The output and fineness cannot keep up with those of machines, and the price is much higher.
What Bai Jingjian had to do was to seize this opportunity and open a yarn production plant specializing in the production and sale of foreign cloth.
Maybe those who invaded were not good people, but what they created cannot be said to be bad.
When Bai Jingjian purchased the machinery, he stated that it had to be kept confidential. Foreign businessmen and politicians are sometimes involved, but when it comes to their own interests, some things can be put on hold for the time being.
Putting the machines in place and recruiting workers were easy tasks, but Bai Jingjian was troubled by how to operate the machines.
Lin Su solved his headache and gave him a new idea: "Most of the cloths in those foreign workshops are of a single color. Many of them require post-processing to produce different colors. You can set the pattern directly when the cloth is woven, so that the color will be natural."
"Set up?" Bai Jingtang was puzzled. "How do I do it?"
"I'll teach you." Lin Su said.
At that time, electronic computers had not yet been invented. If you wanted beautiful patterns on fabrics, you could only match the colors yourself, which was often a bit monotonous. What Lin Su wanted to do was to solve this monotony.
Mechanical operation is not as difficult as imagined. Even workers who have not received much education can quickly get started after being taught a series of processes.
The advantage of machinery is speed. Humans may be able to weave ten feet of cloth a day by hand, but machines can increase that by a hundred times.
There were several machines. When the results of the first day came out, Bai Jinglang was stunned when he saw the piles of cloth in the warehouse.
"This is too fast." Bai Jingtang sighed in surprise, "Once this thing spreads, it will destroy all the handicraft workshops."
The speed is so fast that once the price is lowered, some small workshops will quickly collapse. Even if many people resist foreigners, with such cheap and affordable things in front of them, no one will be stupid enough to buy more expensive ones.
The replacement of manual labor by machinery is a sign of progress. If we want more people to become rich, we must keep up with the pace of the times.
"Not all of them." Lin Su looked at him and said, "There are always some things that local cloth cannot surpass in foreign cloth."
Just like machine embroidery in later generations, even if it looks fast, it can never compare to the exquisiteness and soul of handmade embroidery. Among the countless garments of later generations, handmade couture still holds the top position. The law of natural selection, survival of the fittest, doesn't just apply to living things; it's the most fundamental rule of this world.
"I understand." Bai Jingtang said.
When the first batch of cloth filled up the warehouse, it was sold immediately. Its low price and beautiful patterns made it quickly occupy the market.
The goods are of good quality and inexpensive, but they are enough for Bai Jingjian to make a fortune.
While many people's attention was focused on this piece of foreign cloth, Guiyuan once again welcomed Qinghuan's appearance on stage.
That day was as lively as ever. It was no exaggeration to say that Guiyuan was packed with people. Scalpers were everywhere, making tickets to Guiyuan hard to come by. The money left those who had saved up to see Qinghuan helpless, but for the truly wealthy families, it allowed them to show off their status even more.
Bai Jingjian sang Mu Guiying breaking the Tianmen Formation this time. He was also a female role, but this time he was full of heroic spirit. Lin Su had seen this play of his once in modern times. At that time, he was the only one on the stage, so it was inevitably a bit lonely. But now he has a martial artist acting with him.
It would be fine if they were on different stages, but when they were on the same stage, even the handsome martial artist couldn't take away a bit of his brilliance.
The flower spears and command flags always draw cheers every time a movement is completed or a line is finished.
He really loves the stage, and his eyes and movements all reflect his love for it, and his ability to captivate audiences is the result of years of hard training.
This play involves a lot of fighting scenes, and the phoenix crown and clothes worn are particularly heavy. After the scene, even Bai Jinglang was a little out of breath, and when he returned to the room, he had to face the obstruction of someone with ulterior motives.
"Qinghuan's fight scene just now was really good." Master Wei had been waiting for him on his way backstage to his room. When he saw Bai Jingtang, he came over to greet him. "Finally, I see you again. I couldn't eat or sleep well without you on stage."
Bai Jingtang clasped his fists and stepped back, speaking in a feminine voice: "Thank you, Master Wei, for your kindness. Today's play is over, and I need to rest."
"Yes, Qinghuan, you're exhausted from this battle. The reason I'm looking for you is not for anything else, but mainly because I recently got a phoenix crown made of pure gold." He waved his hand, and the two men next to him brought over a box. When they opened it, there was a pure gold phoenix crown inside.
Every bead and every flower is of golden color, which makes it look very noble. If someone wears this tripod and phoenix crown and sings "The Drunken Concubine", no one will be able to take their eyes off it.
Bai Jingtang lowered his eyes to take a look and knew that this item was absolutely priceless. He clasped his fists and said, "Thank you, Master Wei, but this item is too valuable and I cannot accept it."
He turned to leave, but was stopped again. Master Wei tutted his words, then smiled as he took off his pipe. "Qinghuan, it's pointless to refuse again and again. Going on stage is all about money. Although you're Boss Liu's man, even Boss Liu has to give me some respect. I don't ask for anything from you, so how about accepting this gift? Master Wei, I don't have any other hobbies, I just want to see you singing in the Changsheng Palace wearing the clothes I gave you."
When a man gives clothes to another "woman", the intention is basically the same, except that they are related.
Men understand men best. Without Lin Su's reminder, Bai Jinglang knew what the man in front of him was planning: "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Wei. Qinghuan has no shortage of costumes."
The road he was heading for was completely blocked. Bai Jingtang's expression turned slightly colder. Just as he was about to call for help, a cold voice came from behind him: "What are you doing?"
Bai Jingtang turned around and saw the man in the three-piece suit approaching. The usually arrogant and domineering Wei smiled flatteringly when he saw the newcomer and said, "What brings you here, Young Master Lu?"
Lu Jun stood beside Bai Jingtang. Even though he was in the first row, it was the first time he was so close to this person who had amazed him. But now he should solve the problem at hand. Lu Jun looked at Wei Fang and said, "I came to see Qinghuan. Are you making things difficult for him?"
"No, no." Wei Fang's voice was almost filled with fear. "Master Lu, you misunderstood. Qinghuan is Boss Liu's man. How dare I embarrass him? I came here to give him a gift. I just think that this Ding Feng crown would be absolutely amazing if Qinghuan wore it when he sang "The Hall of Eternal Life". In the whole of Kyoto, no one else is worthy of this Ding Feng crown except Qinghuan."
Lu Jun took a look at the Ding Fengguan. Although he did not like Wei Fang's personality, he had to admit that what he said made some sense.
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