Chapter 185: Problem with the Banquet Fruits
"There’s a problem with a shipment of tribute fruit from the south. I have to go deal with it." Gu Shuo had just entered the Capital City when he heard the news and rushed straight for the palace gates.
"It’s just one shipment of fruit. Nothing to get so flustered about."
"Beili is famous for its fruit. The tribute fruit is for the representatives of the various kingdoms to sample during the Emperor’s birthday banquet. If something goes wrong, the Emperor will be furious."
"The Capital City has plenty of fruit. Our Gu family owns several fruit shops. If worse comes to worst, just take some from our stores." His grandfather pitied his grandson, but the thought that Gu Shuo wasn’t managing the Gu family’s enterprises made him angry again. "We have so many of our own businesses, and the role of Imperial Purveyor has only been around for a few years! You don’t understand all the crooked dealings involved, yet you insisted on taking the job. Such a waste of a good mind."
"The fruit from Yu State is the best in the world; nothing else can replace it. The banquet is still a month away. I’ve already made arrangements and will personally make a trip to Yu State." Gu Shuo had been run ragged these past two days.
"You’re going to Yu State?" his grandfather’s eyes widened.
"Yes. I leave the day after tomorrow."
"The disaster in the south is severe! All the bridges have been washed away, and the floodwaters haven’t receded. Do you have a death wish, kid?" His grandfather was furious—even one of the Gu family’s own caravans had been swept away by the floods in the south, their fate still unknown.
’He’s really going to travel through a disaster zone to get to Yu State, all for that Imperial Purveyor title?’
"I’ve already planned it all out. The flood zone covers hundreds of miles, but the current gets weaker the further downstream you go. The bridges beyond that range should still be intact. I also hired some guards from an escort agency yesterday who are excellent swimmers." Gu Shuo had spent the last two days planning his route.
"You are forbidden to go. The south is extremely unsafe. If the Emperor gets angry, the worst that can happen is you quit your post as Imperial Purveyor and come back to the Gu family." This was the grandson his grandfather cherished and doted on most.
"I’ll be fine, Grandfather."
"What do you mean, ’fine’? You are not going. Tomorrow, you’re coming back to the Gu family with me. I’d like to see who dares to say a word." His grandfather hadn’t been in the Capital City for some time.
The members of large families were always plotting, and there was no shortage of dirty tricks played behind the scenes. But he had never, ever imagined that uncles would force their own nephew out of the clan.
"Grandfather," Gu Shuo sighed.
"The Gu family has some stock. Take what you need from our shops for the Emperor’s banquet for now. It’ll have to do."
"Grandfather, the quality of the fruit in our shops is a far cry from what comes out of Yu State." Although other regions produced a lot of fruit, none of it was as good as what Yu State grew; they simply couldn’t compare.
"We’d be lucky just to fill the order, and you’re still being picky? If the Emperor is so capable, let him send his own men to check it out!" His grandfather knew perfectly well how famous Yu State’s fruit was, but getting there was the problem.
His grandfather was fuming, completely missing the fact that his grandson’s gaze had locked onto the large apple in his hand.
"Grandfather, is this apple from one of our family’s orchards?" Gu Shuo reached out and picked up the apple. Having been in business since childhood, he had a discerning eye; only the very best products ever caught his attention.
But this apple—its size, color, and aroma—surpassed any he had ever seen. It was even several times better than the ones from Yu State.
’Where was this grown?’
"It’s not."
"Where did you get it?" ’If there’s a batch of fruit like this in the Capital City, then why would I need to go to Yu State?’
"The little girl gave it to me."
"Little Fatty?" Gu Shuo asked in surprise.
"Mhm. You wouldn’t know, you brat, but that little girl is so good to me these days. She snuck two fruits out of the Imperial Palace and made sure to give me one. Totally worth waiting up half the night." At the mention of the apple, his grandfather’s anger dissipated, and his mood improved.
"From inside the Imperial Palace?"
"She snuck it out just for me," his grandfather said smugly.