Royal Gold Magistrate

So King Wu wanted to cooperate with him again?

Fang Zheng pondered for a moment, then looked at King Wu: “Your Highness, forgive this lowly official’s boldness, but times have changed… It’s not impossible to give Your Highness exclusive rights to the monkey wine, but the conditions can’t be as simple as before…”

“I’ll give you two hundred thousand taels for the exclusive sales rights. How about that?” King Wu offered.

Two hundred thousand? I earn forty thousand in a few months. Wouldn’t it be better to sell it myself?

Fang Zheng shook his head in refusal.

King Wu didn’t react much and continued, “Thanks to the Peach Blossom Fan, I’ve amassed quite a fortune now.”

“How about three hundred thousand taels?”

Fang Zheng took a sip of tea and calmly said, “Actually, this official is afraid Your Highness might incur losses, so I dare not agree.”

“Your Highness must be aware of the Peach Blossom Fan wine’s sales situation in the capital.”

The Peach Blossom Fan’s sales were really not doing well, with no growth for two consecutive years.

To be honest, Fang Zheng looked down on King Wu’s wine-selling skills.

Even Xiao Tao could outperform him.

The monkey wine’s profits were very considerable, and he wasn’t too keen on handing it over to him.

King Wu patiently explained, “The Peach Blossom Fan wine is extremely strong. Not many people in the capital appreciate strong liquor, so it can only maintain its current status.”

“However, the monkey wine is completely different. It’s smooth to drink and has a fruity aroma. I imagine quite a few people will appreciate it.”

“Moreover, I’ve found a new batch of merchants to work for me, and they’re exceptionally capable.”

“This wine will surely become popular throughout our Great Jing.”

If you mix the Peach Blossom Fan wine with water and fruit juice, how can it not taste good?

Although he was selling fake wine, it didn’t stop Fang Zheng from demanding a high price.

He continued to shake his head.

King Wu maintained his calm expression: “Three hundred thousand taels for exclusive sales rights, and we’ll split the profits 60-40.”

Fang Zheng looked at King Wu in surprise.

Three hundred thousand taels, plus a 60-40 split? What was King Wu thinking?

Though filled with doubts, he couldn’t help but ask, “Who gets sixty?”

“You get sixty.”

“???”

“Your Highness, you’re not joking with me, are you?”

King Wu smiled and said, “Of course not, and you needn’t be suspicious.”

“I have no interest in money. I just need it to indulge in some useless things, otherwise I wouldn’t be involved in merchant affairs.”

“For me, whether it’s more or less money, as long as it’s enough, it’s fine.”

“I also greatly enjoy the monkey wine. If this wine truly becomes popular, it will be a steady stream of income.”

“It can be considered a legacy left for future generations.”

“Of course, if it doesn’t make money, we’ll have to cancel the contract, and you’ll have to return part of the money to me.”

As he spoke, he personally poured a cup of tea for Fang Zheng.

Fang Zheng quickly picked up the teacup, his mind still full of suspicions.

King Wu’s explanation seemed reasonable, but wasn’t he getting too good a deal? Did such windfalls really fall from the sky?

Moreover, this King Wu was quite wealthy, casually mentioning hundreds of thousands of taels.

“Then many thanks to Your Highness! This official will send someone tomorrow to sign the contract!”

“Excellent!”

King Wu looked satisfied and continued, “Very good, this is our second collaboration.”

“So I should also be frank with you. Lord Fang, you must know that the Hidden Fragrance Pavilion is also under my name, right?”

“I do.”

Fang Zheng had picked up a big windfall, and his mood was quite good.

It seemed King Wu was about to be completely open.

“To be honest, Ningxin is also one of my people. I’ve heard you’re quite fond of Ningxin, so today I’m giving her to you.”

King Wu revealed a smile that all men share, leaning close to Fang Zheng’s ear: “Ningxin is still a virgin. Feel free to enjoy yourself thoroughly.”

“Really?” Fang Zheng immediately showed a joyful expression. “Then this official is most grateful to Your Highness!”

