ebookland Chapter 547 Preparations
Chapter 547 Preparations
After the polite words, An Lingrong took Shen Pingchuan to inspect the workshop.
As soon as I entered the courtyard, I was greeted by the incessant clanging of hammers. Dozens of carpenters were busily crafting new machines in the yard. Amidst the flying sawdust, brand new spinning machines were already taking shape.
Shen Yunfei had already skillfully tucked the hem of his clothes into his belt and went to help the carpenters.
"All the carpenters Suzhou City could hire are here," An Lingrong said, pointing to the busy craftsmen. "The old looms Wang Yu acquired are stored in another courtyard. They'll be ready for use once the renovations are complete."
Shen Pingchuan was secretly shocked. This scene was much bigger than he had imagined.
He forced himself to suppress the shock in his heart, and then he heard An Lingrong continue, "Brother, I have a few important matters that I need you to take care of."
"Just give me your orders." Shen Pingchuan bowed and replied.
An Lingrong took a map of Suzhou from Liu Zhu and tapped her fingertips. "First, please contact the Governor of Jiangsu. I need a piece of land to build a factory."
She drew a circle on the map. "This place is close to the city and next to the canal, making it convenient for transporting raw materials and goods."
"Yes."
"Secondly, I would like to ask the Governor's Office to allocate 1,000 dan of grain to the weavers in Suzhou City as an emergency measure. They have been without food for many days. I estimate that our workshop can reopen in three months, and I will return the money with interest."
"it is good."
"And the third and most important thing. It's spring planting season now, so I'd like to ask you to buy some farmland in the surrounding counties. Government land would be best, but private land can also be purchased at a high price."
Each of these three matters involved significant matters. Purchasing official farmland required the imperial court's approval, and allocating grain from the treasury was no easy task.
But he knew that this matter was of great importance, so he immediately said, "I will do it right away and will never let you down."
"Thank you, Brother."
Shen Pingchuan was shocked when he saw An Lingrong calmly directing everyone.
She spoke clearly and logically, and knew everything about weaving and workshop management. She was even more experienced than many merchants who had been in business for many years.
How could this be a canary in the deep palace? It was clearly a phoenix that had been dormant for a long time, waiting for the right moment to spread its wings and soar high.
She is not simply setting up a workshop, but is weaving a new world in Jiangnan.
After leaving the workshop, Shen Pingchuan didn't hesitate to take action. He knew that if this matter succeeded, it would not only alleviate the difficulties faced by weavers in Jiangnan, but also open up a new source of income for the imperial court.
Fortunately, as the Minister of Revenue and the eldest brother of the current Empress Dowager, he naturally had many advantages in official circles. After submitting his name card at the Governor's Office, the Governor personally hosted a banquet to welcome him.
Seeing that he had extraordinary eloquence and was acting on imperial orders, the governor naturally had to give him some face and immediately ordered him to cooperate fully.
Within three days, the hundred acres of government land along the Grand Canal was approved.
On the other side, Song Jiashu was almost carried into the city.
He was a scholar and had never traveled day and night like this before. His legs were shaking from riding for days. In the end, he was half-supported and half-carried by the yamen runners before he could barely stand.
Seeing his miserable state, An Lingrong couldn't help but laugh: "Master Song, you've worked so hard!"
Song Jiashu panted heavily and reluctantly bowed, "No, I dare not. As long as I don't delay the Empress's business, it's fine."
Now that everyone is here, we can start doing things.
In the flower hall of Suzhou Weaving Office, the aroma of tea wafted through the air. An Lingrong sat in the main seat, gazing calmly at everyone.
Outside the window, a crabapple tree was in full bloom. Occasionally, petals floated into the hall on the wind, but no one paid attention to them. At this moment, everyone present knew that today's meeting would completely change the landscape of the Jiangnan weaving industry.
Sun Heyin, Shen Pingchuan, Shen Yunfei, Song Jiashu, and Wang Yu.
"Sir Shen, the construction of the workshop is now yours. Here are the blueprints. No matter what method you use, you must complete it within two months."
"Sir Song, Sir Shen has already borrowed the grain. You will also need to allocate a sum of money from the Suzhou Weaving Office's account. Then, quickly count the weavers in Suzhou City. The factory will open in two months. If they are willing to work, you will first provide them with some grain and settlement money. You will also need to identify workers who are skilled in dyeing and compile a separate list."
"Master Wang, I'm sure you know the purchasing standards for cotton and linen. I'll leave this to you. The more the better! Then sign a purchase contract with the farmers and have them grow cotton. We'll buy it at the market price, and you can pay a 30% deposit in advance."
"Ayin, you will be fully responsible for decorating and recruiting employees for the four shops. We will open them simultaneously in two months."
After An Lingrong finished speaking, she raised the corners of her lips slightly and waved gently towards Liu Zhu.
Liu Zhu immediately understood and walked over slowly with a piece of indigo cloth in her hands, spreading it flat on the Huanghuali table in the middle of the hall.
"Please look, everyone." An Lingrong gently stroked the cloth with her delicate fingers. "This is cotton cloth woven on a new loom."
Several people present couldn't help but move closer to take a closer look.
I saw that this cloth was a full foot wider than ordinary cloth, and the warp and weft were arranged tightly and evenly. I could feel the thick and crisp texture with a light touch of my fingertips.
Shen Pingchuan couldn't help but pull up a corner and tug hard, but the fabric didn't move at all and didn't deform at all.
"Right now, a piece of high-quality cotton cloth costs eight hundred wen on the market, and the cost is six hundred wen or more." An Lingrong's voice suddenly lowered, a hint of mystery in her voice. "And the cost of this piece of cloth..."
She paused deliberately, "Not even four hundred coins."
For this kind of handicraft, labor costs account for a considerable part of the cost. Now that labor costs have been reduced, the price of cloth will naturally drop.
She looked around at the shocked expressions on everyone's faces, a sharp glint in her eyes: "In two months, I want this cloth to be sold in every corner of Jiangnan."
"Yes!" The four of them stood up at the same time, their voices sonorous and powerful.
Only Shen Yunfei sat there with a bewildered look on his face: "Cousin, what should I do?"
An Lingrong turned to look at him, and suddenly smiled: "We have more important things to do."
Then he looked at Song Jiashu and said, "Sir Song, please, in the name of Suzhou Weaving, invite all the silk merchants in Suzhou City to discuss this matter."
"Yes!"