The Heir

Chaрtеr 146: Рlаnning аnd Develoрmеnt

On the third dаy of thе Lunаr Nеw Yеаr, аs exрected, Sixth Grandfathеr’s еldest dаughter, Li Сhunhuа, rеturnеd with her husbаnd, Yао Qiаnshаn. This wаs another jоуous оccasiоn, and the vаrious branсhеs оf thе Li fаmilу gаthered оnсe mоrе fоr a livеly сеlebratiоn.

Nаturallу, the convеrsation soоn turnеd tо Yaо Qianshan’s future рlаns. Тhe Li fаmilу subtlу suggеstеd thаt if he hаd nо othеr intentiоns, he might cоnsider рurсhаsing an оffiсiаl titlе.

Of coursе, such matters were nоt stated toо exрlicitlу, аs theу had to consider the other party’s pride.

Having worked as a private secretary for over a decade, Yao Qianshan had often assisted his employer in negotiating such exchanges of interests. Thus, he was pragmatic in this regard and did not view it as a loss of face.

However, he had his own plans for this return. To be honest, after decades of studying the eight-legged essay, the thought of spending money to buy an official title felt somewhat unsatisfying.

He replied, “Madam, my intention is to take the provincial examination this year, as it happens to be held. If I pass, I will proceed to the capital for the metropolitan examination. If I can earn the jinshi degree, that would be ideal. If not, I would trouble Madam to help Qianshan make arrangements.”

Yao Qianshan’s proposal was reasonable. Everything depended on him first passing the provincial examination and becoming a juren. If he then passed the metropolitan examination and became a jinshi, the court would appoint him to an official position. After that, he would undoubtedly require the support of the Li Family Ink Workshop for various connections and arrangements. However, in this scenario, Yao Qianshan would owe less to the Li family and retain greater personal freedom.

But if he failed to become a jinshi, a juren seeking an official position would inevitably need to spend money. As a man of humble origins, Yao Qianshan would have to rely heavily on the Li family’s support, thereby binding himself completely to the Li family’s interests.

“What if you don’t pass the provincial examination this time?” asked Li Jingdong from the ninth branch.

“If I don’t pass the provincial examination this time, I will give up on becoming a juren or jinshi. I will continue as a private tutor, perhaps nurturing some talent for the Li family. In that case, I would advise Madam not to consider civil positions. Instead, it would be better to purchase military positions for the younger generation of the clan. Although civil officials are more esteemed than military ones in the court, the world is growing increasingly chaotic, and the Tatars are causing great unrest. While military positions may seem lowly, no one dares to look down on them in reality,” Yao Qianshan said calmly.

If he failed the provincial examination, purchasing a juren title and then an official position would be excessively costly. Even if he succeeded, unless he willingly descended into corruption and colluded with the corrupt officials at court, he would have little to no influence, rendering the effort meaningless. It would be better to remain a private secretary.

An expert’s first move reveals their skill. Having spent over a decade in official circles with his employer, especially in Shanxi, where many areas had suffered Tatar raids in recent years, Yao Qianshan had a clear understanding of these matters.

The Li family members exchanged glances and nodded in agreement. Yao Qianshan’s plans were sensible. As for purchasing military positions, the Li family had suitable candidates. For instance, ink-making itself was labor-intensive work, so securing military positions for their own younger generation would be a good idea.

Thus, a plan was formed. As for the details, they could be refined gradually over time.The conversation then turned to the matter of returning to Nanjing. Once the New Year passed, Zhen Niang would have to go back to Nanjing. Noble Consort Shen’s birthday was approaching, and the Longevity Ink needed to be delivered as soon as possible. This type of Longevity Ink was a special order—not large in quantity but extremely demanding in craftsmanship. From engraving the molds to the final gold tracing and detailing, every step was time-consuming. Even the initial gathering of materials, combined with the curing period, required meticulous effort. The Li family had applied the same standards as those for imperial ink. Fortunately, Noble Consort Shen’s birthday was in February. From late autumn last year until now, over four months of painstaking work had finally resulted in the completion of all the Longevity Ink.

Zhen Niang would deliver the ink as soon as she returned. Such matters were always better handled early, so she planned to depart for Nanjing on the fifth day of the lunar New Year. Zhao Shi was quite reluctant to see her go.

