"I didn't have such foresight to think about it a long time ago." Master Jian said with a smile, "It was only after I arrived in Yanjing and saw Bin Ju embroidering door curtains for Xipu that I started to think about it carefully."
Considering Master Jian's character, after thinking it over carefully and talking to herself about it, I'm afraid that she not only has a plan in mind, but is also somewhat confident about opening an embroidery workshop.
Eleventh Lady had always been troubled by how to save money for her dowry. She was refreshed 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 families 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 master took over. He first married his daughter to the Jiang family in Dongyang, and then recruited Lu Qingniang, a famous artist from Jiangnan, and began to get involved in the embroidery business. In just two or three years, Jiangnan was already dominated by Cai Xiu Fang. Xian Ling Pavilion had its roots in the north, and although there were some minor frictions, there were no major waves. But people's hearts are often dissatisfied. As Cai Xiu Fang's reputation grew, it began to attack Jiangnan. The idea of the Southern Weaving Factory came. You know what, the young master is really good at it. Last year, during the Emperor's birthday, Caixiufang presented a set of clothes with a pattern of eight treasures, lychees, swastikas and fish, which the Emperor liked very much. This year, during the Emperor's birthday, Jiangnan Weaving Factory not only asked Caixiufang to present twelve sets of clothes, but also gave the Dragon Boat Festival patches, which were usually handled 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. Caifangfang saw this and began to offer high prices to invite those embroiderers who had set up their own shops to join. "
At this point, Master Jian glanced at Shiyi Niang and said meaningfully, "Both families are very wealthy. There is Lu Qingniang in Caixiufang. She is the descendant of the Lu School. The Lu School uses colors in a magnificent, bright and beautiful way. The dress presented to the emperor with eight treasures, lychees, swastikas and fish was embroidered by her. 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... 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 the pawns to save the chariot or give up the business in Jiangnan to save the business of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. After all, the business of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is paid by the treasury, which is not comparable to a small Jiangnan. And we embroiderers were born and raised in Jiangnan, and our families 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, I benefited from the conflict between Xianling Pavilion and Caixiufang. Now, I have to go to Xianling Pavilion instead of Caixiufang, so naturally I can only flee."
This must be the main reason why Master Jian came all the way from his hometown to Yanjing!
One of the most important embroidery skills of Xianling Pavilion comes from Master Jian. If Master Jian 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 would he make a living by teaching embroidery in Jiangnan? And the fact that they could force someone like Master Jian to a point where he had no way out shows that both sides used some dirty tricks.
Eleventh Lady really wanted to ask Master Jian if he had any grudges with 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 get involved in the embroidery business after their young master married his daughter to the Jiang family of Dongyang. Then, did you know that the Jiang family of Dongyang has a daughter named Jinkui in this generation, 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 dares to do business with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, there must be a big backer behind it. Caixiufang has only been working for two or three years and has forced Xianling Pavilion to be on high alert... Yanjing is so small that you can see it everywhere. If it were someone else, I'm afraid they would have to worry about 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 planning to compete with Xianling Pavilion and Caixiufang for business. I just want to open a small wedding shop and do some small business!"
When Eleventh Lady heard Master Jian say that he only 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 on hand. If you count Binju, there are barely two people. Instead of opening an embroidery workshop, it is better to open a wedding shop and only do one business. This way, first, the investment is small. If you lose money, it won't be a big deal; if the business is not good, you can continue to invest money and keep the business. Second, specialize in your profession. There are many types of embroidery, and you can't bite off more than you can chew. We play to our strengths and avoid our weaknesses, do our best, and make people think of our wedding shop when they mention it. Third, avoid conflicts with Xianling Pavilion and Caixiufang. They are doing big business, and we only do small business for the people, and do the dowry business that is like chicken ribs to them." Master Jian looked at Shiyi Niang and smiled, "Nowadays, the world is peaceful. Take Jiangnan as an example. Girls raise silkworms and spin yarn at home. Capable ones, You can earn 11 or 12 taels of silver a year, and those who are not so good can 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 have also asked Bin Ju. Bin Ju 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 get things that satisfy them, so they naturally buy things in the wedding shop. For rich families, maids usually make things for them. They can make small things, but few of them can make big things. I don’t have the time to do it myself. When marrying a daughter, I still have to buy from the wedding shop. Xianling Pavilion is too expensive, and ordinary people can’t afford it. In recent years, the business of several wedding shops in Dongdamen has been very good. "
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 these few days. See if there are any good shops, and then get to know a few of the wedding shops. See 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 family: "...I'll let her go with you. She's smart, and she's 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."
Eleventh Lady immediately ordered the maid to take a letter to Liu Yuanrui's house, 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 responsibilities and powers." 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 responsibilities and powers."
Master Jian was also a dock worker, and he had seen countless people quarrel over a penny. Now, after hearing what Eleventh Lady said, he felt relieved and had more confidence in opening a wedding shop.
"You should take the lion's share!" Master Jian groaned. "I will hand this embroidery shop over to Qiuju. After all, she is young and she has served you before. With you in charge, even if she gets married in the future... her in-laws can't take the shop away."
Eleventh Lady laughed.
What is the difference between this and parents who give their property to their children before marriage 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 a plan!"
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 piercing, while little Shi Er Niang was just sitting there in a daze, while Master Jian pinched her cheek and threatened her: If you don't embroider well again, you'll be punished.
"Master," Shiyi Niang leaned on Master Jian's shoulder, "We work so hard, and there will be rewards! The wedding shop will definitely be opened, 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 cause trouble, and we're also worried that the government will charge 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, the sooner Xu Lingyi was told about this kind of thing, the better.
"Then there's no need for any capital!" Xu Lingyi glanced at him sideways.
The big phoenix eyes were filled with a hint of mockery, which made Eleventh Lady's heart jump.
"We are a small business," she said uncertainly, her face slightly red, "I think it shouldn't cost much!"
"That's just what a woman says." Xu Lingyi called out to Lin Bo, "Go and call 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 looked a little ugly, and hurriedly changed her mouth, "I have to wait for Master Jian to look at the situation and tell me how much money he wants before I can talk to the Marquis about it. Otherwise, if I ask for one dollar today and one dollar tomorrow, I'm afraid the Marquis will be angry with me!" Xu Lingyi's face gradually got better.
"Don't you want to borrow the title of steward? I think it's better to borrow the title of Chief Steward Bai!"
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I have something to do later, so the update may be a little late. Please read it tomorrow morning.
(*^__^*) Hehehe…
PS: Recommended:
Title: The Female Imperial Physician
Author: Princess Xiaoge
Introduction: See how she went from a girl with a miserable life to become a legendary female imperial physician.