[Red Chamber] Madam's wishes come true

Not long after Lin Kou left, Zhen Fu began to breathe shortly, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

But that's not impossible for him.

Just thinking that Lin Kou had gone to the Lin family, Zhen Fu's mood became extremely agitated, and his already unsteady mood became more and more out of control.

Fortunately, Zhen Fu quickly adjusted his mood, and managed to regain his composure after taking a few deep breaths.

He picked up the pen, and his eyes fell on the examination paper in front of him.

But even though Zhen Fu had exhausted all his strength, the panic from the heart quickly swept him away, making him unable to even see the topic clearly.

Just when he felt that he couldn't bear it any longer, a familiar footstep sounded and finally stopped in front of him.

Zhen Fu looked up and met Lin Kou's gaze: "Are you okay?"

Zhen Fu closed her eyes, took a deep breath and opened her eyes to look at Lin Kou with a calm expression. She seemed to be infected by her attitude, and immediately nodded seriously: "I'm fine."

Lin Kou sighed, "Then I'm leaving?"

Zhen Fu hesitated for a while, but finally nodded.

Seeing this, Lin Kou simply disappeared from Zhen Fu's sight without looking back, and left in the direction of the gate.

Zhen Fu took a deep breath and buried himself in the questions again.

He persisted for a while just now, but he only did five questions. This time, he must persist for a while longer.

Thinking of this, Zhen Fu quickly set his sights on the examination paper.

Lin Kou was sitting on the carriage, looking down at the book, seemingly not paying attention to Zhen Fu.

But only Bai Xue knew how quickly Madam saw the butler running out in a hurry just now, and how anxious her expression was.

Every time after that, the lady would return home without stopping for a moment when the housekeeper rushed out.

This situation was too strange, and soon attracted the curious eyes of the neighbors around.

But fortunately, Zhen Fu persisted for longer and longer, Lin Kou's frequency of entering the door changed from going in twice for a stick of incense at the beginning, to several hours and not necessarily going in once.

After Zhen Fu could persist for half a day, Lin Kou finally went to the Lin family as agreed.

At this time, almost a month had passed since Lin Kou said that he was going to the Lin family.

But Daiyu and others were not angry.

Firstly, Lin Kou had told them before coming here that he was treating Zhen Fu during this period of time, and due to special circumstances, he might not be able to arrive at the Lin family within the agreed time; secondly, when Lin Kou found out that Zhen Fu could not leave her Afterwards, someone went to Lin's house to explain the situation, and Daiyu and the others were not released.

Seeing Lin Kou approaching now, Daiyu asked in the first sentence, "How is Cousin Zhen doing?"

Lin Kou paused and shook his head: "We have reached the last step. As long as we can survive this step, Zhen Fu can take part in the imperial examination normally."

"Is that going well?" Daiyu was a little worried.

Lin Kou smiled and shook his head: "It's going well, at least I can leave for half a day now, and it will get better and better in the future."

Daiyu was overjoyed at first, and then pulled her to sit next to her in a panic: "It's only half a day, why didn't my sister tell you earlier? Let's not waste time, and deal with all the things that need to be dealt with quickly. Can go home early."

Lin Kou laughed helplessly: "Okay, okay, you said earlier that Baoyu has made the rouge according to my request, what about the stuff? Why don't you show me?"

Tanchun hurriedly handed over a white porcelain jar: "This is the kind of rouge Sister Kou mentioned."

Lin Kou opened it and found that what was inside turned out to be a red paste-like object.

The rouge solidified in the white porcelain pot, dyeing a red gradient in the blank space on the top layer, and the surface of the rouge is so shiny that it also reflects the color of the white porcelain on it. The two complement each other, making people just look After one glance, there is a feeling that this thing must be frighteningly expensive.

Jia Baoyu actually made lipstick?

Surprised, Lin Kou hooked a little bit of it with his fingers, and then applied it on the back of his hand: "It's very moisturizing, and it's really solid. I think it can be made into many different shapes."

