Chapter 11 The road ahead
Soon after Zhu Gaochi ascended the throne, he appointed Zhu Zhanji as Prince of Xiang and arranged a residence for him outside the palace. Later, when Zhu Zhanji ascended the throne, he generously rewarded his younger brother who was secretly appointed as regent. Therefore, the Prince of Xiang's Mansion in the capital was quite large and luxuriously decorated.
As soon as Zhu Yuhuan entered the room, he couldn't help but marvel at it. He looked around and touched it from time to time, looking very curious.
Zhu Zhanji sighed upon seeing this and said, "Isn't the palace any more luxurious than my temporary palace? Huanhuan, what are you so surprised about?"
Zhu Yuhuan showed a helpless look on his face and said, "No matter how good the palace is, it belongs to my father. It has nothing to do with me. Can I really pack up Kunning Palace and take it away?"
Zhu Zhanji couldn't help but laugh at what he heard, and couldn't help but sigh at the bizarre ideas in Zhu Yuhuan's head. Then he said, "You have been promoted to princess now, with a proper canonization ceremony. You are more honored than your two sisters of the same generation, and you are as honored as Jiaxing. Why do you still care about such trivial things? Can His Majesty do without you?"
Zhu Yuhuan quickly denied it and said, "I dare not compare myself with my aunt."
Princess Jiaxing didn't have to do anything, as she was naturally protected by Empress Dowager Zhang and loved by Zhu Zhanji. If it weren't for Zhu Yuhuan standing here today, it is hard to know what kind of life the three members of the Hu family would have lived.
Zhu Zhanji, noticing her unusual caution, shook his head, picked up the teacup on the table, and said to the palace servant, "Go get the shop's account."
"yes."
Seeing Zhu Yuhuan perking up, Zhu Zhanji smiled and said, "Huanhuan, you're right! All of your methods are really useful. It just so happens that there are some knowledgeable people in our shop who have come up with some new methods for making lip and facial creams. I asked them to try out a few, and they've even found buyers." He rubbed his hands together, clearly excited, and continued, "I've carefully read those booklets you wrote before. I've seen some signs of success soon. As for that 'monopoly' you mentioned, isn't it just a brand name like those jewelry stores? Later, I'll have someone hire a few perfumers to combine these methods according to your suggestions. I'm sure we'll be able to come up with some new ideas."
Zhu Yuhuan was slightly stunned when he heard this, and then he couldn't help but sigh inwardly that the wisdom of the ancients should not be underestimated. Perhaps what they lacked was just a space that allowed them to think and create freely.
Thinking of this, Zhu Yuhuan said with a smile: "This is even better. Uncle Wu will make a lot of money, and I can also drink some of the broth."
Zhu Zhanji waved his hand and said, "Why drink the broth? We can split the profits 50-50 between uncle and nephew. I'll cover the cost, so we can both make some money."
My fifth uncle is indeed a man who can escape from the storm unscathed. His mind is indeed much more flexible than that of ordinary people.
"Uncle Wu will save your share for you and will make sure you don't suffer any loss!"
This sounded a bit like "I'll save your New Year's money for you." Zhu Yuhuan was about to laugh when Zhu Zhanji continued, "When your fifth uncle goes to Xiangyang to be a vassal, all these shops in the capital will be transferred to your name. This will also give you more confidence."
Although somewhat surprised by Zhu Zhanji's generosity, Zhu Yuhuan habitually ignored the elders' concern and asked curiously, "Dad has already told Uncle Wu about the enfeoffment?"
Zhu Zhanji felt somewhat helpless and said, "I would like to leave, but His Majesty said that he would marry me after the mourning period is over. I can stay in the capital with the princess to serve my mother for a few more years before that."
This was human nature. Seeing Zhu Zhanji seem distressed, Zhu Yuhuan couldn't help but feel puzzled and asked, "What's wrong with staying in the capital? Is there anyone who dares to embarrass my fifth uncle?"
With the Empress Dowager as his mother and the Emperor as his brother, Zhu Zhanji does not have to worry about survival. He should live more comfortably than anyone else in Beijing. What is there to worry about?
Zhu Zhanji shook his head, his shoulders drooping in a rare gesture. He said, "One cannot be trapped in one place forever. The world is so big, and I want to see more of it. What's the point of staying in the capital all the time?" Seeing Zhu Yuhuan's surprise, he smiled and asked, "I didn't expect your fifth uncle to say such sensible things. Although I am not as talented as Your Majesty, I still understand some things about principles. Now that you are a wealthy prince, it is natural for you to live like a prince."
