Chapter 798: Still Have to Earn Women's Silver

Upon hearing Chen Wuji's words, Xiao Yuji was already excited.

"Husband, do essential oils really have so many benefits?"

Women who spend their lives striving for beauty would hardly remain unmoved by what Chen Wuji just said.

Whitening, increasing skin elasticity, and adding fragrance—having all three in one cosmetic product is extraordinarily heaven-defying in this era.

Chen Wuji nodded. "It's true; what I said is actually an understatement."

"Essential oils do have anti-aging effects, but claiming that is too exaggerated, and the results aren't readily visible in the short term, so it's optional to mention."

"Moreover, applying essential oils to the body and combining it with some acupuncture techniques can maintain the skin all over while also relieving body and mind and treating women's ailments, but these points are also optional."

"In short, essential oils are basically something made specifically for women. Different plant essential oils also have different benefits—for example, tea tree oil can clear up all kinds of facial blemishes; rose, jasmine, and basil oils can regulate women's heavenly menstruation, and so on."

"In short, however many kinds of herbs exist in the world, that many kinds of essential oils can be made, and most of them have cosmetic effects while also retaining other medicinal properties."

Xiao Yuji stared at Chen Wuji, her eyes shining, and after a moment she murmured, "No wonder you said we should price this highly—given these benefits, it simply can't be sold cheaply."

She immediately bowed and reached out her hand to Xiao Zong, saying, "Father, give me a bottle first."

"Do you think I'm a wishing well? I don't have any right now!" Xiao Zong said, speechless.

He had only made that tiny bottle while making soap; it was already used up.

"Father, we need to make this quickly—it will definitely earn more money than soap," Xiao Yuji said.

"As long as those women try it and personally see the benefits you just mentioned, we can earn a large sum of silver in a short time."

"The ladies of wealthy families move in a small circle; once something good appears, just their word-of-mouth is enough. We don't need to do anything else—just wait for the silver to come in."

Chen Wuji believes this.

The business environment of this era is completely different from the one he knew in his later life.

In an era of scarce business activity, any novelty draws crowds, and things related to women spread even faster.

Although transportation is slow in this era, there are still many conveniences.

Just as Xiao Yuji currently focuses on woolen clothing, with Chen Wuji's methods she not only earned a great deal of money, but also indirectly caused the number of warhorses in Qiang Land to drop sharply.

Xiao Yuji's caravan never had to shout on the grasslands; it relied entirely on word of mouth.

Previously, undressed wool was seen by the Qiang people as useless, the only thing on that grassland that would be thrown away. As Xiao Yuji's business expanded, the Qiang people exchanged their wool for large quantities of tea, salt, and ironware, recognized its value, began to shear wool seriously, and became more willing to raise more sheep.

With more investment in sheep, naturally less goes into other things; since wool can make money, many Qiang people are reluctant to raise those delicate, hard-to-sell warhorses.

Chen Wuji and Xiao Yuji's discussion was heated; Xiao Yuji was even eager to see the essential oils, but Xiao Zong had no interest in this moneymaking scheme.

"Commander, this thing… I'm not interested; why not have someone else do it?" Xiao Zong said, then let out a long yawn, bored to tears.

Xiao Yuji instantly objected, "Dear father, this is such a profitable thing—you still don't want to do it?"

"I'm not interested in moneymaking ventures anyway; I already know how to make essential oils, so repeating the work would just waste energy," Xiao Zong said.

Xiao Yuji: …

After staring at Xiao Zong for a while, Xiao Yuji conceded, "You really are my father."

"Having Mister Xiao do this also seems like a waste to me," Chen Wuji laughed.

He could understand Xiao Zong's thinking, though.

What they want is to create something from nothing, to investigate things and extend knowledge—not to engage in production and manufacturing.

Xiao Zong has never seen himself as a producer.

"Then I'll do it!" Xiao Yuji said immediately.

Chen Wuji gave a faint smile, "My idea is also for you to do it—you must not only do it, but quickly open up the Zhongyuan market, using these two items to exchange for Zhongyuan's money and grain."

"Husband, silver is easy to earn. With these two items, I could even issue a military order to guarantee earning at least three hundred thousand taels of silver for you within three months, though grain would be harder to obtain," Xiao Yuji quickly calmed down.

Chen Wuji confidently said, "Don't worry; as long as the silver is in place, someone will figure out how to get the grain to Nan Jun for you—you just focus on earning silver, and I'll handle the rest."

"By the way, I also have a method for making mouth ester, which is similar to soap; I'll write it down later for you to try."

In this era, mouth ester is more commonly called rouge; it can be applied to the lips and used to tint the cheeks.

Its form is similar to lipstick—also a paste—packed in a small box, and when used you dab a bit with your fingertip or a hairpin.

Lipstick paper has not yet appeared.

In Chen Wuji's mind, there are currently two options: lipstick paper, i. e., rouge sheets, and lipstick; both can be tried.

The production method for this is similar to soap—just upgrade it, change some raw materials, and add more shades.

Xiao Yuji blinked, "Husband, did you raid some rouge-making family? How did you suddenly know so much about women's things?"

Chen Wuji's face darkened, "I didn't raid anyone; I've always known this, I just hadn't thought of it."

He truly hadn't thought of it.

Earlier, as we chatted, I recalled essential oils, and then as we kept talking, I thought of lipstick.

Although these two items would surely make money in this era, I just didn't think of them.

Chen Wuji's mind is packed with too many things; although he's always thinking about earning silver, he can't cover everything, so many times it's just a sudden flash of inspiration.

"Husband, these are all women's things, so of course you'd know…" Xiao Yuji's expression was odd; she still tended to believe you had ransacked some family, which is how you got these secret manuals.

Chen Wuji raised his hand and gave Xiao Yuji's fair forehead a sharp flick, saying, "I'm a disciple of Zhang Lao; even mysterious things like Shocking Heaven Thunder come from his hands—is it strange that I know these things?"

Old Master, I'm sorry—you old fellow, come take the blame.

Otherwise, some people wouldn't believe it.