Ever since the Treaty of Shuiyuan, due to the need to pay the Liao Chinese New Year Coins every year, it had always been a struggle for the weaving industry to become an imperial merchant.
The annual demand for 300,000 bolts of silk was not a small amount. If it wasn't for the fact that they had to split it into parts, no cloth merchant would be able to afford it. Even if they split it into parts, the Imperial Court would still give a large number. However, the Imperial Court couldn't give a high price for such a large amount of silk. They weren't buying it as luxury goods, and the price they gave was often lower than the market price.
Every year, there would be some rare silks and satins that would be bought by the Imperial Court. This was the price of luxury goods. Of course, there were profits, but compared to 300,000 bolts, the demand wasn't that large. Becoming an imperial merchant would definitely give them certain privileges. Thus, in terms of large merchants, some merchants would spare some money to take orders related to Chinese New Year Coins. They could make small profits but sell quickly, or they wouldn't even consider making money. They would use the privileges given by the Imperial Court to develop their businesses in other places.
The Su family's foundation wasn't enough in this area. Of course, it wouldn't be a problem to take on a small portion, but if they took the initiative to ask for it, it would be quite troublesome. The Su family itself had a lot of business to maintain. Once the imperial family took on an order, they wouldn't care if you needed time to buffer. When the time was up, they had to get the goods. If they didn't want to affect the already saturated relationship between supply and demand, the Su family had to ensure enough supply in advance.
In other words, they had to prepare new workshops and new sources of raw materials in advance. These businesses wouldn't provide too much profit. Perhaps they would bring certain privileges, but the energy needed to expand these new workshops would make the Su family's expansion capacity reach saturation. Even if they had privileges, they wouldn't have the energy to expand.
On the other hand, if they could take on a portion of the Chinese New Year Cloth business, and if they had a better type of cloth, the Imperial Court would also release a portion of the demand for precious silk. This small portion would earn them more. Everyone wanted this part of the business, but other than a few kinds of rare silk fabrics that were famous throughout the country, the rest of the cloth merchants who wanted to offer their precious silk had to pack up a portion of the old year cloth that was not very profitable. In addition, there were all sorts of miscellaneous fees to get through the various joints. It was very difficult to make a profit purely from this. Only the super big merchants who had extra money could make their business bigger after obtaining the privilege.
There were many large cloth merchants like this in the Bianliang area. Although Jiangning was also a place where the weaving industry thrived, the business of the royal merchants was basically handled by a few medium-sized cloth merchants. They switched to this area, but it was quite impressive. Their status in the cloth industry was no different from that of the Wu, Xue, and Su families. Of course, they would occasionally share some business. It wasn't that it was always those mid-sized cloth merchants who took on the business of Lunar New Year's Cloth. It was because the pressure on Lunar New Year's Cloth was too great, and the profits weren't high.
To solve this problem, the best way was to improve the technology. Xi Junyu could roughly feel Su Tan 'er's efforts in this area. She had been working hard for a few years, and he guessed that there should be some progress. But now, the problem had arisen …
"In the past few years, if you could further reduce the cost of Lunar New Year's Cloth and improve the efficiency, you could even take over this business … Of course, there will definitely be people who will be jealous after a year or two. But the problem is that since last year, the relationship between the Liao and the Jin Kingdom has become tense. Now both of them are waiting for the war to start. Once the war starts, the two tigers will fight each other. After that, our court will definitely send out troops. After that, we will definitely not give the Liao people any more Lunar New Year's Coins.
"But if there are no more Lunar New Year's Coins, the royal merchants will only accept the silk sent to the court. The Xue family and the Wu Family will definitely be following up now. We may be able to win against the Xue family, but we can't win against the Wu Family. They have connections in the court and are also very familiar with the officials in the Weaving Mansion. I know that you have spent a lot of effort to prepare for this, but in the current situation, the odds of winning are not high. The most important thing is the Lunar New Year's Cloth. No matter how good the silk you offer is, the palace will not have a high demand. But if you add the Lunar New Year's Cloth, they will not want it anymore. You have invested a lot of new workshops, which will be used up in an instant. But if you don't prepare new workshops, and if there is still a demand for the Lunar New Year's Cloth for another year, what should we do … "
After Xi Junyu finished speaking, Su Tan 'er was silent for a long time before she said, "Isn't the topic of the Lunar New Year's Cloth equally difficult for the Xue family and the Wu Family?"
