novelhk Chapter 238 Taking orders in times of danger
Chapter 238 Taking orders in times of danger
"What is it now?"
Seeing that the Crown Prince was also outside, Zhou Wu became somewhat more relaxed.
"I don't know either. I just woke up. They said they were going to summon you too, so I came along."
Li Junren also looked completely innocent.
"His Majesty summoned His Highness the Crown Prince and Lord Zhou as soon as he got up this morning. Let's hurry."
Seeing that the two were chatting, the eunuch could only urge them on from the sidelines.
royal palace.
"Greetings, Your Majesty (Father)."
"I have invited you here today for the Empress's birthday banquet."
Li Tiancheng seemed to have just gotten up, his mind still a little hazy from the hangover.
"The Empress's birthday banquet?"
"Zhou Wu, as a professional chef, what are your thoughts on last night's banquet?"
If Li Tiancheng were to say this to other officials, they would certainly think that the emperor was insulting them, because cooks had a very low status in this era, and because cooks often killed animals, scholars looked down on the cook profession.
However, Zhou Wu, being a modern person, had no such awareness whatsoever. It was precisely because of Zhou Wu's carefree personality that Li Tiancheng showed him a special favor that was different from that shown to others.
"Well, I can't say about the others, but I think it's not lively enough."
"Oh, tell me what you think."
The reason Li Tiancheng called Zhou Wu over was because yesterday's banquet was just a warm-up. Li Tiancheng hoped that the Empress's birthday celebration would be as perfect as possible, so he invited Zhou Wu to his home to see if Zhou Wu could offer any suggestions. Unexpectedly, Zhou Wu did.
“First of all, Her Majesty’s birthday banquet must be lively, but if we each have a small table, do you think it will be lively? Why do commoners sit around one table when they eat?”
"Good idea, that's a good suggestion. Si Dezi, remember this, and we'll replace all the tables with large round tables later."
"promise."
Si Dezi had been waiting for a long time with paper and pen in hand.
"Also, the seating at last night's banquet was very inconvenient."
"Unsuitable location? What's the reason for that?"
"Yesterday, although the main hall was magnificent, the moonlight could not be seen, the night view could not be seen, and the people could not be seen praying for the Empress."
"Very well, Si Dezi, the birthday banquet will be held in Chunhui Palace."
"promise."
Zhou Wu had visited Chunhui Palace once before and was deeply impressed. The reason why Li Tiancheng moved the birthday banquet to Chunhui Palace was entirely because the doors and windows around Chunhui Palace could be fully opened, allowing people to enjoy more scenery. This is also the origin of the name Chunhui Palace.
Most importantly, next to Chunhui Hall is Zhaixing Tower, the tallest building in the palace, which will be the most advantageous location when fireworks are set off.
Afterwards, some issues regarding the birthday banquet were discussed, and in the end, Li Tiancheng indeed entrusted the Empress's birthday banquet to Crown Prince Li Junren and Zhou Wu, one in charge of internal affairs and the other in charge of external affairs.
The Crown Prince Li Junren was in charge of welcoming and receiving guests, while Zhou Wu was in charge of the banquet dishes and program.
Of course, these arrangements have already been made, but Zhou Wu needs to keep an eye on things so that any unexpected situations can be addressed.
. . . . . .
The countdown to the Empress's birthday banquet has begun, and Zhou Wu has been extremely busy these past two days. After all, she is the mother of the nation, and this birthday banquet was specially ordered by the Emperor, making the entire process very complicated.
In contrast, Crown Prince Li Junren had it much easier. As the Crown Prince, it was normal for him to greet guests on his mother's birthday; he only needed to stand at the entrance of the main hall with a smile on his face.
The day before the birthday.
Fearing that setting off fireworks might cause misunderstandings among the military camps in the capital, Zhou Wu had to make arrangements in advance. Among the military, the only person he could talk to and who had a decent relationship with him was Gu Xinyuan.
Gu Mansion.
"Oh, that's rare. I heard you've been back in the capital for a long time. What brings you to visit me today, and with a gift no less? Knowing you as I do, you must have something to ask of me."
Gu Xinyuan sat in the chair, looking at Zhou Wu with a mocking expression. That's right, he guessed it all. Zhou Wu was the typical guy who wouldn't come to the temple without a reason.
"Hehe, you guessed right, sir. I do indeed have something to ask of you."
Zhou Wu referred to himself as "your subordinate," which indicated that this was official business, making it difficult for Gu Xinyuan to drive him away. He could only listen to what Zhou Wu had to say.
"Then let me hear what official business you have?"
"Tomorrow is the Empress's birthday banquet. I have a mysterious gift to give to His Majesty and the Empress. However, it may be a bit big, so I would like to ask you to give advance notice to the major military camps in the capital."
"He even sent greetings to several major military camps in the capital. When did I become so influential?"
Gu Xinyuan wasn't unwilling to help, but after getting drunk and becoming sworn brothers with Zhou Wu last time, he felt resentful that Zhou Wu hadn't come to see him even after returning to the capital for so long.
"If you don't want to help, then forget it and I won't bother you anymore."
After Zhou Wu finished speaking, he left, leaving Gu Xinyuan standing there in a daze.
So readily? Is this how you ask for favors? Is this how you ask for help?
"Then I can only report back to the Crown Prince that the surprise may not be possible."
Zhou Wu seemed to be talking to himself, but every word he uttered reached Gu Xinyuan's ears. Only then did he remember that His Majesty had entrusted the birthday banquet to the Crown Prince and Zhou Wu.
The Crown Prince is my son-in-law. I can't refuse him, whether it's for public or private reasons, or out of emotion or reason. Damn it, so this bastard Zhou Wu was waiting for me here.
"Wait, let me help."
Every time Gu Xinyuan tried to outsmart Zhou Wu, he ended up failing. He had won on the battlefield his whole life, but he had never gained the upper hand against Zhou Wu. He really was a little fox.
"Then thank you very much, sir."
"However, I do have limited energy on my own. You'd better go to Duke Lu. His prestige in the army is no less than mine. With the two of us on the mission, there will definitely be no problem."
"But I'm not very familiar with the Duke of Lu."
"Don't worry about that. Your seaweed business has solved his urgent problem, and with my influence, he will definitely help you. Go on, it's getting late."
"Okay, thank you."
After leaving the Gu residence, Zhou Wu hurried to the Duke of Lu's residence.
The Duke of Lu's Mansion.
"Dong dong dong~~~"
The gates of the Duke of Lu's mansion were tightly shut. Zhou Wu knocked lightly twice, and the gate opened a crack, with the gatekeeper sticking his head out.
"May I ask your name, sir? What brings you here?"
There was none of the arrogant, domineering behavior depicted in TV dramas or novels. The gatekeeper was quite polite. After all, anyone who dared to knock on the Duke's gate in the capital was either a madman or a high-ranking official, and obviously, the chances of him being a madman were extremely slim.
"I am Zhou Wu, the Grand Commander of the South China Sea. I have important business to discuss with the Duke of Lu."
"So it is Lord Zhou in person. Please wait a moment while I go and inform him."
"Thank you."
As soon as the gatekeeper entered, he heard deafening laughter coming from inside.