novelSusiti Chapter 75 Fragrance Business Opportunities
Chapter 75 Fragrance Business Opportunities
Chapter 75 Fragrance Business Opportunities
With the training and practice over the past few days, the fighting capacity and teamwork of the Unity Battalion have also improved.
Zhao Mingcheng has been getting busier and busier lately, as he trains his troops, surveys the terrain, and also takes a short break.
Every four or five days, he would lead a squad of guards and a team of outstanding soldiers from the battalion on a hunting trip, which would also serve as a field training exercise.
On this day, Zhao Mingcheng led Wang Shan, Liu Zhongwu, and a select hundred or so cavalrymen out of Qingtang City and headed north, meandering along a tributary of the Huangshui River.
Horse hooves shattered the thin ice along the stream, startling wild rabbits and pheasants from the withered grass.
The group drew their bows and fired arrows, reaping a rich harvest.
Zhao Mingcheng also drew his bow and shot an arrow, hitting a deer, which drew cheers from the soldiers.
As the sun began to set, the group, carrying their prey, sought a place to rest.
Wang Shan pointed to a valley path ahead.
"My lord, there's a small tribe in the valley ahead called Xiangwa," one of the thirty-one tribes that met in the previous alliance. Their chieftain is named Gongzhu; I saw him during my last border patrol, and he seems fairly honest. Perhaps we could borrow some land there to rest, share some of our game with them, and warm ourselves up."
Zhao Mingcheng looked around and saw dozens of tents scattered in the sheltered part of the valley, with wisps of smoke rising from them. It was indeed a good place to rest, so he nodded in agreement.
A hundred riders galloped into the valley, and the tribal herders had already spotted them and sent a messenger to their leader.
Before long, a Tibetan man in his forties with a ruddy complexion, wearing a worn leather robe, hurriedly arrived with several people. It was none other than the chieftain Gongzhu.
Upon seeing the banners and the leading official in scarlet robes in the distance, he knew that the envoy had arrived in person. He hurriedly patted his chest, bowed, and greeted him in accented Chinese.
"Gongzhu, the chieftain of Xiangwa tribe, respectfully welcomes Your Excellency, the Pacification Envoy! I was unaware of your arrival and have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me!"
Zhao Mingcheng dismounted, stepped forward to offer a helping hand, and smiled.
"Chief Gongzhu, there's no need for such formalities. I've led my men on a hunting trip and have come here. We've troubled your esteemed tribe by asking if we could borrow a place to rest and warm ourselves by the fire."
Gongzhulian said he dared not, and welcomed Zhao Mingcheng and his party into the tribe.
The herdsmen watched from a distance, their expressions more curious than fearful, clearly indicating that the reputation of the "pacification envoy" and the benefits of the previous alliance and market had already spread throughout the area.
The children's eyes lit up especially when they saw the many prey hanging on the soldiers' horses.
Gongzhu invited Zhao Mingcheng, Wang Shan, Liu Zhongwu and others into his largest tent and instructed his wife and daughters to brew tea for the guests.
The tent was simply furnished but clean; old felt blankets covered the floor, and dried cow dung burned in the center of the fire pit, making it warm.
The guards set up stoves and pots in the open space outside the tent, cut up the game, roasted some on the spot, and left the rest for the Xiangwa tribe.
Zhao Mingcheng and Gongzhu sat around the fire pit, drinking piping hot salty tea, and casually asked about the tribe's winter situation, the condition of the pastures and livestock, and whether the salt and tea they could get from the market were enough.
Gongzhu answered respectfully, expressing his satisfaction with his current life and repeatedly thanking the envoy for the peace and trade benefits brought by the peace.
As they were talking.
Zhao Mingcheng suddenly felt a faint, elegant fragrance lingering around his nose.
Unlike the common smells of leather, milk, and smoke found inside tents, and not the scent of cosmetics, it smelled like a fresh fragrance of herbs mixed with a faint honey scent, which was refreshing to the senses.
He took a closer look at Gongzhu and his wife, who was sitting a little further away and busy, and his daughter, who occasionally peeked in. He noticed that although the family's skin was also the reddish-brown color common on the plateau, their facial skin was relatively smooth.
The skin was less chapped and rough, which was common among herders. In particular, the young girl's cheeks had a healthy rosy glow, not just the dark ochre from being exposed to the wind and sun.
