Daming: I can’t kill such a greedy prince-in-law?

At this time, the Yuelai Building was brightly lit and bustling. Zhu Yuanzhang, Wang Hongru and other businessmen sat around a large round table filled with delicacies and the aroma of wine. However, Zhu Yuanzhang's face was not very good. He held the wine glass with a wandering look in his eyes, his thoughts still on the failure of the investment invitation.

Wang Hongru's heart tightened when he saw this, and he quickly apologized with a smile and said, "Boss Zhu, it's not that I didn't show up that day, it's just that the prince consort is too powerful and we couldn't defeat him!" As he spoke, he secretly observed Zhu Yuanzhang's expression, and beads of sweat had already appeared on his forehead.

"Yes, yes!" A businessman nearby quickly agreed, "The conditions for attracting investment this time, His Majesty, are very strict. We are powerless!" Everyone nodded, their faces full of helplessness and regret.

Another businessman tried to comfort Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "Boss Zhu, although we were not able to participate in the court's investment promotion this time, we have learned a lot. Maybe we will be selected next time." He said it confidently, but he knew in his heart that the competition would be even more intense next time.

"You must not do anything impulsive!" Wang Hongru added, with a hint of worry in his tone. He knew Zhu Yuanzhang's temper very well, and was afraid that he would do something extreme in anger, and then everyone would be in trouble.

Zhu Yuanzhang became more depressed after listening to these words. He snorted coldly, drank the wine in the glass, and thought to himself: "I am the king of a country, but I have failed in this business of attracting investment. I am so angry!" The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He slammed the wine glass in his hand heavily on the table, making a loud "bang" sound, which scared everyone.

At this moment, the door of the restaurant was pushed open with a creaky sound, and a clerk from the Ministry of Revenue walked in hurriedly. He looked nervous, and his eyes quickly swept over everyone in the room, finally settling on Zhu Yuanzhang. The clerk took a deep breath, calmed himself, then quickly walked to Zhu Yuanzhang, handed the document to him respectfully with both hands, and said, "Boss Zhu, this is your document."

Wang Hongru and the others were all shocked when they saw this. Their eyes were as big as bells, staring at the document in the clerk's hand, as if they had seen something incredible. "What...what's going on?" Wang Hongru was the first to come to his senses, and asked stutteringly, his voice full of confusion and shock.

Other businessmen also started talking about it, "Did Boss Zhu use some backdoor?" "That's impossible. The Prince Consort's review is so strict." "Then where did this document come from?" Everyone talked at once, with complicated expressions on their faces, including surprise, envy, and a hint of jealousy.

Zhu Yuanzhang was also surprised when he saw the document in front of him. He originally thought that he had no chance to be invited to join the business, but he suddenly received this document. He subconsciously took the document and quickly scanned it, wondering in his heart, "What is this Ouyang Lun doing?" There was a hint of suspicion in his eyes, mixed with a hint of surprise.

The clerk looked at the reactions of the crowd and secretly complained in his heart. He said carefully: "Boss, this is the document sent according to the rules. Boss Zhu's silk and satin shop has long been registered in the merchant registration book, so it is naturally qualified for this investment promotion." As he spoke, he secretly observed Zhu Yuanzhang's face, fearing that Boss Zhu would be dissatisfied.

Wang Hongru listened to the explanation of the clerk, and although he still had some doubts in his heart, he could not say anything. He forced a smile and said to Zhu Yuanzhang: "Congratulations, Boss Zhu. It seems that we have been blind to his ability. Boss Zhu's strength should not be underestimated." There was a hint of sourness in his words, and it was obvious that he was unwilling to give up.

Other businessmen also came forward to congratulate, but there was not much sincerity in their eyes. Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the appearance of the crowd and sneered in his heart. He knew what these people were thinking. He put away the documents and said lightly: "Everyone, this is just luck. In the future, we will have to take care of you in this business!" There was a hint of deep meaning in his tone, which made people unpredictable.

Zhu Yuanzhang stroked the edge of the gold-plated document, and the delicate touch from his fingertips reminded him of Ouyang Lun's cunning eyes. His face, which was as gloomy as before a rainstorm, softened unconsciously at this moment, and he thought to himself: "This boy has grasped the measure just right." He picked up the wine cup and took a sip. What rolled down his throat was not only the mellow wine, but also the recognition of Ouyang Lun's thoughts.

