Life in the world of film and television

When he received the news, Wu Qilong was drinking in a brothel. Although it was afternoon and not as lively as in the evening, he was in high spirits because of the success of a series of tactics he had adopted during this period.

In a drunken state, a waiter hurried over.

"What did you say? The cloth faded... Which cloth faded?"

Wu Qilong was confused for a moment, then he became much more sober in an instant.

The waiter said: "Can Jinjin:..."

Wu Qilong sat up straight: "Golden brocade...are they the ones piled up in the corner? Luo Shenzhen said a few days ago that they were probably not dyed well, and they were placed in the corner and got damp, so they faded a little. I know that."

The guy was getting a little anxious and described the situation in the warehouse using both words and gestures.

Wu Qilong was a little bit incredulous for a moment. He understood every word the man said, yet he felt like he didn't understand. There were only twenty days left before the first batch of goods was to be delivered, but now there was a problem with the cloth.

He was stunned for a moment, then sobered up instantly, and the drunkenness disappeared without a trace.

"What's going on? What went wrong?"

The clerk said, "My lord, originally it was just the waste materials that faded a little, and I didn't pay much attention to it. In the past few days, other cloths have also begun to fade one after another. Luo Shenzhen didn't dare to neglect it, so he asked me to come to you immediately."

Wu Qilong rubbed his forehead and said, "Why didn't you tell me earlier... Did you block the news?"

The young man said, "It has been blocked since the beginning. Only a few people know about it."

Wu Qihao nodded: "The news must be blocked and not spread outside. Take me to see it first."

Although he hadn't seen the cloth, he had a bad feeling. After thinking about it, he couldn't think of any omissions. After all, it was new cloth, so it was normal to have some minor problems.

If there is something wrong, now that I think about it, the Wu family's imperial merchant status came too easily, and victory came too easily.

After all, the Su family is an old cloth merchant in Jiangning, and in terms of connections, they are not much worse than the Wu family. This time, the Su family made a big show of competing for the title of Royal Merchant, but they did not make any connections or use any relationships in private.

This was also something the Wu family realized after they successfully acquired the Imperial Merchant.

Under normal circumstances, the Su family and the Wu family would definitely be fighting each other, comparing relationships and connections. Even if the colors of the fabrics from the two families clash, as long as the relationship is strong enough, there is a possibility of a comeback.

The Wu family had already prepared for this, but they didn't expect that the Su family didn't use any connections. It was a good fight between dragons and tigers, but in the end it ended in a whimper, and the Wu family won too easily.

He didn't think it was a big deal before. After all, Su Boyong, the head of the Su family's main branch, was bedridden and unable to manage affairs. Su Tan'er was young and inexperienced after all, and was not familiar with the family's connections.

Now think about it, maybe I thought too simply of people.

Thinking in his mind, the carriage drove all the way to the workshop. Wu Qilong pulled open the curtain in a somewhat irritated manner, and the sign of a Su's cloth shop came into his sight. These days, every time he saw the Su's sign, he felt a little proud, proud of his plan.

Seeing the Su's brand at this moment, he felt a little uneasy, so he simply let down the curtain so that out of sight, out of mind.

"It can't be related to them. It's been more than a month..." He thought silently in his heart.

The carriage arrived at the workshop, where people were still working busily. Bright yellow fabrics fluttered in the air, looking gorgeous and attractive. There didn't seem to be anything wrong at all.

When Wu Qilong came in, the workshop manager quickly put down his teacup, put on a professional look, and shouted, "Take it easy, be careful, there can't be any problems. We are making fabrics for the current emperor... If there is a mistake, be careful and you will lose your heads."

Wu Qilong suddenly felt a chill running down his spine. He suddenly realized that he didn't dare to think of the worst.

He glared at the manager fiercely, then did not enter the workshop and turned into the warehouse next to it.

When they arrived at the warehouse door, it was under strict guard. Including Wu Qilong, several other Wu family stewards had also arrived. These were the Wu family's veteran members who were responsible for various processes.

In front of them were rows of opened boxes, many of the fabrics in them indeed faded.

Wu Qilong's heart sank: "Uncle Luo, what's going on?"

Luo Minzhi shook his head helplessly: "I don't know the reason, but..."

He pointed to a row of cloth boxes and said, "Take a look. This piece of cloth was made today, and this piece of cloth was made a month ago. The two pieces of cloth are exactly the same, with no signs of fading at all."