Zhao Mingcheng's heart stirred, he put down his teacup and asked with a smile.
"Chief Gongzhu, there seems to be a special fragrance about your tent and about you, which is quite pleasant. I also notice that the complexions of your people are more radiant than those of other herders. I wonder what the reason is?"
Upon hearing this, Gongzhu smiled with a simple yet proud expression.
"Your Majesty has such a keen nose! This aroma, and this dough, are all thanks to a little bit of traditional craftsmanship passed down through our Xiangwa tribe."
As he spoke, he turned around and carefully took out a ceramic jar from an inconspicuous old leather bag in the corner of the tent, peeled off the clean sheepskin covering the mouth of the jar, and handed it to Zhao Mingcheng.
The jar was filled with a pale yellow, creamy paste, from which the delicate fragrance emanated. The aroma became even more mellow when you got closer, and it also carried a hint of coolness.
"We call this 'Fragrance Essence'," Gongzhu explained.
"This is made using the leaves and flowers of several kinds of grasses that grow in the nearby mountains, as well as wild bee nests, following a method passed down from our ancestors. They were pounded..."
It's boiled, filtered, and then slowly cooled and solidified. Every day after washing your face and hands, take a little and apply it evenly; it helps prevent frostbite and chapping, and over time, it makes your skin less rough. Our Xiangwa tribe has made this for ourselves for generations; it's nothing precious.
A glint of light flashed in Zhao Mingcheng's eyes.
He extended his fingertip, touched a little of the fragrant gelatinous substance, felt slightly cool to the touch, delicate and smooth. He spread it on the back of his hand, initially feeling slightly greasy, but it quickly melted and absorbed, leaving a very thin layer of oiliness and a lasting fragrance.
He sniffed it carefully and then examined the texture of the ointment by the firelight.
In his opinion, this could be roughly classified as a primitive "face cream" or "scented balm," made from pure natural materials. Although it contained impurities and the process was rough, it had basic effects, and its fragrance was naturally elegant, which was quite rare.
"Are the raw materials for this fragrant incense easy to find?" Zhao Mingcheng asked casually.
"Easy to find!" Gongzhu nodded. "Those kinds of wildflowers are everywhere on the hillsides in spring, summer and autumn. Wild beehives are a bit more troublesome, but experienced hunters know where they are. Just be careful when you collect them."
It's very time-consuming to make. You have to pick fresh ingredients, wash and dry them while the sun is shining, and pay attention to the heat when crushing them, the cooking time, the fine cloth used for filtering, and the temperature at which they solidify. If you make a mistake in one step, they will either not form a paste, spoil easily, or have no aroma.
It was all thanks to the women in the department figuring things out little by little, that they became proficient through practice.
Zhao Mingcheng quickly calculated in his mind that the raw materials were easy to obtain and the cost was low. The production process had a threshold, but it was not insurmountable and could be improved.
The finished product has a real moisturizing and protective effect, and has a natural and pleasant fragrance.
What would this thing be in the eyes of the wealthy and powerful families, scholars and ladies of Bianjing?
It's a "secret fragrance balm from the snowy plateau" with a mysterious highland feel!
It is a more novel and natural cosmetic than ordinary lead powder and floral dew on the market.
If the craftsmanship can be improved, the appearance enhanced, the specifications standardized, and the packaging perfected, then it can be sold to Bianjing and even Jiangnan via smooth trade routes —
Zhao Mingcheng instantly understood the commercial value of this product.
It's not that he's greedy, it's just that he really needs money.
Upon returning to the capital, maintain good relations with Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji), cultivate other connections, undertake projects that currently only exist in one's mind, and even pursue larger goals for the future.
These things all require money. Don't be fooled by Zhao Mingcheng's lack of interest in money; it's just that the time hasn't come yet.
That's why we need to plan ahead for our financial resources.
If managed properly, Ningxiang could very well become a stable source of income.
Despite the turmoil in his heart, Zhao Mingcheng remained outwardly calm, returned the pottery jar, and praised it.
"Indeed a fine item, a masterpiece of nature, a testament to your department's ingenuity. It's a pity that this item is only for your own use."
Gongzhu smiled innocently: "These are just things from the mountains; we can use them ourselves. Why would we take them out?"
Zhao Mingcheng said no more and turned to talk to Wang Shan and Liu Zhongwu about the terrain they had seen during the hunt that day.
