Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 169 Crime
Wang Yan didn't need to ask Xie Yuyan what she would do next; he knew everything from the moment she made her move.

If one wants to replace the Xie family in producing Northern porcelain, the first step is to overshadow the reputation of the Xie family's porcelain kiln.

The commotion Xie Yuyan made today, on the surface, seemed to be about causing trouble for the Xie family's pottery kiln, but what she really wanted to do was to push those three old craftsmen aside, or rather, to find a way to inspect the pottery kiln.

No one may care about these things now, but when Xie's pottery kiln runs into trouble, no one will buy clay kilns that haven't been inspected.

The Xie family is not her opponent, but rather her stepping stone.

Those who knew Xie family porcelain also came to know about Madam Xie's porcelain kiln after this incident.

They did the same, using the Xie family to get to the people behind the Xie family.

"Didn't my brother find out nothing during the interrogation?"

He Tan responded.

The cases that came to light were all minor, not the results they wanted. Those who should have spoken up remained silent. The yamen's punishment was nothing more than that of the small Xie family, of no use to them.

Wang Yan said, "This time we have a chance."

He Tan put down his teacup.

Wang Yan said, "People aren't afraid of dying together, they're afraid of everyone else living while they suffer for everyone else. The Xie family can barely protect themselves, how can they protect the servants who serve them?"

He Tan asked, "You mean the stewards of the Xie family?"

Wang Yan nodded.

Wang Yan didn't need to say anything more. He Tan said, "I'll have someone secretly keep an eye on one of the managers." As for which manager, it didn't matter.

In a place like a prison, you don't need to say much. As long as the food sent in is slightly better and the guards beat you less, you'll be targeted.

The person being cared for will naturally be suspected of revealing something.

With the Xie family experiencing a series of misfortunes, everyone's suspicions deepened. Those who hadn't confessed were also beginning to waver.

Rather than being someone else's stepping stone, it's better to fight for your own survival.

He Tan said, "That's why you're not in a hurry to interrogate the Xie family."

Because the time is not right.

He Tan knew that Wang Yan would make arrangements, but he didn't know it was through Xie Xiaoniangzi.

He Tan picked up his teacup again. Lately, he had been busy reviewing case files and keeping a close eye on the troops stationed in the Northwest. On the other hand, Wang Yan had a very easy time with Xie Xiaoniangzi's help.

Wang Yan claimed illness and left the capital for a while, but he actually came to Daming Prefecture to recuperate.

“They’ve helped you so much,” He Tan suddenly said, “what are you going to give them in return?”

Wang Yan said calmly, "She can use this incident to secure a place for her porcelain kiln in the north, without needing our help."

He Tan clicked his tongue: "You're really stingy. How do you know they don't need it if you didn't even ask?"

Wang Yan lowered his eyes and said nothing more.

She will take what she wants and won't take what she doesn't want; she has made that very clear.

……

Liu family.

Liu Erniang stayed in her study writing, and no one dared to disturb her.

After the Xie family came today, Liu Erniang's expression changed, and even Jia Siniang didn't dare to mention the clay stove anymore.

Jia Si Niang didn't really understand either; it was just a clay stove, so why was it so complicated?
The woman in the Yang family seemed to be deliberately going against Liu Erniang, determined not to let her have her way. Jia Si Niang was so eager to go to the Yang family that she wanted to find out exactly what was going on.
Of course, she couldn't go to such places. Given their status, it was inappropriate for her to argue with those people; in other people's eyes, it would be beneath her dignity.

In the words of the second aunt, we shouldn't give her that kind of face. But it was really too infuriating.

The Xie family was useless; they just watched as the woman smashed the clay stove.

Finally, evening arrived, and the study door opened.

Several maids went in to help Liu Erniang wash her hands and have some food.

Only after all the bowls and chopsticks had been cleared away did Jia Si Niang go inside.

Liu Erniang seemed to have calmed down a lot, and looked much the same as usual.

Jia Si Niang first went to the desk and praised Liu Er Niang's handwriting.

Liu Erniang's handwriting was exceptionally good.

“If my second sister weren’t a woman, she could have become the top scholar in the imperial examination with all these qualities.”

Liu Erniang didn't joke with Jia Siniang. Jia Siniang mustered her courage and walked over, reaching out to take Liu Erniang's arm: "Second sister, don't be angry. It's not worth it for that kind of person. Didn't the Xie family say that in a few days, there will be a second and a third kiln?"

This is true.

However, if Liu Erniang wanted to hold a banquet at the Liu family's residence, she would have to wait until after New Year's Day.

Jia Si Niang said, "I went back into the house and smashed the clay stove. That person is ungrateful, and we won't use anything they make."

Liu Erniang looked at Jia Siniang and said, "You don't need to persuade me. This is just a small matter. I never intended to make things difficult for that woman before, but now that I see how arrogant she is, I should teach her a lesson."

Jia Si Niang nodded: "Second Sister is right."

As for what lesson to teach, Liu Erniang had already made arrangements. She only needed to cry to her elder brother, Liu Shizhang, and he would agree to help her. However, she also had to remind the Xie family that putting the Yang family members in jail was useless; it would be best to solve the problem once and for all and lock that woman up. If the Xie family didn't handle things well this time... the porcelain they sold at the market in the future would have to go to someone else.

……

Throughout this whole affair, it was the Xie family who were put on the hot seat.

Xie Chonghai sent Tian to the Liu family to deliver a message, but she brought back bad news.

The Liu family didn't offer to help, but simply sent Tian out. Then, someone from the market administration came to urge him to finish firing the porcelain so he could participate in the selection next February. Only if he was selected could he take the porcelain to the market to do business.

In fact, Daming Prefecture had already decided to use the Xie family's porcelain. Now that the government office had sent someone to inquire, it was a reminder that the Liu family was angry. If this matter was not handled properly, the Xie family could forget about the border market.

Xie Chonghai broke out in a cold sweat. The Xie family had been preparing for the market for a whole year, putting almost half of their wealth on it, and they couldn't afford to make the slightest mistake.

In the north, only two porcelain kilns were selected to go to the market. If a kiln was not selected, it did not lose a deal, but rather lost its status in the northern porcelain industry.

If they can't even go to the border markets, no matter how good the shapes of the pottery they produce in the future, they won't be recognized.

On the contrary, with this achievement, they are now at least two of the most powerful companies in Beijing.

“We have no choice but to kill,” Xie Chonghai gritted his teeth. “If we keep hesitating like this, our Xie family will really be finished.”

Old Master Xie frowned: "That woman has He Tan backing her up. If we make a move against her, He Tan won't stand idly by."

Xie Chonghai took a deep breath: "If someone can take the blame... even if He Tan comes to investigate, as long as we hand over that person, we can get away with it."

"Do we still need to use the household steward?" Old Master Xie asked.

Xie Chonghai shook his head: "I'm afraid if we use servants again this time, the government office won't let it go."

After saying this, Xie Chonghai lowered his eyes, as if deep in thought. Beside him, Zhao Shi clenched her handkerchief tightly; she was thinking of someone.

She shouldn't have brought it up now, since nobody wants to be the bad guy.

But if I don't say it now... I'm afraid I'll miss this opportunity.

"What if...it's one of our illegitimate sons?"