The grand hall was engulfed in silence.
Who didn’t know what Wan Xiaoquan had been up to these years as the Supervising Pottery Officer in Jingde Town?
Every so-called "good deed" of his depended on whom it was for.
Everyone bowed their heads, exchanging glances, before finally fixing their gaze on Song Jiyun who unexpectedly stood before them all this time.
She stood with a straight posture, calm and composed, with the air of having an ace up her sleeve, extremely serene.
She truly was Boss Song, who dared to challenge Eunuch Wan!
Everyone couldn’t help but inwardly sigh in unison, suddenly feeling inspired by her, finding themselves not only calmer but also with straighter spines.
The Legal Advisor sensed the subtle shift in the crowd and couldn’t help but sneak a glance at Song Jiyun, a hint of viciousness barely perceptible in his eyes before he said, "You all know that the Song Family Kiln Factory has created a new type of porcelain called ’sweet white porcelain,’ which has even been presented to the palace. What is unexpected, however, is that it was privately used in civilian porcelain without the consent of the Imperial Kiln Factory, just when it had been designated as tribute Imperial Porcelain."
He paused then, raising his voice to question Song Jiyun, "Boss Song, do you have anything to say to that?"
According to the rules, the finest things are meant for Imperial Presentation.
Song Jiyun had let the commoners use what should have been presented to the Emperor; if this was pursued seriously, it was a capital offense.
Just as the Song Family Kiln Factory would need the permission of the Imperial Kiln Factory to retrieve the "Jade Porcelain."
Yet Song Jiyun responded unhurriedly, "Legal Advisor, I’m afraid I don’t understand what you’re saying. Wasn’t it your Imperial Kiln Factory that didn’t appreciate our family’s sweet white porcelain? How comes now, you flip the situation around and accuse us of not wanting to present it?"
After saying that, she stepped forward a few steps onto the aisle that the crowd had opened up for her and spoke out loud, "Fellow colleagues, some of you have participated in the bid of the Imperial Kiln Factory, and some haven’t. I will now explain the bidding process of the Imperial Kiln Factory to everyone here."
Without waiting for anyone from Eunuch Wan’s side to speak, she went on, "In the past, any kiln factory in Jingde Town that produced porcelain worthy of Imperial Presentation wouldn’t need to participate in the bidding of the Imperial Kiln Factory. The Manufacturing Office would send orders to the Imperial Kiln Factory based on the needs of the nobility in the palace one to two years in advance, and the Imperial Kiln Factory would arrange for kiln factories or workshops capable of Imperial Presentation to start producing porcelain according to those orders."
She laughed coldly towards Eunuch Wan as she said this, "But ever since Lord Wan arrived, he thought this system was unfair to everyone. If the exclusive right to produce porcelain was always given to one manufacturer, what if someone else produced porcelain better than what was previously presented? Wouldn’t it be a pity not to offer the best to the Emperor?
"At that time, everyone in Jingde Town who was involved in porcelain-making thought Lord Wan’s words made sense. They all wanted to present their finest porcelain to the Emperor and participate in the bidding of the Imperial Kiln Factory. But then Lord Wan said that if everyone entered the bidding, it would be time-consuming and laborious, wasting resources and people’s effort. He suggested that only a few powerful kiln factories and distinctive workshops designated by the Imperial Kiln Factory should enter the bid."
Song Jiyun coldly said, "I did not receive an invitation from the Imperial Kiln Factory this year!"
She even went as far as to vehemently question Eunuch Wan directly, "Lord Wan, is there anything wrong in what I’ve said?"
The grand hall immediately filled with murmurs.
Those who had gone through this matter with Song Family Kiln Factory quietly vouched for Song Jiyun.
Eunuch Wan’s face had already turned ashen.
His entourage, of course, couldn’t allow Song Jiyun to question his integrity.
The Legal Advisor hurriedly said, "Don’t make a scene here! The invitation to your family from the Imperial Kiln Factory this year was written by my own hand, how could there not be an invitation sent to your family?"
