spying in the dark
The warehouse of "Yunshangji" was emptier than ever before.
The improved looms, humming day and night, produced cloth that flowed into the market like a river.
Shen Yan personally oversaw the supply of silk to the largest silk shop in the prefecture, "Baochanghao".
The newly released "Radiant Brocade" is even more popular due to its unique twill texture, fine and tough quality, and production speed that far exceeds that of its peers.
The price of a single bolt of "Flowing Light Brocade" was set at an astonishing fifteen taels of silver by Shen Yan, far exceeding the five to eight taels of ordinary silk, yet it was still in short supply. Wealthy merchants, officials, and their families in the prefecture considered it an honor to wear clothes made of "Flowing Light Brocade."
The "Yunshangji" brand has made a name for itself in the high-end market.
Improved loom technology also benefited the production of ordinary cotton fabrics.
The new "Warm Sun Cloth" product from Chenji Workshop has excited all employees.
The originally rough and thick cotton fabric has become finer and more uniform, improving both breathability and warmth.
The last workshop production meeting before the Spring Festival.
Chen Yan suggested.
"Ordinary cotton cloth should be priced at the same level as other cloth shops, at 2.5 qian. New cloth is of better quality, and the workshops need to invest heavily to expand."
Ling Zhan only asked one question: "How many people froze to death in Qingzhou during the winter?"
She pointed to the pedestrians outside the window, wrapped in tattered thin clothes in the cold wind, and said, "This cloth is essential for keeping warm. A slight increase in price could cost several lives."
She looked at Shen Yan, her gaze calm yet unwavering.
"'Warm Sun Cloth', price set at two qian, cannot be increased, just break even. 'Radiant Brocade' is up to you, and one-tenth of the profits should be used for employee welfare here."
Shen Yan opened her mouth, but looking into Ling Zhan's all-knowing eyes and recalling her ruthless methods of modifying the loom, she swallowed her words of rebuttal and said in a deep voice, "Let's do as you say, madam. However, I'm afraid it might cause disputes among our peers."
Su Wan silently took notes.
The pen tip paused heavily on the "Price of Warm Sun Cloth: Two qian/piece" mark.
The effect was immediate.
The "Warm Sun Cloth" produced by Chenji Workshop was priced at two qian of silver per bolt, slightly lower than the two qian and two fen of ordinary cotton cloth on the market, and was distributed in large quantities to cloth shops and general stores in Linshan County of Qingzhou and surrounding towns.
"Warm Sun Cloth" has quickly become the first choice for ordinary people and small households to get through the winter due to its excellent cost performance.
Even in Qingzhou City, the capital of the prefecture, many elderly people and children who used to have to huddle in tattered clothes to get through the winter can finally get a few feet of thick new cotton cloth to make coats this year, and no longer fear the hardship of not being able to leave their homes in winter.
In the streets and alleys, the reputation of "Chenji Nuanyang Cloth, cheap and warm" has quietly spread.
Before we knew it, it was December.
The core area of the workshop was locked down, and everyone entered the countdown to their holiday, with the nursing home taking turns on duty.
The outer warehouse area stores replacement ordinary parts, which is relatively loosely managed.
Several dark figures, taking advantage of the sparse sound of firecrackers in the distance, scaled over the courtyard wall like raccoons.
"Hurry up! The most valuable stuff is inside!" the tall, muscular figure urged in a low voice.
The group pried open the bolt of a warehouse door and went inside in the dark, when they tripped over an extremely thin silk thread.
"Snap!"
With a soft click, several ropes coated in thick, black syrup-like substance suddenly shot out from the corner of the wall in the darkness! This was a modified version of the "sticky rat trap" mechanism designed by Ling Zhan. Caught off guard, the two ruffians were tightly bound by the sticky ropes and slammed against the cold brick wall, instantly immobilized. The piercing sound of a copper bell tore through the tranquility of the eve of the Lunar New Year, its sharp ringing echoing through the workshop.
"Not good! Run!" The tall, dark figure was terrified. Forget about his companions, he led the remaining people and fled in panic over the wall.
The guards rushed over quickly, carrying torches.
The firelight illuminated two figures on the wall, struggling futilely like flies trapped in amber, howling and wailing.
Shen Yan arrived in haste, wrapped in a heavy fur cloak, the lantern light illuminating his young yet remarkably composed face.
He looked at the comical and pathetic "trophies" on the wall, his eyes devoid of any emotion, as cold as icicles under the eaves.
"Break their legs."
His voice wasn't loud, but it pierced the cold wind clearly: "Throw it to the government office. Tell him this is my 'New Year's gift' sent to him in advance."
Upon hearing this, the tall, dark figure immediately became anxious and shouted, "Brother Shen! Brother Shen! It's Zhao San! I'm Zhao San! I'm also starving at the end of the year! Brother Shen, please help me!"
He gave a self-deprecating laugh—!
The voice, still not loud, grew clearer: "Break! Your! Leg! Throw you to the government office." With that, he turned and left.
