“Brother Shao, how should we handle these letters?” After reading through them, Zhen Niang asked Manager Shao.
“The decision is yours, Miss Zhen, though it would be best if we could retain them. These craftsmen are all highly skilled,” Manager Shao replied after careful consideration.
“But how can we keep them? Many are complaining about our low wages, some even comparing them to the new rates offered by the Tian family. Should we raise their pay?” Zhen Niang asked thoughtfully.
“That depends on your judgment, Miss Zhen. However, by Huizhou ink-making standards, their wages are not low. More importantly, the accounts are depleted – we couldn’t afford higher wages even if we wanted to,” Manager Shao’s expression grew somber.
The pine plague had placed the entire Huizhou ink industry in dire straits, and the Li family, already troubled, was no exception.
“In that case, what should we do? Please guide me, Brother Shao. When I left home today, Grandfather instructed that since I’m new to the ink trade, I should maintain a learning attitude and defer to Manager Shao and Uncle Jingdong’s judgment in workshop matters.”
Zhen Niang spoke with genuine humility. She truly believed that as a newcomer, she couldn’t grasp everything at once – learning while doing was the right approach.
Hearing her words, Manager Shao carefully observed Zhen Niang for the first time. She was still the same girl who sold ink daily at the Four Treasures Street corner, though dressed more formally today.
Looking at her demeanor now, he marveled at her composure in the face of such a crisis – the mass resignation of ink craftsmen would have thrown most people into panic.
He had read the resignation letters too – beyond wage complaints, some directly expressed dissatisfaction with a woman managing the workshop. Yet Zhen Niang remained calm and collected, seeking advice earnestly but without servility.
This attitude alone earned Manager Shao’s appreciation. Such steadiness and composure were rare in a fifteen-year-old girl. The Old Madam certainly had a unique insight into choosing people.
These thoughts gradually dispelled his earlier displeasure. Having devoted his life to the workshop, it was his life’s work. While he might resent Zhen Niang’s position privately, he didn’t want the workshop to suffer.
Moreover, her sincere attitude now put him at ease. Though some reluctance might remain in his heart, it wouldn’t affect workshop matters.
“Well, I could try speaking with them again, though people are never satisfied. With Tian’s family’s wages for comparison, these craftsmen have grown restless. Add to that the current chaos at Li Ink, and they probably already want to leave.”
Zhen Niang thought for a moment, then shook her head. “Brother Shao, you’re too familiar with them – some things might be awkward for you to say. Let’s gather everyone, including all the craftsmen. I’ll say a few words, and then whether they stay or go will be their choice – like rain falling or a bride marrying, let them decide.”
Zhen Niang understood that while Manager Shao might have his private concerns, his lifetime dedication to the workshop meant he wasn’t one to disregard its interests. Otherwise, their Seventh Grandmother wouldn’t have valued him so highly. If his words could have helped, these resignation letters wouldn’t be before her now.
“But… Miss Zhen, the workshop workers are rough men. You, being a young lady… Perhaps you could tell me what to say, and I could convey it to everyone,” Manager Shao frowned, not out of disrespect for Zhen Niang, but worried that a crowd might get rowdy and put her in an awkward position.
Zhen Niang shook her head. “It’s fine. I’ll just say a few words to express my position. The final decision can wait until the afternoon. Nothing will go wrong.”
“Very well then. Shall we gather everyone in the East Warehouse?” Having heard her words, Manager Shao didn’t press further.
“Yes, that’s good.” Zhen Niang nodded.
Manager Shao went to gather everyone.
Soon, all had assembled. Zhen Niang stood on the stone steps of the East Warehouse, with a copper basin at her feet and an oil lamp beside it.
“Everyone, Zhen Niang has been entrusted by Old Madam to take over the workshop. I feel both honored and apprehensive. However, I cannot disappoint Old Madam and must do my utmost to manage the workshop, which naturally requires everyone’s support. But each person has their aspirations. Some here don’t trust me, while others have different pursuits. Thus, today I received these resignation letters…”
As she mentioned the letters, she held them up and continued, “Truthfully, I’m saddened, but I cannot block your future paths. However, some things must be said. If you don’t trust me, why not give me a few days? Judge by my words and actions – see how things go first. As for those seeking other opportunities…”
She paused here, scanning the crowd before continuing, “Though some workshops offer higher wages, I ask you to think carefully. First, consider whether these high wages can be delivered. Second, with everyone rushing toward high wages, think about whether those workshops can accommodate all of you. These are times of pine plague – if those workshops can’t sustain you, where will you go?”
These questions silenced the previously noisy crowd. Some workers looked thoughtful, though others remained dismissive.
Regardless, her words had reached them.
“That’s all I have to say. Think it over carefully. If you still wish to leave after consideration, come find me to resign. I’ll set up a table at the workshop entrance – those leaving can share a cup of wine and receive a red envelope. We’ll part on good terms. For those who stay, I can only offer a bow of gratitude. In the future, we’ll share both good times and hardships. As long as I have food to eat, you won’t go hungry.”
After speaking, she threw the stack of resignation letters into the copper basin at her feet and lit them with the oil lamp, burning them all to ash.
“I’ve burned these. If you still wish to resign after thinking it through, writing another won’t be difficult – our workshop doesn’t lack ink or paper,” she added with humor.
The crowd chuckled in response.
Manager Shao and Master Qin exchanged glances – this girl had played it beautifully, showing both the workshop’s sincerity and maintaining dignity. Those planning to leave would have to think carefully now.
The expressions on the faces of several craftsmen who had planned to leave were particularly telling.
Afterward, the crowd dispersed, all looking thoughtful, clearly needing to reconsider their decisions.
