Chapter 115

After confirming the information, Qing Mengzhu immediately began collecting bamboo shoot shells.

These bamboo shoot husks come from two sources: one is by directly digging up the bamboo shoots and peeling off the husks to dry in the shade; the other is by letting the bamboo shoots grow naturally, and the husks drying and falling off during the process of growing into bamboo.

Both types of bamboo shoot husks produce the same aroma when burned, indicating similar quality; both are acceptable.

Qing Mengzhu collected all two types of bamboo shoot shells and handed them over to the company for processing and sale.

Zhao Hexi negotiated with a contract manufacturer in another city. They transported the bamboo shoot shells directly to the factory, where they were combined with other high-quality raw materials to produce batches of incense sticks.

Because of the small scale of production and the few steps involved, their incense sticks were on the market in just one week.

They sell them directly in their own online store; a box of ten costs sixty-nine yuan.

This price is neither high nor low in the market; at least compared to their other products, it's considered cheap.

As soon as the incense was launched, Ming Lexin's influencer friend immediately posted a review video, praising Qing Mengzhu's incense for its unique bamboo fragrance, saying that it could quickly calm the mind and help with sleep.

Qing Mengzhu's company's products have become somewhat of a viral sensation.

After seeing the video, Zhao Hexi specifically bought promotional materials and promoted it on a small scale.

These incense sticks weren't expensive, and once they were promoted, many people became curious and rushed to their online store to buy them. In just one and a half days, they sold out all their incense sticks.

Soon, various real-world reviews spread across major online platforms, sparking discussions within a small circle.

[When I first saw the promotion, I thought, "What bamboo scent? I assumed it was just another company using a false claim." But the bamboo scent is surprisingly strong and pure. Those who like bamboo scents should definitely check it out.]

[It has a very pleasant and soothing scent, perfect for helping you sleep. I've been having insomnia for a while, but yesterday I lit this incense and slept straight from 9 pm to 11 am this morning. My alarm clock couldn't wake me up, and I lost all my perfect attendance bonus. But sleeping well really made me feel great! My brain felt like it had been washed clean, so much clearer!]

[Am I the only one who finds burning this kind of incense while doing practice problems incredibly satisfying? It gives me a feeling of being free from all distractions, like living in seclusion in a bamboo forest.]

[I use this incense for meditation, and it's very effective. I was planning to buy two more boxes, but they're already sold out today. Zhuxi Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.., when will you restock?]

[A very unique fragrance, like discovering a hidden scent. Although there are bamboo-scented products on the market, this one is truly unlike any other. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys similar scents; you're guaranteed to be pleasantly surprised.]

Qing Mengzhu specifically went online to check the reviews of their incense sticks and found that there were basically zero negative reviews.

Even if some customers don't like the smell, they'll at most say they don't really like it, but they won't say it doesn't smell like bamboo or that it's a scam.

Qing Mengzhu was quite satisfied with this situation.

Zhao Hexi was also very satisfied. "I didn't expect this incense to be so profitable. Indeed, the world is not lacking in profitable products, but only in the eyes to discover them."

Qing Mengzhu hadn't looked at the report yet, and asked curiously, "Approximately how much can we earn?"

Zhao Hexi: "We can earn at least forty yuan per box of incense. We've already sold over fifty thousand boxes. You do the math?"

Qing Mengzhu exclaimed in shock, "So many!"

Zhao Hexi: "Right? It's a pity there aren't many bamboo shoot husks left on the mountain, otherwise we could push them even harder and sell even more. Hey, why is it that only the bamboo shoot husks from that one bamboo grove have a fragrance, while those from other bamboo groves don't?"

Qing Mengzhu thought to himself, "Of course it's because they painstakingly piled up good stuff— Cloud Mirror Bamboo, fermented fertilizer, Spirit Pearl Dregs water, and Soil Fertility Restoration Agent. Every single material was something they had worked hard to obtain."

Other bamboos, without these beneficial qualities, are already quite good at growing to this size, and it's hard to expect them to have higher quality or better fragrance.

Qing Mengzhu comforted Zhao Hexi: "There's nothing we can do. If production weren't limited, we wouldn't be able to sell them at such a high price, let alone sell them so well. There would have been imitations already."

