Feng Chi called Feng Yi over today, mainly to tell him about the ancestral worship ceremony in the ancestral hall.
After the matter was settled, the invitation letter was given to Feng Yi, completing the task that the old man had forced upon him. After chatting for a while about some heavy topics within the Feng family, Feng Chi stopped talking and instead shared some lighter things with Feng Yi.
We finally get together, we can’t just talk about those trivial things.
As soon as the topic of the Feng family left aside and started talking about something of interest, Feng Chi switched to excitement mode in the blink of an eye.
From entertainment gossip to his recent experiences on several variety shows.
When Feng Yi saw him talking about these things, his face was full of energy and he couldn't help but smile.
These aspects of the entertainment industry are indeed more suitable for Fengchi. It can be heard that Fengchi is really serious about his career.
If you encounter setbacks in the future, can’t make it, or get tired of it, you can go home and continue to be a rich second-generation.
After Feng Chi's parents gained a certain degree of autonomy, they gradually separated their careers from the Yangcheng Feng family.
Especially Fengchi’s mother.
"After the show, someone stopped me and asked me to help grab a facial mask. My mother's stores are doing very well! The appointments are fully booked! Branches in other first-tier cities are also arranged. The beauty and skin care brand she founded is doing very well... Hey brother, have you used up the facial mask I gave you last time? Tell me when you're done!" Feng Chi said.
"Well, there's still a little." Feng Yi didn't use the mask himself, so he gave it to the housekeeper.
"I had too many things on my mind today and forgot about it. I'll bring you another can next time! I don't have more, but I can still get you one. That facial mask is amazing! It's in short supply right now!"
"Is the current production still not up to par?" Feng Yi asked.
"There's no way. There are restrictions on raw materials and the purchase quantity is limited." When it comes to this, Feng Chi is helpless.
"Raw materials? Do you mean the ones from the original factory?"
"Yes, the important ingredient in that god-level facial mask is that active substance. Only the original factory has it in the world. It is their patented product. My mother was lucky enough to get some of it."
Fengchi was very happy to share this information with Fengyi.
"You don't know, every batch of products coming out of the production line is snapped up by major top brands... No, to be exact, they are all booked out before they are even produced! Those who snapped up the products are all the world's top brands! Compared with us small fish and shrimp, they are like great white sharks! Ordinary people can't compete with them at all. So my mother said that it was completely luck that we were able to successfully sign a contract with the Ancestor Factory. It happened that we got a quota. Even if we didn't get much in each batch, we were lucky enough compared to others."
"The output is still too small." Feng Yi said.
"Brother, you don't understand this aspect. The technical content here is too high, so it's understandable that the output can't keep up." Feng Chi looked like he knew a lot.
“…Oh.” Feng Yi didn’t know what expression to make.
Thinking that Feng Yi would not agree, Feng Chi continued to explain: "Don't disbelieve me! I heard from my mother that many people have tried to crack this active substance, but they just can't produce it! Even if it is a similar product, the effect is a world away! To say it is a copycat or pirated product is an exaggeration!"
Feng Yi: “…” Drinking water in silence.
Feng Chi: "So, the original factory is the original factory! Even if it is a sub-line product, it is not something that ordinary people can crack! This is the technique, the art, the seal, the lock!"
The last four words were spoken so powerfully.
Feng Yi: “… Yeah.”
Feng Chi: "Do you really understand?"
Feng Yi: "Understood, technical blockade."
Seeing that Feng Yi really understood, Feng Chi was satisfied.
After looking at Feng Yi's face, which was not rough at all, Feng Chi felt that Feng Yi had used a facial mask, which made him even happier:
"That's right. As public figures, we may be secretly photographed even when we go out for a walk. We have to maintain a good image. I participated in a program last week and a high-definition camera was filming my face! Fortunately, I have the confidence!"
He said and touched his face.
Feng Chi said: "You can feel it yourself, right?"
Feng Yi thought about the butler's face and found that there seemed to be fewer wrinkles on it.
"It is effective." Feng Yi nodded.
"Right! I'm not exaggerating about my own product, it just works! Apart from being expensive and in small quantities, there's nothing wrong with it!"