As he finished speaking, King Wu clapped his hands, and Luo Ningxin gracefully walked out from a corner.

Her gaze towards Fang Zheng was filled with endless coyness.

“Today, you’ll go home with Lord Fang.”

“Oh? One more thing, the mansion recently recruited a batch of gardeners. I thought there might be assassins mixed among them.”

“After interrogation, we found out they were actually people from Taoyuan County. They were sent back afterward.”

“Lord Fang, do you know about this matter?”

“I don’t know.”

Fang Zheng flatly denied it.

Up to now, he still couldn’t figure out King Wu’s intentions. Giving money, giving women.

Was it really for the sake of a so-called steady business?

Or was he curious about Taoyuan County’s special products, investing in advance to establish a good relationship with him for the future?

In any case, it seemed he wanted to win Fang Zheng over.

King Wu’s behavior was very frank, and Fang Zheng lowered his guard a bit.

Whether King Wu killed his father or not, what did it have to do with him!

As long as he didn’t rebel, and there was money to be made in the cooperation, then do it! Thinking too much was useless.

As for rebelling, it was simply impossible!

Emperor Jing had reduced the power of the vassal states, eliminated Qian, and held all military power in his hands.

Currently, Great Jing had no internal worries about vassal kings rebelling. The so-called vassal kings were just “pets” being kept.

Without military power, what good was having more money?

With the deal successful, the two chatted briefly, and Li Yuanzhao returned from outside.

He sat back in his original seat and continued to eat silently.

Fang Zheng watched him with a troubled expression.

The Crown Prince was so straightforward! Eat, then relieve himself, then eat again. Perhaps he had been living among refugees for too long, and his table manners were quite unrefined.

Fortunately, this latter half didn’t last too long. Li Yuanzhao stopped after two bowls of rice.

After bidding farewell to King Wu, the group set off for home.

On the way, Li Yuanzhao patted his belly: “Uncle is a bit weird, but the food at his mansion is quite good!”

“Who is this woman? Why is she following us?”

Luo Ningxin immediately stopped, knelt down, and bowed: “This servant is Luo Ningxin, greetings to the Crown Prince.”

“Oh! I remember, you’re the top courtesan from the Hidden Fragrance Pavilion. How did you end up at King Wu’s mansion?”

“In reply to Your Highness, the Hidden Fragrance Pavilion is His Highness’s property. From now on, this servant belongs to Lord Fang.”

Luo Ningxin was also troubled at heart. She had been living comfortably at the Hidden Fragrance Pavilion when suddenly she was called to the King’s mansion.

Then she was told she would be given to Fang Zheng and should serve him well, with no further explanation.

She was dumbfounded at that moment. Why had the King suddenly changed his mind?

But as a woman from the Hidden Fragrance Pavilion, what right did she have to arrange her own fate?

Whatever was arranged from above, that’s how it would be. But when this day actually arrived, her heart was still in turmoil.

She couldn’t quite describe how she felt.

Fang Zheng was young, handsome, and had a promising future. He also liked her.

Perhaps becoming a favored concubine wouldn’t be so bad.

It was certainly better than those unfortunate sisters who were sent to old geezers.

Li Yuanzhao gave Fang Zheng a thumbs up, grinning: “Old Fang, you’re something! Stay away from my sister in the future, alright? I’ll let her know when we get back.”

Damn it! If I had known, I wouldn’t have brought this burden along!

Fang Zheng frowned and said in a low voice: “Does Your Highness like that thousand-mile mirror that can see the moon?”

“I like it! What about it? I also want to see if there are people on the moon.”

“I can try to get one for Your Highness, but if you say anything reckless to the Princess, then you’ll get nothing!”

“Deal!”

Then, Li Yuanzhao asked curiously: “Old Fang, do you think the earth beneath our feet is really round?”

“Perhaps. Why don’t you ask His Majesty to send out a fleet of ships to travel around the world? Then you’ll know everything!”

“You’re right! That makes sense!”