Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 175 Confidence
The Xie family started firing clay in all their kilns, but it still wasn't enough to meet demand.

People from Guantao and Weixian, which are under the jurisdiction of Daming Prefecture, came to buy it.

The Xie family was in a flurry of activity. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Xie Chonghai specially summoned Xie Qi to do some work. Firstly, someone had to step forward to deal with the Yang family, and secondly, he wanted to secretly keep an eye on who was getting close to Xie Qi.

Xie Qi did not disappoint him. He was present on the day the Yang family servants were arrested. In order to stabilize the situation, Xie Qi did not hesitate to fight with the Yang family.

What Xie Chonghai wanted to see was Xie Qi and the Yang family at odds.

Having stabilized the pottery kiln, Xie Qi began seeking opportunities to visit the porcelain kiln, secretly hosting a banquet for several managers. To Xie Chonghai's surprise, some of the managers were former servants of the Xie family, and they actually served Xie Qi.

Xie Chonghai was increasingly relieved that he had come up with this method to test the waters; otherwise, even if he took control of the entire Xie family in the future, he would still be secretly plotted against by these people.

Xie Chonghai looked through the accounts. The only downside was that the clay stoves could only be sold at the price set by Xie Yuyan.

"So much was burned, but no money was made?" Xie Chonghai looked at the accountant.

The accountant replied, "Actually, on paper... we're losing money."

"What?" Xie Chonghai's eyes widened.

The accountant nodded: "The daily wages paid to the hired workers are too high. Although the price of coal is low, it still costs some money. Then there's the supplementary money that Seventh Master gives and the daily meal. That's all. Our family also has to give tribute money every month."

A considerable amount of money was spent on the Liu family. Every time a clay stove was fired, the best pieces had to be sent to the Liu family, and all of this required investment.

In the eyes of the Liu family, these were all commonplace, because they had done the same thing before. But this clay furnace was different; they didn't have that much money to earn.

Previously, it was thought that the shortfall would be significant, but in reality, the Liu family's appetite was exceptionally large.

Xie Chonghai said, "Perhaps things will get better after this period." The Liu family can't keep using clay stoves forever.

Besides, Xie Yuyan would eventually be unable to hold on.

Thinking of this, Xie Chonghai asked, "How are the clay stoves from the Yang family's side?"

The steward pursed his lips: "There are... far fewer people than before." Some things can't be said directly; if it angers the Second Master, no one will be in a good position.

Xie Chonghai breathed a sigh of relief, then pressed on: "Can't you sell them?"

The manager stammered, "It's not that, it's just... there are fewer people queuing outside."

Xie Chonghai frowned. They had opened a clay stove shop in the city, so naturally there were fewer people queuing at the Xie family's place. What did that mean by "fewer than before"?
Actually, the manager was hiding something. The truth was that many people in the city still preferred to buy from the Yang family's shop, and would only come to their shop when they found it sold out.

People from outside the city heard some bad rumors about the Yang family and headed straight for the Xie family's shop.

Xie Chonghai waved his hand, ordering the accountant and steward to leave. He wanted to see the accounts himself, at least to know how long the Xie family could last if things continued like this.

Just as the steward was about to leave, the servant came in and reported, "The Liu family has sent people. They said they need us to deliver at least fifty clay stoves tomorrow."

"How many?" Xie Chonghai immediately bristled. "Fifty? You didn't hear me wrong?"

The servant at the door hurriedly said, "I didn't mishear. They said it's fifty. They also said they'd take as many as they could if we could send more."

Although Xie Chonghai dared not refuse, he still unleashed his anger.

"What do they need so many clay stoves for? How many have been delivered these past two days? Is she going to eat them?"

No one dared to speak.

That's Prefect Liu's residence; who would dare to gossip? Do they have a death wish?

The servant's voice trembled: "They said it would be used at the Liu family's banquet."

The Liu family has already held a banquet; the food will not only be served at the banquet but also given to the guests.

Clearly, they intended to invite all the high-ranking officials and dignitaries of Daming Prefecture.

This Liu Erniang is no pushover. The servant said, "The Liu family steward also asked me to tell the master... This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The Liu family is helping us push the clay furnace, and the more we send, the more benefits we will receive. They told us to think it over ourselves."

Xie Chonghai heard a buzzing sound in his ears.

If that's the case, he can't just send fifty; he has to send at least a hundred, or the Liu family might still look down on him.

"Go to a few pottery kilns and tell them to pick out the best ones, and tomorrow... send them all to the Liu family."

Hopefully this is the last time.

Liu Erniang got tired of it after a few times.

“In that case, the pottery kiln will have to work through the night,” the manager whispered, “and Seventh Master will have to pay extra wages.”

Xie Chonghai gritted his teeth as he listened.

"Let him pay."

These days, Xie Qi hasn't been taking money from his own pocket anymore, but instead taking it directly from the public funds. When asked about it, Xie Qi said, "Those were all given to me by my father. I don't dare to touch too much of it. Besides, this is a clan business. No matter how much we earn in the future, we will have to send it to the clan. If I get involved, I'm afraid things will get complicated in the future."

Xie Chonghai sneered. He'd said everything he wanted. If he really thought that way, none of this would have happened. He clearly felt he'd won people's hearts and was unwilling to use his own money anymore.

What a cunning beast.

Fortunately, they were prepared and let Xie Qi be smug for a while, otherwise the rest of the game would have been much more difficult.

"Have someone keep an eye on the Yang family," Xie Chonghai said, "to prevent them from causing trouble again at this time."

The manager replied, "Don't worry! It's very quiet over there now."

Without Xie Yuyan, the Yang family is truly nothing. Xie Chonghai hopes Xie Yuyan's illness will worsen.

After saying this, Xie Chonghai looked at the tabloid on the table.

Another thing that pleased him was that he had people spread rumors throughout the town that the Yang family had assaulted people and that water vendors had gotten into conflicts with others, portraying Xie Yuyan and his group as wicked and domineering merchants. Some people didn't believe it, some were skeptical, and others, seeing the Yang family's thriving business, felt there must be something fishy going on and completely believed the rumors.

This is why people from outside Daming Prefecture would come directly to the Xie family to buy clay stoves.

The scholars who wrote the tabloids, seeing that the matter could no longer be suppressed, actually wrote about the arrest of the Yang family. However, even so, he still had a way to spread the word that the tabloids were intentionally covering up for the Yang family.

His efforts did have some effect; people started gossiping about the tabloids on the streets, questioning whether the articles were true.

If things continue like this, Xie Yuyan will never be able to turn things around.

Not only will her clay stove business be replaced by the Xie family, but her tabloid will also be unable to continue.

……

Xie Yuyan looked at the bowl of soup in front of her.

This is my third bowl today.

"Is there anything else?" Xie Yuyan asked Zhang Shi.

Zhang laughed and said, "After you finish this bowl, there will be another one."

Xie Yuyan shook his head: "My illness is almost cured."

My throat still hurts and my nose is very stuffy.

“No,” Zhang said. “The old doctor said that your body is severely depleted and you must take good care of yourself. You must at least finish the medicine that Lord Wang sent.”

(End of this chapter)