Feng Yi listened quietly as Feng Chi continued to apply the facial mask.
There is nothing he can do about the lack of production.
After all, he only has two venom glands.
The composition of the venom coming out of the two sides is different.
If only one of the venoms can provide the raw materials for this sub-line product, the output will be even less!
If no one can break this "technological blockade", we can only hope that the ancestral factory will upgrade its technology to increase production capacity.
But this also takes time.
In short, in the short term, we can only maintain the status quo.
I didn’t have much time to chat with Fengchi. Fengchi’s schedule is very tight now. He has just started his career and is very busy.
After returning home from Feng Chi’s secret base, Feng Yi came to the study on the second floor and threw the invitation letter on the table.
He then took out two documents from a drawer of a nearby bookcase.
One copy was checked by Xiao Yi, and the other was investigated with the help of the housekeeper.
The two documents are about those who had cheated him and a lot of hidden information behind them.
He has not taken any action yet, not only because of various restrictions on his side, but also because the investigation is a little difficult.
Feng Yi had these two documents in his hands not long ago.
When the old man takes action, even if he is dealing with a small person or a small matter, he will try his best to do it perfectly.
After decades of ups and downs, Feng Yi had long expected that his cautiousness and ruthlessness would allow him to reach his current level.
Putting the two documents back into the drawer, Feng Yi glanced at the invitation letter on the table.
After so many years, the old man is still the same. He likes to talk to himself and change his own script without caring whether others are willing to act with him!
Just as Feng Chi guessed, Feng Yi also believed that the old man wanted to use this ancestral worship ceremony in the ancestral hall to consolidate his power and exert pressure.
However, there were some secrets behind this that Feng Chi didn't know, so he couldn't figure out who the old man was targeting.
The Yangcheng Feng family, which is gradually slipping out of control, is of course one of the old man's targets.
But it is not the main goal.
Feng Yi knew that the old man wanted to show off his muscles in front of him.
Even though he is old, the power, wealth and connections he has are still very tempting to many people.
However, to disappoint the old man, Feng Yi had no intention of following his script.
The old man spent so much energy and money to invite relatives from all over the world to the ancestral temple to worship their ancestors. He must have some ulterior motive.
Feng Yi also wanted to use this as a test.
Feng Yi took out two copper coins from his collection box. One was bought from a second-hand store, and the other was bought at an auction for a large sum of money.
After the housekeeper studied and recorded the newly bought zodiac coin, he let Feng Yi keep it for himself.
In addition to these two, Feng Yi also has the zodiac coins in his hand, and the one he wears.
The one he wore was transformed into a two-in-one on the first day he met the butler, so it was thicker than the other two.
Feng Yi picked up the thicker zodiac coin he was wearing.
He didn't understand before and didn't know why these two copper coins had changed like this. Now he understood.
The zodiac coins put together, the one from the housekeeper, was specially made by my aunt. The energy substances attached to it and the specialized layer on the surface of the copper coin are different from other zodiac coins.
When this special zodiac coin and another zodiac coin with the same energy are very close to each other, a strong suction force will be generated. The specialized layers on the surface of the two copper coins will be combined into one under the instantaneous energy stimulation, becoming what the housekeeper calls the "key".
This is the identification to enter the secret room of the ancestral home.
Of course, Feng Yi is still far from the critical point of life. Before the deadline, there is no need to make the next "key".
What he wants to make now is the kind of zodiac coins that the Feng family gives to children.
Each generation of heirs will make the kind of zodiac coins with a "patina".
Making zodiac animals and giving them to children as coins is a custom passed down by the Feng family.
To this day, some people may continue this custom, while others may not.
Feng Yi plans to mint a batch of zodiac coins.
Feng Yi still has to ask the housekeeper for advice on this matter.
When asked about the information related to zodiac money spending, the housekeeper who was watering the flowers immediately put down what he was doing and excitedly took Feng Yi to the tea room to discuss in detail.
After pouring two cups of tea, the butler did not talk directly about the casting, but talked to Feng Yi about the information he knew about the Feng family's zodiac coins.
"Not every family can receive this special zodiac coin. People who have zodiac coins may not have owned them from the beginning, but may have been passed down from their ancestors."
