Shen Shangling started working with the craftsmen and immediately discovered a problem. Everyone’s comprehension was different; when they went to work, the amount of materials used, the clarity of the filtration, and even the timing for adding fragrance during the saponification process all varied. The final results would inevitably range in quality.
Shen Shangling didn’t say anything at first. After carefully observing the others’ production methods, he called for a halt.
“Engineer Shen?” a craftsman in his forties asked with trepidation, “Did we make a mistake somewhere?”
Shen Shangling smiled and told them not to worry. Based on his observations of each person’s performance, he divided them into specific steps according to the production flow. Yes, an assembly line. Those who performed well at a certain task were assigned to that specific stage. Furthermore, once someone became proficient at a single step, their efficiency would naturally improve.
As expected, with this arrangement, the production of the soap quickly became standardized. As they experimented, Shen Shangling also encouraged them to suggest any methods for improvement… after all, “three cobblers are better than one Zhuge Liang.” His tone was soft, his voice warm and gentle, and his smile was brighter than the blossoms of late spring; the craftsmen became excited, and soon they were speaking freely. For a while, the atmosphere in the tiny, newly established “workshop” in the courtyard was wonderful, and Shen Shangling practically blended in with everyone, joking and laughing as they worked. The tasks in their hands became smoother and more refined with each attempt.
Li Yan, who had been watching Shen Shangling from an inconspicuous corner, was filled with astonishment as he witnessed Shen Shangling’s calm arrangements and the patient, good-tempered way he chatted with these lowly craftsmen.
On the first day, Shen Shangling only led everyone in small-scale trials to hone their skills. They didn’t finish work until evening. The food provided by the manor was uniform; it was impossible to have a separate meal prepared just for him, and Shen Shangling understood this well. It was simple and coarse, nothing like what he had eaten before. But having been busy for half the day, he was hungry and found it quite delicious, eating every bit without leaving any leftovers.
Li Yan observed it all. When night fell, he reported the day’s events regarding Shen Shangling and the courtyard back to Lu Xiao in detail.
“I see.” Lu Xiao listened, his face impassive. “Keep watching.”
By midday on the second day, the final product was ready. Shen Shangling looked at the bar of soap in his hands, his eyes lighting up. Wonderful! These men were truly clever; this batch of soap was clearly superior in appearance to the ones he had made himself. Once the finished product was ready, Shen Shangling called over Li Yan, who had been acting as a background prop.
Li Yan immediately and carefully took three bars of soap, placed them in a pre-prepared box, and ordered someone to deliver them to Lu Xiao. This small success made Shen Shangling quite excited. He had been a “slacker” for so many years, never expecting that after transmigrating here, he would become an “Engineer Shen”… Watching Li Yan hold the soap carefully as if it were a treasure, he couldn’t help but curve the corners of his lips.
Soon, someone brought several burly guards over, and they carefully loaded the entire batch of finished products into a wooden chest.
“Engineer Shen,” the leader said, looking at him. “Does this object have an elegant name?”
An elegant name? Shen Shangling paused. Was “soap” not pleasant enough? On second thought, the soap was intended for the wealthy of this era; luxury goods likely needed a distinctive name to better cater to the tastes of the pretentious nobility.
“Soap can remove impurities and cleanse away residual makeup,” Shen Shangling smiled and said. “After washing with it, the skin feels delicate and tender. One could say, ‘Clear water flows from the hibiscus, naturally removing all adornments’—” He pointed at the soap and added, “You can call it ‘Hibiscus Soap’.” Borrowing a line from Li Bai to add a touch of elegance to the soap.
“Hibiscus Soap?” At that moment, a deep voice suddenly sounded. “Clear water flows from the hibiscus, naturally removing all adornments—truly elegant!”
Shen Shangling was startled. Lu Xiao?
“Your Highness.” The men immediately bowed. Shen Shangling also hurriedly followed with a sloppy bow; the craftsmen, clearly never expecting to see the Prince in person, immediately knelt on the ground.
Shen Shangling: “…” He thought, it’s just a bow; why are these craftsmen kneeling? In any case, I didn’t kneel.
Lu Xiao did not speak again. He waved his hand, signaling his men to take the soap away, but he did not leave himself. He stood there, his gaze fixed on Shen Shangling.
Perhaps because it was hot and he had been working, the man had rolled up the sleeves of his heavy robe, revealing a section of snow-white arm. He hadn’t changed his robes, either; he was still wearing yesterday’s set. They were splattered with unknown spots, looking quite disheveled. Even his shoes were stained with dirt. It was clear that Li Yan’s report was true: this man had truly worked alongside those craftsmen. Seeing Shen Shangling standing alone among the craftsmen, with his slender neck and narrow waist, he appeared all the more striking by comparison.
“Since you really can make this Hibiscus Soap,” Lu Xiao finally spoke, his tone relatively mild, “you deserve a reward. I grant you permission to return to serve by my side.”
Shen Shangling: “…” Ha?
“Your Highness,” Shen Shangling had already clawed at the dog-Prince in his heart several times; he steadied his expression and politely declined, “regarding the expansion of the workshop here, this humble servant needs to carefully plan. There are many things to be done, and this humble servant wishes to toil day and night here to serve Your Highness!” Who wants to return to serve by your side?
Lu Xiao paused and squinted his eyes. Anyone who could serve by his side—whether they were advisors, guards, or servants were tempered and selected from thousands. This was a position countless people would break their necks to obtain, yet this Shen Shangling didn’t care at all? Moreover, now that Shen Shangling had led the craftsmen to produce the Hibiscus Soap, he should understand that the manor already controlled the manufacturing method. Whether he was the one doing the work or not was already completely irrelevant. At this moment, shouldn’t Shen Shangling be clever enough to take this opportunity to claim credit and earn my favor? Yet, despite the opening I gave him, he refused outright.
Lu Xiao’s eyes deepened, and suddenly, a thought occurred to him, a hint of playful mockery appearing in his eyes.
“Is the Snow Demon afraid of serving in the bedchamber?” He locked his gaze onto Shen Shangling, his expression laced with sarcasm. Ridiculous. This man actually thought I would truly have him serve in the bedchamber? A man… how could I truly have a man serve in my bedchamber?
Lu Xiao felt a strange sense of irritation. He swept a gaze toward him and was about to continue when he abruptly stopped: Perhaps stimulated by his words, Shen Shangling’s face had suddenly flushed. His peach-blossom eyes in his pink-white cheeks were almost rounded, like a deer caught in the path of his arrows. He suddenly remembered pressing him onto the table yesterday and exposing that snow-white waist when he ripped open his undergarment… it was as if the sensation of the man’s smooth skin still lingered on his fingertips.
Lu Xiao violently reined in his wild thoughts.
“I called for you today and you didn’t come,” Lu Xiao snorted coldly. “It’s too late if you want to come back now the manor is not lacking in people. Suit yourself.”
Shen Shangling hurriedly bowed again. Indeed, the manor is not lacking in people, but it is lacking in money. Thinking this, Shen Shangling pressed down the corners of his lips. When he looked up again, he found that Lu Xiao had already turned and left.