Chapter 10.2: Get Rich

Suddenly noticing the silk was a bright golden yellow, Tian Thirteen grew shocked to the core.

"Why is the Xu Family able to develop to such an extent? It is because of the silk they create made exclusively for n.o.bles and royals; it is because of the color of their silk." Shen Lang said confidently.

In Ancient China, the color yellow was exclusive only to the royal family. The king, queen, and their direct offsprings were allowed to wear yellow. In this world, the same notion held true. Therefore, it's safe to a.s.sume that royal and n.o.ble families also adored the color of yellow.

But the yellow silk of this world is dyed with gardenia1 and diluted the true color of yellow. It wasn't bright enough and could not compete against the golden sun.

The silk Shen Lang pulled out was dyed with the new formula he concocted. Made from sophora plant, it gave the silk a bright and sunny color.

Qing Dynasty2 emperors wore yellow robes using sophora plant3 as their source of dye.

How n.o.ble and magnificent it looked.

Could the washed off dye of this world compare to the modern world? No, it cannot.

When he went out in the back mountains to pick some herbs for treating his father and little brother, he luckily stumbled upon a few sophora plants. His twinkling eyes plucked them happily.

As for alternative use, it was a sort of traditional panacea used to heal the body. He left some for his family.

Boiling the sophora plant yesterday, Shen Lang extracted the deep color of the plant and poured into a small bowl. Thereafter, he ripped a piece of the colorless silk and dye it a golden yellow. After the dyeing process, She Lang fired the silk lightly and left it hanging to dry for the night.

The golden yellow silk was almost made.

Lin Mo felt the texture of the yellow silk dyed by the sophora plant and pulled out a silk dyed by gardenia plant. There is no harm done when comparing them. The silk on the left was too faded… vulgar… straightforward. The silk on the right was bright and golden.

"This piece was dyed by me last night. The result is actually not this because it was too fast. But it'd look even better given enough time and materials to prepare. If you're to use my recipe, you'd no doubt produce a brighter and a more refined golden-colored silk."

"Rus.h.i.+ng through in one night can unexpectedly produce such a result…?" Lin Mo was baffled.

"Yes." Shen Lang nodded. "If you're to do exactly as the recipe says, it'll be of luxurious quality. If you send this golden silk to the royal family, what do you think will happen?"

Lin Mo closed his eyes.

Already he dreamt of the royal family immediately abandoning the Xu Family's silk and proceeding to use his. The monopoly on the silk business would fall on his lap.

The amount of money made was of no use, but the fame and a larger backing would be his key to acquiring political resources and leverage.

"Boss Lin, what do you think?" Shen Lang smiled softly. "Can this let you earn five thousand gold coins yearly?"

"No…" Lin Mo shook his head. "More than that…"

"Then, the golden dye recipe… selling it to you for two thousand gold coins… is it expensive?"

"No, not expensive. Not expensive at all."

Tian Thirteen looked at Shen Lang wide-eyed.

Seems as he'd already planned out how he'd make his father riches. He thought the idea ludicrous at first, but never did he expect that this white lotus wasn't bluffing. He actually managed to earn two thousand gold coins!

What's more surprising was his killing of two birds with one stone.

Revenge against the Xu Family and accruing riches.

That's right… Shen Lang felt great bitterness and vengeance deep in his heart. Acquiring gold coins to escape from his dilemma was not enough. He needed to get back at the Xu Family.

What losses would the Xu Family face were they to lose their silk business?

Tian Thirteen began imagining the drastic loss.

Why is it that the Xu Family is able to have several branches running across many provinces without any losses? Because they monopolized in the field of weaving silks worn by many n.o.bles and royals.

Lin Mo looked at the dyed silk fascinatingly. "How do I know you made this dye? It's entirely possible you picked up this silk from somewhere."

Shen Lang smiled. "Worry not. I brought all the material. Give me but an hour and you'll have another golden dye prepared and it'll be much better than last night!"

"Really?"

Shen Lang nodded. "Really."

"Alright." Lin Mo clapped his hands. "I'll give you the back room. Do as you please. So long as you can create the golden dye on the spot, it would indeed prove this recipe is legitimate and we will further make plans to make business."

"And the two thousand gold coins?"

"Already on its way."