Chapter 144

Wang Yuan’er sent Song San and his group away, saying she needed to discuss with her family before making a decision. Before leaving, Manager Yu said meaningfully, “Miss Wang, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Not everyone can establish a connection with the Song family. You orphans, the girls can marry, but what about your little brother? Xiaobao will ultimately inherit your family, but he’s only one year old. The road ahead is long, and you should plan carefully.”

Manager Yu’s words were both a reminder and a suggestion. Wang Yuan’er was grateful and, after thanking him, went to the main house that evening.

The arrival of Song San and his group was naturally known to Grandpa Wang and others. Even if Wang Yuan’er hadn’t come, they would have sought her out to understand the situation. After all, they were all girls, and they wondered what the visitors intended.

In the main house, Wang Er was also present.

Since becoming a supervisor at the river office, Wang Er has been leaving early and returning late. Wang Yuan’er rarely saw him, and even when she did, he often smelled of alcohol and perfume.

But at this time, Wang Er was guarding the main house?

When Wang Er saw her, he was unusually enthusiastic and stood up to greet her, “Yuan girl, you’re here, sit down.”

Suspicion arose in Wang Yuan’er’s heart, but she smiled and called out, “Second Uncle!” She also greeted Grandpa and Grandma Wang.

Grandma Wang glanced at her but said nothing while Grandpa Wang pointed to a spring stool for her to sit on.

As soon as Wang Yuan’er sat down, Wang Er began to ask, “Yuan girl, do you know who those people Manager Yu brought today are?”

He had a look of anticipation, and Wang Yuan’er smiled at him.

Without waiting for her to ask, Wang Er excitedly said, “That’s the young master of the Song family. Do you know the Song family? They produced the imperial tutor. The Jinji shop is their business.”

He rubbed his hands together excitedly as he talked about the background of Song San and his group.

As a small supervisor, he often had to socialize with his superiors. Naturally, he knew Manager Yu, the manager of Huifengyuan. Seeing them come out of his own house today, he was curious but didn’t have time to ask. He eagerly approached them and, through some probing, learned that the young man was the young master of the Song family from Jiangnan.

Not only that, but he also saw that Lord Li treated the young master of the Song family with great respect. This was extraordinary. When he returned home, he urgently asked the two elders why the Song family had come to their small courtyard. But the two elders didn’t know either. Just as they were talking, Wang Yuan’er arrived.

“That’s right, Yuan girl, what did the young master of the Song family come for?” Wang Er asked her after his excitement subsided.

Grandma and Grandpa Wang also looked at her expectantly. Wang Yuan’er then explained the purpose of Song San’s visit.

“Grandpa has been managing our family’s carpentry shop for many years and has a broad perspective. I wanted to ask for your advice on whether this cooperation is feasible,” Wang Yuan’er said sincerely.

It was this sincerity that pleased the two elders, proving that the granddaughter still regarded them as elders—especially Grandma Wang, whose stern face softened a bit.

Before Grandpa Wang could speak, Wang Er eagerly interrupted, “Oh, do we even need to ask? Of course, we should agree. You, girl, why didn’t you call me back then? This is a golden opportunity to establish a connection with the Song family!” He then fretted and paced around the room, annoyed, “Well, now that you’ve delayed, who knows if they still want to cooperate with you!”

To him, business was trivial; the most important thing was establishing connections with the influential and clinging to their powerful legs; that was the top priority.

There were plenty of merchants in Changle Town, but merchants were considered the lowest class. Most officials didn’t like associating with merchants, especially those from century-old prominent families who prided themselves on their literary heritage and rarely interacted with merchants. Many merchants went to great lengths to establish connections with officials, even going bankrupt in the process. Wang Yuaner’s situation, where someone came to her seeking cooperation, was like a pie falling from the sky.

“Scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants—the merchants are the lowest class. Moreover, you only run a small shop doing small business. If they do not appreciate your skills, would they even talk to you?” Wang Er continued, “Now that the Song family values these things, we should send them over, even if it’s just as a gift. Yuan girl, we’re just a humble family. To even talk about cooperation is already a blessing from heaven. Remember the Mo family in the neighboring town who were ruined by a local tyrant for their skills? How can an arm wrestle with a thigh?”

His words made Wang Yuan’er and others’ faces change slightly.

Wang Er was referring to the Mo family, who were known for their dyeing skills. Their dyed cloth was highly regarded, and their business flourished. However, this attracted jealousy, and that year, a tyrant tried to seize their dyeing skills by force. Naturally, the Mo family would not easily give up their livelihood, and thus, they suffered a calamity, with the entire family being killed. Many believed it was the tyrant’s doing, as the cloth produced by his family later was identical to the Mo family’s. However, the tyrant eventually met a bad end, with his entire family being wiped out overnight by unknown forces, leaving no one to inherit the dyeing skills. This story was often recounted in teahouses.

