Chapter 217: Funds for Preparing Spring Clothes

Xiao Dabao pointed at the baby bok choy with a smile.

"Brothers, this is the fast-growing baby bok choy we grew by reclaiming wasteland at the Beijiang Camp. We used the vegetable seeds sent by Shennü Daren, and applied the chemical fertilizer and pesticide she brought, so the baby bok choy grew very quickly."

"The camp had a bumper harvest of baby bok choy, so we sent a few dozen crates over for you all to have a fresh taste."

"In the future, when the fields at the Beijiang Camp produce grain, we will send that over to you as well."

As soon as he finished speaking, a burst of cheers erupted all around.

"What, the Beijiang Camp can grow grain and vegetables now too?"

"Shennü Daren is truly wonderful, to be able to let us eat such fresh vegetables as well."

"Thank you, Shennü!"

Zhang Zhao was also very happy. "Deputy General Xiao, stay and have a meal with us before you go."

The Cook Battalion lit the stoves to cook, using the rice, flour, and vegetables that had been delivered to make meatball and baby bok choy soup.

The cold Snow Mountain was pure white, and wisps of cooking smoke rose from the garrison camp.

In the ten large pots set up, the greens were emerald, the meatballs were fresh and tender, and a rich fragrance wafted out.

The soldiers held their bowls and lined up to get their food.

White rice paired with green vegetable and meatball soup; eating it warmed the body, and the taste was exceptionally refreshing.

Everyone ate the hot meal, chatting as they ate, their faces full of smiles.

After finishing dinner, Xiao Dabao had the truck drive back to the Beijiang Camp; anyway, now that there was a Cement Road, it would only take an hour and a half to get there.

The headlights shone bright, illuminating the road surface.

The truck was loaded with Iron Ore and drove toward the Beijiang Camp.

In less than a day, the truck had transported the supplies back.

Xiao Moting was very happy.

"The road to the Snow Mountain Iron Mine is finished. There is still plenty of cement, sand, and stone in the camp; let's build another road leading to Shiya City."

The Yuan Family Army had already withdrawn from Shiya City, and currently, only a small number of the Beijiang Army were stationed there.

There was a Coal Mine in the city, and Xiao Moting intended to take over Shiya City and transport the coal over.

Building a Cement Road would make it convenient to transport coal from Shiya City in the future, ensuring the Beijiang Camp would no longer be cold in winter.

At this moment, Qin Zhan came into the tent, looking hesitant.

"Is something the matter?" Xiao Moting looked up.

Qin Zhan stammered and rubbed his hands together.

"Prince, it is already early spring, but the soldiers in the camp are still wearing their winter clothes."

"The weather is gradually warming up, and everyone should change into single-layered clothes, but the robes in the army were issued three years ago; many people's spring clothes are torn and tattered, and can no longer be worn."

Once he mentioned it, Xiao Moting finally remembered.

The Beijiang Camp had not issued clothing to the soldiers for a long time; previously, supplies in the camp were scarce, and everyone was only concerned with filling their stomachs.

Now that the food problem had been solved, it was time to issue clothing to the soldiers.

Xiao Moting nodded and let out a long sigh.

"It is time to issue clothes, shoes, socks, and other military supplies to everyone. I will go find Jia Shun, collect the silver from the sales during this period, and make clothes for everyone."

The clothing for 180,000 Beijiang Army soldiers—battle robes, lined shirts, trousers, shoes, socks... it was not a small amount and would cost a large sum of silver.

Early the next morning.

Xiao Moting took some people and rode in the Minivan to find Jia Shun.

The streets were bustling with crowds and very prosperous.

In front of the Bai Grocery Store, customers were coming and going from time to time, and the shopkeeper and assistants greeted people with smiles; it seemed to be doing well.

Xiao Moting went straight to the Taishou Mansion to find Jia Shun.

"How has the grocery store business been lately?"

After saying this, he reached out a hand.