Tanchun and the others looked at her curiously.

Lin Kou laughed: "I'm just kidding, it's better to make this thing into a cylinder, so that it's easier to apply on the lips."

Several people are still puzzled.

Lin Kou thought about it, and drew all the lipstick shells after dismantling them, focusing on the spiral structure on the top: "This is the lipstick shell. After the lipstick is finished, before it solidifies, pour it into it. After solidification It's a cylinder."

She explained it again, but because everyone had never seen lipstick, even after understanding Lin Kou's words, the little girls still didn't have a complete image in their minds.

Lin Kou paused, and said helplessly, "It seems that we can only make the finished product."

But it's actually not that difficult.

The Lin family had a few carpenters, and they just handed over the blueprints drawn by Lin Kou to them and asked them to make a shell.

But these rouges...

"Can it be heated and melted?" Lin Kou looked at the rouge in the white porcelain jar, thinking that it would be a pity to melt the lipstick inside later.

But this creamy lipstick is really hard to take in the jar.

Daiyu nodded: "Yes."

After the lipstick shell was made, Lin Kou asked people to heat and melt the rouge, and then poured part of it into it: "It will be fine after it solidifies. In order to stand out from the crowd, you can make a fuss about the shell and make it more beautiful." , You can use some porcelain, glass, or jade to make the shell, and you can also carve and paint, as long as the rouge inside is easy to use, everyone will be willing to spend money to buy some beautiful appearance.”

In fact, the things inside are not easy to use, and there are many people who buy things back because of the appearance——

The matter of buying a basket and returning pearls has never been cut off since ancient times.

But this kind of profiteering behavior, it's better not to teach the little girl badly.

The little girls looked at each other in blank dismay, with many thoughts in their hearts.

The finished lipstick has not been seen yet, but everyone already knows what the casing looks like. If it is just to design the packaging, a few girls can do it.

Lin Kou looked at the sky, and said, "It's getting late, you girls can discuss the specific matters, and let me know when there is a result. I should go."

After a pause, she continued, "Remember to ask Jia Baoyu to make more colors, the more the better."

Daiyu and the others nodded repeatedly, and personally sent Lin Kou to the gate.

When I got home, it was not yet noon.

Lin Kou simply asked Bai Xue to go to the kitchen first, and told the chef what she wanted to eat today, while she stayed in the carriage, preparing to go home after a while.

Once you find the crux, it is easy to treat it.

Both Lin Kou and Zhen Fu were very confident, and they were not in a hurry to get results at all. In such a calm manner, Zhen Fu's psychological shadow caused by Miss Zhen when he was a child was finally completely dispelled.

At this time, Daiyu and the girls finally decided on the packaging of the lipstick——

At the beginning, they only planned to test the water, so they did not intend to invest too much capital in the lipstick casing, which is still a wood-carved casing.

But this does not mean that the appearance of this rouge is cheap.

When Lin Kou had two sets of rouge in sixty colors in total, Lin Kou's eyes widened in amazement at the designs of the girls, even though there were many kinds of lipsticks in modern times.

The two sets of rouge are the flower god series and the beast series. The beast series is based on various myths and legends and the classics of mountains and seas. A few girls carefully selected 24 kinds, including Fei Fei, Nine-tailed Fox, Bai Ze, Suzaku and other appearances. Very cute and drifting mythical beasts are drawn on the rouge shell after artistic reprocessing.

Every kind of divine beast also has its unique pattern on the brows, and the color of the pattern is the color of rouge.

There are 36 pieces in the Flower God series, all of which are based on the flowers that Jia Baoyu added when making rouge. There are a variety of flowers and colors, with carefully designed patterns, which caught Lin Kou's attention in an instant.

This set of rouge is all handmade from the outer shell to the inner rouge. If it is placed before the end of the world, the price must be very beautiful.

But at this time, the price can only be more and never less.

After all, this appearance is doomed, and only a few people can afford it.And these few people, presumably, don't mind spending money for their own preferences.

