bookrandom Chapter 54 Soap
Chapter 54 Soap
No wonder Hu Xu and the other two were so shocked and performed such a grand ceremony.
Qin Xuan's arrangement of soap and bar soap completely shattered Hu Xu and the other two's preconceived notions of business.
The same product can sell for an exorbitant price simply because a little fragrance is added and it's made with exquisite packaging.
Most importantly, Qin Xuan's strategy was top-down.
Most businesspeople want to sell their products to as many people as possible in order to create a herd effect.
Qin Xuan, however, took a different approach, leveraging the special social status of royalty and nobility to highlight and enhance the value of the soap.
When soap becomes a true royal item, a simpler version of soap—soap—is then introduced, which will naturally attract countless people.
"Your Highness, if I may speak disrespectfully, if you were to engage in commerce, I fear all the wealth in the world would belong to you alone."
Mogu sighed with genuine emotion.
He was born into a merchant family; his ancestors had been in business for generations, experiencing ups and downs along the way, but he was always extremely proud of his business acumen.
Even when facing Hu Xu and Huai Yun, Mo Gu believed he was no less capable than the two.
But at this moment, Mo Gu felt that Qin Xuan in front of him should be the top genius of the business world, or even the patriarch.
"Your Highness, please rest assured, we will definitely complete the mission."
Hu Xu was already eager to carry it out and made repeated promises.
Qin Xuan didn't stop them. After giving them a few more instructions, Hu Xu and the other two were overjoyed, eagerly making their own arrangements.
"Your Highness, the soap has been promoted and distributed, but what about our Beining City?"
Zhuge Xuan asked curiously.
Qin Xuan smiled slightly and turned his gaze to Zhao Luoying: "I can only trouble Luoying with this matter. There are many powerful and influential people in the city. You can go and make friends with them. It's also a good opportunity to take a proper vacation."
"Your Highness, I'm not good at these things."
Zhao Luoying immediately blushed.
She had never liked the airs of those wealthy ladies, and she couldn't pretend to be one.
Qin Xuan couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Then forget it."
After a pause, Qin Xuan continued, "Strategist, please inform Mr. Qiu and have him send a bar of soap to each of the powerful and influential families who performed well in the relief of the refugees, in the name of the Prince's Mansion."
Upon hearing this, Zhuge Xuan's eyes lit up immediately, and he replied with understanding, "Your Highness is indeed quick-witted. Your humble servant will take care of it right away."
On that day, eleven prominent families in Beining City received awards from the Chu Prince's Mansion.
Qiu Xingzhi specially dispatched a drum and gong team to give the rewards in a grand manner.
Not only that, he also placed the soap in an exquisite wooden box and lined the bottom with a piece of gold velvet cloth, making it look exceptionally noble and luxurious.
When the onlookers saw the soap that resembled neither jade nor glass, they all widened their eyes and began to speculate about what this strange object was.
"Master, what exactly are these gifts from the King of Chu for? They smell really nice to me!"
In the main hall of the Liu family, the largest and most powerful family in Beining City, the matriarch of the Liu family was carefully admiring the soap in the wooden box, her face full of curiosity.
The Liu family has lived in Beining City for generations, dealing in furs and livestock. Their ancestors even produced a top scholar who served as Minister of Rites.
However, after the patriarch of the Liu family resigned from his official post, the Liu family no longer held official positions. But their foundation remained, so they were still a powerful force in Beining City.
"The person who bestowed the reward said that this is specifically for bathing."
The head of the Liu family was somewhat bewildered. Why would the Chu Prince's Mansion bestow bathing items as a reward?
But when the mistress of the Liu family heard this, her eyes lit up and she immediately said, "Since it's for bathing, I'll give it a try."
"Are you crazy? This is the first time in the history of Beining City that the King of Chu has bestowed such a gift. Don't you see that even some officials in the whole city are not qualified? What if the King of Chu blames you if you actually use this to take a bath?"
The head of the Liu family immediately refused.
However, the matriarch of the Liu family was no pushover either. She put on a stern face and said, "Since the King of Chu has given us this reward, he naturally hopes that we can use it. Otherwise, what's the point of giving it to us?"
"Do you think Beining City is still ruled by the same corrupt officials as before? Haven't you seen how our business has improved since the King of Chu arrived?"
“In the past, those petty officials who demanded bribes and favors, you would see them, they wouldn’t dare to accept any benefits offered to them.”
"Our Prince of Beining City is like a bodhisattva in the world. How could he possibly ask for the reward back as you say?"
As the mistress of the Liu family scolded him, she carefully took the soap and returned to her room.
Then, the maids brought in basins of hot water.
"Huh, why does this soap feel so smooth and comfortable to use? And the scent seems even stronger."
The matriarch of the Liu family was a still elegant and graceful noblewoman who naturally knew how to take care of herself. But after using the soap, she realized that taking a bath was such a comfortable and enjoyable thing for a woman.
Unlike soapberry, which not only hurts when rubbed on the skin but also has a medicinal smell.
Similar scenes played out repeatedly in the homes of the powerful and wealthy in Beining City; once anyone had personally used the soap, no one could refuse it.
"Sir, take a look at my skin. Doesn't it look a bit fairer and smoother?"
The matriarch of the Liu family walked out looking refreshed, stretching out her fair, slender arms, which made the head of the Liu family dizzy for a moment: "This thing actually has such an effect?"
"Oh dear, this soap doesn't last very long. I've only been washing for an hour and I've already shrunk a size."
The matriarch of the Liu family complained a little, then gently waved her sleeve and said happily, "The fragrance is still there, even my sleeves smell of this flower."
Smelling the refreshing fragrance, the head of the Liu family couldn't help but feel that the woman he had known for decades seemed to have been rejuvenated.
He subconsciously said, "The person who just came to bestow the reward said that this thing seems to have been bought by the Chu Prince's Mansion from a shop called Tianzao Pavilion. If you like it, I'll have someone buy another one for you tomorrow."
"Really?" The matriarch of the Liu family immediately became excited: "But one isn't enough, let's buy ten."
"Where do you need so many?" The head of the Liu family was stunned.
“I need to wash my hands and feet, and then I need to wash my hair. Besides, these things don’t last long, so I should have more on hand,” said the matriarch of the Liu family as a matter of course.
The next day, the Liu family steward was kicked out of the mansion at dawn and sent to Tianzao Pavilion to buy soap.
"Butler Liu, isn't this lady in a bit too much of a hurry? Sending us over so early to buy that soap?"
As the steward, Steward Liu naturally brought his servants to assist him.
At this moment, the servant was still half asleep and couldn't help but mutter under his breath.
Butler Liu slapped him on the back of the head in annoyance and scolded, "I told you to come out and buy things, and you're complaining? That's Madam, even Master doesn't dare to offend her. I think you've got a death wish."
However, Butler Liu was also complaining in his heart. It's just a bar of soap. If you have money, why are you afraid of not being able to buy it?
But at that moment, he suddenly stopped and stared blankly at the strange sight before him.
A large crowd is gathered in front of a shop, eagerly waiting.
Beside the shops were rows of carriages, and inside were the ladies of various mansions in Beining City who were rarely seen on ordinary days.
"This...this...is all for buying soap?"
Butler Liu was stunned: "Judging from this, even if you have money, you might not be able to buy it!"