Zhao Hexi agreed, "That's true. One shouldn't be greedy. Earning this much is already quite good."

Qing Mengzhu: "Sell them slowly from now on, releasing a new batch every now and then. Have someone set a purchase limit to prevent middlemen from reselling them."

Zhao Hexi: "I thought of that a long time ago. I implemented IP detection, limiting each account to one box per week, and not shipping to the same address."

The incense sticks from Qing Mengzhu's family have become somewhat famous, not only among young people but also among older people Qing Guozhi.

They said that lighting incense and drinking tea gave off a refined and elegant vibe.

Qing Guozhi said that their incense sticks are very hard to buy, and you have to compete with young people for them. He asked if becoming a member would grant them priority access to various products.

Qing Mengzhu readily agreed and even specially sent several boxes of incense to the old man.

That day, Zhou Yan also made a special phone call to ask Qing Mengzhu to buy a few boxes from him privately.

Qing Mengzhu readily replied, "What do you want to buy? Brother Zhou, how many boxes do you need? I'll send them to you directly."

Zhou Yan laughed, "So generous? Any amount is fine?"

Qing Mengzhu thought for a moment, "That still won't work. Let's keep it under twenty boxes. Any more than that and it will be difficult to distribute evenly."

Zhou Yan: "Then sell me twenty boxes, and I'll come pick them up. Don't bother delivering them; if you do, it'll be awkward for me to ask you for them back."

Qing Mengzhu: "Okay, I'll have He Xi bring it back tomorrow. Brother Zhou, you can come and get it from me."

Zhou Yan: "I'll come find you after work tomorrow. By the way, did you still burn bamboo shoot ash at your house?"

Qing Mengzhu: "Yes, why are you asking this?"

Zhou Yan: "I want to use some ash to make two dishes. Did your ash cause any pollution?"

Qing Mengzhu was unsure. "I burned it in the backyard, and after the ashes cooled, I put them in bags to store. If you ask if it's contaminated? I really don't know if it counts as contamination. We didn't think about eating it when we burned it."

Zhou Yan laughed, "If you don't mix it with other things, it doesn't count as pollution. Then I'll come to you tomorrow to pick up some ash."

Qing Mengzhu: "No problem."

After saying that, Qing Mengzhu asked curiously, "What kind of food can you make with ash?"

Zhou Yan: "There are so many! There's lye noodles, lye water rice dumplings, lye water rice cakes, lye water tofu, and I heard that the ash you burn has a bamboo fragrance, so I'd like to make some lye water tofu and lye water tofu."

Qing Mengzhu: "It sounds delicious. Come and get some, just save some for me to use for seed dressing later."

Zhou Yan: "Thanks, I'll come pick it up tomorrow."

Author's Note:

The update for 60,000 nutrient solution is here! See you tomorrow!

Chapter 115

Zhou Yan arrived as promised to collect the wood ash.

The ashes from Qing Mengzhu's wood fire have been burning for several days, yet they remain soft and fluffy, carrying a faint bamboo fragrance.

Qing Mengzhu asked, "How is it? Can it be used?"

Zhou Yan held a handful of wood ash, examining it, and nodded. "That's amazing! I'll take some back and try it."

Qing Mengzhu: "Take it, take it. Do you want anything else?"

Zhou Yan: "Do you have any bamboo leaves you could give me?"

Qing Mengzhu: "Yes! We also have bamboo tubes, would you like some?"

Zhou Yan: "Didn't you cherish your bamboo? You even cut bamboo tubes?"

Qing Mengzhu: "Yes, we need to distill some bamboo vinegar to soak the seeds."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan said without hesitation, "Then give me two bamboo tubes, clean ones with smooth surfaces and of a suitable size, so I can make some bamboo tube rice."

Qing Mengzhu gave Zhou Yan all the materials he needed.

That evening, Zhou Yan sent his young apprentice to deliver a basket of bamboo-related foods to Qing Mengzhu, ranging from ash water cakes to bamboo rice. The food looked exquisite and smelled delicious.

That evening Qing Mengzhu and Ming Chunxi only prepared two dishes; they ate the food that Zhou Yan had sent for both the main course and dessert.