My domineering ex-husband is living off his wife in ancient times.

Chapter 111 Promotion and Publicity

Cheng Ruoan was both amused and exasperated. He said to Aunt Zhang, "It's not necessary for now, but let me make this clear: I had someone teach you to read not so that Da Kun and Da Peng could go on scientific expeditions."

If you wish to save this so that your descendants can change their social standing through the imperial examinations, then you should tell me in advance.

"I will have my mother release you as soon as you pay the ransom."

The female protagonist treats all the people she buys as employees; if someone wants to leave, she just pays them a penalty for breach of contract and they leave.

As for the issue of leaks... well, you'll naturally have to sign a confidentiality agreement before you can leave.

Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhang immediately knelt down before Cheng Ruoan, her face filled with panic.

"Second Miss, please calm down. That's not what we meant. It's already good enough that we can read and not be illiterate. How could we possibly want more?"

Furthermore, our entire family were slaves to the government. We were barred from taking the imperial examinations, and our place of origin could not be changed for three generations. We absolutely had no intention of using our master's family as a stepping stone to climb the social ladder or change our social standing!

From now on, we will naturally do whatever the old lady and the young ladies tell us to do, so please calm down, Second Miss.

Zhang Dapeng also knelt down with a thud.

The mother and son kowtowed and begged for mercy together.

Cheng Ruoan remained silent.

What she couldn't stand most about feudal society was this: the constant need to kneel.

"Alright, get up now, don't kneel down after just saying a few words."

I told you, the purpose of bringing you into the household is not to make you servants, but to make you capable stewards who can shoulder important responsibilities.

From now on, I will hand over this hand cream workshop of mine and my master's to you and Dapeng.

We're implementing a leadership responsibility system. From now on, all the other workers in the hand cream workshop will be under your management. If anything happens to them, I will hold you accountable.

Leadership responsibility system?

Aunt Zhang and Da Peng had never heard of it.

But whatever the master says goes.

"Yes, yes, we will all listen to Miss. We will definitely study hard to learn to read and write, and not be blind people who are easily fooled. We will lead the workers to do their jobs well."

How many workers will we have in this hand cream workshop? When will they start work?

According to Aunt Zhang's current plan, she can make hundreds of jars of hand cream a day by herself and Da Peng.

I don’t even know if her second young lady can sell that many. Why does this workshop need to hire so many workers? Isn’t that just a waste of money?

Cheng Ruoan thought for a moment and said, "Take Dapeng and make the regular hand cream tomorrow, then I'll take a look."

"Yes."

After discussing the hand cream, Cheng Ruoan asked Aunt Zhang to pack eight jars of hand cream into two layers of food containers.

Aunt Zhang exclaimed in surprise, "Second Miss, it hasn't solidified yet, be careful not to spill it."

I'll be careful when I take it.

After leaving the backyard and passing through the hanging flower gate, Cheng Ruoan had already sent the food box in her hand into her space, along with her consciousness.

Cheng Ruoan stood for a short while, leaning against the sycamore tree next to her, and then mentally arranged the hand cream in a small guest room.

She had set the time flow in the guest room to the highest speed, and by the time Cheng Ruoan returned to her own courtyard, the hand cream inside had already solidified.

Cheng Ruoan found Si Shaoheng in the study.

Seeing Si Shaoheng studying diligently, Cheng Ruoan felt gratified: "Yes, yes, that's how it should be. Study hard, strive for the imperial examinations, and ideally, become the top scholar all the way through. That way, no matter how big our business is, we won't have to worry about anyone trying to steal it from us."

Si Shaoheng glanced at her. "You make it sound so easy. Why don't you do it?"

It's important to know that the imperial examinations in ancient times were dozens or even hundreds of times more difficult than the modern civil service exams or college entrance exams.

Cheng Ruoan once saw a saying online that passing the imperial examination in ancient times was similar to passing the exam for a 985 or 211 university in modern times.

Those who passed the imperial examinations and became Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations) were all admitted to Tsinghua and Peking Universities for combined master's and doctoral programs.

Thinking of this, Cheng Ruoan awkwardly touched her nose, changed the subject, and told Si Shaoheng about her experience of buying sake today.

"I don't know what the brewing method of the Great Xia is. The alcohol content of that liquor is not high, but the taste is so touching."

No wonder I haven't seen many people who like strong liquor in Bachuan Prefecture and Taiyuan Prefecture.

Si Shaoheng was reading a book, but he could also chat with her while multitasking: "But in the North, high-proof liquor sells very well."

Cheng Ruoan looked at his profile, her eyes sparkling: "So we can start by setting up a small distillery, since the demand for spirits in the north is high in winter."

Moreover, with her own distillery, she was able to produce alcohol.

Dr. Hu said that he had been staying at the Cheng residence for some time.

In the morning they were making cosmeceuticals, and in the afternoon they were going to teach her how to perform acupuncture.

At first, she practiced by inserting needles into some insignificant acupoints on Cheng Ruoan's own body. She didn't want to simply burn her silver needles with fire before each use.

What if she has to find other people to be stabbed by?

That's really inconsiderate.

Si Shaoheng was somewhat surprised to hear her say that: "With your schedule so full, is Doctor Hu not going to collect the medicinal herbs on Laoshan Mountain?"

At this point, Cheng Ruoan waved his hand and said, "You know that old man is a man who is not short of money, right?"

He was determined to get the medicinal herb farm ready as soon as possible and had decided to hire people to go up the mountain to help him collect herbs and cultivate the medicinal herb fields.

It's called gathering herbs, but in reality, it's just digging up all the herbs that Doctor Hu selected on the old mountain, roots and all, and then carefully transplanting them into the cultivated medicinal field.

Since there is no subsequent processing of medicinal materials, it is not necessary to have professional herb gatherers.

Moreover, Dr. Hu has his own set of techniques for cultivating medicinal herbs, which guarantees that the transplanted herbs will survive.

Si Shaoheng smiled and said, "This is truly a highly profitable venture."

Who would have thought that a newly purchased medicinal herb farm could already grow medicinal herbs before the land was even properly developed?

Cheng Ruoan laughed, "That's right, I regret that we didn't invest when Master went to buy the estate."

The best land on that old mountain, the most suitable land for a medicine shop, has already been fenced off by Doctor Hu.

Even if other people want to buy the mountain land, it's not suitable for building a farm.

"You want to do medicinal herb business too? You've already set up your hand cream workshop and soft bread workshop, and now you want me to set up a brewery for you too? Do you still have the energy to supervise other things?"

Si Shaoheng glanced at her and said, "Be careful not to take too big a step and tear your balls."

"No way, I don't have any eggs." Cheng Ruoan shrugged. "I'm just looking at all the gold and silver treasures in our space, it would be such a waste not to cash them in."

"Then let's not make the distillery small, let's make it bigger, selling wine will bring in money faster."

Cheng Ruoan chuckled and took out three jars of hand cream from her spatial storage, placing them in front of Si Shaoheng. "Then I'll have to trouble President Si to go to the county town and try to get on good terms with Registrar Xu. I've already prepared a gift for you!"

Si Shaoheng: ...

That little girl is very clever.

Using lard as a souvenir not only wins people's hearts but also serves as a convenient way to promote the product or service.