Chapter 85

Chapter 85

Shen Yuan had barely given out the licensing rights for the clothing for a single day when he was approached at the Storytellers' Union by jewelry merchants.

A whole group had gotten wind of it and come running.

One of them was the owner of the jewelry shop opposite the Ji Family Teahouse, and a devoted listener of Shen Yuan's storytelling.

Seeing Shen Yuan, the man looked as if he had seen a long-lost relative.

"President Shen! Those people from Westmoon Country are truly awful! They hold up our Wu Country's goods, and even if they release any, it's only defective products. The jewelry business is tough, really tough!"

Shen Yuan watched the little old man putting on an act, adopting a look of concern. "Is that so? Can't the Trade Bureau at the border handle this?"

The Trade Bureau was set up by various countries along the border, located close to each other, specifically to deal with such issues.

Hearing Shen Yuan mention the Trade Bureau, Fan Qiuyuan's expression turned serious. He shook his head dejectedly, "It's no use. We've tried everything we could, it's simply no use. Westmoon Country's jewelry crafting techniques and designs are the best among all nations. They just won't give them to our Wu Country. Other countries are clamoring for them, and the Trade Bureau won't intervene over such a small order."

Although his earlier words were exaggerated, the problems faced by the jewelry shops were acute.

It wasn't just this one jewelry shop, nor was it just the shops in Qingyun County.

Fan Qiuyuan's words earned nods of agreement from everyone present.

Westmoon Country's jewelry and dance were famous among the nations; no other country's jewelry and dancers combined could match Westmoon's. Consequently, all nations highly prized Westmoon's jewelry, and the nobility would only watch dances performed by Westmoon dancers.

"Who knows if another war is on the horizon. Westmoon's attitude was bad before, but now it's even worse. Our skills aren't up to par, so there's nothing we can do but grin and bear it." The thought of all the hard-earned money he had poured in, only for it to come to nothing, pained Fan Qiuyuan deeply. "This time, when our Wu Country merchant caravan went to Westmoon to purchase jewelry, we were stopped outside the shops by Westmoon staff and not allowed to enter. When we argued, they just said, 'If you don't want to buy, then leave.'

"In the end, we could go in to choose, but only from the defective section. The prices were high, and the quality was poor. The whole time, the Westmoon people looked down their noses at us, without a hint of friendliness."

Fan Qiuyuan clasped his hands together, his face full of worry. "President Shen, what kind of way is this to act? Is our Wu Country's silver not silver? Is it more base than that of other nations?"

Other jewelry shop owners chimed in, "Exactly! Our Wu Country's jewelry might not be as good as theirs, but that's no reason to treat us like this. We're all paying good money, what's the difference? Why does it have to be this way?"

Shen Yuan thought for a moment; actually, Westmoon Country's behavior wasn't difficult to grasp.

Because Wu Country wasn't just lacking in jewelry; it was looked down upon by other nations in other aspects as well.

Although called Wu Country, its martial prowess wasn't the strongest, but fortunately, it wasn't the weakest either.

However, Wu Country people seemed to have a poor reputation abroad, said to be uncouth and unreasonable. The other nations had given them a nickname: the Wu barbarians.

Westmoon Country was also close with North Country, which was indeed strong in all aspects among the nations.

The North Country royal family even claimed to possess legitimate lineage, having many things other nations lacked.

Before the "Tale of Mortal and Ghost" story emerged, only North Country had ritual sacrifice traditions.

Other nations wishing to perform sacrifices either had to be in good standing with North Country, offering them significant concessions. If North Country was satisfied, they would allow envoys from that country to observe and study.

But they could only learn the surface-level practices. The core, deeper knowledge was always hidden by North Country, never truly taught to outsiders.

Otherwise, North Country's claim to legitimacy would be greatly undermined, as it would no longer be the sole exception.

Based on the basic information he knew, Shen Yuan turned the situation over in his mind. To solve the jewelry issue, there were only two paths.

