The "earth-shattering" accusation made by Mrs. Li at the entrance of Zhang Ji was like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples that lingered for a long time. The city of Fu is only so big, but the news spreads faster than the wind. The story of "Zhang Ji's Poisonous Thread harming the child" has been exaggerated and spread in every teahouse, tavern and street corner, with each version being more shocking than the last.
In just a few days, the front of Zhang Ji Embroidery Shop was already full of sparrows to be found. Occasionally, when unsuspecting merchants from other places approach, they will also be pulled back by the "kind-hearted" neighbors nearby and given a mysterious admonish. The wave of returns is even more surging. Many people are blocking the door with raw materials they bought just a few days ago, or even semi-finished products, demanding refunds. Their reasons are diverse, but the core of them all boil down to "unconfidence" and "fear of toxicity".
In the backyard of Zhang Ji, the accountant, trembling, presented the latest account book to Zhang Defa, his voice tinged with tears: "Boss, I can't hold on any longer!" The refunded payment in these few days, coupled with the fact that no one has come to visit at all, the goods in the warehouse are piling up. The money only goes out but not in. The collection notice from the money shop has come again... "I'm afraid our cash won't last this month!" "
Zhang Defa plopped down on the armchair. His once rosy face was now in a state of utter desolation. His eyes were bloodshot and he stared fixedly at the shocking deficit on the account book. Of course he knew it was Shen Ruoxin who did this! But he has no evidence! The reason why Li's wife bit her to death was that there was something wrong with her family's thread. To make matters worse, her child really had a rash and she still had the purchase receipts in hand. Even if it was brought to the authorities, the inspection would take some time. By the time the result came out, Zhang Ji would have collapsed long ago!
"Retribution..." What retribution... Zhang Defa muttered to himself. He recalled his previous pride in suppressing the Jinxiu Pavilion by cutting prices and dumping goods, and even secretly cutting off the other party's supply. Now, this bitter fruit had come so quickly and so brutally!
"Boss, what should we do now?" The accountant asked anxiously.
Zhang Defa suddenly raised his head, a flash of desperate madness flashing in his eyes: "Sell!" Those aged ones in the warehouse, as well as those top-quality silk threads, Yun brocade, Shu brocade that are definitely fine... Sell them all at a discount to me! 50% off! No, 30% off! As long as you offer cash, we'll sell! First, plug the hole in the money shop and breathe out this breath!
He knew in his heart that this was drinking poison to quench thirst. Selling at a low price will only further solidify his image of being "guilty", and these high-quality stocks are his last assets. But for now, he has no choice but to recover the funds and survive. He must amputate his arm to survive!
"Boss, think twice!" Those are the best materials we've kept at the bottom of the box. It's such a loss to sell them like this! The accounting room turned pale with fright.
"Loss?" Now it's a matter of losing money or closing down! Zhang Defa roared, "More!" Those people in the embroidery room told them that the wages were owed first. Those who were willing to wait could wait, and those who were not... Just let them go! He was exhausted both physically and mentally at the moment and had no time to soothe people's hearts.
The news that Zhang Ji Embroidery House was going to have a "clearance sale" almost immediately spread throughout half of the prefectural city, and naturally, it reached Shen Ruoxin's ears at the first moment.
On the second floor of the Jinxiu Pavilion, in a private room, after hearing A Xing's report, Shen Ruoxin's lips curled up in an imperceptible curve. The fish has finally taken the hook.
"Uncle Wang, what do you think?" She turned to Uncle Wang who was sitting upright beside her.
Uncle Wang frowned, stroking his grizzled beard and mused, "Second Miss, although Zhang Ji's move is out of helplessly, selling off the inventory at a low price can be a way to recover funds."
Just... Their goods have a bad reputation now. If we buy them, will we get into trouble? "Controversial?" The old man was very considerate, fearing that just as the Brocade Pavilion began to show signs of improvement, it would be tainted with the bad luck of Zhang Ji.
"Uncle Wang is overthinking it." Shen Ruoxin's tone was calm, but she carried an air of confidence as if she had seen through everything. "What Zhang Defa is selling off must be the 'good goods' that he is confident about or has been holding back for a long time." He is in urgent need of cash now and dares not risk any inferior goods at all. This is precisely our opportunity.
She held out two fingers: "Our goals are two." First, there are those high-quality raw materials that he sold at low prices. This is exactly what the Splendid Pavilion is lacking now.
But we can't buy it openly. We have to find a few trustworthy and inexperienced traders, divide it into small batches and secretly consume it. Remember, only choose those top-quality silk threads, Yun brocade and Shu brocade. Inspect the goods carefully to ensure everything is in order.
Wang Bo nodded. This was indeed a solution. It could replenish the inventory without being too conspicuous.
Shen Ruoxin continued, "But this is only secondary." My true goal is the second one - human beings.
"Person?" Both Wang Bo and A Xing were somewhat puzzled.
"Zhang Ji Embroidery House has been able to compete with our Jinxiu Pavilion for so long not only because of its low prices, but also because of the group of experienced embroiderers under its wing." "
Shen Ruoxin's eyes sparkled with a sharp light. "Especially those veteran masters who are skilled in Suzhou embroidery and Hunan embroidery, their skills are no less than those of the elders in our Splendid Pavilion." Nowadays, Zhang Ji is in a state of turmoil and can't even pay the wages. People are in a state of panic. This is the best time for us to "recruit talented people".
