newbobooks Chapter 223 Selling Cement Formulas
Chapter 223 Selling Cement Formulas
The roads within the Great Xia territory are still under construction. Later, hundreds of cement bridges will be built throughout the Great Xia territory. Nangong Wenrui is busy all day long. On his only day off, he encountered a distressing incident while attending a banquet at the palace.
At tonight's banquet, the envoys' proposal of a marriage alliance was clearly a ploy to undermine Wen Yuxia. If the marriage failed, they would undoubtedly pay her a visit, and Nangong Wenrui feared that these people would annoy Wen Yuxia.
Back at the Princess's residence, Nangong Wenrui looked at Wen Yuxia with doting eyes: "Muhua, someone should be sending a visiting card tomorrow. If you don't want to see them, have Steward Tang refuse."
Wen Yuxia smiled faintly and said, "I understand."
The first person to arrive at the Princess's residence the next morning was Eunuch Zhang. He brought a plaque and replaced the original plaque for Princess Muhua's residence with one for Princess Muhua's residence.
Wen Yuxia and her servants stood at the gate of the mansion the entire time, only turning back inside after Eunuch Zhang left with the plaque of the Princess's mansion.
After breakfast, Wen Yuxia copied Journey to the West in her study to provide serialized stories for the next day's "Shishitong" tabloid.
At this moment, Steward Tang entered the study with several visiting cards. "Princess, these are visiting cards from Yunmiao, the second prince of Yunxiao Kingdom; Ding Chengxin, the envoy of Yue Kingdom; He Weiye, the crown prince of Yueliang Kingdom; and Shang Yunyun, the princess of Shang Kingdom."
Besides the visiting cards, they also brought gifts. Butler Tang dared not accept the gifts without permission, so he had the messenger wait at the gatehouse with the gifts while he personally brought the visiting cards to the study to ask for instructions.
Wen Yuxia put down her pen, took the visiting card, glanced at it, and slowly said, "I will accept all the gifts."
Last night, she had already discussed it with Nangong Wenrui. They could sell both the cement and the cement formula. The four people were giving her gifts to curry favor because of the cement, and she accepted the gifts without any qualms.
Yun Miao, Ding Chengxin, He Weiye, and Shang Yunyun arrived at the Princess's residence at the agreed time. The four met at the entrance of the residence, and Yun Miao smiled and said, "Weiye, you're here too."
He Weiye's crown princess is Yun Miao's younger sister, Yun Piaorou. Yun Miao and his brothers have a good relationship with He Weiye, and the two countries are also very friendly.
He Wei also said with a faint smile, "I had no choice but to come. Before I left, my father instructed me to make sure to sign a cement supply contract with the young master of the Nangong family."
Shang Yunyun said with a charming smile, "I've also come to the Great Xia Kingdom to offer birthday greetings on the mission of signing a cement supply contract." Ding Chengxin nodded slightly, "So have I."
The four exchanged a smile, then stepped into the princess's residence. Steward Tang, already prepared, invited them to the reception hall, and then sent someone to the backyard to fetch Wen Yuxia.
When Wen Yuxia entered the reception room, the four people politely stood up to greet her. After Wen Yuxia sat down in the main seat, the four returned to their original seats.
Yun Miao introduced himself, saying he was Yun Zhiqian's brother. Yun Zhiqian and Nangong Wenrui were good brothers, so he was naturally Nangong Wenrui's brother too. He even shamelessly called Wen Yuxia "sister-in-law."
"Yun Zhiqian is not only Rui Ge's good brother, but also my business partner. As his younger brother, I should take care of him. Just say what brings you here," Wen Yuxia said, not bothering with beating around the bush, and directly asked Yun Miao's purpose.
Yun Miao chuckled and said, "My father said he wants to pave roads, and he wants me to talk to Brother Wenrui about cement when I come to Great Xia to offer my birthday greetings."
Wen Yuxia glanced at Shang Yunyun and the others, and said with a faint smile, "What brings you here to see me, the princess?"
He Wei also took a sip of tea and slowly said, "This prince has come here also to request cement, and hopes that the princess will grant my request."
Shang Yunyun said sweetly, "Princess sister, I've also come for cement." Ding Chengxin stood up, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "I've also come for cement."
Wen Yuxia produced two contracts that had been prepared beforehand. One was a contract for purchasing cement, which clearly specified the price, quantity, and delivery method of the cement.
The other document is a contract for the sale of the cement formula, which includes clauses such as the price of the cement formula, prohibitions against selling the cement formula to others, and the amount of compensation for disclosing the cement formula.
Yun Miao took the contract and read it carefully, nodding in satisfaction. "Sister-in-law is indeed straightforward, and the terms are very fair."
The other three reviewed the contract and had no objections. As Wen Yuxia had expected, the four of them chose to purchase the cement formula.
Wen Yuxia also hoped they would buy the cement formula. The Nangong family's cement workshop was running non-stop, and the cement produced was only enough for paving roads. Later, they also needed to build a cement bridge, so there was no extra cement to sell to Yun Miao and the others.
