vstars Chapter 563 Building a Seaship and Setting Sail
Chapter 563 Building a Seaship and Setting Sail
"Sir, I just feel that I shouldn't use your money."
"Your Highness, money is an external thing; you can't take it with you when you die. To me, gold and silver are more like tools than money."
Now that this tool can help Your Highness, it has been put to good use, so Your Highness need not worry about it.
The second prince was about to refuse when Jiang Xiaoqi directly revealed her own selfish motives.
"Besides, I also want to build a ship as soon as possible so that I can go to more distant places to see. You know, I liked to travel around before I became an official."
Previously, I lingered in the south, and if it weren't for my family mission to return to the capital for the imperial examinations, I would have even wanted to settle there.
Once the boat is built, we can take our family and friends out sailing, fishing in the nearshore waters, enjoying the sea breeze and watching the sunset – how delightful!
The second prince was persuaded, mainly because this kind of free and unrestrained life of traveling everywhere was something he had always longed for, but he didn't know if he would ever have that opportunity in his lifetime...
"Alright, consider it a favor I owe you, sir. You may make any request to me in the future to repay this favor."
This refers, of course, to what happens after one ascends the throne. After all, only when one becomes emperor does a promise made have any value; it is a golden word.
Jiang Xiaoqi understood the Second Prince's meaning, and didn't refuse. Her family really did need a get-out-of-jail-free card or something.
The blueprints for ocean-going vessels are plentiful, and there's plenty of money to spare; the only thing to find is a skilled craftsman.
Of course, he could also spend interstellar coins to hire people in other planes, just like at the beginning. However, now that Jiang Xiaoqi is a government official in the capital, there is no need for him to be so secretive in his actions.
The main issue is that the exchange rate of Star Coins is getting higher and higher, which some people can't afford and feel is not worth it.
Furthermore, providing more job opportunities for the people of Da Zhou can also promote economic development and improve the quality of life for the people. Why not do it?
"When does the gentleman plan to begin shipbuilding?"
"We can start preparing the site and manpower first. I have already drawn up the blueprints. Once the manpower is in place and the materials are purchased, we can start construction."
However, let's wait until Chen's restaurant opens. That way, we can ask Father-in-law Chen Lin for a hand.
"That's no problem. Chen Lin is the most reliable person when it comes to getting things done. But if you're building a ship and have Chen Lin involved, won't that attract attention?"
"You mean the Fifth Prince? He will indeed take notice, but I am the tutor of the prince, so it is only natural for a trusted confidant of the prince to help me with a small favor or two, right?"
Moreover, I will release a message saying that the Second Prince wants to go on a sea voyage and that Chen Lin and I should build a ship.
The day the ship is built will be the day we set sail.
If Your Highness continues to demonstrate a keen interest in tributes from foreign lands or imported goods, this persona will be even more solidified.
What difference would it make if a prince, who has no chance of ascending the throne and only wants to study and play, were noticed?
"Sir, you have truly planned everything meticulously. You have even considered contingency plans and countermeasures for such minute details. I admire you greatly!"
Jiang Xiaoqi did not take credit for the work, but after finishing the business, he called Chen Lin in and talked about the opening of Chen's Dim Sum Shop.
Originally, Chen Ji didn't need to spend so much time renovating, but Chen Lin was very attentive to the dim sum shop, and he made changes to several places that he wasn't satisfied with, one by one, according to the craftsmen.
Regardless of time and cost, they transformed Chen Ji into the most distinctive pastry shop in Beijing.
"Thank you for keeping watch, Eunuch Chen. Come in and cool off."
"Haha, Lord Jiang, this is nothing, it's all what this servant should do."
Jiang Xiaoqi personally welcomed the person in, showing them the utmost respect.
Although Chen Lin had never held an official position, he had been immersed in the palace since childhood and had long since developed the ability to see through people's hearts.
Therefore, he can still distinguish whether a person is sincere or not.
At this moment, he could feel that Lord Jiang treated him the same way he treated all his colleagues, or even more so.
This feeling was there from the very beginning of our acquaintance, but it's become even more pronounced now.
Chen Lin followed behind Jiang Xiaoqi, his face showing the relaxed expression he only displayed when he was with the Second Prince.
"Brother Lin, we were just talking about the opening of Chen's Dim Sum Shop. Come over here, let's pick an auspicious day together!"
Chen Lin was exasperated by his prince's natural way of calling him "Brother Lin." They had agreed on a private address, but he didn't know when it started, and the prince no longer bothered to hide it from Lord Jiang.
However, he really likes the word "we".
The three men huddled together, heads close to the almanac. "How about the first day of next month? It's auspicious for opening a business."
"There are still ten days or so left. Are there any good days ahead?" The Second Prince felt it was a bit late. Since the renovations were complete and the staff were in place, the sooner they opened for business, the sooner they would make a profit.
"Going forward? That would be the 28th of this month, which is also auspicious for opening a business. It's a good day. There aren't any further ahead."
"Alright, how about the 28th of this month, sir? What do you think?"
“Great, there’s still time. Let the staff move in early to clean and organize the shelves.”
Have the chefs start making some pastries that keep well, ideally a day or two before opening. Now that the weather is warm, sell a limited quantity each day to ensure that the less-than-perishable items are consumed on the same day.
"Lord Jiang is so thoughtful. I was just worried about preparing the goods and was thinking of discussing it with the craftsmen. With Lord Jiang's words, I feel at ease."
As the adults said, at the beginning of the business, we will sell a limited quantity, and once sold out, we will stop and not restock.
Actually, Jiang Xiaoqi meant to talk about something like scarcity marketing, but selling in limited quantities means the same thing.
The point is to create the impression that the demand is too high. Whether it's true or not, to laymen, it looks like Chen Ji Dim Sum Shop's dim sum is in high demand and you have to order in advance or wait in a long line.
"Furthermore, we should not release all types of dim sum at once. Most of the dim sum items on our list are not available at other dim sum shops."
So we also sell those regular traditional snacks, and we release three to five new recipes every month.
Of course, it must be sold in limited quantities, while supplies last. The signature dim sum changes every month, which also gives customers a sense of anticipation.
Looking forward to what new surprises Chen Ji Dim Sum Shop will have next month, as long as they're different every month of the year.
The cycle continued into the second year, which became Chen's unique feature: limited quantities available each month, with customers having to wait another year if they missed it.
"If we launch three new products each month out of twelve months, that's thirty-six products. If we launch five new products each month, that's sixty products."
Jiang Xiaoqi knew what Chen Lin was worried about.
"Don't worry, Eunuch Chen. The dozen or so pastry recipes I gave you earlier were just for your people to test the waters. I'll give you the rest of the recipes later, and you can arrange the pastry menu for each month as you see fit."
Jiang Xiaoqi still has at least dozens of pastry recipes, which Chen Lin did not expect. He even wanted to pay a high price to have his subordinates innovate, believing that a generous reward would surely attract brave men.
Now that I have no more worries, a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
"I'm sorry to have troubled you again, Lord Jiang. I really want to renegotiate the profit-sharing ratio."
"No, no, no, you've been living next to Liuxiang Pavilion lately, so you must know how lucrative my business is. I'm not short of money."
"Yes, yes, I know that Lord Jiang is the richest man in the world, and he is very wealthy and powerful."
"Hahahaha, Brother Lin, you and your husband should learn how to do business. I'm just waiting to live off you, hahaha."
Chen Lin was speechless. How could the term "living off a woman" be used like that? A prince living off a woman? People would laugh their heads off if they heard it.
Oh well, he's our prince, we'll just spoil him.