Chapter 355: Filial Piety (Part 1)

"I didn't have such foresight to think about it long ago." Master Jian said with a smile, "It was only after I arrived in Yanjing and saw Binju embroidering the door curtains for Xi that I started to think about it carefully."

Considering Master Jian's personality, since he had thought about it carefully and talked to me about it, I'm afraid he not only had a plan in mind, but was also somewhat confident about opening an embroidery workshop.

Eleventh Lady had always been worried about saving money on her dowry. She was cheered up as if she had seen a ray of hope when she heard this: "Master, let's talk about it!"

"Xian Ling Pavilion is known for its embroidery skills, while Cai Xiu Fang is known for its embroidery materials. Originally, the two were located in the north and south, and each did their own business, and they lived in peace. But after the old owner of Cai Xiu Fang passed away, the young owner took over. He first married his daughter to the Jiang family in Dongyang, and then recruited Lu Qingniang, a famous artist in Jiangnan, and began to get involved in the seduction business. In just two or three years, Jiangnan was already dominated by Cai Xiu Fang. Xian Ling Pavilion's roots were in the north, and although there were some minor frictions, there was no major disturbance. But people's hearts are always dissatisfied. As Cai Xiu Fang's reputation grew, it began to attack Jiangnan. The idea of ​​the Southern Weaving Factory came to the emperor. You know what, the young master is really quite capable. Last year, during the Wanshou Festival, Caixiufang presented a set of clothes with a pattern of eight treasures, lychees, and swastikas and fish, which the emperor liked very much. This year, during the Wanshou Festival, Jiangnan Weaving Factory not only requested Caixiufang to present twelve sets of clothes, but also handed over the Dragon Boat Festival patches that were usually undertaken by Xianling Pavilion to Caixiufang. Xianling Pavilion started to get nervous and sent their second-in-command to Jiangnan to take charge and began to recruit famous embroiderers from Jiangnan to work for Xianling Pavilion. Caifang Fang saw this and began to offer high prices to invite those embroiderers who had established their own businesses to join. "

At this point, Master Jian glanced at Shiyi Niang and said meaningfully, "Both families are very wealthy. Caixiufang has Lu Qingniang, who is the descendant of the Lu School. The Lu School uses colors that are magnificent, bright and gorgeous. The dress presented to the emperor with eight treasures, lychees, and swastikas and fish was embroidered by her, while other schools in Jiangnan use colors that are natural, freehand, elegant and refined... If you go to Caixiufang, you will either change your ways or become mediocre and inferior. Changing your ways means recognizing that the Lu School is the best in Jiangnan; being mediocre means not getting good jobs, not getting good wages, and having a hard life. If you go to Xianling Pavilion, then Xianling Pavilion will be yours. The Pavilion has long been established in the north, and Jiangnan is just one of its wings. Although it is important, Caixiufang is aggressive and has extended its hands to Yanjing. When things come to a critical moment, who can guarantee that they will not sacrifice their pawns to save the chariot or give up the business in Jiangnan to protect the business of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. After all, the business of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is funded by money, which is not comparable to a small Jiangnan. And we, the embroiderers, were born and raised in Jiangnan, and our family and friends are all in Jiangnan. How can we face the anger of Caixiufang when the time comes? Even if we follow Xianling Pavilion to the north, can all our relatives and friends follow us? What if we can't adapt to it when the time comes?"

Master Jian sighed softly.

"The reason why I was able to stay out of the world before was, firstly, because I relied on my little reputation to get along with everyone, and secondly, because the fisherman benefited from the conflict between Xianling Pavilion and Caixiufang. But now, if I don't go to Caixiufang, I will go to Xianling Pavilion, so naturally I can only flee in panic."

This must be the main reason why Master Jian came all the way from his hometown to Yanjing!

One of the embroidery skills of Xianling Pavilion comes from Master Jian. If Master Tong joins Caixiufang, it would be like giving Xianling Pavilion a slap in the face. No wonder the people of Xianling Pavilion asked Master Jian many times about the wedding dress of the eldest prince's wife. If he doesn't want to join Caixiufang, then he can join Xianling Pavilion. If Master Jian wanted to join Xianling Pavilion, he would have joined Xianling Pavilion long ago. Why did he make a living by teaching people embroidery in Jiangnan? And to be able to force someone like Master Jian to a point where he had no way out, it can be seen that both sides used some dirty means.

Eleventh Lady really wanted to ask Master Jian if he had any grudge against Xianling Pavilion, but when she saw Master Jian's helpless and disheartened look, she swallowed the words that were about to come out of her mouth.

"Master, you said that Caixiufang started recruiting Lu Qingniang to engage in the embroidery business after their young master married his daughter to the Dongyang Jiang family. Then did you know that the Dongyang Jiang family has a daughter named Jinkui, who is the daughter-in-law of Princess Changning?"

"I don't know if it's Princess Changning, but I've heard rumors that a daughter of the Jiang family married into the princess's mansion." Master Jian said, "It's probably the Jinkui you mentioned!"

Eleventh Lady smiled bitterly.

Since Xianling Pavilion dared to do business with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, there must be a big backer behind it. Caixiufang has forced Xianling Pavilion to be on guard in just two or three years... Yanjing is so small that if you look up, you will see it. If it were someone else, I'm afraid they would have to take into account the backer behind Xianling Pavilion. Only a fearless person like Ren Kun could do this!

