Two hours later.
Uncle Fu carried a gray cloth bundle into the main hall, placed it on the table, and carefully untied the knotted edges.
"Your Highness, these few books might be useful to me, judging from the handwriting."
Inside were two stacks of old booklets.
The first stack was thinner, and the covers read " Old Palace Cuisine Recipes: Miscellaneous Central Shu Food Recipes: Sweet Wine".
The paper is yellowed and brittle, the strokes are neat, but the ink is uneven in shade, giving it the rough feel of an old manuscript.
The second stack was thicker and contained even more diverse titles: " The Art of Shop Management: Thirteen Rules," "The Method of Displaying Goods for Traveling Merchants: Illustrated Explanation," " The Member Wooden-Tag Bookkeeping Method," and "Storybook Joint Sales: Old Examples of Business Partnerships."
The book's pages were curled at the edges, and two pieces of withered, black tea leaves were stuck in the seams.
Gu Moran leaned back in his chair, casually pulled out a book, and dusted it off.
"That prince up ahead is truly a remarkable man, possessing so many extraordinary books."
No sooner had these words been spoken than six figures surrounded the table.
Su Yao was the quickest; with a flick of her finger, she opened the book, " The Art of Shop Management."
Her breath hitched as she glanced at the first page.
"Same signboard, same layout, even the price tags have to be in the exact same place?"
She turned to the next page, the pages rustling.
"Once a shop has established itself, a second and a third will be opened exactly the same way, without any deviation from the rules."
Su Yao looked up at Gu Moran, her eyes shining.
"Which wealthy merchant's method of chaining up shops is this?"
Gu Moran his hands.
"Who knows? Take it and consider it."
Su Yao flipped through a few more pages, then tucked the booklet into her sleeve.
"The methods in this book are even more powerful; they're practically a domineering business strategy for ensnaring allies and reaping huge profits."
Shen Ling'er wasn't interested in those schemes and casually flipped open the book " Central Shu Food Recipes ".
The paper is brittle and makes a rustling sound when turned.
"Snow Milk Tea: Fresh milk is boiled, then mixed with tea and sweetened with honey."
Shen Ling'er pressed her fingernails so hard they left a crescent-shaped mark on the words "fresh milk".
"This prescription won't sell."
Gu Moran stopped tapping her fingers on the table.
Shen Ling'er usually only discusses pharmacology, but today she spoke out and determined whether the sale was a matter of life or death, which means that there is a fatal flaw hidden in this prescription.
"Explain why." He looked at the book on the table.
"The recipe is based on medicinal cuisine, and the ingredients are not expensive."
Shen Ling'er pushed the book towards the middle.
"But the main ingredient is fresh milk. This is a deadly luxury, a precious item that only noblewomen in the capital could afford."
"Fresh milk is difficult to preserve; it will turn sour and smelly within a day of being transported to Yi Prefecture."
"There's very little goat milk trade in the city, not enough to supply the tea shops; all the losses have to be offset by the profits."
This is a dead end that will lead to losses.
Gu Moran tapped his fingers on the table.
Thump, thump.
There is currently a shortage of goat milk, and transportation is difficult.
If these two fatal weaknesses can be overcome, and this aristocratic beverage can be transformed into affordable water, then this product will be a unique weapon for raking in silver dollars in Yi Prefecture.
How can we make everyone sing "Mixue Ice City & Sweet Honey" on the streets?
Murong Xue stood on tiptoe and looked over Shen Ling'er's shoulder to see the two lines of text.
"We have plenty of these on the grasslands."
"Moreover, our Northern Territory caravans are scattered throughout various counties, so goat milk is quite readily available. However, we only brought fifty goats with us to Yi Prefecture this time."
Liu Ruyan approached with another book in her hand, already having an idea.
"This strange book even contains a method for making ice with saltpeter. We can give it a try first. If it works, we can collect some goat milk from the surrounding area."
"Tea drinks require a lot of fresh milk. If you can notify the caravan, you can be responsible for escorting it."
