The mid-competition change of ink testers was unprecedented, breaking established conventions. If future failed tribute ink candidates blamed their losses on the ink testers, it would create significant problems for the Ink Affairs Bureau.
“Changing the testing method midway – doesn’t this violate the rules?” Elder Tian, who had been sitting quietly without speaking until now, suddenly spoke up.
“Brother Tian, how does this violate any rules?” Manager Li responded with a stern expression. “The same masters are still testing, we’ve merely changed the inkstone and writing materials. The ink-removing stone and fine white jade testing board minimize individual technique factors, allowing for a simpler and more direct demonstration of the ink’s true qualities. This could become a standard testing method for future tribute ink selections.”
Manager Li’s words startled everyone. They had assumed the Li family was dissatisfied with the three ink testers and would surely demand different people for the retest. After all, testing on fine white jade boards had nothing to do with individual calligraphy techniques – anyone could do it. Yet the Li family specifically requested the same three testers, which was quite thought-provoking.
When Yuan Bai, Kang You, and the others heard Manager Li’s words, their previously ashen faces immediately flushed red. They all looked at the Li family with excitement. It was truly a case of finding hope when all seemed lost.
They hadn’t expected the Li family would give them another chance.
Like everyone else, they had assumed the Li family would demand different testers. If the new test proved Li ink superior to Tian ink, their reputations would be ruined, leaving them with no standing in the industry.
But if they conducted the test themselves using the fine white jade boards – a simple, direct method difficult to falsify – then proving Tian ink superior would validate their earlier judgment. If Li ink proved better, it would only show their techniques weren’t suitable for Li ink, without damaging their reputation. Technical skills could be improved, but once reputation was lost, their career in this field would be over.
They wouldn’t even be able to hold their heads up in public.
The Li family’s move essentially gave them a graceful way out, and they couldn’t help feeling grateful.
Subsequently, Yuan Bai, Kang You, and Lu Chong all stood up and cupped their hands to Official Liu: “Your Honor, we are willing to test again. Young Miss Li’s points were valid. We’ve reflected deeply and perhaps our techniques did indeed limit Li ink’s potential. We agree to test again using the fine white jade boards.”
At this point, the Tian family had nothing more to say. Official Liu also breathed a sigh of relief – replacing the ink testers would have been a slap in the face to the Ink Affairs Bureau since they had selected the testers.
Zhenniang observed everyone’s expressions. While she had initially wanted to change testers, seeing their reactions made her deeply appreciate the wisdom of the elderly. Her grandfather’s approach was best.
Official Liu had someone bring the ink-removing stone and fine white jade boards for the three testers to begin.
Testing ink on fine white jade boards involved various dots, lines, variations in ink density and lightness, as well as layering of dots upon dots, lines upon lines, and the intersection of dots and lines.
Tian ink’s performance was actually quite impressive – being tribute ink already proved its quality. However, it ultimately lost to Li ink in the layering of lines.
After three layers, Tian ink’s layers became indistinguishable. Li ink maintained clarity through five layers – examining the sides of the lines carefully revealed all five distinct brush strokes, clearly demonstrating superiority over Tian ink.
Finally, Li Family’s Four Harmonies Ink succeeded in becoming tribute ink. After twenty years, the Li family had finally become a tribute ink merchant.
When Official Liu announced the results, Old Madam Li’s tears flowed freely.
“Old Master, in the netherworld, I can face the Li ancestors with pride,” Old Madam Li mumbled with trembling lips.
“Seventh Brother, you can rest in peace now.” Manager Li’s eyes were also red. Years ago, because of Li Jingfu, the Li family lost their tribute ink rights, and Seventh Brother died in despair. This had always weighed heavily on Manager Li’s heart. Though it couldn’t completely make up for past regrets, it was at least some form of closure.
Zhenniang’s emotions were complex. Since arriving in this era and taking over Li ink, everything has been building toward this day. Her feelings were like those of a farmer – spring planting, summer toiling, and now autumn harvesting.
The joy of harvest was written all over her face. Besides her, Luo Wenqian also shared in the Li family’s happiness.
“Imperial Edict! Imperial Edict!” Just then, a royal decree arrived.
“…Immediately select tribute ink merchant, and have them produce ink to compete against the Japanese in ink crafting skills two months hence…”
This imperial edict immediately stirred up Huizhou’s ink industry like boiling porridge.
The evening was approaching, with fine rain still falling, washing the stone-paved streets particularly clean. Each shallow puddle could reflect people’s shadows.
The teahouses along the street were extraordinarily lively, everyone discussing the recently concluded tribute ink competition.
“If I’d known, I would have bet on the Li family. How could the Tian family be so useless? They had the Xu family backing them and still lost to the Li family. I lost quite a bit of money,” an old man complained with a pained expression.
“What’s so special about the Xu family? Let me tell you, the Xu family is in big trouble now – they can’t even worry about the Tian family. Besides, the tribute competition is about skill and ability. The Tian family is still a step behind the Li family,” an elderly scholar responded.
“The Xu family is in trouble? Scholar Ruan, is there some inside information? Do tell,” the previous man asked eagerly with a gossip-hungry expression.
“Hmm…” Scholar Ruan pondered with a knowing look.
“Quick, tell us! We’ll cover your tea bill,” several people pressed urgently.
Scholar Ruan finally spoke slowly: “Do you remember Pillar’s wife, who tried to poison herself and her two children with rat poison during New Year’s two years ago?”
“Yes, yes, she was Jiang Niang’s daughter. Wasn’t it because of those silkworms? Later, Young Master Luo happened to pass by and gave Jiang Niang silver to save the three of them,” someone said, then frowned. “What? How could she be connected to the Xu family?”
