The Heir

Сhapter 40: Zhеn Niаng Apрraises Ink, Рinе Вlight Вrеаks Out

When Zhеn Niang arrived home, Chеng Sаn Yeуe wаs аlrеаdy аt thе Li rеsidеnсe.

Тhis Third Mastеr Сheng hаd come rеmarkablу fast. Eаrliеr, Zhеn Niаng’s соnvеrsation with Тiаn Bеnсhаng on Fоur Trеаsures Streеt hаd not bеen conсealed, аnd thе оnloоkers nearbу hаd nаturallу оvеrhеаrd. Тhe mаttеr regаrding the Тian familу’s ink using the Сhеng fаmily’s ink blеnding fоrmulа must hаve alreаdy reached thе Cheng familу’s ears. Нe hаd сomе to inquire about the situation.

“Greetings, Third Grandfather,” Zhen Niang greeted.

Seeing Zhen Niang return, Cheng San Yeye beckoned to her, “Girl, come here.”

“Yes,” Zhen Niang responded, set down her things, and walked over.

“Appraise these inksticks for me,” Cheng San Yeye said, taking out several pieces of ink and placing them one by one on the table.

Ah, Zhen Niang understood. Third Master Cheng was testing her. After all, every ink workshop’s important ink formulas were kept secret. She had exposed the Cheng ink formula in one breath, and although she had exposed the Tian family, the Li family could not avoid suspicion. The Cheng family’s formula was confidential—how did the Li family know about it?

At the time, Zhen Niang had claimed she had identified it through ink appraisal. Thus, Third Master Cheng naturally wanted to test her.

“The first inkstick uses Jia Sixie’s ink-making method from the Later Wei. The soot is century-old pine soot, the glue is deer antler glue, and it is blended with four ingredients: ash wood, chicken white, real pearl, and musk. Third Grandfather must have put considerable thought into this,” Zhen Niang said, pointing to the first piece on the left.

“Continue,” Third Master Cheng stroked his beard, clearly pleased with this inkstick.

“The second inkstick is a re-blended ink. The original ink was likely quite ordinary, but you supplemented it with pine resin soot and lacquer residue soot, using Shen Gui’s lacquer soot ink method from the Song dynasty. ‘Ten years like stone, a dot like lacquer.’ This ink has already captured the essence of Senior Shen’s lacquer ink. Congratulations, Third Grandfather,” Zhen Niang continued.

Historically, lacquer soot ink flourished under the Cheng family’s craftsmanship.

“Haha, this girl—I like her more and more. Go on,” Third Master Cheng laughed heartily, clearly delighted that Zhen Niang had touched on his pride.

“Third Grandfather, let’s not discuss the third one. Isn’t this the very formula the Tian family used? However, the Tian family has a habit of adding unnecessary touches. They used my Li family’s super lacquer soot coal formula but insisted on adding styrax soot coal. They used your Cheng family’s blending formula but insisted on adding pomegranate peel, which instead ruined the ink’s texture,” Zhen Niang said.

“The Tian family had no choice but to do that. If they had copied it exactly, wouldn’t they have given people grounds for criticism?” Third Master Cheng chuckled.

Then, turning to Old Shopkeeper Li, he said, “Old brother, I envy you. This girl not only excels at burning soot pigment but also has sharp eyes. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Li family relies on her to take charge in the future.” Third Master Cheng’s words were partly in jest, though he did not know how soon they would prove prophetic.

“Third Grandfather flatters me too much,” Zhen Niang replied with a smile, then fetched hot water to refill the tea for the two elders.

“Alright, let’s not beat around the bush. Old Shopkeeper, tell me, why did your Li family withdraw from the Tribute Ink Selection? Don’t blame it on the Tian family. If it were truly because of them, that girl Zhen Niang alone could have silenced the Tian family without a word,” Third Master Cheng asked.

“Brother, you shouldn’t ask me that. You should ask my seventh sister-in-law. I no longer manage the ink workshop’s affairs,” Old Shopkeeper Li replied with a chuckle."Alright, stop beating around the bush. Before coming here, I first went to Seventh Madam's place but didn't see her. People at the workshop said she came looking for you. By the time I rushed to your home, Seventh Madam had already returned. At this point, I'm too tired to run around anymore. Just tell me straight—don't deny it. On the day before the Li Family announced their withdrawal from the Tribute Ink Selection, you went to the Ink Workshop with your Ninth Brother. These past few days, Seventh Madam has been visiting you frequently. I imagine it's all about the workshop matters.

I know that this time, our Cheng Family followed behind the Tian Family, using Zhen Niang's rescue of Miss Yan to stir up trouble. It wasn't honorable, and I apologize to you, brother. But in business, we speak business. I believe if such an opportunity had fallen into your Li Family's hands, you would have done the same as our Cheng Family." Cheng San Yeye was quite straightforward, speaking bluntly.

"Fine, my Li Family accepts this apology. Since you, Cheng San, are forthright, I, Li Ba, won't be vague either. Let me tell you, the reason my Li Family withdrew from the Tribute Ink Selection is because the Pine Blight is about to break out." Old Shopkeeper Li replied frankly this time.

"Pine Blight? Is that true?" Upon hearing about the Pine Blight, Cheng San also jumped up.

"If not for this reason, what else do you think could make my Li Family give up on the Tribute Ink?" Old Shopkeeper Li retorted.

