ebookpocket.com Chapter 579: Every Loom’s Rattle Means Silver
Chapter 579: Every Loom’s Rattle Means Silver
If Tong Huaqiong heard the clan leader’s complaints, she would just brush them off with a smile.
Originally, when naming the weaving workshop, Gu Jingzhe, the talented scholar, suggested many auspicious and pleasant names, all of which were rejected by Tong Huaqiong.
Tong Huaqiong aimed for simplicity and clarity in naming.
For example, the dessert shop is called Taohua Dessert, the seed pesticide is called Tong Xiangjun Seed Pesticide Shop, the pig farm is called Widow Tong’s Pig Farm, the supermarket is called Jufu Supermarket, and Tong Huaqiong decided to call the weaving workshop Tong Family Weaving Workshop.
Not for any other reason, but to emphasize the characteristic of century-old businesses of this era, like Li’s Lamb Restaurant, Sun’s Tailor Shop, Zhang’s Scissors Shop... all named after the family name and the main business.
According to most people’s thoughts, Tong Huaqiong’s weaving workshop should certainly be called Gu’s Weaving Workshop by the Gu Family Weaving Workshop, inevitably carrying the "Gu" name.
After all, she married the old Gu, so in life, she’s a person of the Gu Family, and in death, a ghost of the Gu Family; she is entirely a part of the Gu Family, and her title of Widow Tong was also conferred by old Gu, so the name naturally had to carry the "Gu" character.
But Tong Huaqiong was unwilling to associate her business with the Gu Family, so she decisively named the shop Tong Family Weaving Workshop.
When the name Tong Family Weaving Workshop was revealed, not only was the clan leader of the Gu Family shocked, but even Magistrate Yao and County Magistrate Liu were slightly amazed when they saw the name.
Tong Huaqiong didn’t care, after all, the emperor conferred her the title of Xiangjun under the Tong name, rather than as the widow of Mr. Gu, Gu Tongshi.
So she felt at ease using the Tong name to traverse the world.
"From today onwards, Tong Family Weaving Workshop is officially open for business." Tong Huaqiong joyously announced.
Following Tong Huaqiong’s call, the crackling of firecrackers resounded.
The opening ceremony was simple; beyond the ribbon-cutting and the blasting firecrackers, there were no other elaborate displays.
Tong Huaqiong believed that the most important thing for the weaving workshop was to commence operations immediately; these women came to work here to earn money, the sooner they start, the sooner they earn.
The cotton machines, spinning machines, and weaving machines were in place, and the women entered one after another, taking their positions according to their tasks and began working.
Picking cotton, carding cotton, spinning yarn, weaving cloth... everything carried on orderly within the building.
Magistrate Yao, accompanied by County Magistrate Liu and others, toured the weaving workshop.
Other villagers were very curious about the weaving workshop and wanted to follow along to observe, but Gu Dashu blocked them outside.
"Shoo, shoo, don’t stink up the cloth with those smelly feet."
"Don’t disturb everyone at work."
Gu Dahuan, fearing Gu Dashu might offend the folks, prepared candy and melon seeds to distribute among everyone, asking them to be more understanding.
The villagers grabbed the candy and munched on it, thinking who would dare not be tolerant? As soon as the machines start up, all they hear is the clinking of silver; they only regret not having the skills to work in the weaving workshop.
Seeing Tong Huaqiong make a fortune selling pastries before was quite unsettling; they’re all poor farmers, how come you managed to rise and earn money?
Since Tong Huaqiong’s business flourished broadly and comprehensively, jealousy has become unbearable, so they lie down and give up on envy.
If you can’t beat them, join them first.
Many villagers were eager and ready, waiting for Tong Huaqiong’s next business to launch so they could quickly latch on.
Therefore, the honest Gu Dahuan became the object of everyone’s flattery.
"Nephew Dahuan, does your mother have any plans for other businesses?"
"Brother Dahuan, when does Aunt Tong plan to hire again? Do you think I’m suitable? You can help put in a good word for me to Aunt Tong."
