But the bright moon shines on the ditch

Although Liang Peiqiu had decided to return to the kiln, the matter was so important that she still learned about meeting Wang Yu.

When she arrived at the study, Wang Yu was having a meeting with the accounting stewards.

Siliu is the chief accountant, and all cashier transactions must go through his hands.He is nearly sixty years old, with a hunched back. He lives and eats and sleeps in the counting house and seldom goes out. Although his skin is aging and full of wrinkles, it has a strange and sickly white color.

Moreover, he was taciturn and seldom walked around with others. Very little was known about his situation in Anqing Kiln, which showed that he had the aloof temperament of an outsider.

He showed Wang Yu the details of the firing of Wanshou porcelain. His usually expressionless face was now a little solemn.

Wang Yunxian had been keeping accounts with the Four-Liu School for several months. When he saw something was wrong, he went over to take a look.

Unlike the porcelain of the three main halls, which mainly use dragon jars, Wanshou porcelain is more about perfection. It is decorated with various auspicious meanings such as "Fu Lu Shou", peach and plum, pine and bamboo, Baizi, Baiji, Yannian, turtle, dragon and other auspicious patterns. Everything is complete, and at first glance it is so diverse that it can make people dizzy.

Wang Yunxian took a cursory glance and saw that there were tens of thousands of bowls, plates, dishes, bottles, jars, etc. alone.

This is the quantity allocated to Anqing kiln for side firing. Large kilns such as Hutian kiln also have a certain allocation. Add them all up, including the imperial kiln factory's own quantity. It is estimated that next year, for the longevity of the emperor, there will be more to be fired. Approximately 30 pieces of porcelain.

It's really a waste of time and money.

He curled his lips, closed the door, and did not dare to speak the truth loudly in his own home. He only muttered: "Does the emperor need so much porcelain?"

Wang Yu's stern eyes immediately glanced over: "Does the emperor have no relatives? Among the princes, concubines, and nobles in the harem, who doesn't need pots and pans? Today is different from the past. You have to think carefully about what you say in the future. , be careful that trouble comes from your mouth!"

"Yes, yes, yes." Wang Yunxian pretended to quarrel. After asking Wang Yu for mercy, he turned to Siliu and asked, "Is there anything wrong with this list?"

He had heard before that foreigners had white skin, which was different from the yellow-skinned Central Plains people.That kind of whiteness is like suffering from a kind of albinism unique to the elderly. When it is white, the spots on the skin of the limbs and face are particularly prominent.

Siliu looked like he was suffering from an old age disease.

Wang Yunxian often didn't dare to look at him, always feeling that the protruding eyeballs on his skinny face would eat people.That's why he met Si Liu's eyes and couldn't help but look away, coughing to cover up.

Si Liu remained silent, his head slightly lowered, his eyes sweeping left and right.

Wang Yu knew this old man very well, so he understood and let the others go out first. He originally wanted to send Wang Yunxian away too, but when he saw him with his legs crossed and sitting in the Taishi chair, with a look of "all ears", he expected to beat him up. If I go out, I'm afraid I'll have to eavesdrop through the wall, so I don't force myself and let Si Liu speak frankly.

Si Liu hesitated for a long time, and finally said: "The amount is too large, it doesn't matter, it's just... the deposit from the imperial kiln factory is too little."

His voice was rustling, like the snow in the deep mountains and old forests, which had not melted for many years and was filled with coldness.

Wang Yu took advantage of the situation and looked at the right-hand man who had been with him for several years. Now he was like a pine and cypress that had been bent down. He was very old and seemed to be no longer fit for his position.But he knew that Siliu was not an ordinary person.

He couldn't help but sit up straight and asked: "Are you following the previous rules for setting fire?"

"Yes, but..."

Previously, with the cooperation of imperial kiln factories, the number did not exceed [-] pieces, no matter how large they were.The royal kiln factory pays a part of the deposit in advance to purchase part of the firing materials, and the remaining costs and risks are borne by the kiln factory itself.

The smaller the quantity, the lower the costs and risks.But Wanshou porcelain is different. The quantity is too large. The silver is given according to the proportion originally negotiated. The kiln factory often has to empty the cash in the accounting room in order to buy enough wood, glaze and other things needed for firing porcelain.