Once the meat was roasted in the outer room, the guards brought it in, and everyone shared it, creating a lively atmosphere.
Zhao Mingcheng specially asked Gongzhu to invite several elders from the tribe to enjoy the game together, and left most of the game for the tribe. Gongzhu's family was extremely grateful.
After the meal, it was getting dark.
Zhao Mingcheng said to Wang Shan and Liu Zhongwu.
"You two take the brothers and make preparations outside. Return to the city tomorrow morning. I will stay here tonight and chat with Chief Gongzhu about the tribe's livelihood."
Wang and Liu knew he must have a deeper meaning, so they bowed and accepted the order, and went to arrange guards and campsites.
The tent returned to silence, with only Zhao Mingcheng, Gongzhu, and an interpreter remaining (Gongzhu's Chinese was passable, but he still needed assistance for deeper conversations).
Zhao Mingcheng waved his hand, signaling his personal guards to retreat outside the tent and wait.
"Gongzhu chieftain," Zhao Mingcheng said gently, but his tone became serious, "I found Ningxiang quite interesting just now. If only you and a hundred or so people use this, it would be a waste."
"I intend to purchase the manufacturing method of this substance and establish a workshop in your tribe to specialize in its production. I will be responsible for selling the finished 'fragrant powder,' and the profits will be shared with your tribe. In this way, your people will not only need to rely on herding but will also have a stable source of income, which can be exchanged for more salt, tea, cloth, and even iron pots, farm tools, and so on. What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Gongzhu was stunned for a moment, her expression changing.
He was simple, but not stupid.
Has the Imperial Envoy taken a liking to these insignificant little creatures?
He wanted to buy the recipe and set up a workshop? His first thought was surprise and incomprehension—could this little thing really be made into money? His second thought was wariness—how could he easily pass on his family's secret craft to outsiders?
Observing his expression, Zhao Mingcheng knew what he was worried about, and continued speaking before he could speak.
"Chief, there is no need to worry. I am not forcibly taking this. I am willing to purchase this incense-making method at a high price, buying it outright. Afterwards, your department may still use it, but you may not sell the method to others, nor may you produce and sell it in large quantities without authorization."
As compensation, I will set up a special workshop in Shanzhou City, led by a woman from your tribe who is skilled in this craft, and recruit people from your tribe to work there. They will be paid according to their work and the wages will be generous.
The raw materials needed for the workshop will still be procured and supplied by your department at market prices, which will be another source of income.
Zhao Mingcheng paused, then emphasized his words.
"In this way, your tribe will gain three benefits: First, the proceeds from selling the formula will immediately provide you with a sum of cash. Second, your tribesmen will have stable wages working in the workshop. Third, you will gain continuous purchasing profits from the raw materials you collect. What I want is simply the exclusive right to produce and sell this product. Chief, think about it carefully, isn't this a hundred times better than your tribe producing only a small amount for your own use?"
Gongzhu's heart raced as she listened.
Although he didn't quite understand how "exclusive sales" and "profit sharing" actually worked, the first three points mentioned by the envoy were real benefits.
Cash, wages, and money from selling raw materials!
This is much more stable and profitable than herding livestock and relying on the weather for sustenance, occasionally exchanging surplus livestock for necessities at the market.
Especially during the cold winter months, if there is work to be done and cash to be earned, the elderly, weak, women, and children in the department will have another way to survive.
"Your Excellency, is this true?" Gongzhu's voice was somewhat dry.
"As the imperial envoy, I have been in the Hehuang region for some time now. You have seen that I always keep my word. How could I speak lightly?"
Zhao Mingcheng said solemnly, "If you agree, I can immediately send someone back to the city to fetch 100 catties of salt, 100 catties of tea, 50 bolts of cloth, iron pots and farm tools, etc., as funds to purchase the recipe. Send them over first, and after the workshop is set up, we will proceed with the payment of wages and the purchase of raw materials. As for the details of profit sharing in the future, we can put it in writing, and I will use the official seal of the government as proof."
Salt, tea, and cloth are the most scarce items in the tribe, and iron pots are even rarer, let alone a hundred pounds of them!
Their tribe can live without Ningxiang, but they cannot live without these things; the difference in importance and value is obvious.