At the time, Eunuch Wan, out of sheer embarrassment and anger, was certain she wouldn’t dare refuse the work from the Imperial Kiln Factory. He didn’t even think about issuing an invitation to Song Jiyun, let alone contemplating the humiliation he intended for her upon her arrival; how could he possibly issue an invitation?
Arguing about these matters was pointless.
But then again, isn’t quarreling all about shooting the breeze over these trivial issues?
"I did not receive the invitation!" Song Jiyun stated indifferently, "Perhaps you could recall who you handed the invitation to? Who delivered it and when? If someone beneath you has taken liberties and made a mistake, this would be an excellent opportunity to clear up the misunderstanding. What do you think?"
Was this an insult to him?
Legal Advisor had to exert great effort to hold back, just to avoid a fallout with Song Jiyun, but everyone could see that he had been humiliated, his face as unsightly as Eunuch Wan’s.
Song Tao cleared his throat loudly, reminding the Legal Advisor not to compete with Song Jiyun in a battle of wits.
If Song Jiyun really started a quarrel, there were very few who could outmatch her!
The Legal Advisor regained his composure as well, and he smoothly moved on from the incident to speak of the so-called "good news", "During Lord Wan’s years in Jingde Town, his diligent governance and love for the people have been evident to all. Otherwise, Jingde Town’s porcelain wouldn’t have increased from eighty or ninety thousand pieces a year to the current one hundred fifty thousand pieces.
"This is also because Lord Wan believes that only when flowers compete for beauty, can all flowers bloom together.
"However, now, with the Song Family Kiln Factory using the new technique of sweet white porcelain to create blue and white porcelain, they stand out alone, leaving the majority of Jingde Town’s kiln factories and workshops with no work, making nine out of ten kilns in Jingde Town empty. If this continues, who will still make porcelain?"
The crowd was unconvinced.
This was all because Eunuch Wan supported the Liangyu Kiln Factory in lowering prices!
Besides, porcelain making is an industry where if you don’t advance, you fall back; you must keep moving forward through all difficulties. Only by constantly finding ways to create new porcelain can the industry prosper, always leading the way, pressing down on kiln factories from other places, and thus becoming the foremost of the present day.
The audience listened unmoved.
Yet the Legal Advisor grew impassioned, and he uttered loudly, "Therefore, Eunuch Wan has decided to have Song Family Kiln Factory share the formula for sweet white porcelain, for all the families in Jingde Town to enjoy together!"
After a brief silence, the hall erupted in an uproar.
"Is that even possible?!"
"If we have the formula for sweet white porcelain, does that mean we could also make new blue and white porcelain?"
"Would Boss Song be willing to share it?"
"With Lord Wan here, even if she doesn’t wish to share, she has to, right? Otherwise, she could be charged with grave disrespect. After all, new porcelain like sweet white porcelain should logically be presented to the Emperor first."
Except for a few individuals, the crowd couldn’t help but start discussing, and they almost unanimously began to fantasize about how they would escape their current plight if they got the formula for sweet white porcelain.
Cold light flashed in the depths of Song Jiyun’s eyes as she scanned the crowd.
The chatter gradually ceased.
The expressions of the people varied as they stealthily exchanged glances, but not a single one stepped forward to echo the earlier statements.
The atmosphere in the hall was heavy with a tinge of embarrassment.
Eunuch Wan was so angry that the corners of his mouth trembled.
Song Tao was extremely anxious.
She had not expected that even now, she couldn’t stir up some people’s greed.
Was Song Jiyun really that powerful?
Had she already accumulated such profound authority in less than a year?
She had no time to think it through.
The stage was set, and once this opportunity passed, it would be gone.
"That’s possible!" Faced with huge interests, Song Tao had to take charge herself, and with a smile, she said, "Isn’t Magistrate Jiang always praised by her cousin Zeng Zan as ’a heroine who does not yield to men’? My cousin has always been broad-minded and generous, and I’m sure she will understand the painstaking efforts of Lord Wan, and will not fret over such trifles."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
