Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 524 Nine Rules
Wang Yongnian never imagined that he would never be able to return after going out once. He looked around, wanting to signal his servants to send a message home, but Zhang Lian, who sold box boxes, blocked his way. Then more people gathered around, and they simply kept the servants of several families in the house as well.

The porcelain shop was closed, and those outside had no idea what was happening inside. If Wang Yongnian and his group were taken to the yamen by the market administration officials, and the yamen sent people to check the accounts of each household, all of them would be caught off guard.

Wang Yongnian immediately became anxious. They had not been selling tea and salt privately with Han Si, but in order to take over the shops, they had been lending money (at high interest rates). In the end, they not only used this as an excuse to seize their shops, but also robbed their wives and daughters.

This is how Wang Yongnian came to have a concubine.

He's not easily investigated. Thinking of this, Wang Yongnian looked at Xie Yuyan: "Madam Xie... Elder Xie, I have something I want to say to you."

His voice was full of humility and pleading. He was willing to do anything as long as Xie Yuyan agreed. He was even willing to pay compensation and give the shop to the Xie family. This was why he dared to come and compete for the position of head of the business. If he failed, he could simply use some money to bribe the new head of the business.

If Han Si could be bribed, how much more so a woman?
But Wang Yongnian called for a long time, but Xie did not respond.

Wang Yongnian's heart gradually grew cold.

"From today onwards, anyone who uses the porcelain shop as a front to bully others can be reported to the porcelain shop," Xie Yuyan said. "If there are any grievances in the porcelain shop that cannot be voiced, you may take this position of shopkeeper."

Xie Yuyan's expression turned serious as he said this.

The atmosphere in the entire lobby immediately became somber.

Xie Yuyan said calmly, "If you don't believe I can manage the porcelain business, and instead resort to underhanded tactics and double-dealing, you can try me..."

"I'll be right here, waiting for you."

Guan Fenglin pursed his lips tightly, his palms sweating profusely.

Wang Yongnian took a deep breath. The overwhelming pressure made him plead again, "Elder Xing, I didn't... mean to oppose you. It was all... it was all Guan Fenglin who instigated us to come here."

"Yes, we were also invited here by Guan Fenglin and the others."

The merchants who arrived later also complained.

“We’ve always done business honestly and never done those kinds of things.”

Several people talked at once, trying to clear themselves of any wrongdoing.

Shanqing knew he had said too much and that Xie would probably not let him off the hook, so he simply shut his mouth and remained silent.

Xie Yuyan glanced at them, and the merchants immediately fell silent.

“You have never done anything illegal, so no one would frame you.”

Xie Yuyan stood up and said, "Now that I am the new head of the Bianjing Porcelain Shop, I must establish new rules for the shop."

After Xie Yuyan finished speaking, everyone stood quietly to the side, listening attentively.

"All kilns and shops in Bianjing hereby swear an oath today to uphold the principles of commerce."

"When signing a contract, the official seal must be used to specify the shape, glaze, and firing temperature of the vessel. No deceptive words may be used to mislead the customer. If the sample porcelain differs from the delivered porcelain by more than 30%, the customer may break the vessel in the market, and the shop owner shall compensate the customer with double the deposit."

“Porcelain produced by each kiln must have a mark engraved on the base indicating the workshop, craftsman, year, and month of manufacture.”

“Anyone who dares to pass off inferior kiln products as famous kiln products, or who uses broken porcelain to patch up complete pieces, will be fined 100 catties of copper for each piece found.”

“Newly fired porcelain must be inspected by artisans before it can be sold in shops and markets.”

"Anyone who adulterates porcelain with inferior clay or glaze should be expelled from the porcelain trade."

……

“The craftsmen’s daily food and wages should be accounted for to prevent wage deductions…” “Defective porcelain should not be repaired with glaze to pass it off as a complete piece, should not be ground into powder and mixed with new soil, and should not be sold privately to foreign merchants. It must be smashed in public and soaked in the river for three years to return it to its original clay state.”

"From then on, the porcelain trade in Bianjing was known for its integrity and its business ethics were passed down through generations."

Zhou Guangyuan and others immediately bowed and said, "The Zhou family's porcelain kiln and porcelain shop hereby swear to abide by the Nine Rules of the Porcelain Industry."

As soon as Zhou Guangyuan spoke, everyone followed suit.

"We adhere to the Nine Rules of the Porcelain Industry. Any violation will be dealt with at the discretion of the porcelain industry."

Xie Yuyan turned around and walked to the table. A thought struck him, and he picked up his brush and wrote four characters: "The Way of the Tool is Sincerity."

This can be considered her first writing in Bianjing.

Wu Tieshan carefully put away Xie Yuyan's calligraphy, intending to make it into a plaque to hang in the main hall of the porcelain shop. The calligraphy felt incredibly heavy in his hand; he hadn't expected that Madam Xie would so intimidate everyone on her very first day.

With the nine regulations for the porcelain industry in place, who can still question the status of a woman?
Wang Yongnian and the others were completely disheartened. Their arrival today had only made them stepping stones for the Xie family, so the Xie family would never let them go. From then on, Bianjing had no place for them to stand.

Shanqing gritted his teeth and said in a low voice, "Why are we afraid of her? We haven't done anything to harm anyone, and we'll get away sooner or later. Then... we'll deal with her."

Wang Yongnian sneered. If they don't even dare to speak loudly now, what's the point of talking about the future?
The group was led to the government office. Without these people around, everyone felt free to speak without restraint.

Xie Yuyan said, "There is another important matter at the moment." As she spoke, she looked at Xu Sanjian and the others.

"Han Si and others have been arrested. You must quickly submit your complaint to the yamen and spread the news so that all those who have been harmed by Han Si will know."

Xu Sanjian nodded and said, "Don't worry, Elder Xing, we'll spread the word as soon as we get back."

Xie Yuyan said, "Some people may not have the money to write the lawsuit, so the porcelain shop will pay for it on their behalf."

Grandma Cui nodded repeatedly: "Old man Xing is kind-hearted."

“That’s how it should be,” Xie Yuyan said, looking at the accountants. “In this situation, you can give them the money first and then inform me.”

"Also, you need to visit all the kilns and shops in the next two days and tell everyone what happened today," Xie Yuyan instructed Zhou Guangyuan and Jiang Qi. "The porcelain industry is short-handed right now, so you'll have to work harder."

Zhou Guangyuan and Jiang Qi responded.

The porcelain shop needs to find a new manager and employees, but as long as a good manager is chosen, these are not difficult tasks.

“Three days later,” Xie Yuyan said, “I will hold a banquet at the South City Wharf to entertain people in the porcelain business.”

As everyone left one after another, Xu Sanjian and Granny Cui, who were present today, would all be working in the porcelain shop from now on. Xie Yuyan planned to break down the tasks of inspecting porcelain and accounts and then assign them to them.

After working for a while, Xie Yuyan finally put down the accounts in his hands.

Feng Qiaoniang came over with a cup of tea: "Madam, please have some tea."

Xie Yuyan, unaware that Feng Qiaoniang was also in the porcelain shop, asked, "What are you doing here?"

Feng Qiaoniang smiled and said, "I came with Guo Chuan."

Guo Chuan and Sun Changchun were worried that someone might come to the porcelain shop and cause trouble, so they kept watch outside with their men.

Feng Qiaoniang had long been determined to serve her mistress well, and she had come today to help. So when she saw the scene at the porcelain shop, she was both excited and happy.

It's hard to believe that the eldest daughter-in-law has taken control of the Bianjing porcelain business. But she has only one thought: the eldest daughter-in-law's future endeavors will certainly extend far beyond this.