"Brother Dahuan, does your weaving workshop still need cotton? I’m planning to plant cotton next year."
Gu Dahuan was naturally tongue-tied, and after becoming affluent, Tong Huaqiong often reminded the family, telling them to be cautious of those who try to snuggle up; they’re only doing so because there’s profit to be had, don’t let a smile lead you into a trap.
Therefore, Gu Dahuan resorted to universal responses of not knowing, not clear, not being able to decide, then after distributing candy, he swiftly dashed home to see his little daughter.
Outside the weaving workshop was bustling, while inside was a different scene full of busy activity.
All the women were focused and working vigorously with both hands.
As Tong Huaqiong specifically recruited skilled workers, and prior to official operation, Song Qiaoniang and Gu Xiaoxue provided training, they could spin yarn dazzlingly and weave cloth at eye-blurring speeds.
Magistrate Yao admired as he watched.
He remarked, "I heard that in Qinghe Bay, you not only have a weaving workshop, but also a pig farm. If every village had such enterprises, villagers would have earning opportunities besides farming, and during years of disaster, they wouldn’t become vagrants."
Though Magistrate Yao came from an aristocratic family, he personally did not uphold the hierarchy of scholar, farmer, artisan, and merchant.
He understood that, aside from guaranteeing food through agriculture, the most crucial aspect of ensuring local livelihood comes from commerce, especially since business brings substantial tax revenue.
Tong Huaqiong concurred, "That’s right. However, developing these in rural areas is not easy; it requires reliance on clear local governance, otherwise adding commercial taxes to agricultural taxes becomes too challenging. We’re fortunate to have Lord Liu’s clear governance, regularly preventing anyone from exploiting the people; otherwise, just handling the upper and lower networking would suffice to halt anyone wanting to do business."
County Magistrate Liu didn’t expect Tong Huaqiong to praise him in front of Magistrate Yao.
While Tong Huaqiong’s words seemed flattering, they were indeed truthful.
During her initial stall setup in Yan Guan Town, she hadn’t been troubled; of course, she had to pay the broker’s commissions, but it only occupied a small portion of the revenue. She heard that in many places, brokers collude with the government to mercilessly exploit merchants and ruin their trading enthusiasm.
Her successful startup was indeed due to County Magistrate Liu’s strict governance.
Magistrate Yao looked at County Magistrate Liu, with an approving gaze.
County Magistrate Liu excitedly said, "I only did what should be done."
County Magistrate Liu’s expression made Tong Huaqiong feel he was about to say, "Serve the people."
Then Tong Huaqiong added, "Also, people’s perceptions are constrained; scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants, merchants come last."
With unchangeable social perceptions, more people remain tied to the land.
Of course, this perception issue is not Tong Huaqiong’s concern; she personally doesn’t prioritize scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, anyhow, for her, no matter how low a merchant’s status is, it can’t compare to the charm of silver.
Magistrate Yao stood by the loom.
It was from Mr. Lu that Magistrate Yao heard that Tong Huaqiong’s weaving workshop uses cotton as a raw material to weave cotton cloth.
In his impression, cotton cloth is very coarse, generally worn by those doing rougher work.
Plus, cotton requires a complicated process from seed removal to washing to cotton carding, and the final product isn’t very good, hence cotton cloth isn’t popular from Shengjing to the folk.
He came to Tong Huaqiong’s weaving workshop to see how the finished cotton fabric would look.
In his understanding, Aunt Tong, who could eliminate corn pests and bring about a corn harvest, certainly wouldn’t produce cotton cloth for no reason.
Tong Huaqiong handed the cotton cloth woven by Gu Xiaoxue in advance to Magistrate Yao, saying, "Lord Yao, feel this cotton cloth."
"Is this cotton cloth?" Magistrate Yao asked.
Tong Huaqiong affirmed confidently, "Certainly."
The cotton cloth landed in Magistrate Yao’s hand, completely different from his preconception; this piece of cotton cloth was soft and warm, not rough at all.