As soon as Jia Shun saw Xiao Moting, he understood immediately and hurriedly brought out the account book.

"Prince, the goods sold during this period total over 700,000 taels, and I have been saving it all."

After speaking, he had someone bring the silver notes.

Xiao Moting took the account book, flipped through a few pages, and his brows furrowed slightly.

Looking at the account book, the items in the grocery store were selling well, but as time went on, the sales of laundry detergent, soap, and scented soap were not as good as before.

Jia Shun lowered his head and eyes, and spoke with a sheepish smile.

"Laundry detergent, soap, and such things are only things that wealthy families are willing to buy long-term. Ordinary commoners grit their teeth to buy a bag of laundry detergent and use it sparingly when they take it home; a bag of laundry detergent lasts them two months, and they have only used half."

"After all, although the items are good, the price is set there; not everyone can afford them."

Xiao Moting nodded and closed the account book.

He also understood this logic.

Daliang was not considered wealthy; the richest people gathered in Shengjing, and apart from that, they lived in the main cities. Their lives were extremely extravagant, wearing Silk and Satin, eating Mountain Delicacies, and some even used candles as firewood to burn, pouring out fine wine into ponds after a single sip.

Some wealthy merchants would spend millions of taels of silver on a single birthday, with wine pools and meat forests, and constant singing and dancing, as if it were heaven on earth.

Besides these rich tycoons, there were many ordinary commoners in the cities who could just barely have enough to eat and wear, and could barely afford a bag of laundry detergent to take home and use sparingly.

But outside the cities, even more people could not even afford to eat.

Especially over in Yannan, the drought was severe this year, and many farmers had left their land barren and were forced to sell their children.

To these people, even ten wen was a huge sum of money, and they could not afford laundry detergent at all.

Jia Shun poked his head forward to report, "Prince, the stock of laundry detergent, soap, and other items in the Warehouse is almost sold out. Please ask Shennü Daren to replenish some inventory."

"I will write a letter to Shennü."

Xiao Moting took out a slip of paper and briefly explained the business of the Bai's Grocery Store.

Then, he sent the slip of paper and the account book over to Bai Wei via Teleportation.

After all, this was Bai Wei's shop, and she was the boss; she had to be clear about all income and expenditures.

……

Bai Wei received the account book and opened it to look through.

"Huh, why did it only sell 730,000 taels during this period?"

"The Beijiang Army has 180,000 men; just their daily eating, drinking, and other needs consume a massive amount of supplies. Relying solely on this silver to buy supplies, how can the Beijiang Army be supported?"

Bai Wei also noticed the discrepancy, thought for a moment, and wrote a note to ask Xiao Moting.

"Xiao Moting, why has the recent sales volume of the Bai's Grocery Store dropped?"

"Shennü Daren, according to my deduction, the reason should be as follows..."

Xiao Moting told Bai Wei the factors he had considered.

After listening, Bai Wei suddenly realized.

"That's right, why didn't I consider the consumption level of the common people of Daliang? Wealthy people will naturally buy laundry detergent, but there are more commoners below who have no money; they only bought laundry detergent and soap out of novelty."

"However, asking these people to buy laundry detergent and soap long-term every month is something they are reluctant to do."

"Xiao Moting, your analysis is very correct. What goods do you think we should sell next?"

Regarding business, although Bai Wei understood it, Xiao Moting's mind turned faster, so she wanted to ask for his opinion.

Very quickly, Xiao Moting's note was sent over.

"Shennü Daren, in my humble opinion, the Bai's Grocery Store could sell some other low-priced goods."

"The items currently in the shop are high-priced commodities in Daliang; only the wealthy are willing to purchase them long-term."

"I have analyzed it: in the Daliang Kingdom, there is only one wealthy person for every ten thousand people; the vast majority of the rest are commoners, and a small remaining portion are impoverished people living in poverty."

"If we want to sell more things, we must start with the largest number of commoners and sell things that are not expensive, that the common people can afford, and that are helpful to their lives."