Chapter 103

Chapter 103

With Meng Die's instructions, Manager Rong immediately knew what to do. When Hai Cheng invited him again, he pretended to be hesitant, "Boss Hai, it's not that I'm unwilling to speak up, but this matter doesn't fall under my jurisdiction. I have no say in it."

Hai Cheng flattered, "Manager Rong, you're being too modest. Everyone knows that all of Second Madam's liquid assets are under your management. Since ancient times, those in charge of finances have always been the trusted confidants of their masters. Surely there must be no place where you can't have a word."

Those words were music to Manager Rong's ears. He felt a bit dizzy with praise, but fortunately, he still had his feet on the ground, "This time is different. Miss Xue Qing is in charge. She's Second Madam's maid who has been by her side since childhood. Let me give you a little insider information. If you genuinely want to participate, you'll need to seek out Miss Xue Qing. She's currently managing this matter at the estate."

Master Hai paused, "Brother Rong, can you give me a little more insight? Is it about silk textiles?"

At Meng Die's manor, there were many people involved in the activities of raising silkworms, spinning, and dyeing silk, making it impossible to keep the news a secret. However, Xue Qing had tightly controlled the finished silk carpets and instructed her subordinates not to disclose any details. As a result, everyone knew that Meng Die was engaged in silk weaving, but since they hadn't seen the final products, they assumed that the silk was likely intended for use by the lower-class servants.

Initially, Hai Cheng also shared this notion. But then he reconsidered and doubted that such an elaborate endeavor would be solely for the benefit of servants. He couldn't resist seeking a definitive answer from Manager Rong.

The fact that Hai Cheng sought out Manager Rong demonstrated his eagerness. Manager Rong, without playing hard to get, nodded in confirmation that it was indeed about silk production.

Hai Cheng's eyes widened. In recent years, the most profitable business at sea had been silk. Despite the decreasing prices of exported silk, the broader market demand had multiplied exponentially. Every merchant yearned to be part of the silk trade, even those dealing in porcelain and tea, as silk was simply too lucrative to ignore.

After parting with Manager Rong, Hai Cheng returned home, deep in thought. He didn't ponder for long before deciding to discuss the matter with his wife.

Hai Cheng's wife's family surname was Jiang, and they also made their living from the sea. In the previous dynasty, they were known as the Danhu, a class of pearl divers who led a grueling existence. When the Great Ancestor abolished this status and allotted them a stretch of tidal flats to sustain themselves, the entire clan was deeply grateful and dedicated to fishing in those waters. Every member of the clan, regardless of age or gender, was skilled in swimming and navigating fishing boats. For her to marry Hai Cheng, a prominent merchant, was truly a high-status union.

In his youth, Hai Cheng was fearless, and during high tide, he would still venture out in his small fishing boat. However, the sea taught him a harsh lesson when a giant wave swept him and his boat into the ocean. It was Jiang, rushing back home, who fortuitously witnessed the incident and saved him. Grateful for his life, Hai Cheng married Jiang.

The couple shared an exceptionally strong bond. In an era when taking concubines was legal, especially among the less conventional merchant class, Hai Cheng did not have a single concubine. Moreover, despite having only two daughters, he never sought to take another wife in hopes of having a son. Their eldest daughter is already married, while their youngest, at seventeen years old, has yet to be betrothed.

As Hai Cheng had no sons, his younger brothers and nephews had grown restless over the years. The ambitious aimed to challenge his position as head of the family, while the more cautious plotted to have themselves or their own sons adopted by Hai Cheng. This led to constant strife within the family.

Jiang, who had the courage to save someone in a stormy sea, was both brave and meticulous. Upon hearing Hai Cheng's words, she promptly replied, "We must involve ourselves in this matter; it certainly cannot be a trivial transaction as they claim."

Hai Cheng nodded, "That Second Lady has always been one to make grand moves when she does act. The fact that she's willing to send her personal maid to take charge shows how seriously she takes this matter. I just can't figure out what kind of silk textiles we're talking about. What could tasar silk possibly be used for?"

