Goldfield
Chapter 53: Becoming a Shareholder

Yu Xiaocao thought about it and said, “If you want to open an oyster sauce factory, then the shelf life of oyster sauce will be a problem! It's okay during winter because the temperatures in the north are low. So, there is no problem if you keep it for a few months. However, it will be a bit troublesome for the summer! ”

In previous lives, what methods were used to extend the shelf life of food? Yu Xiaocao furrowed his brows and daydreamed. Although Zhou Zixu was anxious, he refrained from bothering him.

Yu Xiaocao muttered to himself, “The usual method used to extend the shelf life of food is to store it at low temperatures. However, there is no refrigerator here.. ”.

“Ice roller? Is that a box for ice? ” Servant Zhou, brought by Zhou Zixu, could not help but ask.

“Uh... Yes, box for storing ice.” Yu Xiaocao had just realized that he had expressed his inner thoughts verbally, but it was hard to explain what ‘refrigerator’ was. So, he only agreed with Steward Zhou's words.

The steward Zhou pondered for a moment and said, “It's okay to haul things in the fridge during the winter. However, the cost will probably be very high in the summer. Besides, how big is that ice house to store ice for a year?

“There is also another way to extend shelf life, which is by adding a lot of sugar and salt. However, with this method, the taste of oyster sauce will definitely be affected! ” Yu Xiaocao shook his head and denied his own suggestion.

Zhou Zixu, who came from an imperial merchant family, naturally knew the importance of product quality. He could not help but ask, “Is there any other way?”

“There is also a preservation way with propolis! However, honey is already expensive, let alone propolis! It will not be cheaper than using ice for transportation and preservation! ”

Propolis? Zhou Zixu had heard of honey. Her mother had heard from an unknown source that she could enhance her beauty and maintain her body shape by drinking honey water. Therefore, he drank a cup of honey water every day since last year. But what is propolis?

“It... It would be great if we could also make ice in summer.” Yu Xiaocao had a habit of talking to himself since his previous life.

Doesn't ice form naturally at low temperatures? Is that something that can be made? This little girl's imagination was too imaginary. In his heart, Steward Zhou disagreed with the idea of his young master teaming up with a poor little girl to open a factory.

“Third Young Master, have you heard of saltpeter?” Yu Xiaocao suddenly recalled an article titled “The Intelligent Ice Making Method in Ancient” Age that he had read about in his previous life. It seems that since the end of the Tang Dynasty, when gunpowder was produced, people often mined saltpeter in large quantities.

Since then, there have been precedents of ice making in the summer. After that, it started popping up merchants who added sugar to the ice to attract customers. In the Song Dynasty, merchants added fruit or juice to it. Yuan Dynasty businessmen even added fruit jam and milk to the ice, which is very similar to modern ice cream. He was curious about whether there was an example of the use of saltpeter to make ice in this revised time period.

“Lots? Yes I know. It is sold in pharmacies. Can... belch make ice? ” Zhou Zixu also heard his mutter, so he automatically made a connection when he mentioned the burp.

Yu Xiaocao looked at him in agreement and nodded, “When the saltpeter dissolves in water, it absorbs a lot of heat and lowers the water temperature. It can even freeze water. ”

“Betulkah? How do you know?” Zhou Zixu was still somewhat skeptical.

Yu Xiaocao was stunned for a moment, and then spoke with a stern expression, “That's none of your business! If you don't believe me, then you can go buy a burp and try it! ”

The Zhou servant stroked his beard, pondered for a moment, and said, “I think I may have seen the documentation that records the use of saltpeter to make ice when I organized the ancient books collected by Second Master before his death.”

“Oh? So, is it true that saltpeter can make ice? Steward Zhou, continue! ” Zhou Zixu asked with interest.

With a bitter smile, Servant Zhou shook her head and said, “Second Teacher has a large collection of books, so I don't really remember which book I've seen this from. We should listen to Miss Yu about the specific details on how to make ice. ”

Zhou Zixu's eyes sparkled as he looked towards Yu Xiaocao, as if he was a little boy begging for candy, “Xiaocao, don't keep us guessing. Quickly say, say! ”

“You need to dig a large pool inside the factory, then put a large barrel half filled with water in the middle of the pool. After that put burps into the pool and fill the pool with water. I've never done this before, so I'm also not sure about the ratio of water and saltpeter. You will know after experimenting a few times. ” Yu Xiaocao gave them general guidance, but Zhou Zixu was responsible for carrying out the actual procedure.

Zhou Zixu nodded and thought about how he would conduct the experiment when he returned. Server Zhou spoke again, “Based on what you said, it looks like we need burps in bulk. However, the price of saltpeter is also not low! ”

They originally came up with the idea of using saltpeter to produce ice to reduce production costs. However, the main cost seems to be nothing less than storing ice in an ice house.

