The world of film and television starts from the flow of money

"Qiuju, ask Xiaoxizi to take people to the warehouse to get some lard and soybean oil... Hurry up!"

Yi Huawei gave Qiu Ju a few instructions.

"promise!"

Qiuju immediately bent down to agree, then turned around and left in a hurry.

A moment later, Xiao Xizi and several servants came into the yard carrying various things, and they put them down carefully.

Chenxi stood aside, looking at these things curiously.

Several items were placed in the courtyard, including a large cauldron, two buckets of water, a wooden table, lard and soybean oil in two pottery jars, the oil was clear and exuded a faint aroma of oil. A basin of refined salt was placed on the table, the salt grains were as white as snow. There was a pile of strange stones that were exquisitely clustered and crystal clear, a bucket of orchid petals, and a stone mill.

Chenxi looked at Yi Huawei curiously and asked, "Can these things make the soap and perfume you mentioned?"

"Just watch..."

Yi Huawei smiled and told Xiao Xizi to clean the cauldron with clean water. Xiao Xizi was very quick and quickly picked up the bucket and poured clean water into the cauldron. Then he picked up a rag and wiped the cauldron carefully, not leaving out any corner. After a while, the cauldron was cleaned thoroughly.

Yi Huawei had people pour lard oil and soybean oil into the pot in a ratio of 1:3 and start heating. After heating, the lard oil quickly melted and mixed with the soybean oil. The fat rolled in the pot, emitting a faint aroma.

Yi Huawei ordered people to smash the alkali stone into small pieces with wooden hammers and put them into the oil pan. The servants picked up the wooden hammers and hit the alkali stone hard. The alkali stone gradually broke into small pieces under the hammers. The small pieces of alkali stone began to dissolve gradually after being put into the oil pan.

Xiao Xizi followed the instructions and increased the heat while stirring with a long-handled wooden spoon. The long-handled wooden spoon turned flexibly in his hand, stirring the fat in the pot. The fat rolled in the pot, making a slight sound.

Qiu Ju looked into the pot and saw oil floating in it. The strange "stones" thrown in had gradually dissolved and an indescribable smell emanated from the pot, which was slightly pungent.

There still seemed to be oil in the pot, but when I stirred it with a wooden spoon, there seemed to be great resistance, obviously there was something extra.

Qiu Ju took the wooden spoon and stirred it a few times, frowning slightly and said, "The oil has changed. Even if lard is added, it won't be so sticky. But I can't tell what's new. Is it the effect of those small stones?"

"Haha, those are not called small stones, they are called alkali stones."

Yi Huawei smiled.

The ingredient of natural alkali is sodium carbonate. When boiled with lard and vegetable oil, a chemical reaction will occur to produce soap and glycerin. The latter is the most primitive moisturizing oil, which can make the skin more moisturized and reduce the formation of wrinkles.

In fact, coconut oil is the best for making soap and body oil, but it was not a good idea to ask Yilan to pick coconuts at the moment, so she had to settle for the next best thing.

Seeing that the fire was almost ready, Yi Huawei ordered people to put the orchid petals into the stone mill and add a small amount of water to grind out the flower juice. The stone mill slowly turned under the push of the servant, making a slight sound. The orchid petals were ground into flower juice in the stone mill, and the flower juice flowed out through the gaps of the stone mill, exuding a faint floral fragrance. Then, it was evenly poured into the pot, the stove fire was turned down, and it was stirred for half an hour. When he saw the flower color gradually appearing in the pot, he took the salt and smiled to Chenxi, "You see it clearly!"

After saying that, he picked up a handful of salt and sprinkled it evenly into the pot. After a few handfuls of salt were added, a thick layer of paste suddenly floated on the surface of the oil.

Chenxi looked at the cauldron, then at Yi Huawei's hand, and was amazed to confirm that just sprinkling a few handfuls of salt could produce such a miraculous change.

Yi Huawei ordered people to spread out rectangular wooden trellises and spread the paste floating on the oil surface on the trellises. The servants moved quickly, arranged the wooden trellises neatly, and then carefully spread the paste on them. It solidified in a short time and was divided into palm-sized rectangular blocks, which were soaps of later generations. However, orchid juice was added to it, making it look crystal clear and faintly green.

"Is this the soap? Can it be used to wash hands and clothes? Isn't that a pity?" Chenxi picked up a piece of orchid soap, smelled the faint orchid fragrance, and was reluctant to let it go.

"Come on, try it."

Yi Huawei asked Xiao Xizi to fetch a basin of warm water and demonstrated it to Chenxi. Xiao Xizi quickly fetched a basin of warm water and placed it in front of Chenxi. Yi Huawei soaked his hands, then picked up a piece of soap and rubbed them gently. Soon, many bubbles appeared on his hands.

Chenxi curiously imitated Yi Huawei's movements, but found that after her hands were wet with water, as long as she rubbed the thing a few times, a lot of bubbles would appear. She washed away the bubbles with water, and her hands became whiter and softer. Her eyes were suddenly filled with surprise and excitement, as if she had discovered a magical treasure.

