The backyard is divided into several other courtyards. The largest ones are the main hall where Sun Simiao lives and the side courtyard where Chen Jingke lives.
The rest include the east and west wings, which can be used as guest rooms, as well as a place for disciples and followers to live, a place for servants to live, a kitchen, a laundry room, a stable and other parts.
Going out from the back door of the backyard, there is another courtyard. This is the school planned by Chen Jingke. It is still empty at this time.
In order to make it easier for them to use water, a ditch was specially diverted from the canal. They could use the water in this living ditch to wash clothes and other things. Of course, they used well water for drinking.
A pond covering an area of about an acre was dug in the backyard. The main hall and the side yard happened to straddle the pond, dividing it into two.
There are also corridors, pavilions and other structures built on the pond, all of which were made by the skilled craftsmen of the imperial court. They are very exquisite and will become a famous scenic spot if they can be preserved to future generations.
Chen Jingke's room is fully equipped with all the necessary appliances, so you can just move in with your bags.
Two little Taoist boys around ten years old served them tea eagerly and without hesitation. Chen Jingke could tell at a glance that these two were little girls, with pretty faces.
One of them, in particular, has particularly smart eyes and a sense of maturity that belies his age.
Changsun Wugou said: "These two used to be maids in my palace, ask them to come and take care of you." He then said to the two of them: "I haven't met your master soon."
The two Taoist boys bowed and said, "Yi Nu/Yu Zhu has seen a real person."
Chen Jingke is no longer the person who was surprised by everything he saw when he first traveled through time. In the evil old society, it was normal behavior to give maids as gifts:
"No need to give gifts, work hard in the future, and I will give each of you a generous dowry when you get married."
The two female Taoists said happily: "Thank you, Master."
After hearing this, Changsun Wujia just smiled and did not express any opinion.
Li Chengqian and Li Tai were surprised at first, but when they saw that Chen Jingke was only ten years old, they suddenly understood.
Little brats don’t know how men love women. Let’s wait and see if you can still say such things in a few years.
These two little palace maids were obviously carefully selected. Even if they were placed in the palace, they would be outstanding. In a few years, they will be first-class beauties.
Especially the one named Yi Nu, despite his young age, he actually had a different kind of charm in his eyes, which made both of them envious.
The topic among several people unknowingly turned to donkey-hide gelatin.
The method of brewing donkey-hide gelatin is not a secret, it is recorded in many ancient books. The reason why most people don’t know it is because the books are too valuable and scarce.
At this time, the engraving and printing technology was not yet fully mature, and most books were still copied by hand. People who could understand the uses of donkey-hide gelatin would not see these books, and those who owned these books would not care about a nourishing prescription.
What's more, donkey hide gelatin can only be made by using donkey skin produced in Dong'a and water from a well in A'a. This well was dug by ancient sages. It's a bit nonsense no matter how you hear it.
However, the fact is so magical. Until the 21st century, people did not really understand the principle of donkey-hide gelatin. But one thing cannot be denied, that is, donkey-hide gelatin is indeed a holy product that nourishes blood and nourishes the skin.
Now that the empress Changsun Wugu is taking action, no one can compete with her in the business of making donkey hide gelatin, and no one dares to compete with her.
The focus is on how to store, transport and sell.
Although Chen Jingke was not a businessman in his previous life, he had never eaten pork and had seen pigs walking. He came up with a one-stop plan for raising, processing, transporting and selling pigs in his later life.
"Establishing a royal village to raise donkeys in Dong'e can also encourage local people to raise donkeys. We will then buy donkeys from the people and build workshops to cook donkey hide gelatin."
"The preservation method of donkey-hide gelatin is very simple. Auntie, do you still remember how to preserve Angong Niuhuang Pills? It can also be used to preserve donkey-hide gelatin."
Changsun Wugou said in surprise: "How could I have forgotten this? Jing Ke is still smart."
Chen Jingke continued: "Make a batch of small porcelain bottles, each bottle can hold one or two mouthfuls, and sell for fifty to one hundred cents. A lot of people are rushing to buy them."
Changsun Wugou said in disbelief: "This... is too expensive. Can it be sold?"
Chen Jingke said: "Auntie, you underestimate the rich people of the Tang Dynasty. Those people's families have piles of money and food, and they always only buy expensive things and not the right ones."
"And this is a tribute used by the Empress, Princess Changle and the concubines in the harem. If you use it for them, you are looking up to them. How dare you find it expensive? We won't sell it to ordinary people."
"In every big city, open a specialty store to sell these luxury goods. If you want to come in and buy things, you need qualifications. People who are not qualified will not even be allowed in."
Changsun Wugou and others were stunned when they heard this. How could the business still be done like this?
But thinking about the virtues of those powerful people, maybe this will actually lead to success.
The more Chen Jingke talked, the more excited he became, and the more divergent his thinking became: "Boiling donkey hide gelatin will produce a lot of donkey meat. It would be a pity if it is not processed in time."
"We can also make canned donkey meat. I believe many people will be willing to spend money to buy it. If not, the donkey meat can be used as military rations for the soldiers on the front line."
"There are many unique fruits in the south, such as lychees, which are rarely eaten in the north. We can also build a canning factory in the south to specialize in the production of canned fruits..."
"We can sell donkey meat to the rich and powerful in the south, and sell canned fruits from the south to the rich in the north..."
"By the way, it seems that white sugar is needed to produce canned fruits... I know how to use sugar cane to produce brown sugar and snow sugar..."
Changsun Wugou could not help but be immersed in the big cake he drew, but when she heard that he could boil sugar and make snow candy, she was shocked again:
"Wait, wait, I'm a little dizzy... You just said you can boil sugar, and you can also make brown sugar and snow sugar."
Chen Jingke realized at this moment that the sugar-making technology in the Tang Dynasty was not high enough. Not to mention white sugar, even brown sugar was a rarity. Making sugar directly and selling it was cheaper and faster than selling canned sugar.
"The technology of sugar production is not complicated. What is difficult is the raw materials. Sugar cane is more suitable for cultivation in the south."
Changsun Wugou said in disbelief: "Are you willing to give me the sugar-making technology?" She was more concerned about the sugar-making technology than where to plant sugar cane.
Chen Jingke said matter-of-factly: "You are my aunt. If I don't give it to you, who will give it to you? Besides, it's of no use if I keep this technology. Only by giving it to you can it be used to its full potential."
Changsun Wugou was moved and said: "Good boy...Thank God for sending you to me. Don't worry, my aunt will not let you suffer. No matter how much money you make in the future, you will have a share."
Chen Jingke said: "Hey, money is something that can't be taken with you from birth to death. Why do you need so much money? Zixiao Temple is enough. Besides, I have many ways to make money."
Changsun Wugou said sternly: "That's what I say, but things can't be done like that. From now on, whether it's donkey-hide gelatin, canned food or candy, you will share 30% of the money I earn."
Chen Jingke was speechless. Not to mention donkey-hide gelatin and canned food, he knew very well how big the sugar industry was. Changsun Wugu was really generous.
But she dared to give it to him but didn't dare to ask for it. Sometimes the more money, the better. After thinking about it, she said: "Thirty percent is too much, half percent is enough."
Changsun Wugou also calmed down. He knew that what he just said was a bit irrational. He thought about it and said, "Half percent is too little, let's say 10%. Don't refuse. No matter how little I say, my aunt will be embarrassed to see you."
