Chapter 569 - Chapter 569: Chapter 556 Judging Books by Their Cover (1/2)

Chapter 569: Chapter 556 Judging Books by Their Cover

Zhuang Qingning pointed out several places that needed repairs, and fixed the days for teaching workers to make dried noodles. When she saw the westward shift of the sun, she began to walk back home.

When she reached the village entrance, she saw a carriage parked there, which appeared to be unfamiliar to her.

Just as she was surprised, a man in his twenties of average build got down from the carriage.

Seeing Zhuang Qingning, the man greeted her with a bow, “You must be Manager Zhuang.”

“Indeed.” Zhuang took a look at him, confirmed that she didn’t know him, then responded with a bow, “May I know who you are…”

“My name is Zhong Yingcai, I’m the chief manager under Master Chu, mainly responsible for dealing with all of his businesses and properties. This time, since master Chu intends to engage in soap business with Manager Zhuang, he instructed me to work with you to get this business started.” Zhong Yingcai replied.

“So you’re sent by Master Chu.” Zhuang Qingning bowed again, “Greetings, Manager Zhong.”

“Would you join me for a cup of tea? We can discuss the details of the soap business.”

“Thank you, Manager Zhuang.” Zhong Yingcai and Qi Er stepped into the courtyard.

“Master Chu mentioned in his letter that he would like to make soap, but I’ve never seen soap before. Do you have any samples, Manager Zhuang?” Zhong Yingcai asked.

“Yes, I do.” Zhuang Qingning went inside and brought out some soaps.

Because she and Chu Jinnian had previously discussed the soap business, she had prepared many soaps for his representatives to evaluate during the New Year celebrations.

She had prepared various kinds of soaps — common soap, pearl powder soap, mugwort soap, sulfur soap, plum blossom soap, etc., cutting each into two-inch cubes to show to Zhong Yingcai.

Zhong Yingcai examined the soaps for a long time, sniffed them and even tried them with some water. The more he tried, the more he smiled, “These are really good.”

“Now I understand why the master wants to do this soap business. If these soaps are sold in Beijing, they will definitely sell very well.”

“If that’s the case, let’s not delay and start making soap right away. Master Chu had already indicated that the workshop should be built in the county town. When I was there, I had already purchased several courtyards, which have been cleaned up. One of them is very suitable for the workshop. Would you like to come and have a look, Manager Zhuang?”

“Moreover, what are the ingredients required for soap-making? Can you please make a list so that I can purchase them?”

“I’ll be busy for a few days training people at the noodle factory. It will be a few days before I can go and have a look at the soap workshop.”

Zhuang Qingning smiled and handed over a pile of papers that she had brought out with the soap, “This is a list of the ingredients I have drawn up. It shows what kinds of soap, need what materials, in what proportions, and how much you need to prepare.”

“In addition, these are some of the tools required for soap-making. I was afraid that I might not explain clearly enough, so I drew detailed diagrams and also made some prototypes. Manager Zhong just needs to make them according to the prototypes, and in the quantities indicated.”

Zhong Yingcai took the stack of papers, looking surprised and somewhat complicated.