Chapter 61: The Three Major Trading Houses Compete to Flatter Ye Xun, Making Money Hand Over Fist

Looking at Shangguan Yunqing beside him, who was showing deep interest in the soap, Ye Xun slowly spoke, "Linger, Yunqing, you two should also go try the effects of this soap. After all, soap is made specifically for ladies like you."

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Yunqing beamed with joy, "Alright, Your Highness." Then, she took Linger by the hand and headed toward the back hall, "Linger, come on, let's go give it a try."

Shangguan Yunqing had a very easygoing personality.

Even though Linger was merely a maid in the Prince Qin's Mansion, a world apart from her status as the eldest daughter of the Minister of Revenue, she did not show the slightest bit of condescension toward Linger.

Held by the hand by Shangguan Yunqing, Linger felt intensely shy, yet a wave of warmth welled up in her heart.

In an era deeply bound by rigid class distinctions, where social status was like an insurmountable chasm, Linger had repeatedly been treated with courtesy, leaving her pleasantly astonished.

Yet she knew very well in her heart that all of this was due to Ye Xun.

Meanwhile, in the main hall, Zhao Qingfeng and the other two had already finished washing their faces with the soap.

Comfortable, smooth, refreshed, delightfully fragrant...

These were their first impressions of the soap.

Based on this experience alone, they could boldly assert that this would become a treasure sought after by every wealthy young lady in the Great Xia Dynasty.

At the same time, boundless admiration for Ye Xun had grown from the bottom of their hearts.

Soaps, strong liquor, facial soaps.

Every single one of these three creations could stir up monstrous waves in the commercial world of Great Xia.

Yet, all three of these items came from the hands of Ye Xun alone.

It was simply unbelievable to them.

They truly could not fathom what kind of divine mind Ye Xun possessed.

Wei Feng stared at the soap on the table, feeling curious as well.

The very concept of facial soap was something he had only just learned about.

It seemed that the large courtyard next door would soon need to be expanded to include a workshop for producing facial soap.

Thinking of this, he turned his gaze toward Ye Xun beside him.

Ye Xun remained calm and composed, expressionless.

He showed no trace of arrogance or conceit despite having created these three unique commodities.

Steadfast, calm, unruffled...

Wei Feng felt as though he was meeting Ye Xun anew.

He could not help but suspect now that Ye Xun had not experienced some sudden enlightenment at all; rather, he had merely been playing the fool all this time.

Where was there even a shred of a dissolute prodigal in him?

However, failing to make sense of it, he stopped pondering further.

After all, Ye Xun was evolving in a positive direction.

By bringing these three treasures into existence, even the Estate of the Duke Suppressing the Nation would share in the glory.

Engaging in politics required financial backing from behind the scenes, but that also meant incurring debts of gratitude and leaving oneself vulnerable to others.

If Ye Xun could achieve self-sufficiency, he would gain a tremendous advantage on the path to contending for the throne.

After a brief pause, Ye Xun looked toward Zhao Qingfeng and the three others, pondering as he asked, "Well, the three family heads? Are you satisfied with the effects of the soap?"

He spoke at a leisurely pace, yet his confidence was absolute.

Although the soap's quality did not entirely satisfy Ye Xun himself, in this era, it was already a priceless and irreplaceable treasure.

"The results are exceptionally wonderful. Anything brought forth by His Highness the Prince of Qin is beyond reproach."

"Your Highness, from now on, just say the word whenever there is something you wish us to sell, and we will obey unconditionally."

"Indeed, from this day forward, this humble one places unconditional trust in Your Highness's words."

Zhao Qingfeng, Chu Liuyun, and Li Pengqing chimed in one after another.

With these three products, it would not be long before they ascended to even greater heights in the Great Xia commercial world.

Right now, Ye Xun was like their god of wealth, someone to be revered.

The corners of Ye Xun's lips curved upward slightly.

"The three family heads need not be so formal. As my cousin said, we are all equals in business."