It’s not that Si Liu had never experienced such a large expenditure before, it was precisely because the expenditure was so large that the natural vigilance of a cashier made him have to sound the alarm and advise his boss: “It’s better not to fight with the Imperial Kiln Factory again.” Let’s discuss, discuss, increase the deposit by [-]%?”

Wang Yu immediately shook his head: "This is absolutely impossible. What the imperial kiln factory holds is deposit money from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and they can't get it all at once. They are still in short supply, so how can they care about our life and death!"

"However, we do not have to co-fire with the imperial kiln factory once or twice. Even if the quantity of Wanshou porcelain is amazing, there must be no mistakes. According to the rules, after the porcelain is delivered, the remaining money will be given once it is inspected, and the time will be In just half a year, I think the cash in the accounting office can be circulated?"

"If it doesn't work, we should think of ways during this period to collect more foreign debt and replenish the internal treasury."

Wang Yu was managing the daily affairs of the kiln, and her head was spinning quickly. She suddenly thought of several large porcelain shops that still owed money to her, and she wanted to go and collect the debts right away.

He offered several plans, but looking at Si Liu with the same solemn expression as before, he couldn't help but feel suspicious.

"Sir, if you have something to say, you might as well say it directly."

Si Liu raised his head and looked steadily at the father and son in front of him.

Wang Yunxian was considered his half-disciple. After spending time together, he could see the child's character one by one. He was a kind-hearted person. If he was well-trained, he would definitely be an expert at settling accounts in the future.

Not to mention Wang Yu, who once saved him from fire and water and treated him with kindness and kindness.

No matter who they are, these two people are his masters.

After much thought, he finally revealed all his doubts. "Nowadays, there are constant wars in the North, the national treasury is tight, and local taxes are being exploited downwards. How much money can the people have on hand? In the long run, it is necessary to attack the merchants. Jingdezhen is entrenched on the right side of the Yangtze River, dominating the area with porcelain and tea. Just relying on these two items Import and export taxes are already huge in Jiangxi, but under such circumstances, Shang can barely meet the needs of the national treasury. In the future... in the future, I'm afraid..."

This remark touches on national affairs and shakes the foundation of the country. To put it more seriously, it can be described as disrespectful.

Wang Yu's expression immediately changed, and Wang Yunxian couldn't help but swallowed his saliva and climbed up from the Grand Master's chair.

"If we take over Wanshou Porcelain, we will inevitably reduce the supply of folk porcelain, and then the cash flow and revenue will be squeezed. At this point, even if all the foreign debts are recovered, Wanshou Porcelain will lose almost the entire family fortune. . Let’s not mention how much porcelain tax should be paid every year and whether it will increase. What if, I mean what if the turnover cannot be opened, then..."

Wang Yu understood that the "above" he was talking about was not the imperial kiln factory or the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but pointed directly at the treasury.

Once the national treasury runs out of money, it cannot provide the Ministry of Internal Affairs with the corresponding gold silver needed for hundreds of thousands of porcelains. However, the task of firing Wanshou porcelain has been issued early. Without money, hundreds of thousands of porcelains must be completed as scheduled, and in the end they will suffer. Only the lowest level merchants and private households.

Among them, the biggest losses were caused by the large kilns that had a relationship with the imperial kiln factory, such as Anqing kiln and Hutian kiln.

This relationship affects the whole body.By that time, won't all the billet households, led by Changnan Kiln and others, who have been eyeing to join the ranks of fire-making, have to take advantage of the situation?And those kiln owners who were originally excluded from official joint firings because of insufficient porcelain encapsulation rates also wanted a piece of the scraps.

By then, let alone competing for first or second place, I am afraid that even the workers whose wages were deducted will be chewed up to the bone.

Admittedly, this was Si Liu's "first worry" as an experienced shopkeeper. The situation may not necessarily develop like this, but Wang Yu and his son were still frightened into a cold sweat.

Wang Yu was silent for a long time, and squeezed the Taishi chair tightly with trembling arms: "Siliu, you can't say this casually. How sure are you?"