Zhu Yuhuan smiled secretly, thinking that his fifth uncle was indeed very sensible as he could still flatter Zhu Zhanji at this time.
Zhu Zhanji didn't know what Zhu Yuhuan was thinking, so he just continued, "Your Majesty, even when you were young, already shouldered your responsibilities, often accompanying Emperor Taizong and working diligently. At that time, I also said that I wanted to share your father's worries with your Majesty, but your Majesty told me that he was there for everything, and that being able to be free and at ease was the true blessing."
Zhu Yuhuan was stunned for a moment, and after a long moment, he spoke: "I've heard from my grandmother and mother that my father had a very difficult childhood. He followed my great-grandfather from a young age, learning the art of being an emperor."
"Your Majesty's path was predetermined long ago, but ours is different." Zhu Zhanji sighed and said, "At least we have the opportunity to think clearly about what we want to do in our lives."
As she spoke, the servants from Prince Xiang's mansion had already handed over the account books. Zhu Zhanji had them brought to her, waved his hand to dismiss the servants, and then said, "I guess my mother should have taught you how to read these account books. If you have any questions, just ask me."
Zhu Yuhuan took the account book and took a quick look at it. The transactions on it looked pretty good. Compared with the accounts she had seen in the palace before, it was much simpler and did not seem to be too complicated.
Zhu Yuhuan glanced through it briefly before returning the account book to Zhu Zhanji, saying, "This isn't a consumable item. The initial cash flow is fine, but it should stabilize after that. It's time to think of a way to get something new."
Zhu Zhanji was a little surprised when he heard this and asked, "New stuff? Niece, do you have anything new?"
Zhu Yuhuan said with a smile: "There are still many new things, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and so on."
After she finished speaking, Huai En handed over the booklet prepared by Zhu Yuhuan.
With the development of productivity, people naturally love cleanliness more and more. Later, they can consider perfumes, essential oils and the like. However, these things are also gradual, so there is no need to rush. What's more, compared with perfumes, the market for toothbrushes and toothpaste is wider. It is better to start with this aspect and accumulate wealth.
Zhu Zhanji was quite confident about his niece's bizarre ideas. After taking it, he quickly flipped through it and couldn't help but sigh inwardly: "The writing is beautiful. You should have been born into a family that supports their sons in taking the imperial examinations."
Zhu Yuhuan, who had been relaxed, quickly sat up straight and said, "That's not necessary. How many officials in the whole court do these things? All other things are inferior, only reading is superior." As she spoke, she remembered something and said, "But not all officials are ignorant of the importance of these things."
Zhu Zhanji had some recollection of this and asked, "What was the name of that little official from last time? I think his surname was Yu?"
Zhu Yuhuan added: "Yu Qian of the Ministry of Personnel is in charge of the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel."
Zhu Zhanji was now somewhat impressed and said, "My royal brother did mention him to me, saying that he was a sharp writer and would be transferred to the position of Imperial Censor."
Zhu Yuhuan had never heard of this before, and he was surprised when he heard it. He asked, "Really?"
"Since my Royal Brother has spoken out, I believe you must have had this plan for a long time." Zhu Zhanji suddenly remembered something and asked curiously, "Could it be that you recommended Yu Qian to my Royal Brother?"
Zhu Yuhuan waved his hand and said, "Why would Dad listen to my recommendation? I just mentioned it briefly when Dad asked about farm tools."
Zhu Zhanji simply gave an "I understand" expression, then said, "It's no big deal. Just be more subtle. When the late emperor was still the crown prince, he appointed more than half of the officials throughout the country. Even when he wasn't the crown prince regent, he recommended many officials, both openly and covertly."
Zhu Yuhuan just smiled and said, "Grandpa Emperor is the Crown Prince after all."
At least on the surface, she certainly couldn't be treated the same as the Crown Prince.
Zhu Zhanji remained noncommittal and then said, "By the way, the car you built earlier was a bit too heavy. Most people wouldn't be able to ride it."
Zhu Yuhuan naturally understood this and said with a smile, "This is just a test. I have asked my father to build a blast furnace near the greenhouse. In the future, we can smelt parts directly in the palace without the need for additional transportation."
Previously, most farm tools were still made of wood, as the oxen's power had to be considered. Except for the parts used for tilling the soil, which were made of iron, the main body was still made of wood. Therefore, there were no furnaces in the palace, and all the iron parts were brought in from outside the Forbidden City for assembly, which was much slower. Now that Zhu Zhanji had allowed Zhu Yuhuan to research these issues in the Imperial City, Zhu Yuhuan took the opportunity to propose building a blast furnace for smelting in the greenhouse. After all, Hu Shanwei's original courtyard was built in a relatively remote location for quietness, so even if a blast furnace was built, it would not affect the environment inside the Forbidden City, and it would also save the extra effort of preparing and making materials outside and sending them to the palace.
