The lights were turned on at some point. When Li Chen finally finished his day's work, he looked up and saw that the sky outside was already blue-black, and it was about to get completely dark.
Wan Jiaojiao ordered someone to light a few more candles to illuminate His Highness, and then personally brought a bowl of iced sour plum soup.
A pair of white and tender plain hands held an exquisite porcelain bowl and presented it to Li Chen.
"Your Highness, the weather is getting hotter and hotter today. Let's drink some iced sour plum soup. It will stimulate body fluids, quench thirst and relieve anger."
I took the porcelain bowl and took two sips. It was sweet and refreshing, and my fatigue disappeared a lot.
Feeling more and more accustomed to Wan Jiaojiao's service, Li Chen turned to Wan Jiaojiao and said, "You often go out of the palace to buy story books, but do you know how popular soap is among the people?"
Wan Jiaojiao wanted to explain that she actually didn't go out very often, but she still answered honestly: "Well, now Lan Yuexuan, oh, it's the Liu family's shop. They followed His Highness's instructions and developed a more common soap.
Make it affordable for ordinary people, and now people in the capital who have better conditions will buy a few pieces at home."
"My servant has also heard that some families will save money to buy a good piece of cake, and then put it in the middle of the hall with a lid on it, and then take it out to show off when distinguished guests come."
"It's a bit interesting to arrive."
Li Chen smiled and said: "The sales volume in Beijing proves that there is a market for this thing, and it can be slowly promoted nationwide in the future."
Soap is just a small thing, but its overall profit is amazing.
Just from the financial reports sent by the Liu family during this period, a full two million taels of silver were put into the treasury. These two million taels were the net profit after deducting all costs.
Although for a country as big as Da Qin, two million taels is just a drop in the bucket, but it is a very positive and positive signal.
In addition, Li Chen also knows human nature very well. The production technology of soap is not very sophisticated. I am afraid that it will not be long before counterfeit products of the same type appear on the market.
After all, everyone sees the popularity of soap, and there is nothing that can stop others from being jealous.
If you are more upright, just buy the sample and develop it yourself. If you put a little more effort and find a few more capable craftsmen, you can do it.
Those with a darker heart would directly bribe the Liu family's masters to steal the formula. Money moves people's hearts, and there is no one in this world who cannot be bribed.
Li Chen knew this well but had no intention of stopping it.
On the one hand, it cannot be stopped; on the other hand, it stimulates the business environment of the entire Qin Empire and allows them to bloom. This is also one of Li Chen's goals in governing the country.
If the country wants to be prosperous, it is useless to do business on its own. There are various industries and people's livelihoods. The court cannot monopolize all production. The only way is to promote the productive forces of the private sector, let commerce develop, and the court collect business taxes. This is the right way.
After all, the imperial court still manages the entire country, and it cannot really get stuck in business.
In this regard, Li Chen's inner plan was extremely sober and clear.
Not only soap, but also subsequent perfumes, mirrors and other daily gadgets were all powerful tools that could stimulate the business environment of the Qin Empire and improve people's living conditions.
It's just that you have to eat the rice one bite at a time.
The most important thing right now is to get rid of Zhao Xuanji and Li Yinhu first.
Looking at the dark sky outside, there was still no news about Xu Wei, and Gong Huiyu had not returned either.
Li Chen knew that there was no rush for these things, so he didn't rush them. He could only wait for the news.
