In the back hall of the Splendid Pavilion, the candlelight flickered, reflecting Shen Ruoxin's pale and solemn face. That one reads, "Ship inspected, goods temporarily lost, people..." The note with the words "Fear of Danger" was tightly held in her hand, and her knuckles turned slightly pale due to the force applied. The cold ink, as if carrying the chill of the river, pierced through the back of the paper and reached the bottom of her heart.
Wang Ermazi, who was sent out to search for the secret source of goods, was an old man who had been sailing with his father when he was alive. He was experienced and alert. He took the most covert and risky private route of the canal gang. Logically speaking, as long as he managed it properly, he could handle the government's inspection to some extent. Nowadays, not only are the goods gone, but even people might... Shen Ruoxin dared not think any further. This batch of goods is her last hope and the key to whether Jinxiu Pavilion can survive the crisis of raw material supply disruption! And Wang Ermazi and the two assistants he brought along were the ones she trusted deeply!
"Second Miss..." Wang Bo looked at Shen Ruoxin's tightly pursed lips and slightly trembling fingertips. His aged voice was filled with worry. "Don't be too worried. Maybe..." Perhaps it's just a temporary detention. The person may not be seriously injured. "Over at the Canal Gang, I'll go and think of a way again. Ask someone to inquire..."
You should inquire, but don't have too much hope. Shen Ruoxin slowly let go of her hand, placed the note on the candle flame, and watched it curl up, turn black and turn to ashes. Her voice regained its composure, but there was a layer of ice deep in her eyes. "This road is full of life and death." We prepared for the worst. Now, perhaps the worst situation has really happened.
She took a deep breath and forced herself to withdraw from the shock and grief of losing the supply and her subordinates. At present, the crisis of the Splendid Pavilion has not been resolved; instead, it has become even more severe due to the cut-off of this fallback route. The remaining raw materials in the warehouse can last for at most seven or eight days. Once it is completely exhausted, no matter how ingenious the "category classification" strategy is, it will be unsustainable.
"What's going on at Zhang Ji's place recently?" " Shen Ruoxin looked at Xiao Cui.
Xiao Cui hurriedly replied, "Miss Hui Er, Zhang Ji is still learning from us and has no hierarchy." However, they have a poor foundation and their learning is rather incoherent, so the customers are not very receptive. Especially after our "Premium Zone" and "Unique Zone" were firmly established, many customers who previously went to Zhang Ji for bargains have come back. Boss Zhang has been looking very bad these days. I heard that several tea cups were thrown in the shop.
He got anxious. A trace of coldness flashed in Shen Ruoxin's eyes. "But that's not enough."
She stood up, walked to the window and looked at the Zhang Ji Embroidery House opposite, which was still lit but obviously much quieter than the previous few days. Category classification merely steaxed the situation and regained some lost ground. But as long as the raw material blockade is not lifted for a day, Jinxiu Pavilion will always be at a disadvantage. She needs a more proactive and fierce counterattack. She must deal a substantial blow to Zhang Ji within the limited time, and it would be best if she could shake his roots!
What is the greatest advantage of Zhang Ji? It's a low price. What is the greatest disadvantage? It is of poor quality, especially the inferior silk and embroidery thread used in those counterfeit "landscape embroidered handkerchiefs".
"Uncle Wang," Shen Ruoxin turned around, her eyes sharp, "Do you still remember the poor-quality silver wire mixed with tin powder that you mentioned when we analyzed Zhang Ji's counterfeit embroidered handkerchief earlier?"
Uncle Wang nodded. "Remember." That kind of thread looks bright but will turn black in no time. Moreover, it is rather hard in texture and the embroidered work is very rough.
More than that. Shen Ruoxin said slowly, "I have looked up some miscellaneous medical records." Poor-quality metal wires are sometimes soaked in alum water to enhance their luster and weight. Although alum can remove dirt and brighten, if it is used on items close to the body, especially handkerchiefs and sweat towels, people with sensitive skin may experience itching, redness and swelling after prolonged contact, and in severe cases... May cause sores and rashes.
Xiao Cui was taken aback: "Really..." True or false? Alum? Isn't that used for purifying water? Can it still be used online?
"Are you so ignorant?" Wang Bo glared at him, "Alum has many uses!" Dyeing cloth, leather tanning, papermaking, and even medicinal use are all involved. Using it on silk thread to add some weight and luster is not a rare thing, but a conscientious merchant would never do this, especially when it is used on close-fitting embroidery!
