Glory

He earnestly advised, "Just a position as the guild leader has brought us great disaster. If Meng Chengwei were to learn of this Osmanthus Tea and the tea brewing technique, who knows what methods he might employ. And there are many covetous individuals like Meng Chengwei everywhere. So Ming'er, you must remember—absolutely remember—never let anyone know about these two skills you possess."

He turned to Old Mrs. Ye and said, "As for the maids and servants who were in the room earlier, you must impose a gag order on all of them. They are not to speak a word about Ming'er's Osmanthus Tea or her tea brewing method. Anyone who disobeys will have their entire family sold off to work in the mines."

As he spoke these words, he deeply regretted not having taken Ye Yaming's tea-making and brewing techniques more seriously, to the extent that aside from him and his wife, so many maids and servants had come to know about them.

Old Mrs. Ye also understood the gravity of the situation and repeatedly assured him, "Don't worry, I will handle it properly."

Aside from Granny Yu and Bai Rui, who had been in the room, Steward Li Fu and one of her senior maids had been standing outside the door. All of them were loyal and trustworthy.

She would call them in later and give each of them a stern warning.

Ye Yaming frowned and asked, "Grandfather, are you saying that we should not sell the Osmanthus Tea?"

She had made the Osmanthus Tea precisely to resolve the Ye family's business crisis. If they were to worry about attracting more aggressive tactics from Meng Chengwei and other predators, and thus refrain from selling it, then the tea would lose its purpose.

Moreover, after learning about Ye Chongming's business methods, she disagreed with some of his management philosophies.

Ye Chongming sighed, "You've seen the state of our family. We have no one to rely on. Just a few tricks from Meng Chengwei nearly brought our family to ruin. If we were to introduce this Osmanthus Tea, how could we possibly survive?"

Ye Yaming shook her head, "We cannot remain passive and endure attacks like this. Since you believe this Osmanthus Tea is valuable and will attract many covetous eyes, why don't we use it to form a partnership? We could find a powerful backer, someone capable of restraining the Meng family and others. This way, we could raise some Tea Silver for next year's tea harvest, obtain more Tea Import Permits through our partner's connections, and fend off those who covet our assets. It would achieve multiple goals at once—wouldn't that be ideal?"

Old Mrs. Ye's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and she said to Ye Chongming, "Sir, Ming'er's idea is excellent."

Ye Chongming shook his head and smiled bitterly, "Your method is sound, and everyone knows it's a possibility. The problem is, once we enter into a partnership, the Tea Garden, Tea Factory, Tea House, and our tea-making techniques will no longer belong solely to the Ye family. We would be reduced to mere servants of others. To protect our family's business and prevent others from meddling, your great-grandfather, your Da Bo, and I have invested countless efforts."

Ye Yaming, however, held a different view, "If you refuse to cooperate, others will inevitably set their sights on us. Isn't our current predicament with the Meng family precisely because we lack backing? In my opinion, rather than being forced into servitude, it would be better to choose a benevolent and kind-hearted partner ourselves."

Ye Chongming's pupils dilated in shock, and then his expression turned indescribably sorrowful, "Must it really come to this?"

Ye Yaming frowned, seemingly struggling to comprehend his sadness, "Why are you so upset? In truth, forming a partnership isn't necessarily a bad thing."Seeing Ye Chongming and Old Mrs. Ye staring at her with incomprehension, she said, "I don't know exactly how much silver our family earns annually, so let me use an analogy. Suppose we operate independently and only earn five thousand taels of silver per year, but through collaboration we could earn twenty thousand taels. Even if split evenly, we'd still get ten thousand taels. Moreover, we'd gain powerful backing and connections, eliminating the fear of being targeted. Isn't that better than anxiously guarding five thousand taels?"

"Operating alone is like a small boat struggling to survive between powerful factions, constantly at risk of being capsized by storms. Collaboration transforms us into a large vessel that can withstand turbulence and even absorb others when they're about to sink. When your ship grows large enough, others must make way for you. You decide where it sails. Given the choice, which would you pick?"

"In modern enterprises, to expand and strengthen, one must continuously seek financing to enlarge the pie. When the pie grows large enough to command significant market share, you gain influence and become a rule-setter. Isn't this superior to small-scale operations constantly facing suppression and bankruptcy risks? Ye Chongming's mindset remains trapped within small-scale peasant economy constraints. No wonder the Ye family has only accumulated modest assets over generations. While respected in Lin'an's tea trade, beyond this region and industry, the powerful don't take us seriously."

Ye Yaming's words struck Ye Chongming profoundly.

He stared blankly at her, his mind in turmoil.

He and his ancestors had painstakingly guarded the Ye family assets, resorting to roundabout preservation or sacrificial cuts when threatened, each defense draining their energy.

Now someone was telling him their approach was wrong - that they'd been clinging to outdated ways. Collaboration could not only reduce their struggles but also increase profits and expand their legacy.

They'd always feared being swallowed through partnerships. But weren't there risks in isolation too? Now merely an Imperial merchant like the Meng family could pressure them this much, let alone genuine nobility.

Struggling to remain calm, he suppressed his chaotic thoughts, suspecting Ye Yaming's logic was flawed.

He argued, "We have considered collaboration. Didn't we arrange your engagement to Song Yifeng and fund his imperial examinations? Once he passes and becomes an official, he'll be our supporter. As our son-in-law, he'd be our equal - surely better than groveling before powerful collaborators."

"First, distant water can't quench immediate thirst. Could he help during this crisis? The imperial exam path isn't easy. How many prodigies fail at the metropolitan exams? Even if he passes soon, how many years would a seventh-rank official need to grow into a towering tree of support?"

Ye Yaming scoffed and continued, "Second, why assume he'd help the Ye family just because he married in and used our money? Once he becomes an official or rises high, he might even feel ashamed of marrying into our family. What do you think he'd do then?"

Ye Chongming and Old Mrs. Ye's faces abruptly changed.

"This... how could you think that way?" Old Mrs. Ye asked with disbelief."Because I understand him. I understand him better than anyone else. You and Grandfather only see the superficial aspects of him. He is both extremely insecure and immensely proud. He feels ashamed of marrying into our family and using our money. That's why he works harder than anyone, striving relentlessly, vowing to prove all of us—our family and those who looked down on him—wrong."