Chaрtеr 121: Тhе Li Fаmily's Respоnsе
Zheng Fuli clаimed he wаs gоing tо thе Тiаn family tо seek justice, but not onlу in this еra—еven in lаtеr timеs—if оne wаsn’t саught rеd-hаnded, justiсe was hard tо сomе by. The Тian familу could simрlу сlаim it wаs thеir оwn reseаrсh and wоuld раy nо heеd tо any асcusаtions.
"Elder Вrother Zheng, рlеаse сalm down. Now is nоt thе timе to sееk justiсе. Wе shоuld sit down аnd disсuss what thе Tiаn family will dо neхt аnd hоw we shоuld rеsроnd," Zhen Niang said tо the agitated Zheng Fuli.
"Тhat’s right, Fuli, sit down. Getting аnxious nоw won’t hеlр. We still nеed to plan our response," Huang Shi added, gesturing toward a nearby chair for Zheng Fuli to sit.
Seeing Madam Huang and Miss Zhen so composed, Zheng Fuli took a deep breath and bowed to Huang Shi and Zhen Niang. "My apologies for my rudeness."
"Fuli, you’re too polite. You were simply too concerned. There’s no rudeness here," Huang Shi waved her hand dismissively.
Zheng Fuli sat down, and Xiao Ya served tea before quietly withdrawing. Huang Shi then looked at Zhen Niang. "Zhen Niang, what do you think the Tian family will do next?"
"It’s not about the Tian family, but our customers. Now that the Tian family’s Liquid Ink is out, with the same quality as the Li and Zhu families’ but priced at only sixty percent, and even cheaper when wholesaled to customers—just fifty percent, which is thirty percent cheaper than our wholesale price—such a huge discount is too tempting. Those who previously placed orders with us or have already received goods will not be content when faced with such discounts from the Tian family," Zhen Niang said, lightly tapping the table. Unless the Li family matched the Tian family’s price cuts, but Zhen Niang had no intention of playing that game.
"What do you mean?" Huang Shi hadn’t quite grasped it yet.
At that moment, Zheng Fuli jumped up in alarm. "Miss Zhen, are you saying that those who placed orders might demand refunds?"
During this period, the business of Li’s Ink Manor relied entirely on Liquid Ink. Inkstick sales existed but were minimal. Moreover, Zhen Niang had previously donated a batch of inksticks to the academy. It could be said that, in the early stages of opening, Liquid Ink was what supported the entire ink manor. If a large number of Liquid Ink orders were canceled or refunded now, the trouble would be immense.
"Exactly, that’s certain," Zhen Niang replied, pausing briefly before continuing, "So, our top priority is to prepare for refunds."
"Miss Zhen, don’t worry. I’ll go visit the various banks right away," Zheng Fuli immediately stood up. This matter couldn’t be taken lightly in the slightest. Some merchants would need to be renegotiated with, but more importantly, they had to coordinate with the banks to ensure funds were ready.
"Elder Brother Zheng, I’ve already prepared the funds. I’ve spoken with Shopkeeper Luo of Yi Hou Sheng Bank. You should stay at the shop to handle the refund requests from the merchants," Zhen Niang said.
Back when Ma Shifu reported that Zeng Yipin had gone missing, Zhen Niang had anticipated the current situation. She had gone to Yi Hou Sheng Bank early on to notify Luo Jiu and arrange for him to set aside funds for her.Originally, Zhen Niang had first thought to seek out Wang Cuiqiao. However, the raw silk business in Nanjing was now booming, and various banks were fiercely competing for territory in the silk trade. Wang Cuiqiao had recently partnered with the "Wealth God Wei," and all the funds in her bank were tied up in the silk business, leaving little to no extra capital available. In the end, Zhen Niang went to the Yi Hou Sheng Bank.
Luo Jiu, without a word of hesitation, prepared the funds for her. It was agreed that she could withdraw them whenever needed.
