Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 99 will rise further.

The three looked at each other thoughtfully.

Master Xu couldn't help but ask, "Who are those people outside?"

Xie Yuyan asked, "Have you ever heard of the Xie family of Daming Prefecture?"

Master Xu suddenly realized that those who knew Madam Xie's background would naturally know about her connection with the Xie family. If the Xie family hadn't bought her, she wouldn't have married into the Yang family and almost been forced to commit suicide. But they didn't know that Madam Xie's relationship with the Xie family had reached this point.

"The Xie family's rice shop and porcelain shop are quite famous in the north, especially the porcelain shop. Although it is not as good as the white porcelain from Xingzhou, it still sells quite well in the market."

Knowing all this, Master Zheng asked worriedly, "Then this time... is there any way for my wife to escape?"

Xie Yuyan put down her teacup, her expression remaining calm, but in Zheng Sanye's eyes, a hint of contempt flashed in her eyes.

Of the three, Third Master Zheng was the most meticulous. He was usually the one to remind his two elder brothers when something happened. He observed and thought things through a lot, and he could immediately come to his senses when something happened, even if he himself might not have understood the reasoning at the time. Now he had a feeling that his question just now was very foolish.

Xie Yuyan said, "It should be that they can't get away."

From beginning to end, it wasn't Xie who was scheming against her; it was she who was toying with Xie.

So... who should be afraid?
Xie Yuyan stood up: "Please rest for a while. The village will prepare a meal and invite you to the banquet shortly."

Xie Yuyan turned to leave, just as sunlight streamed through the window. She pointed to the dappled light and shadow on the ground.

"Rather than waiting for the light to come to your feet..."

Xie Yuyan did not continue speaking, but turned and stepped out of the house.

After a long while, the three of them looked at each other.

Master Xu asked, "What did Madam Xie mean by that just now?"

Uncle Zhao couldn't figure it out either, but Uncle Zheng next to him reached out and pushed open the window beside him.

A cold wind suddenly rushed in, and the three of them shivered.

Master Xu frowned: "In this cold weather, you..."

The words stopped abruptly.

The sunlight outside fell on his shoulders without any obstruction.

So that's what Lady Xie meant.

Instead of waiting for the light to fall to your feet, reach out and open the window yourself. It's not that there isn't enough light outside, but that they are too timid.

He was looked down upon by a teenage girl.

This Lady Xie is not what they expected. Before coming, they just wanted to finish dealing with her and go home quickly, but now they want to stay and see what methods Lady Xie can use to deal with a powerful clan like the Xie family.

……

Xie Chongjun did not leave Sanhe Village. He wanted to wait for the imperial document to arrive so he could personally witness the mine being reopened.

The villagers and laborers of Sanhe Village couldn't afford to be idle either. The imperial court had issued a clear order, and they could only work hard here until they cleaned up the mine pit with their own hands.

“Master,” the steward hurried over, “Xie Yuyan has distributed the wages to the hired workers and sent them home.”

Is it because they're afraid of being forced into labor?
Xie Chongjun said, "The people of Sanhe Village can't just leave. They can run away, but they can't hide."

“The men from Sanhe Village are also packing their things,” the steward pursed his lips. “I heard they’re going to go to the north of the city with Madam Xie.”

Xie Chongjun's heart sank: "Go where?"

The foreman whispered, "Go to the north city to dig a mine, and also help make lotus root charcoal."

At this point, the steward paused intentionally before continuing, "I also asked about the three people who came from outside. They all have coal mines. Madam Xie agreed to sell lotus root charcoal with them. As for how to sell it... I haven't found out yet."

Xie Chongjun had been in business for many years, and some things didn't need to be said too explicitly. Xie Yuyan had simply offered those three people the same terms as the one in Beicheng: teach them how to make lotus root charcoal and share the profits with them. Even if the business in Beicheng failed, she could still earn money elsewhere. The Xie family was too far away in Daming Prefecture to do anything about it for the time being.

The manager whispered, "I'm afraid that before we finish cleaning the mine, those people will have already exchanged documents with Madam Xie. In that case... even if the imperial court takes back this land, Madam Xie can still start over by doing business with these people."

As long as the sources of income continue to grow, the money lost can be earned back sooner or later.

Previously, Xie Chongjun only had to stop the one family in Beicheng; now he has to stop all four families.

Xie Yuyan is like someone covered in thorns; he's right in front of you, but you can't bring yourself to strike him down.

The steward didn't know what to say. When had the master ever been treated like this? The Xie family had trade routes and shops, and no one would give them a hard time in that regard.

Unfortunately, Xie Yuyan's business was in coal mining, something the Xie family had never dealt with before. They didn't dare to openly use their connections in the west, and even Prefect Liu couldn't really step in to support them. In the end, they were being led by the nose by Xie Yuyan.

Xie Yuyan led his men to the north city, but the magistrate had to stay here and freeze while the government office dug up the mine pit.

What's most despicable are the villagers of Sanhe Village, who cleaned the courtyard spotless, leaving not a single charcoal brazier or clay stove in sight.

As I was thinking this, a fragrance wafted from the village, and soon the villagers, young and old, all headed towards a courtyard, where laughter and cheerful voices quickly filled the air.

……

Xie Yuyan dozed off in the carriage, while the cat nestled in her arms, snoring loudly.

The carriage exited through the north gate.

Meng Jiu and the others raised their voices slightly.

"They would have to dig for three to five days without sleep."

“My wooden wedges are driven in very firmly; unless the mine opening is doubled in size, it will be impossible to dig them out.”

"They'll know once they try."

Three days is enough time for Xie Yuyan to arrange everything.

The carriage stopped, and someone immediately came forward to greet them; it was the "owner" of the land in the north of the city.

The "master" stepped forward and whispered, "Madam, the Xie family's people have left."

Xie Yuyan nodded. Xie Chongjun never imagined that Xie Qi had already bought this land and given it to her. Now she held the land deed in her hands. Otherwise, she would never have gone to so much trouble to persuade the owner to sell the land to him.

To be honest, her stage was built by three families together: her, Xie Qi, and the Wang family who joined later. No matter who investigated or how hard they tried, they couldn't find any clues.

After the group entered the house, the "host" Cheng Qi said, "I heard that the yamen runners went to Sanhe Village. I was worried but couldn't go to see them. I wonder how they are now?"

Xie Yuyan said, "There will be no problem within three days."

Therefore, the matter must be completed within three days.

Cheng Qi pondered for a moment: "Should we lower the price per acre?" Taking advantage of this opportunity, they could help the Xie family make the decision to buy the land in one go.

Xie Yuyan shook his head: "It can't go down, it should go up instead."

Cheng Qi was surprised.

Xie Yuyan said, "The more money Xie Chongjun invests in this matter, the less he can afford to lose. His reputation, his eldest son's lawsuit, the connections he uses to bribe officials, even the things he said to the county magistrate and the county assistant..."

He can't let go of any of them.

"The price has risen to sixty strings of cash per acre. The underground coal mine is worth that price. Besides, if he's not satisfied, he can go ask others for more and drag more people down with him. Haven't I already taught him how to do this kind of business?"

“If he takes over the land here, he can also take over the coal mines outside Daming Prefecture and turn the entire lotus root charcoal business into his own. He will agree.”

“If he’s willing to add some more money, you can also sell him the lotus root charcoal recipe you got from me.”

(End of this chapter)