Wang Hongru stared at the faint smile on Zhu Yuanzhang's lips, and cold sweat instantly oozed from the back of his neck. He subconsciously adjusted his collar, his eyes wandering back and forth between Zhu Yuanzhang and the clerk, his heart seemed to jump out of his throat. "Boss Zhu's tricks are really hidden!" Wang Hongru was the first to break the silence, with undisguised flattery in his voice, "I felt sorry for your failure to be selected before, but now it seems that Boss Zhu is just hiding his talent on purpose!" After saying that, he slapped his thigh heavily, as if he was annoyed by his shallowness.

"That's right!" Shopkeeper Li, a silk merchant next to him, immediately responded with a smile on his fat face, and even the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were squeezed into crescent shapes. "The Prince Consort's review is so strict, and all the merchants who can be selected are the best of the best. Boss Zhu must have extraordinary abilities to stand out from the crowd!" As he spoke, he secretly glanced at the document in Zhu Yuanzhang's hand, his eyes full of envy.

Chen San, a tea merchant in the corner, had his head down, but now he was alert and stepped forward and said, "That day in the Ministry of Revenue, Boss Zhu and the Prince Consort confronted each other, and I was worried for you. Now that I think about it, it was clearly a good show by the two of you!" His voice was shrill, and there was exaggerated exclamation in his words, "If an ordinary person had offended the Prince Consort, he would have been in trouble long ago, but Boss Zhu was not only fine, but he also got this precious qualification. I admire his means!"

Zhu Yuanzhang listened to the flattery of the crowd, feeling proud in his heart, but he remained calm on the surface. He coughed lightly and said slowly: "It's just luck. The Prince Consort also handles official business impartially." He was humble on the surface, but he held the document tightly in his hand, and his knuckles turned slightly white due to the force.

"Boss Zhu is too modest!" Wang Hongru moved his chair forward, almost sticking close to Zhu Yuanzhang, "Look at this document, it's stamped with the seal of the Ministry of Revenue! The fact that the Prince Consort can give you this qualification shows how much he values ​​you! In the future in the business world, I hope that Boss Zhu will support us small businessmen!" As he said this, he picked up the wine glass, tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp to show his sincerity.

"I don't deserve your support, we are just looking out for each other." Zhu Yuanzhang put down his wine cup, and the smile on his face could no longer be hidden. "However, business requires integrity. If someone wants to be clever..." He paused deliberately, glanced at everyone, and his tone suddenly became serious. "Don't blame me, Zhu, for being ruthless."

Everyone was nervous when they heard this, and they nodded and bowed quickly. Shopkeeper Li patted his chest and assured: "Boss Zhu, don't worry! We are all honest businessmen, and we will never do such sneaky things! From now on, if you point east, we will never go west!"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Chen San also echoed, "If Boss Zhu has any instructions, just speak up! I will go through fire and water for you!" He was so excited that his saliva splashed on the face of the merchant sitting next to him. At this time, the grain merchant Zhang, who had been silent, stroked his gray beard, squinted his eyes and smiled, "Boss Zhu's silk and satin shop will soar in the future! I heard that the new looms brought by foreign merchants can double the output of silk and satin, and the quality is even better. With this investment qualification, Boss Zhu's business will probably go overseas!" His words aroused everyone's imagination, as if they had seen the scene of Zhu Yuanzhang's silk and satin shop making a fortune.

Wang Hongru's eyes rolled, and he suddenly lowered his voice and said: "Boss Zhu, do you think there are other ways to attract investment? If we can bring my brothers along to make a fortune together..." Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Zhu Yuanzhang's sharp eyes.

"Of course there are ways to do this," Zhu Yuanzhang looked at everyone with a half-smile, "but the premise is that you have to abide by the rules." He paused, and then said, "The rules set by the Prince Consort for this investment promotion are to select merchants who are truly capable and honest. If you want to take shortcuts, give up this idea as soon as possible."

After hearing this, the flattery on everyone's faces instantly turned into awe. They realized that Boss Zhu in front of them was not as simple as he seemed. He was able to obtain the investment qualification under the nose of the Prince Consort, and he was also able to make the Prince Consort willingly submit the documents. The power behind this must be unfathomable.

"Boss Zhu is right!" Wang Hongru was the first to react. "We will definitely remember your teachings and do business honestly!" Then he turned to the other businessmen and said, "Follow Boss Zhu from now on. Let's keep our eyes open and don't break the rules!"

