Сhарtеr Thirty-Eight: Еаch Emрloying Тhеir Strаtеgiеs
Zhеn Niang had nеver imagined Ninth Uncle would асt this waу. At this mоmеnt, Ninth Unсlе stoоd in thе рinе grоve, wеeping almоst unсontrоllably, his voiсe filled with рrofound dеsоlаtiоn.
It rеmindеd Zhеn Niang of thе timе befоrе hеr transmigrаtion, whеn thе ink industry was in dесline аnd her own grandfаther finally tооk dоwn the signbоard of the Li Fаmilу Ink Wоrkshoр. Васk thеn, hеr grandfаthеr had hiddеn alоne in his roоm, his supрrеssеd sobs nо diffеrеnt frоm Ninth Uncle’s criеs now.
Zhen Niang did not disturb Ninth Unclе at this moment, mеrely stаnding dazеdlу to thе side.
In her heart, she thought: With this Pine Blight, Li Mo would likely miss out on Tribute Ink again this year. After all, with the pine grove in trouble, the materials for ink-making would be severely depleted. How could Li Mo possibly produce the quantity required for Tribute Ink?
“Let’s go, back we go.” Ninth Uncle sighed deeply toward the sky. Having lived most of his life and weathered countless setbacks, he knew that while the Pine Blight was hateful, he still had to pull himself together.
“Mm.” Zhen Niang responded, supporting Ninth Uncle as they descended the mountain.
The two returned to the city together.
“Zhen Niang, after you get home, ask your grandfather to come to the Ink Workshop.” Once inside the city, Ninth Uncle said to Zhen Niang.
“Alright, Ninth Uncle.” Zhen Niang nodded.
At this moment, Old Shopkeeper Li was at home, as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. As soon as Zhen Niang entered the house, he urgently asked, “Well? Is it Pine Blight?”
“Yes.” Zhen Niang nodded, then added, “Grandfather, Ninth Uncle wants you to go to the Ink Workshop.”
“Good, I’ll go right away.” Without another word, Old Shopkeeper Li turned and left.
Wu Shi hurried into the room, brought out a thick padded jacket, and handed it to Zhen Niang: “Zhen Niang, go with your grandfather. It’s already evening outside, and who knows when you’ll be back.”
“Ah.” Zhen Niang took the jacket, nodded firmly, and hurried out after her grandfather.
Grandfather and granddaughter walked swiftly, arriving at the Li residence in no time.
Ninth Uncle had already arrived ahead of them.
“Eighth Uncle, Li Mo has reached another critical juncture of survival. Let bygones be bygones. This time, I ask Eighth Uncle to help me overcome this crisis.” As soon as Old Shopkeeper Li entered, Seventh Old Madam spoke directly.
“Seventh Sister-in-law, you are too kind. I will do everything in my power. The immediate priorities are, first, to conceal the news of the Pine Blight and purchase pine wood from other regions before other ink workshops catch wind of it. Second, to withdraw from this year’s Tribute Ink selection.” Old Shopkeeper Li’s words carried the weight of a warrior cutting off his own arm.
“Withdraw from the Tribute Ink selection? No, opportunities are fleeting and may never come again. This time, with the Luo Family stepping aside, it is the perfect moment for our Li Family. Moreover, with Eunuch Yan’s assistance, this is a once-in-a-thousand-years chance. If we withdraw now, the Cheng Family will surely seize it. Their strength is now on par with our Li Family. If they gain the Tribute Ink opportunity, they will undoubtedly flourish. By then, it would be extremely difficult for our Li Mo to wrest the Tribute Ink production back from Cheng ink.” Li Jinhe, standing to the side, frowned as he spoke."No, we must withdraw. First, it's unclear whether the Tian or Cheng family is behind the scenes, exaggerating Zhen Niang's rescue of Miss Yan. Historically, the Ink Supervisors and Ink Affairs Officials have always been at odds on the surface while harboring discord beneath. This would inevitably provoke confrontation from the Ink Affairs Officials, offering no benefit to our Li family. Second, with the Pine Blight, the ink workshop can only rely on purchasing pinewood to sustain operations, which will certainly increase costs. Moreover, once the Pine Blight spreads, pinewood prices will inevitably soar. At that point, some merchants will hoard pine materials, waiting to sell at higher prices. Under these circumstances, if we miss the delivery deadline for the Tribute Ink, it would be a disaster," said Old Shopkeeper Li.
