Chapter 7: Taking on a Heavy Responsibility
Zhu Zhanji really didn't want to bring up the topic of the empress's dethronement with his daughter again. He just told Zhu Yuhuan not to reveal these words to Hu Shanxiang, and not to mention it to the ministers who taught. He asked her to sit next to him and talked about other things with Zhu Yuhuan.
Zhu Zhanji saw his daughter holding a teacup in one hand, looking relaxed and at ease, with no awkwardness in her behavior, just like a precious princess. Then he asked, "I heard that you asked your fifth brother to go out of the palace to do business. How did you suddenly come up with such an idea?"
Zhu Yuhuan was about to try a bite of the snack when he heard Zhu Zhanji's question, so he obediently said, "I just saw something interesting in a book a while ago, so I wanted to give it a try. However, these methods are not as strict as farm tools, so there is no need to trouble the craftsmen in the palace, so I thought I would ask my uncle to give it a try. As for business, Huanhuan is just trying it out. I haven't seen my uncle recently, so I don't know if this method will come in handy, so it can't be considered a business."
Seeing his daughter's modesty, Zhu Zhanji couldn't help but smile and said, "Zhanji is busy outside the palace right now. Naturally, he has no time to come into the palace to talk to you about how your business is going."
When Zhu Yuhuan wrote down those plans, he was not completely sure in his heart. After all, the concepts of ancient people and modern people are not exactly the same. But seeing that Zhu Zhanji was smiling, he could guess that Zhu Zhanji was doing well in business, and he could also conclude that Zhu Zhanji had no objection to this.
Zhu Yuhuan felt more confident and asked curiously, "Could it be that Fifth Uncle's shop is really doing well?"
Zhu Zhanji nodded slightly and said, "Of course. He specifically submitted a memorial to me privately and handed over the account books. Whether it was the nobles and officials in the capital or the common people, they all thought that the soap was interesting. Although it was only a small amount of money, it was still a considerable gain. Especially those nobles and scholars, they competed to buy it, as if it was very rare."
The plan Zhu Yuhuan wrote for Zhu Zhanji detailed various marketing methods. The main focus for the common people was on affordability, while the focus among the nobles was on competition and display.
After all, ordinary people simply wanted to make cleaning easier, but the nobles were different. Status was paramount to them, and hunger marketing suited them best. Furthermore, Zhu Zhanji was the emperor's younger brother, so everyone had to consider the situation. While this might seem outwardly unseemly, Zhu Zhanji had likely already reported it to Zhu Zhanji. Even if someone did file a petition, it would have been a minor, harmless matter.
Zhu Yuhuan thought that Zhu Zhanji must have received some money, and he felt very happy, which was also reflected on his face.
Seeing her smile, Zhu Zhanji shook his head helplessly, then said half-jokingly, "Why don't you think of giving this method to Daddy? Aren't you afraid that your fifth uncle will embezzle it and not give you a penny?"
Zhu Yuhuan pretended not to hear the probing tone in Zhu Zhanji's voice and answered confidently, "Fifth Uncle is the elder, Huanhuan is the younger. How can an elder bully a younger one? If this gets out, people will laugh at me. Fifth Uncle is too proud to do that. Besides, if Fifth Uncle really keeps the method to himself, then the meat has fallen into his own pot, which is not a big deal." She changed the subject and said with a smile, "Besides, Daddy and Grandma have always been very shrewd. They must have known about this a long time ago and will definitely 'uphold justice' for Huanhuan!"
Zhu Zhanji couldn't help laughing when he heard her say that, and then said: "Don't worry, with daddy here, you won't be left without him."
Seeing him say this, Zhu Yuhuan continued to explain, "Besides, my mother once taught me that as a member of the imperial family, every word and action will have an impact on the people, so one must be extremely cautious in what they say and do. These little things aren't as significant as a greenhouse, and are merely icing on the cake for the state. But if they were to spread from the palace to the people, I'm afraid someone with ulterior motives would take advantage of the opportunity to exploit the people, which would defeat the purpose of the whole thing."
