Chapter 158:
High cloth selling price means his costs are also high.
According to her observations, dyeing in this world is currently simplistic. Most people in the village wear hemp cloth, gray, and blue cloth. Besides poverty, it must be due to insufficient dye, or perhaps some colors have not yet been developed or discovered.
Since they run such a large cloth dyeing workshop, who wouldn’t want to dye more rich and colorful hues, leaving others in the dust? Of course, every cloth dyeing workshop surely has dedicated personnel to test raw materials for dyeing cloth.
But who can match the complete herbs and ore that the modern era has already summarized?
That would require much more time and effort.
If it can help him dye more colors while also reducing the heavy and complex processes during their printing and dyeing, how could he not value this?
“It’s not some special method, but I’ve tidied up some herbaceous plants and ore that can be used for dyeing cloth. What I told you earlier was just a tiny part. There are also methods to reduce dyeing loss. I believe you’ve felt it—this isn’t just empty talk.”
“Whether it is or isn’t, you’ll know once you see it.”
Luo Zhi’er smiled faintly and took out from her bosom something she had written at home over two days. This was knowledge she had absorbed in the modern era, recorded bit by bit in her mind.
Jiang Shaoqing took the paper, and what met his eyes was rows of delicate small seal script characters. He hadn’t expected her to look rough, yet her handwriting was so refined.
“I really didn’t expect that Luo Niangzi knows how to write.”
“Father sent me to school for a while when I was young.”
“I see.”
The handwriting was so refined, as if a thousand gold young lady lived inside her body.
Looking further down, his eyes widened more and more.
On the paper, corresponding colors had matching tables drawn, with related herbaceous raw materials and ore names below, and annotations at the end.
The herbaceous plants and ore fuels she had just mentioned were all recorded.
Even methods for dyeing cloth were mentioned, especially for dyeing blue: “First vat with clear water, then nine identical vats of blue. The first dye will be lighter, the second will be different—whatever color you want, that’s the color it will be.”
Nine vats with the same dye—to deepen, just dip in the next vat again, layering sequentially. Wouldn’t this solve their problem of inconsistent shade depths every time they dye?
Batch by batch.
The cloth dyed in each vat is one batch, one color.
“Who exactly are you?”
Jiang Shaoqing’s gaze was intense, staring at her. How could this be something she summarized herself?
If not a folk remedy obtained from somewhere, then perhaps her family used to be a major cloth dyeing household?
It was as if he wanted to see through her.
These raw materials for dyeing cloth are trade secrets for any cloth workshop, obtained through countless trials—no one would publicize them. Their Hong Futai also accumulated experience generation after generation from their ancestors.
How could she possibly know?
“I’m just me, Luo Zhi’er, no one else. If not for San Mao, I wouldn’t give you this recipe. You know, this thing is quite valuable.”
Luo Zhi’er didn’t blush or skip a beat, with nothing to hide. However, she wouldn’t tell where her things came from.
“Young Master Jiang, I, Luo Zhi’er, don’t have the funds to open a dye house, nor much interest. Since I’m willing to give you these things, it’s because I want to promote and pass down this craft. But though I’m just a peasant woman, I have my secrets. I hope you won’t pry too deeply. My request is simple: release my husband. I just want to live a simple, peaceful life with him. Also, keep it confidential—this recipe isn’t from me, Luo Zhi’er!”
Although Jiang Shaoqing suspected where her recipe came from, this indeed solved his urgent problem. Even without Second Uncle and Jiang Xuan, he could keep the Jiang Family’s cloth dyeing going.
How could he not doubt it? She gave him this so easily. This recipe could even be called priceless, all just to save her husband Li Sanmao?
Is her husband so important to this woman?
But the person before him had such sincere eyes, without the slightest hesitation. Jiang Shaoqing slowly spoke,
“Are you sure no one else knows about this?”
“Naturally.”
“Really just releasing Li Sanmao?”
Luo Zhi’er affirmed it.
“Then it’s settled.”
The two came out one after the other. Many of the female guests still in the hall had attitudes of watching a joke. Ye Beiyao was also a bit worried.
He knew if this matter wasn’t handled well, Shaoqing might become distant from him. But he couldn’t help lending this favor.
The recipes and sales operation things also took up a big part, but he knew it wasn’t all.
“Luo Niangzi, take care. Thank you for making a special trip to Jiang Mansion today. Until next time!”
What?
She wasn’t driven out?
Why was Young Master Jiang so polite, personally seeing her out, even mentioning a next time?
This was Hong Futai’s young master from Jiangnan—how could she, Luo Niangzi, have the face to meet him again?
Even the Old Madam was baffled.
She gave a cold face to Luo Zhi’er behind Jiang Shaoqing, thinking that once the guests left, she must ask about it.
Although Shaoqing was disheartened by family matters, he absolutely shouldn’t develop thoughts for a countryside cook like this. She must teach him a good lesson.
On the way back, since Chef Xie was taking Pan’er and the others back to the restaurant to bring the belongings home.
She and Ye Beiyao walked together on the street.
Ye Beiyao’s eyes gazed deeply at her. “What exactly did you say to Shaoqing?”
“Owner, that’s a secret.”
Luo Zhi’er said mysteriously, her eyes blinking with a hint of slyness, looking confident enough to draw people in.
Hands behind her back, she hummed a light, joyful tune: “A happy little frog, la la la la la. Lend me a pair of wings, and I can become a little sun.”
“Are you that happy?”
“What?”
“Your man Li Sanmao is about to be released, and you’re that happy?”
“Of course! With San Mao out, Miaomiao won’t have to worry about Father all day!”
She didn’t know if she might suddenly leave this world. She really liked Miaomiao and their little family of three.
Ye Beiyao suddenly felt a bit sour inside. Knowing she was married, he envied the longing in her eyes so much.
But today, it seemed someone else had discovered her uniqueness again, like his possession was being peeked at, making him feel a bit stifled.
“Don’t forget the remaining recipes.”
“Rest assured, I won’t disappoint you.”
The dishes at today’s banquet were extremely delicious; it was his first time eating them. Although she had given him the recipes, she had promised dozens more remaining.
He knew she wasn’t lying. Deep down, he was constantly shocked, his worldview refreshed. He didn’t know how much delicious food she had made and eaten as a child, but he was certain this person must have been very lonely growing up to spend time alone making food.
“That clothing is nice.”
“If the owner is willing, this chef uniform and employee uniforms can be made according to this template.”
“I’ll give you the pattern diagram. Find someone at a clothing workshop to make them. Then distribute to Yumian Tower employees to wear during work hours—it will definitely attract the eyes of many in Taoyuan Town.”
“Good!”
“Also for marketing, like this… Of course, I want a share for this. I won’t ask for much—three-tenths of all Yumian Towers nationwide will do.”
“What? I get seven, you get three, and your appetite isn’t small.”
