☆ Chapter 78: Apocalyptic Survival Supplies
"certainly."
Zhou Mujiao asked Boss Tang to wait a moment, then went into the room and brought out a few sheets of paper.
“I’ve said before that I don’t really want to go into the catering business because it requires too much investment. However, considering that Mr. Tang has already established a presence in Yuzhou, it would be a waste to leave it unused. So I want to collaborate with Mr. Tang to create a post-apocalyptic survival kit.”
A post-apocalyptic survival kit? What's that?
Mr. Tang didn't understand: "Could Miss Zhou please explain in more detail?"
Zhou Mujiao cleared her throat and explained in simple terms: "To put it simply, I'm making several types of food that are easy to carry and can be stored for a long time. This one is a self-heating pot. Just add some water to the bottom according to the instructions, and you can enjoy hot rice."
This one is called instant noodles. You can eat it just by soaking it in boiling water. It's convenient, quick, and hygienic.
These last two are the ones I really want to make. They're called compressed biscuits. One biscuit can keep you full for a day. They're small and take up little space. Keep a box of them at home. In case of natural disasters or war, a box of biscuits can keep a family of four full for at least seven days. Even in times of peace, they can be eaten as snacks to pass the time.
This concentrated nutrient water is quite difficult to make, and I'm not sure if I can make it. But if I could, eating it with biscuits would greatly increase the survival rate. Even without floods or famines, carrying a spare would prevent someone from dying within two days if they fell into a deep valley or abandoned well.
Self-heating meals, instant noodles, compressed biscuits, and nutritional drinks.
These are things that Boss Tang has never even heard of before!
Although collaborating with Zhou Mujiao was a sure-fire way to make money, he was also afraid of being accused of possessing something that wasn't available on the market at all!
Mr. Tang hesitated for a moment: "Miss Zhou, don't you have anything more common?"
Zhou Mujiao thought he would press her to tell her where she got the recipe, but it seems that this Boss Tang is very clever.
She was just a peasant girl in her early teens, who grew up in hardship. For the first ten years or so, she was timid and weak. After leaving the Zhou family, her personality suddenly changed drastically. She also learned so many words and knew so many things that others did not know. Her knowledge increased greatly. This transformation was simply earth-shattering. It could not be fooled by the excuse that she had hidden her talents before.
The villagers might not have realized it for a moment, thinking that the Zhao family had really turned their luck around and that she had become like this because of the Zhao family's influence and because she had Zhao Yunjing as her backer.
But Boss Tang is different. Boss Tang's business may not be very large, but his knowledge far exceeds that of 99% of the people in Peach Blossom County. There are some things that even the county magistrate would probably have to ask him about. And what Zhou Mujiao is showing him now is something that he has never heard of, let alone seen, in all his years of traveling around the country.
As clever as Boss Tang is, he naturally knows that good things can't withstand close scrutiny. His feigned ignorance here is enough to show that this person is very sincere and ambitious.
"There are simpler options, but the raw materials need to be sourced from the south. There are some locally, but in small quantities. If you want to grow your business, become strong and sustainable, and build your own brand, you still need to source them from the south and transport them to the north. In addition, you need a lot of ice and jars, and you also need to dig a lot of cellars in advance."
Zhou Mujiao looked at the sky: "It's been autumn for several days now. I'm afraid we can only make a little bit this year. Besides, this stuff is only valuable when sold in winter."
The fact that the price is higher in winter indicates that the raw materials are only available in spring and summer, and the fact that they specifically mentioned sourcing them from the south suggests that it's related to fruit...
Mr. Tang quickly guessed what was going on. He thought for a moment and said, "It's not very interesting to make small things, and this thing shouldn't be too difficult. I can make it with a little practice... Miss Zhou, let's not make the cookies for now. We can discuss it in detail when the time is right. Let's make self-heating rice and instant noodles first."
Zhou Mujiao gave a half-smile.
Mr. Tang laughed as well: "Miss Zhou, are you looking at me like that because you think I'm trying to find out your secrets or steal your recipe to make it myself?"
“Conditions,” Zhou Mujiao chuckled. “Mr. Tang is so willing to cooperate with me, there must be some other conditions.”
"It was Mr. Tang who begged to cooperate with you; it is you, Miss Zhou, who should set the conditions."
"In cooperation, no one should be begging anyone else. Partners should be equal. My decision to cooperate with you, Mr. Tang, is naturally based on your financial resources and existing channels. Without you, I might not be able to succeed on my own. Even with a mountain of treasures in my hands, I wouldn't be able to make money."
“Miss Zhou is right. There should be equality among partners. But I have money and channels, but no secret formula and nothing to sell. These channels will soon belong to someone else. Miss Zhou can keep her secret formula for a few years or even a decade or more and still make money. Whether Tang’s channels will still exist is another matter. People may not even live to see that time.”
"Miss Zhou, please allow me to show off just this once. I want to become the biggest merchant in the Great Liang Kingdom."
Zhou Mujiao smiled: "Since both parties are interested and so sincere, let's settle on it. This is the contract agreement for the self-heating rice, which includes the rights and obligations of each party. If Mr. Tang has read it and finds no problems, then sign it. My contract agreement with Sister Liu will be filed with the government, and my future agreements with Mr. Tang will also need to be filed with the government. What does Mr. Tang think?"
"That's natural. Although this contract relies on the mutual consent of both parties, the guidance and supervision of the government notary office will ensure that our cooperation lasts longer."
After finishing speaking, Mr. Tang looked down at the contract.
There were two contracts. One was the contract for Boss Tang and Zhou Mujiao to jointly open a business. The terms and conditions were listed in great detail and were easy to understand. The other was a product agreement, which stipulated the initial budget, mid-term publicity and market development, later sales plan, profit sharing and other items. She also drew simple charts, which were very intuitive at a glance.
After reading it, Boss Tang was deeply impressed. He stared intently at Zhou Mujiao and finally couldn't help but ask, "Miss Zhou, your plan is very clear and concise, especially the charts, which are very easy to understand... Miss Zhou, could you please tell me which master you have studied under? Could you please introduce me?"
Zhou Mujiao spoke nonsense with a straight face: "I did indeed become a disciple of a reclusive master, but my master has been gone for many years. Before he passed away, he instructed me not to reveal my identity before I turned eighteen. I always kept my master's instructions in mind, but unfortunately, the Zhou family did not give me a way out... Although my master has passed away, he still left me a few books. When the time is right, Mr. Tang, I will give you a copy."
Whether Mr. Tang believed it or not, Zhou Mujiao certainly did.
Boss Tang showed the contract to Manager Su, and the two discussed it for a while. Boss Tang said he had no objections.
Zhou Mujiao nodded: "Then five days later, we will go to the government office together for notarization and filing. I will write down the materials and methods for you at that time. This is what Boss Tang needs to prepare in the early stage. This form does not need to be filed. It can also be considered part of the secret recipe."
Mr. Tang readily agreed and didn't linger. They arranged a time to go to the notary office, and he took the documents and left.
Zhou Mujiao tidied up the table, put the things back in the room, and was about to leave when she noticed that the things on the table seemed to have been moved!
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