wits!"
The man laughed loudly. He had seen arrogant people before, but he had never seen anyone so arrogant!
"You can't afford to offend my father!"
Is it about who has the richest father?
Although my own father has passed away, no one can compare to my father's father!
"Your father will be punished tomorrow because of you!"
"Trying to scare me? Why don't you come out and show yourself?"
Zhu Yunwen suddenly pulled the door open, and the man paused as the two looked at each other.
"You...who are you?"
"You'd better keep your mouth shut. Today I'm here to see what you rich kids are up to, so my grandfather can punish you accordingly!"
The man stood frozen in place, never expecting to run into a tough opponent!
After all this commotion, Zhu Yunwen really couldn't stay there any longer, so he simply turned and left.
All that remained was the courtesan's bewildered expression and the man's stiff back.
The next day in the main hall.
"We discussed the donation with everyone a while ago. I wonder what everyone's thoughts are?"
"Your Majesty, I have several hundred taels of silver in my household, which I am willing to contribute to help us through this difficult time!"
"I feel the same way!"
"I second that proposal!"
Zhu Yuanzhang pursed his lips and didn't speak. After a while, he spoke again.
"I heard that a new restaurant recently opened in the capital, and the wine there is ridiculously expensive!"
"Your Majesty, it's not actually that expensive; it's just that everyone's arguing about it!"
"Oh? So you've been there, my dear minister?"
The minister's face suddenly showed a look of horror.
"Your Majesty, I have never been there. My monthly salary isn't even enough for a single meal!"
"Then how come we heard that you, Minister, have limited edition liquor at home?"
The Minister's legs went weak, and he almost knelt down.
His Majesty's words had a hidden meaning, and the Vice Minister of Justice instantly deflated like a frostbitten eggplant!
He told his son what had happened, but it was no use that he had beaten the unfilial son half to death.
"Does no one have anything to say?"
Zhu Yuanzhang scanned those people one by one, as if trying to see through their hearts.
"Minister of Justice, what do you think we should do about this?"
The Minister of Justice immediately knelt before Zhu Yuanzhang.
"Your Majesty, I believe my family, the Minister of Justice, can donate three thousand silver ingots. If that's not enough, I'll find another way!"
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in satisfaction.
"What about the others? Didn't they say anything?"
"Your Majesty, I am willing to offer three thousand!"
"I am also willing to contribute three thousand to serve the Ming Dynasty!"
Zhu Yuanzhang was very satisfied with this result, and he nodded with a smile.
Everyone says these ministers are cunning and scheming, but they never outsmarted their own grandson. Isn't that something to be happy about?
After all the civil and military officials had left, Zhu Yuanzhang returned to his study in high spirits.
"Grandpa, how did things go?"
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and nodded in agreement.
Zhu Yunwen calculated the donations from his ministers and realized it was indeed a considerable sum.
"Grandpa Emperor, come and see this!"
As he spoke, Zhu Yunwen took out several blueprints from his bosom, one of which caught Zhu Yuanzhang's attention.
"Is this what you showed us the other day?"
"Yes, but not entirely!" Zhu Yunwen said mysteriously.
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