Chapter 274 Comes to Life
Relatively speaking, if this matter is related to people's livelihood, as long as someone above takes the lead and provides a ladder, the people below can get down to the bottom step by step much faster than if they themselves are just blindly stumbling around.
Ever since Mr. Bu Ke used Li San Niang's method with the master craftsman and experimented countless times, he finally produced a reusable distillation apparatus that met the requirements, and also obtained purified alcohol with disinfecting properties. This directly led to Li San Niang, who was listed in the Record of Extraordinary People, having her name recorded before Emperor Wu.
What Shijiu and Qiuxiang didn't say is that there are actually two thugs protecting the roof of Li Sanniang's house at night.
Of course, while it's about protection, it also carries a sense of surveillance.
Because of the powerful weapon that alcohol is, Emperor Wu wanted to take this opportunity to vigorously develop productivity. Therefore, he needed young people who could listen to him and were willing to accept reforms. Thus, Xu Jingzhen from the Ministry of War's Assistant Department came forward.
Emperor Wu entrusted Xu Jingzhen with the entire task of managing the alcohol industry. Xu Jingzhen held considerable power, which attracted the attention of many old-fashioned officials in the court.
"Sir, what should we do with this alcohol?"
Facing the newly favored figure in Emperor Wu's eyes, Mr. Bu Ke did not make things difficult for him. He originally wanted to handle the matter well and was somewhat tempted by what Li San Niang said: to integrate the Bad People from the shadows and turn them into a force that could operate openly, just like the Imperial Guards.
"...Besides these two parties, there's also the Women's Assistance Association established by Li San Niang's family, who proposed this method. We should give them a share of the benefits."
Xu Jingzhen never expected to hear the name Li San Niang from Mr. Bu Ke.
"Li San Niangzi? Is that the physician Li San Niang from Changshoufang?"
Mr. Ke raised an eyebrow and looked at Xu Jingzhen with a playful expression: "Oh, Assistant Manager Xu, do you know Third Sister?"
...
Madam Qiu has been very busy these past few days. Ever since she brought gifts to the Li family’s door and heard about the Women’s Assistance Association from Li’s mother, she immediately joined the association and then took her household registration certificate from home to register.
From that day on, just two days later, Li's mother contacted the quartermaster of the Imperial Medical Bureau who had come to her door and got a huge order for Lady Qiu.
“Grandma Li, this… this old woman, even if I work day and night with my Xiuxiu and the aunties who follow me to find work, it’s impossible to work this old in a month.”
"Why do you always get stubborn at crucial moments?"
You don't know how many girls have come to my door these past few days wanting to join the alliance, but just look at how our clubhouse door is open from morning till night, you should know there are quite a few people.
Many of the women who have just joined this time know needlework, but they don't know any delicate work. There's nothing they don't know how to do, like boiling water, pounding, and washing.
You're a meticulous person; even Third Aunt said you did the best.
In this style, you can just be the leader of this group of women and be in charge of whether the inspection is up to standard.
You'd better do a good job. This first time is a stepping stone. Third Sister said that in the future, not only the Imperial Medical Bureau in Chang'an, but all the branches of the Imperial Medical Bureau in the entire Tang Dynasty will need these items.
"At that time, the Imperial Medical Bureau might be able to build a separate facility to hire people for this task. Experienced maids will definitely have an advantage. Once they're in the government's territory, as long as they're willing to work, they won't have to worry about not getting paid."
In her more than twenty years of life, Qiu Niangzi never thought that she could manage people, or become a stewardess in charge of dozens of women.
"...Oh, thank you so much, Granny Li! I will definitely do this job well!"
...
“This sheep trade is easy to arrange. Although my younger brother was assigned to this troupe to make a living, Qi Mude’s half-brothers all had their own pastures. Batu and Buhe’s families both raise a lot of sheep. If these two families don’t have enough, we can find other families to help us.”
Bai Ziyi didn't think it would be difficult for the Li family to come to him through Tuva and Shen Qiuniang, wanting to buy sheep through him.
"Buying once or twice is fine, but if you want to do business year after year, that's hard to say."
"My family has connections with the quartermasters under the Imperial Medical Bureau. They only need the intestines of lambs to make sutures."
If you can find a way, I can't guarantee official approval, but I can certainly get you some common pills at cost price privately.
Li Erxiong's reply ignited Bai Ziyi's passion.
Speaking of the northwest, especially my stepfather's tribe, besides the lack of essential commodities like salt, sugar, and tea, there's also a shortage of medicine.
If they could really get a large quantity of the prepared pills, the business would be much easier. Moreover, it would give Hatake, the youngest son, some face with his stepfather and make things easier for his mother in the tribe.
...
"Master Xiong, is this the end of your shift?"
"Hey, I've taken on a big job lately, so I'm busy until the palace gates are locked before I can go home."
"I knew it! You must have made a lot of money. I could smell the meat coming from your doorstep."
"Haha, just making a living. We're all working for the government, just trying to make ends meet."
Xiong Dadan, who was in his early forties, took a few quick steps and, as soon as he entered the door, he smelled a strong aroma of meat.
"Father is back. The meat will be ready soon, just in time to eat it."
Xiong Dadan nodded and responded, then picked up his little grandson who was circling around him to welcome him home, and took out the snacks he had been rewarded with at the Imperial Workshop that day.
"Is this from the palace?"
While his grandson ate some snacks, Xiong Dadan washed his hands with water scooped up by his grandmother and said, "There were many things to be made today. I finished quickly and was rewarded with a plate of snacks by the supervisor. I couldn't bear to eat them, so I wrapped them up in a handkerchief and brought them home."
Thankfully it was sturdy, otherwise it would have definitely broken when I went for the medical check-up at the door.
Granny Xiong handed the pig pancreas to Xiong Dadan, glancing at the door to see why her son hadn't returned yet, while keeping an eye on Xiong Dadan so she could scoop water to clean it at any time.
"What's wrong? You usually don't have much work, but lately you've been incredibly busy, and you have to come home right on time every day."
After washing his hands, Xiong Dadan picked up his grandson and sat down at the table to wait. He then said to Xiong Apo, "The higher-ups have taken on a lot of work and there's going to be some big moves. The things we're making now are all ordered by the Imperial Medical Bureau. We're just making a batch of samples, and they're supposed to be distributed to various prefectures and counties."
If I could go out and teach others a trade, I'm afraid I could earn even more.
As Xiong Dalang and Erlang entered the house, the Xiong family's evening stewed pork was served. Xiong Niangzi was generous with the seasonings, and the dish smelled wonderful. No wonder the neighbors said they could smell the aroma wafting out of the Xiong family's gate.
Madam Xiong was optimistic. The family's main source of income now depended on her father-in-law, Xiong Dadan, working in the Imperial Workshop in the palace. She had to serve the family's god of wealth well in order to raise her son.
Therefore, once they have money in their hands, they are willing to spend it. Seeing their little boy enjoying his meal is better than anything else.
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