128 Ice Making and Oil Making
Zhao Lingfeng sized up Lu Jiao. When he first met her, he thought of her as a common countryside woman. He didn’t expect her medical skills to be even better than Qi Lei’s.
There were a handful of doctors in the Zhou Dynasty, but very few of them were outstanding. Who knew this woman would be outstanding?
Zhao Lingfeng found this to be unbelievable. Today, he discovered that other than her superb medical skills, her temperament was also extraordinary. It would be impossible for him to believe that she was simply a countryside woman.
Zhao Lingfeng had done his research on Lu Jiao. He knew for a fact that she was born and raised in Apricot Flower Village in Qili. As for her medical knowledge, the rumor was that she was taught by an old grandmother.
Zhao Lingfeng continued to stare at Lu Jiao, who grinned in response, “What is it?”
Zhao Lingfeng shook his head. Whatever. Right now, he had to prioritize business.
“If you have good money-making ideas, we can partner up. Or, you can sell your ideas to us. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you’re fairly compensated for them.”
Zhao Lingfeng was leaning towards buying her ideas rather than cooperating with her.
Naturally, Lu Jiao saw right through him. She didn’t want to force anything.
“Sure. It’s fine if you want to buy some ideas off of me. However, I’m not willing to sell all my ideas.”
Lu Jiao was referring to her pharmacy and cosmeceutical store ideas. If she couldn’t work with Zhao Lingfeng, she’ll find someone else.
Her plan to open a pharmacy and a cosmeceutical store was to make money, as well as bring benefits to the villagers. Since she had access to spiritual stream water, she wanted to help more people.
Qi Lei was a little flustered by this as he gawked at Zhao Lingfeng in disagreement. Previously, they had discussed working together with his master. Why did it become buying ideas off of her?
Zhao Lingfeng said what he said to test the waters. If Lu Jiao persisted with the partnership, he would’ve allowed it. Who knew this woman would not even put up a fight?
Zhao Lingfeng narrowed his eyes at this patient and calm woman. So it appeared that she had plenty of ways to make money.
This woman didn’t beg to partner up with him. In the future, he may end up begging her to partner up.
Zhao Lingfeng now leaned towards cooperating with her.
“Tell me some of your ideas.”
Lu Jiao smiled, “I have a lot. Clothes, food, accommodation… there are so many ways.”
Zhao Lingfeng froze, and suspicion arose. Was this woman truly this capable or was she acting tough?
“You have lots of secret formulas?”
Lu Jiao nodded, obviously noting the skepticism in Zhao Lingfeng’s eyes, “You don’t have to question me. I have lots of secret formulas. You want to buy ideas off of me? I can offer you two things. Ice making and oil making.”
She could sell these two things, get enough start-up money for her pharmacy and cosmeceutical store, then find another partner.
Lu Jiao looked up and found Zhao Lingfeng astounded. He said in a low voice, “Ice and oil making?”
Lu Jiao nodded, “It’s the end of June now and you’re from the Capital City. There, you must be lacking ice. If you manage to make ice, I’m certain you will make loads of money. As for oil making… right now, our entire country is mostly using oil from animals. In the north, there’s been a new product called sesame oil. I can teach you how to extract soybean oil, peanut oil, and rapeseed oil.”
The reason why Lu Jiao wanted to sell the formula for oil making was that this technology hasn’t been discovered and therefore, should be expensive to sell.
Zhao Lingfeng and Qi Lei were both astounded. This woman knew how to make ice and oil? Either one of those would be highly secretive and profitable.
Lu Jiao didn’t care for their surprised faces. She was more concerned about how much cash they were willing to give her for these.
She wouldn’t sell it if the price wasn’t right.
She smiled, “Then, let us talk about the price?”
Zhao Lingfeng’s head was a little numb. He’s been looking for money-making ideas recently and decided on opening up a pharmacy.
But a pharmacy was a long-term business and would not generate profit in the short term. As for the other ideas he’s had, most of them would be slow to kick off. The ones that would make him money immediately would involve too many other influential families.
His decision to move to the Town of Qili wasn’t only because he was kicked out by his clan. It was also because he needed to make money for that someone.
That someone had ordered him to stay lowkey and banned him from getting too involved with too many parties. This limited his options.
This was why he couldn’t think of any good ways to make money. Who knew this woman would come up with two ideas this quickly?
Zhao Lingfeng stared at Lu Jiao rather excitedly. This woman likely had many other ideas.
Zhao Lingfeng pondered for a while then decided to ask, “Other than these two, do you have any other ideas? If I partner up with you, what businesses would you recommend?”
Lu Jiao raised an eyebrow at him. So this guy wanted to work with her.
It was Lu Jiao’s turn to ponder. If she could cooperate with Owner Zhao, it wouldn’t necessarily be bad for her.
She didn’t reveal her pharmacy and cosmeceutical store idead. Instead, she asked Zhao Lingfeng, “I still don’t know which family you’re from in the Capital City.”
If he wasn’t influential enough, she wouldn’t work with him.
Zhao Lingfeng knew Lu Jiao’s intention and answered calmly, ��I’m the third young master from the official residence of marquees of Yongning.”
Lu Jiao stared at him surprised. If he was a young master from the marquees of Yongning, why did he move to this poor and isolated village?
Zhao Lingfeng noticed her shock and explained, “I’m the third son born from a concubine mother.”
Because he was the son of a concubine, the family didn’t value him, and the lady of the house saw him as a nuisance. This was why he was exiled to such a poor place.
Well, he was also here with his own agenda. He was doing something for that someone.
Lu Jiao was a little worried, “Are you sure you’re able to keep all the assets under your name?”
Zhao Lingfeng’s gaze sharpened as he answered in a low voice, “Though my position isn’t high, I can protect what’s mine. That’s not for you to worry about. Why don’t you tell me what you want to do?”
Lu Jiao studied him for a while and found him to be genuine.
Beside her, Qi Lei chimed in, “Master, don’t worry. Lingfeng can protect our businesses. You don’t have to worry about others taking advantage of us.”
His statement managed to bundle them together.
Lu Jiao thought about it. If they were able to make such a statement, it meant they had some power. She shouldn’t exactly doubt everything just because he was the son of a concubine.
“I originally wanted to start three businesses – an oil mill, a cosmeceutical store, and a pharmaceutical manufacturer.”
Zhao Lingfeng and Qi Lei exchanged glances. They felt lots of emotions growing inside.
Lu Jiao ignored them and continued, “The oil mill and the cosmeceutical store would make money fast. But the most profitable business would be pharmaceutical manufacturing. That is because the medicines I make will be more effective than all the other drugs in this country.”