Qiu Ju also came over, carefully dipped her hands into the water, and then picked up the soap and rubbed them gently. As the bubbles were produced, she could feel a wonderful change happening in her hands. After washing, she looked at her hands in surprise. The originally dark skin had become white and tender.

Qiu Ju looked at her hands excitedly, her face full of surprise. As if she couldn't believe her eyes, she repeatedly looked at her palms and the backs of her hands to confirm this miraculous change.

In her excitement, Qiu Ju forgot the rules for a moment and ran to Yi Huawei and stretched out her hand to show him. "Sir, look, this... this is really amazing."

"Cough cough!"

Chenxi coughed lightly and glanced at Yi Huawei. There was a hint of dissatisfaction and jealousy in her eyes, as if she was blaming Yi Huawei for making Qiu Ju lose her composure.

"I deserve to die. Please forgive me, Princess!"

When Qiuju realized what was happening, her face immediately turned red, and she hurriedly leaned over to apologize to Chenxi.
"Stand up, you are Lord Zhao's man, what crime are you accusing me of?"

Chenxi waved her hands. Although there was a hint of displeasure in her tone, she was not really angry. She glared at Yi Huawei, as if blaming him for causing this trouble.

Yi Huawei smiled as he walked to the cauldron and picked up a small ball of white glycerin. He walked back to Chenxi, gently took her soft little hand, and spread the glycerin evenly: "After washing your hands, you can try this moisturizing flower oil. Even in summer, this thing can be quickly absorbed by the skin and can best nourish your face. If you use it every day, it can also delay aging."

"Really?"

Chenxi opened her gem-like eyes wide and stared at the back of her hand. She tilted her head slightly, and the light shone on the back of her hand, making the area where glycerin was applied more clearly visible. Observing carefully, the originally slightly dry skin seemed to be injected with vitality, becoming smoother and smoother, as if water could be squeezed out. And the faint floral fragrance lingered around, like a gentle hug, making people feel relaxed and happy.

Chenxi gently raised her hand, put it to her nose and sniffed. The fragrance of the flowers seemed to have a magical power that made her mood instantly happy.

“Isn’t this perfume?”

Chenxi's eyes moved quickly, and she became more and more curious about the perfume that Yi Huawei mentioned. She couldn't help but pull Yi Huawei's arm, shaking it slightly, revealing a cute and innocent look like a little girl: "What exactly does that perfume look like? I really want to see it soon."

"The perfume-making method is too complicated and takes three months to make."

Yi Huawei frowned slightly, thinking that the essential oils and alcohol needed to make perfume had not yet been prepared. He smiled and said, "Well, I'll give you a few perfume recipes...Qiu Ju, go get some pen and ink."

"promise!"

Qiuju responded crisply and ran towards the study room happily. After a while, she hurried back with pen and ink, with a hint of excitement on her face, as if she was happy to be able to participate in this wonderful production. "Angelica dahurica, Chuanxiong, Scutellaria baicalensis, Paica lappa, Kaempferia galanga, Nardostachys grandiflora, and Gaobenxing can be used to make sachets. The fragrance has certain effects of repelling insects, refreshing the brain, and calming the nerves."

As Yi Huawei spoke, he picked up a brush and fluently wrote the names of these medicinal herbs on the paper.

"Mint, mugwort, patchouli, and jasmine. Mint and borneol have a cooling and refreshing effect, mugwort and patchouli can remove dampness and prevent epidemics, and jasmine has a fresh and pleasant aroma that helps to refresh the mind and invigorate the spirit in hot and humid weather or when one is sleepy."

Yi Huawei continued to write down another incense recipe:
"Rosemary, (rosemary was introduced to China in the Qin Dynasty, and the name rosemary was derived from the Compendium of Materia Medica), cypress seeds, polygala, and albizzia. Rosemary has a soothing effect on nerves, while cypress seeds, polygala, and albizzia can help relieve anxiety and promote sleep. They can be placed next to the pillow for use."

"Agarwood, sandalwood, cloves, wood fragrance, camphor, and spikenard. Mix the above materials in proportion, grind them into fine powder, add an appropriate amount of sticky powder, and mix them with warm water to make incense mud. Then, use a mold to make incense pills or incense cakes, and use them after drying in the shade. This fragrance is quiet and elegant, with the cool fragrance of plum blossoms."

After Yi Huawei finished writing the last perfume recipe, he looked up and smiled at Chenxi. He handed the paper filled with perfume recipes to Chenxi and said with a smile, "You can use this for now. I'll tell you when the perfume is made. When I have time, I'll write a few more perfume recipes for you. You can have them made into finished products. This thing is still rare now. The higher the price, the better. At least it should be on par with the price of gold... You are pregnant now, so don't touch musk, borneol, etc. It's not good for your health..."

