Chapter 61: Son of a Bitch? The Majority Shareholder Blows His Top!

Palace of Heavenly Purity.

The elderly Emperor Zhu wore casual attire and sat opposite Crown Prince Biao. They appeared to be conversing leisurely, but in truth, neither of their minds was on the small talk. Both were filled with anticipation, waiting for the final outcome of the auction held at the Duke of Wei’s estate.

"Biao'er, how much silver do you think Great Grandson and Chichi can rake in for us this time?" Emperor Zhu furrowed his brow slightly, a trace of skepticism in his eyes.

In reality, he did not hold high hopes for this auction.

From Emperor Zhu's perspective, it was merely a mirror. No matter how crystal-clear the craftsmanship or how flawless the reflection, fundamentally, it was still just a mirror!

Aside from everyday grooming, what special use could a mirror possibly have?

Could it be eaten as a meal?

It was precisely because of this mindset that Emperor Zhu’s heart was filled with doubts. Recalling the terrifying profits Zhu Gaochi had sworn up and down about that day, no matter how he looked at it, it seemed entirely unrealistic and unachievable.

A gentle smile hung on Crown Prince Biao's face as he softly said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. Since Chichi spoke with such certainty, he must have absolute confidence. Didn't Chichi say a single glass mirror is priced at five thousand taels? Surely this auction will net at least a few million taels of silver."

"A few million taels?" Hearing this, Emperor Zhu couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head like a rattling drum. "You are making this sound far too simple and taking it for granted. Stripped down to its core, it's just a mirror and cannot be eaten. How could there possibly be so many fools scrambling to buy it?" Emperor Zhu shook his head with disdain as he spoke.

Presently, the Great Ming dynasty levied taxes in physical grain. Initially, the collected grain amounted to a mere twenty-one million shi. Over the subsequent years, as the imperial court adopted policies to demobilize troops, pacify the populace, and start afresh, tax revenues gradually stabilized around forty-eight million shi.

Converted at market prices, this forty-eight million shi of grain would by no means exceed twenty million taels of silver.

Yet, you hold a single auction and expect to effortlessly pocket several million taels of silver out of thin air—how could that possibly be?!

Crown Prince Biao wanted to say more, but right at that moment, Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Xiongying swaggered in.

Because he cared deeply about the final outcome of the bidding event, Emperor Zhu had issued an order that when they arrived, they were to enter directly without announcement.

Seeing the two little fellows walk in, both Emperor Zhu and Crown Prince Biao instinctively stood up.

"Chichi, how did it go? Was it smooth?" Emperor Zhu asked eagerly, unable to hide his urgency.

With good reason—he was the primary stakeholder in this business, holding a sixty percent profit share!

If he had brazenly seized the shares of Xu Da and Li Wenzhong only to fail to reap any money in the end, wouldn't that simply be a disgusting joke played on himself?

Meeting Emperor Zhu's expectant gaze, the corners of Zhu Gaochi's mouth curled up. He smiled, nodded, and casually said, "Old codger, just sit back and collect your money in peace!"

With that, he sat down in an imposing manner, cleared his throat, and continued: "Full-length mirrors sold at twenty thousand taels each, totaling one hundred and sixty thousand taels; half-length mirrors at five thousand taels each, totaling forty-five thousand taels; handheld mirrors were sold in greater quantities at two thousand taels each, totaling one million two hundred thousand taels... Total revenue for this auction: one million three hundred thousand taels!"

Hearing this unfamiliar yet staggering figure, Emperor Zhu and Crown Prince Biao instantly widened their eyes, their faces plastered with shock and disbelief. For a moment, they were utterly frozen in place.

Crown Prince Biao instinctively rubbed his face, which had gone slightly numb from astonishment, and pressed again, "Chichi, how much did you say?!"

"One million three hundred thousand!" Zhu Gaochi looked at their expressions and gave a reproachful chuckle. "It fell a bit short of expectations. This auction was organized rather hastily, so only the capital's nobility managed to attend. The dignitaries and wealthy tycoon merchants from other regions haven't even had time to rush here yet. Otherwise, we easily could have sold five or six million taels worth..."

The rest of what he said was automatically tuned out by Emperor Zhu and Crown Prince Biao.

One million three hundred thousand taels of silver!

What concept was this?

It was nearly enough to match the entire annual tax revenue of an entire province!

And yet, this was merely the profit from a single auction hosted by Zhu Gaochi!

Emperor Zhu stood there in a daze, his eyes locked straight onto Zhu Gaochi, as if unable to believe his own ears.

Crown Prince Biao silently counted on his fingers, occasionally letting out strange chuckles, clearly still immersed in massive shock.