Jiang smiled, "Why are you thinking about this? Are you worried that this silk won't be as profitable as spices, and it wouldn't make sense for us to switch industries hastily?"

Hai Cheng chuckled, "I am indeed worried about that. Although spices aren't extremely lucrative now, it still depends on what we compare them to."

"Impossible," Jiang dismissed his concern outright. "Do you really think Manager Rong is being friendly by revealing such information to you? Forget it, that's not the case. If he truly believed in your friendship and wanted to give you a heads-up, why didn't he say anything during your first invitation? He waited two days before mentioning it again."

Hai Cheng understood, "You mean Manager Rong sought instructions from Second Lady."

Lady Jiang: "It's most likely true. If Second Aunt hadn't given her consent, Manager Rong wouldn't have divulged such information to you."

Hai Cheng pondered for a moment and then his face fell. He had thought that his charisma had fully captivated Manager Rong, leading him to seek friendship. In reality, he had been mistaken.

In an instant, Hai Cheng grasped another realization, and his heart raced with anticipation. "If Second Aunt allowed Manager Rong to share details, does that mean she's also interested in collaborating with us?" He couldn't help but worry. "If she's willing to cooperate, then this business deal..."

"It'll definitely be excellent," Lady Jiang reassured him. "People say that Second Aunt is ruthless, but I believe she's an unusually sincere person. Let's not talk about others; just look at ourselves. Back then, she sold seafood at exorbitant prices and became wealthy overnight, as if she took advantage of us. But could we have fetched such high prices for our seafood? It would have been fortunate not to have them go to waste, let alone sell at sky-high prices. Considering the normal market value of seafood, the ten thousand silver taels she offered for our catch was incredibly generous."

"Remember when Tamu's fur blankets were sold? Why did Tamu choose to sell to Second Aunt? Didn't she offer a higher price than others who were willing to buy them for twelve or thirteen thousand? Second Aunt paid twenty thousand silver taels, ensuring Tamu didn't suffer any loss. Otherwise, how could he have sold his goods so willingly?"

"Second Lady is known for her kindness. Since she's willing to collaborate with us, she won't let us suffer in any way. She's well aware of our spice business, so if this project succeeds, it will surely be more profitable than our current venture."

Jiang's words erased all remaining doubts in Hai Cheng's mind.

Hai Cheng nodded repeatedly. "You're right. Tomorrow, you should go to the estate and see if you can establish contact with Miss Xue Qing. I'll also pay a visit to Headman Wang to gauge his intentions."

Jiang nodded in agreement. "I'll bring Guanxing along as well."

Hai Cheng was taken aback. "Take your daughter there too?"

Madam Jiang said, "Miss Xue Qing is Lady De's maid from her dowry, so she must be young. Starwatcher would likely find it easier to communicate with someone of similar age. Besides, who says women are inferior to men? If Starwatcher helps Lady De complete this major transaction, she will one day become the head of the Hai family. Wouldn't your clansmen dare not argue against that?"

Hai Cheng pondered for a moment, his eyes brightening. "You're right. When the time comes to find a husband for Starwatcher, no one would dare object."

Madam Jiang's smile curled up her eyes. "Exactly. Isn't our daughter better than those good-for-nothing nephews of yours? They are nothing but gluttons and gamblers."

Hai Cheng touched his nose in slight embarrassment. While his nephews were not all as useless as his wife described, they indeed lacked the ability to manage the family affairs.

Having reached an agreement, the couple promptly began planning the matter. It was both challenging and straightforward; their objectives were to demonstrate loyalty and display their capabilities.

Madame Jiang's conjecture was accurate; Xue Qing indeed got along well with Hai Guanxing. Not only her, but Mei'er also found a pleasant rapport with him. The Hai family of three had the privilege of witnessing the finished silk carpet. They were immediately captivated by its exquisite beauty and could hardly believe that it was crafted from tasar silk.

