Chapter 166: Preparing Supplies

Looking at the drawings, I wasn't sure whether it was better to have it protrude or be recessed, so I made it recessed; this makes the shape more three‑dimensional and looks more lifelike.

If the Princess Consort is not satisfied, I can adjust without wasting wood. Zhang Luo has been very happy these days; these precious woods, he hasn't touched them in a long time.

Usually I just take ordinary snacks to satisfy my cravings, but the difference in feel is too great; as soon as I pick it up, the feeling is different.

These days, he fondles the precious wood, unable to put it down, even forgetting sleep and food; only the people sent by the Princess Consort constantly remind him to eat and sleep.

No, very satisfied. Jiang Yunchu answered directly after examining each one.

How could I not be satisfied? The exquisite craftsmanship of these molds far exceeds my imagination; they are not like molds, but more like works of art.

Following this pattern, we still need two hundred, but there's no rush; for now, these molds are sufficient. Jiang Yunchu spoke.

Making these molds is mainly to check the quality; if the quality is poor, she will have a specialist carpenter make them, then have Zhang Luo carve them.

But I didn't expect it; the result was quite unexpected.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Luo's eyes lit up; as long as he gets to touch these materials every day, he can do without silver.

From now on he will stay by your side. Jiang Yunchu thought for a moment, then couldn't help saying.

That servant glanced at Jiang Yunchu, then looked toward Zhang Luo sitting on the small stool.

He takes the monthly silver from the Wang Fu; it doesn't matter where he works, actually it's more convenient here—just reminding him to eat and sleep each day, he has little else to do.

I'm not having him monitor or control you; your health is poor, so you should have someone by your side, after all I will have many things later that need you to wield the blade!

To avoid trouble and misunderstanding, Jiang Yunchu didn't wait for Zhang Luo to speak, but directly expressed her meaning clearly.

Of course, if you don't like having someone nearby, you can also refuse.

She smiled; this is not a compulsory demand, just for convenient communication between the two, and also to take care of his food and lodging.

That's all.

Zhang Luo waved his hand, "This old man of mine, what could the Princess Consort possibly covet?"

That's all he has—this skill. These days he also observed that boy; the boy has no interest in carpentry at all, and whenever he works, the boy is practicing punches in the courtyard, rarely coming near him.

Besides this skill, what else does he have worth noting?

Just stay here and keep me company. Zhang Luo readily agreed.

Jiang Yunchu nodded, "These mechanisms can be made in larger numbers; later only the patterns will change, and only special ones will have unique drawings—I still need to consider a few things here."

Those two hundred aren't urgent; whenever they're done, just have him send them straight back to the Wang Fu.

These, I have taken away.

Afterward, Jiang Yunchu looked at Zi Su, who immediately understood and placed a ten‑tael silver ingot directly on the table in front of Zhang Luo.

Zhang Luo frowned, then waved his hand, "Princess Consort, you needn't go to such trouble; I like these woods—being able to touch them and watch them change in my hands already makes me very happy."

Ten taels is too much.

Just accept it; for the later two hundred I can't give that much.

Jiang Yunchu smiled, then softly said, "Passion also needs silver to buy food."

The people of the Wang Fu, she supports them.

But Zhang Luo's meals these days have all been his own.

Thank you.

Zhang Luo remained silent for a long time, then softly expressed his thanks.

These days are now what he once dared not imagine.

I'm leaving; take good care of him. Jiang Yunchu said to that servant.

The servant immediately nodded and agreed.

After leaving the alley, Jiang Yunchu went straight to the Yanzhi workshop.

Use this mold? Wang Chun touched the mold, asking curiously.

She has been in the workshop a long time; this is the first time she has seen a mold made so exquisitely—how lovely the Lustrous Jade Soap that comes out would be!

Yes, for the first batch I only need fifty pieces.

How have your practice sessions been these days?

These days she hasn't let them start work, nor had them do anything else; they just stay in the workshop all day making the Lustrous Jade Soap.

Her first batch of fifty pieces is to be given as gifts; it must not be ruined.

Princess Consort, please have a look. Zhao Gutou brought over a tray; it held small pieces of Lustrous Jade Soap, each crystal clear and translucent, really looking like chunks of white jade.

Not bad.

She nodded in approval; although the process of making pork‑fat soap isn't that complicated, one still needs to master its techniques and pay attention to the small movements.

Now seeing them succeed, and with no bubbles inside at all, she felt very delighted.

Using the new molds, please give me fifty pieces as soon as possible; are the wooden boxes I've prepared ready?

Ready. Zhang Guangzhi brought over two, letting Jiang Yunchu inspect them.

The wooden boxes are very beautiful; on them are just the three simple characters 'Lustrous Jade Soap', with no other patterns.

Jiang Yunchu also worried that Zhang Luo might tire; she had the outer wooden packaging boxes made by the Wang Fu's carpenters in the workshop.

Jiang Yunchu looked it over; compared to her drawings, the size hadn't changed, so the Lustrous Jade Soap fits perfectly inside without shaking or bumping.

"There are over five hundred now." Zhang Guangzhi didn't understand why all this effort was being made, but since the Princess Consort had arranged it, they just follow her instructions.

Jiang Yunchu thought, "Don't stop, keep going."

Once these Lustrous Jade Soaps are demolded, put them directly into this box, fifty pieces, and send them to the Wang Fu. Jiang Yunchu issued the order.

Whether the Wang Fu's Yanzhi shop can get off the ground depends on this occasion.

Yes! The four people replied in unison.

Now the Lustrous Jade Soap needs to gain fame, which requires a sense of mystery; Jiang Yunchu first had the four learn it, and only when there is later large demand will she let those workers enter the workshop.

Having left the workshop, the matter on her mind was finally set aside to a large extent.

According to the list, prepare the items, especially the steamed corn buns, go to Bei Cheng and buy more; tomorrow morning, go pick them up.

The fabric doesn't need to be good; coarse cloth will do; if really necessary, even scraps will work.

Also, some items should be of relatively lower quality.

Jiang Yunchu carefully instructed, in a place like the slums, can good things be kept?

For the price of one steamed bun's copper coin, you can buy three or four steamed corn buns; a white-flour bun might not fill one's stomach, but three or four corn buns are enough to fill two people's stomachs.

Moreover...

She also doesn't intend to nurture others' hearts, making people think the Regent Prince's Manor is full of foolish people with lots of money.