Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 254 Promotion
Xie Yuyan wants to expand the clay furnace industry of Daming Prefecture to the entire Daliang. She can do it on her own, but it will require energy and time. Now, relying on these merchants, it will be much simpler.

She didn't intend to make much money from the clay stove; what she wanted to sell wasn't actually the clay stove itself, but rather recognition of her.

She wanted the wages of the hired workers, the rank of the craftsmen, and a profit of no more than 30%.

The most important thing is to hold the power and responsibility for managing internal affairs in your own hands; all the others get is money.

Xie Yuyan said, "The same kiln and the same firing method. When the kiln in Daming Prefecture fires new pottery, it can be taken to your kiln to be fired. This will allow you to launch new products more quickly, and everyone can seize the opportunity and earn more money."

The merchants hadn't considered this.

Master Xu said, "So, you mean you'll teach us everything you create?"

Xie Yuyan nodded.

That would be great.

They no longer need to worry about what to sell in the future, as Madam Xie has taken care of everything.

That hundred strings of cash is worth it.

Otherwise, employing a master craftsman would require him to spend all his time figuring out new designs, which would be both mentally and financially taxing.

However... there was also a more thoughtful merchant who looked at Xie Yuyan and asked, "There's something I'm not sure if I should say?"

Xie Yuyan said, "Since we're doing business, we should naturally be upfront about it."

Everyone nodded.

The merchant then said, "The clay stoves are selling so well, wouldn't you earn even more if you made them yourself, madam? It's such a waste to give them to us for free..."

Xie Yuyan said, "I had thought about this before, but after the Xie family's clay stove had an accident, I changed my mind."

"How many kilns can I open in Daming Prefecture? And how many clay kilns can I fire? If someone imitates the Xie family and the clay kilns they fire turn out badly, it will damage the reputation of Daming Prefecture's clay kilns."

“Furthermore,” Xie Yuyan smiled slightly, “I don’t have that much money to open more pottery kilns.”

Several merchants nodded subconsciously. They had inquired and learned that the Yang family was just an insignificant small merchant family. Madam Xie had only been in the clay stove business for a few months. Although the clay stoves sold well, they hadn't made many, so it was difficult for her to accumulate more money at the moment.

That's why they saw it as an opportunity to get involved in the deal.

Xie Yuyan continued, "Now that there are so many pottery kilns, whether it's the current clay kilns or whatever new items are produced in the future, they can be found all over Daliang in a short time. Why would anyone be afraid of imitating them?"

One merchant said, "Of course we're not afraid. The reputation of Daming Prefecture's clay stoves has spread far and wide. With our ample stock, people will naturally buy our clay stoves and won't choose others."

Xie Yuyan nodded.

Several merchants immediately started discussing, saying that Madam Xie was truly clever; preserving the reputation of Daming Prefecture's clay stoves was better than anything else.
Xie Yuyan continued, "For clay stoves with a profit margin of no more than 30%, I will not charge extra money. But for valuable pottery, I will charge 10% profit."

With this addition, the merchants actually felt it made more sense.

Pottery kilns couldn't all fire ordinary clay stoves. If someone produced better pottery, it would naturally be more expensive. To put it bluntly, ordinary clay stoves were for ordinary people, while wealthy families always needed more exquisite clay stoves, and these stoves wouldn't just generate 30% profit.

“And most importantly,” Xie Yuyan said slowly, “if you are willing to do this business, you must join our village association and abide by our village rules.”

After Xie Yuyan finished speaking, the Yang clan members immediately delivered the written village rules to the merchants.

“Such a big matter, everyone should go back and think it over carefully,” Xie Yuyan said. “If you want to do this deal, come to the Yang family to discuss it after the Dharma assembly at Baode Temple on the second day of the second lunar month.”

Is there a Dharma assembly at Baode Temple on the second day of the second lunar month? The crowd looked at each other in bewilderment.

I've heard that both the charcoal and the clay stove originated from Baode Temple. Is this Dharma assembly related to the clay stove?
Since that's what they said, they definitely have to stay and watch the Dharma assembly.

The merchants left one after another, leaving only Master Xu and Master Zheng.

Madam Yu brought in hot tea and invited Xie Yuyan to talk with the two merchants in the main room.

Xie Yuyan looked at Master Xu and Master Zheng.

"I have important business to entrust to you two."

Master Xu and Master Zheng immediately straightened up.

Master Xu said, "Please give me your instructions, Madam Xie."

Xie Yuyan said, "I sell Buddhist charcoal with you two, so we know each other to some extent. I've seen how you treat your employees at your charcoal factories these past few days."

"Some things are better left unsaid."

The two of them didn't dare to interrupt and listened carefully.

Xie Yuyan said, "It is true that I want to find someone to open a pottery kiln together, but they must be like-minded. Those who only seek profit are not worth using."

Both of them were aware of the feud between Xie Yuyan and the Xie family, and they also understood Xie Yuyan's meaning.

It was precisely because she didn't want to associate with the merchants of the Xie family that Madam Xie almost brought about her own death.

Master Xu frowned: "We absolutely cannot work with that kind of person."

“Yes,” said Master Zheng, “if we could have gone along with their corrupt practices, the three of us brothers wouldn’t have been forced into such a predicament.”

Xie Yuyan said, "Regardless of what happens elsewhere, our coal mine and pottery kiln must not arbitrarily oppress their employees. In addition, the accounts must be kept clear to prevent anyone from profiting from them."

Master Xu and Master Zheng nodded in agreement.

Xie Yuyan continued, "During this period, I've troubled you two to mediate and recommend suitable people to me."

Upon hearing this, both of them felt a great sense of responsibility.

"Don't worry, Madam," said Master Xu. "I will inform you of anything I find out, so that you can be prepared."

No one thinks money is bad, but there are some kinds of money that shouldn't be earned. Master Xu and Master Zheng knew this all too well. They weren't exactly philanthropists, but if they relied on their money to act arrogantly and domineeringly, they would inevitably cause trouble and have to spend money to smooth things over.

Those officials are not easy to deal with. They would love to skin you alive. Once they taste some benefits, they will keep reaching out. Once someone has a handle on you, you will be at their mercy.

It would be better to put everything out in the open, with everything clearly written in the contract, and everyone acting according to the agreement. It might not be easy for one person to do this, but many pottery kilns do the same, and anyone who wants to target them should think twice.

With fewer unclear accounts, there are fewer opportunities to take advantage.

Just like those village rules, which seem to be a constraint on them, they are actually a form of protection, preventing them from going astray.

There were many more things that Master Xu and Master Zheng couldn't figure out, but they felt that following Madam Xie was always the right thing to do. With such a smart person ahead of them, they didn't have to spend too much time figuring things out.

After seeing Master Xu and Master Zheng off, Xie Yuyan looked at Mama Yu and said, "Prepare the carriage; I need to go to Baode Temple."

The Grandmaster is unaware that she has already arranged a Dharma assembly for the temple.