Lin Kou smiled, and directly put away the two sets of rouge and handed them to Bai Xue: "I'm too lazy to go to the store to buy them, so I'll give this set to me."

Daiyu was taken aback for a moment, and then hugged Lin Kou's arm in surprise: "Sister, sister, can the design of this shell be used?"

Lin Kou laughed: "If this shell can't be used, I don't know what kind of shell can be used. You really should use the second floor of that shop. Believe me, with your aesthetics and skills, you can design it. Jewelry and clothes are bound to be sought after by countless people.”

The little girls almost jumped up in surprise, and even Baochai, who had always been calm, squeezed her handkerchief tightly excitedly.

Lin Kou smiled again: "However, the smell of wine is also afraid that the alley will be deep. In order to let more people know our rouge as soon as possible, Daiyu might as well ask his wife to wear our rouge and go to the banquet." After a pause, he said, "Get ready Give me three sets, and I will give them to General Zhen Guo's wife and my sister-in-law and second sister-in-law, they often attend banquets, and if they can meet more people, they will definitely attract more guests for us."

Daiyu has no answer.

Tanchun said directly: "I'll go back and ask Baoyu to make four more sets!"

After Lin Kou left, the little girls immediately got busy.

Because of Xiren's previous betrayal, Baoyu can be regarded as a good learner now, and the prescription of this solid rouge was hidden to death, except for Tanchun and the others, even the old lady didn't tell it.

But he was really not sure about this kind of solid rouge. He blamed himself and worried, and his whole spirit was tense to the limit. When he came back with the good news, Baoyu couldn't hold back, and immediately shed tears.

After a long time, he finally stopped crying: "I still have leftovers from the rouge I made earlier, and I can make another five sets, so I'll go and make them for you."

After speaking, he turned around and ran away.

Looking at Baoyu like this, Tanchun couldn't help thinking of his carefree and high-spirited appearance, and felt a little sour in his heart.

But fortunately, everything is changing for the better.

In the same situation as Baoyu, there is another Jia Yun.

At the beginning when Xichun recommended Jia Yun, Jia Yun made up her mind to help a few girls start this business after knowing it. Who would have thought that what would happen later?

Even if Jia Yun is not responsible for this matter, he sees the sales of rouge decrease day by day, and his psychological pressure is getting bigger and bigger day by day.

Now that there are new products, Jia Yun is more active than anyone else.

He has even thought of several ways to publicize. As soon as the new product arrives, he will immediately start publicizing it everywhere. Coupled with the "carrying goods" of Jia Min and the hostesses of General Zhen Guo's mansion, this kind of new product has just appeared. Rouge quickly captured the hearts of many ladies and ladies.

The point is, because this solid lipstick has two sets of [-] colors, many ladies have a collection problem, or they really like most of the colors, and even want to collect them all because they like the appearance of these solid rouges. All the beasts and flowers, so I simply bought all the rouges of all colors.

In a short period of time, this kind of solid lipstick has become popular in the capital, and there are signs of radiating to surrounding areas.

This rouge is so popular that it directly compares the business of Xiren who stole the recipe to mud.

Although there are still many people who can't afford authentic products, they will buy rouge from Hua's stalls, but they are no longer as popular as before.

After all, although Xiren stole Fang Zi at the beginning, Jia Baoyu has researched more colors during this time.

The products of the two companies are no longer the same.

However, Hua Xiren doesn't care too much now, because the family has found a high family for her to be a concubine according to her request.With a life of luxury and good food, who would like to do business in the wind and rain?

Lin Ruhai never imagined that after selling the examination papers of Dayang over the years, he would have a day to do business for the imperial court.

Correct me, this time it's not for the court, but for the emperor himself.

The emperor is suffering. He only found out after he succeeded to the throne that not only the treasury was completely empty, but even the House of Internal Affairs had very little money. With that little money, he had to support a large group of women and servants in his harem, as well as The Supreme Emperor and his women and children.

He is poor!

