Luo Zixing, however, did not have the same confidence as Song Jiyun. He said, "Sweet white porcelain is so good, I’m afraid the Imperial Kiln Factory won’t let go easily."
"Take it slowly. There’s no need to rush," Song Jiyun said with a smile, "Let’s start the Jade Porcelain Workshop first."
Everyone nodded, beginning to recommend apprentices they believed capable and discussing the opening date for the Jade Porcelain Workshop.
Luo Zixing’s suggestion was to wait until after the Imperial Kiln Factory’s bidding to open: "The masters and apprentices at the kiln factory are ready; just changing the formula would let us burn a large batch of jade porcelain. We could then concentrate on producing a large quality of jade porcelain."
Zhou Zheng and others felt that it was important to seize the business opportunity, the earlier the better: "Everyone knows that the Imperial Kiln Factory will give jade porcelain back to us, so we should take this opportunity to promote our jade porcelain. Besides, the peak season for porcelain sales is coming, so we ought to plan ahead."
"That might work for other businesses," Luo Zixing said with a laugh, "but when it comes to making porcelain, it’s about who has the better skills. Looking over all of Jingde Town, besides our kiln factory, who else can make jade porcelain?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Zheng frowned and said, "But we must not become arrogant and complacent, neglecting to strive for progress!"
Luo Zixing appeared somewhat displeased upon hearing this. Just as Xiang Yang was about to say something to appease the situation, Steward Wu walked in quickly, a look of slight panic on his face.
"Miss!" He respectfully greeted Song Jiyun with a bow, handing her the invitation he was holding, "It’s from the Liangyu Kiln Factory, Miss Tao. They say that the Liangyu Kiln Factory has produced porcelain and has scheduled an order meeting for tomorrow. They have invited our kiln factory to participate."
So Song Tao had already managed to produce porcelain so quickly.
Luo Zixing evidently knew the inside story.
He dismissively said, "What does Song Daliang know? He has offended all the master craftsmen, how could he produce good kilns? Now that the kiln factory is in Miss Tao’s hands, with her influence, things are naturally very different."
The implication was that Song Tao had manipulated the situation.
Everyone then asked, "Should we attend the order meeting?"
"They’re quite quick. It’s only been a few days, and they can already hold an order meeting. They won’t be like Song Daliang, who boasted great ambitions before accomplishing anything. When the order meeting comes, maybe they’ll only have a few bottles and pots on display, right?"
For a typical order meeting, one would not dare to hold it without having at least a thousand or two thousand pieces of porcelain.
Song Jiyun did not pay attention to them but instead asked Zheng Quan, "Do you know what kind of porcelain their kiln factory has made?"
Previously, they had not heard any rumors at all.
"I don’t know yet," Zheng Quan said, lowering his head in shame, "I will send someone to inquire in detail right away."
Since they knew nothing before, it was obviously tightly guarded. Whether the precautions were against them, or against all the kiln factories in Jingde Town, it would now be improper for them to inquire.
She said, "There’s no rush at this moment, we’ll see tomorrow."
Zheng Quan replied with a "Yes."
When the next day arrived, Song Jiyun not only took Zheng Quan, but also Zhou Zheng, the Store Manager in charge of managing their kiln factory’s shop, to the event.
As soon as she stepped into the spacious hall of the order meeting at the Liangyu Kiln Factory, her brow twitched.
The Liangyu Kiln Factory’s order meeting was set up very much like the auction houses of later generations.
Various high and low square independent display stands were arranged in a scattered pattern throughout the three chambers of the spacious hall. Sacrificial Porcelain pieces such as vases, lian and burners were set individually on the stands, allowing a 360-degree unobstructed view from all angles.
Only two things were missing.
One was the light fixtures on top of the displays.
And the other was the glass covers over the exhibit items.
But as she drew closer, her brows furrowed tighter and her complexion worsened.
The Sacrificial Porcelain all stood in silence atop the bright red camphor velvet cloth, their delicate glaze shimmering with an ivory-like luster.
"How can this be?" Zhou Li could not help but exclaim in a low voice upon seeing them, "This, isn’t this Jade Porcelain? Could it be that the Imperial Kiln Factory’s formula has leaked?"
But no sooner had he spoken these words than he immediately denied them, "Impossible! If the Imperial Kiln Factory could steal the secrets of our Kiln Factory’s Jade Porcelain, they would not have pinched their noses to ask our family to help them fire Sacrificial Porcelain at times when the Owner was unwilling to flatter Wan Xiaoquan. What on earth is going on here?"
The gaze of those present at the scene also fell upon Song Jiyun and the others in unison.
Song Jiyun’s face was as somber as still water.
She had not expected Song Tao to be capable of firing Jade Porcelain.
No wonder the elder from the Hong Family agreed to collaborate with her.
Where did Song Tao get the formula for Jade Porcelain?
That formula certainly wasn’t given to Song Tao by her father.
Because the formula for Jade Porcelain was an innovation that came about years ago during a casual chat with her father, inspired by her.
And her father had even promised in front of everyone that if they could take back Jade Porcelain from the Imperial Kiln Factory, he would give the formula to her, and she could take it with her if she married. Her father was also worried about infringing on the interests of others, so he had obtained an official seal from the Governmental authorities as proof.
Having been reborn, besides Jade Porcelain, what else did Song Tao know?
What was her relationship with herself in her previous life?
As Song Jiyun reflected, Song Tao approached, dressed in a bright red chrysanthemum and treasure vase patterned broad-sleeved jacket, smiling beamingly.
She greeted Song Jiyun politely yet warmly, "Cousin Yun, what do you think? The arrangements are passable enough for your standards, I hope?"
Song Jiyun glanced at the guests who were all covertly paying attention to them and said, "It’s passable! After all, when Dong Shi attempts to imitate Xi Shi’s frown, one cannot hold too high a standard!"
"Cousin Yun is still as sharp-tongued as ever," remarked Song Tao, with a slight change of expression, but she quickly regained her smile, "I know you’ve always had a stronger appreciation for fine things than me. If you don’t like it, just say so, the affairs of the older generation are indeed their affairs; I, being one of the younger generation, shouldn’t comment. Can’t our generation just look out for each other and support the family business together?"
Song Jiyun swept her eyes around the room.
Most people were all ears.
"Sure!" Song Jiyun laughed upon hearing this and said, "Then you start by telling me, how did my father’s closely guarded formula for Jade Porcelain end up in your hands?"
Song Tao probably did not expect Song Jiyun to pitch such a direct and unexpected question, and she faltered slightly before saying, "I know it was my second uncle who fired them, and my second uncle was good to both my father and my third uncle. At that time, it was only your family that dealt with porcelain, there was no need to split things into ’yours’ and ’mine.’ Now that the second uncle has passed, each of our families is on its own, and we too can only survive by relying on the kindness of my second uncle.
"Cousin Yun, don’t be angry.
"You’ve grown up all your life in precious silks and satins, unaware of how hard life is for us who make a living outside. The second uncle agreed, so please don’t hold onto it anymore."
She spoke as if the formula was given to her by Song Youliang.
Song Jiyun took a deep breath.
Her father had passed away.
Could such a matter be clearly stated?
Even if it could be made clear, would Song Tao return the secret formula after it had been leaked? Would she stop firing Jade Porcelain from then on?
Song Jiyun sneered and said, "A thief will always be a thief! Even if he knows how to do something, he will never understand why it should be done or the reason behind it. I just hope you’re always lucky enough to steal over and over again."
Ignoring the buzz of conversation filling the hall, she walked away with long strides.
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