Therefore, Wen Yuxia and Yun Miao and the others immediately produced their seals and signed a contract to purchase the cement formula. Wen Yuxia kept the silver notes and handed the cement formula over to Yun Miao and the others.
After countless experiments, the workers in the cement workshop have been able to mix the three raw materials into a dry powder in the correct proportions. When needed, simply add water and stir. This is the dry powder formula provided by Wen Yuxia.
Looking at the ingredients listed in the recipe, Yun Miao inwardly groaned, "Cunning merchant! Cunning merchant!" The other three also looked rather grim. The recipe they had bought for 100,000 taels of silver was just a mixture of limestone, volcanic ash, and pumice.
Wen Yuxia pretended not to notice the unease on the four people's faces. She smiled and said, "The proportions of each powder must be precise. If there's even a slight error, the cement's strength will be greatly reduced... I'll have the workers demonstrate it on the spot."
To make the four people feel they got their money's worth, Wen Yuxia explained the cement-making process in a very complicated way.
The workers responsible for demonstrating the movements to Yun Miao and the others had already received her instructions to make the demonstrations as complex as possible.
Watching two workers weigh the raw materials with a scale, carefully grind them into powder, sifting the powder with a bamboo sieve during the grinding process, and then weighing it again, I was deeply moved.
Then, volcanic ash was added little by little to the limestone powder, and after each addition, it was weighed. Finally, pumice powder was added, and the weight of the powder was weighed again...
Yun Miao nodded slightly and said, "The process is indeed very complicated, exactly as written in the recipe." The other three also agreed, believing that the 100,000 taels of silver was well spent.
Wen Yuxia maintained a polite smile on her face, but inside she was overjoyed. Hehe, she had finally fooled him, and the 400,000 taels of silver were safely in her pocket without any controversy.
Just then, the gatekeeper came to report that Princess Lan Yayu of Lanzhu Kingdom was requesting an audience with Wen Yuxia. Wen Yuxia was somewhat puzzled; Lan Yayu had a very unpleasant falling out with her and her husband at the palace banquet, so why would she have the nerve to come knocking on their door?
"Please invite her to the reception room. I will be there shortly," Wen Yuxia said calmly, not intending to turn away a guest.
Yun Miao said with a mischievous grin, "Sister-in-law, she's definitely here for the cement. Give her the highest price later; after all, Lanzhu Kingdom is rolling in money."
Wen Yuxia smiled faintly and shook her head: "Lan Yayu is here on behalf of Lanzhu Kingdom to purchase cement. The price of the cement and its formula will not change just because this princess dislikes her."
Yun Miao nodded slightly: "Sister-in-law, you're so generous." Wen Yuxia smiled and said, "Stop joking around. You all stay here and study hard. Once you've learned it all, don't bother seeing me off."
After saying this, Wen Yuxia turned and walked towards the reception room. Lan Yayu, who was enjoying tea alone in the reception room, looked anxiously at the door.
Upon learning that Yun Miao and the others had arrived at Wen Yuxia's residence, she rushed over without even sending a formal invitation, thinking that having more people would make things easier. However, when she arrived, Yun Miao and the others were nowhere to be found, and Wen Yuxia herself did not appear for a long time.
Her father, the Emperor, gave her a strict order during this trip to the Great Xia Kingdom: she had to buy cement. It was all her fault; at the palace banquet, she lost her composure upon seeing Nangong Wenrui's handsome face and made the unreasonable demand to divorce him and marry into his family.
At the palace banquet, Lan Yayu was struck by Wen Yuxia's palm and sent flying more than ten steps backward. Not wanting to be killed by Wen Yuxia, Lan Yayu no longer had the idea of making Nangong Wenrui divorce his wife and marry into his family, nor did she have the idea of marrying Nangong Wenrui as a secondary wife. She only wanted to complete the task assigned by her father and return to the country as soon as possible.
Wen Yuxia appeared at the entrance of the reception room. Lan Yayu excitedly rose to greet her, gave Wen Yuxia a standard curtsy, and said sweetly, "Princess Muhua, Yayu has come to apologize to you."
Wen Yuxia glanced at the gifts piled on the table, reached out to help Lan Yayu up, and said with a faint smile, "You came all this way, why bring so many gifts?"
Lan Yayu said somewhat embarrassedly, "Princess Muhua, I'm sorry. I was too arrogant before. I apologize for what happened yesterday..."
"If you don't spy on my husband, I won't target you. Just say what you have to say!" Wen Yuxia cut straight to the point.
Lan Yayu smiled and said, "My purpose is the same as Yun Miao's and the others. I wonder if Princess Mu Hua can grant my request?"
Wen Yuxia didn't say anything, but took out two contracts from her handbag and handed them to Lan Yayu, indicating that she should read them before talking.
Lan Yayu took the sample and immediately exclaimed excitedly, "I want to buy it! I want to buy the cement formula!" Wen Yuxia smiled and said, "Alright, cash on delivery."
