Chu Chen nodded heavily, "We must be extremely careful. If we are discovered, there could even be a threat to our lives!"
Shao Lili's brows furrowed, clearly not fully understanding.
"If you sell soap to neighboring countries, you will undoubtedly amass a vast fortune. Then, you can exchange that wealth for grain. What consequences would that lead to?"
"What consequences?" Shao Lili still couldn't quite grasp Chu Chen's words.
Chu Chen lightly tapped his fingers on the table, "The most simple and direct result is that the neighboring countries' grain reserves will shrink significantly, and grain prices will skyrocket in the short term."
"And if, at this time, a natural disaster strikes..."
"The people will have no means to live!" Shao Lili, being well-traveled and knowledgeable, immediately provided her answer.
"But even so, it shouldn't reach the point of life-threatening danger, should it?" Shao Lili remained somewhat perplexed.
"That's not entirely accurate," Chu Chen shook his head. "These are just the most superficial consequences."
The profit from selling soap would undoubtedly be greater than that from grain, placing the Yunyue Kingdom in an advantageous position in international trade.
Simply put, with soap as a single product, the Yunyue Kingdom could extract a large amount of wealth from other countries while simultaneously acquiring vast quantities of grain.
One or two years might not show a significant impact.
However, once a year of poor harvest occurred, or even if war broke out, these profits and grain would transform into the Yunyue Kingdom's most potent sharp blade, piercing the enemy's heart with force!
In this era, research into the patterns of economic change was still rudimentary. Few people could grasp the power of simple economic trade.
But Chu Chen never underestimated the wisdom of elites from any era.
Even with a one-in-ten-thousand possibility, he would consider it.
Therefore, if his plan were to be discovered, the first targets of retaliation from enraged neighboring countries would be these merchants engaged in trade.
Shao Lili, however, was quite relaxed about this.
"You're worrying a bit too much," Shao Lili chuckled softly. "If you don't explain clearly, even I don't know what you're trying to do."
"So, don't worry, there won't be any problems."
Shao Lili waved her hand dismissively.
"At first, I thought you were asking me to do something dangerous. Turns out it's just this small matter."
"Then you'll be giving me the formula for free."
Shao Lili appeared full of confidence.
Chu Chen, however, issued a reminder, "The grain I want must be purchased from other countries. Absolutely not from our own country!"
"If I discover otherwise, not only will all our previous cooperation be nullified, but I will personally report it to His Majesty, and you will bear all consequences yourself!"
"Little Chenzi!" Princess Xinyue exclaimed in dissatisfaction, "Why so serious!"
"It's alright, it's alright," Shao Lili said indifferently. "After all, it's a matter entrusted by His Majesty; it's quite normal to take it seriously."
"Your Highness, you misunderstand. It's not that I don't trust Sister Lili," Chu Chen smiled apologetically. "No matter who it is, one cannot guarantee the absolute loyalty of their subordinates."
"Isn't that so?"
"Are you worried that my subordinates might pass off inferior goods?" Shao Lili frowned.
Chu Chen nodded slightly, "That is precisely it."
"The profit difference between purchasing grain from our own country and purchasing it from another country and transporting it back is too significant. It's hard to guarantee that someone won't harbor ill intentions because of it."
"So... I hope Sister Lili will pay close attention and keep a good watch over your subordinates."
Chu Chen explained, "It's not that I don't trust Sister Lili, but rather that people's hearts are unpredictable. It's better to make thorough preparations."
Shao Lili nodded, somewhat reluctantly accepting Chu Chen's explanation.
...
The intention to cooperate had been settled, and the remaining issues were matters of detail.
It was then that Chu Chen finally witnessed why Shao Lili was able to become the undisputed leader of the entire Shao family.
When it came to matters of profit, Shao Lili fought for every inch, displaying extreme assertiveness.
She even invoked her relationship with Princess Xinyue, attempting to play the emotional card.
But Chu Chen had also been through trials.
The marketplace was like a battlefield. In his previous life, he had fought his way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood, so he wouldn't be easily manipulated by Shao Lili.
Finally, after three days of intense negotiation, both parties finalized the details of their cooperation.
Chu Chen could have invoked His Majesty's authority to forcefully secure his interests, but he chose not to.
Doing so carried too much unpredictability. If Shao Lili were to become dissatisfied and slacken even slightly, Chu Chen would be the one to suffer.
Shao Lili also knew that Chu Chen could have done this. Therefore, out of consideration for Chu Chen's sincerity, she made concessions in many areas.
Overall, both parties were highly satisfied with this cooperation.
Shao Lili obtained the formula she desired and stood to make a great deal of money, while Chu Chen had also taken a significant step forward on his path to completing his mission.
The renovation of Chu Chen's shop was completed on schedule, paved by money, and it would soon be open for business.
Concurrently, soap began to gain popularity among the nobility of the Yunyue Kingdom.
The Prime Minister's residence.
"My lord, quickly come and smell this! This soap truly has a delightful fragrance," the Prime Minister's wife extended her slender fingers towards the Prime Minister.
"The items bestowed by His Majesty are indeed excellent," the Prime Minister's wife said with satisfaction.
But then she sighed, "It's a pity. His Majesty only bestowed a few small pieces, and they'll be used up in no time."
"Hey, why don't you ask His Majesty if he can bestow more?"
"Nonsense!" Chen Yuanliang snorted. "Do you think I can get whatever I want?"
"I was just joking!" the Prime Minister's wife said indignantly. "I heard that they sell soap in Shuangyue City."
"In my opinion, what His Majesty bestowed isn't anything particularly precious!"
"What? They sell it in Shuangyue City too?" the Prime Minister was taken aback. "Where did you hear that?"
"Do I need to hear it?" the Prime Minister's wife earnestly admired her washed fingers. "The entire Shuangyue City is buzzing about it!"
"Everyone knows!"
"I heard it's quite cheap too, only three taels of silver for a large piece, and the quality is no worse than what His Majesty bestowed!"
The Prime Minister nodded thoughtfully.
He instinctively felt that something was amiss and immediately arranged for someone to investigate.
In fact, the fame of the "His Majesty's Same Style Soap" had already spread throughout Shuangyue City!
That's right, this was precisely the advertisement that Chu Chen had hired people to spread!
In the advertisements he had people promote, it was clearly stated that this was "His Majesty's Same Style Soap," with a ten-fold compensation for fakes, and honest dealings with everyone!
The form of advertising appeared much earlier than people might imagine.