Anyway, it wasn't happening in the Forbidden City, so Zhu Zhanji didn't care. After all, there were other government offices in the imperial city, and it might not attract other people's attention.
Zhu Zhanji was a little surprised and said, "My Royal Brother actually agreed?"
Zhu Yuhuan sighed, looking somewhat helpless, and said, "Otherwise, we can't embezzle things from the Inner Palace Supervisor and the Armory Bureau."
"That's true." Zhu Zhanji then added mysteriously, "Your Majesty seems to be planning to set up an additional government office to oversee agricultural affairs, but he's still hesitating and waiting..."
Zhu Yuhuan nodded in understanding, and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. He said with a smile, "Dad is a great emperor. What he thinks and does must have a deep meaning. Who in the court wouldn't be convinced?"
Zhu Zhanji nodded appreciatively at his niece and said, "That's good!" He stopped talking about these matters and said, "Let's not talk about these things today. You finally got to leave the palace. Fifth uncle will take you out for a walk and have some fun. I'll also bring back some goodies for your two sisters and the emperor's sister-in-law."
Zhu Yuhuan also wanted to relax, so he nodded slightly and said, "It just so happens that Fifth Uncle is much more familiar with the outside of the palace than I am. I also want to ask Fifth Uncle to take me to buy some important things."
"Something important? What?"
Zhu Yuhuan chuckled and said, "Fifth Uncle will know when we get there."
Zhu Zhanji was indeed very familiar with the inner city. He took Zhu Yuhuan to the bustling markets and also took her to the shops so that the managers in the shops could get acquainted with Zhu Yuhuan.
Zhu Zhanji was a vassal prince, and to be able to lead a shop and have the stewards call him "young master" must also be of noble status. After all, Zhu Zhanji himself had not yet married. Looking at his age, everyone could vaguely guess Zhu Yuhuan's true identity.
They had all heard about the grand enthronement ceremony held in the palace not long ago.
After leaving the shop together, the two headed towards the destination Zhu Yuhuan mentioned, which was exactly the place Wu Miaosu and Zhu Yuhuan had mentioned before.
Zhu Zhanji looked up at the plaque and asked with amusement, "What brings you to this musical instrument shop? Do you know how to play a musical instrument? I haven't heard that His Majesty has found a teacher for you."
Zhu Yuhuan smiled and said, "It was Empress Wu who asked me to do this. She said my mother's birthday is coming soon, and she has always taken great care of her. She wanted me to personally prepare a pipa as a birthday gift. She knew I could leave the palace, so she asked me to buy some things outside the palace and bring them back to make it myself."
Zhu Zhanji was a little surprised when he heard this and asked, "Sister-in-law can play a musical instrument? I've never heard of it. It just so happens that I was wondering what to give her for her birthday this year. And I heard someone mention a rare sheet music. I asked someone to find it and send it back to her."
The person in charge of the shop saw that Zhu Zhanji was dressed like a wealthy or noble man, and that Zhu Yuhuan, who was still a child next to him, looked particularly calm and composed. He immediately and attentively introduced the musical instruments in the shop to the two of them.
Zhu Yuhuan simply picked a few items according to Wu Miaosu's instructions. Just as he was about to ask Huai En to pay, Zhu Zhanji had already generously asked the people around him to pay, saying, "I'll pay for this. After all, it's a little gift for my sister-in-law. Besides, it's not worth much."
Zhu Yuhuan hurriedly said, "Sister Wu gave me money before I left."
Zhu Zhanji naturally knew this. He chuckled and said, "We're all family. What's the point of distinguishing between yours and mine?"
Zhu Yuhuan understood what he meant and stopped trying to stop him. He smiled and said, "Fifth Uncle, this is two favors for one cent."
When Wu Miaosu found out about this, she naturally wanted to thank Zhu Zhanji, the Prince of Xiang. After all, the two had never met before, but Zhu Zhanji did her such a favor, obviously intending to make friends with her. After all, there were only three women in Zhu Zhanji's harem who had real names and positions. Not to mention Hu Shanxiang, who was not very close to Zhu Zhanji, Wu Miaosu also had some merits. Sometimes it was necessary to make friends with concubines. For example, the concubine Zhaoxian Wang beside Zhu Di had sheltered Zhu Gaochi, who was still the prince at the time, many times.
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