Shen Ruoxin went on to say, "We can't be sure whether the silver thread of Zhang Ji really used alum." But it is a fact that his thread has an abnormal luster, a hard texture and a low price. As long as there is a one in ten thousand chance, this "doubt point" is enough to make a big deal out of it.
Wang Bo instantly understood Shen Ruoxin's intention, and a trace of excitement flashed in his eyes: "Second Miss is thinking..." Spread the news?
"Not bad." Shen Ruoxin nodded. "But we can't let the people from the Splendid Pavilion say it directly. That would be too deliberate and it would be easy to be caught and get oneself into trouble instead." We need a way that seems "objective", "neutral" and can skillfully disseminate the information.
Her gaze fell upon Uncle Wang. Uncle Wang is over fifty years old. His face is gaunt and he seldom smiles. He has a certain air of an old scholar. Moreover, he has traveled far and wide for many years, has extensive knowledge and is not bad at speaking.
"Uncle Wang, you might have to work hard on this matter." Shen Ruoxin's tone was earnest.
Uncle Wang straightened up and said without hesitation, "Second Miss, just follow your orders!" It's my good fortune that this bone of mine can still be put to use!
Shen Ruoxin elaborated on her plan in detail: "The 'Baiwei Teahouse' outside the east gate of the Prefectural city is a place where people from all walks of life gather and also where news spreads the fastest." Tomorrow, you will put on a Confucian robe and pretend to be a down-and-out old scholar who has a basic understanding of medical theory and loves listening to storytelling. First, I went to Zhang Ji and bought a few strands of their cheapest silver thread without leaving any trace, saying it was for the younger generation in the family to learn embroidery. Then, go to Baiwei Teahouse, order the cheapest coarse tea, and find a corner to sit down.
"Don't rush to speak," Shen Ruoxin instructed. "First, listen to what others are talking about." When the storyteller in the teahouse gets excited or someone starts talking about family affairs or health remedies, you can "casually" join in.
What an "casual" way? Uncle Wang asked.
For instance, you could say that you recently caught a cold and went to see a doctor. The doctor advised that your undergarments should be made of high-quality materials, as inferior dyes and loose threads could potentially trigger the invasion of "evil toxins". Then, "by chance", he took out the newly bought Zhangji silver thread, stroked it, and muttered to himself, "Alas, just like this thread, it looks shiny, but who knows if there's anything unclean added inside?" It is said that some unscrupulous merchants would soak the wire in alum water to make it look brighter and weigh it. When that thing gets sweaty and covered with the damp heat, women and children with delicate skin might develop rashes... What a pity! Nowadays, in this world, you get what you pay for... '"
Shen Ruoxin imitated the tone of the old scholar with great vividness.
You don't have to name Zhang Ji. Just describe the characteristics of that line - it's extremely bright, extremely cheap, and a bit hard in texture. In the teahouse, there are always one or two people who have just bought something from Zhang Ji or are planning to do so. Hearing this, they naturally have doubts in their hearts. As long as one person becomes suspicious, the words will spread like wings very quickly.
Uncle Wang nodded repeatedly, his eyes brimming with admiration: "Second Miss has thought it through thoroughly!" It not only pointed out the problem but also distanced itself from it. Using others' words to draw people's imagination is really a brilliant move in the "covert battle of public opinion"!
The key lies in the word "natural". Shen Ruoxin once again emphasized, "Just throw out the 'lead-in', and leave the rest to time and human words." Xiao Cui, tomorrow you send a few smart guys to various tea houses and markets to keep an eye on the news and see if the term "alum line" has spread and how it has become.
"Yes, Second Miss!"
"Also," Shen Ruoxin's gaze became profound again, "We still know too little about the details of Zhang Ji." It is highly unusual that he suddenly has a large sum of money to monopolize the supply of goods. Uncle Wang, when you walk around outside, you should also be more vigilant and see if you can find out the source of Zhang Ji's funds, as well as his relationship with... Are there any abnormal exchanges at the Shen family's place?
Investigating insiders, seeking sources of goods, countering public opinion, and probing the truth... One by one, all the complicated matters were weighing on the shoulders of Shen Ruoxin, a seventeen-year-old girl. She felt more exhausted than ever before, but the indomitable spirit in her heart grew even stronger.
The next day, Wang Bo acted as planned.
