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Some orders were similar to those requested by the tea plantation, in need of delicate, waterproof, and durable containers for transporting fabrics, raw silk, and similar goods, offering substantial prices.
These orders varied in urgency and quantity, each with different delivery times. Based on the urgency and complexity of each order, Jiang Mixia organized and divided the tasks among the workshop members according to their abilities, implementing a performance-based reward system.
At the porcelain kiln, under Zhu Yongwu’s busy management, the first batch of clay blanks was produced. After the processes of sun-drying and glazing, they were placed in saggars and loaded into the kiln, marking the beginning of firing the first batch of porcelain.
For the construction of the kiln, to ensure lower construction costs and facilitate construction, Zhu Yongwu designed and oversaw the building of a type of kiln he was familiar with—a “mantou” kiln. This type of kiln has a relatively low chimney and a deep ash pit, requiring a higher level of technical expertise during firing.
Controlling flame temperature and maintaining stable kiln temperatures are challenging. If not managed properly, it can easily affect the quality of the products.
Zhu Yongwu felt somewhat uneasy about this, especially because this was his first firing after starting the kiln, representing his hope and the first achievement in his business partnership with the Jiang family. He had to ensure the quality at all costs.
He attached great importance to this and hardly slept during the day and night of the firing, constantly keeping a watchful eye on the kiln.
Jiang Youcheng and his family noticed that Zhu Yongwu was overly stressed, so they invited Zhu Guangtai to stay with them for a couple of days. They also arranged for Song Jingyun and Jiang Mixia to deliver meals to Zhu Yongwu three times a day, helping him with his tasks and allowing him to take a break.
“Yongwu, relax. The porcelain from this kiln will surely turn out great,” Song Jingyun reassured while helping Zhu Yongwu add firewood to the kiln.
“Then I’ll count on your auspicious words,” Zhu Yongwu, who had been enduring the high temperatures for over a day, replied with slightly reddened eyes.
“Can’t just say it’s an auspicious word from my brother-in-law. It’s a sure thing,” Jiang Chunya chimed in.
Initially interested in pottery making, Jiang Chunya became even more eager after the kiln was built, often wanting to spend time with Zhu Yongwu, hoping to have a few bowls and plates made by Zhu Yongwu.
Wouldn’t it be amazing to eat from dishes he had made himself?
If the kiln was successful, Zhu Yongwu would need help managing the workload. Since Jiang Chunya was eager and quick to learn, Zhu Yongwu had no reason to refuse and started teaching him the basics.
Jiang Chunya was a fast learner and willing to help at the kiln. In fact, apart from eating and sleeping, he spent most of his time there.
As it was Zhu Yongwu’s first time firing the kiln, Jiang Chunya volunteered to accompany him throughout the entire process.
Seeing Jiang Chunya’s confidence, Zhu Yongwu smiled. “You seem very confident.”
“Of course,” Jiang Chunya replied confidently. “My brother-in-law’s words have always been effective.”
Is that so?
After a brief moment of surprise, Zhu Yongwu chuckled. “Then I’ll rely on your brother-in-law’s blessings.”
It was nothing more than a playful remark from a child, and Zhu Yongwu didn’t take it too seriously.
The kiln fire burned for a full day and night. Based on Zhu Yongwu’s experience, considering the quality of the firewood and the new kiln, if half of the items produced were deemed acceptable, it would be considered a success. Even among the acceptable items, their quality was estimated to be average at best, fetching a moderate price at the town’s shops.
However, Zhu Yongwu calculated that despite this, the overall outcome should not result in financial loss. For a first firing, not incurring a financial loss was already a positive result.
With such expectations and a nervous heart, after letting the kiln cool for two full days, they began to remove the saggars one by one, with Jiang Mixia, Song Jingyun, and Jiang Chunya assisting.
Once all the saggars were brought out and arranged on the ground, Zhu Yongwu took a deep breath and opened the nearest saggar. Inside was a very ordinary, pure white porcelain bowl. It was smooth, evenly glazed, had a good color, emitted a crisp and bright sound when tapped, and retained its original shape. There were a few pinholes due to glaze shrinkage, but overall, the quality was quite good.
“Top quality,” Zhu Yongwu exclaimed excitedly, inviting Jiang Mixia and the others to open the remaining saggars.
For the first firing, the quantity and variety were not extensive. There were a total of 70 bowls in large, medium, and small sizes, along with over 20 porcelain basins.
After inspection, 60% were top-quality, 20% were medium-quality, 10% were lower-quality, and 10% were flawed with cracks.
With 90% of the items deemed usable and 60% of them being top-quality, this far exceeded Zhu Yongwu’s expectations!
“I told you we could do it,” Jiang Chunya grinned.
“Yes, you were right,” Zhu Yongwu replied happily, organizing the porcelain and then discussing the sale of the items with Jiang Mixia.
During their previous collaboration, they had divided responsibilities, with Zhu Yongwu handling the kiln-related tasks and Jiang Mixia overseeing sales.
Jiang Mixia suggested they seek reliable cooperative sellers rather than selling the items individually. Though this approach might require selling in larger quantities at lower prices, it would allow them to focus on pottery making and firing without worrying about sales or excessive inventory, ultimately resulting in better financial management.
As Zhu Yongwu wasn’t well-versed in sales, he trusted Jiang Mixia’s expertise, especially considering her successful management of the bamboo weaving workshop. Therefore, he fully entrusted the sales aspect to her.
In the afternoon, Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun took some porcelain items to the largest porcelain shop in town, Zhao’s.
The shop owner, Mr. Zhao, was an experienced businessman approaching his forties, known for his integrity and success in the town’s business community.
Upon learning that the Jiang family village had established a porcelain kiln and that Jiang Mixia was there to sell porcelain, Mr. Zhao eagerly led them to the backyard and served them tea.
He remarked, “Not only in our town, but in the surrounding towns, there isn’t a proper porcelain kiln. Even farther away, there are only one or two near the northern county town, but the quality is generally mediocre. Most are coarse porcelain, selling for a dozen or twenty wen each, suitable only for household use and not for entertaining guests. The porcelain we sell in our shop comes from neighboring counties, and even as far as the prefectural city.”