Siliu shook his head: "I don't know either."

"then you……"

"My boss is in charge of his own affairs. If I have this concern, I should inform you. How to make a decision depends on you."

After saying that, before Wang Yu could speak, he had already retreated.After leaving the door, he met Liang Peiqiu, who was waiting outside the door. They both nodded and said nothing.

Liang Peiqiu waited for a while before knocking on the door and entering.

At this time, Wang Yu had softened his expression and talked to Wang Yunxian about another bad thing. According to his opinion, there must be people from Anqing Kiln in the Ceramic Industry Supervision Committee, but Xia Ying could not openly cheat for him, so He tried hard, but he couldn't think of a "one of his own" who met the requirements.

You have to understand kiln affairs, be well versed in the porcelain industry, and at the same time, you must not have any nepotistic relationships. Where can you find such immortals?
As a result, he could only start elsewhere.

When Wang Yunxian saw that he was trying to get involved in this matter, he hurriedly stopped him and said: "As the saying goes, the word "official" has two different meanings. It's up to them to decide whether it's black or white. Today they are still in a fight, but tomorrow they may be reconciled. , why do you have to wade in this extremely muddy water? If you want to tell me, just sit back and watch like the Hutian kiln, and let them make trouble. Isn’t that guy named Xu called Little Zhuge? Do you think he is really sick? ?Is it such a coincidence that you are ill? If you learn a little bit about everything, you will never go wrong."

Wang Yu was a little embarrassed when her son lectured her, but after hearing this, she couldn't help laughing.

"You've learned a lot, too."

"No, we are indeed no match for others in terms of brains, but we are not blind, so why can't we watch and learn at the same time? Dad, you have to listen to me on this matter. The more turbulent the situation is, the more you must maintain your composure."

"Okay, okay, I'll do whatever you want." Wang Yu was happy to see her Zaizai making progress, but the key was to be convinced.Xu Zhiliu is still pretending to be ill, so there must be something fishy about this matter.

Anqing Kiln has just missed its mark, and it is true that we cannot rush for success.It was all caused by these things, which made him lose his sense of control. Now that his son was holding him back, all the fatigue in his body and mind was dissipated a lot, and he was happy to make some jokes.

At this time, I heard Liang Peiqiu knocking on the door and hurriedly called her in.

The father and son looked at each other and changed the subject in a tacit understanding.

"You came just in time. Your birthday will be in half a month. Have you figured out how to handle it?" Wang Yu asked while holding tea.

Liang Peiqiu shook her head: "Master, our family just had an accident, and everyone is still thinking about Brother Lin, so I'm afraid I'm not in the mood. Besides, birthdays are celebrated every year, so it's not a big deal, so just keep it simple."

"How can that be done?!" Wang Yunxian spoke first, "The old man intends to promote you this year, so that the entire porcelain industry can see the style of the little god. How can we be simple? Besides, something happened in the kiln, and everyone is waiting to see us. It’s a joke at home, if our family keeps a low profile, wouldn’t it be as good as their wish and give them more to talk about? The more times like this, the less we can be cowards, the more I have to make things lively for you, so that everyone can Everyone, look at it, we at Anqing Kiln are not vegetarians either!”

Wang Yu also advised: "Now the county magistrate also wants to help us. At this moment, your birthday is related to the honor and disgrace of the entire Anqing kiln, and you cannot do it as you please."

Wang Yunxian nodded sharply in agreement. Seeing that both of them had made their decision, Liang Peiqiu said no more.Wang Yu then handed over the matter to Wang Yunxian. Wang Yunxian patted her chest and promised that she would handle it well and give her an unforgettable birthday.

Wang Yu looked at his youngest son's face, which was glowing red. As if he had expected something, he blew on the tea leaves floating in the yellow soup and smiled without saying a word.

Wang Yunxian also winked at Liang Peiqiu, smiling sweetly and showing her big white teeth, holding a little secret.

For a moment, Liang Peiqiu almost forgot what she was going to say. She just looked at Wang Yunxian, her heart pounding. She couldn't tell whether she was excited or worried.

She had a strange premonition - Wang Yunxian seemed to want to express his feelings to her on her birthday.