The history is too long, and no one knows how many times the clans and tribes have been divided. The development of the times has also brought about too many changes.
Nowadays, some members of the clan are developing in China, some are abroad, and we don’t even know where they live.
In addition to the relatives mentioned by the old man, there are some people who may not have the surname Feng, but also have those special, homologous genes.
Now, not every member of the Feng clan can receive zodiac coins.
"Just like Ms. Feng, your great aunt, if she meets a suitable child, she will give him a zodiac coin as a gift, but if she doesn't, she won't be able to give it to him. Another possibility is that the relationship is not good. Although they can be in touch, they deliberately reduce contacts due to internal conflicts, and the other party may not accept the zodiac coin as a gift." said the housekeeper.
Feng Yi understood this.
For example, the relationship between the Feng family in Yangcheng and my aunt's family is so bad that they rarely interact with each other.
"In fact, as far as I know, it is not only children born in the year of the snake who wear zodiac coins." The housekeeper said, "You can give it to any child regardless of their zodiac sign or year of birth."
Seeing Feng Yi's surprise, the butler smiled, drank a sip of tea, and continued.
“I once learned from Ms. Feng that she gave more than a dozen zodiac coins to the Feng family in Yangcheng, but now it seems that they have either been thrown away or placed somewhere unknown and have not been worn.
"Grandpa Feng doesn't like these, but children born in the Year of the Snake wear zodiac coins. This is what your Yangcheng Feng family's ancestors asked for, so in the end, only this was kept."
In the Feng family of Yangcheng, only those born in the year of the snake like Feng Yi wear them. Other peers who were not born in the year of the snake did not receive zodiac coins. Or they received them but did not wear them.
Children born in the Year of the Snake have a greater chance of becoming successors. Even if they don't know the core secrets, the experience and consciousness of Mo Hu is passed down from generation to generation.
Old Master Feng didn't know the clan's secrets, and he didn't like them. He was quite repulsive. In his opinion, these zodiac coins represented a kind of power within the clan. And he didn't have such power.
"Not everyone's zodiac coins will be recognized by the clan. Of course, Grandpa Feng can also cast some zodiac coins, but other clan members will not recognize them." The housekeeper said slowly.
Feng Yi was curious and asked, "How do other clan members identify it?"
The butler shook his head. "I don't know about that."
Feng Yi was silent for a moment and then expressed his own thoughts.
"The old man built another ancestral hall and sent out invitations to all relatives at home and abroad to come and participate in the ancestral worship ceremony. I was also invited. I thought, I can use this gathering of relatives to try to see how many people recognize this."
"Not everyone understands it. It depends on whether they have learned the identification method from their elders. Times have changed." said the butler.
"Ok, I know."
Feng Yi understood what the butler meant.
In modern society, people think differently. The power of clan leaders, clan elders, and eldest sons is not that great. At most, they are feudal patriarchs like Mr. Feng, but this is limited to a local family. People from other places may not give them face.
Feng Yi did not expect to get much help from other clan members. Regardless of whether those clan members knew how to identify zodiac coins or recognized Feng Yi as a coin maker, it did not have much impact on Feng Yi's career.
He is living well now. He has money.
It would be even better if we could cause trouble for the old man during the ancestral worship ceremony.
Feng Yi played with a zodiac coin, watching it flip between his fingers.
The "patina" on the surface of the zodiac coins has certain benefits for people who carry that special homologous gene.
It won't be particularly obvious, but the benefits are there. Maybe it strengthens the body to a certain extent, or maybe it stimulates talents in a certain direction. It's hard to say about genes, but it's a positive influence anyway.
As you age, this effect diminishes until it is almost non-existent.
In order to make such zodiac coins, Feng Yi has to coat the surface of these zodiac coins with a layer of "patina".
"I know all that. Now let's talk about coinage." Feng Yi looked across the tea table, "Do you have the formula?"
The zodiac coins are not made of pure copper, but a copper alloy with an optimal ratio.
Pure copper is used as the matrix, and several other elements are injected in proportion. There are also many precious metals in it.
The proportions of these elements have been explored generation after generation to get the current optimal proportion.