Li Jingfu, however, cleared his throat and mentioned that he would also go to Nanjing after the New Year, as someone from the Qin family was heading there.

Immediately, Zhao Shi, who doted on her daughter, decided that Li Jingfu should set off with Zhen Niang on the fifth day.

After discussing the ink, the conversation shifted to the family’s various businesses: the Sixth Branch’s farmland, the Ninth Branch and the Zhao family’s inkstone mines in Wuyuan, and the Eighth Branch’s oil workshop.

"Speaking of which," Uncle Jingdong remarked with a faint smile—his usual stern expression softened slightly, indicating his good mood—"when Zhen Niang acquired that pine plantation from the Tian family and planted tung trees, the yield has gradually increased. It’s a pity that the price of tung oil has been falling lately. Otherwise, selling the tung seeds alone could bring the Ink Workshop a decent income."

The tung seeds from the pine plantation belonged to the Ink Workshop, while the oil workshop was run by the Eighth Branch. Even among brothers, accounts were kept clear: the Eighth Branch purchased tung seeds from the Li Family Ink Workshop at market price for oil extraction, and the Ink Workshop bought tung oil from the Eighth Branch at market price when needed. Hence, Uncle Jingdong’s comment.

"What? Is the price of tung oil still dropping?" Zhen Niang asked her elder brother.

"Yes," Li Dalang replied with concern. "Since the Pine Blight outbreak the year before last, many places have started planting tung trees. They yield in just nine months. In the first two years, the output was relatively small, so although the price dropped, it wasn’t too severe. But this year marks the third year of production, and tung seed yields are entering their peak. I’m afraid that as soon as spring arrives, the price of tung oil will plummet."

Truth be told, since he took over the oil workshop, things had been difficult. Due to the previous tung oil poisoning incident, the edible oil produced by his workshop was unsellable, forcing him to focus solely on tung oil production. However, tung oil prices had remained low. Coupled with repaying loans from the money shop and compensating affected customers, the workshop would have struggled to survive without the support of the Li Family Ink Workshop’s oil purchases and the connections he had established with Master Qin. Previously, the money he earned from the inkstone mines had all been poured into the oil workshop.

"Brother," Zhen Niang suggested after a moment’s thought, "if that’s the case, why not stock up on tung seeds and tung oil in large quantities once spring arrives?""Why?" Li Dalang asked with a puzzled expression. Logically, Zhen Niang's suggestion seemed rather unreliable, and Li Da should have immediately dismissed it. After all, tung oil prices had been falling continuously. Although Master Qin had agreed to purchase his goods, it wasn't an unlimited arrangement—there was a fixed quota. After all, Master Qin and the Bai family had maintained a business relationship for over a decade. Even if the Bai family had some issues, they had reluctantly allowed the Li family to take a share of the business and would likely exercise more restraint going forward. Thus, Master Qin would still reserve some portion for the Bai family. If they were to purchase tung seeds as Zhen Niang suggested, wouldn't that mean a large quantity of tung oil would end up stuck in their hands?

This clearly didn't make sense.

However, despite thinking this way, Li Dalang still wanted to carefully inquire about Zhen Niang's reasoning. After all, starting from the coal stove business, every venture Zhen Niang had pointed to had turned a profit, especially the trip to Wuyuan. Therefore, Li Dalang understood his younger sister well—she was shrewd and would never engage in a losing endeavor. That was why he asked.

"Elder brother, Master Zigong once spoke of the principles of commerce in five words and two phrases. The five words are: 'Rarity determines value.' The two phrases are: 'When others discard, I acquire; when others seek, I provide.' Precisely because everyone is pessimistic about tung oil, that is exactly why I want to purchase it," Zhen Niang explained.

"Zhen Niang, 'when others discard, I acquire' is indeed a sound principle. However, this time the drop in tung oil prices is due to a sharp increase in supply. Under such circumstances, prices generally remain low for an extended period. Purchasing in large quantities at this time isn't particularly advisable," Li Dalang countered.

Since the coal stove venture, Li Dalang had also been navigating the business world for several years and understood this logic, but the situation was different.

"Hmm, normally that would be the case. But what if the court decides to lift the Maritime Prohibition?" Zhen Niang retorted.

