Three Kingdoms: Fusion of Entries, Change of Destiny

Chapter 136 The Chen Family of Yingchuan
After leaving the perfume workshop, Cao Yan and Wei Zhen went to the glass workshop.

Inside the workshop, two craftsmen were using long iron pipes to dip into molten glass and slowly blowing out vessels with bubbles.

The light green glass gleamed faintly in the candlelight. Although it was not as crystal clear as the glass of later generations, it was still brighter than the glass of today.

“The bubbles are hard to remove, and the color is not right.” Wei Zhen explained from the side, “The craftsmen have tried mixing wood ash and quartz sand, and adjusted the heat many times, but it still looks like this.”

Cao Yan waved his hand: "It's alright, take your time. This stuff is something that takes time and effort. Maybe things will turn around when the purification technology improves further."

He knew that modern glassmaking required high-temperature furnaces and precise proportions, and that he had already achieved something remarkable.

It was almost the end of the 9-11 AM when I left the workshop.

While there was still time, Cao Yan mounted his horse and headed straight for Juancheng.

When they found Xun Yu, he was in the yamen reviewing documents.

Seeing Cao Yan arrive looking travel-worn, Xun Yu couldn't help but laugh and say, "Zi'an, why don't you stay in Chenliu with your wife? What brings you here?"

Cao Yan didn't stand on ceremony and explained in detail the difficulties they encountered in blending perfumes in the workshop.

After listening, Xun Yu put down the document in his hand, pondered for a moment, and said, "The art of perfumery requires the coordination of ruler, minister, assistant, and envoy; how can it be done haphazardly? Very well, since everything is now on the right track, I will go with you."

The two men spurred their horses and hurried back to Chenliu.

However, when they arrived at the workshop, it was still almost 9 PM.

Wei Zhen had been waiting for a long time. When he saw the two arrive, he quickly led them straight to the perfume workshop.

The workshop was still brightly lit by candlelight.

Right now, we are at the most critical juncture, and the craftsmen are working non-stop.

However, the workshop offered ridiculously high wages, yet the artisans did not complain at all.

As soon as Xun Yu stepped into the perfume workshop, he frowned deeply.

The smells in the workshop were chaotic and disorderly, like a bunch of demons dancing wildly, making one's head ache.

"Prefect, please take a look at these perfumes." Wei Zhen led Xun Yu to the wooden shelf.

Xun Yu opened the porcelain bottles one by one, carefully tasting and smelling them.

Coincidentally, the first bottle of perfume he picked up was agarwood.

After taking just a whiff, Xun Yu's expression turned extremely ugly. He said, "Nonsense! Agarwood is highly potent; how can it be used as a fragrance on its own?"

The craftsmen looked at each other, none of them daring to speak.

Xun Yu turned to Wei Zhen and said, "Bring me pen and ink."

Wei Zhen immediately ordered someone to bring him the Four Treasures of the Study (writing brush, ink stick, inkstone, and paper).

Xun Yu picked up his brush and quickly wrote down a recipe on a new sheet of paper, saying, "Try my method, and pay attention to the proportions of other spices you add..."

The artisans did as they were told.

Xun Yu personally stood in front of the distillation furnace, watching the steam carrying the aroma rise and then condense into crystal-clear essential oil.

He would have people adjust the heat from time to time, and use bamboo strips to dip into the essential oil and smell it until he nodded in satisfaction.

By the time the first bottle of perfume was finished, the sky was already beginning to lighten in the east.

Cao Yan had already fallen asleep in a chair to the side.

Wei Zhen sat next to Cao Yan, his head nodding off as if he were fishing.

Xun Yu carefully poured the pale golden liquid into the celadon bottle and gently shook it.

In an instant, a delicate fragrance spread out, with a rich floral top note, a mellow agarwood middle note, and a faint hint of musk in the base note.

"It smells so good!" Cao Yan was suddenly awakened from his sleep and couldn't help but exclaim.

Wei Zhen stared intently at the porcelain bottle, his eyes shining.

The artisans gathered around, all marveling at the sight.

They never imagined that those pungent fragrances could be transformed into such a wonderful aroma after being blended.

Xun Yu, however, remained remarkably calm: "The incense is complete! However, the art of perfumery is vast and profound; today's work is merely a small test. To further refine it in the future, one must delve deeper into the layers and balance of the fragrance."

Cao Yan nodded repeatedly, delighted, and said, "Wenruo, whenever you have free time in the future, come and help the craftsmen blend perfumes. I'll pay you a separate salary!"