One was for Wu Country to become powerful. Then Westmoon would treat Wu Country favorably, just like they treated North Country.

The other was to develop their own craftsmanship, no longer relying on Westmoon Country.

Thinking this, Shen Yuan also understood why these jewelry shop owners were more anxious and came in greater numbers than the cloth merchants.

They were truly at their wits' end, with no way out.

Shen Yuan took Fan Qiuyuan by the arm and motioned for the other jewelry shop owners to sit down as well, comforting them, "It's alright. Let's think of a solution together. We'll get through this together."

Fan Qiuyuan and the others looked at Shen Yuan, asking uncertainly, "President Shen, what do you mean by that? Are you agreeing to give us the production and sales rights for the jewelry from both stories?"

"We are all people of Qingyun, all people of Wu Country." Shen Yuan said sincerely, "Seeing you so troubled by this matter, I will naturally help if I can."

Everyone thought Shen Yuan was joking. Although they were from the same place, they weren't kin after all. Why would he agree to help them so readily?

But Shen Yuan was serious. He said he would help, and he meant it, immediately starting to discuss how to proceed.

Fan Qiuyuan and the others, setting aside their astonishment, quickly focused intently on listening.

"The designs are all I can provide; the difficulty lies in the crafting." Shen Yuan spelled it out plainly. "As for making them, it depends on the artisans' skills and the materials. What is each of your families best at? Tell me."

With Shen Yuan taking the lead, Fan Qiuyuan immediately followed, "My family can procure raw materials—all kinds of gemstones, jade, and pearls."

Perhaps because Shen Yuan spoke with genuine sincerity, Fan Qiuyuan also opened up, speaking honestly without any pretense. "However, we can't get the absolute top-grade quality. The best we can manage is mid-to-high grade, and even that quantity won't be large, at most enough for three or four pieces."

Anything higher-grade was beyond the reach of someone of his station.

Another jewelry shop owner said, "The artisans in my family are good with hairpins and similar items, strong on inlay work, less so on carving."

"My family's artisans are strong on carving, less so on inlay."

"My family is skilled at making tassels and delicate fasteners."

"My family can make ear ornaments."

Everyone spoke up one after another, each stating what their family excelled at.

Shen Yuan figured it out in his mind, "That settles it. I'll provide a set of jewelry designs, and we'll all work together to make them. Each family contributes their most expert, unique craft."

Fan Qiuyuan and the others looked at each other.

Their eyes were full of hesitation and surprise.

Was this even possible?

Shen Yuan didn't beat around the bush, stating bluntly, "My jewelry designs, if you don't combine your efforts to create them, no single family can possibly make them alone."

That might be true, but hearing it stated so bluntly was rather jarring.

Fan Qiuyuan shifted his posture to ease the awkwardness and, after a slight hiss, said, "Well, President Shen, then once the jewelry is made, whose will it be considered? And how will the profits be divided?"

Shen Yuan pondered for a moment before replying, "Consider it Qingyun County jewelry. After it's made, set a total price based on time and material costs. Then each family takes a share of the profits according to their level of contribution. If you want to discuss this, we can do it now."

Fan Qiuyuan and the others were stunned again, voicing their doubts once more.

Was this even possible?

After a moment of silence, everyone looked grave and said they needed to discuss it further.

The whole purpose of making jewelry was to solve the issue of Westmoon Country blocking Wu Country's jewelry. Shen Yuan wasn't in a hurry for an answer; ultimately, it all depended on Fan Qiuyuan and the others' choice.

He was well aware that this matter involved each family's trade secrets and was a significant issue for them.

It might even require going against ancestral instructions.

With a little over two weeks left until the New Year, Shen Yuan went to the yamen in the afternoon. Together with Guo Mingchen and Xu Kangfu, he distributed the New Year gifts that had been purchased earlier.

"Registrar Shen wants us to collect New Year gifts!" A member of the Martial Blade Faction excitedly ran to the Blade Officers' Quarters to spread the word.