As expected, the servant in charge of the Zhou Family's outer affairs was wise and had foresight. Yu Xiaocao nodded with a smile, “Servant Zhou is right! However, the burp can be reused. Evaporative crystallization methods can be used to reconstitute saltpeter dissolved in water. ”

Steward Zhou nodded his head slightly and was inwardly surprised: ‘She was a very young little girl. How could he have such vast knowledge and a good memory? He was even more knowledgeable than a butler like him, who pushed about reading a wide variety of books. Does the Yu Family have secrets I don't know about? ‘

“Steward Zhou, stop overthinking this matter! I have an agreement with Xiaocao not to inquire in detail about anything but business-related matters. What does this have to do with us how did he know that saltpeter can make ice? Don't make things complicated. I don't want to lose a good business partner! ” Zhou Zixu pulled a smile on his face and said weakly. He naturally revealed the dignified and imposing manner of the young master of the noble family.

As if a huge bell was ringing loudly in the heart, Steward Zhou was dumbfounded in the heart when he realized. He put aside his distorted thoughts and bowed respectfully and solemnly, “Young Master, thank you for your warning! This old servant is so embarrassed! ”

When Zhou Zixu turned to face Yu Xiaocao, he returned to being gentle and friendly again, “Now the issue of preservation and transportation of oyster sauce has been resolved, the, we can start the construction of an oyster sauce factory in early spring. Where do you think we should open an oyster sauce factory? ”

“In terms of business, Third Young Master Zhou clearly has a far-sighted look ahead to more than an eight-year-old girl like me. So just make your own decision! ” Yu Xiaocao also felt the gaze of checking Steward Zhou earlier. Fortunately, the great master, Third Young Master Zhou, was here to control the situation and prevent it from slipping. He inwardly warned himself to remain humble in the future and to stop being too prominent.

It was impossible for Zhou Zixu to not notice his faint vigilance. However, he instinctively felt that this little girl in front of him was like an undiscovered mine, where treasures could only be found by digging slowly and deeply. As for how this ‘treasure’ was formed, there was no need to get to the bottom of this. He did not want to regret it later due to the curious moment.

“In my opinion, it is worth building an oyster sauce factory near the port. Traffic is very convenient both by land and water. In addition, it is located near the sea, so it will be more convenient to buy raw materials! ” Zhou Zixu expressed his thoughts and asked Yu Xiaocao for advice.

Yu Xiaocao, who had learned his lesson, simply smiled and nodded in silence.

Zhou Zixu's eyes glanced around and knew how to get this little girl to talk. With a faint smile on his face, he looked at Xiaocao and asked, “Do you want to invest in an oyster sauce factory?”

Become a shareholder? Isn't that a modern term? Why did this term come out of Third Young Master Zhou's mouth? Could it be .. This Third Young Master Zhou is also a transmigrator? Yu Xiaocao widened his eyes and looked at him in disbelief.

Zhou Zixu misunderstood his point and smiled, “What? You don't know what it means ‘to be a stockholder’? When Emperor Jianwen was still the imperial crown prince, he had set up a sea shipping company and attracted many high officials and nobles to make investments. Thus, the term ‘become a shareholder’ began to spread in the business industry. It just means making an investment and joining a business. ”

“Oh ..” Yu Xiaocao was frightened by the false alarm and almost broke out in a cold sweat. However, he was immediately intrigued when he heard that he could invest in an oyster sauce factory.

“But. I only have less than a hundred taels .. ”Yu Xiaocao took out his secret stash of money from a corner and scratched his head in embarrassment.

Zhou Zixu looked at the money scattered on the kang bed. He had gotten all this money from her, so naturally, he knew how much money he had. He had originally intended to give the young girl a part of the factory, but the urge to tease her had appeared within him at this moment,

He coughed and said, “We got an oyster sauce recipe from you, so I plan to give you a piece after building the factory. But, because you feel sorry to receive it for free, this money.I will accept it! ”

Yu Xiaocao's facial expression immediately stiffened. He helplessly watched his money be plundered by the evil one, the businessman ‘wit black’ it. Bloody heart!

No way! He, Yu Xiaocao, could accept anything but be forced to suffer a loss in silence!

Third Young Master Zhou! He gritted his teeth and said, “Isn't it too boring for such a big factory to just produce oyster sauce?”

Zhou Zixu's eyes sparkled: ‘My little ancestor! I was just waiting for you to say that! ‘

“What? Does Xiaocao have any other suggestions? ” Zhou Zixu looked at him with interest.

“I have a secret recipe for two more sauces! I wonder if Third Young Master Zhou would be interested in them? ” Anyone with any sense can feel Yu Xiaocao stressing his tone when he said ‘Third Young Master Zhou’. Ah, it looks like the little kitten is carrying its paws!

Zhou Zixu happily approached and said, “I'm interested. Of course I'm interested! Quickly tell me about it! ”

Huh! Yu Xiaocao proudly turned his head and said, “If you want my two secret recipes, then exchange them for shares!”

In fact, for the establishment of the factory, the oyster sauce recipe and the two sauces the little girl mentioned were all obtained from Yu Xiaocao. The Zhou family only provided money and energy.

Zhou Zixu would naturally not succumb to the endless stream of treasures for the sake of small gains. He gallantly exclaimed, “If those two recipes have the same value as the oyster sauce, then I will hand over half of its share to the factory!”

A half? Yu Xiaocao had originally planned to only take 20% of the dividend, so this far exceeded his expectations.