Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Ways to Make Money
The next day, as dawn broke with the golden rooster crowing, gentle sunlight danced upon the eaves, Chen Mo woke early due to the need to absorb Innate Spiritual Qi, having long developed a biological clock that roused him before the sky brightened.
He glanced at the beautiful woman beside him, still wrapped in a deep slumber. Her delicate face bore traces of tears, her coiffure in disarray, her flowing hair spread across the pillow, stirring a sense of tenderness and guilt in Chen Mo’s heart.
Last night, when he heard his sister-in-law call him "husband," he felt invigorated, as if infused with newfound energy. Han Anniang’s body, inherently frail, was subjected to his playful cajoling and peculiar postures, leaving her utterly exhausted.
Leaning down to gently kiss the woman’s smooth, jade-like forehead, he rose quietly, adorned himself in a black robe, and began his morning routine.
Upon exiting the room, he found the door already ajar, with Song Min squatting in front of the kitchen, rinsing rice. Seeing Chen Mo, her face immediately beamed with dimples: "Brother Mo is awake."
Chen Mo raised his brows: "I heard from your Sister Han that you were feeling unwell with a headache. Are you better now?"
"It’s all better." Song Min paused her rinsing, returned to the kitchen, retrieved toothbrush and tooth powder, and approached Chen Mo, softly saying, "Let me attend to Brother Mo’s morning needs."
"No need, you should prepare breakfast. Your Sister Han might wake up later." Taking the items from Song Min’s hands, Chen Mo began his own ablutions.
After he absorbed the Solar Purple Qi, Han Anniang also rose. Upon seeing Chen Mo, her cheeks flushed, her gaze carrying a hint of grievance, making Chen Mo somewhat embarrassed.
...
After breakfast, Han Wu arrived, while Han Anniang went out to consult Liu Clan regarding the matter of traveling merchants.
Having taught Han Wu the Celestial Harmony Saber Technique, Chen Mo praised him: "Not bad, you’ve learned the moves. You need not come to me every day anymore. Practice diligently, and you’ll see results."
"Thank you, Immortal Master Chen."
Chen Mo nodded: "Remember to teach it to your subordinates once you’ve mastered it."
"Rest assured, Immortal Master Chen."
After Han Wu left, Chen Mo returned to his room, taking out brush and ink to draft the village’s future development plans.
Although the village currently functions well, the threat of death drives the villagers to work hard. However, over time, realizing the Government never sends troops to suppress them, they might believe the authorities don’t follow up, leading to complacency and focusing on individual gains instead of collective efforts.
At this point, without the incentive of money and food grains, management becomes difficult.
As for how to make money?
He’s read many historical transmigrator novels.
The protagonist who transmigrates into ancient times always first ventures into glass production to make money.
This is a truly profitable industry, with profits ranging from dozens to hundreds of times, and most importantly, this world does not have glass yet.
Moreover, before transmigration, as a business owner in construction sites, he also knew how to make glass.
However, manufacturing glass involves the use of soda ash and requires high temperatures exceeding a thousand degrees.
Soda ash can be sourced naturally, but achieving kiln temperatures is a significant challenge, requiring an industrial foundation.
Even if these hurdles are overcome and glass is produced, selling it remains a significant challenge, as such items can only be marketed to the elite, proving time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Considering this, Chen Mo dismissed the idea of glass.
Then there’s cement.
It’s another significant revenue generator for transmigrators.
Unfortunately, he lacks knowledge in cement, hence passing on it.
Soap?
Relatively simple to produce, but requires fats, which are scarce, not enough for consumption, let alone soap production, though it can be considered in the future.
Perfume?
This is viable, with straightforward methods.
The crudest method involves cleaning fragrant petals—such as gardenias and roses—crushing them, then cooking them with high-proof liquor for some time, and filtering to produce perfume.
This world already has high-proof liquor.
Additionally, simple distillation equipment can be created, allowing the petals to be boiled in water or high-proof liquor, and the resulting condensate can serve as perfume.
With spring in the air, nature awakening.
Perfume is a plausible option.
As Chen Mo fixed on using perfume as a source of income, a sudden flash of brilliance struck his mind.
Salt trading.
Salt is a daily necessity; obtaining it guarantees money.
Moreover, this world’s salt-making industry is developed, with well, mine, and sea salt all available.
Neighboring Qingtian County has lake salt.
Although selling illicit salt is a serious crime...
I’ve already rebelled, what fear remains?
However, the developed salt industry means illicit salt vendors abound; those rebelling to the north reportedly used to vend illicit salt.
It’s difficult for Chen Mo to intervene.
Therefore, he decided on trading refined salt.
Currently, the market only offers coarse salt, bitter in taste, entirely unpurified.
And the purification method is known to Chen Mo.
This is middle-school physics knowledge.
Chen Mo noted down the method on paper, allowing his thoughts to flow like a fountain.
Unaware, noon arrived, and Chen Mo had filled several papers.
"Uncle."
At this moment, Han Anniang’s voice echoed outside, quickly followed by Song Min’s voice outside the master bedroom: "Brother Mo, Sister Han is calling you."
"Coming."
Exiting the room, he discovered Han Anniang, Liu Clan, accompanied by an old man.
Upon Chen Mo’s appearance, Han Anniang immediately greeted him with a smile: "Uncle, weren’t you looking for traveling merchants? Here is Uncle Hu, from Hu Family Village of Qingtian County."
"Oh." Chen Mo raised his brows, slightly surprised.
Traveling merchants, essentially itinerant businessmen, aren’t typically ventures undertaken by ordinary folk from outside the city.
When Chen Mo originally dispatched Han Anniang to inquire, he harbored little hope; yet, unexpectedly, one truly appeared.
Chen Mo quickly invited Uncle Hu inside, with Song Min serving him water.
It was learned that Uncle Hu, named Hu Changsheng, had been a traveling merchant in his youth, working for over a decade before marriage and childbearing, eventually quitting as the world became perilous.
Despite his over-50 age, his legs remained remarkably nimble.
Chen Mo posed several questions to Hu Changsheng.
The reason he sought traveling merchants was to leverage their sales channels, given their extensive connections across regions.
Currently, with Pingting County and Qingtian County townships in lockdown, Chen Mo needs to distribute products to other towns, and a facilitator is necessary.
Hu Changsheng didn’t disappoint, reputedly even acquainted with illicit salt traders.
Moreover, Hu Changsheng suggested Chen Mo consider selling in Quanyang County.
This county isn’t part of Qingzhou, reachable within five days roundtrip from Pingting County.
Chen Mo stood, clasping his hands towards Hu Changsheng: "Then I’d trouble Uncle Hu to make this journey to Quanyang County."
Hu Changsheng quickly bowed: "Not at all, not at all, this old man can’t possibly deserve such courtesy from Immortal Master Chen."