After all, they are also Concubine Zhao's family. Having even been to the palace once, Zhao Yuanji can be considered a person who has seen the world. Facing Shen Ao, who is the Duke of the country, he does not appear to be very reserved. On the contrary, he is beside him Several people in the group quickly lowered their heads after seeing the bullock cart appear.
Although Emperor Qianwen came to power, his policies were open and tolerant. But it was still a class society after all. There was a strict hierarchy among "scholars, farmers, industry and commerce".
Even the merchants are like this, let alone the small shopkeepers in the workshops. When they see Duke Zhongguo coming, they will naturally be more careful and cautious than the others.
Shen Ao has long been used to staying in the Duke's mansion these days, and the servants in the mansion are all very respectful when they see him. On the contrary, he will give someone a smile and scare them. Even so, he can do as the Romans do when he comes to the countryside. yes.
The carriage stopped on a dry ground, followed by the two guards Feng Xun and Geng Liang, who quickly took a wooden step. Then Shen Ao calmly walked down and arrived at the gate of Zhao's workshop. outside.
"I have met Duke Zhongguo." Led by Zhao Yuanji, everyone hurriedly bowed and saluted.
"No need to be polite." Shen Ao first straightened his body and accepted the gift calmly. After Zhao Yuanji and others stood up, he stepped forward and grabbed his arm and said with a smile: "Cousin, this time is going to be troublesome. You're welcome, but don't be impatient."
A look of helplessness flashed across Zhao Yuanji's face. The news came from the Duke's Mansion that the young Duke wanted to borrow the workshop, and he had a headache. He didn't know what the other party was going to do. But Considering his status, he had no choice but to accept it whether he wanted to or not. He knew that even if the lawsuit was brought before Concubine Zhao in the palace, he would definitely lose.
It is said that Mr. Zhao was so kind to his nephew that he was as good as his own son.
Zhao Yuanji just hoped that Shen Ao would be gentle with it. After all, the business of the workshop was still good, and any monthly surplus would be sent to Concubine Zhao to cover daily expenses. As long as Mr. Xiao Guo did not interfere with the big plan, he would So what if we let him do the hard work?
Accompanied by Zhao Yuanji, Shen Ao took Shi Lei and two guards into Zhao's workshop, and then Zhao Yuanji left. As the manager of the workshop, he indeed had too many things to do. Do. This is exactly what Shen Ao expected. He looked at the father and son left behind when his cousin left, and asked with a kind expression, "What are your last names?"
"I don't dare, I don't dare to mention the word noble in front of the Duke. My name is Hu De, and this is the dog Hu Yuhai. We are all great workers in Zhao's workshop. If the Duke needs anything, just ask him." The old man had a trembling look on his face and answered cautiously.
Shen Ao's name is still well-known in Daliang City.
Of course, it's the resounding name of that bastard. But it's precisely because of this that it arouses fear in the hearts of the Hoods and his son. This is what people often say, it's better to offend a gentleman than a villain.
Shen Ao ignored the other party's opinion of him. He came to ask them to help, not to win people's hearts. "Okay, Hu and his son, that's it. Next, we will find an idle workshop and we will start making things. Bar."
"No." Hu De agreed repeatedly, turned around and led Shen Ao and his entourage towards a recently decommissioned workshop, which Zhao Yuanji had vacated early in the morning for Shen Ao's use.
Entering the workshop, he saw that the place was fairly clean and that all the items were complete. He nodded with satisfaction, and then Shen Ao took out the drawings he had drawn long ago and asked Hu De and his son to put in the necessary items. The mold is created.
It's all done by hand, and the mold requirements are very simple. As long as the size is grasped, everything else is not a problem. It was completed in less than half an hour. Next, Shen Ao asked the guard to bring the cooking oil and caustic soda that had been prepared long ago. , take out the frozen milk, cup and other materials, take out the milk, pour it into the cup, add caustic soda, add it in small amounts and many times, keep stirring until the alkali particles are completely dissolved; then add oil into the cup in small amounts and many times, while Add and stir evenly. Finally, pour the prepared solution into your favorite mold.
At this point, most of the work has been completed. It only takes two days to remove the mold, and the soap is ready.
Instructing Hu De and his son to take good care of the place and not allowing anyone to enter without permission, Shen Ao left Zhao's workshop with Shi Lei and others.
It was only two days, and they flew by so fast. On the third day, when Shen Ao arrived at Zhao's workshop again in an ox cart, Hu De and his son were indeed standing guard outside the small workshop. It seemed like they were It seemed like he was guarding some very important treasure. I heard from people that even Zhao Yuanji who wanted to take a look out of curiosity was blocked.
"Well done." Shen Ao stepped forward and patted Hu De on the shoulder, then stretched his hand back. Shi Lei, the attendant, immediately took out two taels of silver and handed it over, which was then delivered to Hu De's hands.
"Oh, thanks for the reward, Duke Guo." Hu De and his son Hu Yuhai knelt down instinctively.
In the Daqian Kingdom, one tael of silver was equivalent to a thousand copper coins, which could also be called a consistent currency. At that time, the price of rice was about 10 Wen per liter (0.75 kilograms), and a person eating a liter of rice a day was only ten Wen. These two taels If the money were used to buy rice, it would be enough for the two of them to eat for more than three months.
At that time, prices in Daqian Country were stable, and ordinary people's income was basically more than one tael per month, less than 20 taels. (The living standard was equivalent to that of the mid-to-late 1990s, and one tael of silver was approximately equivalent to between 330 and 370 yuan. ) This move is only two taels of silver, which is equivalent to more than a month's salary of a big worker. How could the Hoods and his son be unhappy?
Shi Lei, who took out the silver, had a bitter look on his face. There are still ten days left in this month, but now the Zhongguo Duke's mansion has less than a hundred taels of silver left. According to the spending method of the Xiaoguo Duke, I'm afraid it will be gone before the end of the month. If you want to do the cooking, you should either go to Concubine Zhao or beg Marquis Zhongcheng, which would be embarrassing again.
Shen Ao didn't think so much. Money must be spent. Only when you have money can you make money. If there is no circulation, what's the use of money?
Hehehe smiled and patted Hood's shoulder. Shen Ao strode into the workshop and immediately saw the hundred pieces of soap that had been removed from the mold. As he got closer, a faint aromatic smell had entered his nose. It smells very good.
"Wow! What smell is this? It's so tangy?" Shi Lei and the other three guards immediately exclaimed. Although there was a smell when they were put into the mold, everyone knew it was milk. I didn’t take it seriously because of its effectiveness. Who would have thought that after two days, the taste could still be retained to this day?
The Hood and his son also looked surprised. They just stayed outside and did not dare to enter. This was the first time they saw it, and they were really shocked by the result.