The overlord wants face the most. When he is still alive, he should never try to get rich by copying his family.

But with so many people pointing at him to support him, he must have a way to make money, right?

During this time, when the emperor went to the harem, he could always hear the concubines mentioning a new kind of rouge outside the palace, and said that that kind of rouge was very popular now, and if someone didn't have a set of Baoyu rouge, he would hardly be able to hold his head up in the capital.

Baoyu?

The emperor thought he had misheard the name.

How could the emperor, as a royal, not have heard of Jia Baoyu's "good reputation" for jade?Not only had he heard of it, even though Jia's house had been ransacked for so long, he was still deeply impressed by it.

After being investigated, the emperor confirmed that Baoyu Rouge, the precious jade, was really the original Jia Baoyu.

But he didn't take it seriously, after all, Jia Baoyu was related to Yan Zhi, not a certain general or prince, so why should he be worried?

On the contrary, he cared more about the rouge that Jia Baoyu made.

The emperor obviously didn't understand rouge, but if that rouge sold so well, it must be making money!

The emperor didn't want to grab Jia Baoyu's business, but he knew everything. This rouge can be sold for so much money, but what about gouache?What about the things that concubines use for makeup and maintenance?What about those prescriptions hidden by old mothers for many years?

Which one is worthless?

Not only these things, the emperor even picked up the whole Ministry of Internal Affairs, as long as he thought the things were good, he would take them all out.

When Lin Ruhai appeared in front of the emperor, he didn't see the emperor at first sight, but...

I saw all kinds of decorations piled up in the entire hall.

No wonder the emperor summoned him this time not in the Qianqing Palace, but directly sent him to the main hall of the court. It turned out that the Qianqing Palace could not accommodate so many things?

The corner of Lin Ruhai's mouth twitched.

After knowing the emperor's "genius" idea, Lin Ruhai not only twitched the corners of his mouth, but his entire face twitched.

His Majesty the emperor, is this an addiction to doing business?

But Lin Ruhai also knew that the emperor did not have much money in the treasury or private treasury.Because of Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng's husband and wife opening up the market in the past few months, the treasury's sales have been increasing every month. This business alone has earned more than 100 million silver for the treasury.

The treasury is rich, but the private treasury is not.

It's just His Majesty the Emperor...

Lin Ruhai looked at the things that filled the hall, and instantly lost the ability to speak.

The emperor himself knew exaggeration, but: "Lin Aiqing, you don't need to take everything to the private sector for business, you just need to pick out the ones that can make money."

Lin Ruhai: "...But I don't know what can make money."

Whether it is the test paper business or the rouge business, it was all proposed by his daughter, but one was proposed by Daiyu, and the other was the idea of ​​the little girl, and the other girls were responsible for the implementation.

During the whole process, did Lin Ruhai have a dime relationship with him?

He also came up with a few sets of questions, provided the examination papers, and by the way provided a place for the girls to discuss business matters?

emperor:"???"

"You are a minister of the household department, and you don't know how to make money. Is this appropriate?" The emperor looked at him in disbelief.

Lin Ruhai was stunned: "When will the Minister of the Household Department know how to make money?"

The two monarchs and ministers looked at each other in blank dismay, feeling that the other party had a serious misunderstanding of the position of Minister of the Household Department.

but……

The arms are always unable to hold the thighs, and His Majesty finally succeeded in redefining the scope of responsibilities of the official position of Hubu Shangshu.

Lin Ruhai had to start learning how to do business.

For the first half of his life, Lin Ruhai studied for imperial examinations and served as an official in the court. If you ask him to talk about how to study and become an official, he can still explain it to you in a simple way, but business?

I don't understand at all.

If not, those bookstores of the Lin family would not have existed half-deadly for so many years without changing.

But he had to listen to the emperor's orders.

Although if Lin Ruhai really refused this task, the emperor would not do anything to him, but Lin Ruhai couldn't help worrying that after the emperor became poor and crazy, he would simply give up doing business to make money and instead make money from less formal channels. For example... ransacking the house... forcing the ministers to pay back the money... raising the commercial tax... conniving the officials below to take bribes...

