USWHC -Chapter 268 Getting Rich (Part 8)

When Zhu Jie heard his question, she couldn’t help but put on a proud expression and said, “This is soap—flower-scented soap!”

Flower-scented soap?

Shopkeeper Liao carefully examined the piece of soap in his hand that looked like a peach blossom pastry. This flower-scented soap was indeed something new and unusual. “Miss, are you planning to consign it for sale in my shop?”

“No—technology investment!” Zhu Jie declared firmly.

“Technology investment?” Shopkeeper Liao was momentarily stunned. The term sounded even more novel to him.

“Yes. This flower-scented soap was improved by my husband based on the soapberries you sell here. For you, producing it in large quantities should be extremely easy. I believe you’re a man with vision—you should know that once this item hits the market, its sales will definitely explode. All we need is a ten-percent patent fee from every bar of soap sold.” Zhu Jie said with a smile, feeling quite professional as she spoke.

Unfortunately, Shopkeeper Liao understood even less. “Ten percent?” he repeated, then looked up at Ji Yi, who was sitting beside her.

“It means that if you earn ten copper coins, we take one copper coin,” Zhu Jie explained simply. “That’s not much, right?”

But this time Shopkeeper Liao immediately widened his eyes, showing a shrewd merchant’s expression. “That’s clearly quite a lot!”

In truth, it really was a lot. Zhu Jie spoke lightly about it, but if this flower-scented soap were truly promoted on a large scale, the money involved would definitely not be a small sum.

“You can sell my flower-scented soap in two grades,” Zhu Jie continued, already planning things out for him. “Like the peach-blossom soap you’re holding—its craftsmanship is delicate and the floral pattern is novel. You can package it in gift boxes and sell it at a higher price, targeting the high-end market.”

“You can also make larger ones without fancy patterns, even simple square shapes, and target the low-end market. A regular soapberry costs one copper coin; the flower-scented soapberry can be sold for two copper coins—low price but high volume.”

As a professional salesperson, Zhu Jie’s marketing plan was very well thought out. She spoke with great confidence. After all, in the modern world soap had long become a full-fledged industry. Many major daily-goods brands relied heavily on it for profit—and those profits were considerable.

But Shopkeeper Liao gradually fell silent. He seemed hesitant and somewhat confused. His eyes moved back and forth between Zhu Jie and Ji Yi, as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t quite make up his mind.

Seeing this, Zhu Jie kindly said, “If you find it difficult to decide right away, I can personally speak with your boss.”

“I don’t think he would want to see you,” Shopkeeper Liao replied this time with certainty. “Our boss doesn’t meet people casually.”

That made sense. If a big boss personally received every salesperson who came along, wouldn’t he be exhausted to death?

“Then when can you make a decision?” Zhu Jie asked calmly. “In the meantime, we can go look around elsewhere.” With that, she even stood up as if preparing to leave.

But she had only taken a couple of steps when Shopkeeper Liao called out, “Wait! Please give me some time. I’ll go discuss it with our boss!” He stood up as well. “Please have a seat first.”

Naturally, Zhu Jie had no real intention of going elsewhere to promote it. Selling it to the biggest commercial firm meant distribution; going door to door meant being a street peddler.

She calmly sat back down, even putting on an air of superiority, as though selling this patent to the Liao Trading Company was doing them a favor.

Meanwhile, Shopkeeper Liao hesitantly walked out, looking rather lost. After leaving the room, he actually stood blankly in the corridor for a moment before turning right. Judging from his manner, it seemed as if he had completely lost his bearings—he probably didn’t even know which room his boss was hiding in.

Zhu Jie secretly felt delighted. She hadn’t expected her flower-scented soap to be so attractive! Then again, this was ancient times—people were bound to be amazed by something rare.

After quite a while, Shopkeeper Liao still hadn’t returned. Ji Yi, however, was already growing impatient from sitting.

Suddenly, he stood up.

“What are you doing?” Zhu Jie asked in surprise.

Ji Yi looked embarrassed. “The latrine.”

“Tch.” Zhu Jie waved her hand dismissively. “Go then.”

But she couldn’t help adding a reminder: “Hold your head high and chest out! Even going to the latrine should be done with style. You’re an inventor now—don’t let anyone look down on you!”

What?

Even going to the latrine required style now? 😅