Over at the Hai family's side, with such diligent efforts, Xue Qing and Mei'er consulted with Manager Wang, all of them concurring that the Hai family was a suitable choice. While Xue Qing was occupied with breaking down the steps of weaving, Mei'er seized the opportunity to return to the Marquis's residence and report to Meng Die, "Second Lady, Sister Xue Qing, Manager Wang, and I all think highly of the Hai family. This time, they have shown utmost sincerity, not holding back or testing the waters in the slightest."

Meng Die: "You seem to have quite an admiration for their family."

Mei'er nodded gracefully, "Indeed, the Astronomer is straightforward and generous. They handle matters efficiently and always fulfill their promises. Not a single empty word leaves their lips."

Meng Die: "Stargazing?"

Mei'er smiled. "It's Master Hai's youngest daughter. Master Hai doesn't have a son, so part of their business is currently managed by Miss Guanxing. She's only seventeen but incredibly capable."

Meng Die's heart stirred. The purpose of her silk rug project was to empower women and encourage them to participate in social activities beyond their households. If Hai Guanxing were to conduct business with her, her influence within the Hai family would significantly increase. With no son, Master Hai, Hai Guanxing might have a chance to compete for the role of head of the family with Meng Die's support.

If a woman like Hai Guanxing were to become the head of such a prominent merchant household, it would set a groundbreaking precedent for women taking charge in business matters.

Originally, Meng Die had been about five or six out of ten satisfied with what she'd heard about the Hai family. Now, that satisfaction had risen to at least eight out of ten. "Mei'er, when you return, tell them that Madam Jiang and Miss Hai are welcome to visit me whenever they have free time. I would also love to hear about life and customs overseas from them," she said.

Mei'er's face lit up with joy as she eagerly replied, "Aye." She was genuinely happy for Hai Guanxing.

Upon receiving this delightful news, Mei'er exchanged a few lighthearted words with Hulu and the others before preparing to return to the manor. Her first intention was to share the good news with Hai Guanxing, and secondly, the manor was swamped with work. Establishing a small dye workshop from scratch was no easy task; they needed to plan the daily quantity of silk threads to be dyed, ensuring not to delay even the slightest bit of Xue Qing's work.

Just as she stepped out of the house and reached the courtyard gate, Mother Zhao called out to her softly, "Miss Mei'er."

Mei'er halted in her tracks. "Mother Zhao, is there something you need?"

After a moment of hesitation, Mother Zhao continued in a hushed tone, "Miss, I overheard an argument at your sister-in-law's place yesterday."

Mei'er came to a complete stop and followed Mother Zhao into the room where she usually rested with Mother Wang. "Mother Zhao, what happened?"

Actually, it wasn't a significant matter. Mei'er's sister-in-law, He Shi, had returned to her natal home with her daughter without being formally dismissed. The He family was also struggling, which is why He Shi ended up marrying Mei'er's good-for-nothing brother.

Old Master He had passed away early, and Old Mistress He, a widow, held no sway within the Marquis's residence. She was afforded no respectable positions and thus had to resort to washing clothes, taking on miscellaneous odd jobs, and relying on the annual festival allowances from the Marquis's household to scrape by and raise her children.

I managed to arrange a marriage for my eldest son, but my second son, at twenty-three, still has no suitors. My youngest daughter, having just turned fourteen, can find no decent occupation and is confined to household chores, washing clothes and cooking meals.

This year, his family's situation has improved slightly. At the beginning of the year, Meng Die's manor required laborers for farming. Eldest Brother He and his wife took on the responsibility of managing twenty mu of land, finally ensuring a steady monthly income. As for Second Brother He, a piece of flesh was crushed from his little finger during his previous work, rendering him disabled. When Mother Fan was registering workers, the first requirement was that no disabled individuals be accepted. Hence, he wasn't chosen for farming.

