“My family has made rouge for generations. Sir, did you not send some spices earlier? A while ago, we ran out of soap-making materials. In idle time, I tried experimenting, and unexpectedly, it worked.”
Wanniang said this, glancing at Jin Feng with some worry. “Sorry, sir, I wasted quite a bit of your spices…”
“Wanniang, you are truly amazing. I want to kiss you too.”
Jin Feng could not help laughing.
He had tried many times before to scent the soap but always failed. Yet Wanniang succeeded effortlessly.
Indeed, specialisation matters.
Besides Wanniang, Tang Xiaobei’s performance also surprised Jin Feng pleasantly.
Whether the soap sells at high price or not, at least Tang Xiaobei’s thinking was correct.
This indirectly showed she had great business talent.
As for Tang Dongdong, no need to mention. Perhaps less business talent than Tang Xiaobei, but strong in management. From weaving workshop to factory, she managed orderly, almost no worry for Jin Feng.
“Wanniang, you should have noticed that washing hair with soap makes it dry. From now on, do not make soap. Specialise in solving this.”
Jin Feng said. “Be bold. Whatever you need, just tell me!”
“Yes, sir. I will not disappoint you.”
Wanniang agreed happily.
“Seems I need to teach Wanniang distillation method when free. Perhaps she can make perfume.”
Jin Feng decided inwardly.
Like Tang Xiaobei, he targeted Da Kang’s wealthy wallets, but planned perfume to draw money.
Sadly, he only knew rough process. After making distiller, tried several times, all failed.
Because he was not sensitive to scents.
Handing to enthusiast Wanniang was perfect.
“This scented soap, call it fragrant soap.”
Jin Feng smiled. “Xiaobei, once your injury heals, take fragrant soap to county city. I will send Da Liu to protect you!”
“Sir, my injury is healed. After returning to Xixi Bay to familiarise, I can set off.”
Tang Xiaobei was eager.
“Return first then.”
Jin Feng was very expectant too.
Leaving Tiegu Mountain next day, Tie Hammer’s carriage added several baskets of fragrant soap and regular soap.
Jin Feng selected over twenty diligent-looking girls from them, to bring back for smelting workshop emergency.
Back at Xixi Bay, Jin Feng and Tang Dongdong busied immediately.
Village accumulated many matters waiting his decisions.
Jin Feng only managed to hand brought girls to Mancang, then dragged away by two village heads and Zhang Liang.
“Feng Ge’er, brick kiln bricks insufficient. Worksites wait daily for bricks to build walls!”
“Old Guan, do not badmouth our brick kiln before Feng Ge’er. One kiln, daily output fixed. What can I do?”
“Then why not build another?”
“Is that my call? Waiting for Feng Ge’er return, that is why I came to him.”
“Feng Ge’er, new weaving workshop nearly complete. You can arrange spinning wheels, recruit. Lately many ask when hiring.”
“Feng Zi, our operations expand. Brothers guard too many places, manpower short. Cannot train properly.”
Busy till night, finally sent off two village heads and Zhang Liang.
Next morning early, Jin Feng went to smelting workshop.
Thought adding over twenty would chaos it, but Mancang arranged girls clearly. Everyone had tasks, orderly.
“Mancang, did not see you good at managing people.”
Jin Feng said pleased.
“Sir, do not tease me.”
Mancang embarrassed by Jin Feng’s words.
“Not teasing. Arranging them well, no chaos, very good.”
Jin Feng praised smiling.
Mancang previously disabled, always inferior. Such need encouragement.
Indeed, Mancang happy hearing. “As long as sir satisfied.”
“Very satisfied. They yours now.”
Jin Feng said. “New weaving workshop soon done. Teach them spinning wheels quickly, soon needed.”
“Sir rest assured, I strive.” Mancang guaranteed.
“I believe you.”
Jin Feng patted Mancang’s shoulder, went to weaving factory.
Glanced around, then to brick kiln.
There, village head detained him, not even midday meal back.
Busy whole three days, finally sorted accumulated matters.
This time, Jin Feng had people build two new brick kilns by river, one lime kiln and one porcelain kiln on back mountain.
Also had Zhang Liang disperse veterans to recruit.
Weaving factory hiring news sent to nearby villages.
Now no bandits dare target Xixi Bay, internal sorted, entered rapid development.
Daily village bustling, hot scene.
Silver flowed out like water.
Hard-saved foundation halved in days.
Jin Feng pinned hopes on Tang Xiaobei.
Actually, Tang Xiaobei eager to prove in county city, but Tang Dongdong held her till leg scar fell, then released.
Leaving with Tang Xiaobei: several veterans and female soldiers, Liu Tie-led escort, over ten Guan Family villagers led by Guan Third Master.
Veterans and female soldiers protect Tang Xiaobei, Liu Tie deliver goods to Guangyuan.
From now, Xixi Bay factory hemp thread not sell to Jinchuan county, direct to Guangyuan city, raw materials procure from city.
Higher profits.
Guan Third Master task: with men build fixed supply point at Heifeng Ridge.
Point guarded by veterans and warhorses. One, cover Jin Peng mining. Two, central location, future escort emergencies, point veterans quick support.
No girls children slowing, team departed morning, mid-afternoon at Heifeng Ridge.
Jin Peng four not idle, cleared large ground by official road below cave.
Guan Third Master arrived, immediately took men up mountain chop trees. By dusk, four simple wooden sheds for shelter on ground.
Next morning early, Tang Xiaobei and Liu Tie continued with caravan.
“Guangyuan, I come again…”
Tang Xiaobei lifted carriage curtain, looked to Guangyuan, eyes flashing complex colours.