"If there is still a demand for the next year's Lunar New Year's Cloth, they will not increase their bargaining chips. They will first give up part of the market share. Next year or the year after, when they send out troops and fall out with us, they will use the silk business and the privilege of the royal merchants to get back the market share. But you are improving the loom, and you are taking a risk. You have invested too much. If it was a few years ago, of course, I would support you. But now, we may not be able to compete with them. This is no longer a profitable business. It is better to get out of it as soon as possible. " He sighed, "This is not a mistake in your calculations, but the timing is right. There is no other way …"
In the past, because of the Lunar New Year's Cloth, the royal merchants were not very popular. For the big merchants who had the ability to swallow it, they could become bigger. But for the Su family or smaller merchants, it was a burden or even poison. Just when Su Tan 'er wanted to make a move, there was a war. She saw hope. The Lunar New Year's Cloth might be gone, and the Xue family and the Wu Family also came to fight for it. The investment of the Su family became a joke.
After listening to Xi Junyu, Su Tan 'er frowned slightly and shook her head, "Shopkeeper Xi, what do you think will happen after this war?"
"Huh?" Xi Junyu was slightly stunned, then said, "After the fight …" As he said this, he suddenly understood what the other party meant. "You …"
"Since I was born, I have been giving the Lunar New Year's Cloth every year." Su Tan 'er softened her voice, "Some things, although it sounds dishonorable, it seems like it will never end. Of course, I also hope that we can win against the Liao people. But … we have never won. Sixty years ago, there was the Tan Yuan Alliance, seven years ago, there was the Black Water Alliance, and now there is the Jin Kingdom. What will happen if we fight? Of course, it will be good if two tigers fight and die together, but will it really be like this? "
Su Tan 'er shook her head, "Everyone says that the Liao people are barbaric and cruel, and the Jin people are vulgar and uncultured. When it comes to the Wu Dynasty, it is a great country. I … I also like to listen to these stories. When I was young, I always couldn't help but clap and laugh when I listened to stories in the teahouse. But if it is true … I don't believe it. There are wise people everywhere. If we can't beat them, it can only mean that they are stronger than us. If they are stronger, we have to admit … "
"Only those who know how to admit defeat can win back. I am a businesswoman. If I lose, I lose. If I lose, I lose. If I lose, I lose. It is useless to find excuses. When I give excuses to others, I know what they do, they won't lose. Only then will I know how to guard against them. When I give my shortcomings to myself, I can see myself clearly. Manager Xi, seven years ago, Liao could still force us to sign the Black Water Alliance. Now, the Jin Kingdom can challenge Liao. When they fight, will no one care that there is a Wu Dynasty watching from the side? "
"Now, when I visit the teahouses and restaurants, I hear scholars talking about how our Wu Dynasty wants to reap the benefits of others. They talk about how the Jin Kingdom of Liao is barbaric and stupid. They talk about how they want to sow discord between the two countries … I am a woman. If I were in the Jin Kingdom of Liao, I wouldn't be so short-sighted. Our dynasty has been oppressed for nearly a hundred years, but they are still so happy to say that the other party is stupid. How can we be oppressed by a group of stupid animals for so long? Perhaps it is because these scholars always talk about the story of the heroes of our Wu Dynasty defeating the barbarians of Liao that our dynasty is so weak … "
Her expression became gloomy. "If they really fight, the best outcome would be for both sides to suffer heavy losses. At that time, our dynasty won't have to give any New Year Coins. At that time, the improved looms will still be useful. But there are other outcomes. If the Liao Kingdom wins, we will have to increase the amount of New Year's Coins we give to them. If the Jin Kingdom wins, will they give up the New Year's Coins? How can it be that good? I heard that the friction between Liao and Jin Kingdom is mainly because the Jin Kingdom wants to do business with our Great Wu Dynasty. It is also possible that if the two countries stop fighting, our Wu Dynasty will not only have to give Liao New Year Coins, but also the Jin Kingdom. But … it is impossible for them to give our Wu Dynasty New Year Coins … "
"I also hope that our dynasty can win. If one day the army sets out, the government will definitely come to our house to ask for money. Grandfather and Father are already prepared. But if we can't win in the end, then … what should we do … "
Xi Junyu was stunned for a while. The situation between the Jin Kingdom and Liao Kingdom was tense. The whole country was saying that when two tigers fight, one will definitely be injured. The Wu Dynasty had a chance to breathe. No matter how bad the result was, it would not be worse than the current situation. He didn't expect Su Tan 'er to have such a thought. Should he say that she was too pessimistic or too clear-headed? Thinking back to this woman's previous behavior, under her soft appearance, she was indeed very tough. It was really … His heart trembled slightly … it was too admirable.
