Two weeks later...
Inside the Eighth Prince's mansion, the flickering candlelight illuminated the Ninth Prince's gloomy face.
He slammed the teacup onto the table, splashing tea everywhere.
"Fourth Brother's textile factory is so well-protected, there's not even a chance to make a move!" Ninth Master said through gritted teeth.
Eighth Master remained calm, lightly tapping the table with his fingertips: "The assembly line has a clear division of labor, with each craftsman performing their duties, making it difficult for outsiders to interfere. It seems Fourth Brother was prepared in advance."
Ninth Master sneered: "Defend? How much can he defend against? Raw silk from Jiangnan is the foundation of textiles. I've already sent people to contact several major merchants in Jiangnan, instructing them to stockpile raw silk and drive up prices. When the textile mills have no silk to use, let's see how they survive!"
A hint of approval flashed in Eighth Master's eyes, but he shook his head and said, "This matter needs to be handled with caution. Fourth Brother is ruthless; if he finds out..."
Ninth Master dismissed the concern: "Eighth Brother is overthinking it. Merchants in Jiangnan have always been profit-driven. As long as the money is right, they will naturally cooperate. Besides, the trade in raw silk is a free market. How could Emperor Yongzheng force a sale?"
After a moment of contemplation, Eighth Master finally nodded: "Alright, let's do it this way. But remember, don't get involved yourself, lest you get yourself into trouble."
Ninth Master smiled smugly: "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
---
A few days later, the price of raw silk in Jiangnan indeed began to soar.
The price of raw silk, which was originally ten taels of silver per dan (a unit of weight), rose to fifteen taels in just a few days, and is still rising.
Merchants in the Jiangnan region hoarded goods and speculated on prices, resulting in a decrease in the supply of raw silk circulating in the market.
When the news reached the capital, the textile factory artisans were filled with anxiety, fearing that a shortage of raw materials would lead to a work stoppage.
Yinxiang hurriedly entered the palace to report: "Your Majesty, the price of raw silk in Jiangnan has skyrocketed. If this continues, textile factories may not be able to continue operating."
Emperor Yongzheng sat before his desk, his expression calm, with even a faint smile playing on his lips.
He put down the memorial in his hand and said calmly, "Thirteenth Brother, there is no need to worry. I am already aware of this matter."
Yinxiang was taken aback: "Your Majesty already had a plan?"
Yongzheng nodded slightly and turned his gaze to Su Peisheng beside him: "Go and bring me the reports from Sichuan and Shaanxi."
Su Peisheng hurriedly presented several secret memorials.
Emperor Yongzheng opened one of the folded documents and lightly tapped it with his fingertip: "Take a look at this."
Yinxiang took a look and immediately beamed with joy: "The mulberry orchards in Sichuan, southern Shaanxi, and the northwest have yielded a bumper harvest, and the raw silk production is enough to supply the textile factories for half a year?"
Yongzheng chuckled: "Yun'er told me that once the textile factory is built, merchants in Jiangnan may monopolize raw silk, so I should make arrangements as soon as possible."
Today, raw silk from southern Shaanxi is not only of superior quality, but also priced 30% lower than that from the Jiangnan region.
Yinxiang suddenly realized and couldn't help but exclaim, "Miss Lin is indeed far-sighted!"
A hint of tenderness flashed in Yongzheng's eyes, but he quickly regained his majesty: "Issue my decree that, effective immediately, textile factories shall switch to using raw silk from the Northwest."
Furthermore, this news should be released so that the merchants in Jiangnan who have hoarded their goods know that their raw silk will simply rot in their hands.
---
Jiangnan, Suzhou.
Several silk shop owners sat around a table, their faces ashen. One of them slammed his fist on the table and roared, "How could this be? Where did all this raw silk come from in the Northwest?"
Another person smiled bitterly: "I heard that the mulberry orchards in southern Shaanxi are huge and have an astonishing output. Now that the imperial court is directly purchasing raw silk from the Northwest, our goods... I'm afraid we won't be able to sell them."
