Chapter 63: Personal Letter from the Jurchen Emperor

Hu Xu pestered Qin Xuan for another two hours of tutoring, not leaving until even Zhao Luoying grew impatient, at which point Qin Xuan rudely chased him away.

In the days that followed, Qin Xuan still frequented the workshop, leading Gao Xiong and other craftsmen to continuously upgrade basic industrial equipment. Relying on some of his fragmented memories, Qin Xuan finally succeeded in restoring the puddling process for steelmaking.

With the puddling process, high-quality steel could be forged, thereby enhancing the toughness and hardness of weapons such as sabers and spears.

Meanwhile, after building a larger bellows, Gao Xiong developed a new type of air blower under Qin Xuan's guidance.

The emergence of these two innovations directly raised the combustion temperature of the boilers, making it possible to refine much purer glass.

However, these developments were still undergoing constant trial and error and could not be achieved overnight. In the realm of soap, however, thanks to the collaborative discussions between Zhao Luoying and Hua Mingyue, surprising progress was made, resulting in the creation of new fragrance varieties.

"As expected, a woman's world is only truly understood by women," Qin Xuan could not help but sigh.

Zhao Luoying actually did not care much for visiting the workshop, but whenever soap development was involved, she practically wished she could live right there on-site.

As for Hua Mingyue, she once again caught Qin Xuan off guard, almost leaving him in awe.

This woman, whose beauty was captivating enough to overthrow a kingdom, gave Qin Xuan a feeling similar to the late Cui Yu; some of her trains of thought in certain areas were nearly identical to his own modern mindset.

No wonder that even after the Blazing Sun Chamber of Commerce had just lost its chief, the entire organization remained steady at heart and its business flourished.

"Your Highness, Mingyue thinks we could produce soap molds in various distinct shapes and then specifically market them to the imperial family and nobility."

Inside the soap workshop, Hua Mingyue suggested with sparkling eyes.

Qin Xuan looked surprised. "For instance?"

"For instance, flowers of the four seasons. We could commission skilled carvers to specially craft molds for four seasonal flowers, and then cast the soap accordingly. If we package four different soaps—each representing a different season, fragrance, and shape—together into an exquisite gift box for sale, the profit would surely be several times higher than selling them individually!"

Hua Mingyue watched Qin Xuan somewhat nervously, her heart fluttering like a startled fawn.

The Prince of Chu before her was young and handsome, his brows naturally carrying the dignity and dominance of someone in power.

Yet what Hua Mingyue admired most was Qin Xuan's unmatched talent.

Upon arriving in Beining City, she had learned that the refined salt and soap were both creations of Qin Xuan, which instantly filled her with awe.

Coupled with the recent sight of Qin Xuan introducing the puddling steelmaking process, Hua Mingyue had quietly developed romantic feelings for him.

Yet she felt somewhat unworthy, especially since Zhao Luoying by Qin Xuan's side was too radiant. Whenever Zhao Luoying appeared anywhere in the workshop or the city, the common people would genuinely greet her and bow with heartfelt respect.

This was something that could never be earned merely by holding the title of the Princess of Chu.

Qin Xuan naturally had no idea that Hua Mingyue was harboring so many thoughts at that moment. He was simply surprised that this young lady had already grasped the concept of high-end commercial customization.

"Your idea is wonderful, and we can expand upon it even further."

Qin Xuan praised approvingly.

Hearing the praise, Hua Mingyue visibly brightened and asked with eager excitement, "Your Highness, how should we expand it?"

"It's very simple. For example, if a member of the royal family is celebrating a birthday, you can have the workshop produce a customized version inscribed with auspicious wishes like 'A Life of a Hundred Years' or 'Boundless Longevity,' or we could simply modify the soap into scented candles."

"Scented candles?"

This was the first time Hua Mingyue had ever heard the term.

"I let it slip again."

Qin Xuan mentally wanted to slap himself, but since the words were already out, he could only explain, "The manufacturing process is actually quite simple. You take the fragrance essences that would normally go into soap, combine them with a touch of calming medicinal powder, blend them into candle wax, and pair them with uniquely carved molds to create a new type of candle."

"As the candle burns, it slowly releases fragrance and medicinal properties, thereby helping to calm the mind and soothe the spirit."

Calming the mind and soothing the spirit was actually just one function of aromatherapy; in future generations, aromatherapy was mostly used to set the mood and enhance atmosphere.

However, Qin Xuan dared not mention that particular function to Hua Mingyue right in front of Zhao Luoying.

"Sister Luoying, did you hear that? His Highness is so amazing! Just how many ingenious ideas are packed into his mind? A single casual thought of his leaves all the merchants in the world far behind."

Hua Mingyue was no ordinary woman; she understood all too well the immense wealth that Qin Xuan's so-called scented candles could generate.

"I'd also love to know how many secrets are hidden in his mind. Would you like to open it up and check for me?"

Zhao Luoying looked at Hua Mingyue with a gentle smile, her beautiful eyes seemingly carrying a deeper meaning.

Hua Mingyue blushed instantly, muttered a soft reproach, "Sister is bullying me!"

Then, her face burning red, she hurriedly fled the scene.

Qin Xuan watched in bewilderment. "Why did she just run off out of nowhere?"

"Your Highness, are you truly unaware of your own charm?"

As a woman, Zhao Luoying could naturally sense Hua Mingyue's hidden feelings, but she did not mind at all. On the contrary, if Qin Xuan was willing, she would not be opposed to accepting Hua Mingyue.

"Isn't my charm entirely dedicated to conquering you?"

Qin Xuan smiled faintly, then wrapped one arm around Zhao Luoying's slender waist and asked in a low voice, "My dear Princess, the bath we agreed upon last time—is it time to honor that promise?"

"Ah! I almost forgot, I just promised the brothers of the Mountain Battalion to test some new crossbows. I must rush over right away!"

Zhao Luoying feigned a gasp of surprise, deftly wriggled out of Qin Xuan's embrace, and bolted from the spot like an arrow released from a bow.

Qin Xuan was left dumbfounded. "Such a clumsy excuse is something only you, Zhao Luoying, could possibly say aloud."

Sighing helplessly, he realized that the shared bath would have to wait a little longer.

Just as he was feeling a twinge of regret, Zhao Luoying unexpectedly hurried back, her face flushed with a rosy warmth.

"Luoying, what is this..."

Qin Xuan was overjoyed, but before he could finish, Zhao Luoying interrupted, "Your Highness, the military advisor just sent word that Gurna, the National Preceptor of the Jurchen State, has come to seek an audience."

Gurna?

Qin Xuan froze, a slight frown forming on his brow.

This National Preceptor of the Jurchen State was truly a towering hero of his era.

It was precisely because of him that the Jurchen State possessed its current formidable national strength.

Even the Tulan Army had originally been established upon his proposal, with Tulan merely acting as the executor.

"Did Tulan come?"

Qin Xuan asked.

Zhao Luoying shook her head and replied, "No, but he brought a trade caravan and, along with it, a personal handwritten letter from the Jurchen Emperor."

Hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Qin Xuan's eyes. "How interesting. It seems this Jurchen Emperor is far more ambitious and visionary than we imagined!"

"Luoying, have the military advisor receive him with state protocols. I will be there shortly."

Qin Xuan instructed, knowing that a personal letter from an emperor was virtually indistinguishable from an official state missive.

It was simply because Beining City had not yet formally declared itself a nation that the Jurchen Emperor had chosen a more tactful approach.