Eunuch Wan did not let Song Tao down.
His gaze fixed on Song Jiyun like a venomous snake, he sinisterly said, "Since Boss Song is so principled, I presume you would hardly care for any special attention!"
As he spoke, he stood up again, swept his eyes over everyone present, and upon seeing everyone lower their heads under his gaze, he then loudly declared, "Jingde Town can sell one hundred fifty thousand pieces of porcelain every year. Among them, one hundred thirty thousand are blue and white porcelain and the remaining twenty thousand are other types. I will distribute them based on an annual total of one hundred fifty thousand pieces."
He turned back with a cold laugh, looking at Song Jiyun: "Song Family Kiln Factory is allowed to fire six thousand pieces of blue and white porcelain and two thousand pieces of other porcelain every year!"
In other words, Song Family Kiln Factory was only allowed to fire eight thousand pieces of porcelain in total per year, which amounted to about five percent of the total from Jingde Town.
If Song Family were to operate the Dragon Kiln, a single firing could produce about four thousand pieces of blue and white porcelain.
In previous years, Song Family could sell sixty to seventy thousand pieces of just blue and white porcelain, not to mention other types of porcelain.
And most of Song Family Kiln Factory’s main production was indeed blue and white porcelain.
You must understand, blue and white is a basic type that Jingde Town fires nearly every day, and among the various types of porcelain, it yields the least profit. Moreover, now that the Liangyu Kiln Factory had reduced the price of blue and white porcelain to two-thirds of the usual price, the profit was even less.
Was Song Family Kiln Factory expected to operate the Dragon Kiln only twice a year?
No, even if they operated their kiln twice a year, there would be an excess of two thousand pieces that could not be sold!
What about so many master craftsmen, apprentices, and kiln workers in Song Family Kiln Factory?
The crowd was in an uproar.
Yet, they couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Based on the annual distribution of one hundred fifty thousand pieces of porcelain, everyone’s interests should not be much affected.
It’s just a pity for Song Family Kiln Factory, which was being targeted.
Boss Song’s temperament was perhaps a bit too unyielding.
But with Magistrate Jiang backing Boss Song, maybe Boss Song had other strategies!
Of course, those with shrewder minds had already started to scheme.
With Song Family Kiln Factory restricted, did it mean that they might have a chance to occupy the market share previously held by Song Family Kiln Factory?
The discussions among the crowd grew louder.
Song Tao, however, couldn’t help but purse her lips and smile.
Previously, after hearing her suggestion, Eunuch Wan had allowed only for Song Family Kiln Factory to produce twenty thousand pieces of blue and white porcelain and about five thousand pieces of other porcelains each year.
Song Jiyun, however, thinking highly of herself and acting arrogantly, felt that clinging to Magistrate Jiang was enough to disregard Eunuch Wan completely, angering Eunuch Wan who suddenly reduced Song Family Kiln Factory’s quota to eight thousand.
Were it not for the inappropriate setting, she would have laughed out loud.
Eunuch Wan, as if not yet satisfied, loudly added another statement: "For custom porcelain, only two hundred pieces are allowed."
Each year, Song Family Kiln Factory fired more than two hundred pieces of porcelain for ceremonial use at the Imperial Kiln Factory.
This meant that Song Family Kiln Factory’s orders from the Imperial Kiln Factory would also be reduced.
The buzz of conversation among the people was incessant.
Zhou Zheng and others turned pale.
Song Jiyun, however, seemed unaffected, as if such a result had been anticipated, and she had no intention of yielding from the start.
She set down the tea cup.
The clinking sound of tea lid against tea bowl was clear and melodic.
The chatter stopped abruptly, with all eyes landing on her.
In a poised manner, she adjusted her sleeves and calmly asked Eunuch Wan, "Do these two hundred pieces of custom porcelain include the two thousand pieces of other porcelain?"
As if she was afraid Eunuch Wan had forgotten to include them in the total count.
Not to mention Zhou Zheng, even Old Master Yan wished he could go up and cover her mouth.
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Wan showed his sharp white teeth: "Of course it’s included!"
A look of "I originally wanted to let you go, but since you fail to appreciate this, don’t blame me for being rude."
