Events unfolded exactly as Song Jiyun had predicted.
When the Changjiang Gang opened its temple hall, some of those who had built the dragon kilns for the Song Tao Kiln Factory were stabbed and exiled from the Changjiang Gang, while others were directly thrown into the river with broken arms and legs.
Moreover, this incident escalated significantly.
The Changjiang Gang also took this opportunity to purge its ranks, and many members were expelled from the gang. The gang’s rules were re-emphasized, causing anxiety and trepidation within the entire Changjiang Gang, which was palpable to all the major kiln factories.
The leader of the Changjiang Gang even personally visited Song Jiyun to apologize, not only promising that they would always prioritize building kilns for the Song Family Kiln Factory, but also stationed two master craftsmen at the Song Family Kiln Factory to specialize in repairing and building kilns for them.
Repairing and building kilns is a technical term. It generally refers to constructing and mending. Constructing usually means building a new kiln, while mending is done after firing, when the kiln chamber often sustains some damage. At this point, highly skilled craftsmen are needed to inspect the kiln, and if cracks or damage are found, repairs are made to avoid affecting the next firing.
However, building new is much more lucrative than repairing.
And it is the master craftsmen who decide whether to build anew or to repair and reuse.
They typically "serve dishes according to the plates."
If the kiln factory is small and they have a good relationship with the owner, they will do their best to help with repairs. If it’s a large kiln factory, which doesn’t mind the cost, they will advocate for building a brand new kiln.
With these two master craftsmen stationed permanently at their kiln factory, think of all the trouble they could save!
Song Jiyun naturally accepted with gratitude, thanking them profusely.
She even presented the Changjiang Gang leader with a pair of newly fired blue and white with iron-red ’Joy Reaching the Branches’ pieces.
Red plum blossoms adorned with green birds.
A rare tricolored glaze.
The leader of the Changjiang Gang was overjoyed, and subsequently whenever he met someone, he would praise Song Jiyun for her righteousness and loyalty, saying it was no wonder that the County Magistrate said she had "the courage of a man."
People in Jingde Town now referred to Song Jiyun not simply as "the owner of the Song Family Kiln Factory," but as "that boss Song who has the courage of a man."
But when this news reached the Hong Family, Old Grand Master Hong was quite worried and specifically sought out Song Tao, asking, "Could this affect our kiln factory’s future production?"
The dragon kiln had been lit and had begun firing.
Song Tao said with a smile, "What has that got to do with us? We simply paid a hefty sum for the building of the dragon kiln, who knew they would betray their agreement! Besides, we had no idea about any arrangement they had with the Song Family, did we?"
She also told Old Grand Master Hong, "I already know what the key to building a dragon kiln is. If worst comes to worst, we can hire outsiders to build the kiln. That way, we can ensure the skill remains in our hands."
"Good! Good! Good!" Old Grand Master Hong was delighted, his eyes filled with even more satisfaction as he looked at Song Tao.
However, on the day the dragon kiln was opened, Old Grand Master Hong’s face fell.
The yield rate was less than forty percent.
At this rate, they had barely earned their keep for the hard work.
Song Tao was even more shocked than Old Grand Master Hong.
"How could this happen?!" Ignoring the lingering heat in the kiln chamber, she lifted her skirt and squeezed into the opened kiln mouth, looking around.
Old Grand Master Hong could not maintain his composure any longer. He stuck his head in the kiln mouth and asked, "How is it? Do you see anything?"
Song Tao walked out with a grim face, holding two damaged saggers in her hand, "Look at this!"
Old Grand Master Hong did not understand porcelain.
He looked from one sagger to the other and noticed that they were both damaged, but beyond that, he could not discern any difference.
Song Tao pointed carefully to the cracked opening and said, "These two saggers are different."
When firing porcelain, ceramic saggers made from white clay are used to protect the porcelain blanks and the glaze from damage. The thickness and clay quality of the saggers in which the blanks are placed can affect the rate at which the blanks within the saggers heat up, influencing the yield rate.