Then he pointed to another batch of cloth and said, "This batch of cloth was made more than a month and five days ago. Some of it has not faded yet, some have shown signs of fading, and some have already faded. It seems that they have faded in sequence. I just went to see the waste cloth, and it was almost the same."

Wu Qilong's mind was a little confused, and after a while he said, "What's the problem? Is there something wrong with the dye formula?"

There was silence.

At this point, Wu Qihao also hurried over and said, "Impossible."

"The Su family has been preparing for the Imperial Merchant for several years. It is impossible for them to make a fake formula and spend several years planning just to cheat us. What good will this do them? If they have this time, they can get more benefits by getting the Imperial Merchant."

Wu Qilong said: "We have more than one person stationed at the Su family. It is impossible for them to get the wrong prescription. Maybe the Su family has not figured it out."

Wu Qihao said: "It shouldn't be. On the day of the election for the imperial merchant, the Su family took this kind of cloth. If there is a problem with their formula, how dare they take it out? This is for the royal family. Aren't they afraid of being punished if there is a problem?"

Wu Qilong said: "What's the problem? Is it that we have problems ourselves?"

"Uncle Luo!" He turned around and said, "Tell your subordinates to keep the news secret. Also, have the masters in the dyeing workshop check the recipe and analyze the possible problems. Maybe there is a problem with our process, or there may be a problem with the materials. These must be carefully checked."

"As for the delivery, don't worry. My father will communicate with Mr. Dong from the Weaving Bureau to postpone the delivery date. The Weaving Bureau has entrusted the Imperial Merchant to my family, which shows their trust in my family. They will not sit idly by in the future... My Wu family has gone through many difficulties over the past few decades, and we have come through them all... Things here will be handed over to you uncles."

The two brothers Wu Qilong and Wu Qihao walked out of the warehouse. In the workshop, the weavers were busy and cloth was still being made, as if nothing had happened.

However, if the direction of one's efforts is wrong, the foundation is wrong. The more you do, the more mistakes you make. Wu Qihao thought for a long time and finally couldn't help but asked: "Brother, is there someone dealing with us in secret?"

Wu Qilong frowned and shook his head in confusion: "It shouldn't be like this! We took every step right. We won the battle of imperial merchants. Why did this happen? I just hope that there is something wrong with us. Otherwise... then..."

As he spoke, he frowned and remained silent. He could not see any enemies. Before the battle between the imperial merchants, the Su family was in the front and they kept a low profile in the back and never felt any hostility. After the battle between the imperial merchants, as the winners, even if there was some hostility, it was all settled.

In the process of taking down the imperial merchant, they were like a tiger, eating the prey at lightning speed before they had time to resist. The whole process was perfect and smooth, without any problems. But now he found that he had wounds on his body, and they were fatal wounds, and he didn't know when and by whom he was wounded.

"Who is it...Su Boyong? Su Tan'er? The Su family's smart and capable old shopkeepers?"

Wu Qilong shook his head. "No, this doesn't look like something they could have set up. If they had the ability, they would have been the biggest group in Jiangning. Who is plotting against us?"

Wu Qihao said: "Brother, could it be that Xi Junyu has betrayed us?"

Wu Qilong shook his head: "We have more than one accomplice, and we have taken more than one recipe from him. What's more, you think too highly of him. This kind of person has the ability, but he can't set up such a situation."

Wu Qihao sighed softly: "Everything was going smoothly, how could something like this happen?"

Wu Qilong: "Don't think about it. You've lost your composure. Go back and check it out first. Find out first."

……

On the other hand, as the weather gradually turned colder, the flood had long disappeared, and Li Mu became relaxed again.

Every day I teach and go shopping, or go to the Qinhuai River, listen to Nie Yunzhu playing the piano, drink tea, and discuss the development of Zhuji.

Now, the framework of Hulu Valley has been completed, and some workshops have been set up. The first one to be built is the wine-making workshop. Next, some high-proof liquor will be brewed to test the market feedback. If it doesn’t work, we will cooperate with Qingmuzhai and sell it to the north.

The second one built is a soap workshop, which has already started trial production and is currently being sold in surrounding areas. The scale will be expanded next.

The third workshop is used to produce glass. Li Mu plans to launch a mirror first. Since silver-plated glass mirrors cannot be produced, he will make a more primitive one. He sticks tin foil on the glass surface and then pours mercury. The effect is close to the current mirrors.

