Three days later, the Zhu family launched their ink paste, which also became a bestseller.

The Tang family’s regular ink had already been impacted by the Li family’s ink paste, with business notably declining. Now, with the Zhu family also releasing their ink paste, the Li and Zhu families joined forces to compete for the regular ink market. The results expanded severalfold immediately, not only capturing individual customers but also securing out-of-town merchants. The Li and Zhu families’ ink paste had begun to spread beyond the local market.

The reputation of ink paste spread throughout the country.

As more people used it, ink paste’s market share in the ink industry grew steadily higher.

These days, Manager Zhu could be seen strolling down the street every day, carrying a purple clay teapot and cup, sipping hot tea while occasionally glancing at the Tang family ink shop, chuckling as he watched the show unfold.

The once-crowded Tang family ink shop had become notably quiet. Second Young Master Tang, with his broken leg, couldn’t go anywhere and could only guard the shop while leaning on a crutch. Watching the steady stream of customers buying ink paste at both the Li and Zhu shops, his face grew darker by the day.

Consequently, he began taking out his frustrations on the shop assistants and servants with his crutch, daily firing employees or causing them to resign for various reasons.

“Manager Zhu, you seem quite leisurely,” said Zhen Niang, who had come to check on the Zhu family’s ink paste sales, finding Zhu Gui standing across from the Tang shop with a self-satisfied expression.

“Hehe, pardon my amusement, Miss Zhen, but after how badly the Tang ink pressured my Zhu ink before, seeing their business so quiet now brings me joy,” Zhu Gui replied frankly.

“What have you observed?” Zhen Niang asked.

“Nothing much, except that the Tang family has fired five shop assistants during this period. To be honest, this Second Young Master Tang isn’t capable. I suspect the morale at the Tang ink shop has begun to crumble,” Zhu Gui replied. When morale drops, it becomes difficult to lead the team.

“Crumbling already?” Zhen Niang frowned slightly. While Second Young Master Tang had such a temperament, Tang Ronghua’s behavior showed he could maintain control. Why would he allow Second Young Master Tang to cause such chaos?

As Zhen Niang pondered this, a middle-aged man approached the Tang ink shop. “Excuse me, young man, do you sell ink paste here?”

“Sir, we don’t have ink paste here, but both Li Ink and Zhu Ink shops nearby do,” replied the newly hired, honest shop assistant.

“Oh, thank you, young man.” The man cupped his hands in gratitude and headed toward the nearby Zhu ink shop.

“You useless fool! Who directs their own business to other shops?” Second Young Master Tang emerged from the back hall on his crutch just in time to witness this scene. Enraged beyond measure, he hurled his teacup at the assistant without hesitation.

Fortunately, the assistant dodged quickly. The cup didn’t hit his head but struck his body, soaking his clothes with tea. Though his clothes were wet, the assistant wasn’t injured. However, feeling wronged, he tried to explain: “They came asking for ink paste, and since we don’t have any, naturally we should direct them to shops that do.”

This statement further provoked Second Young Master Tang. Indeed, the Tang family didn’t have ink paste. During this period, Second Young Master Tang had mobilized the shop’s masters to research ink paste, but none had matched their competitors’ quality.

“If we don’t have it, can’t you think of other methods? Is this how you do business? I’ve taught you so many times about selling combs to monks, but you treat it all as background noise? Get out, get out, pack your things, and leave…” Second Young Master Tang nearly threw his crutch as well.

“Master, this is unreasonable! We signed a contract, and my family paid five taels of silver as an apprenticeship fee to learn at the ink shop. If you’re making me leave now, you need to return those five taels,” the assistant protested loudly.

“You dare ask for the silver back? Are you courting death? Be careful, or I’ll take you to the magistrate. With any random charge, your whole life will be ruined.” Seeing the assistant demand the return of his entrance fee, plus the commotion causing his leg to hurt again, Second Young Master Tang’s temper exploded, spewing whatever threats came to mind.

“Master, please calm down. This child just joined the shop and doesn’t understand the rules yet. To be honest, even I find it difficult to sell combs to monks, let alone this young man. Keep him on, and let him learn properly. I’m sure after this lesson, he’ll improve,” Zeng Yipin stepped forward to mediate.

“Stop playing the senior card here. I haven’t even started with you yet. You think you’re so capable? If you were, you wouldn’t have lost the ink competition against the Li family, humiliating me completely. The masters I hired at high prices are all just rice buckets…”

Second Young Master Tang’s words were too harsh. Zeng Yipin’s face turned purple with anger.

As a shop’s honored master craftsman, what owner doesn’t treat their masters with respect? In ancient times, someone of his position would have been equivalent to an honored guest. Yet Second Young Master Tang called him a rice bucket – who could tolerate such an insult?

“Very well, very well. If I’m a rice bucket, then I’ll eat my rice and drink my wine from now on, and won’t trouble the master for provisions anymore.” Zeng Yipin’s purple face had turned even darker. He cupped his hands toward Second Young Master Tang, clearly indicating his intention to quit.

