C20. Selling Soap.

C20. Selling Soap.

Yuan Congyun and Yang Zhongfa initially believed that as they traveled towards the northern frontier, the food they carried would diminish, with only about fifty percent reaching the battlefield. However, to their surprise, as they journeyed, instead of lessening, their food supplies increased.

Following Liu Jixin's strategy, they approached local influential clans in each city they reached, half-forcibly and half-requesting to exchange for provisions.

Furthermore, their general planned to trade Yuan Gongzi's collection of antique paintings and calligraphy for food, a decision halted by Yuan Gongzi. Instead, Yuan Gongzi produced a rare item called soap, white and delicate, emitting a faint fragrance, intriguing many of the influential clans upon sight.

Yet, Yuan Gongzi only sold a limited number of sets at each location, with each set containing four exquisitely carved soaps in patterns of plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, priced astonishingly high that left Yang Zhongfa and his companions astounded.

Especially in regions with more influential clans, the soap sets commanded eye-watering prices.

This unique soap, brought from Luoyang, captured the curiosity of the influential clans. Initially, they intended to purchase them merely out of respect for the military group, but upon seeing the soap's quality, they found themselves enamored.

Moreover, Yuan Li intentionally limited the availability.

The influential clans were wealthy, accustomed to spending exorbitant amounts on a single meal and complaining about the lack of worthy dining establishments. Money was no object to them; even going to the restroom involved ten maidservants waiting attentively, with exquisite jade sculptures casually tossed about.

Within the influential clans, displaying one's wealth had become customary. Yuan Li instructed Zhao Ying and Liu Jixin to investigate the power dynamics among the influential clans and employ a hunger marketing strategy based on this information.

Feuds were exploited by selecting one influential clan from the opposing sides for soap trade. Relationships were leveraged by using soap as a medium to showcase its value.

Yuan Li worked diligently to transform soap into a new symbol of luxury among the influential clans.

The results were exceptional, with Yuan Li reaping profits far exceeding the production cost of the soap.

He was not interested in money, exchanging it all for long-term storage of provisions, cloth, medicinal herbs, liquor, and warhorses.

Among these items, liquor was not a necessity in turbulent times but certainly a luxury item.

Such luxury items could prove invaluable at specific times in chaos.

Yuan Li refrained from exchanging livestock like pigs, cows, and sheep, as they were still some distance from Youzhou. If any of these animals fell ill or contracted a disease on the journey, it could affect the horses, resulting in significant losses.

In their exchanges, warhorses were the most challenging to acquire, as each influential clan possessed its private armed forces understanding the strategic importance of horses. However, aside from horses, other items were readily exchanged.

Hence, the consumption of food not only didn't decrease but increased as they traveled on.

Yang Zhongfa and his companions held Yuan Li in high esteem, often referring to him privately as the "God of Wealth."

They were equally curious about the soap in Yuan Li's possession. Witnessing the widespread favor the soap received from influential clans, they were tempted but hesitant to inquire. Sensing their curiosity, on the evening before leaving a city after receiving sufficient military allowance, Yuan Li presented each person with a set of soap, albeit in limited quantities distributed to a few select officers and Yuan Li's entourage.

Perplexed by the gift, they asked, "Yuan Gongzi, how should we use this?"

"It's okay; it's not that precious," Yuan Li replied with a smile. "If you run out, I still have some left."

Yang Zhongfa and Han Jin exchanged glances, and Han Jin couldn't resist asking, "Yuan Gongzi, since you have plenty of soap, why not sell it all to those influential clans?"

The thought of the price the soap could fetch made Han Jin nervously stiffen.

As this was mentioned, others also focused on Yuan Li, questioning why he didn't sell the soap. They reasoned that the money obtained from selling the soap would be much more meaningful than merely using it.

Guo Lin's three servants cautiously handed the soap to Yuan Li, saying, "Master, we are reluctant to use the soap ourselves, so why not sell our share to them in exchange for silver?"

"Keep it for yourselves," Yuan Li replied wryly, "Even if I have plenty of soap, I can't sell it to them."

Perplexed, Yuan Congyun asked, "Why not?"

Patiently, Yuan Li explained, "Scarcity increases value."

Liu Jixin suddenly grasped the concept and exclaimed, "Brilliant!"

Seeing the others visibly distressed, Yuan Li subtly urged, "We're leaving the city tomorrow, we need to speed up our march and won't stop in towns until we reach Youzhou. Since we have time tonight, try using the soap to see its effects."

As they continued north, the weather grew hotter. The gentlemen found themselves covered in sweat and dust daily, with the potent scent of the soap affecting even Yuan Li's complexion.

However, the officers failed to decipher the hidden meaning in Yuan Li's words. Upon hearing his suggestion and observing the meticulously crafted and fragrant soap, they were intrigued. That night, they closed the courtyard gate, and a few individuals carried a large tub outside under the moonlight and bathed in mud using the soap.

Yuan Li approached with a basin of warm water and the soap.

Upon drawing closer, he overheard the men chatting and laughing.

