Chapter 1842: ExplosionChapter 801: Prospects

As darkness fell.

The lights had been on for some time, and by the time Li Chen finally finished his day's work, he looked up to see the sky already a dark blue-grey, and about to be completely dark.

Wan Jiaojiao ordered someone to light a few more candles for the prince's illumination, and personally went to fetch a bowl of chilled sour plum soup.

A pair of delicate white hands held a fine porcelain bowl and presented it to Li Chen.

"Your Highness, the weather is getting hotter day by day. How about some chilled sour plum soup It's refreshing and can help quench your thirst and clear away heat."

After taking the porcelain bowl and sipping a couple of mouthfuls, I found it delightfully sweet and refreshing. My weariness seemed to dissipate considerably.

Feeling more and more accustomed to Wan Jiaojiao's service, Li Chen turned his head to Wan Jiaojiao and said, "You often go out of the palace to buy story books. Do you know how well soap is selling in the common people"

Wan Jiaojiao wanted to explain that she wasn't often out, but she honestly replied: "It's good now. At Lan Yue Xuan, oh, the shop opened by the Liu family, they followed the Lord's instructions to develop a more common soap so that ordinary people could afford it. Now, in Beijing, almost anyone with better conditions will buy a few bars for home use.

"I also heard that some families would save up money to buy a good one, and keep it in the middle of their main hall covered with a lid. When they had important guests come over, they would take it out to show off."

"That's kinda interesting."

Li Chen smiled and said, “The sales figures in Beijing prove that there is a market for this product. We can gradually promote it nationwide in the future.”

Soap is just a small thing, but its overall profit is amazing.

In just this period of time, the Liu family sent over financial reports showing a grand total of two million taels of silver had been deposited. This two million taels represents the pure profit after deducting all costs.

Although for a nation as large as the Qin Dynasty, two million taels is just a drop in the bucket, it is a very positive signal.

Besides, Li Chen also understood human nature deeply. The soap production technology wasn't that complicated, and it was likely only a matter of time before similar counterfeit products appeared on the market.

After all, the soap's boom is something everyone can see, and it's impossible to stop others from being envious.

If you're more on the upright side, just buy back a sample and do your own research and development. Spend some extra effort, find a few skilled craftsmen, and it can still be done.

Those with wicked hearts could simply bribe Liu's master to steal the recipe. Money can make people do anything, and there is no one in this world that cannot be bought.

As for this, Li Chen had a good grasp of the situation but didn't intend to stop it.

On the one hand, it is unstoppable. On the other hand, it stimulates the entire commercial environment of the Qin Empire, allowing a hundred flowers to bloom. This is also one of Li Chen's governing objectives.

If a country wants to be wealthy, relying solely on the government running businesses is futile. Various industries and aspects of daily life are impossible for the imperial court to monopolize production in every sector. The only path to prosperity is to foster the strength of private enterprises and allow commerce to flourish. The imperial court should then collect taxes from these businesses – this is the correct approach.

After all, the imperial court is still responsible for governing the entire country and its people. It can't truly get bogged down in business dealings and be unable to extricate itself.

To this, Li Chen's plan in his heart was exceptionally clear and distinct.

Not just soap, but subsequent perfumes, mirrors and other small everyday items, were all tools that could stimulate the commercial environment of the Qin Empire and improve living conditions.

But, you have to eat one bite at a time.

The most important thing right now is to take care of Zhao Xuanji and Li Yinhu first.

Looking out at the pitch-black sky, Xu Wei still hadn't received any news, and Gong Huiyu had also not returned.

Li Chen knew these things couldn't be rushed, and he didn't urge anyone. He could only wait patiently for news.""One still had a chance, the other was caught. I made the right choice."General Fu and the other soldier looked at each other, and simultaneously said in a grave voice: "My brother and I are willing...