The Heir

Сhарtеr 122: Тhe Liquid Ink Hаs Sроilеd

"Тhird Master Сhеng, it's time to еnter the gаmе." Аftеr withdrаwing thе silver, just befоre stepping out the dооr, Zhen Niаng whispеrеd slуlу to Тhird Маstеr Сheng.

"Yоu scheming girl, so еаger tо have yоur Third Mаster Chеng stер in аnd hеlр уou, huh? I won't fаll fоr yоur trар. At this mоment, уоur Third Mаstеr Chеng will sit back and wаtch the tigers fight." Тhird Маster Сheng squinted his eуеs.

Аlthough thе rеlаtiоnshiр bеtweеn thе Chеng and Li fаmilies was gоod, thеу wеre still соmреtitors in the samе industry, and rivalry ovеr market sharе existеd. Eаrliеr, Old Мaster Cheng had been anxious about the Li family's situation—partly because of their close ties, and partly because in Huizhou, it had taken the combined efforts of both families to compete with the Tian family. Now, in Nanjing, if the Li family suffered heavy losses in their struggle against the Tian family, the Cheng family alone would be at a disadvantage. That was why Third Master Cheng had been so worried.

But now, seeing that the Li family was well-prepared, Third Master Cheng was in a wait-and-see mode and naturally wouldn't intervene too early.

"Third Master Cheng, don't blame me later for not reminding you." Zhen Niang chuckled again. "Girl, what do you mean by that?" Third Master Cheng, annoyed by Zhen Niang's evasiveness, pressed for an answer.

But Zhen Niang had already left with Xiao Ya, escorted by two guards from the Yi Hou Sheng Firm who helped carry the silver. Luo Jiu also accompanied them for a few steps.

Zhen Niang's suggestion for Third Master Cheng to enter the game wasn't made lightly—it was because of the Zhu family. In fact, if she hadn't previously helped the Zhu family with the liquid ink formula, they would have already withdrawn, just like the Wei family, exiting the Nanjing market.

Back when Li Mo withdrew from the Nanjing ink market, leaving it leaderless, the Zhu and Wei families managed to gain a foothold in Nanjing. However, with the strong rise of Huizhou ink, many traveling merchants began sourcing Huizhou ink directly from Huizhou.

The ink businesses of the Zhu and Wei families had been increasingly squeezed out by these traveling merchants. And when the Li and Tian families entered Nanjing, it became the final straw that pushed the remaining families out.

Thus, the Wei family withdrew early, while the Zhu family barely held on thanks to the Li family's liquid ink. But this incident with the ink formula was another wave that would wash away the sand. Although Zhen Niang had orchestrated it intentionally, if she hadn't been prepared in advance, the Zhu family's ink formula would also have fallen into the Tian family's hands. The situation would still have unfolded, and once it erupted, the Zhu family would likely have suffered a significant blow. At that point, if the Cheng family intervened, they might be able to take over the Zhu family's market share.

The Zhu family could then seize the opportunity to fully withdraw from the Nanjing ink market, just like the Wei family, and return to develop in their hometown—a safe and sound approach.

Of course, Zhen Niang wouldn't spell this out explicitly. It was up to Third Master Cheng whether he could seize the opportunity.

After this incident, the Tian family would likely be too preoccupied to bother the Li family for quite some time.

"The Zhu family wants to withdraw from Nanjing." Luo Jiu remarked knowingly as he accompanied Zhen Niang out, thinking of Third Master Cheng's flustered expression in the shop. The older the master got, the less patience he seemed to have.

Though Luo Jiu was no longer in the ink industry, having grown up in it, his insight was sharp. He could clearly see the Zhu family's predicament. However, the Cheng family had just arrived and might not yet grasp the situation.

Zhen Niang nodded meaningfully, then glanced at Luo Jiu with an equally inscrutable expression.Actually, Zhen Niang was annoyed that the Cheng Family was just sitting back and watching the tigers fight, so she deliberately didn’t spell it out. However, Luo Jiu saw through it. Zhen Niang had originally hoped he wouldn’t expose it either, but then she felt she had no right to demand that. In the end, her expression became ambiguous.

Luo Wenqian, that fellow, had thrived in the gold-rush environment of the north all these years, so he naturally had a unique insight into people’s hearts. He had already seen through Zhen Niang’s thoughts.

“In matters like this, Third Master Cheng has his own judgment. Whether I spell it out or not makes no difference,” Luo Jiu said with a smile.

Someone like Third Master Cheng only trusted his own judgment.

Zhen Niang thought about it and realized she was overthinking it. She then waved her hand and led her people back to Ink Manor. Luo Jiu watched Zhen Niang and her group enter Ink Manor and shook his head. This girl really holds a grudge. Haha.

“Kid, what did that girl mean?” Third Master Cheng asked with a sour expression as he watched Luo Wenqian return and sit down.

