Ways to Make Money

The next day, at the crowing of the golden rooster, the dawn's first rays of gentle light leaped onto the eaves. Tran Mac woke up very early. Due to the need to absorb pre-heaven spiritual qi, he had long since developed a biological clock and would wake up before the sky was bright.

He glanced at the beauty still sleeping soundly beside him. Her rosy cheeks still bore traces of tears, her cloud-like hair was in disarray, spread across the head of the bed, stirring a sense of tenderness and apologetic affection in Tran Mac's heart.

Last night, after hearing his sister-in-law call him "Lang quan," he had become like a man possessed. Han An Nuong's body was already weak, and later he had cajoled her with various methods, making her try strange and peculiar positions, directly turning her into a "cream puff."

He leaned down and gently kissed the beauty's smooth, jade-like forehead, then rose quietly and lightly, changed into a black long robe, and got out of bed to wash up.

As soon as he left the room, he saw that the door was already open. Tong Man was squatting in front of the kitchen door washing rice. Seeing Tran Mac, two dimples immediately appeared on her face: "Brother Mac is awake."

Tran Mac frowned: "I heard from your Sister Han that you had a headache and weren't feeling well. Are you better now?"

"The pain is gone." Tong Man stopped washing rice, went back into the kitchen, took out a toothbrush and tooth powder, came to Tran Mac, and said softly: "Let me help Brother Mac wash up."

"No need, you go make breakfast. Your Sister Han might not wake up until tonight." Taking the items from Tong Man's hand, Tran Mac washed his face.

After he finished absorbing the Purple Qi of the Sun, Han An Nuong also got up. When she saw Tran Mac, her face couldn't help but turn red, her eyes carrying a hint of resentment, which made Tran Mac feel embarrassed.

. . .

After breakfast, Han Vu arrived. Han An Nuong went out to find Luu Thi to inquire about itinerant merchants.

After teaching Han Vu the Thien Hop Saber Technique, Tran Mac praised him: "Not bad, you've learned the moves. From now on, you don't need to come to my place every day. Practice diligently, and you will see results."

"Thank you, Immortal Master Tran."

Tran Mac nodded gently: "Remember, after you achieve something, teach the people under you."

"Rest assured, Immortal Master Tran."

After Han Vu left, Tran Mac returned to his room, took out a brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and began to write down the future development plan for the village.

Although the village seemed to be running well now, it was under the threat of death, which urged these villagers to work hard. But if this went on for a long time, and they found that the government never sent troops to suppress them.

They would then think that the government might not pursue the matter, and they would slack off. In that case, they wouldn't work for the collective but would only think of themselves.

At that point, without wages and other benefits to motivate them, it would be difficult to manage.

As for how to make money?

He had read many historical transmigration novels.

When the protagonist transmigrated to ancient times, the first thing they did to make money was to produce glass.

This was a truly high-profit industry, with profits ranging from tens to hundreds of times. The most crucial thing was that this world didn't have glass yet.

And before he transmigrated, as a sand quarry owner, he also knew how to make glass.

However, making glass required soda ash (Na2CO3) and a high temperature of over a thousand degrees.

Natural soda ash could be found, but building a kiln to create the high temperature was a major difficulty, requiring a certain industrial base to achieve.

Even if these difficulties were overcome and glass was produced, selling it would also be a major problem, because this item could only be sold to the rich and powerful, which would be too time-consuming and laborious.

Thinking of this, Tran Mac dismissed the idea of glass.

Then there was cement.

This was also a popular item for transmigrators to make money.

But he didn't understand the knowledge related to cement, so that was also passed.

Soap?

This was relatively simple to make, but it required grease. However, there wasn't even enough grease for people to eat, so where would there be any left to make soap? It could be considered in the later stages.

Perfume?

This could be done, and the method was relatively simple.

The crudest method was to wash fragrant petals, such as gardenias, roses, etc., crush them, put them in a pot with high-proof alcohol, cook for a period, then filter it. This would be perfume.

And high-proof distilled liquor already existed in this world.

Furthermore, he could create simple distillation equipment, then put the flower petals in a pot with water or high-proof alcohol, and the condensed liquid obtained could also be used as perfume.

It was just early spring now, and all things were reviving.

Perfume could be a preparatory option.

Just as Tran Mac decided to use perfume to make money, a flash of inspiration struck his mind.

Refined salt.

Salt was a daily necessity. As long as he could produce salt, he wouldn't lack money.

Moreover, the salt-making industry in this world was also developed, with salt wells, salt mines, and sea salt all available.

The neighboring Thanh Dinh County had salt lakes.

As for smuggling salt being a capital offense...

I'm fucking rebelling already, am I still afraid of this?

The undeveloped salt industry also led to salt smugglers being everywhere. The rebellion in the north was rumored to have started with salt smuggling.

If Tran Mac wanted to interfere, it would probably be very difficult.

Therefore, he decided to trade in refined salt.

Currently, the salt circulating in the market was crude salt, which tasted bitter and astringent, all because it hadn't been purified. And Tran Mac knew the method of extraction.

This was middle school physics knowledge.

Tran Mac wrote down all the methods on paper. For a moment, his ideas flowed like a spring.

Unconsciously, it was already noon, and Tran Mac had already filled several pages of paper.

"Uncle."

At this moment, Han An Nuong's voice sounded from outside, followed by Tong Man's voice from outside the main bedroom: "Brother Mac, Sister Han is calling you."

"Coming."

Leaving the room, he found Han An Nuong and Luu Thi, and behind them, an old man.

Seeing Tran Mac come out, Han An Nuong immediately smiled and said: "Uncle, weren't you looking for an itinerant merchant? This is Uncle Ho, from Ho Gia Village in Thanh Dinh County."

"Oh." Tran Mac raised an eyebrow, a little surprised.

So-called itinerant merchants were traveling traders or peddlers. This was not something ordinary peasants outside the city could do.

When Tran Mac had asked Han An Nuong to inquire earlier, he hadn't expected to find one. He didn't think there actually would be.

Tran Mac quickly invited Uncle Ho into the room to sit, and Tong Man poured water for Uncle Ho.

According to the information, Uncle Ho's name was Ho Thuong Sinh. He had been an itinerant merchant when he was young and had done it for several decades. Later, after getting married and having children, life became difficult, and being an itinerant merchant was too dangerous, so he stopped.

Although he was over fifty, his movements were particularly agile.

Tran Mac asked Ho Thuong Sinh a few questions.

The reason he wanted to find itinerant merchants was for their sales channels. Itinerant merchants traveled extensively and definitely knew many traders.

Currently, the county towns of Binh Dinh County and Thanh Dinh County were sealed off. Tran Mac needed to sell his goods to other county towns, which required someone to act as an intermediary.

And Ho Thuong Sinh did not disappoint him; the man even knew salt smugglers.

Furthermore, Ho Thuong Sinh also gave him a suggestion, saying he could sell his goods to Tuyen Duong County.

This county was not in Thanh Chau. Traveling from Binh Dinh County, a round trip of five days would be sufficient.

Tran Mac stood up and cupped his hands towards Ho Thuong Sinh: "Then I'll have to trouble Uncle Ho to make a trip to Tuyen Duong County for me."

Ho Thuong Sinh hurriedly bowed and said: "No, no, this old man is not worthy of such a grand gesture from Immortal Master Tran."