Murong Xue clasped her hands together, and a series of crisp sounds came from between her knuckles.
Finding people to fight was just a side thing; what she really cared about was earning enough money to prevent her former Northern Territory from starving in Yi Prefecture.
"This is easy to handle."
She made the decision immediately.
"We can try using the milk from these fifty sheep first."
"Then I will send a message back to the Northern Territory and request another batch of the finest sheep."
"Anyone who dares to hijack the convoy along the way, I'll just break their bones on the way."
Lin Qingdai leaned against the door frame, the scabbard at her waist tapping against the wooden door.
"Within Yi Prefecture City, there aren't many people bold enough to rob goods."
"There aren't many people who dare to rob her goods; after all, not every robber has the guts of Black Wind Stronghold."
Gu Moran picked up the tea on the table and took a sip.
Life is getting better.
He didn't need to waste any more words.
These women have already assigned all the tasks—cost reduction, procurement, transportation, and security—to their respective roles.
Liu Ruyan stopped where the light was shining through, flipping through the booklet in her hand.
The light and shadow obscured half of her profile.
"Your Highness, this recipe specifically requests Chuan-Shu honey."
She closed the book and looked towards the east of the city.
"We just entered the city yesterday, and the agents from the Flower-Between Pavilion have already gone to investigate the land prices of the molasses merchants."
Gu Moran put down his teacup, the bottom of which bumped against the table.
"I only mentioned the walls were damp yesterday, and you were already calculating prices in the middle of the night?"
"My lord, in the future, we will have many things to do, and we will need cash everywhere."
Liu Ruyan lowered her head and quietly sorted through the accounts.
"The sooner you see the flow of money in the city, the sooner you can place your bets."
Su Yao stepped forward.
She clutched the old book tightly to her side.
"Follow the steps in this booklet, and you'll break even in six months and double your money in a year. Which option does Your Highness prefer to start with?"
Gu Moran met her gaze.
The salt, iron, and cloth trade caused too much noise.
Tea drinks require little initial investment and have low barriers to entry.
First, let the people of Yi Prefecture remember the brand by offering a sip of cheap and delicious sweet water.
"We'll start with tea drinks, focusing on fruit teas, with limited quantities of snow milk tea available daily."
"As for the shop name, since Murong Xue has contributed the most to the sheep milk business, why not call it Mixue Ice City?"
Upon hearing this, Murong Xue was taken aback for a moment, then realized what she meant and happily pursed her lips.
Then, not forgetting to raise an eyebrow at Lin Qingdai.
See? I won this time!
Su Yao turned and stepped out the door with swift and decisive action.
"The first detailed breakdown of expenses for opening the shop will be delivered to your desk before dark."
After taking two steps, she stopped and turned her head to look behind her.
"Keep the tailor shop's catalog safe, don't let Murong Xue touch it."
"The Hangzhou silk she cut up last time was only good enough to be used as padding for a saddle."
Murong Xue's angry voice rang out immediately.
" Su Yao! That's a winter coat for my horse, made by my own hands!"
The following day, the renovation of the old prince's mansion officially began.
Two bricklayers began digging along the drainage ditch line Gu Moran.
Uncle Fu watched as Gu Moran drank tea in the main hall.
To be precise, he was forced to drink the medicine by Shen Ling'er.
Why does the medicine taste even more bitter today?
"I added half a qian of Coptis chinensis. You turned over four times last night, and your pulse was weak."
I rolled over because Murong Xue kicked me.
She kicked you because you were grinding your teeth.
Gu Moran shut her mouth and drank the medicine.
Outside the courtyard gate, an old man in a gray cloth shirt, his back hunched, walked in carrying a tray of bean cakes.
"I am Fang Bi, and I have been ordered by the Prefect to deliver some local snacks to the Prince. These are Yi Prefecture bean cakes, nothing special, just a token of my appreciation."
Uncle Fu went to greet him.
Thank you for your help, housekeeper.
Fang Bi handed over the bean cake, but his eyes darted around the courtyard.