Shen Yuan happened to run into him when he arrived, so he simply asked the man to call everyone over, saving himself another trip.

The areas for the Martial and Civil Blade Factions in the Blade Officers' Quarters were no longer as strictly divided as before. After the fire rescue and the reconstruction of the western part of the city, the relationship between the two sides had grown much closer.

Both the Martial and Civil Blades were taken aback when they heard the news.

In all their years working at the yamen, this was the first time they had heard of the office actually giving out New Year gifts.

In previous years, it had always been them giving gifts to their superiors.

The New Year gifts Shen Yuan prepared were simple: millet, malt sugar, rice cakes, and pork.

There were four items in total, and the rice cakes had just been delivered fresh from the confectionery shop that day.

Except for the pork, which was bound with straw twine, everything else was packed in linen bags.

The Martial Blades were overjoyed when they received their gifts.

It was all stuff they could use, and even the linen bags would come in handy at home.

These gifts were truly wonderful!

In the past, the Civil Blades wouldn’t have felt much about such items.

But after the reconstruction of the western part of the city, they deeply understood what a luxury food and sweets were for the people at the bottom.

They carefully stored their gifts. Even if their own families didn’t lack food, after what they’d been through, they knew all too well what it felt like to go hungry.

They would never waste a single bite.

As the Martial and Civil Blades headed out after collecting their gifts, some Civil Blades gave their portions directly to their Martial Blade pals.

"Don’t take this the wrong way—I just want you to have more to eat. You have many children at home, so how much of this will actually reach your own mouth? Take it, take it. If you don’t, you’re looking down on me."

"Hey, didn’t you say your wife is a great cook? Here, take this. I’m coming over to your place for dinner today to try her cooking. Don’t say I’m eating too much!"

"Who’s looking down on you? Since you’re giving it to me specially, I promise to have an extra helping and not let your kindness go to waste, haha!"

"Sure thing! Let’s head out together after our shift. I’m not bragging, but my wife’s stewed meat is absolutely delicious!"

The Martial and Civil Blades chatted and laughed as they walked. Some passing civil officials were used to it by now.

After seeing it for these past weeks, the way they used to be at each other's throats seemed like a distant memory.

When Shen Yuan distributed the gifts, he followed the official quotas, giving them according to each official’s rank.

Deputy Magistrate Wang received the most, as he was the highest-ranking official currently in the yamen.

In addition to several times the weight of the food items, charcoal was also included.

Deputy Magistrate Wang hadn’t received such simple and unadorned "New Year gifts" in a long time. When he told his old servant to take them, the servant almost couldn’t believe that these items were actually meant for Master Wang.

As the old servant carried the items to the carriage, he grumbled, "This Registrar Shen is really something, daring to give such shabby things as New Year gifts."

Deputy Magistrate Wang paused slightly as he boarded the carriage, recalling how Shen Yuan had personally delivered the gifts, sweating from the effort but still smiling happily. "Wishing Deputy Magistrate Wang a happy New Year in advance! I heard you have trouble with your teeth, so I specially chose pork belly. Here’s a recipe—follow this, and the meat will be tender, flavorful, and easy to chew. It’s delicious! But remember to eat in moderation."

Shen Yuan had handed Deputy Magistrate Wang a piece of cloth with the pork belly recipe written on it and said sincerely before leaving, "Eat well and live a long, healthy life!"

Deputy Magistrate Wang kept replaying Shen Yuan’s words in his mind, and the recipe in his arms seemed to burn with warmth.

He reached out to help the old servant carry the heavy meat. "Don’t speak of him like that. Actually, Xiao Yuan is a good kid."

After so many years in officialdom, this was the first time he had encountered such sincere well-wishes, completely free of any ulterior motives.

The old servant immediately said, "This servant spoke out of turn."

Deputy Magistrate Wang, feeling uplifted by the genuine wishes, replied, "It’s fine. Let’s make a detour to the pharmacy—I need to buy something."

"Yes."