Four days later, Li Tingbiao asked for an audience and handed over two lists.

One is a list of all wealthy businessmen in the capital with a net worth of more than 100,000 taels, and the other is a list of all officials in the capital with a net worth of more than 100,000 taels. Most of the names are followed by an approximate amount of net worth.

Zhu Cixi took a quick look and clicked his tongue in surprise. This was simply the rich list of the late Ming Dynasty!

Especially for officials, the salaries of officials in the Ming Dynasty were not high, but these officials were all so rich that they could make two acres of land richer just by peeing.

Zhu Cixiang planned a lot and finally selected 150 wealthy businessmen and 50 officials on the list, and sent people to their homes to distribute invitations, saying that His Highness the Crown Prince would entertain you all at a banquet at Prince Duan's Mansion tomorrow.

I heard that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was entertaining guests, and many wealthy businessmen and officials from the capital were invited to Prince Duan's Mansion the next day, with everyone's faces filled with joy.

Although many wealthy businessmen know that the East Palace is currently serving the people, and they probably don't have the money to ask them to support it, even so, they are still very excited.

Because at that time, the status of merchants was the lowest among scholars, farmers, industry and commerce. As the crown prince, His Highness the Crown Prince was able to invite them. It was their blessing, which invisibly improved the status of merchants.

However, in front of Prince Duan's Mansion, the dignitaries waiting for Xuan Jin were divided into two circles. One side was full of businessmen, and the other side was full of capital officials.

The businessmen were smiling, but the officials were frowning. They did not expect that the prince would invite them to the banquet with the businessmen. The officials felt that they had been insulted by the prince, and many of them had angry expressions on their faces.

"We are scholar-bureaucrats, how can we associate with merchants?" an official said angrily, which immediately aroused the agreement of many officials.

When the merchants heard this, they were a little unhappy, thinking that you all look like dogs now, but this is not the case when collecting money.

The businessmen did not dare to say anything openly. Businessmen have been discriminated against in all dynasties. The status of businessmen is not even as good as that of farmers, let alone those who are officials.

"Quiet!" Wu Zhong shouted to calm the officials who were whispering among each other. He made a secret gesture and asked the little eunuch behind him to report to His Highness the Crown Prince.

Although the prince is young, he is still a king. They are ministers and must have the necessary respect. Although these officials were full of resentment, at most they could only express their dissatisfaction with dry coughs and shaking their bodies.

"Why, is it possible that His Highness really wants us to have a banquet with this group of low-class businessmen?" Zhu Chunchen, Duke of Chengguo, stood up and sneered.

As a hereditary Duke and holding the power of the capital, Zhu Chunchen did not have the same respect for the young Donggong as others. Moreover, he had always been resentful of Zhu Cihong's interruption of his financial path. This was the perfect time to deal a blow.

If Zhu Chunchen knew that the man in charge of the capital, 'Brother Haonan', was the current crown prince, he would probably explode.

"Mr. Cheng Guo, please be careful what you say!" Wu Zhong stared at Zhu Chunchen and said. Wu Zhong was very unhappy that Zhu Chunchen was targeting his master.

"Hmph! What the hell!" Zhu Chunchen rolled up his sleeves and snorted softly. No one knew whether he was talking about Wu Zhong or scolding the current prince in disguise.

Wu Zhong's face was livid with anger, but he had no choice but to do anything. The other party was a hereditary prince with a superior status. He was not something that a small seventh-level eunuch could talk back to. However, when Wu Zhong thought about Brother Haonan, he felt a little more comfortable.

When the wealthy businessmen on the side saw this, they felt disgusted in their hearts. The more they looked at these officials, the more unhappy they became. Especially this Duke Cheng. If he had no official rank, he would have been beaten with sticks by the slaves of these wealthy businessmen.

Die in the street.

At this time, the little eunuch who had just gone in to report the matter came back, secretly whispered a few words into Wu Zhong's ear and then stepped aside.

Wu Zhong took two steps forward and said: "The Crown Prince has issued an order for everyone to come to the banquet. If anyone is unwilling to come, you can come back tomorrow. There will be another banquet tomorrow."

After everyone heard the order, they were a little hesitant. What did the order mean? Can they be divided into two groups?

The wealthy businessmen wanted to enter the palace, but they did not dare to take the lead because the officials opposite had not yet entered.

"Please, everyone!" Wu Zhong smiled and made an inviting gesture towards the wealthy business district.

"Don't dare trouble my father-in-law!" Some discerning wealthy businessmen hurriedly stepped forward and said politely, and took the lead in entering the palace.

The wealthy businessman who was the first to enter the palace turned around and secretly spat at the officials outside the door. At the same time, he said in his heart: "Why are you looking down on me? Didn't I come in before you?"

Seeing someone entering the palace first, many businessmen followed suit and ignored the livid-faced officials.

"These unruly people are getting more and more outrageous!" an official said angrily.

"I will never dine with these people!" An official threw up his sleeves and left.

"Forget it, let's go back and come back tomorrow." Several more officials left.

Not long after, all the officials left, and many of them said before leaving that they wanted to report to His Majesty and read the Prince's book.

Various dishes have been prepared in the Chengyun Palace. Although they are good, they look a bit shabby in the eyes of these wealthy businessmen who are used to eating delicacies from the mountains and seas. However, they do not care.

To everyone's surprise, there was a pot of special dishes on each banquet table, and an experienced person called out the name on the spot: "This is hot pot!"

“Hey, it’s really the hotpot of Dezhuang Hotpot!”

Many wealthy businessmen know that there is a Dezhuang hotpot on Qianmen Street. Although it has not been open for a long time, its reputation has spread throughout Beijing. The specialty there is a new dish called "hotpot", which has a unique taste.

, very exciting, the more I eat, the more I want to eat!

Many people present had eaten there before, but they didn't expect that the banquet hosted by His Royal Highness would include this fashionable dish. It was really incredible.

Wu Zhong said loudly: "Your Majesty the Crown Prince has decreed that if His Majesty is delayed for something, he will arrive later, so that you don't have to be cautious and can eat and drink with confidence. If there is any violation of etiquette, you will be exempted from punishment."

When these sponsors heard this, they were very excited and a little touched. It is really amazing that His Highness the Crown Prince is so benevolent and righteous!

They, low-status businessmen, were afraid of being tricked and had a good meal, but suddenly a guard jumped out and took him down, saying that he had behaved unbecomingly before him, so he would be beaten first, and then all his property would be confiscated.

Now that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has issued the order, they no longer have to worry, and they are all happy.

The whole day, Prince Duan's Mansion was extremely lively. With the sound of bells and drums playing, the people attending the banquet were enjoying themselves by changing cups and cups.

Especially this spicy hot pot, paired with fine wine, everyone ate it with gusto, and it was so satisfying.

In such a rare scene, no eunuch stepped in to stop anything, leaving everyone cheering.

When the banquet was coming to an end, His Royal Highness the Prince came out. Everyone who was slightly drunk from eating and drinking rushed to greet him. Some people even stood unsteadily, which was a bit rude.
Chapter completed!