Life had barely become more comfortable when Madam He decided to return home with her daughter, casting a further shadow over this already struggling household. Yet, the He family was united; with Madam He's return, neither her mother-in-law, her two brothers-in-law, nor her sister-in-law uttered any complaints. Instead, they spoke kindly, encouraging her to settle in with ease.

But being kind doesn't alter the reality of poverty; in impoverished households, even trivial matters can spark arguments. Yesterday, He Laoda's eldest son, Tietu, was playing with Mei'er's niece, Ya Dan, when they accidentally broke a bowl. Unable to hold back, A'Shao scolded her son, causing Tietu to cry. In turn, Ya Dan was frightened into tears.

Granny Zhao, who originally came from a similarly modest background and lived next door to the Hes, had overheard everything clearly. "Miss Mei'er, this matter has nothing to do with you. I just... I just..."

Mei'er hastily interrupted her, "Granny Zhao, how can this not concern me? After all, Ya Dan is my niece, and my sister-in-law was once kind to me. Whether it's out of affection or duty, I can't turn a blind eye. Thank you so much for telling me about this today."

Granny Zhao smiled bashfully. After living together for years, she knew that Mei'er wasn't an unfeeling person. She was also aware of the good relationship between Mei'er and her sister-in-law, which was why she dared to bring up the issue.

Mei'er pondered for a moment before returning to the courtyard in search of Lu Wei. "Sister Lu Wei, I'm going to buy some gifts and visit my sister-in-law and niece. There will be quite a few items, so I'll need to ask Granny Zhao and Granny Wang to help carry them later."

Lu Wei smiled. "If they're not enough, let Liu-er and the others assist as well."

"Well,"

Mei'er hastily exited the manor and boarded a carriage to purchase an assortment of pastries typically gifted during visits to relatives. Afterwards, she made her way to the shop of Proprietor Rong's sister, where she acquired four bolts of coarse cotton cloth and another four of fine cotton. With her errands thus completed, she returned to the rear courtyard of the Marquis's residence by carriage.

Venerable Aunt Zhao and Venerable Aunt Wang were waiting for her there. Upon seeing the carriage, they promptly assisted her in unloading the various gifts. They accompanied Mei'er on her way to the He residence.

By now, the seeds had been sown, and with little more to do in the fields than occasional weeding, the tasks were not demanding. The overcast sky on this particular day prompted Elder Brother He and Sister-in-Law He to forgo their journey to the manor for farming, opting instead to rest at home.

Elder Brother He was addressing Elder Sister He: "I think the mountain estate that Second Sister-in-law purchased earlier needs a major overhaul this year. It'll likely require quite a workforce. I'll keep an eye out for you; perhaps you could find work there."

Elder Sister He's eyes lit up. "Great, if we can really work there..."

"Ah, you're all at home?" A neighbor, who had been strolling outside, rushed over to deliver the news. "Miss Mei'er is coming this way, carrying quite a few items. She's accompanied by Mother Zhao and Mother Wang, both holding bolts of cloth."

Everyone in the house was taken aback and quickly went out to greet her. Just then, Mei'er arrived at the open courtyard gate.

Upon seeing Mei'er, He's eyes immediately misted over, and she hurried over. "Mei'er, why have you come?"

Mei'er: "I came to visit you and also to see my niece."

"Auntie, please come in and have a seat," Aunt He said nervously, unsure of what to say next.

With a smile on her lips, Mei'er greeted her, "Aunt, it's good to see you."

Upon entering the room, Aunt Zhao and Aunt Wang promptly set down their bolts of cloth, gave brief greetings, and left. Mei'er arranged the pastries and other items on the table in the center of the room. "I've been wanting to visit for a while but was always occupied. Today, I finally found some spare time."

He: "You didn't have to bring anything since you're already here."

Mei'er: "Which family doesn't bring gifts when visiting relatives? It's not like we're giving them to outsiders." Mei'er paused for a moment. "Given the situation now, I won't address you as my sister-in-law anymore. I'll call you 'jiejie'—from now on, you'll be my sworn elder sister."

