"Second Uncle, it’s not really a world-class treasure." It’s just a bar of soap, hardly a world-class treasure. Zhao Yao’s dream world had too many good things, any of them could cause a huge sensation in Great Zhou.
"How did you co up with this treasure?"
Zhao Yao thought for a mont, raised his index finger, and said, "I dread of it." He wasn’t lying; he had indeed dread of it.
Liang Run was half-believing, half-doubting Zhao Yao’s words, but he didn’t press further. Instead, he said, "It’s a pity we can’t sell it for now."
"Second Uncle, you can’t sell it, but Grandfather can." Zhao Yao just thought of this, and said with a radiant face, "Grandfather is now the governor of Yangzhou, the highest official in Yangzhou. The most important thing is that the aristocratic families in Yangzhou were eliminated by Father Emperor, so no one is more powerful than Grandfather, nor can anyone threaten him. We can let Grandfather make pork lard soap to sell."
This statent made Liang Run’s eyes light up, and he beca a bit excited.
"Yes, you’re right, we can let Father and the others make and sell it."
"When the ti cos, have Grandfather present the pork lard soap as a tribute to Father Emperor, that way it’s more assured."
Zhao Yao’s idea was good, and Liang Run thought it feasible.
"I’ll write to your Grandfather right away." Liang Run said, unable to wait to write the letter.
"After the pork lard soap hardens, we can carve patterns and inscriptions on it." Zhao Yao said thoughtfully, holding his chin, "That way, the soap will beco more delicate and attractive, and more people will buy it."
"Yao Yao, you really think fast." Liang Run hadn’t thought of this.
"We can also engrave famous paintings on the soap." Zhao Yao continued, "We can also make the soap in various colors and scents. Besides using flower juice, we can use spices or incense."
"Yes, we can also add fruity scents."
As Liang Run discussed with Zhao Yao how to make the soap better, he wrote the letter.
The uncle and nephew talked about soap making until the hour of Hai before stopping. If Zhao Yao hadn’t been sleepy, they might have continued talking.
Before falling asleep, Zhao Yao suddenly thought of the birthmark on Ding Yuan’s lower back. The more he thought about it, the more he felt as if he had seen it sowhere before.
Seeing that Zhao Yao hadn’t slept and was thinking about sothing, Liang Run asked with concern, "Yao Yao, are you still thinking about the soap?"
"No, I’m thinking about Ding Yuan’s birthmark. I feel like I’ve seen it sowhere before, it’s sowhat familiar."
"Where did you see it?"
"I don’t rember." Zhao Yao said with a slight frown, deep in thought, "I always feel that Ding Yuan’s birthmark is not simple."
"What do you an?"
"Ding Yuan shouldn’t be just a simple beggar." Zhao Yao speculated, "Ding Yuan’s deanor doesn’t seem like he’s from an ordinary family. He should co from a wealthy or noble background; I suspect Ding Yuan was abducted."
"If you put it that way, Ding Yuan does seem more like a young master from a wealthy family." Liang Run thought Zhao Yao’s speculation was correct, "It’s a pity Ding Yuan doesn’t rember his childhood."
"Ding Yuan was likely abducted when he was very young." Zhao Yao continued to speculate from the stories he had read, "It’s also possible that he was abducted by his family."
"Abducted by his family? What do you an?"
"Ding Yuan might be the legitimate son of a wealthy family or the son of a favored concubine, secretly sent out and sold by the main wife or the favored concubine..."
Liang Run, hearing Zhao Yao say this, thought it very likely. Things like this often happened in big families.
"Ding Yuan was probably really abducted at a very young age. He now has a capital accent when he speaks, with no hint of a local accent, making it hard to figure out his hotown."
"Alas, Ding Yuan being abducted, his family must be very sad." Zhao Yao thought for a mont and said, "Let’s investigate the birthmark on his lower back, maybe we can find sothing."
"What can a birthmark reveal?" Liang Run said, "A birthmark isn’t a family crest, easy to investigate. Besides, a birthmark like Ding Yuan’s is quite common; many people have similar ones."
"That’s true, but I still feel like I’ve seen it sowhere before." Perhaps he had seen it in his dream world?
"No rush, think slowly." Liang Run saw it was getting late, and quickly said, "Don’t think about it now, hurry up and sleep."
Zhao Yao couldn’t figure out where he had seen it, so he had to set it aside for now.
"Second Uncle, are you all preparing to pack up your things?"
"Yes, we’ll start packing tomorrow." Liang Run said, "In a few days, we’ll depart for Wusun."
"I’ll let Lai Fu and the others accompany you, that way they can help us deliver ssages." Zhao Yao had already arranged for Lai Fu and the others to accompany Liang Run’s group to Wusun. He also asked them to gather information from the birds there and hopefully bring a few back. "Actually, it would be best to let Lai Fu go with you, but Lai Fu belongs to Father Emperor."
Liang Run laughed, "I hear there are many Sea Eagles and eagles, even golden eagles in Wusun. When I get there, I’ll buy a few."
"Great." Zhao Yao said expectantly, "Second Uncle..."
Zhao Yao wanted to say more, but Liang Run covered his mouth with his hand.
"It’s getting late, whatever you want to say, say it tomorrow, now hurry up and sleep." Liang Run said, pulling Zhao Yao into his arms.
Zhao Yao yawned and curled up in Liang Run’s arms, slowly falling asleep.
The next day, the soap made by Liang Run had hardened quite a bit.
Of the two bars of soap, Zhao Yao left one for Liang Run, and took one to give to Liang Zhaoyi.
This soap could only be used discreetly and couldn’t be seen by others for now.
Liang Run asked Zhao Yao to take both bars back to give to Liang Zhaoyi. If he needed more, he could make so more.
Zhao Yao felt that using both would be too conspicuous. Before his grandfather presented the soap as a tribute, others must not discover its existence.
There were too many spies in the palace, and any slight carelessness could lead to exposure.
Seeing Zhao Yao insist, Liang Run had no choice but to oblige, leaving one bar of soap.
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