Luo Jiu rubbed his nose, looking innocent. “Third Master Cheng, how would I know? But from what I see, you shouldn’t just sit back and watch. Do more investigating. When the city gate catches fire, the fish in the moat suffer. Maybe you’ll get lucky and catch a fish to go with your wine.”

This much of a hint was enough. Any more, and he’d be in a difficult position.

Third Master Cheng sipped his tea, sighing inwardly. The younger generation these days, one after another, are all like little foxes, keeping secrets from an old man like him and playing their cards close to their chests. There’s no respect for elders anymore. Times really have changed.

But it didn’t matter. Whether to enter the game or not, and when to enter, he had his own calculations and wouldn’t be swayed by others.

And just as Zhen Niang had predicted, early the next morning, while she was having breakfast with her second aunt, she saw Zheng Fuli rushing over. Li’s Ink Manor had been surrounded by merchants who had placed orders earlier, all with two demands: either Li’s had to lower their prices, or they wanted to cancel their orders.

“Lowering prices is impossible. If they want to cancel, let them. Also, compile a list of the merchants who didn’t cancel,” Zhen Niang said to Zheng Fuli. Just as the great waves wash away the sand, Zhen Niang was also thinking about setting up regional agents. Naturally, she needed to prioritize those merchants who didn’t cancel their orders.

All the response strategies had been discussed beforehand. So, everyone followed the plan step by step, and in the end, there was no chaos at the Li family’s doorstep. The merchants who came to cancel their orders left satisfied.

This disappointed Second Young Master Tian, who had been hoping to see some drama. His leg, which had almost healed, started aching again.

“Second Brother, enough. Even Eldest Brother couldn’t get the better of Li Zhenniang. Now, this is already a good outcome,” Tian Ronghua said coolly, unable to stand her second brother’s grimacing expression.

“Hah, that’s because Eldest Brother was incompetent. If it weren’t for Luo Wenqian helping Li Zhenniang this time, even if the Li family escaped disaster, they’d still lose a layer of skin. Hah, that Luo guy—who would’ve thought back in Huizhou that he’d manage to create such a situation? What a pity.” Tian Er clicked his tongue, though no one knew what he was pitying.

At the docks.

Wang Minghe was loading goods, preparing to head to the capital."Brother Minghe, why are you still loading goods here? Don't you know everyone is returning their orders now? The Tian family's Liquid Ink is half the price of the Li family's." Several traveling merchants who had just returned their orders, placed new ones with the Tian family, and had some drinks were passing by the dock. Seeing Wang Minghe loading goods, they spoke up.

Wang Minghe was the traveling merchant who had obtained Zhen Niang's Medicinal Ink earlier and later attended the Li family's Ink Manor opening banquet using someone else's invitation. Since the banquet, he had been among the first traveling merchants to receive the Li family's Liquid Ink. Over the past two months, thanks to the ink, he had made a tidy profit.

Naturally, Wang Minghe had heard about the Tian family producing Liquid Ink and engaging in a price war with the Li family. However, he stuck to his principles. First, in business, credibility was paramount. He couldn't demand a refund just because the Tian family lowered their prices. More importantly, he believed the Tian family's price reduction was a short-term tactic and would eventually increase again. If he canceled his order, he would completely alienate the Li family. In business, having more friends meant more opportunities. There was no need to burn bridges. After all, it was just one batch of goods—he could accept earning a little less.

Second, he also believed in luck. His rise had begun with the Li family's Medicinal Ink, and he had placed his trust in the Li family. Naturally, he wouldn't return this batch of goods. Of course, as a businessman, he couldn't afford to take a loss either. So, after delivering this batch to the capital and returning, he planned to negotiate with the Li family for better terms. He believed the Li family would likely agree.

Thus, Wang Minghe simply smiled without responding and continued loading the goods.

Seeing his reaction, the others didn't press further. After mocking him as a fool, they wandered off. Some even began to wonder whether, since Wang Minghe's goods now had higher costs, they should place another order with the Tian family and send it to the capital. Perhaps they could snatch away the market share Wang Minghe had secured.

And so, various schemes were hatched.

Regardless of others' calculations, the Li family continued accepting returns while steadily producing Liquid Ink. It was said their warehouse was now overflowing.

This was truly hard to understand, and gossip spread behind their backs. What exactly was the Li family planning?

Even Han Yigui and Hu Zonglin had come to inquire.

Before long, it was already July, and the weather grew unbearably hot and dry.

The Tian family's price war once again left the Li and Zhu families' Ink Manors nearly deserted. However, thanks to the earlier donation of ink, some students from the academy occasionally visited the Li family's shop. When they saw good ink they liked, they would sometimes buy a couple of inksticks or pool their money to purchase a set. From their reactions, it was clear they still held the Li family's mid-to-high-grade ink in high regard.

At least it was some progress.

Of course, most of the time, the shop remained empty.

With little to do, Zhen Niang moved a stool to sit by the entrance and enjoy the cool breeze. The entire official street was open at both ends, allowing air to flow freely. Old locust trees stood at intervals along the roadside, and sitting in their shade with the gentle breeze was far more refreshing than staying indoors, which always felt somewhat stifling.

