Chapter 1095, The Finished Product

Translator: Silavin

 

Yu Ying came in cradling a large piece of cotton cloth woven from Kapok Fluff.

 

Both her arms were held quite rigid, as though she was afraid of dropping what she was carrying.

 

“They finished it so quickly?” Su Bai looked up and, seeing her expression, could not help but smile.

 

“Yes, Shaman. Come and see what you think.” Yu Ying set the cotton cloth down on the table with great care.

 

Su Bai set aside what he was doing and walked over. He picked up the cloth and looked it over.

 

He reached out and felt the texture. It was very soft. He pressed it to his face after that. There was none of that scratchy sensation.

 

“This is a very fine piece of cotton cloth. Made into clothing for the snow season, it would keep people warm.” Su Bai said, satisfied.

 

“It does feel wonderful by itself. To think the clothes made from it would keep us warm as well.” Yu Ying said without a moment’s hesitation.

 

Yu Ying was quite taken with the fabric made from Kapok Fluff. It had a softness she loved.

 

“Great. Tell the workshop to make up a sample garment following the design drawings I gave them before, and bring it to me.” Su Bai said quietly.

 

He had given the workshop a number of drawings previously. T-shirts, trousers, that sort of thing, with pattern designs included.

 

The Flame Dragon Tribe already had many people wearing linen T-shirts and trousers, and they were even being sold in the Central Market.

 

“Understood.” Yu Ying said immediately.

 

She turned and had a maid deliver the message. She did not need to see to such things personally.

 

“Oh, Shaman, is our soap ready?” Yu Ying suddenly remembered.

 

“I think it might be. Let’s go and see.” Su Bai set down what he was doing and walked over to the iron pot.

 

“Shaman, what do we do next?” Yu Ying asked, swishing her pink fox tail with curiosity.

 

“We need to take the soap gel from the pot and set it in a wooden basin. And if you find the gel has formed lumps, heat it until it melts before taking it out.”

 

“Shaman, why does it form lumps? Is it because the snow season hasn’t started yet?” Yu Ying blinked her pink eyes innocently.

 

“That sort of thing usually happens because the temperature dropped too low during the standing and insulation stage. It’s normal.”

 

Su Bai worked as he spoke, adding. “Also, before we take the soap gel out, we must skim off the foam floating on top and set it aside for the next batch of soap-making.”

 

“I’ll remember that.” Yu Ying kept her eyes fixed forward, afraid of missing a single important detail.

 

“And the waste water at the bottom of the pot must not be mixed in with the soap gel. Once the gel has solidified into a solid, we cut it into blocks.”

 

Su Bai worked without difficulty, continuing: “We leave it to set for a while before cutting. Once it’s cut, that is the finished soap. You will see it sold as individual bars.”

 

“Oh. I really didn’t believe it could become soap.” Yu Ying’s expression was one of complete disbelief.

 

Yu Ying had doubted it from the start. But the evidence was right in front of her now, and it was genuinely astonishing.

 

“Of course it can. Have I ever lied to you?” Su Bai laughed.

 

“Shaman, are there any other points to take note of? I’d like to go over everything once more.” Yu Ying asked earnestly.

 

Yu Ying wanted to hold onto every bit of this. It had been too surprising not to.

 

“There are indeed a few things. The first is that the amount of lye added to the soap foot depends on the condition of the soap foot itself. You must judge the amount based on how the saponification is proceeding.”

 

Su Bai thought for a moment and continued: “When cooking the soap directly with water, watch the heat carefully. Start with a strong flame to saponify, then reduce to a gentle flame to keep it warm.”

 

“Noted. What else, Shaman?” Yu Ying gave a serious nod.

 

“One more point: do not put too much soap foot into the pot at once. After adding water, keeping the pot two-thirds full is ideal.”

 

Su Bai wrote as he spoke. “The amount of water to add depends on how deep the colour of the soap gel is. I told you that earlier. Do you still remember?”

 

“I do, Shaman.” Yu Ying answered with a smile.

 

“Very good. Ask me anything you’re unsure of. And the last point: during saponification, if the soap gel looks too dark, add more water to wash it, as much as the situation requires.” Su Bai finished.

 

“I understand. I have remembered all of it, Shaman.” Yu Ying showed a wide, bright smile.

 

“The general process goes like this: heat and melt the soap foot to saponify it, then water-wash and salt out, and finally let it stand with the heat kept steady, then cool and cut into blocks.” Su Bai wrote out the steps in order.

 

He knew it was a complicated task. But for the Tribe to have soap, no amount of complexity was too much.

 

These were all necessary steps in moving the Tribe toward something more like a proper city.

 

It might not be the most major development. But to Su Bai, it was an indispensable one.

 

“You’ve written it out so clearly, Shaman. I will do everything I can to learn these Chinese Characters and then teach the people in the workshop.” Yu Ying felt the weight of responsibility settle over her at once.

 

“Thanks. It is really not an easy task.” Su Bai ruffled her hair.

 

“I know. But this is really interesting, and I am glad to learn it. I’m also glad to teach it to the others.” Yu Ying said with a smile.

 

“Of course. Experiments are always interesting.” Su Bai’s brow lifted slightly.

 

“So that’s why Co Co is so absorbed in experiments. I see now why they’re so fascinating.” Yu Ying shook her pink fox tail.

 

“That’s exactly it. There are many more interesting things to teach you in time. Would you like to learn them?” Su Bai asked.

 

There was still so much knowledge he had not yet brought out. For the sake of the Tribe’s growth, he would have to present all of it to this Primitive Tribe, and do so properly.

 

“I do. Since you came to our Tribe, everything you have taught us has been of use, and our Tribe has grown better because of them.” Yu Ying said without hesitation.

 

“Alright then. Let’s wrap a few bars of soap nicely and send them to the Tribe’s senior members.” Su Bai said with a smile.

 

“We’re wrapping them up?” Yu Ying asked, curious.

 

“Consider it a reward for everyone’s hard work.” Su Bai said plainly.

 

The people of the Flame Dragon Tribe had long been eager for anything that came out of the Yong’an Building. They felt, without exception, that everything from there was of the finest quality.

 

Others might not know it. But those at the top certainly did.

 

“Yes, Shaman.” Yu Ying’s clear voice rang out.