The group exchanged bewildered glances, filled with regret. They had hoped to make a fortune, but instead, they had been outmaneuvered.
—Inside Yunxiang Pavilion in the capital—
Lin Yun has also been closely monitoring the textile factory's activities recently.
That day, as she was reviewing the account books, Xiao Tao rushed in: "Miss, the price of raw silk in Jiangnan has gone up! I heard that someone is secretly inciting merchants to cut off the textile factories' supply of raw materials!"
Lin Yun closed the ledger and chuckled, "What's the panic? The Emperor has more cards to play than they think."
She got up and walked to the window, looking south. "At this time, the mulberry farmers in Sichuan should be busy harvesting cocoons."
Xiao Tao's eyes widened: "Miss knew this would happen?"
"Business warfare is like a battlefield; one must calculate defeat before calculating victory."
Lin Yun's eyes flickered slightly, "However... since they've made their move, we might as well add fuel to the fire."
She whispered a few instructions, and Xiao Tao nodded repeatedly.
——
A few days later, a rumor suddenly spread among the common people: the imperial court had opened a new Silk Road in the northwest, and raw silk from southern Shaanxi would be directly supplied to the Western Regions through the Hexi Corridor, at a price higher than gold.
Ninth Master was furious upon hearing the news and smashed his favorite jade thumb ring: "Nonsense! Where would you find top-quality raw silk in such a poor and remote place as southern Shaanxi?"
The butler nervously handed over a piece of cloth: "Sir, this is a sample that was just sent from the Northwest... the quality is indeed no less than that of Jiangnan."
Ninth Master snatched the fabric, his fingertips tracing the fine lines, his expression growing increasingly grim.
Eighth Master said in a deep voice, "We've fallen into a trap. Fourth Brother is trying to completely break free from his dependence on Jiangnan."
He closed his eyes briefly. "Tell the merchants in Jiangnan to stop hoarding and sell as soon as possible."
——
However, it was too late.
When merchants in Jiangnan were eager to sell off their raw silk, they discovered that government warehouses across the country were already overflowing with raw materials supplied from southern Shaanxi.
The price of raw silk plummeted, leaving many merchants with nothing.
In the teahouse, the storyteller slammed his fist on the table, spitting as he spoke: "This game is called 'The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind!' The Emperor is wise and resourceful, and the Thirteenth Prince is brilliantly strategist..."
---
At Ninth Master's residence.
Ninth Master slammed his fist on the table, furious: "Well done, Fourth Brother! Well done, Thirteenth Master!"
Eighth Master sighed, "We miscalculated this time. We didn't expect them to be prepared."
Ninth Master gritted his teeth: "I refuse to believe that they can win every time!"
Eighth Master's gaze was deep as he slowly said, "Ninth Brother, this matter needs careful consideration. Rather than confronting it head-on, we should seek another solution."
Ninth Master sneered: "What brilliant idea does Eighth Brother have?"
Eighth Master frowned and said in a low voice, "Let's be more cautious for now. We've suffered heavy losses this time, so let's find a way to recover our strength first."
Ninth Master plopped down in a chair, panting heavily with anger.
---
As night deepened, the lights of the capital city remained bright.
Inside the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Yongzheng stood by the window, holding an exquisite sachet in his hand.
That was sent by Lin Yun the day before yesterday. The sachet was embroidered with a delicate rue flower, and its fragrance was subtle and pleasant.
Su Peisheng reported softly, "Your Majesty, merchants from Jiangnan have sent representatives to the capital, requesting the court to purchase their raw silk."
Emperor Yongzheng said calmly, "Tell them that the price will be half of the market price. If they are willing, they can sign the contract; if they are not willing, I will not force them."
Su Peisheng bowed: "This servant understands."
After Su Peisheng left, Yongzheng stroked the sachet and chuckled to himself, "Yun'er, we've won this round again."
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