Hearing Zhen Niang’s account, Zheng Fuli glanced at her with a somewhat sour feeling. Although Miss Zhen and this Luo Jiu appeared distant on the surface, there was a subtle, unspoken understanding between them that always left him feeling uneasy. Yet, in such matters, he had no right to comment. He simply nodded.
"By the way, Elder Brother Zheng, please go to the Zhu family again and speak with Shopkeeper Zhu. Tell him to prepare in advance so he won’t be caught off guard later," Zhen Niang added, addressing Zheng Fuli.
"I understand, Miss Zhen. Don’t worry," Zheng Fuli nodded and then left for the Zhu Family Ink Manor.
Seeing that Zhen Niang had thought of everything in advance and had every step well-planned, Huang Shi felt reassured and returned to the Ink Workshop to continue teaching her apprentices the art of engraving.
Zhen Niang left Hua’er in charge of the shop and took Xiao Ya with her as she left the Ink Manor. Unexpectedly, as soon as she stepped outside, she saw Ge Qiu Jie chatting with Auntie Yao.
"A woman’s capabilities depend entirely on the breadth of her ambitions. In the past, I only thought about taking care of my husband and serving my in-laws, burying all my talents within the household. One doesn’t gain wisdom without experiencing hardship. If it weren’t for Li Zheng Ping’s betrayal, I would never have realized that I, Ge Qiu Jie, could accomplish something on my own." Ge Qiu Jie was dressed in a spring-green short jacket and long skirt, radiating confidence, her face beaming with pride.
"Indeed, indeed," Auntie Yao chimed in, though inwardly she didn’t agree with Ge Qiu Jie’s words. In her view, Ge Qiu Jie had only managed to get involved in the silk business because of her connection to Ge Xunlan. Without Ge Xunlan’s influence, someone like Ge Qiu Jie would never have been able to enter the fiercely competitive Nanjing silk market, which had always been a battleground for powerful players.
Ge Qiu Jie’s entry into the business was entirely due to the Wealth God Wei making an exception for her out of respect for Ge Xunlan.
However, Ge Qiu Jie failed to see this and attributed her success entirely to her own abilities.
Seeing that Auntie Yao seemed to agree with her, Ge Qiu Jie smiled broadly. Then, she gestured toward the Ink Manor with her chin and said, "Your landlord must be overwhelmed these days, right? I must say, the Tian family’s move was truly ruthless." Ge Qiu Jie spoke with a hint of schadenfreude.
"Well, I imagine it’s quite troublesome. This morning, when the shop assistant opened the door to sweep, I didn’t see the master of the house leave," replied Auntie Yao, who loved gossip and now wore the expression of someone watching a drama unfold. However, even as a spectator, she had to pick a side, and she ultimately sided with the Li family. Though she was watching the situation unfold, she still felt some concern for the Li family. It couldn’t be easy for a young woman to manage everything on her own. In her opinion, Miss Zhen was the one with real capability.
As the two were talking, they saw Zhen Niang step out.
"Zhen Niang, is everything alright?" Auntie Yao asked with concern."It's fine, people get sick from time to time, and there are always obstacles in business." Zhen Niang replied with a faint smile.
"Well said." Aunt Yao nodded in agreement.
"Just a case of the duck being cooked but the mouth still being tough. Li Zhenniang, don't say I didn't warn you. The Tian family has already incited quite a few merchants to come to the Li family to return their goods." Ge Qiu Jie said with a curled lip.
Ge Qiu Jie's feelings toward the Li family were complicated. She naturally enjoyed watching such a spectacle, but because of Li Zhengping's heartfelt farewell during their separation, she still gave Li Zhenniang a warning.
"Thank you, Sister Qiu." Although Ge Qiu Jie's words were unpleasant, and the situation was within Zhen Niang's expectations, the fact that she could offer this reminder at this time showed Zhen Niang understood the gesture.
"Hmph..." Ge Qiu Jie snorted heavily before turning and leaving.
Zhen Niang shook her head indifferently and headed to the Yi Hou Sheng Bank.
At the Yi Hou Sheng Bank, everyone naturally knew about the major incident in the ink industry.