Other merchants also responded, and for a moment, the restaurant was filled with voices expressing their loyalty. Zhu Yuanzhang was greatly pleased to see everyone's submissive appearance. He picked up the wine glass and said leisurely: "In this case, let's drink a toast to future business!"

"Cheers!" Everyone shouted in unison, and the sound of the wine glasses clinking was crisp and pleasant. However, everyone had their own plans in mind. Wang Hongru was secretly thinking about how to build a closer relationship with Zhu Yuanzhang, Manager Li was thinking about how to get a share of Zhu Yuanzhang's business, and Chen San was thinking about how to use Zhu Yuanzhang's name to show off in front of his peers...

After three rounds of drinks, everyone started talking. Shopkeeper Li leaned close to Zhu Yuanzhang's ear and whispered, "Boss Zhu, I heard that your silk shop has been registered in the merchant registration book. I wonder if this is the case..." His words were tentative, and his eyes were fixed on Zhu Yuanzhang's reaction.

Zhu Yuanzhang sneered in his heart but remained expressionless: "It's just the preparations made in the early years. When doing business, you must take a long-term vision and not miss a single step." His words were so profound that Shopkeeper Li seemed to understand them, but he didn't dare to ask more.

Chen San suddenly slammed the table and said loudly: "Boss Zhu has such foresight and vision, how can we compare with him! I have decided to go back and reorganize my own tea business, and learn from Boss Zhu to plan ahead!" His words caused everyone to laugh, but also made Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction.

Old man Zhang stroked his beard and said thoughtfully: "Boss Zhu, in your opinion, what new measures will the court take after attracting investment? We businessmen should make some preparations in advance." His question hit the key point, and everyone pricked up their ears, waiting for Zhu Yuanzhang's answer.

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment and said slowly: "The court naturally hopes that the business of the Ming Dynasty will prosper. In the future, I am afraid that more support will be given to merchants, and supervision will also be strengthened." He glanced at everyone with a sharp gaze, "This is both an opportunity and a challenge. Those who can seize the opportunity will naturally make a lot of money; if you stick to the old ways, I am afraid you will be eliminated by the times."

Everyone suddenly understood what was going on. Wang Hongru nodded repeatedly, "Boss Zhu's words are worth ten years of study! People like us usually only know how to do business, how can we understand these great principles? I will have to rely on your guidance in the future!"

"It's not about giving advice, it's just about communicating with each other." Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, but he was quite proud of himself. Looking at the flattering merchants in front of him, he suddenly felt that this qualification brought not only business opportunities, but also a sense of control over the overall situation.

As the night deepened, the guests in the restaurant gradually dispersed. However, Wang Hongru and others still surrounded Zhu Yuanzhang, unwilling to leave. They either smiled flatteringly or listened to Zhu Yuanzhang respectfully. Everyone hoped to find a shortcut to wealth from this mysterious boss Zhu. Zhu Yuanzhang also enjoyed the admiration of the crowd, and was thinking about how to use this hard-won investment qualification to create his own brilliant career in the business map of the Ming Dynasty.

Anyway, he has retired as the emperor now, so it would be nice for him to do some business.

It's just right to supervise Ouyang Lun to prevent him from playing tricks!
The copper leak in the wine shop had unknowingly drained the last drop of water, and the dark color outside the window gradually faded to a fish belly white. Zhu Yuanzhang leaned on the armchair, his face flushed with alcohol, but he was still in high spirits. He picked up the already cold wine cup, shook the remaining amber liquid in it, squinted his eyes and glanced at the merchants sitting around: "Have fun today, don't be restrained!"

Wang Hongru's tongue was spinning from drinking so much, but he forced himself to stay awake, snatched the jug and staggered to fill Zhu Yuanzhang's glass: "Boss Zhu, you have a huge capacity for drinking. Even if I drink until the next life, I won't be able to catch up with you even half as much!" As he spoke, the reek of alcohol filled the table, but his fat palm held Zhu Yuanzhang's glass steadily, for fear of spilling even a drop.

"That's right!" Shopkeeper Li stood up crookedly, his feet as light as if he was walking on clouds. "Boss Zhu won the qualification to attract investment in such a casual manner. The merchants in the whole capital combined cannot match your courage!" He was so excited that he almost fell on the table, but was quickly supported by the waiter beside him. (End of this chapter)