Chapter 37: Responsibility-Based Management

Everyone present had gone mad.

Whether they were young masters, wealthy young ladies and socialites, or the entertainers of Fengming Tower, they were already fighting tooth and nail.

Very quickly, the large pile of Snow Cream and Lip Balm that Liu Zheng had brought this time was completely sold out. Not only that, but they were all sold at high prices!

In a mere half hour, everything was sold out!

And at this moment, in front of Zheng Yueru, there remained only two thousand taels of silver.

"This..."

"Brother Liu..."

Zheng Yueru still had not recovered, remaining immersed in endless shock.

And Liu Zheng took a deep breath.

The cost of the things he had brought over was only fifty taels in total!

After some processing, they actually sold for two thousand taels! According to his contract with the Zheng Family, if he took eighty percent, that would be sixteen hundred taels, with the Zheng Family taking four hundred taels!

What is profiteering!

As expected, the cosmetics industry and luxury goods industry of later generations were profiteering, and it was the same in this ancient era!

"Did you see that?"

Liu Zheng laughed heartily: "This is advertising, spreading the word far and wide. In other words, no matter what Method you use, you must let more people know the efficacy and effects of our products, understand?"

Although Zheng Yueru had never seen these methods before, being guided by Liu Zheng tonight was truly like seeing the clouds part to reveal the sun.

She was a business prodigy to begin with; since Liu Zheng had already done this much, if she still did not understand something, she would have truly lived in vain.

"Brother Liu means..."

Zheng Yueru's eyes burned: "This spreading the word far and wide must also be calculated as a cost! Account for it within, and then generate even greater profits..."

Liu Zheng was stunned for a moment.

He had not expected Zheng Yueru's comprehension to be so high. After this incident, she had actually grasped the concept of advertising costs, though to be honest, Liu Zheng could not calculate this level either... after all, he was not in advertising in his past life.

He only provided a train of thought.

"Yue Ru understands, understands! If no one tries our fine wine, then we will find ways to make them taste it! Even if we don't ask for silver, we must let the wine's fragrance drift first! These are all advertising costs, and we only need to factor these costs into the profits, and there will be no deficit!"

Zheng Yueru stood up in pleasant surprise and bowed deeply to Liu Zheng: "Brother Liu is overflowing with talent; Yue Ru is inferior!"

Liu Zheng gave a wry smile; in this era, you are already a monstrous existence.

Suddenly, he felt a bit expectant.

Under his own patient guidance, to what extent could this Zheng Yueru grow? At least for now, the cooperation between the Zheng Family and himself was still very good, and there was no need to be overly guarded for the time being. Especially after his Natural Inheritance Law was promulgated, Zheng Yueru's status in the Zheng Family had already risen too much.

Liu Zheng admired Zheng Yueru as a person.

As long as she could control the Zheng Family, Liu Zheng would not mind letting the Zheng Family continue to exist in Yinzhou.

"Brother Liu, regarding Manqing..."

Zheng Yueru suddenly looked at Liu Zheng ambiguously, with a smile that was not quite a smile.

"I shall take my leave first, and return another day!"

As soon as Liu Zheng heard this, he got a headache and hurriedly fled in a panic.

"Since ancient times, beauties have had short lives, and it is caused by people like Brother Liu!"

Zheng Yueru looked at Liu Zheng's back and shook her head with a sigh.

"Is this that Ancient Thorn Water?"

Zheng Yueru took out a ceramic jar, unable to tell what was inside.

But when she opened the lid, in an instant, she was deeply attracted by the scent inside.

"This..."

She remembered Liu Zheng's instructions: just a few drops could keep the fragrance for a day? She originally did not believe it, but at this moment, she could not help but take the things Liu Zheng had left behind and run off to bathe.

Soap, Snow Cream, Lip Balm, Perfume...

These things brought shock to Zheng Yueru, wave after wave.

What kind of person is this Young Master Liu?

How does he know so many things?

Snow Cream goes without saying; in a place with a climate like Liangzhou, most people can use it, or rather, most places in the whole country can use it.

And this Soap is even more extraordinary.

People in this era still use Pig Pancreas Soap to bathe, and the smell after every bath is simply unbearable to the nose...

But at this moment.

It is actually rose-scented?

Then, there is the Perfume.

She is a little expectant.

When these things start mass production, how much silver will this be, flowing endlessly into the Zheng Family?

As expected.

Before Liu Zheng even returned to the County Marquis Mansion, two Horse Carriages were already parked at the entrance.

Today's display was a bit too big, and the other two remaining Powerful Clans really could not sit still. Sure enough, as soon as he entered the door, Liu Zheng saw his father Li Dahao receiving guests.

Those guests were, naturally, Cao Zhen of the Cao Family and Wang Zengming of the Wang Family.

"The Young Master has returned!"

"The Young Master's stunning song today will surely spread throughout all of Liangzhou, no, the entire dynasty!"

The two old men no longer dared to underestimate this County Marquis young master, and they stood up one after another, cupping their hands in flattery.

"You two elders are too kind!"

Liu Zheng hurriedly smiled modestly.

"My son, the stir caused by that Snow Cream today is truly not small..." Liu Dahao signaled with his eyes; these two wealthy men had come this time bringing a pile of gifts, which were placed right beside them.

The meaning was self-evident.

Could they have a share of the Snow Cream business?

Always watching the Zheng Family get rich, who wouldn't be envious?

After the Chen Family was raided, these two Powerful Clans had also become much more obedient. Nominally, they had disbanded the private soldiers in their households on the spot, but in reality, they had sent them over to the County Marquis Mansion.

Now, it is estimated that each Powerful Clan only has at most five hundred retainers left!

If they are obedient, naturally they must be given a treat!