Li Jinhe fell silent, knowing his eighth brother spoke the truth. He simply gritted his teeth fiercely, unwilling to accept it.
"Very well, we shall proceed as Old Eighth suggests," Old Madam Li declared decisively. Turning to Li Jinhe, she added, "Old Ninth, the task of purchasing pinewood is entrusted to you."
"Understood, Seventh Sister-in-law, rest assured," Li Jinhe nodded. At this point, there was no other choice.
Thus, it was settled. Seventh Old Madam would oversee the ink workshop. Once news of the Pine Blight spread, who knew how much chaos would ensue in Huizhou's ink industry.
The three elders in the room finished their discussion and breathed a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Zhen Niang was in the outer hall, chatting with several aunts, uncles' wives, and sisters-in-law.
"Zhen Niang, your grandfather, Seventh Grandmother, and Ninth Uncle have been inside for quite some time. What are they discussing?" asked Madam Tian, the third aunt from the seventh branch, raising an eyebrow.
This Madam Tian was Tian Benchang's aunt, just over thirty years old. Well-maintained, she appeared quite young, though as a widow, her attire was entirely plain.
Zhen Niang recalled from the clan records that her final fate was to return to the Tian family, where she passed away not long after. The thought made her sigh inwardly.
However, with Madam Tian asking about this now, it was not appropriate for her to say much. After all, the Tian family had recently entered the ink-making industry, and the matter of the Pine Blight should not be spread through her. So she replied, "Aunt Tian, I'm afraid I don't know."
"How could you not know? I heard you went out of the city with your Ninth Uncle this afternoon?" Madam Tian continued probing.
Zhen Niang felt somewhat displeased. It was improper for this third aunt to question a junior like her about the elders' affairs.
But she rarely visited the main branch, and Madam Tian was an elder here. It wouldn't be right for her to confront her.
"Third Sister-in-law, Zhen Niang is a junior. Why are you asking her about such matters? When Mother-in-law comes out, you can ask her yourself," said Huang Shi, who had been quietly carving ink molds, looking up and speaking calmly.
Huang Shi was the second aunt from the seventh branch, a member of the Huang family in Huizhou, skilled in wood carving.
Huang Shi's words left Madam Tian speechless. She sipped her tea resentfully and said, "I was just asking casually."
For a moment, the atmosphere in the room grew awkward.
Fortunately, the three elders emerged from the study after concluding their discussion. Shortly after, Old Shopkeeper Li bid farewell and left with Zhen Niang.
It was late, the beginning of the lunar month, with no stars or moon in the sky. Zhen Niang carried a windproof lantern and carefully supported her grandfather as they walked.
"Grandfather, how will the matter be resolved?" Zhen Niang asked curiously.
"First, we'll purchase pinewood from outside before news of the Pine Blight spreads. Additionally, we'll withdraw from the Tribute Ink Selection. Oh, and don't mention the Pine Blight to anyone," Old Shopkeeper Li instructed. Every day the news could be kept secret was another day the Li family could gain an advantage in purchasing pinewood."I know." Zhen Niang nodded, it was much as she had expected. Li Mo had indeed withdrawn from the Tribute Ink Selection.
Soon after, the grandfather and granddaughter returned home.
The night passed without incident.
The next day, Ninth Uncle took two junior stewards from the ink workshop out of the city to purchase pine materials.
Although the threat of Pine Blight loomed, it had little impact on Zhen Niang’s small-scale operations. She mainly used tung oil to produce soot for ink. So, early the next morning, she still carried her wooden case to Four Treasures Street to sell her ink.
As expected, Li Mo’s withdrawal from the Tribute Ink Selection caused quite a stir. People were puzzled, and in the end, they believed it was due to the impact of Madam Sun’s theft case on the Li family.
Of course, some suspected there might be other reasons.
"Miss Li, why did your Seventh Grandmother suddenly announce the withdrawal from the Tribute Ink Selection? This year was the most favorable one for Li Mo."
While Zhen Niang was setting up her stall, Third Master Cheng strolled over. He first examined the ink she had made, then asked casually.
"Third Grandfather, how could I, as a junior, know what my Seventh Grandmother is thinking?" Zhen Niang replied with a smile.
"Really don’t know?" Third Master Cheng huffed, his beard twitching.
"Don’t know," Zhen Niang said, then added teasingly, "But..."
"But what?" Third Master Cheng’s eyes lit up as he pressed.