Madam He hastily wiped her eyes and said, "Very well, from now on, we shall be sworn sisters."

Mei'er pulled out a small purse. "Sis, there are three hundred copper coins in here. Don't refuse just yet, listen to me. Which aunt doesn't dote on her nephews and nieces? The skilled ones even make clothes and socks for them. I truly don't have the time now, but starting next month, I'll give you three hundred coins. Use this money to buy some little treats for Ya Dan, as if they're from her aunt."

Three hundred copper coins – not even a noble lady or pampered young miss could spend that frivolously. The He family was well aware that this wasn't pocket money but sustenance. It likely covered at least half of He Shi's provisions. Mei'er had deliberated before giving this amount. As a daughter of the He family, it didn't make sense for her to fully support He Shi. Mei'er understood the principle that a gift of a handful of rice can be repaid with gratitude, but a gift of a bushel can breed resentment.

Occupied as she was, Mei'er only stayed for a brief moment, engaging in a short conversation before taking her leave.

Despite the brief duration, the impact was genuine. Mei'er's commitment to raising her young niece meant that Yadan was no longer a burden in the He family. Outsiders, particularly Old Second He, would no longer view her as an encumbrance.

On the contrary, with their close relationship with Mei'er and her favor from Second Grandma, the He family could anticipate not only prosperity but certainly an improved quality of life.

That very evening, someone came to the He residence to propose a match for Old Second He, filling the entire household with joy.

After leaving the He family, Mei'er immediately boarded a carriage and headed straight for the manor. Upon her return, she wasted no time in conveying this news to the Hai family.

Hai Cheng, Jiang Shi, and Hai Guanxing were overjoyed. Jiang Shi promptly composed a letter of respect. Hai Cheng, being cautious, feared interference from outsiders. To avoid suspicion, he didn't send anyone who usually accompanied him but instead chose unfamiliar faces.

Two days later, Jiang Shi escorted Hai Guanxing to the residence, their carriage humble and unassuming as it entered through the side gate of the marquis's estate. They alighted at the second gate, where Lu Wei personally welcomed them to the Qi Xia Yard. Meng Die awaited them in the main hall.

Madam Jiang and Hai Guanxing entered and immediately knelt, paying their respects: "Greetings to Lady County Master."

Meng Die hurriedly said, "Rise quickly. There's no need for such formalities in the inner chambers."

Hulu and Meihong promptly helped the two up. Meng Die dismissed their formalities, but Jiang and Hai Guanxing remained cautious; Meng Die held a legitimate noble title and imperial decree, making her an authentic official.

Meng Die gestured to the chair. "Have a seat."

Mother and daughter both expressed their gratitude, but only leaned halfway into their seats, not daring to sit fully. Hulu and Meihong served the tea, and they received it with both hands, demonstrating their deep adherence to etiquette.

Meng Die wore a warm expression on her face. "I've purchased items from your family before, and the quality was excellent. I thought to myself that your business is reputable and trustworthy. Later, I heard that your family specializes in overseas trade. I then wished to meet you to satisfy my curiosity. Unfortunately, the affairs of our household have been too busy, and I've never found the time."

Madam Jiang's lips curved into a smile. "We've also long wished to pay our respects to Second Lady. Unfortunately, just as we planned, turmoil broke out in the country with which we conduct trade, causing chaos. It has only recently calmed down."

Meng Die replied, "It truly seems like fate that our free time aligns. What caused the unrest there?"

Madam Jiang chose her words carefully. "Actually, it wouldn't be accurate to call it a war. Their situation is somewhat akin to the Warring States period in our land thousands of years ago. There were no large-scale conflicts, but small disputes persisted. In recent years, they've taken to sea exploration, and those smaller conflicts have diminished."

Meng Die: "What about the customs and traditions over there?"