"Right, aside from this reason, nothing else could make your Li Family abandon the Tribute Ink." Third Master Cheng said with a dark expression, then cupped his hands in salute. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it. Cheng San, you know some of the internal affairs of the Li Family without me having to say it. This time, the Li Family truly cannot handle the Tribute Ink, but your Cheng Family must hold firm. We cannot let the Tribute Ink fall into the hands of that Tian Family." Old Shopkeeper Li spoke earnestly.

The Pine Blight is a disaster for ink workshops that primarily use pine soot, but for those focused on oil soot ink, it presents an opportunity to capture market share.

Unfortunately, over the years, the Li Family has struggled just to maintain what they have and has never achieved much in oil soot ink. Originally, the lacquer soot ink formula Zhen Niang brought forward was an opportunity, but the time was too short, and its reputation hadn't yet spread. The Li Family had been eyeing the Tribute Ink, hoping that by securing it, they could leverage its prestige to launch super lacquer soot ink, quickly capture market share, and turn their fortunes around.

But alas, luck was not on their side, and now they face the Pine Blight.

Thus, withdrawing from the Tribute Ink Selection was truly a bitter pill for the Li Family to swallow.

Both the Cheng and Tian Families specialize in oil soot ink. While the Pine Blight affects them, the impact is minimal. Moreover, the Cheng Family has stockpiles to rely on, and the Tian Family, having taken over the Luo Family's workshop, likely also has substantial reserves.

Other oil soot ink workshops will not easily let go of the Tribute Ink either.

This is why Old Shopkeeper Li spoke as he did.

Observing the Tian Family's behavior since entering the industry, they have been utterly unscrupulous. If they were to obtain the Tribute Ink designation, future newcomers would no longer focus on researching formulas and techniques but would instead resort to stealing from others.

If this continues, the entire industry's ethos will deteriorate, leading to the downfall of the Ink Industry—something Old Shopkeeper Li absolutely refuses to see happen."Hmph, the Tian family, mere upstarts, how could they be a match for our Cheng Family? Besides, that styrax ink they presented, as Zhen Niang said, is nothing but adding legs to a snake—completely superfluous. What's more, it's made entirely from stolen formulas, lacking both legitimacy and justification. Just watch, I'll drive them to ruin." Third Master Cheng said with a look of disdain.

"Third Grandfather, the marketplace is like a battlefield—we must not be careless. I feel something is off. After the Luo Family fell, their ink workshop fell into the hands of the Tian family, and most of the master artisans stayed on. Even if the Tian father and son might not understand ink-making, those master artisans have decades of experience in the ink industry—how could they not know better? For the Tian family to embarrass themselves with that neither-fish-nor-fowl ink, I suspect there might be some trickery at play. It's quite possible this is a strategy by the Tian family to confuse the enemy. If you underestimate them, you might end up being taken advantage of by the Tian family instead." Zhen Niang said as she refilled the tea for the two elders, voicing her concerns.

"This girl thinks deeply indeed. Alright, I understand. I'll be cautious. I must go now—the pine blight is a major matter, and I need to discuss it thoroughly with the family." Third Master Cheng, however, seemed somewhat excited.

The Cheng Family primarily focused on oil soot ink, and for them, this was a great opportunity to seize the market share that originally belonged to the Luo Family.

Since Luo Mo collapsed, the Huizhou ink industry had been in chaos, with various families scrambling for Luo Mo's share. Now, with the pine blight, another reshuffling was imminent.

Watching Third Master Cheng leave, Old Shopkeeper Li let out a long sigh.

"Grandfather, our Li family still has a chance." Zhen Niang comforted him. Historically, Tian ink wasn't even recorded—it seemed the Tian family couldn't stir up much trouble. As for the Cheng Family, it would only flourish under Cheng Dayue's leadership, and that was during the Wanli era.

As long as the Li family did not give up their efforts and started striving now, there was still time.

Even if they lost the tribute ink share, as Zhen Niang knew, in the first year of Longqing, the Longqing opening would occur, and maritime merchants would begin to develop. This could also be a path for Li Mo.

In short, as long as they did not abandon hope, did not give up, and worked hard, they could still fight for a future.

A few days later, news arrived from various regions: the pine blight had erupted on a large scale. Patches of pine forests began to wither and die.

The price of pinewood soared, and the price of tung oil rose as well.

The operations of various ink workshops were shrinking.

Small ink workshops that relied mainly on pine soot closed down one after another, leaving many ink artisans unemployed. Since there were many ink artisans in Huizhou, this situation reminded Zhen Niang of the financial crises in later times.

The Li family was also struggling to hold on.

However, the Li family remained relatively calm. With the super lacquer soot coal formula provided by Zhen Niang and the ink blending formula jointly researched by several of the Li family's master artisans, as long as they could withstand this pine blight, the Li family's signature super lacquer soot ink could be launched. When that time came, even if the sky fell, the Li family would never let go of the opportunity for tribute ink.

Yet, Zhen Niang suddenly felt a hidden worry because she knew that historically, when Cheng Mo and Fang Mo rose, Li Mo had already vanished without a trace.

According to the clan records, her Seventh Grandmother should have passed away around this time. It was precisely because of Seventh Grandmother's death that the Li Family Ink Workshop not only failed to revive but instead split apart and eventually disappeared completely.

Thinking about the current situation, it was likely that Seventh Grandmother's health had deteriorated due to the stress of the pine blight. No, she must remind Seventh Grandmother to take care of her health. She must not worry about the pine blight any further.Only when Seventh Grandmother is well can Li Mo develop steadily.