Three Kingdoms: Fusion of Entries, Change of Destiny

Chapter 140 Old Cao, let me show you what exorbitant profits really mean!

Chen Qun (courtesy name Changwen)
Sex: Male
Hobbies: Appraising historical figures, playing chess

Favorability: 28%
Entry: Nine-Rank System (Gold), Legal Reform (Purple), Distinguished Family of Yingchuan (Purple), Refined Scholar (White), Emphasis on Civil Affairs over Military Affairs (Gray)

【Nine Ranks to Stabilize the Nation (Gold)】: Slightly increases the probability of talented individuals within the territory joining the government, and increases the initial loyalty of the gentry by 20%.

Once the Nine-Rank System is activated, the following conditions will be met: the support rate of the gentry within the territory will be permanently locked at 80% or higher, the probability of peasant uprisings will be reduced by 50%, the probability of promotion for those from humble backgrounds will be reduced by 50%, and the promotion rate for ordinary people will be permanently locked at 0.

When Cao Yan saw Chen Qun's gold-plated entry, he felt a slight, nauseating pain.

You might say it's bad, but when the Nine-Rank System was activated, the aristocratic families practically soared to new heights.

You may say it's good, but everyone has seen what the Jin Dynasty was like, and Cao Yan wouldn't dare let it cause trouble.

Fortunately, Chen Qun's personal abilities are exceptional, so the reduced effect of the entry isn't too significant.

In the courtyard of the Chen residence.

Chen Qun is playing white against an old man in a gray robe.

The black and white chess pieces on the board were scattered like stars. Chen Qun's fingertips hovered in mid-air, but his eyes were somewhat unfocused, and he seemed absent-minded.

The old man gently tapped the chessboard and asked, "Changwen, where should this piece be placed?"

Chen Qun snapped out of his reverie, placed a chess piece on the center point, and asked, "Father, what do you think of this spot?"

Chen Ji stroked his beard, sighed, and said, "Since you're already tempted, why don't you accept Cao Zi'an's invitation in person?"

Chen Qun pondered for a moment and replied, "The Cao family's new policies, which heavily favor those from humble backgrounds, conflict with my own ideas about governing the country..."

Chen Ji said, "I know you are wholeheartedly concerned for the gentry, but sometimes broadening your horizons to observe the world may bring you more gains."

Just then, a servant rushed in and reported, "Master, a letter has arrived from Master Shui Jing!"

"A letter from the master?" Chen Qun stood up in surprise, walked to the servant to take the letter, and then handed it to Chen Ji.

"The letter was actually written on Cao's new paper!"

Chen Ji opened the letter and read it carefully.

After reading it, he handed the letter to Chen Qun and said, "It seems that Mr. Shui Jing is also going to stay in Yanzhou. It seems that Cao Mengde's new policies are quite attractive."

Chen Qun took the letter, read it carefully, and couldn't help but frown slightly.

Seeing this, Chen Ji said meaningfully, "Working behind closed doors will eventually lead to a narrow-minded perspective. As your father always say, it's time for you to go out and explore more."

After much hesitation, Chen Qun finally made up his mind, bowed and said, "I will reply to Cao Zian and accept the position of Assistant Prefect of Chenliu!"

Chen Ji smiled, said nothing more, turned around and went back to his study to continue reading.

……

After returning from Yingchuan, Cao Yan temporarily put the matter of inviting Chen Qun out of his mind.

Because he had something more important to deal with: the soap was going on sale!

In front of the shops at the east gate of Chenliu City, Cao Hong was directing his employees to hang up plaques.

The three gilded characters of "Liuxiang Pavilion" gleamed in the sunlight, and the area in front of the gate was crowded with curious people.

Cao Hong shouted at the top of his lungs, "Make way! Make way! Today is the official opening of 'Liuxiang Pavilion,' and everyone who enters the store can receive a free bag of soap!"

A commotion arose in the crowd, with people exclaiming in surprise, "Is there really such a good thing?"