In other words, the alloy formed by this ratio has the fastest patina development speed, is more stable, and is energy-efficient.
Use the least energy to produce the fastest and most stable "patina"!
Of course the butler had the recipe. He copied it down from his notes and asked Feng Yi to copy one as well.
This is an "ancestral recipe" that can be passed down!
The housekeeper actively took over the task of coin minting.
“When casting zodiac coins, you can buy more at a time, save them first, and take them out whenever you need them. They can be used for decades,” suggested the housekeeper.
"Yeah, I think so too." Feng Yi said.
Since we are going to make zodiac coins, we should make more at one time and keep them, since we don’t need that little money anyway. The ones that are not used can be melted down.
Once the copper coins are made, just take out as many as needed for "processing".
Should I start with a dozen or twenty pieces
It was the initial coin trading, and Feng Yi was unfamiliar with the technology, so he was afraid that he would not be able to handle the large number of coins.
What if it is not spread evenly
It will cause future successors to laugh at you.
So, just take the right amount according to your ability.
When the ancestral worship ceremony is held in the ancestral hall, you can observe and see roughly how many zodiac signs and coins are needed. If there are not enough, you can do it next time.
However, Feng Yi feels that there may not be many people who bring their children to participate in the ancestor worship ceremony.
If some clans no longer have this custom, then there is no need to send it away.
"I'll prepare the casting, just confirm the pattern." The butler looked at Feng Yi, his eyes sparkling, "If you don't have a confirmed pattern, I can also provide a reference!"
"... You say." Feng Yi said.
"I would like to ask first, when you cast zodiac coins, do you choose a single animal sign or all twelve animals?"
"Just paint them all." Feng Yi said.
According to ancestral tradition, children born in the year of the snake have a greater chance of becoming the successor, but this is not absolute, and the zodiac sign does not play a decisive role. It does not mean that only those who have the coin can become the next heir.
Then it is not limited to any particular zodiac sign, of course all twelve are required!
The butler thought for a moment and said, "We can do one of these, one for the twelve Chinese zodiac signs, and one for the single zodiac sign, the snake."
Feng Yi thought about it and thought that this would work. "Then draw two patterns. Did my aunt do the same?"
Butler: “No.”
Feng Yi: "Then..."
Housekeeper: "She made more than two types. She also made several special ones! The traditional pattern is to respect the ancestors, the single zodiac snake year pattern is to respect the customs, and the special design pattern is to satisfy her own creative desire."
Feng Yi was surprised: "Are there any designer models?"
Then I thought again, it seems to be possible.
The zodiac coins themselves are a form of play money for self-entertainment, but in the final analysis, for him, the zodiac coins are actually just a carrier.
Even if there is no pattern on it and it does not look like a coin, it does not affect its function.
Even the zodiac coins were just a later form of payment.
Perhaps even longer ago, when there were no such things as zodiac coins, they might have performed similar functions in other forms.
For example, some gemstones, some bones, shells...
"Most of your great aunt's designs are given to the children in her family. After all, she doesn't have a good relationship with the Feng family in Yangcheng. Even if they are given to her, they may not be taken seriously. They may even be thrown away like garbage. She will also keep some in her hands and give them away to the younger generation who are destined to meet her in other parts of the world one day."
The housekeeper suggested to Feng Yi: "You can do this too!"
Feng Yi asked him curiously, "Did you participate in the design of the pattern for the zodiac coins made by my aunt?"
The housekeeper said disappointedly: "No."
But soon, the butler's eyes sparkled with excitement again, sincerely and warmly, looking at Feng Yi intently:
"I'm eager to be part of your zodiac money making project!"
Feng Yi: "... Welcome to join us."
Originally, I only planned to refer to the patterns of the zodiac coins used by my predecessors, but seeing that the housekeeper cared so much about it, I could also add some other ideas. Anyway, the zodiac coins are just a carrier, and Feng Yi doesn't care that much about the patterns.
So, next, the housekeeper actively gave Feng Yi advice. After discussion, they decided on the general direction and released three models first -
1 Traditional presbyopic model (antique Chinese zodiac model)
2. Snake Year Exclusive Edition
3 Special designs