"There are two types of soap, priced at twenty wen and one hundred and fifty wen respectively. The prices for you will be thirteen wen and one hundred wen."

The profit margin left for them was already exceptionally high.

Ye Xun was not indifferent to wealth, but making money together with others was the ultimate principle.

What he needed to do now was to secure these three merchant families so that they would follow him heart and soul.

The number of things Ye Xun could produce was by no means small, and the truly lucrative days were yet to come.

Hearing Ye Xun's proposed prices, the three men nodded repeatedly, expressing their agreement.

Immediately afterward, Zhao Qingfeng asked, "Your Highness, how shall the sales territories be divided? When shall the formal contracts be signed?"

At present, signing the contracts was of paramount importance to the three of them.

They genuinely feared that Ye Xun might go back on his word and refuse to cooperate with them.

Hearing this, Ye Xun turned his gaze slightly toward a nearby figure and called out softly, "Liu Jie."

Liu Jie hurried to his feet and responded, "Your Highness, this humble subordinate is here."

Ye Xun instructed, "You shall communicate with the three family heads regarding the division of sales territories and the signing of contracts. From now on, you shall also be solely responsible for all matters concerning cooperation with the three merchant houses. If manpower is insufficient, speak to my cousin and have him assign personnel to you."

Hearing these words, Liu Jie was startled, filled with astonishment.

Let...

Let me take charge of liaising with the three major merchant houses?

He had not expected good fortune to strike so suddenly, that Ye Xun would entrust him with such a monumental task.

From now on, his career in the commercial world of Great Xia would soar smoothly upward.

Noticing him standing in a daze, Ye Xun asked in confusion, "What is it? Do you have a problem?"

"Ah?" Liu Jie snapped back to reality and hastily replied, "No... no problem at all. Your Highness, please rest assured, this humble subordinate will devote every ounce of his energy and remain loyal unto death, and will never disappoint Your Highness's trust."

Hearing this, Ye Xun nodded, "Very well." Then, turning his gaze back to Zhao Qingfeng and the other two, he added, "The three family heads, you may coordinate all subsequent matters with Liu Jie. From now on, he will fully represent the Prince of Qin's Mansion."

Zhao Qingfeng and the other two quickly stood up, turned toward Liu Jie, and saluted respectfully, "Brother Liu, please give us your kind guidance in the future."

Liu Jie hurriedly returned the salute, "The three family heads are too polite. I will certainly work closely with all three of you to make these three products a roaring success throughout Great Xia."

At this moment, he still felt somewhat dizzy with disbelief.

These three men were influential tycoons whose backs he could ordinarily only gaze at from afar.

Yet today, they were treating him with such extraordinary courtesy.

He understood that this was entirely due to Ye Xun.

Had it not been for Ye Xun, he would have been nothing more than an insignificant ant in the presence of these three magnates.

Meanwhile, Zheng Qian was gazing at Ye Xun with hopeful anticipation.

Over the past few days, his body had mostly recovered.

Ye Xun had originally promised to appoint him as the second manager.

However, watching Liu Jie receive a major promotion, he could no longer sit still.

Noticing his expression, Ye Xun said softly, "Zheng Qian, you need not be anxious. Going forward, there will be two divisions: Liu Jie will manage external affairs, taking charge of liaising with the merchant houses, while you will manage internal affairs, taking charge of the various shops within the imperial capital."

"Since Liu Jie has been reassigned, you will henceforth be the manager of the shops, and I will find someone else to assist you."

"You must work diligently, however, and never bring shame upon me."

Toward Zheng Qian, Ye Xun still held a certain degree of affection.

Hearing this, Zheng Qian stood up and said hurriedly, "Your Highness, rest assured, this servant will never let you down."

From beginning to end, Zheng Qian referred to himself as a servant, and he did so with a sense of pride.

He wanted to make it clear to everyone that he was Ye Xun's man.

At that exact moment, Shangguan Yunqing and Linger emerged from the back hall.