Under the shade of the trees, a few people chatted idly.

Just then, they saw a group of people carrying a large basket, looking furious as they hurried past. The smell they left behind was utterly foul.

"What is that? It stinks so badly!" Those enjoying the cool breeze along the roadside covered their noses one after another."What is this? It's the Tian family's ink. This really proves that cheap goods are no good—the ink sold by the Tian family has gone bad. How can they still sell such foul-smelling ink? Of course, we have to come to the Tian family for an explanation. It hasn't even been half a month since we bought this ink." The men carrying the goods were clearly shop assistants. Hearing someone ask, they replied with indignation.

Only the shop owner walking at the front wore a look of regret as he glanced at the signboard of the Li family's Ink Manor. Then, with a dark expression, he snapped at the assistants behind him, "You talk too much. Hurry up."

Urged by the owner, the assistants fell silent and carried several baskets of Liquid Ink toward the Tian family's Ink Manor.

Meanwhile, among the bystanders who overheard this, one person jumped in alarm. "Oh! So that smell is from spoiled ink! I bought a few bottles some time ago and kept them at home. Lately, I've been noticing a strange odor in the house. A few days ago, my wife said there were more mice around, so she sprinkled some rat poison. I thought it was the smell of dead mice and have been searching high and low for them these past few days, but I haven't found a single one. Who would have thought it was the ink going bad? I must go home and check right away."

After saying this, the man hurried off. At the same time, several more groups of people arrived, carrying Liquid Ink toward the Tian family.

Zhen Niang had long been aware of the situation with the Tian family's ink. Although she hadn't been entirely certain of Zeng Yipin's intentions at the time, she knew she had to take precautions. Zhen Niang adopted a strategy of appearing relaxed on the outside while remaining vigilant internally. She allowed Zeng Yipin to observe the surface-level ink-making processes, but the anti-corrosion and anti-sedimentation materials she refined using alchemy tools were secretly added to the ink glue. This step was handled solely by Zhen Niang, and even Zheng Fuli wasn't fully aware of it. Of course, there was one other person at the ink manor who knew: Er Gou. Originally, when Zhen Niang signed the contract with the Zhu family, she had intended to hand over the additive to Shopkeeper Zhu on the spot. However, fearing that the Tian family might obtain the formula from the Zhu family, she instead sent Er Gou to deliver it.

Naturally, she mentioned this briefly to Zhu Gui but didn't explain it in detail. Zhu Gui only knew that the Li family had kept something back, which was a common practice, so he didn't make a fuss about it. As long as the ink produced was of good quality, it was fine.

In other words, only three people knew about the additive: Zhen Niang, Huang Shi, and Er Gou. As for Zhu Gui, he only knew that there was an extra step but wasn't aware of what it entailed.

Er Gou, having received Zhen Niang's instructions, understood the importance of the additive and guarded it very carefully.

Raised by Chou Po since childhood, he was practically like a member of the Li family. He was also extremely loyal and reliable, which was why Zhen Niang dared to entrust him with this task.

Additionally, apart from the additive, Zhen Niang also made certain adjustments to the ink formula. She increased the proportion of indigo powder to make the ink darker and more vibrant. However, indigo powder is prone to spoilage. Although the ink formula also included borneol as a preservative, Zhen Niang further increased the proportion of alcohol. In traditional Chinese medicine, alcohol and borneol are somewhat incompatible. This combination created a stimulating effect, making the ink glue more susceptible to decay. Coupled with the peak of summer, it was no wonder the ink had gone bad.

As for the Li family's own ink, it wasn't a problem because they had added the anti-corrosion additive separately.Now, after waiting all these days, the issue with Tian ink has finally come to light. It’s likely that the Tian family has already noticed something these past few days. After all, the ink produced at the very beginning has been around for a month, and the liquid ink can only maintain its quality for about that long.

Haha, next, the Tian family will have quite a mess to deal with, and Zhen Niang will also be busy. With the Tian family’s liquid ink having problems, it’s the perfect time for her Li family’s ink to sell well.

As for Grandfather Cheng, he has been frequently inviting Zhu Gui for drinks lately, likely trying to seize the opportunity to take over the Zhu family. Unfortunately, Grandfather Cheng was a step too slow. If he had intervened when she first reminded him, the price for the Zhu family to sell their Ink Manor would have been much lower. Now, if Grandfather Cheng wants to acquire the Zhu family’s Ink Manor, he’ll have to pay a hefty price.

After all, although Zhu Gui knows that the Li family held back some secrets, once he heard that the formula was stolen from the Li family by Zeng Yipin, how could he still feel confident? At that time, he would have wanted to sell the Ink Manor as soon as possible. But now, with the Tian family’s ink issue exposed, even a fool would know to raise the price, let alone seasoned veterans of the ink industry.

None of them are willing to take a loss.