Old Grand Master Hong did not notice these details, feeling somewhat uneasy, he ventured, "Are you saying ..."
Song Tao’s point was not to make things difficult for Old Grand Master Hong; she immediately explained, "There are two types of saggers in the kiln chamber. One kind is what we’re used to; the other kind has clay that isn’t suitable—low temperatures wouldn’t reveal any issues, but once it reaches high heat, it will crack open."
Old Grand Master Hong still didn’t quite understand.
But he did comprehend what Song Tao was implying.
It was due to the inappropriate saggers being used.
"Is it because of this," he said darkly, "that the output of quality products from the dragon kiln is not high?"
Song Tao nodded and replied, "The ceramic blanks are in the kiln chambers. As they are being fired, the saggers protecting them crack. How could they possibly turn into ceramics then?"
Old Grand Master Hong’s expression was ferocious, as if he could devour someone.
Frightened, Song Tao involuntarily took a step back.
But when she looked up again, only anger remained on Old Grand Master Hong’s face.
"Investigate!" his gaze was sinister. "Search thoroughly! I want to see who dares to mess with the Hong Family’s affairs!"
The Grand Steward of the Hong Family was taken aback and immediately bowed his head in respect, responding with a reverent "Yes."
Standing by, Song Tao sighed softly, "Such a pity! Who knows if we will be able to hire a master craftsman to build dragon kilns in the future."
Old Grand Master Hong’s face turned even uglier.
He sat upright on the Taishi Chair in the accounting room of the Kiln Factory, waiting for the investigation results.
Soon, the source of the saggers’ purchase was identified.
It was the accountant sent to the accounting room by the Hong Family who made the purchase.
Old Grand Master Hong could not believe his own ears.
The accountant himself cried out louder than ever, clinging to Old Grand Master Hong’s thighs, weeping and sobbing as if his own father had died: "Old Grand Master, I have followed you for nearly twenty years, I could never do such a thing! You must believe me!"
At his words, Old Grand Master Hong felt a moment of hesitation.
Song Tao saw it clearly and knew that the accountant might have even more of Old Grand Master Hong’s trust than she had thought.
After thinking it over, she approached Old Grand Master Hong and said, "Old Grand Master, I have a few words I’d like to say to you alone. May I?"
Old Grand Master Hong was displeased and said in a heavy tone, "What sort of thing cannot be said here? Why whisper in secrecy?"
The tone was unfriendly.
Song Tao’s face showed hesitation.
Old Grand Master Hong snorted coldly.
Still hesitant, Song Tao finally spoke, "I do believe that the accountant is innocent."
Everyone present was taken aback.
Song Tao pondered and then continued, "This actually involves the secret formula of Jade Porcelain!"
Old Grand Master Hong was astonished.
The others pricked up their ears even more.
Song Tao did not intend to hide anything and slowly continued, "You might not know this, but Jade Porcelain can barely be considered low-temperature porcelain. Usually, when we fire Jade Porcelain, it’s not an issue. But when firing high-temperature blue and white porcelain, it cracks—maybe the accountant was also deceived."
The people in the room looked at each other, but it was the accountant who reacted first.
He cried tearfully, "Third Miss Song, you are truly a reincarnation of Guanyin Bodhisattva, saving me from distress, sparing my life, and clearing my name. I truly didn’t betray the Kiln Factory for a few bits of foul money, nor betray the Hong Family!"
Old Grand Master Hong obviously was not prepared to forgive the accountant, but he also clearly felt a sigh of relief.
He patted Song Tao’s shoulder benevolently and said, "Good child, you are a reasonable person." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦
He also made up his mind, "They don’t understand porcelain-making; they came here not only without being able to help you, but actually held you back. From now on, the Kiln Factory is in your hands."
After speaking, his gaze authoritative yet sharp, he swept a look at everyone present, "From now on, whatever you do, you first ask Third Miss Song and follow her orders, understood?"
"Understood!" they replied in unison, bowing.
Song Tao nodded slightly, avoiding everyone’s gazes, and curved the corners of her mouth into a shallow smile.
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