Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 77 Sing a big show

Xie Chongjun's face showed disgust, and he immediately backed away. His stomach churned, and he felt that his seemingly young son was actually a pile of rotten flesh inside.

Xie Qi's birth mother was a generous and dignified woman. If not stunningly beautiful, she was at least exceptionally pretty. How could she have given birth to such a beast?

His anger burned even brighter, and Xie Chongjun almost gritted his teeth: "What's your idea? Speak up."

Xie Qi then said smugly, "The water shops' foundation lies in lotus root charcoal. If they cut off the lotus root charcoal, they won't be able to sell hot water, right? I heard that the lotus root charcoal comes from Sanhe Village outside the city. Why don't we just have someone buy the land in the village that produces coal?"

Xie Chongjun's expression grew even more grim. He had thought this rebellious son really had some scheme in mind. Since the Yang family had sold the lotus root charcoal, how could he not have considered this?

"Seventh Master, you don't know, we sent people to three villages early this morning. Those are all unruly people, already bewitched by Yang Liu's wife. We're on guard against outsiders and thieves..."

Before the manager could finish speaking, Xie Chongjun glanced at him and immediately shut up.

As if he hadn't heard, Xie Qiye continued, "I don't think it's difficult to make lotus root charcoal. Since it's being made in Sanhe Village, the villagers must know the method. Why not spend money to have them make it for us? In the future, when the Yang family's water shop can't get lotus root charcoal, they'll have to come begging to us. At that time, won't we be able to do whatever we want with them? Then Father can vent his anger however he wants."

Xie Chongjun felt that this unfilial son was just there to cause him trouble.

He had long suspected lotus root charcoal and had investigated Sanhe Village, but Xie Yuyan was indeed quite capable. All the charcoal that could be dug out in Sanhe Village had been dug up, and lotus root charcoal could not be found in the village either. When asked, the villagers shook their heads, saying that they did not make lotus root charcoal; they only took lotus root charcoal from the inn and helped transport it to the city.

The inn outside the city was right next to the post station. In winter, there were few caravans passing by, so the inn was empty. Xie Yuyan rented it with money and put it in a container full of freshly made lotus root charcoal.

The villagers of Sanhe Village would go to Didian in groups every day, claiming they had taken on guard duty, but in reality they were secretly making lotus root charcoal there.

That inn is located outside the south city, which is under the jurisdiction of He Tan's men. If they cause trouble there, they will probably be taken directly to the patrol office.

While everyone was focused on Shuipu, it was unknown how much crushed coal had been transported from Sanhe Village, let alone how much lotus root charcoal could be made. Besides, while lotus root charcoal seemed easy to make, it turned out to be quite different from what one was looking for.

Merchants all know that goods must either be cheap or highly refined to gain a foothold in the market. Yang sells lotus root charcoal for three coins a pound; it's difficult to sell it for less than that. As for refinement… since Xie Yuyan made the lotus root charcoal, who could understand it better than her?

She chose this time to open her shop and sell lotus root charcoal because she knew they would be too busy with New Year's Day to deal with her.

Xie was a black sheep. She looked small, but she was exceptionally good at manipulating things and was ruthless and precise in her actions. Before he knew it, she had opened a shop in Daming Prefecture.

If we don't intervene, she might be able to stand firm in a year or two.

The unfilial son was right; they had to start with the lotus root charcoal. The crushed coal in Sanhe Village would eventually run out, and Xie would always have to go out and buy more.

If no one sells to the Xie family, the Xie family's business will not be able to continue.

Xie Chongjun frowned even more deeply. If Xie hadn't been so disrespectful to him at the yamen, and if he hadn't mentioned that her "Xie" was a lesser version of the character, he might have spared her life.

Xie Chongjun glanced at Xie Qi and said, "Go back to your courtyard. If I find out you're going out drinking and hanging out with shady characters again, I'll break your legs."

A look of astonishment flashed across Xie Qiye's face, his expression filled with disbelief: "Father, I did it all for the family. You even made me..."

"shut up."

This is the last thing Xie Chongjun wants to mention right now.

After a few words, he lost his patience and looked at the stewards beside him. The two stewards hurriedly stepped forward to help Master Xie: "Master Xie, please go down and rest for a while. Come back after the master has finished speaking."

Master Xie was unwilling to leave: "I still have something to say..." But he had no choice but to be half-dragged and half-pulled out the door by the steward.

Xie Chongjun listened to Xie Qi's shouts.

"I'm going to tell my mother."

"My father is treating me worse and worse."

"mother……"

Xie Chongjun looked at the rest of the people in the room: "Find out all the coal mines near Daming Prefecture, ask about the prices, and try to buy them."

With the increased use of lotus root charcoal, the rumors about the toxicity of coal can be dispelled, and sales will inevitably open up in the future. Therefore, no matter how you look at it, this deal is a win-win situation.

"Tell Yang Mingjing," Xie Chongjun said, "that he should keep Xie Shi in check, especially not to raise money for her. If this matter is settled, the trouble they caused the Xie family this time will be over. After spring, when the Yang family brings rice and grain, they can still deliver it to the Xie family to sell."

He wanted to force the Xie family into a corner.

The managers responded and went to make their own arrangements.

Xie Chongjun stood up. After settling things with the Xie family, he should focus all his attention on porcelain. Someone from the capital came and told him that a border market would be opened next year. An old official in the capital had helped him pave the way, and the porcelain from the Xie family's kiln had to appear at the border market.

If this deal goes through, the Xie family of Daming Prefecture will have a stronger foundation, and they will most likely agree to let the Xie family of Kaifeng take over a branch of the Xie family.

Therefore, there can be absolutely no mistakes.

At that time, he wouldn't have to be so restrained; he could easily deal with rebellious sons like Xie Qi.

……

The two stewards threw Master Xie onto the bed and then turned and left.

As Master Xie struggled to get up, the steward immediately looked at the servant in the room and said, "Keep an eye on your Seventh Master. If he angers the master again, he will suffer another beating, and everyone in the courtyard will be implicated."

The servant looked terrified and hurriedly agreed. When he returned to the room after seeing the steward off, Master Xie was already sitting at the table, taking out a secret letter from the box to read.

He secretly bought several coal mines, obtaining the land deeds and mining permits issued by the imperial court. Now it all depends on whether his tenth sister is willing to join forces with him to thoroughly swindle the Xie family.

"Hasn't your tenth sister sent a message yet?" Master Xie asked the servant.

The servant whispered, "Not yet. How about... I go and ask again? Sir, you only sent a land deed and a coal mining permit, without writing anything else. What if Tenth Lady doesn't understand what you mean?"

Seventh Master Xie raised an eyebrow: "She doesn't understand? She's the one who suggested joining forces with me to deal with the Xie family."

The servant stood there dumbfounded. When did this happen? How come he didn't know?
“There’s no need to spell things out,” said Master Xie. “I don’t need to see her either. Just watch what happens next; it’s sure to be quite a spectacle.”

(End of this chapter)