He changed into a semi-worn green cloth scholar's robe, put on a small melon rind hat, and carried a cloth bag in his hand, which contained a few strands of cheap silver thread bought from Zhang Ji with dazzling luster. He strolled into the Baiwei Teahouse.
The teahouse was bustling with people. The storyteller was talking about the exciting part of "Wu Song Slaying the Tiger", which drew thunderous applause from the audience. Uncle Wang found an unremarkable corner to sit down, lit a pot of high crushed tea, drank it slowly, and pricked up his ears to listen to the conversation around him.
Some were talking about the rising price of rice, some were complaining about the excessive taxes and lears, some were exchanging parenting experiences, and there were also a few women gathered together, whispering about which shop had novel designs and which shop's fabrics were cost-effective.
"... In my opinion, the items from Jinxiu Pavilion are still better, but they are a bit more expensive. But now they also have different grades. There are cheaper ones if you want to buy. They are much better than those of Zhang Ji that look inferior...
"Sure enough, that 'landscape handkerchief' from Zhang Ji looks fake to me. The lines are hard and the colors are stiff..."
When Wang Bo heard this, he knew that the time was about right. He deliberately coughed twice to draw the attention of several people sitting next to him.
"Alas..." He feigned sadness and sighed, took out those few strands of silver thread from the cloth bag and placed them on the table, rubbing them. "People are getting old, but they just don't go through the motions." I caught a bit of a cold the other day and felt very uncomfortable all over. I went to see a doctor. The doctor said that I have both qi and blood deficiency and am prone to external pathogenic factors. He advised me to pay attention to my diet and even use good cotton and linen for my undergarments. He also said that those low-quality dyes and threads might carry "toxins"...
As he spoke, he shook his head and swayed his body, his eyes glancing at those several strands of silver thread: "Just like this thread..." It was my daughter who insisted on going to the newly opened store across the street to buy it for the sake of getting a bargain, saying she was learning embroidery for fun. It looks quite shiny and glittering, but why is it so hard when I touch it? I've heard that some unscrupulous merchants, in order to make the wire look brighter and weigh it, would soak it in alum water... That alum, when soaked in sweat and exposed to dampness, would make it strange for women and children with tender skin not to develop rashes! Alas, the world's customs are deteriorating. Cheap things are of poor quality. The ancients truly did not deceive me...
His voice was not loud, but his articulation was clear, and his tone carried a touch of the vicissitudes and helplessness of someone who had been through it all. Several women sitting next to him, who had been discussing household affairs, suddenly stopped and curiously looked at him and the silver thread on his desk.
"Sir, do you mean alum?" Can that thing still be used online? A woman in a blue jacket and skirt couldn't help asking.
Yes. Can it cause rashes on the skin? So scary? The other one also came closer.
Uncle Wang raised his head in surprise, as if he had just realized that someone was listening to him: "Oh?" How many of you are also interested in this? This old man merely heard from others and, considering his own superficial understanding of the art of the Yellow Emperor, was just making wild guesses. I'm not sure if it was really soaked in alum or not. However, this thread is indeed ridiculously cheap and it feels really hard when touched. This old man dares not use it for his family anymore. He would rather spend a little more money to buy peace of mind.
He picked up a lock of thread, wound it around his finger and shook his head, as if lamenting those few copper coins.
Those several women looked at each other, and their eyes all changed a little. One of them lowered his voice and said, "You mean the Zhang Ji across the street, right?" His things are cheap. I was thinking about buying some embroidery thread for the child a while ago...
"Sure enough, the silver thread at his place looks brighter than that at others..." "
Seeing this, Wang Bo knew that the "lead" had already been thrown out. He said no more, just sipping his tea leisurely. Occasionally, "by accident", he would take out those few strands of silver thread to have a look again, shake his head and sigh.
A small doubt, once planted, will quickly take root and sprout.
That afternoon, the rumor that "Zhangji embroidery thread might contain alum and use it for a long time could cause rashes on the skin" began to spread quietly among the women's circle in Fucheng. Some people are half convinced, some prefer to believe it, and still others exaggerate it, making it vivid and lifelike.
Have you heard? The cheap thread from Zhang Ji is soaked in alum!
No wonder it's so bright! So it was added!
My neighbor's third girl used Zhang Ji's thread to embroider a sachet two days ago, and indeed a few red dots appeared on her hand! Perhaps it was just a coincidence, or perhaps there was no such thing at all, but in the rumors, it became "evidence".
The undercurrents of public opinion are quietly surging and developing in a direction unfavorable to Zhang Ji.