After many trials and errors, the experiment was finally successful. Zhao Jiaqi immediately made a batch of ice-cold mint water, refreshing and cooling, even more so than the early mint water.
"Take a sip, it's cool to the bone, so comfortable!" Zhao Jiaqi drank half a bowl and gave the rest to Fan Zehao. "Try it, see if it's good!"
"You drink it, I'll make another bowl!" Fan Zehao pushed it back to his wife, smiling sheepishly.
Whenever there was anything good to eat at home, he never fought with her over it; he always saved the best for her. This made Zhao Jiaqi very touched.
The next day, when Xie Kun's subordinate came to pick up the Liangpi, Zhao Jiaqi also gave him a large bucket of chilled mint water for free.
"I've added a little ice and sugar to this water, and it tastes even better, more refreshing. Go back and ask if they need this kind of ice water at the dock. We'll sell it for five wen per bamboo tube!"
Zhao Jiaqi carefully instructed Xiao Jiu, fearing he might not speak clearly, and deliberately slowed down her speech.
Xiao Jiu drank a bowl. It was delicious, sweet but not greasy. A coolness spread from his mouth to his stomach, dispelling the restlessness of his journey.
"Madam, rest assured, I will definitely pass this message on. We've never sold ice water in our town before. A piece of ice costs over thirty wen, and only wealthy families in town can afford it."
Xiao Jiu unintentionally revealed this piece of information, and Zhao Jiaqi felt that this business could be done.
Without a doubt, selling ice water could earn several taels of silver in a month, as it was a highly profitable venture.
Not long after the man left, Xie Kun arrived in a carriage. As soon as he entered, he shouted, "Is Old Brother Fan at home!"
Zhao Jiaqi came out of the house and saw Xie Kun. She smiled and replied, "He's not here, he went to town to buy something."
"Then I'll wait for him and chat with you about your ice water. How about another collaboration?" Xie Kun narrowed his eyes, a smile curving his lips, looking like a cat that had just stolen some fish.
Zhao Jiaqi also had this in mind. "Then tell me, how do you want to cooperate!"
"That depends on how much ice you have!"
"Not much, enough to sell for the entire summer!"
Xie Kun's mouth twitched. This was still not much? What would be considered a lot?
Even wealthy families with ice cellars wouldn't dare say they had enough for the whole summer, let alone for sale?
Xie Kun had mixed feelings towards this woman.
Ever since he willingly fell into her trap, he had started developing his business. Although he didn't earn a lot, he felt at peace.
"How about selling it to me like this?"
Zhao Jiaqi shook her head. "I'll provide the ice, you find the buyers, and we'll split the profits fifty-fifty. How about that?"
Xie Kun: "That's too troublesome. Why not just settle the accounts each time, like with the Liangpi? That's much better!"
"Brother Xie, I'm working hard just to earn more money, to buy some land, and to buy a building site to build a house. All of this adds up and requires a lot of money."
There was no other way. Since she had stated her case so clearly, it would be excessive for him to insist further.
"Alright then, I'll go back and contact them today to see how much is needed. I'll send someone to notify you in advance!"
After giving his instructions, Xie Kun left.
He said he was waiting for Fan Zehao, but in reality, he had come to see her. Although he was a blunt person, he was still thoughtful. At least he didn't come and say he was looking for her directly, otherwise, if some gossips overheard, rumors would fly again.
As he left Fan Zehao's house, he suddenly thought, where would he store the ice?
He wanted to go back and ask, but then he thought it inappropriate. So he got in his carriage and returned home. He would see for himself tomorrow, and then he would know!
Just as dusk fell, Xiao Jiu came to report a number to her. He needed one hundred pieces of ice at once, which put her in a difficult position.
Finally, the couple had to get up very early, using large wooden basins to make ice, and then chisel it into blocks. Only then did they barely manage to produce one hundred pieces.
When Xie Kun arrived, he saw ice blocks filling the entire courtyard. His eyes almost popped out. "Where did this ice come from?"
"I have ice blocks to sell you, why ask so many questions? Hurry up and take them away, or they'll melt!" Fan Zehao was as tired as an ox, sitting on the ground, panting.
Fortunately, he was strong, otherwise, it would have been impossible to chisel out these ice blocks. When daylight came, he would definitely go and buy two hundred basins.
Zhao Jiaqi was exhausted, but her efforts were not in vain. They finally completed the task as scheduled, although the process was agonizing.
Xie Kun had gotten up early but arrived late. He didn't see anything and was even scolded a few times. He touched his nose and instructed his servants to load the ice and leave.
As the sky began to brighten, his mother-in-law and Fan He arrived with the children.
Although his mother-in-law had married Fan He, she still came every day like clockwork to help with the braised meat. Fan He also followed along, completely leaving Fan Guangping and his wife at home, and working in the kitchen to make Liangpi before dawn.
A trend of selling ice blocks had started in the town and county. The ice was sold for thirty wen per small piece. Xie Kun started a price war and also leveraged his brother-in-law's connections to win over many clients.
The key was the affordable price, and the ability to get close to the county magistrate. Wealthy merchants were also happy to purchase it. In just one month, Xie Kun's demand for ice grew from the initial one hundred pieces to a thousand pieces.
This kept Zhao Jiaqi and Fan Zehao extremely busy. Every day before dawn, they would start moving basins. The courtyard was filled with nothing but basins.
In the blink of an eye, it was mid-September. The demand for ice decreased, and business gradually declined. However, in these one and a half months, Zhao Jiaqi and her husband had earned quite a lot.
On the bed lay silver ingots, broken silver, and copper coins. After several months of hard work, they had earned a profit of over one hundred and twenty taels. Among these, the braised meat and ice sales brought in the most income.
"Husband, pick a place, and let's buy it and build a house. Then we'll have a home in this village too."
Home!
Fan Zehao felt the word "home" warm for the first time. He smiled sheepishly. "I want to build it at the foot of the mountain. It's convenient to go up the mountain and close to the village. That way, if we want to do anything, we won't be discovered, and no one will bother us. What do you think?"
At the foot of the mountain!
Zhao Jiaqi frowned subtly. "Your idea is good, but I'm afraid if there are wild boars or something on the mountain, and they rush down, our home will be in trouble!"
And they would be the first to bear the brunt!
"If wild boars really come, they'll die before they reach our fence. The traps I set are no joke. Besides, don't we have two wolves at home that are more powerful than wild boars? What are you afraid of!"
Zhao Jiaqi suddenly realized. She had forgotten about wolves.
"Then I'll listen to you. Let's go find the village chief to buy the land quickly. Business isn't busy lately, so let's build the house during this time!"
Fan Zehao looked at the silver his wife handed him, sweat breaking out on his forehead. "Wife, aren't you coming with me to buy it? Aren't you afraid I'll lose the silver?"
"I trust you to handle this matter well. Go, I'll wait for you at home!"
Zhao Jiaqi had complete trust in him. She was also using this opportunity to let him take the lead. If she controlled everything in a family, what would be the point of having a man?