Chapter 758: Huge Contribution
At the Li Family Porcelain Workshop.
Recently, Li Shaoliangwas inspired to strive for greater success.
Fortune favors the diligent, and his business has been doing very well lately. He even learned that a friend of his needed to purchase a batch of porcelain for a longevity banquet, so he arranged a meeting to select porcelain at the kiln. However, upon entering the kiln, he encountered a scene he wished not to see. Chu Qingshuang and Yan Helin were examining some porcelain pieces, talking and laughing joyously.
Seeing this, he immediately abandoned his friend and approached them, “Qingshuang, what are you discussing?”
Chu Qingshuang hurriedly showed Li Shaoliang the porcelain, “We’ve made these. What do you think?”
Li Shaoliang wanted to spitefully criticize, but seeing Chu Qingshuang’s hopeful gaze, he swallowed his words and decided to take a good look first.
At this moment, his friend joined them, “Who made this porcelain?”
Yan Helin responded, “Qingshuang made it. She succeeded on her third attempt, perfectly crafting the porcelain. It’s quite remarkable.”
The friend examined the porcelain Li Shaoliang was holding, “This is innovative and beautiful, indeed impressive. How do you plan to sell this porcelain?”
Yan Helin replied, “This is a new type of porcelain, and we haven’t discussed its sale yet. But if the young master is genuinely interested, we could offer it at a discounted rate.”
The friend nodded, “How about fifty taels of silver each?”
Since they hadn’t consulted with experts for a precise pricing, Yan Helin said,
“Let me inquire first, and I’ll get back to you shortly.”
The friend agreed, “Alright, go ahead.”
Yan Helin took the porcelain and left.
Chu Qingshuang invited Li Shaoliang and his friend to the reception room for tea, preparing to discuss business. At this point, Li Shaoliang pulled Chu Qingshuang aside, leaving her confused.
Li Shaoliang struggled to find the right words, “Qingshuang, could you stop making porcelain with Yan Helin?”
Chu Qingshuang tilted her head, “Is there something wrong with him?” Didn’t they clear up any misunderstandings last time?
“I’m just worried that he…” Li Shaoliang faltered, “Yan Helin is a man, and you’re a woman. Being too close might spark rumors.”
Chu Qingshuang hurriedly said, “Don’t spout nonsense.”
Li Shaoliang added, “I trust you both, but rumors are harmful. If any negative talk spreads, it would reflect poorly on you.”
What kind of lame excuse was this? He couldn’t help but despise himself.
Chu Qingshuang thought about it and felt that Li Shaoliang was right. She should be more careful. “This porcelain is already done. I won’t discuss porcelain with him anymore.”
Li Shaoliang heaved a sigh of relief. “Alright, it’s settled then.”
Returning to the reception room, Chu Qingshuang continued discussing the porcelain with Li Shaoliang’s friend, hoping to finalize the deal.
The porcelain, designed by Yan Helin and produced by Chu Qingshuang, would grant her half the profits from sales according to their agreement.
The friend, highly interested in the porcelain after Chu Qingshuang’s pitch, decided, “If the price is right, I’ll order ten pieces.”
“Okay.”
Without waiting long, Yan Helin returned, “How many pieces do you plan to order?”
The friend glanced at Chu Qingshuang, “As we agreed, if the price is right, I’ll order ten pieces.”
Yan Helin readily agreed, “Alright, it’s sold to you at the price you mentioned.” The three of them signed a contract, agreeing to deliver the goods in three days.
Chu Qingshuang was overjoyed. From now on, she was officially a porcelain master!
In the porcelain industry, once you sell your own crafted porcelain, you’re recognized as an official porcelain master, qualifying to open your own kiln. However, Chu Qingshuang wouldn’t start her own kiln, not wanting to disregard her master’s nurturing and guidance.
Next, Chu Qingshuang made a sample porcelain piece and placed it in Li Shaoliang’s shop. As long as this type of porcelain sells, she would receive a share of the profits.
Perhaps it was luck, but as soon as the sample was displayed, someone ordered five pieces, thrilling Chu Qingshuang so much that she remained excited even after returning home.
After Li Zhenzong found out about this, he once again expressed his disdain for his youngest son. It was now more difficult for him to catch up to Qingshuang!
At Chu Xialan’s house.
Seeing Chu Qingzhi approaching, Chu Xialan warmly greeted her, “Sister Qingzhi.”
Chu Qingzhi smiled, “My mother mentioned you have piglets for sale; I came to take a look.”
Chu Xialan quickly invited her in, “Please, this way.”
The sow and piglets were kept in a pen in the backyard. Approaching, the lively sounds of the piglets could be heard.
Chu Xialan explained, “We have two sows that gave birth to twenty-five piglets in total. Sister Qingzhi, if you take them all, I can give you a discount.”
Chu Qingzhi scanned the piglets, finding them healthy and easy to raise, Do you know where else I can find piglets?”
Chu Xialan thought for a moment, “Not in our village, but Sun Village has many. You can check there.”
“Thank you, I will,” Chu Qingzhi responded, “I’ll take all your piglets once the pigpen is ready.”
Chu Xialan agreed, “That works. The piglets still need some time to grow.”
After chatting for a bit, Chu Qingzhi left for Tang Jinghong at the foot of the mountain.
Tang Jinghong was cutting grass at the mountain’s base for the horses, as Da Bai was too busy to care for the foals.
Approaching Tang Jinghong, Da Bai also came over, bringing a young foal.
The foal, about a month old and somewhat weak, grew up being fed by various families without a mother horse’s care.
Da Bai, seeking praise, nudged Chu Qingzhi, as if to say, “Look, I brought you another horse. Praise me, please?”
Chu Qingzhi patted Da Bai’s head, “Good job, you’ll get a piece of meat as a reward.”
Delighted, Da Bai rolled around happily.
Tang Jinghong, admiring the young horse, appreciated Da Bai even more, “Keeping Da Bai is like inviting wealth.”
A horse costs quite a bit of silver. Now that Da Bai keeps bringing horses home, the family saves money on purchasing horses, contributing significantly.
Da Bai, enjoying Tang Jinghong’s praise, affectionately nuzzled him.
Chu Qingzhi said, “Jinghong, I’ll take the foal back to the horse stable to find some milk.”
There were lactating mares in the horse stable that could feed the foal.
Tang Jinghong said, “Okay.”
Chu Qingzhi beckoned the foal, which, understanding her gesture, blinked its large eyes and followed.
Da Bai stayed behind, a bit tired, planning to rest for a while before returning with Tang Jinghong..