He was just joking just now to ease Zhu Zhanji's alertness at that moment and lighten the atmosphere. If he didn't give a real explanation, it would only make Zhu Zhanji more concerned. So Zhu Yuhuan had to hand in a perfect answer sheet. The most important thing was to make Zhu Zhanji realize that his daughter always put the interests of the Zhu family first.
Zhu Zhanji was slightly taken aback when he heard this. He had never expected Zhu Yuhuan to think of this. He then asked, "Isn't it better than a greenhouse? If a greenhouse were really set up, it would probably make more money than these little things."
Zhu Yuhuan said seriously, "Greenhouses are built for farmers' livelihoods, for breeding and raising seedlings. Only the state has the ability and confidence to build enough greenhouses to raise seedlings and provide for farmers to cultivate. Competing with the people for profit is like draining the pond to catch fish, which will only cause public resentment. How can the country be stable?"
After hearing his daughter's answer, Zhu Zhanji asked, "I remember you mentioned a lecturer named Zeng to Dad before? He was the top scholar in the 19th year of the Yongle reign, and his name seemed to be Zeng Heling. I remember his ancestors wrote a book called 'He Pu' (Grass of Grain), which had insights into farming. It seems he had a profound influence on you..." He thought for a moment, then continued, "Then transfer him to compile 'The Veritable Records of Emperor Taizong'. The others will also receive their own rewards."
Zhu Yuhuan was raised in the deep palace and had never seen how the people outside lived. He must have been influenced by the lecturers and attendants who taught him.
Zhu Yuhuan and Zhu Zhanji stared at each other for a long time before he seemed to realize something and hurriedly thanked Zeng Heling, saying, "Huanhuan thanks Your Majesty for your grace on behalf of Minister Zeng."
Seeing that she was still a little confused, Zhu Zhanji couldn't help but smile and said, "Father is very pleased that you have such an idea. It is only natural to reward them."
Zhu Yuhuan pretended to be suddenly enlightened. "I see."
Of course, she could guess Zhu Zhanji's inner thoughts, but she just couldn't reveal them. Just as Empress Dowager Zhang said, with Zhu Zhanji's mind, he probably didn't want his daughter Zhu Yuhuan to be too smart.
Zhu Zhanji seemed to be a little emotional and said, "It seems that in addition to the ceremony of enthroning the princess, Daddy also wants to reward you with something else."
Zhu Yuhuan looked puzzled and asked, "Anything else? What does Daddy want to reward me with?"
"You make excellent farm tools, and the craftsmen rely on you greatly. Father has thought it over, and has decided to hand over the greenhouse and farm tool matters to you first. Father will assign a few eunuchs in charge to assist you, and with the help of your fifth uncle, I'm sure no one will look down on you." Zhu Zhanji's plan was quite complete. "I think it's most appropriate to hand these over to you. If you have any other ideas, just follow your fifth uncle's example and submit the documents to Father for a unified decision. Do you understand?"
As early as when Zhu Zhanji presented those methods, he had vaguely felt that his daughter was indeed a prodigy. This talent was not limited to precociousness, but also a talent that was not possessed by people of the time. It would be a pity not to make full use of such talent. Even if his daughter really played tricks on him, as long as he was around, it would surely not cause any major trouble. So why didn't he make full use of it?
As Zhu Yuhuan himself said, "That's just meat falling into our own pot, it's nothing."
Zhu Yuhuan stood there in a daze, and then he knelt on the ground to express his gratitude according to the formal etiquette.
After going through so much trouble, he not only gave her the task but also earned her tears of gratitude. It all depended on Zhu Zhanji.
Zhu Zhanji didn't know what Zhu Yuhuan was thinking. He just reached out and helped his daughter up, saying, "Besides this, Daddy will give you a right."
Zhu Yuhuan uttered an "ah" and pretended to be embarrassed, saying, "Father, I'm afraid this reward from me will cause criticism..."
Zhu Zhanji didn't take it seriously and just said, "I allow you to go in and out of the palace regularly and go to the people to have a good look at the people outside."
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