"What? Is the court going to lift the Maritime Prohibition?" At this point, Old Madam Li, who had been listening nearby, grew somewhat unsettled. She interjected, her voice slightly raised. If that were truly the case, once the ports were opened, it would invigorate the entire Ming Dynasty's commerce. What would rise in price wouldn't be limited to just tung oil—even their Ink Industry would usher in a golden age. The lands of the Two Oceans held a strong demand for Huizhou ink. She recalled ancestral records mentioning that during Eunuch Zheng He's voyages to the Western Ocean, all the stored ink in Huizhou was sold out, and every Ink Workshop reaped substantial profits. That prosperous scene was truly something to yearn for.

However, rumors about lifting the prohibition had circulated for a long time, yet each time they amounted to much ado about nothing. Eventually, people stopped entertaining the idea.

"I can't say for certain, but there are rumors to that effect. Moreover, with the new emperor ascending the throne, there's bound to be some fresh momentum. It might be better to wait and see," Zhen Niang said to her Seventh Grandmother.

Emperor Longqing had been cautious and meticulous for over twenty years. By nature, he wasn't a forceful ruler. It was said that his decision to lift the prohibition upon taking the throne was entirely out of desperation—poverty. Rumor had it that upon ascending, he wanted to buy some jewelry for the consorts in his harem, but not only did the Ministry of Revenue ignore him, court censors also submitted memorial after memorial criticizing him, leaving him utterly frustrated.

That was why he considered lifting the prohibition—to collect more taxes to cover the harem's expenses.

Of course, these were just rumors. The actual reasons for lifting the prohibition likely weren't so simplistic. Zhen Niang believed that opening the Maritime Prohibition was probably the collective demand of various interest groups, given the immense profits involved.Of course, these reasons were beyond Zhen Niang's concern. All she knew was that shortly after the new emperor ascended the throne, the proposal to lift the Maritime Prohibition was brought up again. This time, it was not just empty talk but a real possibility.

Thus, Zhen Niang took advantage of the rumors to voice her thoughts. After all, she was now in Nanjing and served as a supplier to the princess's residence. Such rumors, coming from her, would carry some credibility. Coincidentally, she had originally intended to suggest to her Seventh Grandmother that the Huizhou ink workshop should add a few more workshops this year to produce more ink.

Once the Maritime Prohibition was lifted, Huizhou ink would become a highly sought-after commodity. With the prospect of the prohibition being lifted as a justification, she believed her Seventh Grandmother, being someone willing to take risks, would agree. After all, both tung oil and ink were goods that could be stored. Even if the prohibition was not lifted, the losses would not be too severe, though it would inevitably tie up funds—still, it wouldn’t be catastrophic.

"Hmm, the calls to lift the prohibition have grown louder in recent years. Not to mention the Maritime Prohibition, even the Mongol Anda Khan causes trouble every year, forcing the court to consider opening border trade," Yao Qianshan added with a stern expression.

Hearing her Uncle-in-law's words, Zhen Niang recalled that in the later years of the Longqing reign, it seemed the court had indeed reached an agreement with the Mongol Tatar tribe to establish tribute trade and open border markets.

However, these matters were beyond Zhen Niang's control. Still, with Yao Qianshan’s comment, the rumor gained even more credibility.

"Well, let’s wait and see. In any case, it’s good to be prepared," Old Madam Li said decisively. Soon, in the coming spring, Li Mo would expand production.

Originally, after Zhen Niang secured the Birthday Ink order from the princess's residence, Old Madam Li had already considered this move. But if the prohibition were lifted, they would need to add more workshops and hire more workers. Since the Pine Blight, many small ink workshops in Huizhou had closed down, making skilled workers easier to recruit.

"In that case, sister, since tung oil prices are low now, aside from the goods from Master Qin, we should hold onto the rest. I’ll also try to raise some funds to stock up when prices are low," Li Dalang chimed in. After several years in business, he had gained some insight into commercial strategies. Sometimes, one had to take risks, as opportunities were fleeting.

"Brother, there’s no need to force it. Just do your best. With the Li family’s large tung oil tree grove and your oil workshop, when tung oil prices rise, even without additional purchases, we’ll still make a substantial profit," Zhen Niang said with a smile.

"Right. I understand, sister. Don’t worry," Li Dalang nodded.

Thus, the direction for the Li family’s development in the new year was set.