Compared to the expensive bronze mirrors in ancient times, this clear and lightweight glass mirror is definitely a killer weapon.

Later, when the scale is expanded, we can launch some glass products, such as glass cups, glass beads, magnifying glasses, telescopes, etc.

In addition, Li Mu also built a small blast furnace made of traditional methods in the valley. Although many tools and methods were very primitive due to the limitations of the times, they were already extremely advanced in that era and at such a technological level.

With such novel products, Zhuji's development was put on the fast track. Many talents realized the prospects of Zhuji, and it became easier to poach talent.

Li Mu did not interfere too much and let Zhuji develop slowly.

On the other hand, the Su family became increasingly chaotic after Su Tan'er lost the competition for the imperial merchant. They even pointed the finger at him, saying that if it weren't for his support, Su Tan'er wouldn't have been so aggressive in running for the imperial merchant, leading to the Su family's current situation.

Similar things will probably happen frequently in the future. In order to prevent Su Tan'er from taking over the Su family, he is obviously within the attack range of these people.

Not only that, even Old Man Su was reluctant to speak for Su Tan'er in such a rare opportunity. The second and third branches, together with many clan members, were planning to hold a clan meeting to discuss the problems that had arisen in the family during this period.

At the same time, the issue will be discussed again as to whether Su Tan'er, as a woman, is suitable to be in charge of the Su family.

Li Mu and Su Tan'er just watched quietly, watching the demons dancing wildly and taking advantage of others' misfortunes. It could be considered a major screening in advance.

If Su Tan'er wants to take charge of the Su family, the sooner these people jump out, the better, so that they will not follow the second and third rooms to make small moves behind the scenes if there is any trouble in the future.

In the early morning, Su Tan'er performed the Jade Maiden Pure Heart Sword. Li Mu nodded with satisfaction: "Not bad, you have mastered this sword technique."

Su Tan'er made a sword flower and smiled softly, "It's all because of my husband's good teaching."

After chatting for a while, Li Mu said, "How are your arrangements? The Wu family probably realized something was wrong by now."

Su Tan'er said, "Dad has supported me with a group of people, all of whom were trained by him. I am also recruiting people here. There are all kinds of rumors out there, and it will take a few more days to gather enough reliable people. A large number of weaving workshops have also been newly built, and they will be put into use soon."

Li Mu nodded and said, "Don't worry. This time we have to swallow up at least one-third of the Wu family's business. Be more down-to-earth in the preparations and wait out the Wu family for a few more days before confronting them!"

Su Tan'er said, "Well, I'll listen to my husband."

Li Mu continued, "The second and third houses have been so busy lately. Have they decided on a date for the clan meeting?"

Su Tan'er sighed and said helplessly, "It's settled. They said that a clan meeting will be held in seven days. Most people in the clan support it. It seems that we acted too realistically and couldn't help but stand up."

Li Mu said: "In my opinion, it's better to split up the family. Even if you reveal the truth and let this clan meeting come to an end, it will only delay the conflict and will not resolve it."

"In the future, as long as you take over the Su family, the second and third branches will always be dissatisfied, dragging their feet from behind and making all kinds of small moves, which will not be worth the loss."

"In fact, if the first branch swallows up one-third of the Wu family's assets, the scale will be no smaller than the current Su family. Apart from the old grandfather's assets, the second and third branches actually have so many assets. If they want to divide the family, just do it, so as to avoid making trouble behind the scenes every day. With their abilities, they will be defeated sooner or later. If you don't want them to suffer, just spend money to support them, which is better than the current situation."

Su Tan'er nodded: "This is also a permanent solution. The assets of the second and third houses, added together, equal those of our first house. They are afraid that I will take over the Su family and interfere with their assets. In fact, even if I take over the Su family, I will focus on the first house's assets and coordinate the development of the entire Su family's assets. The assets of the second and third houses will still be managed directly by them."

"However, since they want to split up the family so much, it's fine to let them do as they wish. Let them try their skills. I'll go discuss it with Daddy later."

Li Mu nodded: "Is everything going well for Shopkeeper Liao?"

Su Tan'er said, "I have received a reply. It arrived eight days ago. Things are going smoothly. The Wu family also has a cloth shop in Tokyo. I asked Manager Liao to go there more often. He is our old manager and many people know him. As long as the Wu family is willing, they will not ignore him."

Li Mu laughed and said, "That's good. After a while, the big show will begin and all of Jiangning will come to admire Tan'er's elegance."

(End of this chapter)