“After Pillar passed, didn’t he leave them a few poor fields? She has a cousin called Niu Shuaner, who’s one of Young Master Tian’s lackeys. This fellow is quite cunning and had been eyeing Pillar’s wife’s fields for a while. Fortunately, she had her maternal family’s protection, and everyone knew Niu Shuaner was no good, so he couldn’t make his move. But recently, this fellow somehow found connections through Young Master Tian and ‘donated’ Pillar’s wife’s fields to Young Master Xu’s name. Once the fields entered the Xu family’s pocket, who would dare question the Xu family? Pillar’s wife had nowhere to turn for justice. Now, with Official Hai here, Pillar’s wife filed a complaint against Niu Shuaner and the Xu family a few days ago. Official Hai left yesterday, supposedly heading to Songjiang. Isn’t the Xu family in Songjiang? Given Official Hai’s reputation for justice, even the Xu family would have a headache. Isn’t that trouble?”
“Oh, now I understand. Serves them right!” the onlookers nodded in comprehension.
“Even the Li family’s tribute ink rights didn’t come easy – they’ve gotten themselves into huge trouble,” Scholar Ruan continued.
“What trouble?” someone asked.
“Haven’t you heard about the Emperor’s edict requiring the tribute ink winner to compete against the Japanese?” Scholar Ruan asked in return.
“Of course, we’ve heard – as soon as the competition ended, this news spread everywhere,” the previous person said, adding, “Isn’t this a good thing? The Li family received the imperial edict – it’s a chance to bring honor to their ancestors.”
“But what if the Li family loses? How could the court not hold them accountable? This is a competition where victory is mandatory and defeat is not an option,” Scholar Ruan said, then sipped his tea.
“That’s true,” others nodded in agreement. Everyone knew the imperial family showed no mercy.
…
At the Tian residence.
“Haha, let them compete! I’ll let them compete until they drop the stone on their own feet. Father’s move was brilliant. Once the Li family fails, the tribute ink rights will return to us, and we’ll finally be rid of the Li family,” Tian Er said gleefully upon returning home.
“Shut up! Get out!” Elder Tian glared at Tian Er. This boy was hopeless. It was unfortunate that his eldest son had taken the fall for him, and after his wife died, the eldest had grown distant.
Otherwise, he would never have passed the family business to this second son.
“Father, I didn’t say anything wrong,” Tian Er responded sullenly after being scolded by his father. Earlier, Third Sister had mentioned that the Japanese had thousand-year pine soot and premium sea dragon glue.
With only two months, accounting for ink drying time, they had at most one month for production. Where could the Li family find such materials?
“You… you ignorant fool! With your attitude, you won’t be able to preserve the Tian family business,” Elder Tian’s face reddened with anger as he sat there breathing heavily.
Tian Ronghua quickly helped her father calm down, then snapped at Tian Er: “Second Brother, if Father tells you to leave, then leave.”
“Fine, I’m leaving!” Tian Er stormed out angrily. He felt furious inside – when Big Brother was around, he had to mind Big Brother’s feelings, and after Big Brother went to prison, he still had to consider Third Sister’s feelings. What kind of world was this?
“Father, don’t be angry. Your health is important,” Tian Ronghua urged after her second brother left.
“Do you also think that Father deliberately avoided competing with the Li family today because of the Japanese ink competition, waiting for the Li family to fail so we can take advantage?” After catching his breath, Elder Tian asked.
“Competing with the Japanese is indeed very dangerous. Father’s decision isn’t wrong – a wise person doesn’t stand beneath a dangerous wall,” Tian Ronghua replied. In today’s competition, the Li family won the tribute ink rights using the Dongpo testing method, but this method was too simple to be the sole deciding factor. If the Tian family had protested, the Li family wouldn’t have gotten the tribute ink rights, though neither would the Tian family – today might have ended in deadlock.
But in the end, Father had directly conceded, clearly wanting to avoid the Japanese ink competition.
“You’re confused too.” Elder Tian sighed deeply. The third daughter still fell short compared to her eldest brother. If his eldest were here, he would understand his intentions.
Still, being a girl, Third daughter was already quite good. It was just unfortunate that compared to the Li family’s girl, the Third daughter’s perspective was still somewhat limited. Manager Li was truly blessed to have such a granddaughter.
The reason he gave up was because the Tian family couldn’t disgrace Hui ink. In this ink competition, only the Li family could uphold Hui Ink’s banner. That’s why he conceded.
“Help me to the study,” Elder Tian said.
Tian Ronghua quickly helped Elder Tian to the study.
“Roll up that painting,” Elder Tian pointed to a peony painting hanging on the wall.
Tian Ronghua didn’t know what her father intended but followed his instructions. Rolling up the painting revealed a hidden compartment behind it.
“Open it.”
Tian Ronghua opened the compartment to find a heavy jar inside: “Father, what’s in it?”
“It’s thousand-year pine soot. Take it to the Li family,” Elder Tian said. He had obtained this soot by chance, and it was precisely because of this soot that he had first become interested in entering the ink business.
“Thousand-year pine soot? Father, if we had this, why did you give up the tribute ink competition?” Tian Ronghua asked with surprise and some regret.
“With our family’s ink-making methods, it would be difficult to bring out this pine soot’s special qualities. We would ultimately lose. Go now – this competition with the Japanese isn’t just the Li family’s battle, but all of Huizhou’s. The Tian family shouldn’t let others look down on us,” Elder Tian said.
“Yes, Father, I’ll go right away.” Hearing her father’s words, Tian Ronghua nodded and left with the jar. Father was right – the Tian family couldn’t let others look down on them.
Li Zhenniang, the Tian family has done its part. Now it’s up to the Li family to prove their worth.