Finding their reaction baffling, Zhu Gaochi offered an explanation: "Old codgers, don't be anxious. We fired fewer pieces this first time, but production will definitely increase hereafter. Now that our glass mirrors have completely made a name for themselves and become an essential luxury item among dignitaries, subsequent revenues will only grow higher and higher..."

Everything Li Qi said afterward went right over the heads of Emperor Zhu and Crown Prince Biao.

However, that did not matter!

What mattered was that they had finally grown wealthy!

Father and son exchanged a glance, and then burst into uncontrollable, booming laughter.

Money?

Was the imperial court still short of money?

Not anymore!

It would never be short again!

And an emperor who lacked nothing in wealth—could he not do whatever he pleased and realize his political ambitions to the fullest?

Civil achievements, military exploits, an emperor through the ages!

Emperor Zhu excitedly stepped forward and patted the top of Zhu Gaochi's head.

"Hahaha... My good grandson, you have truly given me an earth-shattering surprise!"

One million three hundred thousand—based on a sixty percent profit share, that came out to a staggering seven hundred and eighty thousand!

This speed of making money was virtually indistinguishable from robbery!

For a moment, Emperor Zhu felt a sense of supreme physical and mental bliss. Even the gaze he cast toward Zhu Gaochi softened noticeably, brimming with deep affection and admiration.

Zhu Gaochi irritably swatted Emperor Zhu's paw away, complaining, "Old codger, stop laying your hands on me. What if you turn my wise and mighty brain stupid with your slapping?"

Hearing this, Emperor Zhu was in such an extreme state of euphoria that he couldn't be bothered to argue with him. He simply kept laughing and saying, "Good, good, good! My good grandson is wise, mighty, and exceptionally clever,哈哈哈...

Oh, this feels amazing!

This is utterly fantastic!

Sitting down and having eight hundred thousand taels drop into your lap—what could possibly be more gratifying than this?"

A ceaseless smile hung on Emperor Zhu's face, practically stretching it to its limits.

Zhu Gaochi took a sip of tea and flashed a mischievous grin. "Old codger, don't celebrate just yet. Our business has caught the eye of someone else, and that person even cursed you as a scoundrel who hogged sixty percent of the profits for yourself!"

The moment those words were spoken, the brilliant smile on Emperor Zhu's face froze instantly, turning pitch-black and thunderous in a split second. Seized with sudden fury, he roared, "What did you say? Which scoundrel dares to muscle in on my business? I'll exterminate his nine generations..."

"Minister of the Left, Li Shanchang!" Zhu Gaochi leisurely spat out the names.

"..." Hearing this name, Emperor Zhu forcefully swallowed back the harsh threats lingering on his lips.

How could it be that old fogey Li Shanchang?

Emperor Zhu's brow furrowed tightly into a deep frown, and the smile on his face vanished without a trace. If it were anyone else, Emperor Zhu would undoubtedly have dealt with them severely without a second thought. But Li Shanchang was entirely different.

First of all, this old fellow had rendered meritorious service to the Great Ming and was the founding civil minister of the dynasty!

Back in the day, Li Shanchang had followed him through campaigns across the south, offering stratagems and managing the rear guard, laying down monumental achievements for the establishment of the Great Ming.

Secondly, over all these years, the officials recommended and promoted by Li Shanchang were countless. From the local administrations to the central government, his disciples and former subordinates were everywhere. Heaven knew how many officials belonged to Li Shanchang's faction.

It was precisely because of this that Emperor Zhu had always exercised restraint toward Li Shanchang.

Take last time, for instance: even though Li Shanchang's son, Li Qi, was a prince consort who behaved disgracefully by vying for courtesans at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion and engaging in prostitution, Emperor Zhu had merely instructed Li Shanchang to discipline him properly without imposing any harsher punishment.

Yet now, Li Shanchang had the audacity to cast his greedy eyes upon glass mirrors, attempt to rob him of his money, and even curse him as a scoundrel... Cold light flickered in Emperor Zhu's eyes, his menacing demeanor making it seem as though he might devour someone at any second.

"I am aware of this matter. You two needn't worry about it."

Emperor Zhu waved his hand, looking at the two youngsters.

"Go back to your studies and cultivate your virtue, train your bodies in martial arts, and I will handle the rest myself!"

Seeing this, Zhu Xiongying and Zhu Gaochi oiled the soles of their feet and neatly slipped away.

After they left, Crown Prince Biao braced himself and stepped forward, softly reminding him, "Father, after all, he is Li Shanchang. You..."

"Withdraw for now, I know what I'm doing!" Emperor Zhu waved his hand impatiently.

Seeing this situation, Crown Prince Biao could only smile bitterly and retreat, sighing inwardly. He had already mentally sentenced Li Shanchang to death.

Li Shanchang, oh Li Shanchang, why on earth did you have to be so greedy?