Chapter 23: My Lord, Let Me Wash for You; Zheng Qian Displays Astonishing Talent

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Ye Xun looked at Zheng Qian, pointing to the bars of soap on the desk, and slowly said, “These items are called soap, used for washing clothes. Early tomorrow morning, you will take them to the East Market to sell.”

“This one is ordinary soap, priced at eight wen. These two are floral-scented soaps, priced at fifty wen each. These two are milk and honey soaps, priced at one hundred wen each.”

Hearing Ye Xun’s price list, Zheng Qian looked both bewildered and utterly shocked. He asked in doubt, “Your Highness, these are all soaps with little difference, why is there such a vast price gap?”

At these words, Ye Xun carefully explained the characteristics of each type of soap and their target customers to Zheng Qian.

After listening, Zheng Qian suddenly understood and held Ye Xun’s ideas in great admiration.

Then Ye Xun asked, “Do you have a market registration?”

“Yes.” Zheng Qian quickly answered, smiling, “Your Highness, you might not know, I used to be a small merchant in the East Market, so I’m very familiar with the trading procedures there.”

“However, is this soap really as magical as you say?”

Having just heard Ye Xun’s introduction, Zheng Qian found it hard to believe.

Is there really such a miraculous thing in the world?

He had never heard of or seen anything like it.

Ye Xun nodded.

“Whether it’s magical or not, you’ll know once you use it.”

“Go early tomorrow morning. Remember to enter through the back door and keep a low profile.”

Zheng Qian nodded eagerly. “Understood, I understand everything.”

At this moment, he was extremely excited. This was Ye Xun giving him a chance to start anew, and he would seize it firmly.

Then Ye Xun asked, “Can you do calculations?”

“Yes.” Zheng Qian responded promptly. “Your Highness, rest assured, I’m excellent at calculations. If you don’t believe me, just ask.”

Hearing this, Ye Xun said, “How much is two bars of ordinary soap, three bars of floral soap, and one bar of milk soap?”

After the question, Cao An counted on his fingers.

Zheng Qian blurted out, “Two hundred sixty-six wen.”

“Three bars of ordinary soap, one bar of floral soap, two bars of honey soap.”

“Two hundred seventy-four wen.”

“Seven bars of ordinary soap, five bars of floral soap, three bars of milk soap.”

“Eight hundred six wen.”

Ye Xun nodded with satisfaction and took out the written answers. “Correct, all correct.”

At this moment, Cao An looked at Zheng Qian in utter disbelief, his eyes full of shock.

He had never known that this gambling-addicted cousin had such a skill—it was truly unexpected.

He was shocked, but Zheng Qian was even more shocked.

Zheng Qian’s calculation ability was innate, surpassing even veteran accountants of decades.

But he hadn’t expected Ye Xun to match his speed, leaving him amazed.

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Making soap, winning every bet, spending lavishly, skilled in physiognomy, excellent at calculations, proficient in commerce...

Zheng Qian truly did not expect that the disgraced prince was not the prodigal as rumored, but rather extraordinarily intelligent.

Afterwards, Zheng Qian familiarized himself with the soap in the hall.

Ye Xun returned to his inner chambers. Although physically and mentally exhausted these days, everything was moving in a positive direction.

In his bedroom, Ling’er brought hot water to wash Ye Xun’s feet.

This time, Ye Xun did not refuse; some pleasures must be enjoyed.

Ling’er’s delicate hands glided over his soles, the clear water teasing, moist and stirring.

Ye Xun felt a certain stirring deep within.

This girl...

Even washing feet could awaken desire.

...

The next day.

Early morning.

Before dawn.

Zheng Qian rose and loaded over a thousand bars of soap onto a cart, leaving through the back door of the Prince Qin’s mansion, heading toward the East Market.

After Ye Xun got up, he exercised in the courtyard before throwing himself into the intense production work.

Capital city.

East Market.

Zheng Qian, pulling his cart, paid the stall fee and skillfully found a prime spot.

Before gambling, he was a respectable merchant and porter.

Later, he fell into gambling and was irretrievably lost.

He not only lost his livelihood but also squandered his family fortune, living a half-dead existence.

Had Ye Xun not helped him yesterday, his life would likely have ended.

Now reborn, Zheng Qian was full of energy; he was determined to reclaim everything he had lost.

Having spent years in gambling dens, he had keen insight into people and could tell that the disgraced prince was nothing like the prodigal rumors.

After setting up his stall and arranging his goods,

Zheng Qian placed five wooden basins filled with water in front of the stall.

At this moment,

The market was bustling as it opened; crowds of merchants and customers surged like a river, ceaseless and dense.

Zheng Qian stood in front of his stall, calling out.

“Soap! Soap! Remarkable for laundry, strong stain removal, leaves fragrance...”

“Ladies, come buy a bar of soap! Small money, great results, no losses, no scams...”

...

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Under Zheng Qian’s smooth tongue,

Within moments, a crowd gathered before the stall, though most were merely curious onlookers.

After seeing the soap prices, many were directly discouraged.

“One hundred wen? Why don’t you just rob people? My clothes aren’t worth a hundred wen...”

“Yes, even the cheapest is eight wen, too expensive, too expensive. Can your soap even make clothes bloom?”

“Little brother, I think you should quit selling soap and just go rob instead.”

“Rip-off! This is definitely a scam.”

...

Customers around the stall pointed and whispered, gossiping.

But Zheng Qian was not anxious; he had anticipated this.

Good products never fear selling.

Zheng Qian had done business before and knew the potential of soap.

Then,

Zheng Qian earnestly and kindly explained to the crowd, even letting them try the soap themselves.

He worked diligently, treating everyone gently regardless of their attitude.

To repay Ye Xun’s kindness, and to win himself a chance to reform.

Though the price was high,

The soap’s advantages were undeniable—unprecedented and unparalleled.

Gradually,

People began to buy.

Mostly the ordinary soap priced at eight wen.

After all, the fifty and one hundred wen thresholds were beyond the reach of ordinary families.

Zheng Qian was not worried; in this era, honesty was paramount.

His goods were excellent and unique, guaranteed to sell well.

If he shouted for sale today, by tomorrow people would line up just to buy soap.

Within just one hour,

Eight hundred bars of ordinary soap were snapped up.

What remained were the floral and milk-honey soaps.

These two were very expensive and considered a luxury for laundry products.

But for nobles and prominent families, these expensive, high-quality soaps were the favorites.

If too cheap, they wouldn’t even consider them, as it would not match their status.

Before long,

Thanks to Zheng Qian’s persuasive words,

The floral and milk-honey soaps began to sell, purchased mostly by wealthy households.