Lady Jiang smiled. "That's hard to describe. It's just like here—customs can vary from one village to another, and the atmosphere changes within a hundred miles. Each place has its own unique ways."

Meng Die nodded. "That's true. Even within our own country, there are differences. Let alone in different countries. What do they like most about us?"

Lady Jiang looked at her daughter. "Guanxing knows more about this than I do. She has been there."

Meng Die's eyes lit up as she turned to Hai Guanxing. "So you've sailed across the sea too?"

Hai Guanxing: "I went along with Father just to make up the numbers. I haven't yet fully mastered the art of stargazing for navigation."

Meng Die suddenly understood, "Stargazing, stargazing for navigation - it holds this meaning. It's clear that your father has great expectations for you!"

Hai Guanxing smiled modestly.

Meng Die: "Please tell me in detail about the affairs of other countries."

Hai Guanxing observed, "Their realm seems to appreciate a different aesthetic, one less fond of the serene blue skies and ethereal ink-washed landscapes of our dynasty. They prefer vibrant colors instead. Also, the men there have a penchant for adorning themselves with various gemstones, which is quite distinct from our customs."

Observing Meng Die's nod, Hai Guanxing grew more confident: "In terms of jewelry, women in their land don't have as many hair accessory styles as in our dynasty, so they don't particularly favor our hairpins and the like. However, they do appreciate our intricately crafted hair ornaments, earrings, rings, and bracelets. They have a strong fondness for exquisite items, just like the silk carpet in Second Lady's hand – they would surely adore it. A rough estimate would be that we won't have any trouble selling 400,000 to 500,000 silk carpets per year."

"400,000 to 500,000," Meng Die calculated on the spot. "When our dynasty was first established, it was in ruins with everything needing restoration. Back then, the Ministry of Revenue collected less than three million silver taels annually. His Majesty the Great Ancestor worked tirelessly to govern the realm, and by the end of the Qiyuan period, the annual tax revenue had reached eight million taels. The late emperor continued the Great Ancestor's policies, allowing the people to live in peace and prosperity, resulting in an annual tax revenue of fifteen million taels towards the end of his reign."

"The current emperor loves his people like his own children, reducing taxes and thus encouraging population growth. He also opened more ports to increase commercial taxes. Three years ago, the revenue reached twenty-three million taels, surpassing the most prosperous era of the previous dynasty. In recent years, droughts in the northern provinces have slightly reduced the tax revenue, but it still remains above two million taels."

Jiang and Hai Guanxing exchanged bewildered glances, unsure why Meng Die had suddenly brought up these statistics.

Meng Die explained, "400,000 to 500,000 silk carpets would amount to four to five million silver taels, roughly one-fourth of our annual tax revenue."

A sudden stirring in Hai Guanxing's heart caused his eyes to widen abruptly.

Meng Die spoke deliberately, "These words leave my lips and enter your ears. Mulberry trees can be cultivated not only in the capital but also beyond the borders and in mountainous regions of the north. Hence, I have no intention of solely producing this silk carpet myself. Within a day or two, I intend to present a memorial to Her Majesty the Empress, requesting her imperial edict to promote the widespread adoption of this silk carpet technique in the north, enabling northern women to also earn their own silver by weaving silk, just as their southern counterparts do."

"Regardless of whether Her Majesty issues an edict, she will undoubtedly inquire into this matter in detail when summoning me, particularly about the potential demand for silk carpets abroad and the purchasing power of foreign nations. You are the experts in such matters, so I would appreciate it if you accompanied me. If Her Majesty were to ask, your insights would be more articulate and informative than mine alone."

Neither Jiang nor Hai Guanxing knew how they managed to leave Qixia Courtyard. Their legs were weak, their bodies felt weightless, and their minds were buzzing with confusion.

She floated into the carriage, oblivious to her surroundings as she left the Marquis's residence. The servants swiftly steered the carriage through a labyrinth of alleys, turning this way and that, ensuring they were not being followed before darting back to the Hai residence in a swift, silent rush.