On the 20th of the twelfth lunar month, the workshop was filled with anticipation of year-end accounting and receiving paychecks.
In the line to receive his share of the profits, Mr. Zhang held the wooden token representing his share, his palms sweating profusely.
He glanced furtively at Shen Yan, who was checking accounts with Su Wan in the distance.
He then recalled the scalding silver note and the note with the address of the abandoned brick kiln in the south of the city that the "traveling merchant" had given him.
Struggling is like being cut with a dull knife.
Finally, late at night on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month.
He knocked on the door of Shen Yan's study with trembling hands, handed over the deadly banknote and note, and almost collapsed to the ground.
Shen Yan was not angry; he even poured him a cup of hot tea himself.
He picked up the silver note and looked at it, a barely perceptible smile curving his lips.
They were "traveling merchants" sent by the Longchang, and their target was quite clear: the master craftsmen involved in assembling core components.
Master Zhang, who was in charge of polishing precision cam iron parts, naturally became the main target.
One hundred taels of silver! A mansion with a small courtyard in the prefectural capital!
This is enough temptation to ensure a craftsman's livelihood for several lifetimes!
"Since you took the initiative to confess, I'll keep this to myself."
Chen Yan's voice was calm and even, "Tomorrow the workshop will 'lose' a defective cam. You will say that you accidentally damaged it while polishing it and that you are hiding it to avoid punishment. Do you understand?"
Master Zhang felt as if he had been granted a pardon and was extremely grateful.
Instead, Shen Yan gave him an extra twenty taels of silver: "Enjoy the New Year in peace."
After Master Zhang left, Shen Yan handed the silver notes and note to Su Wan, who was standing to the side.
A cold glint flashed in his eyes: "Imitate his handwriting and reply: 'Success was hard-won; an additional three hundred taels are required. Delivery will be made at the abandoned brick kiln south of the city at midnight four days from now.'"
On the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month, at midnight, at an abandoned brick kiln south of the city.
The manager sent by Longchang, carrying an extra three hundred taels of silver, was dreaming of making a great contribution and getting promoted and rich, when he was ambushed by guards hidden behind the ruins, who covered his mouth, pinned him down, and tied him up tightly. Without alerting the authorities, Shen Yan simply had the manager "well entertained" in the cold brick kiln for an entire night.
The next morning, a bruised and half-frozen human-shaped sack was thrown back into the storefront of Longchang in Qingzhou County.
The hidden hand that Longchang had extended, like a snake whose vital spot had been stepped on, withdrew without daring to utter a sound.
On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, the official holiday and the auspicious day for distributing bonuses finally arrived.
The workshop courtyard was bustling with people, filled with laughter and chatter.
The sounds of coins clinking, children chasing and playing, and women counting silver coins wrapped in red paper mingled together.
Shen Yan stood on the makeshift wooden platform, about to begin the most popular ceremony of the year.
Suddenly, the heavy door of the workshop was pushed open with a loud bang!
A troop of officers and soldiers, travel-worn and gleaming in armor, filed in, instantly silencing the commotion that filled the courtyard.
Surrounded by people was a middle-aged official with a serious expression, wearing a sixth-rank official robe with egret-patterned robes.
Ignoring the joy and astonishment filling the courtyard, he walked straight to the front of the stage.
His sharp gaze swept over Shen Yan, then turned to Magistrate Chen, who had rushed over upon hearing the news.
"I am Qian Shouren, Special Envoy of the Ministry of Works, Yuheng Qingli Division."
His voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable authority.
He took out an official document bearing the bright red seal of the Ministry of Works and, in front of all the craftsmen, supervisors, and Chen Yan, read it aloud:
"Ministry of Works Order: It has come to our attention that a skilled craftsman in Qingzhou has created a new type of loom called Xuanji, with exceptional efficiency, truly a tool for the prosperity of the nation and its people! To strengthen our dynasty's textile industry and enrich the national treasury, the Ministry of Works hereby orders this official to come and observe and learn from it. Furthermore, the Ministry has summoned the skilled craftsman Shen Yan and the complete blueprints for the Xuanji loom to accompany this official to the capital immediately for consultation and promotion. This is a great favor from the court and must not be delayed!"
The official documents were written in a grand and dignified manner, with every word and phrase proclaiming "benefit to the country and the people" and "the imperial court's grace."
After the reading was finished, the entire courtyard fell into a deathly silence.
The copper coins, which were just scalding hot, seemed to cool instantly, and the red paper wrapped in coins lost its color.
All eyes were focused on Shen Yan.
Envoy Qian closed the document and stared at Shen Yan with eyes as sharp as a hawk's.
"Master Shen, the end of the year is approaching, and I do not wish to disturb the people. However, matters of state are of utmost importance. This auspicious day for distributing dividends is a perfect opportunity to celebrate your future. Pack your belongings, take the map with you, and in three days, you will accompany me to the capital."
Shen Yan stood on the stage, his face still expressionless, but his eyes were like a frozen pool.
