Chapter 129 - 129 Signed the Contract
129 Signed the Contract
Lu Jiao exposed this much for two reasons. First, she wanted to bewilder Zhao Lingfeng a little. Second, she wanted to see how reliable Zhao Lingfeng was by working on ice and oil production with him. If he proves himself to be reliable, she could stop worrying and partner up with him on the pharmacy.
Other than making money, she wanted to use the spiritual stream water she had to help others.
Zhao Lingfeng and Qi Lei were in shock and asked in unison, “Are you being serious?”
Lu Jiao smiled, “Naturally. Why would I lie to you? Honestly, I want to open my own pharmacy to help others. Medicine is far too rare in this dynasty, resulting in many people being unable to seek doctors. A weak cold can manage to take a life. If I have the resources to make medicine, I’ll make sure the people have what they need to get well.”
For example, if a cold could be cured with cold medicine, it wouldn’t be a big deal at all.
Zhao Lingfeng and Qi Lei became strangely motivated after they heard her speech. To be able to both make money and help the citizens of this dynasty was something they were more than willing to do.
Zhao Lingfeng said, “Then, let’s partner up. Tell me, how do you want to do this?”
Lu Jiao could tell that Zhao Lingfeng was very genuine. He sincerely wanted to work together.
She nodded in satisfaction, “I will offer my formula while you find the people, the space, and the funds. I get 30% of the revenue, Qi Lei gets 10% of it, and you can allocate the remainder as you wish. I’m certain that you will need to use some of it to get things done.”
Lu Jiao’s words stunned Qi Lei. His Master bore him in mind?
He shook his head, “Master, you can have my 10%. I don’t want it.”
Lu Jiao rolled her eyes, “Are you stupid? Saying no to money? Once you have money, you can do whatever you want. You can help others.”
Qi Lei was speechless while Zhao Lingfeng was surprised. He didn’t expect Lu Jiao to only want 30% of it. Though that was still a lot of money, he truly didn’t expect it. The secret formula was the most valuable of all, after all.
Before Zhao Lingfeng could speak, Lu Jiao added, “I’m not taking advantage of you at all. In terms of producing the medicine, you have to use my recipes to get the best quality products. As for cosmeceuticals, you have to follow my formulas as well.”
Zhao Lingfeng and Qi Lei weren’t sure what she meant by cosmeceuticals, “What is that?”
Lu Jiao explained, “Soap with medicinal effects. Products to get rid of dark spots, or to lighten up the skin… Products to lose weight, to promote relaxation… perfume… all those things are cosmeceuticals.”
Zhao Lingfeng and Qi Lei were no idiots and understood. Lu Jiao’s explanation excited them even more. Oh man, if they could sell all those products, they would be so rich! They would also be helping out people.
Zhao Lingfeng couldn’t sit still anymore and started to pace around the room.
“Let’s work together. Hurry, let’s start planning.”
Lu Jiao nodded, “Let’s first make ice to sell. We can make enough money for our future ventures with the ice-selling money.”
Her idea even saved Zhao Lingfeng initial capital. Zhao Lingfeng stared at Lu Jiao and suddenly found her to be far more dazzling than the wealthy missus from the Capital City.
“I’m going to draft up a contract.”
Lu Jiao nodded, “Once we sign, I’ll tell you the formula for ice making. As for the other stuff, there’s no rush. Write up a business plan for me later.”
“Okay.”
The three agreed on this and Lu Jiao left to buy items for her home.
She bought a bunch of food and home gadgets. She’ll soon be rich and she doesn’t need to be frugal anymore.
Rice, flour, oil, salt, sauce, and vinegar were bought by her in bulk. She took everything to an empty alley and shoved them into her space. Then, she’d go back and buy smaller portions to put in her basket.
Other than condiments, she bought pork, ribs, chicken, duck, and fish. For fish, she bought several. Then, she got some baked goods and candy. As for fruits, she had lots grown in her space.
After buying food, she restlessly went to a store to buy Xie Yunjin some new clothes. This time, she bought robes made out of expensive cotton. In this town, there were no clothes made out of silk. However, cotton was comfortable on the body so Lu Jiao didn’t mind. She ended up getting him two sets.
As for the four little ones, she bought some textiles. She planned on making two more sets of clothes for each of the four babies and making them one more set of pajamas each.
As for herself, she decided to wait until she lost more weight.
By the time she was done, it was already late. She quickly went back to Baohe Tang with her basket full.
There, Zhao Lingfeng was done drafting the contract. The three of them signed it. It will need to be stamped by the officials in the government for it to be valid.
She left it to Zhao Lingfeng to take care of.
Lu Jiao told them the way to make ice – by using a big pot filled with saltpeter and a small pot.
Zhao Lingfeng and Qi Lei stared at Lu Jiao in disbelief, “It’s that easy?”
Lu Jiao nodded, “Yes, it’s that easy. Ice-making is just that. Okay, you guys get busy. Qi Lei, give me the works and the sheep. I need to head home and cook. I have four children and a sick husband at home.”
Zhao Lingfeng and Qi Lei didn’t think her method would work. But since she was in a rush, they didn’t stop her.
Qi Lei gave Lu Jiao the two woks and the sheep. He worriedly confirmed with her, “Master, are you sure your method would work? Fill the big pot with saltpeter and water, then place the small pot with water in the big pot, then the water in the small pot would turn into ice?”
“Yes. Do not worry and go give it a try.”
Lu Jiao wanted to use ice-making to test out Zhao Lingfeng and check how reliable he was.
If he isn’t reliable, then she’ll figure out a way to stop working with him.
Lu Jiao took her woks and her sheep to an empty alley. She shoved one of the woks away, as two woks were far too attention-catching.
Despite so, her new wok and her sheep triggered much interest in Lady Zhang and the others. It wasn’t that they were super jealous, they were very intrigued.
“You got this wok from Dr. Qi from Baohe Tang? He got it from the prefectural city?”
Lu Jiao nodded, “Yes, it’s hard to find it where we live.”
The other women nodded. Widow Wang suddenly whispered, “What is that?”
It was very rare to see animals like sheep in the south, let alone this small village. The Xie village didn’t have sheeps in the mountains so not many people recognized it.
Lu Jiao explained, “This is a sheep. I asked Dr. Qi to get me one from the city.”
Lady and the others knew right away what it was when they heard the name. Though they’ve never seen a sheep, they’ve heard of it. They heard that many people in the city liked to eat lamb. However, it was an expensive type of meat and they naturally have never had it.
Lady Zhang asked, “What are you doing with a sheep?”
Lu Jiao pointed at the sheep, “This is a female sheep. I bought it so I can squeeze its milk for the four little ones. They were born premature so they are physically weak. When they were babies, they also didn’t eat well and are still malnourished. They’re very short now and I’m afraid they won’t grow anymore. I decided to buy a sheep so they can start drinking milk.”
Widow Wang exclaimed, “Humans can drink sheep’s milk?”
Lu Jiao glared at her, “Of course. Not only can we drink sheep’s milk, but we can also drink cow’s milk. However, cows are very expensive and I cannot get one right now. Sheep milk will have to do.”
On the side, Aunt Guihua rolled her eyes at Widow Wang, “Jiaojiao is an exceptional doctor. She knows so much more than you. If she says sheep milk is good for you, then it is.”