Gongzhu's breathing became heavy. He looked around his simple tent, thinking of the hardships many families in the tribe were facing during the winter, and of the tempting but unattainable goods at the market—
Zhao Mingcheng has fulfilled all his promises, such as the alliance meeting, the market, and fair trade, and his reputation in the entire Hehuang region is excellent.
Now that the benefits are right in front of us, there seems to be no reason to refuse.
While ancestral skills are certainly valuable, if they can bring tangible wealth and security to the tribe, the ancestors would surely not blame us.
After struggling for a moment, Gongzhu gritted her teeth, stood up, and bowed deeply to Zhao Mingcheng.
"It is a great fortune for the Xiangwa tribe that the Imperial Envoy has taken a liking to our little tribal item! Gongzhu is willing to offer the recipe for 'Ningxiang' to you, Your Excellency, and we leave it all to you! We only ask that Your Excellency not mistreat our people."
Zhao Mingcheng smiled and stepped forward to help Gongzhu up.
"The chieftain is very understanding and righteous, which greatly pleases me. Rest assured, I will never disappoint those who are trustworthy. From now on, the Incense and Tile Department will be my first partner in this incense business. As long as you work diligently, you will certainly reap the rewards."
Zhao Mingcheng immediately summoned his personal guards outside the tent and whispered a few instructions to them.
The guards received the order and immediately led several riders back to Shanzhou City overnight.
Two hours later, the sound of horses' hooves rang out again.
The guards who had left earlier returned, followed by several large carts, and drove into the Xiangwa tribe camp under the light of torches.
The cart was fully loaded with goods: fifty bolts of cloth, one hundred catties of brick tea, one hundred catties of salt, and several wooden boxes. Upon opening them, one could see neatly arranged iron pots and iron farm tools inside.
In the firelight, these supplies gleamed with a reassuring, tangible glow.
The herders of the Xiangwa tribe were all alarmed and gathered around. They stared wide-eyed at these precious supplies that used to require many cattle and sheep to obtain, and began to discuss among themselves.
Gongzhu was so excited that she didn't know what to do.
He hadn't expected the envoy to act so quickly, nor had he expected the "heavy reward" to be so "heavy"!
These salt, tea, and cloth supplies are enough for the entire village to live comfortably through this winter, and even have some left over by the middle of next year!
Iron pots and farm tools are even more difficult to obtain in the market.
"Chief Gongzhu, this is the payment for purchasing the Ningxiang formula. Please accept it," Zhao Mingcheng said with a smile.
"In addition, before the workshop is set up, you can select three to five people who are most familiar with the production method to come back to the city with me and stay at the inn temporarily. Firstly, I need to understand the details of the production method in detail and see if there is any room for improvement; secondly, we can make a batch first to explore the tricks of mass production. The food, drink and wages of these people will still be paid. After the workshop in the city is built, we will officially start work and recruit more people from your tribe."
"Yes! Yes! We will follow your arrangements, sir!" Gongzhu agreed without hesitation and immediately summoned his wife, two other elderly women with the best skills, and the tribespeople who often collected raw materials. He gave them detailed instructions and told them to follow Lord Zhao back to the city.
He then personally retrieved a treasured old leather scroll, on which simple drawings and Tibetan script recorded the types of raw materials for "Ningxiang," the harvesting season, the production steps, and precautions. Although rough, the key points were clear.
He solemnly handed the scroll to Zhao Mingcheng.
Zhao Mingcheng took the scroll, glanced at it briefly, and felt even more confident.
He immediately made an agreement with Gongzhu that he would send someone to discuss the specific details and prices of the regular supply of raw materials three days later, and begin recruiting the first batch of clansmen to work in the city.
Night had fallen, but the Xiangwa tribe camp was filled with jubilation because of this unexpected and generous gift.
Gongzhu, along with his people, gratefully saw Zhao Mingcheng off out of the valley.
On the way back to the city, the cold wind brushed against his face, but Zhao Mingcheng felt quite good.
They had a very successful hunt and unexpectedly discovered a potential source of income.
"General Wang," Zhao Mingcheng said to Wang Shan, who was riding beside him.
"Once you return to the city, immediately have someone find a safe, spacious courtyard near a water source and buy or rent it. Also, find a few reliable subordinates whose female relatives are skilled in cosmetics; I need them."
Although Wang Shan did not know the specific uses of the fragrant incense, seeing how much Zhao Mingcheng valued it, he knew it must be something important, and bowed in response.
"Understood, I will go immediately."