Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 537 Loophole
Chen Yixiu looked at the merchants who were huddled together talking.

“I was talking to him yesterday, and he said he definitely wouldn’t leave, but when I went to look for him today, he was gone…”

"When I went to the dock to ask again, guess what? He and his men had already unloaded all the goods before dawn, and before we even got up, their ship had already left the checkpoint."

"This Liu Da, he's always been the most cunning of them all. Last year, he made a fortune on Qin Feng Road. Otherwise, where would he have gotten the money to sign such a large contract with the porcelain shop for porcelain?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yixiu immediately frowned; the conversation was getting increasingly amiss. If Liu Da was so insightful, then his departure from Bianjing was likely motivated by a desire to gain greater benefits.

“Making the right choice once doesn’t guarantee you’ll be right every time,” Chen Yixiu interrupted the merchant.

The room fell silent instantly. The merchant who had been speaking realized he had misspoke and hurriedly said, "Brother Chen is right."

“Furthermore,” Chen Yixiu said, “how do you know how Madam Xie agreed to Liu Da’s terms? If everyone signed the same contract, why did Liu Da leave in such a hurry?”

The preceding statement sounded like a forced argument, but the following statement makes some sense.

"Should we also go and ask how to sign the new contract?"

A voice rang out, and everyone looked over.

The merchant immediately said, "I haven't changed my mind. I just feel that we should at least find out what's written in the contract and how Madam Xie persuaded everyone to leave."

"It's always good to know more."

Upon hearing this, everyone echoed his sentiments.

Seeing that he couldn't suppress it any longer, Chen Yixiu had no choice but to say, "Then let someone go and see Madam Xie." Even if he didn't say this, someone would still go secretly to look for her, so it was better to make it public.

“However,” Chen Yixiu said, “everyone should also know that we cannot easily give up the real benefits we hold in our hands. It’s not enough to just talk a good game; the key is whether we can actually make money.”

“We put in a lot of effort to sign this contract with the porcelain company, but in the end it all came to nothing. Whether we make a lot or a little is secondary; what matters is that many people will lose their livelihoods because of this.”

"Madam Xie is not someone to be trifled with."

A woman who can take over the porcelain business must have some skill; would she really let others benefit for nothing? If you're fooled and switch the contract, it will be too late to regret it.

Everyone nodded.

After saying this, the crowd gradually dispersed.

Li Shi did not leave, but instead took Chen Yixiu to a teahouse, instructing the tea server not to disturb them, before speaking with Chen Yixiu.

"Actually, I found out what was written on the contract that Xie gave us."

Chen Yixiu's eyes flashed, but he didn't ask Li Shi about the source of the information. At this time, everyone had their own thoughts and were asking around for information. They might change their minds at any time, which was quite normal.

Asking too many questions from Chen Yixiu would only annoy Li Shi, so he anxiously asked, "What did the Xie family promise?"

Li Shi said, "After signing the red contract, the price of porcelain purchased next year will be half a percent lower than it is now."

"Or... buy the porcelain at next year's market price."

Chen Yixiu looked at Li Shi: "That's it?"

Li Shi nodded: "That's all."

Chen Yixiu found it laughable: "Give way half a percent? Han Si signed a five-year contract with them. Even if they gave way half a percent for five years, how much would that be?"
"Someone actually agreed like that? They'd rather only buy half of the porcelain this time?" Li Shi said, "That's just what's written in the contract. The reason those people were tempted was because Madam Xie gave them the design drawings for the coal kiln and also promised to open a perfume shop with them."

Chen Yixiu's heart sank immediately. The perfume shop was always packed with customers, and one could imagine how much money it made. During his stay in Bianjing, he would go to the perfume shop every other day to wash up. The shop assistants there would also massage his bones from head to toe, which was incredibly comfortable. He really couldn't find such a good place outside of Bianjing.

Not to mention others, Chen Yixiu was also itching to get involved. If he hadn't already chosen to stand with Guan Fenglin and the others, he would have also gone to Xie Niangzi to discuss this matter in detail.

Li Shi said in a low voice, "If this is true, you should be prepared that there may be people who side with the Xie family."

Driven by self-interest, many people will make choices.

Chen Yixiu picked up his tea and drank it. After a while, his flustered mind finally calmed down. He looked at Li Shi and said, "The Xie family could not possibly use such methods to bribe all the merchants."

“The Xie family won’t just choose anyone to open a business with, especially a perfume shop, which can make a lot of money. If they choose the wrong person, at best they will plot against her behind her back, and at worst they will cause trouble. When she is in trouble, how will she have the energy to manage the porcelain shop?”

Li Shi nodded subconsciously.

Chen Yixiu continued, "She didn't tell anyone about the perfume shop because she was afraid that the remaining merchants would come knocking on her door after hearing the news. What would she do then?"

Li Shi said happily, "That's right, how come I didn't think of that? Now it seems that as long as we spread the news, this problem will be solved."

"When spreading the news, you can exaggerate a bit. Say that Madam Xie gave away a perfume shop, but she splits the profits 50/50 with the merchants."

How can they not benefit from what others have gained?
They cannot agree to sign a new contract without giving the perfume shop the money.

Chen Yixiu's face relaxed as he thought of a solution, and he immediately felt much more at ease: "I want to see how she's going to hold onto her position as the head of the porcelain business."

Li Shisheng.

Chen Yixiu said, "The Zhang family from Yaozhou is about to arrive in Bianjing. We must let them see the bustling scene of the porcelain trade."

The porcelain from Yaozhou kiln was also selected to be sold at the market. If these large kiln owners had doubts about the porcelain industry, how could the market administration allow the Xie family to manage the porcelain industry?

"Understood," Li Shi said. "I'll take care of it right away."

Chen Yixiu said, "If we win this time, Brother Li will definitely get his share of the benefits."

Li Shi did not refuse, but quickly walked out of the teahouse to arrange matters. Chen Yixiu looked at Li Shi's back and felt grateful to Li Shi. Just now, when he was hesitating, it was because he thought of Li Shi that he was able to figure everything out.

Why didn't Li Shi go to find Xie Shi after receiving the news?
That's because Li Shi knew that even if he went to Xie's door, she wouldn't agree to teach him how to run a perfume shop. Perhaps Li Shi had already gone to the South City Wharf and been turned away, which is why he came here again.

Regardless of the reason, the result will be the same, so there's no need for him to expose it.

Madam Xie was too hasty; she thought she had the situation under control after persuading a few merchants. If she could just appease Li Shi and his ilk, he would be in real trouble.

Now that things have escalated to this point, isn't this a case of being too clever for one's own good?
……

Day two.

Xie Yuyan had just finished breakfast when Su Man came in to report, "More than a dozen merchants are coming this way."

I'll see tonight; I might not update it again, it might be rescheduled for tomorrow during the day.

With the child at home, I'm so tired my head hurts.