Chapter 738: Three Taels of Silver

Translator: Henyee Translations | Editor: Henyee Translations

At the Chu Family Paper Mill.

In a renovated kitchen by the back door, delicious aromas wafted through the air, a transformation commissioned by Chu Qingzhi. It allowed workers who couldn’t easily go home for meals to warm up their food here, saving them the back-and-forth journey and providing a space for rest. This thoughtful gesture earned Chu Qingzhi high praise as an exceptional employer.

Having finished warming their meals, Yu Zihui cooked in the kitchen, currently staying at Xiao Zongchao’s place, preparing food for the two of them, with Xiao Zongchao providing the ingredients.

Freed from parental pressures, Xiao Zongchao became more outgoing, living comfortably with some money in hand.

“I didn’t expect your cooking to be so delicious,” Xiao Zongchao commented while helping with the dishes. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

They usually dined in the outer part of the kitchen, equipped with a table and chairs.

“I learned from my nanny,” Yu Zihui shared. “She’s getting on in years and isn’t in great health. When I visit and see her working hard, I help out, eventually picking up cooking along the way.”

“She’s very good to you.”

“She’s as close to me as my own mother. Once I receive my wages, I’ll make

sure to repay her kindness.”

“You should.”

Thinking of his nanny, Yu Zihui’s gaze softened.

After their meal and a brief rest, they returned to work.

The workshop was now divided into sections: packaging paper, oil paper, Xuan paper, and tissue paper.

Except for the tissue paper section, which lacked a master craftsman, the other areas were well-managed, requiring little attention from Chu Qingzhi.

Although the tissue paper section was simpler and could be managed without constant supervision for a couple of days, Chu Qingzhi couldn’t fully relax. She appointed Chu Yun as a junior manager to report any issues directly to her.

Arriving at the tissue paper section, Chu Qingzhi handed over the chemicals to Chu Yun, who greeted her eagerly, “Sister Qingzhi, you’ve come at the right time. We’re almost out of chemicals.”

” Has anything unusual happened in the workshop lately?” Chu Qingzhi asked as she handed him the chemicals.

Chu Yun shook his head, “Everything’s been running smoothly.”

“Good, carry on. I’ll check on the tissue paper.”

“Okay.”

Extending her divine sense to cover the workshop, Chu Qingzhi meticulously inspected the area.

Finding no issues, she withdrew her divine sense and headed to the tissue paper storeroom.

With the workshop areas segregated, each type of paper was stored separately, with tissue paper isolated in its own storeroom.

Currently unpackaged, stacks of tissue paper awaited, amounting to approximately 20,000 sheets, pressed down with thick wooden boards to prevent them from being blown away.

Chu Qingzhi appreciated the quality of a tissue paper she randomly selected; soft, supple, tough, and white, it promised to be a hit once introduced to the market.

However, Master Li was too busy to keep up with the demand for tissue paper boxes, postponing the business venture for the time being.

Leaving the tissue paper storeroom, Chu Qingzhi visited the packaging paper

storeroom.

Unexpectedly, Master Li was also there.

“Master Li.”

Surprised, Li Changjiang greeted her, “You’re here?”

“I’ve brought the chemicals and came to see if we have enough packaging paper,” Chu Qingzhi explained.

“We’re set,” Li Changjiang informed her, “I was just discussing it with Chu Feng.”

Packaging paper would only be used after reaching a stock of 20,000 to ensure continuous supply.

“Chu Feng, could you arrange for the paper to be transported to the workshop?

I’ll wait there for you.”

“Sure, I’ll do it as soon as possible.”

Just then, someone knocked on the door, “Manager Chu, there’s a customer here to order Xuan paper. They’re in the reception room.”

“I’ll handle it. Chu Feng, you arrange the transport. If possible, I’ll return with the delivery team later.”

“Sure.”

In the reception room.

Wu Bingyi sipped his tea, appreciating the affluence of the workshop from the well-appointed guest space and the quality of the tea served.

Bao Yunhong, hands clasped behind her, admired a landscape painting on the wall, impressed, “I initially thought this painting was a counterfeit, but it’s genuine.”

Feeling it impolite to inspect the painting too closely, Wu Bingyi glanced over, “Are you sure it’s an original?”

Bao Yunhong confidently affirmed, “Yes, my family owns a painting by the same artist. After careful study, I found the style matches perfectly with this one.”

Wu Bingyi thought to himself about the workshop’s wealth. “Let’s sit down, someone’s coming.”

Bao Yunhong quickly took a seat beside Wu Bingyi, assuming a ladylike posture. Chu Qingzhi entered the reception room, slightly surprised, “Welcome.” Wu Bingyi and Bao Yunhong stood up to greet her, “Miss Chu.” “Please, have a seat,” Chu Qingzhi gestured as she took the main seat. “Let’s get straight to the point, what brings you here?”

Bao Yunhong explained, “Our family runs a stationery shop in the capital, and we have a high demand for Xuan paper. I heard from Linjiang that we could purchase some here, so I came to have a look.”

Their family appreciated the quality of the Xuan paper. Only because Tao Zhenfeng opposed her, preventing stores from buying her paper, did she end up with a surplus.

Chu Qingzhi offered, “Why don’t you come with me to the storeroom?”

Bao Yunhong was taken aback by Chu Qingzhi’s straightforwardness. “Really?”

“Of course, let’s go,” Chu Qingzhi assured.

With 10,000 sheets of Xuan paper in stock, Chu Qingzhi had planned to handle the brick kiln matters before addressing the paper surplus. “The stock is all here, feel free to look around.”

Bao Yunhong nodded, “Alright.”

Wu Bingyi inquired, “Miss Chu, I heard from Linjiang that you’re about to start building a brick kiln?”

Chu Qingzhi confirmed, “We’ve just begun construction, why?”

Wu Bingyi mentioned his need for a significant quantity of bricks. “If you have surplus bricks, consider selling them to me.”

Chu Qingzhi agreed, then thought of another business opportunity. “Would you be interested in another deal?”

Intrigued, Wu Bingyi asked, “What kind of business?

Chu Qingzhi led him to the adjacent tissue paper storeroom, “Young Master Wu, please.”

After entering, Chu Qingzhi handed Wu Bingyi a sheet of tissue paper and thoroughly explained its uses.

Wu Bingyi held a tissue in his hand and listened to Chu Qingzhi’s words. He was very tempted. He thought to himself that with a tissue, it would be too convenient at certain times. “Miss Chu, how much is a tissue?”

Chu Qingzhi said, “The tissues will be placed in a box. One box will contain too pieces. If you buy more than 1,000 boxes at a time, it will be 180 copper coms. If you buy more than 5,000 boxes, it will be 170 copper coins. If you buy more than 10,000 boxes, it will be 160 copper coins.”

It was not expensive. Wu Bingyi immediately ordered 5,000 boxes. “Miss Chu, can you deliver it as soon as possible?”

Chu Qingzhi said, “We need to rush to make the box. It will take at least seven days. If you’re in a hurry to use it, I can give you some first.”

Wu Bingyi refused. “There’s no need to give it to me. I’ll buy it directly. I’ll take the tissue back and use it myself. I don’t need a box.”

Chu Qingzhi said, “Then I’ll give you 1,000 tissues. You can use them first?”

“I want 2,000. Half for Yunhong.”

“Alright.” The tissue paper was bundled in packs of 100. Chu Qingzhi packed the paper into two boxes for Wu Bingyi, “That’ll be three taels of silver.”

“Thanks a lot.”