She looked at A Xing and said, "A Xing, leave this matter to you." Similarly, be "decent". You go and find those embroiderers with the best skills and decent character and have private contact with them.
Tell them that Jinxiu Pavilion is willing to hire them at a salary 10% higher than Zhang Ji's and prepay them three months 'monthly silver. We are not taking advantage of the situation to strike at them; we are respecting their talents and providing them with a more stable place where they can better display their abilities. The posture should be sufficient to make them feel respected.
"Yes, Second Miss." A Xing immediately understood Shen Ruoxin's profound meaning. Buying goods is a small profit, but poaching talents is the fundamental. With top-notch embroiderers, Jinxiu Pavilion can truly enhance its quality and widen the gap with its competitors. This decisive move is far more ingenious than a mere price war.
"Uncle Wang," Shen Ruoxin turned to Uncle Wang again, "The silver for purchasing raw materials will be paid from the working capital we have reserved." Be sure to be quick, accurate and decisive. Get all the good things before he realizes it or other buyers get involved.
"Old man understands." Uncle Wang bowed in agreement. Although he still had reservations about Shen Ruoxin's methods, he had to admit that this second young lady's vision and boldness far exceeded those of ordinary people. With the Splendid Pavilion in her hands, perhaps it can truly rise from the ashes.
In the following days, a peculiar sight emerged in the prefectural city.
At the entrance of Zhang Ji Embroidery Shop, a sign reading "Clearance Inventory, starting at 30% off" was hung up, attracting many citizens who were looking for bargains and small vendors who were eager to act upon the news. Zhang Defa forced a smile to cope, but his heart was bleeding.
Meanwhile, a few unremarkable fabric merchants, quietly moving among them, seemingly randomly picking but always managed to precisely purchase those high-quality silk and brocade items at ridiculously low prices. They were decisive and never bargained. After paying the money, they left in a hurry.
Even more secretly, in a secluded alley in the south of the city or in a corner of an unremarkable teahouse, A Xing, along with a few smart maidservants, was whispering to each embroiderer with a worried expression.
"... Sister Li, there are no more than three of your unique skills in Suzhou embroidery in the city. Why bother staying in a place like Zhang Ji and not even getting paid?
"... The Jinxiu Pavilion is now run by the second young lady, who values the artisans the most. If you are willing to come, not only will your monthly salary be increased by 10%, but we will also open a separate embroidery room for you and take on two apprentices. Your skills will never be wasted.
"... Here is the monthly advance payment for three months. Take it and it will solve your urgent problem first. Our Jinxiu Pavilion will never treat anyone with genuine ability unfairly.
There is no coercion or inducement, only heartfelt persuasion, tangible benefits and respect for the skills. Facing the olive branch extended by the Splendid Pavilion and the increasingly declining and disoriented scene of Zhang Ji, the balance in the hearts of those embroiderers who had been hesitating began to tip.
Three days later.
The Brocade Pavilion Warehouse.
Looking at the newly stored batches of lustrous and high-quality silk and brocade, Uncle Wang finally showed a long-lost smile on his face: "Second Miss, you've lived up to your expectations!" We ate nearly 60% of the good food that Zhang Ji threw out this time! And the price... "Wow, what a great bargain!"
Shen Ruoxin merely gave a faint smile, her gaze passing over the fabrics and looking at the seven or eight middle-aged women standing aside, who were slightly reserved but had bright eyes. They are the greatest gains from this operation.
"Masters," Shen Ruoxin stepped forward, nodding slightly at them in a gentle yet powerful tone, "From today on, you are all members of the Splendid Pavilion."
All past grievances and disputes are written off in one go. I, Shen Ruoxin, hereby promise that as long as you do your best, Jinxiu Pavilion will never treat you unfairly. What I need is your skills and loyalty. What I can offer is stability, respect and a stage to display one's talents.
The leading embroiderer, surnamed Wang, was the foreman of the former Zhang Ji Embroidery Studio and also an expert in Suzhou embroidery. She stepped forward and bowed deeply to Shen Ruoxin, saying, "Thank you, Miss Er, for taking me in!" We sisters will do our best to live up to the expectations of the second young lady!
The other embroiderers also followed suit and bowed one after another, their eyes filled with anticipation and gratitude for the new life.
Shen Ruoxin nodded, and a heavy burden fell from her heart. Finally, the step of cutting off the fuel supply from under the pot and poaching resources was successfully completed. After this battle, Zhang Ji not only lost her reputation but also powed away most of the technical backbone she relied on for survival. It was difficult for her to pose a threat in the short term.
But she didn't relax because of this. Glancing over the newly stored raw materials, she knew that this was only a temporary supplement. There was still no news from Wang Ermazi's side. The stable upstream supply chain that belonged to the Jinxiu Pavilion itself remained the Sword of Damocles hanging over her head.
Moreover, will Zhang Defa just admit defeat like this? A businessman who is pushed to the brink of despair often makes a more frantic counterattack.
What concerned her even more was that A Xing reported that when she came into contact with those embroiderers, there was a highly skilled Liu surnamed embroiderer who had an ambiguous attitude. She neither explicitly refused nor immediately agreed. Instead, she would inquire about the internal situation of the Brocade Pavilion in a subtle way, especially regarding the accounts and the sources of goods.
Mole... The venomous snake lurking in the dark seemed to have smelled the blood and began to stir.