"Prepare the silver. Manager Li will surely come to withdraw it soon." Early in the morning, Luo Jiu had his clerks prepare the silver. Third Master Cheng and Luo Jiu had formed something of a friendship across generations back in Huizhou. Now that he was in Nanjing, he was staying with Luo Jiu and was currently drinking tea in the main hall.
Hearing Luo Jiu's instructions to the clerks, Third Master Cheng's eyes lit up with interest. "I say, Wenqian, are you telling me the Li family arranged for this silver with you days ago?"
As seasoned veterans in the business world, they could immediately see the purpose for which the Li family had prepared this batch of silver.
"That's right." Luo Jiu nodded.
"So, that girl had already anticipated this move by the Tian family. Well, I worried all night for nothing." Third Master Cheng huffed, his beard bristling.
Indeed, he had been worrying needlessly. That girl had always been sharp and cunning. Back in Huizhou, when Ninth Master Li had just passed away, the Tian family had requisitioned pine timber, pushing the Li family to such dire straits. But in the end, what happened? The Tian family lost both their wife and their soldiers, and ultimately had to rely on the Li family to clean up their mess. Considering the methods of Tian Da, who still didn't come out ahead against that girl, now with Tian Er's half-baked skills—though one could say Tian Er was fearless due to ignorance—this time...
Third Master Cheng took a sip of tea and said with some understanding, "It seems the Li family still has a backup plan."
"Ha, whether they have a backup plan or not, I can't say for sure. But I'm afraid the Tian family is about to drop a stone on their own foot this time. What a pity for the solid foundation of our Luo Family Ink Manor." Luo Wenqian said somewhat self-mockingly, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Miss Zhen had long been aware that Zeng Yipin was problematic. Given that, if Zeng Yipin still managed to steal the ink formula smoothly, there was naturally something unclear and ambiguous about it. It might very well be a deep, dark pit.
Of course, it was also possible that Zhen Niang hadn't managed to prevent it. But looking at everything she did when she first took charge of the Ink Workshop in Huizhou, that scenario seemed unlikely.Regarding Li Zhenniang, from initial gratitude to later interest, Luo Wenqian had studied her. Among merchants, there are various grades as well. In terms of character, there are righteous merchants, unscrupulous merchants, and so on. In terms of business strategy and planning, they are also divided into three levels: those who plan one step at a time are inferior merchants; those who plan three steps ahead are average merchants; and those who plan ten steps ahead are superior merchants. This girl is the kind who plans ten steps ahead.
This girl should not be underestimated.
Seeing Luo Wenqian’s deliberately mysterious manner, Third Master Cheng curled his lips in annoyance. Nowadays, these youngsters are all as cunning as little foxes—how is an old fellow like him supposed to keep up?
Oh well, he would just watch and see. Revealing the answer too early would spoil the fun. Besides, he might still find an opportunity to fish in troubled waters and perhaps even gain some benefits along the way. After all, as an old man, picking up ready-made advantages was only fitting.
Then Third Master Cheng and Luo Wenqian exchanged knowing smiles.
As the two were talking, Zhen Niang entered with Xiao Ya.
"Miss Zhen, your silver has been prepared. I’ll send two servants to escort you with it in a moment," said Luo Jiu, rising to greet her as she entered.
"Thank you, Brother Luo," Zhen Niang replied with a smile, cupping her hands in a polite gesture.
"Girl, what are you planning to do with the Tian family this time?" Although such matters were generally not appropriate to ask, Third Master Cheng, relying on his seniority, felt no qualms about asking outright.
Zhen Niang blinked her eyes. "What do you mean, Third Grandfather? What am I planning to do with the Luo Family? Right now, it’s the Luo Family that’s targeting my Li Family, isn’t it?" Her tone carried a hint of grievance.
Third Master Cheng was both amused and exasperated. He wagged his finger at Li Zhenniang in the air—this girl was just too sly.
Luo Jiu couldn’t help but chuckle quietly on the side.
OpenNovel