"Isn’t it all thanks to the good deeds you and the others have done?" Zhen Niang said with a knowing look.
"What good deeds have I done?" Third Master Cheng was baffled.
"Now there are rumors outside that because I saved Miss Yan, Li Mo has already been secretly chosen to produce the Tribute Ink, and all the other families are just there for show. Surely you’re aware of this, Third Grandfather?" Zhen Niang retorted.
"Of course I know, but what does that have to do with me?" Third Master Cheng asked innocently.
"Wasn’t it your Cheng family who deliberately spread the rumors?" Zhen Niang shot back.
"Nothing of the sort," Third Master Cheng denied outright, though his old face flushed slightly. While the Tian family had started the rumors, the Cheng family had certainly fanned the flames.
"Tsk, tsk," Zhen Niang clicked her tongue twice with a smile, angering Third Master Cheng so much that he flicked his sleeve and returned to the Cheng Family Ink Pavilion.
"Third Uncle, how did it go? What did Miss Li say?" Inside the Ink Pavilion, Cheng Dayue, the young master of the Cheng family, asked.
"That damned girl is too clever and tight-lipped. Not only did I get nothing out of her, but she even managed to mock me a few times," Third Master Cheng grumbled. Then he asked, "Dayue, how is the investigation I asked you to do going?"
"Well, before this, there was nothing unusual about the Li family. But the day before yesterday, that Miss Li suddenly accompanied Ninth Master Li out of the city to the pine fields outside. After they returned, that evening, both Eighth Master Li and Ninth Master Li appeared at the ink workshop, discussing something. Early yesterday morning, Ninth Master Li left the city with two junior stewards from the ink workshop, traveling by boat," Cheng Dayue reported.
"They went to the pine fields outside the city? Go and find out what happened there. Also, have someone follow Ninth Master Li to see what he’s up to. I have a feeling something big is happening. Otherwise, the Li family wouldn’t give up such a rare opportunity," Third Master Cheng said.
"Alright, I’ll go investigate further," Cheng Dayue nodded and hurried off again.
...
"Your Li family has discovered the Pine Blight."Zhen Niang was currently sitting on a small stool, watching the Chen Family's Ink Pavilion across the street. Seeing Cheng San Yeye suffer a setback gave her a small sense of satisfaction. Unexpectedly, a voice suddenly came from behind, startling her so much she nearly fell off her seat.
She quickly turned around and saw Luo Wenqian sitting under the old locust tree behind her. He looked disheveled, with bruises on his face and forehead, appearing utterly destitute. Sitting on the ground like this was something he would never have done before, but now it seemed completely natural to him.
His expression remained calm, but the occasional flashes of anger, self-mockery, and resentment in his eyes revealed that his emotions were far from as composed as they seemed on the surface.
"What did you say? I didn’t quite catch that. What Pine Blight?" Zhen Niang took a deep breath and feigned ignorance.
"Ha, don’t bother hiding it. I figured out the Pine Blight situation a month ago," Luo Wenqian said, narrowing his eyes.
"Then why didn’t you say anything?" Zhen Niang asked indignantly. If they had known a month ago, the Pine Blight could still have been treated.
"Why should I have said anything?" Luo Wenqian suddenly snapped viciously. "Your Li Family, the Cheng Family, and the Tian Family are all cut from the same cloth—all of you can’t wait for our Luo Family to collapse so you can carve up our legacy. Now, you’ve gotten your wish, but heaven has eyes. Even if our Luo Family falls, you won’t gain much from it."
Luo Wenqian spoke through gritted teeth.
Zhen Niang was not one to back down either. She snorted coldly. "Don’t act so innocent. Over the years, how many times has your Luo Family used its connections in the court to suppress our Li Family? Besides, back when our Li Family’s Tribute Ink ran into trouble, if your Luo Family wasn’t the one pulling the strings behind the scenes, I’d cut off my own head and give it to you."
Back then, when the Li Family’s Tribute Ink encountered issues, their qualification was revoked, and the Luo Family ended up benefiting the most. At the time, the Pan Family was also a prominent ink-making family, and the Cheng Family was an up-and-coming contender. So why did Luo Mo, which had never stood out before, suddenly rise to prominence? That was why her grandfather believed the Luo Family was the most suspicious.
"Accuse someone falsely, and you’ll always find an excuse," Luo Wenqian retorted with a cold snort.
"It seems some people just don’t dare to admit it," Zhen Niang shot back without yielding an inch.
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