Liu Zheng had long known such a thing would happen and had long since prepared a response, smiling: "You two elders must not be impatient; I have my own plans for this matter. As for the business of this Snow Cream, Soap, and Ancient Thorn Water, it is truly more suitable for the Zheng Family..."

The two wealthy men's expressions changed instantly.

If it were before, both would certainly have been angry.

"However..."

Liu Zheng chuckled: "Although the Zheng Family has the most commercial firms and the widest reach, in terms of construction and engineering, they are not as good as the Cao Family!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Zhen laughed proudly: "That is only natural!"

In other words, the Zheng Family is more adept at commercial operations, but in terms of industry and large-scale manufacturing, this Cao Family is the leader among them. For example, the Cao Family is heavily involved in furniture, building materials, iron tools, farm implements, and even mining, having even reached a position of monopoly.

The iron ore used for casting iron in Liu Zheng's Shen Gong Workshop is all supplied by this Cao Family.

"And the Wang Family is skilled in textiles, clothing, and utensils!"

Wang Zengming nodded.

Liu Zheng continued to smile: "Therefore, leaving those items for the Zheng Family to operate is surely the best choice. You two elders must not harbor any resentment!"

The two heard that what Liu Zheng said also made sense, and although they were unwilling in their hearts, they could only nod in agreement.

"Rest assured, you two elders, very soon, without you needing to find me, I will be seeking your help!"

Liu Zheng said sincerely.

What else could these two say? They could only bid farewell one after another.

Although the production techniques for this Snow Cream, Lip Balm, Soap, and Perfume were available, they still encountered several problems when trying to achieve mass production. The most pressing one was the lack of manpower!

Liu Zheng had only transmigrated here for a month; the time was too short.

He still had to teach them hand-in-hand how to do it. Right now, this Shen Gong Workshop already had five hundred craftsmen, but it was still not enough! Just the people refining iron and steel required one hundred men.

Brewing alcohol was Liu Zheng's main source of income, and several different types of alcohol required different workshops, which took up a full three hundred of his men!

And the other two people?

People were needed to haul iron ore, people were needed to buy roses, and people were needed for various materials.

"Over here, hurry up and get a few more people!"

"Official Wei, we can't keep up with the work!"

"Damn it, come help over here first!"

When he arrived at the Shen Gong Workshop the next day, the scene was still a mess. Watching Wei Tiezhu being worked to the bone, Liu Zheng couldn't help but shake his head.

When the operation gets big, one must learn how to manage.

How would Wei Tiezhu understand these things?

"Young Master, you're here? I'll be done here in a moment!"

Seeing Liu Zheng arrive, Wei Tiezhu hurriedly finished the work in his hands and ran over, wiping the sweat from his head.

Liu Zheng said: "Tiezhu, a workman must sharpen his tools if he is to do his work well. The five hundred craftsmen in the Shen Gong Workshop are not divided by rank or level; this will not do."

"Ah?"

Wei Tiezhu looked depressed, scratching his head.

He hadn't read many books; what was the use of telling him these things?

Liu Zheng shook his head: "I ask you, every workshop has a Work Foreman, right?"

Wei Tiezhu nodded hurriedly.

This was the most basic thing.

Liu Zheng said: "Good, call all these Work Foremen over. Also, call one or two people you think can shoulder the heavy responsibilities from those who do the purchasing and transportation!"

Wei Tiezhu went to handle it immediately.

Soon, these soot-covered craftsmen were all gathered in front of Liu Zheng.

Liu Zheng himself was quite busy and didn't intend to waste words with them, saying immediately: "Starting from today, the Shen Gong Workshop will implement a Responsibility System management policy!"

A murmuring sound arose from the crowd.

Responsibility System?

What the hell is that?

Wei Tiezhu also looked confused.

Liu Zheng explained: "Each workshop will have a Work Foreman, and their monthly pay will be doubled!"

The people present were overjoyed; they were already foremen, but previously their monthly pay was the same as ordinary craftsmen, so they didn't put much effort into managing, which was the biggest reason for the production chaos.

"However..."

Liu Zheng's gaze turned cold: "If you take double the silver, you must shoulder the responsibility! Every day, Counselor Wei will issue production tasks; if they are not completed, the Work Foreman will be punished first! If the quality is maintained and the quota is exceeded, there will be rewards!"

Everyone expressed that they would definitely complete the tasks.

"Establish a separate Transportation Department and Purchasing Department, with the same treatment and responsibilities as the Work Foremen!"

Soon, Liu Zheng formulated the plan.

As the number of craftsmen grew, institutionalized management became necessary.

Each department had one Work Foreman and two Deputy Work Foremen, with responsibilities and compensation increasing accordingly. This greatly stimulated their enthusiasm for management, and there were also extra rewards for the workers.

The division of labor within the departments was clear, and responsibilities were clearly assigned.

Furthermore, they gathered in the main courtyard of the Shen Gong Workshop every morning, where Wei Tiezhu would issue the daily production tasks, after which they would all start work and rest at the same time.

With this, the management of the Shen Gong Workshop instantly became clear.

There were no longer any chaotic scenes like before.

"Where is Liang Erfu?"

After finishing his work here, Liu Zheng returned to the County Marquis Mansion.

Liang Erfu, the Counselor of the Ministry of Agriculture, immediately ran out.

Seeing him brewing tea for his father, Liu Zheng sneered, "You are quite at leisure."

Liang Erfu smiled bitterly, "Young Master, the autumn harvest is over, and your subordinate is mostly helping with paperwork."

"Come out with me for a trip."

Liu Zheng mounted his horse and said.

The first snow had already fallen.

After arranging other matters, what Liu Zheng cared about most was actually agriculture.

In any era of antiquity, food, clothing, and provisions were always the most important!

Yet this problem was particularly prominent in Yinzhou!