Xun Yu waved his hand and said, "It's alright. Perfuming is just my hobby. Being able to lend you a hand is enough." Cao Yan sighed, "I originally planned to give you a salary of 100,000 coins a month. After all, we'll be constantly developing new perfumes. Since you don't..."

Before Cao Yan could finish speaking, Xun Yu changed the subject: "In that case, it's settled then, 100,000 coins a month!"

"..."

A monthly salary of 100,000 coins already exceeds the salary of a state governor; it would be foolish to refuse it.

Even Wei Zhen, who was standing next to him, said enviously, "My lord, is it too late for me to learn the art of perfumery now?"

Cao Yan laughed and said, "If you can train your nose to be as good as Wen Ruo's, I can offer you the same salary!"

"Okay!" Wei Zhen happily agreed.

With Xun Yu's guidance, most of the problems at the perfume workshop were solved.

The next step is to figure out how to bring these products to market and make real money.

The group moved to the workshop's council hall.

Cao Yan ordered someone to bring paper and pen, and listed out the cost and selling price of the soap and perfume.

Wei Zhen added from the side, "The soap is already finished, and although the perfume has just been successfully developed, mass production is not difficult. It's just that the glass products will take some time."

Xun Yu nodded and asked, "These three items are all highly profitable deals. Zi'an, are you really not planning to pay taxes?"

"My elder brother said that, apart from new paper, all the other products I produce are tax-free," Cao Yan grinned.

"Alas... if our lord knew the profits from these goods, he would probably be kicking himself," Xun Yu sighed.

"Hahaha! Let's talk about it when he really regrets it." Cao Yan seemed to already see Old Cao's aggrieved expression and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

After laughing, Cao Yan continued, "The matter of the Chamber of Commerce opening up trade routes was delayed due to the war, but now I plan to restart it. Zilian happens to have some experience in this area, so I plan to have him handle this matter."

This can be considered Cao Yan's return on Cao Hong's previous investment in military funds.

Xun Yu understood that both the chamber of commerce and the commodities were all created by Cao Yan.

Entrusting the business to the Cao family is always better than entrusting it to someone outside the family. So he nodded, which was taken as his approval.

Then, Cao Yan said to Wei Zhen, "The way of business is to have rare goods that can be hoarded. Why don't we release a few limited editions of our soaps and perfumes, producing only a small quantity each month, to whet the appetites of those important people?"

Wei Zhen smiled knowingly and said, "What you say is absolutely right, Your Excellency. That is exactly what I was thinking."

Then, Cao Yan spoke of his profit distribution plan: "I intend to keep 10% of the profits for household use, 50% for the construction of Chenliu County, and 40% for the shareholders." He looked at Xun Yu and asked, "What do you think?"

“You set up the workshops and the goods, so naturally you have the final say.” Xun Yu pondered for a moment, then said, “However, all the systems and infrastructure in Chenliu County have to be built from scratch. There are so many things to do. Can you handle it all?”

"Why don't you help me?" Cao Yantian asked shamelessly.

Xun Yu pointed towards the door.

Cao Yanxi said, "You want me to help you move your things?"

"roll!"

"..."

Despite the playful banter, Xun Yu still offered a serious suggestion: "I will recommend some talented individuals to assist you in handling government affairs, but there are no suitable people to take charge. Since you have the ability to recognize talent, why don't you try to find some yourself?"

When it comes to political talent, Cao Yan's first thought is Xun Yu, who is standing in front of him, and then Zhuge Liang in the future.

Following them were the two Zhangs of Jiangdong, Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong.
Next is Chen Qun, who was recruited by Liu Bei to serve as the Prefect of Yu Province.

During this period, Liu Bei was not recommended by Tao Qian to be the governor of Yu Province, which means that Chen Qun should still be in Yingchuan!

Thinking of this, Cao Yan asked Xun Yu, "I've heard that there's a man named Chen Qun from the Chen family of Yingchuan who is exceptionally talented. Do you know him?"

Xun Yu raised an eyebrow and replied, "Chen Changwen is quite famous in the Yingchuan area. His grandfather, Chen Shi, once praised him, saying, 'This child will surely bring glory to our clan.' However, the Chen family is a prestigious clan, and he probably wouldn't look up to us."

"Aren't you, Xun Yu, also from a prestigious family?"

"This……"

“A discerning person will surely see the potential of the Cao family! I intend to give it a try; would you be willing to come with me?”

Xun Yu hesitated for a moment, then said, "Very well, it's been a long time since I've been back to Yingchuan, let's go back and take a look."

(End of this chapter)