"But you don't have to worry." Master Jian joked, "I'm not going to compete with Xianling Pavilion and Caixiufang for business. I just want to open a small wedding shop and do some small business!"

When Shiyi Niang heard Master Jian say that he just wanted to open a wedding shop, she was slightly stunned.

"I've thought about it carefully. You can't show up, and I only have Qiuju. If you count Binju, there are barely two people. Instead of opening an embroidery shop, it's better to open a wedding shop and do only one business.

In this way, first, the investment is small. If there is a loss, it will not be a big loss; if the business is not good, you can continue to invest money to keep the business. Second, specialize in the profession. There are many types of embroidery, and it is not bad to chew more. We should make the best of our strengths and avoid our weaknesses, so that people will think of our wedding shop when they mention it. Third, avoid conflicts with Xianling Pavilion and Caixiufang. They are doing big business, and we are only doing small business for the people, doing the dowry business that is like a chicken to them. "Master Jian looked at Shiyi Niang and smiled. "Now the world is peaceful, take Jiangnan as an example. Girls raise silkworms to spin yarn at home. A capable girl can earn 11 or 12 taels of silver a year, and a dumb girl can also earn 3 or 4 taels of silver. Who has the patience to do needlework at home every day? When getting married, big things are bought in the wedding shop. I also asked Binju. Binju said that there are many rich families in Yanjing, and most girls from poor families work as maids in the mansion. They usually help their masters with things, but when it is their turn to get married, they may not be able to produce satisfactory things, so they naturally buy things in the wedding shop. For rich families, maids usually make things for them. They are okay for making small things, but few of them can make big things. I don’t have the time to do it myself. When marrying a daughter, you still have to buy things in the wedding shop. Xianling Pavilion is too expensive, and ordinary families can’t afford it. In recent years, the business of several wedding shops in Dongdamen has been booming."

Eleventh Lady nodded continuously: "Master, this is a great idea!"

Seeing that she agreed, Master Jian smiled and said, "Then I'll go out and look around for a few days. See if there are any good shops, and then get to know a few shops. Find out what their backgrounds are, what they sell, and what sells best... so that I won't be completely in the dark when the time comes."

Eleventh Lady thought of Liu Yuanrui's wife: "...I'll let her go with you. She's smart and has been in Yanjing for a few years. She's more familiar with the place than you are. Having someone to keep her company will make her braver."

Master Jian did not refuse: "Okay. I'm going to trouble you with this matter anyway."

Shiyi Niang immediately asked the maid to take a letter to Liu Yuanrui's family, asking her to come early the next morning. She also discussed the partnership with Master Jian: "Who will take the majority? Who will take the minority?"

Master Jian hesitated and asked, "I don't have much money on hand."

"The worst thing about doing business is not distinguishing between rights and responsibilities." Eleventh Lady looked at Master Jian and smiled, "If you want to take the lion's share, I'll lend you some money, which is the same. But you must clearly distinguish between rights and responsibilities."

Master Jian was also a man who worked at the docks. He had seen countless people quarreling over a penny and ending up not knowing each other anymore. Now, after hearing what Shiyi Niang said, he felt relieved and had more confidence in opening the wedding shop.

"You should take the lion's share!" Master Jian pondered, "I will hand this embroidery shop over to Qiuju. After all, she is young and has served you before. With you in charge, even if she gets married in the future... her in-laws can't take this shop away."

Eleventh Lady laughed.

This is no different from parents who give their property to their children before they get married because they are afraid that their children will suffer losses.

"Master, you are so considerate of Qiuju. Why didn't you think of me at the beginning?"

Master Jian smiled and pinched her cheek: "You are so clever, but you still want me to make the decision!"

For a moment, it seemed as if she had returned to the time when she was learning needlework from Master Jian. Wu Niang and Qi Niang had both run away, and she couldn't tell the difference between stitching and inserting a needle, while little Shi Er Niang sat there in a daze, while Master Jian pinched her cheek and threatened her: If you don't embroider well, you'll be punished.

"Master," Shiyi Niang leaned on Master Jian's shoulder, "We work so hard, and there will be rewards! Xipu will definitely be able to flourish, and you won't have to wander around, and Qiuju will also have a place to stand. We will all be fine."

Master Jian touched Shiyi Niang's hair and said nothing.

When Eleventh Lady returned, she discussed with Xu Lingyi: "...We're worried that some ruffians will come and cause trouble, and we're also worried that the government will charge us too much. I'd like to ask the Marquis to talk to the steward. Don't mention the name of our family, just say that we're relatives of the steward!" Of course, it's better to tell Xu Lingyi about this kind of thing as soon as possible.

"Then no need for capital!" Xu Lingyi glanced at her sideways.

The big peacock eyes were filled with a hint of mockery, which made Shiyi Niang's heart skip a beat.

"We are a small business," she said uncertainly, blushing slightly, "I don't think it will cost much!"

"That's just what a woman says." Xu Lingyi called out to Lin Bo, "Go and call Chief Steward Bai!"

"No need." Eleventh Lady said hurriedly, "I still have some money in my hand..." As soon as she finished speaking, she felt Xu Lingyi's face turned ugly, and hurriedly changed her mouth, "I have to wait for Master Tong to look at the situation and tell me how much money he wants before I can talk to the Marquis. Otherwise, if I ask for one o'clock today and one o'clock tomorrow, I'm afraid the Marquis will be annoyed by me!" Xu Lingyi's face gradually got better.

"Don't you want to borrow the title of steward? I'll borrow the title of Chief Steward Bai!"