He swept his gaze across the bewildered, worried, and even terrified faces of the craftsmen below, then glanced at the determined Special Envoy Qian and the complex expressions on Magistrate Chen's face. A cold wind swirled the remaining firecracker debris in the courtyard. Shen Yan slowly raised his hand, addressing the craftsmen in the courtyard, his voice calmly piercing the frozen air:
"Everyone, your wages will be paid as usual, and you will receive your New Year's gifts as usual. It's time to offer incense to our ancestors, so you may all leave now."
He stepped down from the wooden platform, not glancing at the Ministry of Works envoy again, and whispered to Ling Zhan, "Keep an eye on the house."
He then wrapped his fur coat tighter around himself and headed straight for the government office.
Magistrate Chen's mind was filled with alarm bells.
This is hardly "observation and learning"; it's blatant extortion!
Once the blueprints and Ling Zhan were "requisitioned" to Beijing, the technology would fall entirely into the hands of the Ministry of Works, and the foundation of Shenji would be destroyed.
Not to mention that he had shares in the company, he was even more aware of Ling Zhan's importance.
They became even clearer about the enormous interests behind this technology and the "danger" facing Ling Zhan himself.
He immediately dispatched a messenger on horseback to deliver a message to the prefect of the city.
Seeing Shen Yan turn around and follow the Ministry of Works so fearlessly, Ling Zhan showed no panic.
She simply stopped counting the copper coins in her hand.
A cold voice, however, is clear to everyone.
"The Ministry of Works wants to promote it?"
"Yes! This is an official document!" For some reason, the special envoy surnamed Qian stopped in his tracks upon hearing this voice.
"No." Ling Zhan's tone was resolute.
Everyone was stunned!
Magistrate Chen quickly whispered his advice, "Of course we can't give it to them! But... the Ministry of Works is powerful, and they're resisting..."
“It’s not about fighting head-on.” Ling Zhan walked to the stone table in the courtyard, where a simple map of the continent’s territory was spread out. Her slender fingers traced the long northern border: “If this opportunity appears, enemy countries will surely obtain it. The Northern Di and Western Rong, if they obtain this opportunity, their military supplies can increase several times over, and their combat power will increase dramatically. The soldiers on the border will shed rivers of blood.”
Her fingertips finally touched a pass representing their own border, signifying, "The time is not yet right."
The magistrate and Shen Yan both gasped in shock.
Their minds are filled with business competition and their own interests.
I never imagined that this loom could be involved in matters of national importance and the safety of the border!
The two looked at Ling Zhan's calm yet incredibly resolute profile.
For the first time, I felt so clearly the grandeur and ruthlessness of her vision and perspective.
Recalling the hands that controlled everything when she modified the loom, at this moment, it seems as if she is controlling life and death on a larger chessboard.
"drag."
Magistrate Chen was the first to recover his composure and looked at Shen Yan sternly, saying, "This machine is the culmination of generations of craftsmen's efforts. The core components are extremely difficult to manufacture, resulting in a very low yield rate. It is still under improvement and may not be suitable for formal occasions. The blueprints are also a secret passed down among the craftsmen, which cannot be obtained without oral instruction and hands-on teaching. To show your loyalty, Magistrate Shen, please commission this county to produce a batch of special military supplies, using cotton cloth woven with the new method, to quickly make winter clothing for the soldiers on the border. It must arrive before the fifteenth of this month. It is not too late to present it after the process is mature and stable."
He paused, then added, "The cotton-padded clothing must be made of sufficient material, using the 'warm sun cloth' standard."
Shen Yan's eyes lit up! Brilliant!
"Okay! I'll get on it right away!"
Shen Yan's spirits lifted, and he turned to Special Envoy Qian, saying, "Special Envoy, please go back first. Officials should also be given leave. The soldiers can't wait. We need to recruit local militia immediately to deliver military supplies."
Shen Yan worked closely with Magistrate Chen.
Magistrate Chen complained bitterly to Special Envoy Qian in the county office, emphasizing that the new machine was "delicate and difficult to manufacture," with a yield rate of less than 30%. He argued that forcibly promoting it would be wasteful of resources and manpower, and would be counterproductive. At the same time, he stressed Shen Ji's "sincere loyalty" and his willingness to take on the heavy responsibility of military supplies to share the burden of the court.
Chen Yan mobilized all resources, with workshops operating in three shifts to produce specially supplied cotton cloth.
Ling Zhan personally supervised the quality of the cotton fabric and the filling of the cotton-padded clothes to ensure that there was enough cotton and that it was evenly patted.
Xuan Chenzi contributed several potent insect-repellent and mildew-preventing prescriptions, which were incorporated into the lining treatment of cotton clothing.
Su Wan was in charge of accounts and material allocation, and she was meticulous in everything she did.
The fifth day of the Lunar New Year.
Braving the biting cold wind.
The first caravan of mule carts, fully loaded with 5,000 brand-new cotton-padded coats, set off from Qingzhou City under the escort of government officials.
Heading to the most arduous pass in the north, "Eagle Sorrow Pass".
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