"General, this soap emits such a fragrant scent!" Yang Zhongfa exclaimed, taking a deep sniff, enamored. "How did Yuan Gongzi achieve this?"

As Yuan Congyun splashed cold water on himself, he advised, "Why question how Yuan Gongzi made it? Just enjoy using it!"

"I'm just curious," Yang Zhongfa retorted, glancing at Chu Hechao, and remarked teasingly, "After eating all these delicious meals following Yuan Gongzi for days, everyone has put on weight, but why hasn't the general gained a few pounds?"

Han Jin jokingly responded, "Those young ladies seem to prefer our general as he is."

Liu Jixin joined the conversation, carefully examining the smooth texture of the soap, and after hearing the banter, he glanced at Chu Hechao, amazed, and couldn't resist commenting, "I'm afraid the young ladies might be scared when they see the general!"

The group shared a knowing laugh, and Chu Hechao smirked, lazily teasing, "So, when you and your lady consummate the marriage, wouldn't that make her laugh?"

Liu Jixin retorted, "General, that's a heartless comment."

Laughter erupted among the group.

"Haha!"

Unable to contain himself, Yuan Li laughed behind them.

Turning to see Yuan Li, they also smiled warmly, inviting, "Yuan Gongzi, are you here to bathe as well?"

After spending these months together, they had grown accustomed to Yuan Li's temperament and had become increasingly close and trusting of him, treating him with familiarity. Yuan Li nodded with a smile and placed the wooden basin next to Chu Hechao.

Glancing at him, Chu Hechao's smile lingered, playfully teasing, "It's not appropriate to undress in front of your little brother, sister-in-law, is it?"

Under the cover of night, Yuan Li rolled his eyes at Chu Hechao. Though Chu Hechao was cold and stern, having grown up in the military, he had a rough temperament and didn't hold back from making crude remarks.

Look, he could even say such a jerk.

Yuan Li didn't feel perturbed as he had also spent time in the military camp and considered such lewd comments as mundane as chewing on bean sprouts.

"General, isn't it inappropriate to undress in front of your sister-in-law?" he remarked in the same tone, casting a sidelong glance at Chu Hechao.

Chu Hechao had a well-built physique, broad shoulders, narrow waist, and was tall and muscular, with noticeable scars of various sizes scattered across his body.

Among the scars were mostly healed knife and arrow wounds, badges of honor left by Chu Hechao's battles. One particularly lethal scar near his chest caught Yuan Li's attention, indicating a near-fatal arrow wound.

Yuan Li couldn't help but admire Chu Hechao's heroic resilience. This thought crossed his mind.

Chu Hechao was momentarily silenced by this statement. He narrowed his eyes, quickly rinsed off the foam with cold water and donned his robe.

With a nonchalant smile, he said to Yuan Li, "I'm dressed now."

Yuan Li chose to retract his previous comment.

He chose to take back the previous sentence.

Yang Zhongfa and the others blushed and stifled their laughter, fearing they might anger the general if they laughed out loud. Hastily finishing their bath, they put on their clothes and hurried away.

Chu Hechao awaited Yuan Li's response, but Yuan Li purposely ignored him. He lowered his head to wash his hair and treated Chu Hechao like a servant, asking him to help with his hair.

"General, help me with my hair."

Chu Hechao reached out to lift Yuan Li's hair while Yuan Li lathered it with soap, releasing a faint floral fragrance that filled the courtyard with steam.

Chu Hechao remarked thoughtfully, "Can this be used for washing hair?"

"Naturally," Yuan Li replied confidently, reminiscing about bathing with soap in his previous life. "A bar of soap lasts a long time. Do you think the soap will sell well in Youzhou?"

"Yes," Chu Hechao tersely answered. "Is it difficult to make?"

Yuan Li leisurely explained, "It's neither easy nor difficult. I've brought skilled artisans who have made soap before. Once they have the necessary materials, making it again will be much simpler."

"What materials?" Chu Hechao inquired.

Yuan Li raised an eyebrow, teasingly looking at Chu Hechao. His damp eyes gleamed mischievously as he asked, "General, are you trying to trap me with your questions?"

Chu Hechao fell silent.

Yuan Li continued washing his hair, "We are like a family, General, so you should trust me more. If you keep testing me, I will eventually get angry."

Chu Hechao scoffed, "Is that so?"

Seemingly unconcerned.

Yuan Li lowered his eyes in contemplation, rinsing away the dirt from his hair.

He felt it was time to assert his authority in front of Chu Hechao, bringing a hint of tension to their journey. By making a lasting impression on Chu Hechao, Yuan Li aimed to demonstrate the consequences of provoking his ire.

With a significant undertone, Yuan Li hinted, "Once you reach Youzhou, you'll understand what I mean."

After Chu Hechao helped Yuan Li rinse off the water from his hair, he lazily left before Yuan Li was ready to bathe. Alone, Yuan Li enjoyed his bath leisurely and the next day, he joined the others in setting off on the final leg of their journey to Youzhou.