“Jin Peng, I have a task for you all now.”
Jin Feng skipped pleasantries and got straight to the point. “If you do it well, in two years, I can grant you freedom of status. Then, whether you join the escort team or leave on your own, I will not stop you.”
“Freedom of status?”
Jin Peng’s one eye flashed with sharp light. Excited, he clasped his fists. “Sir, just give the orders. Even if it is a mountain of knives or sea of fire, we brothers will not refuse.”
“Mountain of knives or sea of fire, we will not refuse!”
The three behind Jin Peng also clasped their fists.
No one wants to be a slave. Their greatest wish now was to regain freedom and reunite with family.
“It will not be that extreme.”
Jin Feng shook his head. “I will not hide it from you. I found iron-refining ore here. I need you to stay and help me mine it.”
“That simple?”
The four of them were all stunned.
Mining for two years to regain freedom was an absolute bargain.
“That simple,” Jin Feng said. “But mining is hard work, very dangerous, and cannot be discovered by others. Understand?”
“Sir, we do not fear hardship or danger, but look, below this cave is the official road. To avoid discovery…”
Jin Peng looked troubled.
“From Heifeng Ridge to Xixi Bay is about a day’s journey. Once we return, I will have Da Liu bring men to tidy this place. Outwardly, say it is our supply point for trips to the county city.”
Jin Feng had thought of countermeasures. “The ore you mine can hide in the escort team’s grain wagons to transport back. If discovered, say you expanded the cave for a warehouse. That can cover it.”
“That is great.” Jin Peng smiled. “Sir, rest assured, we will be as careful as possible to avoid detection.”
“Alright, I will teach you how to identify the ore now.”
Jin Feng led them into the cave.
That night, Da Liu secretly had veterans carry several baskets of tungsten ore to hide in the grain transport wagons, enough for Jin Feng to use for a while.
With hundreds more girls and children added, Xixi Bay could not house them all. Jin Feng could only send them to Tiegu Mountain.
Tiegu Mountain had housed hundreds of bandits before, with stockpiled grain. Even double the number posed no issue.
After a slight detour, on the fourth afternoon after leaving the county city, the grand procession finally reached Tiegu Mountain.
Upon ascending, they saw the flat mountaintop covered in uncut soap bars drying everywhere.
“Sir, the soap the girls made is piling up. You must hurry and sell some.”
Zheng Fang said with a furrowed brow.
Those who endured hardship cherish hard-won happiness more.
The girls taken by bandits were very satisfied with life now. Even without supervision, they worked diligently and earnestly.
At dawn each day, the eldest, Wanniang, led the girls to start work.
If not for frequent raw material shortages, the mountain would have no space left for soap.
“Rest assured, I will have Tiezi Ge come fetch it soon.”
Jin Feng scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed.
Lately, too many matters demanded his attention. He had nearly forgotten Tiegu Mountain.
“Sister, is this the soap sir made?”
Tang Xiaobei had heard Tang Dongdong mention soap on the way. Curious, she picked up a dried bar, sniffed it. “Does using this to wash face or clothes really clean as you said?”
“Of course. Come, I will show you.”
Wanniang could not tolerate doubt about her soap. Without a word, she pulled Tang Xiaobei towards the kitchen.
Tang Dongdong followed, amused yet helpless.
Ten minutes later, Tang Xiaobei ran out from the kitchen, face full of excitement.
“Xiaobei, the scar on your leg has not faded yet. Run slower.”
Tang Dongdong shouted anxiously behind, but Tang Xiaobei seemed not to hear, hopping to Jin Feng. “Sir, you are amazing. This soap is truly too useful!”
“I think so too.”
Jin Feng winked at her smugly.
“Sir, how much do you plan to sell the soap for per bar?” Tang Xiaobei asked next.
“This is not valuable. In Xixi Bay, two wen per bar. In the city, I plan three wen.”
“Three wen per bar?!”
Tang Xiaobei’s eyes widened hugely. “No, absolutely not!”
“Why?” Jin Feng asked puzzled.
“Sir, something this good, selling for three wen is a waste!” Tang Xiaobei said excitedly.
“Then how much do you think per bar?” Jin Feng grew interested.
“At least three taels!” Tang Xiaobei replied.
“Three taels?” Jin Feng was startled.
In Da Kang, a thousand copper coins make one string, equivalent to one tael of silver.
Three taels was three thousand wen!
Tang Xiaobei had multiplied Jin Feng’s price by a thousand!
“Xiaobei, what joke is this?” Jin Feng said. “Three taels per bar, how could common folk afford it?”
“Sir, you are wrong!” Tang Xiaobei shook her head. “Common folk struggle to eat now. Do you think they would buy your soap?”
“This…”
Jin Feng was stumped by Tang Xiaobei.
He knew he erred in assumption, thinking three wen not much, ignoring Da Kang’s reality.
As Tang Xiaobei said, common folk were crushed by taxes, barely affording food. With three wen, buy coarse grain for children’s porridge? Who would buy soap?
“Continue.”
Jin Feng nodded, urging her on.
“I believe soap’s main customers are brothels and wealthy households.”
Tang Xiaobei said. “Something this good, unique in the world. To make money, target the rich. Earning a few wen from commoners is pointless.
Brothel girls must be clean, or guests disdain them. Wealthy households love to compete.
Most importantly, brothels and wealthy lack no money. For them, three wen or three taels, if soap works well, they will buy!”
“Makes sense.”
Jin Feng nodded in agreement. “Xiaobei, how about I give you a batch of soap to sell in the county city and try?”
“No problem!”
Tang Xiaobei said confidently. “If scented, I can sell five taels per bar!”
“We have scented ones!”
Wanniang heard, ran to the warehouse, brought a basket. “Here they are, osmanthus, orchid, plum blossom…”
“Wanniang, I love you!”
Tang Xiaobei excitedly hugged Wanniang’s neck, planted a kiss.
Realising her boldness after, her face flushed red, hands unsure where to place.
Wanniang was stunned by the kiss.
Jin Feng reacted first, smiling at Wanniang, changing topic. “How did you make the scents?”
