Gently pushing Ophelia’s hand away, ignoring the faintly aggrieved look in Ophelia’s eyes, Lilian fell into deep thought.
The Cohen Territory is the region most suited for growing coffee beans, and before coffee beans were produced on a large scale, it was also the largest place of origin.
If she wanted to make coffee a success, there was no way she could avoid the Cohen Territory.
But here lay a problem.
Repaying the 300 gold coins was her backup plan after failing to secure permission from Eleonora to go to Layat Academy.
Whether coffee could be a sustainable business was a secondary concern.
Her primary goal was to earn those 300 gold coins.
BY……
Lilian glanced at Ophelia.
Ophelia tilted her head, blinking her blue eyes.
A little cute.
Lilian guiltily shifted her gaze away.
005…..
She also had to resolve Ophelia’s personality issues, ensuring that after repaying the 300 gold coins, she wouldn’t be forcibly “arrested” by her.
Her own plans were now very clear………………
“So, are we going to look for Miss Eleonora today and talk about the plantation?”
“No, no, no, Ophelia, not for now. The time isn’t right yet.”
Whether they’d need the plantation depended on a few conditions.
First, could she convince Eleonora to let her go to Layat.
However, Lilian hadn’t expected Eleonora to agree, so her plan had always been to earn those 300 gold coins first.
But now, maybe she should try to sound out Eleonora.
It just so happened that the ingredients for her valerian root tea would be dried tonight, so she could go to Eleonora’s bedroom in the evening and brew her a cup of valerian root tea.
Then, she could smoothly bring up the topic.
After accepting a gift from someone, people were generally more inclined to agree to the giver’s next request.
Lilian felt a little despicable.
If Eleonora agreed, then she’d just talk to her about it directly. Eleonora wouldn’t mind the Cohen family earning a little extra.
If not…………………
She’d think of another way.
But, whether Eleonora agreed or not, this business had to be done.
She could only hope that the Imperial Capital’s stockpile of coffee beans would be enough for her early needs.
It would be best if she could keep sourcing until she finished earning those 300 gold coins.
After that, it didn’t matter whether Eleonora found out or not.
Goddess of Dawn above, please let this be possible…….
With her thoughts clear, Lilian said to Ophelia:
“Lia, I’ll think of a way regarding Eleonora. You go make the initial preparations.”
“Preparations? What about the plantation?” Ophelia asked, a little confused.
“The plantation can wait for now. Since we haven’t promoted coffee yet, the demand is low. The stockpile in the Imperial Capital and nearby should be enough to support us for a while.”
“So, the first thing is to find a suitable location to establish a warehouse. If possible, it’s best to have it together with the Factory. If not, the warehouse and Factory need to be close enough.”
“Factory?” Ophelia repeated the word. “What’s that?”
Lilian paused.
Then she realized, ‘Factory’ was a term she’d invented herself.
The Dawn Empire was still in the feudal era. There were no real factories yet, with workers, machines, and raw materials all integrated together.
Most workshops were personal handicraft shops, and due to magic and all sorts of crafts, the upper and lower limits varied greatly.
Lilian’s plan was only to earn those 300 gold coins, along with having a stable income.
As for leading an industrial revolution in another world, she hadn’t considered it.
Better to keep an eye on those evil gods and cultists, folks.
“In short, Lia, just think of it as a large workshop. As for land area………” Lilian thought for a moment, “About half the size of the estate you’re living in should be enough?”
Ophelia’s Villa was smaller than the Cohen Earl’s mansion, but that was only by comparison.
Lilian estimated the area, about five or six basketball courts?
Half that size would be plenty.
Ophelia nodded.
She understood. They’d buy a piece of land in the outer district, the size of Ophelia’s Villa, for the Factory.
“Second, raw materials. Lia, you need to send people to buy up all the coffee beans in the Imperial Capital. That will be our supply for the first month. Next, you’ll have to send people out, to the Cohen Territory and other places that can produce coffee beans, and sign long-term supply contracts—about… three to five years would be best.”
“Remember, don’t buy under the name of any new product. It’s best to use reasons like medicinal herbs, dyes, that sort of thing.”
“Is it really necessary to be so secretive?” Ophelia didn’t understand.
Lilian nodded.
“Roasted coffee beans taste different from raw ones. This way, we can at least ensure that, for the first few months, no one will notice our raw material source.”
Lilian only intended to use this method as a temporary cover, not a long-term deception.
“Third, manpower. Lia, you need to find some trustworthy people, preferably loyal, clean-backgrounded, and tight-lipped. We’ll need future Factory managers, shopkeepers, and agents to handle trivial matters on our behalf.”
Lilian paused. “Later, we may need one more person. I’ll teach them how to make high-quality coffee, best if they’re good at cooking.”
This was preparation for the noble market.
Lilian’s market wasn’t limited to students and scholars.
They were just the core demand, but those outside the core could also become her stable clients.
From the empire’s high-ranking nobles, to adventurers, all the way down to the commoners at the bottom………………
She wanted to make coffee a part of everyone’s life.
“Finally, have someone scout suitable storefronts under the name of some minor Chamber of Commerce on Changguang Avenue and Golden Fruit Avenue. June Avenue is our core market, August Avenue will be our brand’s sacred ground. Just observe in secret, record the most suitable spots—don’t take any action yet.”
“We have to sneak into the village quietly……… ahem, in short, don’t alert anyone.”
“That’s your mission, then. Any questions?”
Ophelia nodded. She stuck out a finger and waved it.
“Is it really necessary to be so careful? If we just use my name, no one would dare say anything, and everything would be so much easier.”
As a royal princess, her power was limitless.
“Of course it is. Keeping up the air of mystery is very important.” Lilian flashed a mysterious smile. “Just listen to me, Lia.”
Though Ophelia didn’t have a bad reputation, compared to “the Princess’s own business” coffee, clearly, “coffee loved and recommended by Her Highness the Princess” had more marketing appeal.
So Ophelia mustn’t show herself or declare coffee as her business.
“Oh……………” Ophelia fell silent.
Just listen to me…………………
Ophelia never thought someone would ever say that to her.
She had always been the one giving orders.
Now, looking at the confident Lilian before her, she felt as if she wanted to get to know her all over again.
The slightly arched brows, the upturned lips, the air of self-assurance.
Truly dazzling, truly captivating.
This time, it wasn’t because Lilian was the girl from her dreams, or because she knew her secrets, that she felt this way.
It was, purely, admiration for Lilian herself.