If the emperor really wants to make money, there are too many ways.

That is to say, the His Majesty on their heads is really sympathetic to the common people, and his temperament is also right. If the Supreme Emperor is changed...

In short, Lin Ruhai still wanted to fulfill the emperor's request.

——Even if he doesn't know how to do business, wouldn't it be good to find someone who can do business?

Lin Ruhai found Lin Kou.

An emperor who likes to do business?It's quite interesting.

Lin Kou didn't reject Lin Ruhai, and went to Lin's house to look at the things he brought back from the palace: "If you want to make money, you can make money, but if you put the label of the court, I'm afraid it won't be so good?"

Lin Ruhai had no choice but to whisper: "The emperor has no money, the treasury and myself have no money."

Lin Kou: "..."

This is really an unexpected answer.

But seeing that the emperor didn't think about adding gifts even though he was short of money, she decided to help the emperor: "In the face of the country, these businesses can't be done. Once we do, our majesty's reputation will be ruined. But some businesses can still be done.”

"for example?"

"Fix the road."

"Build the road?"

"Fix roads and collect tolls. It doesn't need to be very expensive, but as long as enough roads are repaired, the annual tolls will be a huge amount."

"Building roads is a waste of money and people..."

"It's a dirt road. I know something called cement. It can be mixed with sand, literate children, etc., mixed with water, and spread on the road. After two or three days of flattening, it will solidify. People walking on it will not stick to the soles of their shoes. Carriage It’s not bumpy to drive on.”

Building dirt roads today is different from modern times. At this time, in order to make the road last longer, the dirt road has to be dug out and compacted again and again, beaten with a hammer, and paved with compound soil...

Much more troublesome than concrete roads.

Lin Ruhai fell into deep thought.

Lin Kou thought about what Lin Ruhai said before that the national treasury was poor, and said with a smile, "Even if the imperial court doesn't build roads, they can still sell cement. Let other people build roads, and then just sell a naming right."

Lin Ruhai's eyes lit up instantly.

Lin Kou then wrote the cement formula to Lin Ruhai: "The raw materials of this product are common and easy to mine, and the cost is also cheap. I’m afraid it will take some time to build roads.”

Lin Ruhai nodded: "I will talk to the emperor."

After the two talked about this matter, they chatted a few more gossips, and Lin Kou said another thing: "I have a big happy event to tell the master when I come here today. Zhen Fu's problem has been solved. We’re going back to Jinling, and we’re getting ready for the provincial examination next year. We’ll be leaving around the end of the year.”

Lin Ruhai was very pleasantly surprised: "Fu'er's strange problem has completely healed?"

Lin Kou nodded with a smile: "It's all over. He has started to do the test questions of the township exam, and he is slowly recovering his previous knowledge. Only the theory has been left behind for too long, and the writing is a bit jerky. He also said Try your best, if you can't, then come and ask the master."

Lin Ruhai laughed loudly: "Just let him come. I'm worried that no one will let me show off after Mr. Ke left. I'm not used to it."

Mr. Ke is Daiyu's former teacher, and he may have accumulated a lot of knowledge. He got a good rank in the first time he took part in the general examination, and later took part in the imperial examination and also passed the second-class Jinshi. Now he has been admitted to the Imperial Academy The court became an official.

Daiyu's teacher is now a Jinshi, but she is old, besides teaching students, she just drinks tea and amuses birds and plays chess, so she really can't get along with Lin Ruhai.

Lin Kou nodded with a smile, "Then I will trouble the master."

For the next six months, Zhen Fu really came to ask questions every day. He was indeed talented. Once the psychological problems were no longer hindering him, he not only picked up his previous foundation in an extreme time, but also made further progress under Lin Ruhai's guidance.

So at the end of the year, Zhen Fu and Lin Kou went to Jinling after confirming that he was sure of his fate this time.