Similar incidents were numerous in Beizhao, with common folks unable to contend with powerful officials. Wang Yuan’er understood that her uncle’s words were true. If the Song family really wanted to seize her skills by force, could a few orphaned girls defend them? Even if it wasn’t the Song family, an average official could easily overtake them.

Wang Yuan’er pursed her lips and looked at Grandpa Wang, “Grandpa, this…”

“Your uncle’s words are reasonable, but since the Song family came personally to propose, they must be honorable,” Grandpa Wang said, glancing at Wang Er, who was about to speak. “This fermented tofu is your own creation. If you hand it over to others, it means selling your hard work. No matter how the business turns out, the credit will go to Jinji. Over time, people will only know Jinji fermented tofu, not Wang fermented tofu.”

It was precisely for this reason that Wang Yuan’er was in a dilemma.

“However, if you plan to do it on your own, how far can you go by yourself? Can you defend it? We are all common folk. We might live comfortably with small-scale business, but to grow to the scale of Jinji, Yuan girl, the time and effort required is not something that can be achieved overnight!” Grandpa Wang continued, “And you, you will eventually marry, and Baolai is not even a year old!”

She knew it wasn’t an overnight task. Those century-old families had accumulated resources over generations, but every family started with the first step.

“Yuan girl, if not for anything else, think about Baolai!” Wang Er urged, “Even if you make fermented tofu on your own and succeed, you’ll just earn money and remain a merchant. Baolai will also just be a merchant’s son. But if you establish a connection with the Song family? With their support, Baolai might become a scholar and top the imperial exams, which sounds far better than being a merchant’s son! Think it over carefully!”

Consider?

The pros and cons were clear. It was evident that cooperation with the Song family was the stronger choice. Otherwise, if the Song family didn’t propose cooperation today, would someone else come to seize it tomorrow?

Seeing her hesitation, Wang Er suggested, “It’s not convenient for a girl like you. I’ll accompany you to discuss this with Young Master Song tomorrow.”

Wang Yuan’er looked at him, seeing his calculating eyes, and was about to speak when Grandma Wang interrupted.

“Your uncle is right. It’s better for your reputation to have him accompany you,” she said.

Grandpa Wang also nodded.

Seeing this, Wang Yuan’er smiled and said, “Then I’ll trouble Second Uncle to accompany me.”

“No trouble at all. It’s settled then!” Wang Er clapped his hands and returned to the west room.

In the west room, his wife was scolding Wang Min’er from next door angrily. Wang Er clicked his tongue, lay down on the kang, crossed his legs, and smiled.

“This wretched girl, she won’t be satisfied until she drives me to my grave!” Madam Zhang walked over angrily, but seeing his good mood, she raised an eyebrow, “Oh, what’s the good news that has you so happy?”

Wang Er pulled her by the waist and laughed, “Of course, there’s good news!”

Caught off guard by his embrace, Madam Zhang blushed and slapped his hand, “You’re asking for trouble; the child is in the room!”

Wang Er laughed.

“What is it?”

“Nothing much; your man is about to climb high.” Wang Er let go and crossed his legs again.

Hearing this, Madam Zhang leaned in, “What do you mean by that?”

Wang Er then told her about Wang Yuan’er’s situation. Madam Zhang felt a bit jealous but, hearing that the Song family was even wealthier than the Tang family, asked, “I wonder if that Young Master Song is married?”

“What are you thinking?” Wang Er squinted at her.

Madam Zhang spat, “What kind of look is that? I’m thinking about our daughter. She’s of age now and should be getting married. If she marries into a family like the Song’s, wouldn’t we live a good life?”

Wang Er thought it made sense and, remembering how she had just been scolding their daughter, said, “She’s a grown girl now, why are you still scolding her? It’s not good if word gets out. Just teach her properly!”

“I’m just angry with her. Ask her to do something, and she acts like a dead fish, lazy and unwilling to move. I think she’s getting lazier.” Madam Zhang recalled Wang Min’er’s attitude and glared.

“Isn’t it because you spoiled her?” Wang Er rolled his eyes. Seeing her about to explode again, he quickly said, “I’ve been working all day, and I’m tired. Go prepare some water so we can wash up and rest early!” Saying this, he pinched her waist.

Catching the hint, Madam Zhang spat at him again, blushing, and went off.