But even so, in Xi Junyu's heart, he still held the thought that the Wu Dynasty would not become worse. Improving the looms and using the spare power to take on a large amount of the New Year Cloth business, reducing costs and increasing profits. This was indeed an open and aboveboard plot. But this kind of profit could not be earned for a long time. Generally speaking, the secret techniques of dyeing or needlework could often be maintained for a longer time, but the improvement of the looms would be spread in less than a year or two. Those who were interested would know about it. When that time came, everyone would improve it, but the profits would still be washed away. Many times, it would take a lot of effort, but it was often not rewarding.
He was about to open his mouth and say this when suddenly there was a clapping sound beside him. A figure in the darkness of the corridor began to clap. Just now, Su Tan 'er had spoken so seriously that Xi Junyu actually did not pay attention to his surroundings. At this moment, Juan 'er said in surprise, "Son-in-law, why are you here?"
The person in the darkness was none other than Ning Yi. In one hand was an oil-paper umbrella, and in the other, he was holding two bundles of rustic-looking mountain products, like smoked dried wild rabbits, etc. He smiled and gestured to the back, which was the direction of the small square where the carriage was parked. "I was waiting to eat, so I ran to the kitchen to take a look. I happened to pass by here and remembered that there was something in the carriage that I didn't take … Ah, this is a gift from Xiaochan's fellow villager to Guard Geng, so I took it as a favor. It's to prevent the fellow who is cleaning the carriage from taking away the sheep. Then, when I came over, I heard people talking."
He smiled and pointed his finger at Su Tan 'er. "You're wrong. You're not patriotic."
Xi Junyu had originally planned to say a few words about this matter, but now that he heard Ning Yi say this first, he frowned slightly in his heart. This fellow was also a scholar. Even if his essay was good, he was no different from the fellow who liked to tell stories of the Wu dynasty's chivalrous warriors defeating the Liao barbarians according to Tan 'er. Just from a logical point of view, what Su Tan 'er said just now was very reasonable, but it could not be compared to the changes in the business.
He turned his head and saw that Su Tan 'er beside him could not help but burst into laughter. This kind of laughter was extremely rare in Xi Junyu's impression. Because vaguely, the woman behind Su Tan' er seemed to be laughing as well, merging into one with Su Tan 'er in front of her.
She just laughed like that and turned her head a little unhappily, but her eyes were still on Ning Yi. Her tone was slightly annoyed, but not coquettishly, just like a natural joke between friends. "Husband …"
At the same time, on the other side of the city, in the Qinhuai River Bay under the heavy rain, a figure knocked on the door of the brightly lit stilt house. When Nie Yunzhu pushed the door open, she saw Yuan Jin 'er hugging herself, her whole body drenched in the rain.
When she jumped out of Golden Wind Restaurant today, she was wearing thin cotton pajamas and pajamas. Drenched all the way here in the heavy rain, the clothes stuck to her body in the light, making it look even more transparent. Of course, in the eyes of Nie Yunzhu, who was also a woman, this state only made Yuan Jin 'er more petite and delicate. The usually youthful and lively girl revealed a smile at this time. She reached out her hand to touch the rain on her face, then lowered her head and shook her long hair that was like water grass, splashing water everywhere. Then, she yawned.
"Ah … Sister Yunzhu, I'm so awesome, almost … Uh, I swam all the way here from Golden Wind Restaurant, even so … Ah, I really want to sleep, Sister Yunzhu, where is your room? I can sleep on the floor … "
She covered her mouth with one hand and yawned wildly, then coughed a few times. It seemed that she was already in a state of drowsiness. Nie Yunzhu was only slightly stunned, then immediately reached out and hugged her. "No, you have to take a hot bath first … Hu Tao, hurry up and boil the hot water …"
"Ugh … I don't want to take a bath … The water tastes so bad, I'm almost soaked into a steamed bun … Hehe, Sister Yunzhu, you're so warm …"
Yuan Jin 'er softened in Nie Yunzhu's arms and wrapped her arms around Nie Yunzhu's neck. She had already closed her eyes and was giggling. Then, she wiped her face on Nie Yunzhu's shoulder a few times and leaned back contentedly. She looked like she was about to fall asleep. Then, a voice came from the heavy rain. "Miss, Miss …"
Kouer, who was also almost drenched, chased after them with a small package in her arms.
Not long after, Nie Yunzhu looked at the naked woman who was still asleep on her bed, hugging her quilt with a bitter smile. She roughly knew the ins and outs of the matter …
*****
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