CHAPTER 49: FIRST BATCH IN PRODUCTION!

Lin Xuan Qi sat in the main hall, enjoying his tea while he waited for the servant girls and Liu Shi Shi to come back home with the ingredients.

It was a rare moment for him to have such a peaceful time.

The breeze that blew into the main hall cooled him down and he closed his eyes to enjoy it.

In the distance, sounds of wood being chopped could be heard.

Zhi Yong was preparing the necessary stuff to prepare for making the first batch of soap.

Old Shao was making the molds required, carving in the pattern that Lin Xuan Qi had drawn.

The mansion was also taken care of by Mei Jiao and Ah Di.

Lin Xuan Qi couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment with what he had achieved so far.

There were, however, more things that needed to be done.

Once the soap business took off, he might have to look into bringing in more servants and workers into the clan.

Maybe he would need to find a factory and retail shop somewhere.

Even though the mansion was huge, he didn’t want to deal with the smell of lard and ashes every day.

Then, there was the matter of loyalty.

He had to make sure that the process of making the soap wouldn’t be leaked to others.

Lin Xuan Qi sighed and took a sip from his teacup.

There must be a way to do so, he thought.

His mind went on to think about the factories where he came from.

Everyone focused on a very specific process in the assembly line.

"Yes! Why didn’t I think of that."

Lin Xuan Qi exclaimed with excitement, but it didn’t last long.

He gave out another long sigh as he realized what the solution meant for his funds.

Setting up different factories to handle the separate processes would incur a lot more initial investment.

He might have to find someone to fund it.

"Master Lin."

Xue Cong’s voice pulled him back from his thoughts.

They had returned from buying the ingredients.

This time they needed a cart to carry them all.

Liu Shi Shi came into the main hall and picked up the teapot.

She poured herself a cup of tea and downed the tea in a mouthful.

"I’m not sure why you are wasting so much time on this," she said.

"What do you mean wasting time? The profits would be huge if it goes according to plan." Lin Xuan Qi shrugged and replied.

Liu Shi Shi gave him a smile and shook her head.

"You know, your poems could fetch a good price if you published them.

"And not to mention the influence and connections you could make out of it."

Lin Xuan Qi had heard the same from Sima Long before.

He nodded and took note of it.

It could be another viable business for him. Coming up with the movable type and creating a publishing business.

"I will get to it when I have the time. Let me get what’s at hand done first." Lin Xuan Qi said and stood up from his seat.

"If it suits you." Liu Shi Shi shrugged her shoulders and replied.

Even though she was itching for another poem from Lin Xuan Qi, she didn’t want to show it.

It worked as Lin Xuan Qi made no mention of poems anymore and walked out of the main hall.

"You should take a rest and let us do it." Xue Cong said and tried to stop Lin Xuan Qi from carrying the shells and lard down from the cart.

Yue Jie and Yue Xin nodded and chimed in, "Master Lin, if others saw it, they would think that we are bad servants, making our Master work."

"Fine, I shall go and help Zhi Yong then." Lin Xuan Qi knew he couldn’t change their minds and he walked to the firewood shed.

He should be able to handle Zhi Yong with his straightforward mind, he thought.

"Me, work. No let me go."

Zhi Yong stopped his work and begged him when he saw Lin Xuan Qi coming into the firewood shed with an axe.

He had thought that Lin Xuan Qi wasn’t pleased with his performance and was planning to kick him out of the mansion.

Lin Xuan Qi slapped his forehead and gave out a sigh.

"No, I’m not driving you out. You’ve done well." He patted Zhi Yong on his back, trying to console Zhi Yong.

"Really? Me, work now." Zhi Yong grinned at the good news and got back to work, chopping the firewood.

"Well, at least you don’t dwell on it." Lin Xuan Qi sighed and walked back to the main hall.

Maybe they were right.

It’s better for him to enjoy his life as the clan head.

"Ah Di, come with me."

Lin Xuan Qi said to Ah Di when he walked past Ah Di.

Ah Di glanced over at his mother, Mei Jiao, who was sweeping the floor.

Mei Jiao nodded her head and Ah Di quickly followed behind Lin Xuan Qi.

"Huh. Since you don’t let me work, I’ll find more work for you." Lin Xuan Qi grinned and rubbed his hands.

He instructed Ah Di to prepare ink and brush.

It was time to write some of the education materials.

He began to write the words ’Elementary Mathematics’ on a blank book.

...

An incense time later.

Lin Xuan Qi took a step back and proofread what he had written in front of him.

He had copied the teaching from his textbook from where he came from.

As he marveled at his work, Lee He Song’s voice boomed in the air.

"Master Lin, I’ve got some news." He bowed at Lin Xuan Qi and said.

"Ah Di, keep the paper and brush." Lin Xuan Qi instructed Ah Di, and he gestured for Lee He Song to take a seat.

Lee He Song sat down, wasted no time and said, "I’ve got good and bad news.

"Hun Xiong Kun agreed to the deal, and he is willing to give us a better one.

"He would be giving us twenty-four taels of silver every month."

Lin Xuan Qi nodded at the good news, and he waited for the bad one.

"As to why he is willing to do so, Su Chen and Wu Tong must have bribed someone from Lee Zhen Ren’s side to find trouble with him.

"Luckily, we saved him by supplying him with the increase in quantity.

"However, I’m afraid that..."