Lan Yayu signed and stamped the contract, then handed it to Wen Yuxia. After watching Wen Yuxia sign it, Lan Yayu took out a stack of silver notes from her bosom, counted out 100,000 taels of silver, placed them on the table, and said impatiently, "Give me the formula."
Wen Yuxia calmly took out the formula, repeated what she had just told Yun Miao and the others, and finally took Lan Yayu to the neighboring yard to watch the cement making process.
Yun Miao and the others had already left the princess's residence. Lan Yayu wasn't interested in the cement-making process, so she had the maids learn from the workers, while she herself pestered Wen Yuxia.
Before coming to Daxia, she had done her research and found that Wen Yuxia was five years older than her. However, after meeting her, she discovered that Wen Yuxia looked even younger than her. Right now, she was asking Wen Yuxia how to maintain her youthful appearance.
Wen Yuxia said with a faint smile, "Get enough sleep, eat more vegetables and fruits, avoid sun exposure... and also, use honey as a face mask every day."
Hehe, eating millet pearls can give you an ageless appearance, add thirty years to your life, and keep you free from illness for life. These things can't be told to outsiders, so Wen Yuxia could only ramble on and on, telling Lan Yayu to go back and try it herself.
Lan Yayu had lunch at Wen Yuxia's house before reluctantly leaving. Before departing, she repeatedly told Wen Yuxia that she must visit Lanzhu Kingdom if she had the chance.
Watching Lan Yayu's departing figure, Wen Yuxia felt a pang of emotion. Yesterday she wanted to steal her husband, but today she was reluctant to part with her. Lan Yayu's personality was just too fickle.
As Wen Yuxia walked towards the mansion, she was unaware that a mourning hall was being set up at the Wen Dashan family's home in Gujia Village, Fancheng, nor that Wen Yunqing was galloping at full speed along the official road to the capital.
Upon arriving at the princess's residence, Wen Yunqing urgently said to the gatekeeper, "Please open the door, I have urgent business with the princess."
Wen Yunhong and his cousins didn't need to announce themselves when they came to Wen Yuxia's place. Wen Yuqing had stayed at the mansion before, and even without introducing himself, the old man guarding the gate recognized him.
"Young Master Yunqing, please look up at the plaque," the old man grinned, then deftly opened the side door and let Wen Yuqing in.
Wen Yunqing handed the horse reins to the gatekeeper and walked inside, looking shocked. In just a few months, Wen Yuxia had become a princess!
The approaching butler, Tang, saw the dazed Wen Yunqing and called out in surprise, "Young Master Yunqing, Young Master Yunqing," after calling twice, finally bringing Wen Yunqing back to his senses. "Butler Tang, where is the princess?" "In the study."
Wen Yunqing went to the study. "Princess, your great-grandmother and grandmother have passed away. Grandfather sent me to inform you." Wen Yuxia asked with some confusion, "They both left together?"
Wen Yunqing calmly said, "We're leaving together. My father and second uncle are setting up a mourning hall at home. I'll go to the leisure town to inform my mother and the others, and then I'll come to the capital."
Old Mrs. Wen severed ties with her son, Wen Dashan, many years ago. When Wen Linshi fled the famine, she cared only for her own family and didn't care about the fate of Wen Dashan's family.
To be honest, Wen Yunqing wouldn't feel sad even if Old Lady Wen and Madam Wen Lin died; on the contrary, he would feel a little excited.
Wen Yuxia said without changing her expression, "I'll have someone inform Yun Hong and the others. You go eat first, and then go back to your room to rest for a while."
After arranging for someone to inform Wen Yunhong and the others, Wen Yuxia sat quietly in the study for a while.
She had no feelings for Granny Wen or Madam Wen, but since they were the original owner's blood relatives, she still summoned Steward Tang and asked him to prepare some items suitable for funerals.
Wen Yunhong, along with Wen Yunbo and others who worked in the Imperial Guard, quickly arrived at the Princess's residence. Steward Tang also brought back the funeral supplies. Wen Yuxia then left the capital with her younger brother and cousins.
After galloping all the way to the entrance of Gujia Village, Wen Yuxia slowed down the horse and turned to ask, "Third cousin, how did he die?"
This was a question not only she wanted to know, but also Wen Yunhong and the others. Everyone stopped and turned to look at Wen Yunqing.
Wen Yunqing gritted her teeth and said angrily, "After my great-grandmother came to Gujia Village, she was determined to seize control of the family from my grandmother. The two of them fought fiercely at home every day..."
Wen Dashan didn't want to stay home and watch the two of them argue, so he left early every morning and didn't return until bedtime. He ate all three meals at either Wen Zibai's or Wen Zihua's house.
When Wen Dashan returned home last night, his wife and Wen Linshi were still arguing in the main room. Wen Dashan ignored them and went straight to his room.
Just before dawn, he heard Wen Linshi frantically banging on his door, saying that his wife had fallen and hit her head on the threshold, and seemed to be dead.
Wen Dashan rushed over to check and found that his wife had already passed away. Without asking why, he hurriedly called Wen Zibai and his brother to set up the mourning hall.