Song Jiyun simply nodded his head and once again confirmed with Eunuch Wan the number of pieces his kiln factory could produce: "A total of eight thousand pieces, six thousand of which are blue and white porcelain and the remaining two thousand are other types of porcelain, including two hundred custom-made pieces, correct?"
She seemed too calm, which always made Eunuch Wan feel that something was amiss.
But when he saw her composed and indifferent expression, he was instantly fueled with rage, grinding his teeth as he said with a heavy voice, "Exactly! The Song Family Kiln Factory has only eight thousand quotas for the whole year!"
Song Jiyun nodded his head.
Then... he said nothing more.
Everyone was shocked.
They exchanged glances with each other.
Wasn’t this the time to argue with Eunuch Wan on reasonable grounds?
Could it be that Boss Song was ready to let it go just like that?
Even if this so-called "quota" might disappear after Eunuch Wan leaves, as long as Eunuch Wan was around for a day, the Song Family Kiln Factory would have to be under his control for a day.
How much money would they lose this year?!
The hall suddenly became quiet.
Song Tao looked at Song Jiyun, puzzled.
In his past life, after Song Jiyun became the chairman of the Porcelain Guild, there was a year when the Kaolin Mine in Kaolin Village collapsed, killing several people. She used her authority to restrict the amount of Kaolin Clay each family could stockpile, based on the volume of their porcelain sales, and she even required Kaolin Village to mine Kaolin Clay according to the needs of Jingde Town.
Why would the people of Kaolin Village listen to her?
She bought Kaolin Clay from Hengyang and Suzhou, causing Kaolin Village to be out of business for two or three years, leading to the villagers coming to her doorstep in protest. With the support of Hong Xi and Eunuch Wan, not only did the villagers not gain any advantage over her, but she also took the opportunity to acquire several Kaolin Clay mines. From then on, Song Jiyun became the biggest Kaolin Clay mine owner in Jingde Town, capable of influencing both the prices of porcelain and raw materials, becoming an unrivaled figure in Jingde Town.
How could this strategy be met with indifference by Song Jiyun?
Given Song Jiyun’s character, of course, he would not sit idly by.
But what could he do to break the deadlock?
Song Tao’s gaze flickered, somewhat perplexed.
Eunuch Wan’s face was extremely ugly.
Song Jiyun’s indifference made everything he did feel like a heavy punch hitting cotton—angry, frustrated, powerless, yet utterly helpless.
His chest aching slightly, he decided to teach Song Jiyun another lesson: "Liangyu Kiln Factory, sixty thousand pieces of blue and white porcelain, twenty thousand pieces of other porcelain."
That was ten times that of Song Jiyun’s kiln factory.
Everyone felt the tension between Song Jiyun and Eunuch Wan, envying Song Tao for partnering with Eunuch Wan, yet not feeling badly affected—Song Tao was merely taking a share of Song Jiyun Kiln Factory’s quota, which did not affect their interests.
Song Jiyun remained indifferent, listening as Eunuch Wan continued to announce the quotas for other kiln factories and shops: "Li Family Kiln Factory, thirty thousand pieces of blue and white porcelain, three thousand pieces of other porcelain; Yan Family Kiln Factory, twenty thousand pieces of blue and white porcelain, three thousand pieces of other porcelain..."
After Eunuch Wan finished speaking, everyone looked at Song Jiyun.
Except for him, no one else had suffered any loss.
Yet Song Jiyun stood up grandly, saying, "If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave first!"
Then, without giving Eunuch Wan another glance, he nodded to the others, walked out proudly with his head held high, and left.
Eunuch Wan’s face swelled up like a pig’s liver in an instant.
People busied themselves looking down, pretending not to notice.
Old Master Yan, however, let out a light sigh, glanced at the seat that had always been empty, Chairman Ma’s, and without waiting for Eunuch Wan to speak, he stood up following Song Jiyun and said, "If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave first!"
Then he nodded to the others and also left the hall.
Following that, Old Master Wu, Old Master Chen, and others also left one after another.
Eunuch Wan’s tea cup then "clang" dropped to the floor with a sound.
Li Zixiu thought for a moment and bowed his head deeply.
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