The Way of Spiritual Journey

Chapter 34, The Invention of Soap

"What are you waiting for? Go now!" Wolong was anxious at this moment and shouted. He didn't know what had happened to his face, but he felt a strange unease in his heart.

"Oh, oh!" The waiter was startled awake by the shout and hurriedly went out to fetch water.

"Ah! Li Lang, I hate you!" When Wolong clearly saw his face in the basin of water, his anger reached its peak. "I'm disfigured! How can I ever face anyone again? Waaah, I want you to pay me back!"

There's a saying that goes, "When a man gets into trouble, women have nothing to do with him." But when a fat man gets into trouble, things get really complicated. Especially since this is a fat man who doesn't play by the rules.

Li Lang seemed to be frightened; his face turned terrifyingly dark, a sign that he was about to have an attack.

When Fengchu saw Li Lang's expression, he was startled and quickly pushed Wolong towards the door, saying, "Come on, come on, I'll smear some soot on you, and you'll still be a handsome fat man."

Watching the Crouching Dragon and the Phoenix Chick walk out the door, Li Lang took a deep breath and slowly calmed himself down.

"Brother Lang, is there something wrong with that Fatty?" Shi Butong seemed a little shocked. He hadn't expected Fatty to react so strongly. He pointed to his head and asked tentatively.

"Hmm, he probably ate too much pig brain. We can't let him eat random things anymore." Li Lang nodded thoughtfully.

Then came a moment of silence.

"Brother Lang, this thing must be very valuable, right?" After a moment, Shi Butong broke the silence, picked up the crystal-clear object on the table, and asked again.

"It can't be called precious. This item requires dozens of rare materials and undergoes hundreds of complicated processes, repeatedly refined. Especially when used in bathing, it can refresh one's spirit and energy, making the ordinary stand out and the extraordinary excel, leaving one radiant and surrounded by a unique fragrance. It can be said to be quite precious." Seeing Shi Butong take the initiative to ask questions, Li Lang was delighted and, of course, would answer to the best of his knowledge.

"This is truly amazing! Does this thing have a name?" Shi Butong exclaimed in admiration after hearing Li Lang's words.

"This thing is called soap, and it is recorded in an ancient and mysterious book. Alas, if I weren't short of money, I would never have shown this magical thing to people." When he said this, Li Lang's expression was complicated, as if he was conflicted and regretful.

"Short of money? Is this something you're planning to sell? If such a good product could be mass-produced, wouldn't it be hard not to get rich? Thank God, my chance to turn my life around is right in front of me." It has to be said that although Shi Butong's emotional intelligence is a bit low, he still has some intelligence.

He has low emotional intelligence because most of the time, he doesn't need it. A silver note is all he needs, and it's an invincible weapon that makes all kinds of girls smile and fawn.

Emotional intelligence is insignificant when it comes to money, and over time, it naturally deteriorates.

Low emotional intelligence isn't a big problem, but low IQ is unacceptable. If you're born into a wealthy family and don't have any cunning, you'll be manipulated long ago, even if you grow up.

Shi Butong had a bit of a scheme in mind; he astutely grasped the point Li Lang was making.

"I wonder if anyone will want this?" Of course, Li Lang was also very perceptive. He noticed Shi Butong's thoughts and decisively threw out the bait.

"What? Nobody wants it? Let me put it this way, if you had a batch of this stuff, I could turn the entire business district of Dadu upside down." Shi Butong waved his hand, instantly exuding the aura of a spoiled brat.

"You mean this business is feasible?" Li Lang's eyes lit up.

"Yes, I can do it! I can do it so well! Here's what I'll do: you leave it to me, and I guarantee you'll make so much money you'll be overwhelmed with worry." Shi Butong started to dangle empty promises.

"Hehe, it's like this, I'm planning to start a company. Oh, I mean a trading company, and the first thing I'll do is this soap business. If you're interested, Brother Shi, you can invest." As for making empty promises, Li Lang had been through the great era in his previous life, so his skill was unfathomable, and he could do it so subtly.

"Do this business first? Brother Lang, do you mean you have other good projects on hand?" Upon hearing Li Lang's words, Shi Butong's eyes lit up, and he was filled with joy. It's true that there's always a way out. He's definitely going to latch onto Young Master Lang's coattails.

"Of course, soap is just a small thing, just something to test the waters. I have plenty of good stuff here." Li Lang smiled, speaking casually yet truthfully.

These past few days, Li Lang and his group may have appeared to be strolling around, but they haven't been idle. He knows exactly what most people have and what they lack. He plans to do exactly what they need, so how could he not make money?

Soap is something that most people don't have.

In Li Lang's memory, most time travelers, besides poetry, could make a fortune selling soap. Why couldn't he?

Therefore, Li Lang decided to make a killing from this simple soap business first. So, Li Lang took some time to make some soap and ordered some porcelain boxes, and that was it.

"Since Brother Lang thinks so highly of me, I certainly can't be ungrateful. But I'm penniless right now and can't go home. I don't have anything to offer as investment." Shi Butong said helplessly, and his words were very honest. It was clear that he was very tempted.

"Ah, your value isn't in money, it's in people," Li Lang shook his head and spoke the truth.

Shi Butong was actually a smart man. With just a little guidance, he understood what Li Lang meant.

Li Lang has money and projects, but he lacks channels, or connections. On the other hand, people like Shi Butong have no shortage of connections; they are something he is born with.

So the two hit it off immediately.

Three days later, in Dadu (Beijing), a trading company opened for business.

Although it was called a trading company, it was actually a residence, a four-courtyard complex. Although it wasn't located in a bustling city, it cost Li Lang almost all of his money.

"Sigh, I still don't have enough money!" Li Lang sighed inwardly.

He carefully selected the house before buying it; he couldn't accept anything too shabby, and he couldn't afford anything too luxurious. He also couldn't let Shi Butong see his predicament.

"This place is perfect. We're in the big business business, targeting the high-end market, so we can't be too ostentatious. We don't serve small vendors to avoid causing trouble."

Looking at the mansion before him, Li Lang was very satisfied with Shi Butong's efficiency. He had accomplished the task in just three days, which was the advantage of having connections.

"It wasn't easy, but I've finally settled down in Dadu." Li Lang thought with great emotion.

He was happy to spend the money, and his business was able to open. The spendthrift idea in his mind was so excited that it trembled and swelled into a golden bar as thick as a little finger, with an imposing aura.

"From today onwards, the Wangcai Cooperative is officially established!" Li Lang led everyone to stand in front of the courtyard, looking up at the plaque hanging high, and announced with high spirits.