Tang Dynasty: To win Yang Guifei, they asked Emperor Xuanzong to die.

Chapter 30 Preparing a Generous Gift

Gao Chen stood with his hands behind his back in front of the eunuch's bedroom.

Xiao Xizi stood respectfully to the side, a fawning smile on his face, and said...

"My lord, I have found a new eunuch named Xiao Zhuozi. He is very clever and obedient."

Gao Chen nodded slightly and said, "Alright, in that case, go and get some money for Xiao Zhuozi so he can place the bets. Remember, be very careful with this."

After receiving the order, Xiao Xizi quickly left. He went to the accounting office and retrieved the silver.

In a secluded corner, Xiao Xizi looked around to make sure no one was there, then took out a piece of silver, took a bite, and quickly stuffed it into his pocket.

After doing all this, she resealed the money bag, humming a little tune as she found the small table.

Xiao Zhuozi stood in front of Xiao Xizi with a fawning smile on his face.

"What are your instructions, Eunuch Xi?"

Xiao Xizi casually tossed the money bag to Xiao Zhuozi, then said with a serious expression, "Xiao Zhuozi, this is someone personally entrusted by Eunuch Gao. You must be careful. This matter is of great importance, and you must not make any mistakes."

The little table nodded repeatedly, its eyes full of sincerity.

"Don't worry, Master Xi, I will definitely handle this matter well."

They didn't know that Xiao Zhuozi was a eunuch secretly sent in by Li Mao.

After taking the money, Xiao Zhuo went straight back to the horse farm.

He carefully observed his surroundings, and after confirming that no one was following him, he secretly found Li Mao.

Xiao Zhuozi, his face full of obsequiousness, knelt down and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, I have returned. Everything has been done as you instructed."

Li Mao nodded slightly, a smile playing on his lips. "Not bad. Did Gao Chen do anything unusual?"

Xiao Zhuozi pondered for a moment and said, "Your Highness, Gao Chen seems to have some doubts about me, but I acted very cleverly, and he didn't see any flaws. Moreover, Xiao Xizi has been assuring Gao Chen that I am reliable."

Li Mao sneered. "Hmph, that old fox Gao Chen naturally won't easily trust others. But it doesn't matter, you can continue to do as I say. As long as you serve me well, I won't treat you unfairly."

After saying that, Li Mao took out a money bag and threw it to the small table.

Xiao Zhuozi, who was already kneeling on the ground, immediately kowtowed after receiving the money bag and said, "Thank you for your generous gift, Your Highness. I will be loyal to you. Whatever Your Highness commands, I will go through fire and water without hesitation."

Li Mao narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "You must keep a close eye on Gao Chen's movements and report any news to me immediately. Also, be quick-witted in those betting venues and try to gather as much information as possible."

Xiao Zhuozi solemnly replied, "I understand, Your Highness. Please rest assured. I will do my best to serve Your Highness."

As soon as the small table left, someone came to report.

"Your Highness, those restaurant managers somehow got wind of this and want to come to our restaurant to learn the recipes."

"One of the managers is named Wang Fugui, another is named Liu Youcai, and the third is named Zhang Fu. They are all famous restaurant managers in Chang'an. If they learn our recipes..."

Li Mao sneered and interrupted the servant, saying, "Have someone take them to the reception room at the horse farm."

"I obey, little one."

The managers of various restaurants came to the reception room.

They immediately began to chat warmly upon meeting.

"Tell me, this Prince's Birthday Banquet is incredibly popular! The dishes, the taste, it's simply unforgettable. I heard that many high-ranking officials and nobles go there to entertain their guests," Wang Fugui said excitedly, his face full of anticipation.

Liu Youcai frowned slightly and sighed. "Alas, ever since the Prince's Birthday Banquet was held in Chang'an, the business of our small restaurants has been declining day by day. That Prince's Birthday Banquet has the background of the royal family, and the dishes are unique. How can we compare?"

Zhang Fu nodded in agreement. "Yes, this time His Majesty's decree ordering Prince Shou to make the recipes public is truly a lifeline for us. If we can learn those recipes, perhaps our restaurant can be revived."

Wang Fugui continued, "I've heard that there's a signature dish at the Prince's banquet called 'Jadeite White Jade Soup.' The taste is... wow, it's said that just one bite can make you feel intoxicated. If we could learn how to make this dish, we'd be rolling in money."

Liu Youcai pondered and said, "I wonder if His Highness Prince Shou will really give us the recipe. If he's just putting on an act, then we'll have gotten our hopes up for nothing."

Zhang Fu said with some worry, "Yes, what if His Highness Prince Shou has other intentions?"

At this moment, a servant came to warn the restaurant owners, "His Highness said that you should all wait. If you can't wait, you may leave on your own."

After hearing this, no one dared to say anything more and could only chat and wait.

Two hours later, no one came.

The restaurant owners began to speculate whether Prince Shou didn't want to publish the menu. Wang Fugui's face showed displeasure, and he frowned slightly.

"Could it be that Prince Shou doesn't want to give us the recipes? Does he dare to defy the Emperor's will?" Wang Fugui said angrily, clenching his fists.

Liu Youcai, however, remained calm. "Prince Shou probably wouldn't dare disobey the Emperor's will; perhaps something has delayed him."

Zhang Fu was getting anxious. "How long will we have to wait? We can't keep waiting like this."

Outside the door, several shopkeepers hurried over.

"Oh, everyone's here too."

Zhang Fu snorted and asked, "Manager Zhao, is your nose like a dog's? How come you're everywhere?"

“Fatty Zhang, that’s not quite right.” Manager Zhao gave Zhang Fu a provocative look, then clasped his hands in a fist and said to the sky, “His Majesty has decreed that we restaurant managers are allowed to learn the recipes at His Highness Prince Shou’s restaurant.”

"You all came empty-handed? You deserve to have been waiting here all this time."

"you!"

Zhang Fu was so angry that he couldn't speak.

Manager Zhao proudly pulled out a cookbook and said, "See? His Highness Prince Shou has already sent me the cookbook."

Everyone present looked at Manager Zhao with surprise.

I really can't understand why Prince Shou would give the recipe to this despicable person.

Wang Fugui quickly stepped forward, smiling and cupping his hands in greeting, saying, "Brother Zhao, may I borrow the recipe to take a look?"

Manager Zhao sneered and put away the menu, saying, "Wishful thinking! You've been waiting here for so long, and you still don't understand His Highness Prince Shou's meaning? What a bunch of fools."

"You can wait and see."

After saying that, Manager Zhao left directly.

After exchanging glances, the shopkeepers hurriedly went back to prepare generous gifts.

After they left, the servant immediately reported the matter to Li Mao.

"Your Highness, the restaurant managers have all gone to prepare generous gifts."

Li Mao nodded and said, "When they come again, bring them all to the secret room."