Chapter 823

Zhou the Leader demanded thirty thousand units at once, naturally calculated at one tael per unit! Xiao Yuji said with a light smile.

The middle-aged man wearing a jade thumb ring chuckled, "In that case, please have the two ladies arrange it for me soon. Thirty thousand units of soap is no small sum; my caravan currently lacks enough personnel, so I need to recruit a few more, and I also have to make a trip to the money shop."

How about we settle the transaction in two days?

Xiao Yuji readily agreed, "Of course, but this contract should be signed as soon as possible."

That's natural." The middle-aged man with the jade thumb ring said cheerfully, "As for soap, I really don't see anything to hesitate about; even with my eyes closed I should snap it up eagerly."

Just saying that makes him sound like a shill.

But everyone present are seasoned veterans of commerce who have weathered countless storms; it's impossible that his actions and a few words would make them abandon their judgment—what should be hesitated over remains hesitant.

Only when that middle-aged man signed the contract with Xiao Yuji and prepared to leave did another leader stand up—a thin, middle-aged man dressed very plainly, even simplistically.

Ladies, I'll take five thousand units first to try it out," he said as he rose.

Okay.

……

This affair lasted a little over an hour, with more than half of the caravan leaders signing contracts and taking away over seventy thousand units of soap.

The most was taken by the middle-aged man wearing the jade thumb ring, while the least took two thousand units.

According to Xiao Yuji's sales method, purchasing ten thousand units would get the lowest price, which in theory is the most cost-effective. But ten thousand units correspond to ten thousand taels of silver—a sum many cannot accept, fearing they'd end up with nothing but a basket full of soap.

Most people's reaction remained relatively cautious.

At a tea gathering, Xiao Yuji secured orders exceeding one hundred thousand taels.

The soap production during this period was almost completely sold out.

"Old Four, truly impressive!" After the caravan leaders left, Shen Youwei exclaimed with astonishment, "No wonder my husband entrusted you entirely with this important matter—you really have talent."

After someone outside arranged lodging for them according to convention, Shen Youwei early on gave Xiao Yuji and Xue Hongdou the nicknames "Old Four" and "Old Five".

Although she is a few years younger than Xiao Yuji, the nickname "Old Four" rolls off the tongue smoothly, without any awkwardness.

Xiao Yuji shook her head, "My husband entrusted me with this large undertaking only because I have some business experience and pick things up quickly; in fact, it doesn't seem directly related to my abilities."

"Speaking of abilities… I've actually been doubtful of myself all along."

"My previous business wasn't big, just lukewarm; later I made some progress under my husband's guidance. Nowadays, most of the work is actually done by Wuzi and the others; I merely step in to negotiate deals like today and then keep an eye on the accounts."

Shen Youwei blinked her bright, shining eyes, "I was just about to say, hurry up and give me some pointers—why did you suddenly come out with all these reflections?"

Xiao Yuji smiled faintly, a moment of tenderness that seemed to make the summer breeze hazy.

Although in bed she is now mischievous and bold to a high degree.

But outside, she remains that gentle, charming water-town woman.

"Don't worry, the things I know you'll pick up quickly," Xiao Yuji said softly.

"As for these reflections, they just popped into my head, and I mentioned them casually. My real meaning is that I also need to learn some things. As my husband's business grows larger and larger, the people and matters we'll encounter will only become more complex; if we don't study, with such a big undertaking we'll surely find ourselves stretched thin."

Shen Youwei gave a slight nod, put her arm around Xiao Yuji's shoulder, and said, "Don't worry, when the cart reaches the mountain there will be a way; as long as we proceed step by step and nothing goes wrong as usual, even a larger undertaking can be sustained—believe in yourself, Old Four, you're amazing, don't don't."

Xiao Yuji chuckled, "That mouth of yours! No wonder you're a capital-raised lady who's seen the big world."

……

Jie Jia Zui.

After a journey through wind and dust, Chen Wuji finally arrived at this border town, unlocking a new map.

After the army set up camp beside the town, Chen Wuji entered the town with his personal guard and Xu Zengyi to observe the local customs.

A month ago, this was merely a walled village with a population of only two or three hundred. Yet in this short month, the changes have been so dramatic they can be described as winds rising and clouds surging, day by day different, month by month distinct—so great and swift that the locals open their eyes each day in astonishment.

Now, the town's area has expanded severalfold, with countless three- or four-story wooden buildings sprouting up, flags of all kinds fluttering along the streets; gazing out, one feels a sense of desolation mixed with surging new life.

All these changes stem entirely from the Yang Tiejiang Army's great slaughter in Qiang Land.

The wealth brought by the war has made merchants' sense of smell even keener than Chen Wuji, the instigator; as soon as the news spread, they already took action.

Stepping onto the town's potholed, dust- and trash-filled streets, Chen Wuji's brows furrowed suddenly: "Wushuang, go find the village chief and order him to negotiate with the merchants stationed in town to repair the streets and the outside road."

"The buildings are indeed impressive, but can they tolerate the streets being in this state? Have the village chief tell the merchants this is my order. Moreover, we can assign some personnel for maintenance and street cleaning, to be selected from the local residents of Jie Jia Zui, with all the town's merchants covering their wages."

Yes!

Xu Zengyi chuckled lightly, "My lord, have you already figured out how to cooperate with these merchants?"

Chen Wuji shook his head, "Not yet, I have no clue."

"'My lord, you should now calculate this matter,' Xu Zengyi advised."

"'Repairing the streets and the outer road, though merely a small matter, is nothing major for so many merchants; each would likely need to fork out only a few dozen taels of silver.'"

"'But merchants value profit; these people like earning silver, and asking them to spend it will inevitably make them unhappy, no matter the amount. They'll weigh the pros and cons meticulously, possibly affecting future tax revenue in Jie Jia Zui.'"

"'Given the current situation, Jie Jia Zui will surely become a major commercial hub, a key town on the route to Qiang Land; if development continues at this scale, tax revenue should be quite substantial.'"

Chen Wuji nodded, "This is already visible to the naked eye."

"'However, sir, you needn't worry about this small matter; no matter how we arrange things hereafter, the merchants won't quibble over spending a little silver to fix the streets.'"