“Brother Shao, Master Qin, please keep an eye on the workshop. I need to go out for a while,” Zhen Niang then said to Manager Shao and Master Qin.
“Go ahead if you have a business to attend to,” Manager Shao and Master Qin nodded.
Zhen Niang left the workshop, naturally heading to see Uncle Jingdong.
Since she had agreed to take over the workshop two nights ago, Uncle Jingdong had taken leave to stay home, claiming to care for Ninth Aunt. But Zhen Niang understood that after Ninth Aunt’s outburst, Uncle Jingdong probably felt awkward opposing her directly but was unwilling to follow her lead. He likely had thoughts of starting anew.
However, the workshop couldn’t do without Uncle Jingdong now. So Zhen Niang had to make an effort.
Walking in her wooden-soled shoes, she made her way to Uncle Jingdong’s house with the familiar “clop-clop” sound.
“Aunt, how is my Ninth Aunt feeling?” Upon entering, Zhen Niang handed over some snacks and pear candy she had bought along the way to Madam Huang.
“Much better. Yesterday, your uncle’s cousin came to visit and spoke with the Old Madam for a while. She felt more at ease, ate a bowl of rice last night, slept well, and has been in good spirits this morning,” Madam Huang smiled as she spoke.
“That’s good.” Zhen Niang responded, and then Madam Huang went to the inner room to seek permission from Madam Jin. As a junior visiting, paying respects to elders was necessary.
“Don’t see her,” Ninth Aunt was curt, dismissing Zhen Niang with two words.
“Don’t mind it, Zhen Niang. Many things have happened at home lately, your aunt is distressed,” Madam Huang said.
“It’s alright, Aunt, I understand.” Zhen Niang nodded. Truthfully, even if Ninth Aunt was prejudiced against her, even if Ninth Aunt had tried to burn down the workshop, Zhen Niang could understand her.
After all, Ninth Uncle had died for the workshop, and given Ninth Aunt’s age, it wasn’t strange for her to become stubborn and extreme. A few days ago, she had heard Old Lady Zhi mention that when Elder Brother Jingrui passed away, Grandmother had also wanted to burn down the workshop, thinking that without it, Elder Brother Jingrui wouldn’t have died.
Such behavior was an outlet for negative emotions.
“Where is my Uncle Jingdong?” Zhen Niang then asked.
“In the backyard, talking with his cousin. I’ll take you there.” Madam Huang said.
Zhen Niang followed Madam Huang to the backyard, where she saw an old pomegranate tree with stone benches beneath it. Uncle Jingdong was there with a middle-aged man in a light blue cotton robe, both examining some stones in their hands.
Without asking, Zhen Niang knew this middle-aged man in the blue robe must be Uncle Jingdong’s cousin, surname Jiang, called Jiang Laiyun.
“Top-grade Wuyuan mud-veined stone, look at these fine patterns, neither slow nor branching, not a single flaw in this piece. Look at the length – eight inches is treasure, seven inches is precious. This piece, carved out, might not reach eight inches but seven inches for sure, making it precious. Cousin, don’t hesitate, let’s secure this batch of stones together,” Jiang Laiyun said excitedly.
Li Jingdong pondered silently.
“Husband, Zhen Niang has come to see you,” Madam Huang called out then.
Li Jingdong merely glanced at Zhen Niang, didn’t respond, and returned to examining his stones, his manner cold.
Madam Huang gave Zhen Niang an apologetic look, sighing inwardly. Though her mother-in-law and husband were unfriendly toward the Eighth Branch, Madam Huang felt grateful to them.
If nothing else, just look at Zhengsheng, that child. Previously undisciplined, obsessed with Daoist cultivation and alchemy, though he doesn’t return home now, following Eighth Branch’s Zhengliang has led him into a proper business. He even secretly gave her quite a bit of money recently. A wayward child had been straightened out by the Eighth Branch.
How could Madam Huang not feel grateful?
“Aunt, go ahead with your tasks. I’ll stay and refill their tea,” Zhen Niang said to Madam Huang.
“Alright.” Madam Huang gave Zhen Niang an encouraging look, patted her hand, and left.
Zhen Niang didn’t mind Uncle Jingdong’s coldness. She took the teapot from the small stove and refilled their cups, while her eyes focused on the stone in Uncle Jingdong’s hand.
As she looked, Zhen Niang’s brow furrowed slightly. She simply crouched down to examine a stone on the ground, which Cousin Jiang had just called top-grade Wuyuan mud-veined stone. However, Zhen Niang wasn’t convinced – if she wasn’t mistaken, this should be Qimen’s fine-patterned stone.
Song Dynasty scholar Cao Jitian had done a detailed analysis of Wuyuan’s mud-veined patterned stone and Qimen’s fine-patterned stone in his “Discussion of She Stone Types.” Although Qimen’s patterned stones could appear nearly identical to Wuyuan’s, Qimen stones weren’t as hard, their color was lighter, their texture was dry, and the ink dried quickly on them, making them unsuitable for inkstone material.
However, since Wuyuan patterned stones were difficult to mine and thus rare and expensive, some unscrupulous merchants often passed off Qimen patterned stones as Wuyuan ones.
In later generations, those who fell for this could lose their entire fortune.
Thinking of this, Zhen Niang recalled the clan records mentioning that after Seventh Grandmother’s death, Uncle Jingdong had suddenly withdrawn the Ninth Branch’s shares in the workshop. It was this that allowed Li Jincai to easily take control of the workshop with his invested capital.
However, the clan records didn’t explain why Uncle Jingdong had withdrawn from the workshop, and Zhen Niang didn’t know, but there clearly must have been more to the story.
Could it have something to do with this batch of stones?