People looked at each other, tempted but hesitant to act rashly.

Finally, a few brave men were the first to squeeze in.

Inside the store, various soaps are neatly arranged on the shelves, with floral, fruity, and medicinal scents filling the air.

One person picked up a bar of green soap and asked, "What is this? It smells like fruit."

The shop assistant quickly explained, "This is scented soap, made with floral and fruity fragrances. It not only cleanses but also leaves a pleasant scent on the body." "Really?" The man brought the soap to his nose. "It smells wonderful! But how much does it cost?"

The shop assistant pointed to the counter and said, "Ordinary soaps are twenty coins a bar, medicated soaps are one hundred coins a bar, and the highest grade scented soaps are sold in strings of cash!"

"My goodness, this is way too expensive!" A gasp of surprise rippled through the crowd.

A regular bar of soap costs twenty coins!

Twenty coins could buy half a bushel of millet.

Everyone shook their heads and turned to leave.

"Don't be impatient, everyone!" Cao Hong shouted upon seeing this, "Today is our opening day, all soaps will be discounted by 20%!"
Furthermore, anyone who purchases the scented soap will receive a silk handkerchief personally signed by the renowned scholar Bian Wenli!

Another commotion arose in the crowd.

Bian Rang held a very high position among the famous scholars of Yanzhou, so his signature is naturally of great collectible value.

Upon hearing this, several young men from aristocratic families immediately pulled out their money pouches: "Give me one!"

"If I buy two, can I get two autographed copies of Mr. Wenli's work?" someone else asked.

"One signature per person!" Cao Hong shouted again, "Signatures are limited, first come, first served!"

"I want one! Give me one right now!!"

"Line up! Everyone line up properly! Don't push or shove!!"

Driven by this group of aristocratic youths, soap quickly became a hit.

The news quickly spread throughout Chenliu City.

In less than half a day, all the soaps at Liuxiang Pavilion were sold out.

Cao Hong wiped the sweat from his forehead, a smug smile spreading across his face. "Zian'an's trick of giving away autographed soaps with purchases is truly brilliant!"

Bian Rang was fond of fame, so he certainly wouldn't refuse something that could spread his reputation widely.

So when Bian Rang arrived in Chenliu County and Cao Yan told him about it, he agreed without hesitation.

Moreover, encouraged by Bian Rang, Sima Hui couldn't resist leaving a few pieces of his calligraphy.

However, he did not give his calligraphy as a gift in the shops, but instead gave it to other feudal lords and famous scholars in order to open up the high-end market.

With the added prestige of Bian Rang and Sima Hui,
Cao Yan also brought in local Yanzhou celebrities such as the Wang family of Shanyang, and the name "Liuxiangzao" quickly spread throughout Yanzhou.

Once ordinary people use soap, they are no longer willing to use soap beans.

Moreover, twenty coins a piece was not an unbearable expense for the people of Yanzhou who could earn wages through various jobs during the off-season.

Those high-ranking officials and scions of noble families considered it an honor to own a bar of top-quality, long-lasting scented soap.

For a time, all kinds of soaps were in short supply.

Cao Hong was busy coordinating supplies and constantly opening more stores in various parts of Yanzhou.

He seemed to enjoy his current job more than fighting on the battlefield.

Cao Yan's eyes narrowed with a smile as he watched the increasingly booming sales scene.

In the first month, each of the eight prefectures of Yanzhou opened a "Liuxiang Pavilion" in its capital, with the opening times differing by no more than five days.

Even so, the soap business still earned three thousand strings of cash in the first month!
Even after deducting all costs, there was still nearly a thousand strings of cash left!

To know,
After experiencing large-scale wars, the average annual tax revenue of a province in the Han Dynasty is only 40,000 to 50,000 strings of cash.

Cao Yan's "Liuxiang Pavilion" earned nearly a thousand strings of cash in its first month, even with insufficient supply and inconsistent store opening times!

When Cao Cao learned of this news, he almost fainted.

(End of this chapter)