Chenxi tilted her head slightly and listened carefully to Yi Huawei's words. Her long hair like a waterfall sparkled under the light and there was a hint of curiosity on her delicate face.

At this moment, a sound of light footsteps came. Yi Huawei and Princess Chenxi turned their heads at the same time and saw Lu Zhi walking towards them gracefully. She was wearing a lavender long skirt with delicate patterns embroidered on the hem, which swayed gently with her steps. Her hair was loosely tied up, and a few strands of hair hung on her cheeks, adding a bit of charm.

"What is Lord Zhao doing now?"

Lü Zhi looked at Chen Xi and was slightly stunned at first, then she quickly bowed and said, "Lü Zhi greets the princess. I didn't know you were here. I'm sorry for the offense."

"Manager Lu, you're welcome..."

Chenxi bit her lower lip lightly, stretched out her hand and pinched Yi Huawei's waist, then said calmly: "I am discussing something with Lord Zhao, is there anything Manager Lu can do?"

"The Queen Mother sent someone to deliver a letter, and I am delivering it to Lord Zhao!"

Lu Zhi bent down slightly, then carefully took out a folded white paper from her sleeve. She presented the letter with both hands and glanced at Yi Huawei with some resentment in her eyes.

Yi Huawei coughed to hide his discomfort, then reached out to take the letter, walked aside and started reading it, quickly scanning the contents of the letter, then put the letter away and put it into his sleeve.

Chenxi stood aside, watching the interaction between Yi Huawei and Lu Zhi, his eyes flickered a few times, and he asked, "What does the Queen Mother want to see you about?"

"Nothing, the concubine misses her father." Yi Huawei smiled and said, "She wants me to be flexible."

"Oh~"

Chenxi nodded and stopped asking questions.

Lu Zhi's eyes fell on the incense recipe in Chenxi's hand, and she showed curiosity, but she knew what was going on and didn't ask. She knew her identity and couldn't be too casual in front of the princess.

"This is the incense recipe that Lord Zhao wrote for me. If you are interested, just copy it."

Chenxi glanced at Yi Huawei and smiled at Lu Zhi.

Lu Zhi was delighted and bowed quickly, saying:
"Thank you princess."

"Haha~, you're welcome!"

Chenxi looked at Lu Zhi and thought to herself. She knew that the relationship between Lu Zhi and Zhao Lang was not that of an ordinary master and servant. From Lu Zhi's eyes, she could see her feelings for Yi Huawei. Thinking that she was pregnant and could not always be with Yi Huawei, it would be better to keep Lu Zhi under her nose and watch him carefully instead of letting him go out and have affairs.

Looking at the two of them studying the recipe together, Yi Huawei shrugged his shoulders and turned to walk towards the kitchen.

Chenxi is pregnant, so I have to make some good food for her.

...............

"Hurry up!"

The sharp shouts echoed in the empty wilderness, as if piercing through the thin morning mist.

"Hurry up, haven't you eaten yet?"

A dignified lieutenant roared with his eyes wide open. The soldiers were dressed in neat armor, their clothes soaked with sweat, but they dared not slack off, gritting their teeth and running forward desperately.

"Look at the others, then look at you, hurry up!"

Another lieutenant waved his whip, pointed at a soldier who was lagging behind and shouted at him. The soldier's face flushed, his eyes revealed stubbornness and unwillingness, and he suddenly quickened his pace, trying to catch up with the team in front.

The training of the Guards was no longer just a simple drill, but physical training had begun. At dawn, before daybreak, the 20-mile field march officially began.

Yi Huawei rode on his black horse and came to the field training site accompanied by Han Xin and others. The black horse snorted from time to time, as if it was also infected by the tense atmosphere.

Yi Huawei was wearing a black robe with a golden belt around his waist, which made him look particularly majestic. His eyes were sharp and deep, staring closely at the guards who were leaping, running, climbing, and crawling on the mountains.

The panting guards kept running under his eyes, their footsteps heavy and powerful, making dull sounds when they stepped on the ground. Some soldiers climbed up the steep hillside, holding the rocks tightly with their fingers, and their bodies pressed tightly against the mountain, climbing up step by step. Some soldiers crawled on the narrow mountain road, their bodies pressed tightly against the ground, moving forward quickly like a flexible snake.

Some of these lieutenants who deliberately wanted to show off in front of Yi Huawei scolded and whipped the soldiers who lagged behind, some directly greeted their ancestors, and Fan Kuai simply kicked the slow-moving soldiers with his feet: "Didn't you eat breakfast?!"

The guards gritted their teeth and ran forward desperately, sweat running down their cheeks and dripping onto the ground.

As time went by, the distance of the march became longer and longer, and the soldiers' physical strength was gradually exhausted. But none of them gave up.

Under Yi Huawei's watchful eyes, the guards finally completed the 20-mile field march. They lay exhausted on the ground, gasping for breath, but with a hint of joy on their faces.

(End of this chapter)