Servants soon brought clear water.
Under Fang Er's direction, Changsun Chong experienced washing his face with soap.
After washing, his usually oily face felt dry.
And it smelled pleasant too.
"Father, this is really good! My face isn't oily at all anymore!"
Changsun Chong excitedly said to Changsun Wuji.
"Are you so kind as to give this business to me?"
Since the soap was so effective, and Fang Er had mentioned its very low cost.
Changsun Wuji didn't believe this fellow would be so generous.
Not long ago, this fellow had been secretly poaching from him!
"Duke Zhao, Fang has always believed that it is better to share joy than to enjoy it alone. Fang truly did wrong regarding the iron ore monopoly, and asks for Duke Zhao's understanding."
"However, the demand for iron from Fang's side is simply too great. Forget five hundred piculs a month; even five thousand or ten thousand piculs might not be enough!"
"Therefore, this soap business is Fang's apology to Duke Zhao. Fang will be responsible for making it and selling it to you at cost price. Fang will not interfere with how you operate it, how about it?"
Upon hearing Fang Er's words, Changsun Wuji fell into thought.
Before the New Year, Empress Changsun had summoned him to the palace to counsel him.
He already held the rank of Duke and was also the Emperor's maternal uncle.
Thus, Empress Changsun had been urging him to restrain himself as much as possible.
Otherwise, what if someone were to mention "foreign relatives interfering in governance" to Li Er.
Although Li Er, out of consideration for Empress Changsun, would not truly do anything to him, it would ultimately cause estrangement between ruler and minister.
The iron ore monopoly was a done deal and could not be changed.
Since Fang Er was now showing goodwill, he might as well seize the opportunity.
"Hahahaha! Good! Truly a young and promising talent! This Duke is getting old, and I will no longer concern myself with these matters from now on."
"If you have business, speak with Chong'er. Chong'er is two years younger than you, so you must take good care of him in the future."
"Chong'er, learn well from General Fang."
Changsun Wuji, having come to a decision, said with a smile to Fang Er and Changsun Chong. He then stood up and prepared to leave the courtyard.
Fang Er's suspended heart finally settled.
He had thought Changsun Wuji would hold onto the monopoly issue.
It seemed that a "sugar-coated bullet" was effective in any era.
"Duke Zhao, Fang needs a large amount of iron ore. Chong'er says he dare not make the decision on this matter."
Fang Er said quickly.
"Chong'er, remember! You are the future young Duke. There is nothing you cannot decide. Go, these matters will be entrusted to you from now on."
Changsun Wuji left without looking back.
Fang Er was delighted.
"Heh heh, since all the authority has been given to Changsun Chong, things will be easy."
Changsun Chong was still stunned.
"What's going on?
"He's just handed over the reins to me?"
"Let's go, back for a drink!"
Returning to Drunken Immortal Tower, he sent for Cheng Chumuo and Yuchi Baolin to be summoned as well.
"Come! Chong'er can now make his own decisions. I'll toast Chong'er first, congratulations!"
Fang Er poured wine for the three of them and raised his bowl to propose the toast.
Cheng Chumuo and Yuchi Baolin had just arrived and did not understand what was happening.
After drinking with them, Cheng Chumuo began to ask for the reason.
After Changsun Chong explained the whole story.
Cheng Chumuo became jealous!
"Damn it!
"The family business was just handed over like that.
"I brought back a weapon and it was snatched away!"
"We have the same father!"
"Why is Old Cheng so unreasonable?"
Yuchi Baolin, however, happily patted Changsun Chong.
"Alright, Chong'er! From now on, if I'm out of money for drinks, I'll come to you!"
"Don't worry! It's all on me! Hahahaha!"
Changsun Chong was very excited.
"Chong'er, don't be happy yet. You need to handle the iron ore matter properly for me! Starting tomorrow, send it to the workshop. I'll notify you when it's enough."
"When it's done, I'll give you a little something to play with."
Fang Er said to him seriously.
"Don't worry, Brother Fang, it will definitely be no problem!"
"But, can you first tell your brother what precious treasure it is?"
Changsun Chong asked curiously.
"You'll know when the time comes."
Having achieved his goal, Fang Er let loose.
He dragged the three of them to the point of getting drunk.
Early the next morning.
Changsun Chong escorted the iron ore to Fang Family Manor's workshop.
Cheng Chumuo and Yuchi Baolin also came along.
They were incredibly eager for the "little something" Fang Er had mentioned.
The cement road had already begun to be paved.
So the ox carts transporting the iron ore departed from Tonghua Gate in Chang'an.
Then they detoured through Changle Village directly to the workshop.
Zhao Gang, seeing the continuous stream of iron ore, began to rub his hands together.
The iron ore was transported by the manor residents, cart by cart, to the warehouse near the blast furnace.
Fang Er took Changsun Chong and the other two to the shooting range.
Watching Fang Er fire the Type 54 pistols with a bang, bang, bang, without reloading.
The three of them's eyes lit up.
"Brother, are you going to give this to us?"
Cheng Chumuo asked expectantly.
"I am going to give it, but it's for Chong'er."
Fang Er shook his head.
Yuchi Baolin was somewhat disappointed but okay.
Cheng Chumuo, however, was not.
He looked at Fang Er with a look of longing.
"Brother, you are playing favorites!"
"Hahahaha, I'm teasing you. Everyone will get one! But use the bullets sparingly, as these bullets are not easy to make."
After saying that, Fang Er took out two more pistols.
He distributed one to each person.
Then, he taught them one by one how to use and maintain them.
The three of them, holding the Type 54s, began to shoot.
After they became familiar with them, he gave each of them a hundred rounds of ammunition and a spare magazine.
"Try to collect the casings, they can be reloaded."
Fang Er led them to pick up the casings in the targets one by one.
They were taken to the bullet assembly workshop and handed over to the craftsmen.
The three left happily.
As they were leaving, Fang Er specifically instructed them to hide them well at home, lest their fathers snatch them away again.
Fang Er wandered around the workshop.
Less than half of the place was currently utilized.
The assembly of bullets was placed in the blacksmith's shop.
Similarly, the printing work was done in the carpenter's shop.
Fang Er had people bring lard from the manor.
He went into the studio and began to try making soap.
He had already made a promise, and it would be awkward if he didn't have the goods.
Before mass production, he needed to standardize the process. Otherwise, relying on these manor residents, it might not be possible to produce acceptable products.
The chemistry book stated that soap could be made by mixing plant ash with lime water, taking the resulting potassium hydroxide solution, and adding oils to produce soap.
There was another method, which was to use sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda.
Caustic soda solution could also be used with oil to make soap.
He first used plant ash and lime water, but after several attempts.
The product made after adding oil almost made Fang Er vomit!
It was soft and shapeless, and the color.
Ugh~~~~~~!
It was too disgusting!
One could imagine a brownish, sticky substance with the smell of burnt hair.
Fang Er, suppressing his discomfort, threw the entire pot outside.