Chapter 348: Ruthless is The Norm 2
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
She would eventually leave Lengshui Village. The watermill workshop was more like a gift from her to the villagers who took care of the original owner.
That was why the watermill workshop would be handed to the villagers. Zhao Chuchu didn’t care about the rest after that.
Niu Tongsheng then told Zhao Chuchu his future plans for the workshop.
She took the chance to give him a lot of suggestions, and he diligently noted all of them down.
It was also then the lady realized that Niu Tongsheng had been learning how to read and write.
“Well, everything has to be recorded if I want to do business. I can’t find people to help me with that, can I? What if someone tried to scam me? Crying won’t help. Learning is the best way to counter that,” Niu Tongsheng quickly explained, worried that Zhao Chuchu would think he was not focused on the workshop.
Initially, he was able to read a little, but that was all. However, for his future plans, he decided to start learning again.
Zhao Chuchu smiled. “I’m glad that you can have such a good mindset. People should learn from you. Instead of getting comfortable with the current life, learning as you grow is better.” “Are you not blaming me?”
“Why would I?”
Zhao Chuchu was extremely happy that the village chief was willing to learn.
She didn’t want to come back only to see the workshop in shambles.
From what Niu Tongsheng had shown her, she believed that such an outcome would not happen.
“Oh, right! Chuchu, didn’t you say that we can use soybean to make other products? Can we make those here in the workshop?” Niu Tongsheng asked.
Zhao Chuchu thought about it for a while. Both bean paste and soy sauce were made with soybean and were widely consumed in the future world. She believed that the two condiments would be very welcomed at a time when dish variety was still lacking.
However, if the workshop were to make all of those, it might be too much for them to handle.
“Chief, it’s not like I dont want the workshop to make those too, but the workshop can barely keep up with the demand for tofu skins. I dont think it’s a good idea to expand yet.”
“Oh, that’s not what I mean. i…”
“I know you want the give the employees higher wages, but it’s not the time yet. Making tofu skins isn’t complicated, and people will eventually learn how to make them. Instead of being replaced by other people, why not become the specialty of this workshop? We can wait until everyone acknowledges that the tofu skin from this watermill workshop is the only place to get good tofu skin before we venture to other productions.”
“You’re right. I didn’t even think that far.” Niu Tongsheng sighed. “I kept thinking of making the workshop even more successful, but I didn’t even think that far ahead. Just forget what I had said.”
“That’s normal. I’m not blaming you, either. This is just my advice. Please don’t think bad of me for being straightforward.”
“I wouldn’t dare! What you said makes sense as well. I was just too shortsighted. Chuchu, if you hadn’t reminded me of that, I would’ve tried to run before I could even walk. You are right.”
“Also, there’s the part where even if I teach you to make other stuff now, the workshop won’t be able to produce them yet. The cost is just too high, and the workshop will fall because of that. The cost for tofu skin is the lowest and the best for the workshop now.”
Niu Tongsheng quickly nodded.
“When people start to acknowledge the tofu skins made by this workshop, then you’ll start to see the power of branding. Money will start to flow in.”
As information technology was still lacking and advertising was not the norm, people tended to trust old shops more.
The watermill workshop was the first in the world to make tofu skins. As long as they didn’t start to skimp on the ingredient and the quality of the product remained the same, they would always be one step ahead of others. Making a profit was not going to be a problem.
Niu Tongsheng was an honest person as well. Zhao Chuchu believed that the workshop would become even better under his management.
The only thing holding them back from expanding was time.
“The Yuan clan is interested in tofu skins as well. They’ll eventually send someone to talk to you about working together. You better prepare for that.”
“The Yuan clan? The one from the Guangqing Province?”
“Yes.”
“I thought they were a salt merchant. Why…”
“Have you ever seen someone giving up on a good chance of making more money?’
“I see. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure this will go well.”
Niu Tongsheng was extremely motivated.
The Yuan clan used to be a family he could never even imagine interacting with. Being able to work with them was a huge step up in his life.
“Dont put too much pressure on yourself. The Yuan clan is not a family that likes to force other people. At least they won’t be like most people you’ve met
before..”