“Leave?! After completely humiliating me, you want to leave? Let me tell you, if you dare leave the Tang family, I can have you blacklisted from the entire ink industry. Don’t think I’m just threatening you. Tang Ink is imperial tribute ink, and we’re an imperial tribute ink family. When I say I can blacklist you, I have that power. Just try it, and we’ll see which ink shop dares to hire you!!” Second Young Master Tang had gone mad, lashing out at everyone, now threatening Zeng Yipin.

Zeng Yipin was so angered by Second Young Master Tang that his vision blurred, and he nearly coughed up blood. Pointing at Second Young Master Tang with trembling lips, he could barely speak, only repeatedly saying, “You… you… you’re going too far…”

“This is going too far. How can anyone treat people like this? Master Zeng is a respected figure. Back then, the Wei family treated Master Zeng so well, almost like an honored guest,” By now, a crowd had gathered in front of the Tang ink shop. Second Young Master Tang hadn’t bothered to avoid onlookers since he first started berating the assistant, and now the commotion had drawn a huge crowd.

Seeing how the Tang family treated Zeng Yipin, people remembered how well the Wei family had treated him, and felt the Tang family was being excessive.

“He deserves it. After all, Zeng Yipin betrayed the Wei family,” someone in the crowd sneered.

“That’s not fair. The Wei family left Nanjing for Songjiang, should Zeng Yipin have followed them there?” someone else countered.

“You’ve got it wrong. It’s because Zeng Yipin left the Wei family and took some of their customers to the Tang family that the Wei family couldn’t stay in Nanjing and had to close shop and return to Songjiang. Hehe, Zeng Yipin is getting what he deserves… serves him right…” The speaker had some grievances against Zeng Yipin.

The crowd responded with sighs and head-shaking.

By this time, Zeng Yipin had finally caught his breath. Without another word, he went inside the shop and emerged shortly after with a bundle on his back.

“Master Zeng, Master Zeng, what are you doing?” Tang Ronghua came running from the back hall to the entrance.

It was just after noon when Tang Ronghua, who had been checking the accounts inside, received word that his second brother was berating people again. He had intended to come out and mediate, but unexpectedly found Zeng Yipin packed and ready to leave. He couldn’t let this happen and rushed out to stop him.

“Master Zeng, my second brother has a rough temperament and speaks harshly. Please don’t mind him. I implore you to stay,” Tang Ronghua said sincerely.

“Third Miss, thank you for your regard, but I cannot stay at the Tang ink shop any longer. A tree needs its bark as a man needs his face. I cannot stay where I’ve lost all dignity. If you want to blacklist me, then so be it.” With that, Zeng Yipin left without looking back.

“Break it up, break it up, what are you all standing around for?” Several shop assistants hurried to disperse the crowd.

“Si’er, notify all the shops: whoever dares to take in Zeng Yipin is making an enemy of the Tang family. Don’t blame us for being ruthless when the time comes,” Second Young Master Tang ordered a nearby assistant.

Si’er, also known as Tang Si’er, had grown up alongside Second Young Master Tang and was considered his confidant.

Tang Ronghua gave her second brother a cold look but said nothing before turning to leave, letting him continue his rampage.

“Well, Miss Zhen, interested in hiring Zeng Yipin?” Zhu Gui, who had been watching the show from across the street, asked Zhen Niang.

“Oh? Doesn’t Manager Zhu want to recruit such talent?” Zhen Niang countered.

“I’d like to, but my Zhu Ink’s pond is too small to accommodate a true dragon-like Zeng Yipin. This fellow started as a clerk in an ink shop and has been in the ink business for decades. He’s worked at almost every significant ink shop in Nanjing. He’s talented, but my establishment is too small for him,” Zhu Gui chuckled.

He continued, “However, he truly has exceptional skills. He can immediately tell the age and approximate composition of any ink that passes through his hands. He can instantly distinguish between high, medium, and low grades, and knows which workshop produced each ink stick. He’s considered Nanjing’s top ink appraiser and knows everything about Nanjing’s ink industry. Your Li family could certainly use him, but if the Tang family implements their blacklist, we might want to avoid getting involved in this mess. It could be troublesome.”

“I’m not afraid of trouble. Let’s wait and see,” Zhen Niang replied before strolling back to the Li ink shop.

Inside the shop, everyone was discussing Zeng Yipin’s situation.

For the following period, the biggest gossip in Nanjing’s ink industry was about Zeng Yipin. After leaving the Tang family, he applied to several stationery shops and ink establishments. Although several appreciated his skills, the Tang family’s blacklist threat loomed large. Their status as imperial tribute ink makers made them industry leaders, and no one dared to offend them. Just as Second Young Master Tang had predicted, no one dared to hire Zeng Yipin.

Now, where Zeng Yipin would “land” became the most watched event in Nanjing’s ink industry.