She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 502 - 500: The Big Workshop

Chapter 502: Chapter 500: The Big Workshop

Zhou Biyao had long since stopped her work and stared wide-eyed, listening attentively to Ye Xinyan and Jiang Yifan’s conversation. Hearing this outcome, she was greatly surprised. Could things really be done this way? She knew it, following Sister Qi was the right decision—such an eye-opener!

Sister Qi, in all her glory, had just taken control of a money-making venture. This, this, this, was it not a complete overturning of the world’s common beliefs? Wasn’t such dogged pursuit of silver a very unrefined thing to do?

Ye Xinyan explained to Jiang Yifan, "Lord Jiang is mistaken. To take over this portion of the profits, a large investment is needed. When the machinery is introduced, we must gradually cover the entire construction market, rendering others powerless to replicate the idea. Although I am indeed a money lover, I am not capable of digesting such an amount of silver on my own."

"Uh." Zhou Biyao almost spoke out, but was immediately silenced by a glare from Ye Xinyan.

"To speak frankly, what is needed is a substantial amount of financial input to set up a large machinery workshop, specifically for manufacturing all sorts of machinery. Such a huge workshop naturally requires financial investment to build. If Sixth Master is interested, then he should consider investing a share." Ye Xinyan looked at Jiang Yifan with a smile and continued, "Lord Jiang’s family is quite wealthy, so would you also consider taking a twenty percent share?"

Jiang Yifan was momentarily dazzled by Ye Xinyan’s cunning smile. Could talking about money be so endearing, so wonderful?

Seeing Jiang Yifan staring blankly without response for a long time, Ye Xinyan withdrew her smile and asked indifferently, "What is Lord Jiang considering? Are you hesitating whether or not to invest, hesitating for Sixth Master, or do you simply not fancy my business venture and fear losing your capital?"

Zhou Biyao was nearly out of breath from the shock—how quickly Sister Qi could change her demeanor! It was astonishing!

Seeing Ye Xinyan’s stern look, Jiang Yifan finally snapped back to reality, hastily offered a laugh to cover up, and said, "There’s no need to hesitate. I was just wondering how much capital the workshop would need initially, and how much silver I can contribute."

Ye Xinyan’s expression softened a bit, "The initial investment isn’t much, only the labor and material costs during the trial production period. Once we succeed in the trial and begin to market it in various places, we will indeed need a lot of silver."

However, for such a formal matter, he needed to send a message to Jinrong. Not wishing to delay any longer, Jiang Yifan stood up, "This matter should not be delayed; I will go contact Sixth Master right away and also find a few skilled craftsmen to help. As for the matter of silver..., you make a plan first, and we’ll see how much Sixth Master and I need to invest initially. How about this: I’ll have Shi Yu bring you a silver note of one thousand taels tomorrow, and you can use that first."

Ye Xinyan also stood up and waved her hand, "There’s no need. It’s not that time yet; there aren’t many craftsmen needed, and the materials are just wood, so we can afford this little amount. Once your and Sixth Master’s workforce arrives, and there’s an increase in living expenses, wages, and materials required, I will write up a plan, and we can discuss it then."

"It doesn’t matter whose silver it is, I’ll have Shi Yu bring it over, and we can talk about the rest later. I should go bid farewell to the wife of the heir apparent now." Jiang Yifan gave a formal gesture.

As Jiang Yifan turned to leave, Ye Xinyan quickly called out, "Also, when you pass the message to Sixth Master, tell him that my concept should account for a twenty percent share and that he should think it over clearly." If he’s not willing, Miss Ye here will look for someone else to invest.

"..." Ah Yan really was quite the money lover. Jiang Yifan paused in his steps, then nodded, "Understood, I will pass on the message to Sixth Master."

When Zhou Biyao finally saw Jiang Yifan leave, she quickly put down her writing brush, approached Ye Xinyan, and asked, "Sister Qi, the large machinery workshop you spoke of—how big will it be? Will it be as big as the dairy product workshop, with several workshop spaces involved?"

Ye Xinyan thought for a moment and replied, "Pretty much, I guess. It was only after Lord Jiang mentioned it today that the idea came to me. I haven’t thought through the details yet."

Zhou Biyao was stunned for a moment. "Sister, you didn’t even think it through, and you dared to bring up the matter of buying shares with His Highness Prince Yu? What if you can’t follow through? What will you do if His Highness blames you?"

Ye Xinyan turned to look at her and proudly smiled, "It’s fine, I have my grandfather. He’s very protective. If Prince Yu blames me, let him speak to my grandfather. My grandfather will answer for me."

"Oh." Zhou Biyao pouted, no wonder Miss Ye, you dare to do anything—if your family elders are all so protective. "Sister Qi, if we raise funds to set up the workshop for crafting tools, I’ll work with you. I must see the large workshop you spoke of that can produce machinery," Zhou Biyao fawningly followed Ye Xinyan back.

"We’ll talk about it when the time comes. If the workshop is set up, forging, crafting, grinding—all that requires strength," Ye Xinyan glanced at Zhou Biyao, "By then, the workshop will be full of men baring their arms doing heavy labor. I’m afraid you might not be willing to go in."

Zhou Biyao’s eyes blinked several times, somewhat embarrassed to ask, "Sister, have you ever seen, those, men with bared arms?"

Ye Xinyan hummed lightly, gathering the sketches from the small table back onto the desk, while saying coolly, "Have you been to a blacksmith’s shop in the summer? A noble girl from an official’s family like you must have never been, right? Blacksmiths work with bared arms then."

"But..." But that really wouldn’t work. Zhou Biyao immediately looked distressed and said, "Sister Qi is also a girl from an official family, and your family background is much higher than mine... isn’t it immodest to look upon uncovered men?"

Ye Xinyan laughed and said, "That’s why I’m not too keen on you joining me in this, Sister Qi. My reputation, you go back and ask your parents, it’s not good, so I don’t care about seeing men bared arms, but it’s different for you, Second Miss Zhou."

"Go ahead, be quick and make those changes to the drawings. That’s what’s suited for you to do," Ye Xinyan directed Zhou Biyao to her desk.

...

Indeed, events developed unexpectedly, not giving Jiang Yifan and Jinrong the chance to hesitate.

Just a few days after Jiang Yifan had Shi Yu send over the silver note, three outsiders came to Clear Water Village. They inquired about the village children and headed straight for the second branch of the Qi family. At the entrance of the courtyard, they handed Song Ping a letter, claiming to be visitors from the capital to see Miss Ye.

The letter was written by Princess Fu. After a few sentences of greetings, it conveyed the thoughts of Prince Fu. Hearing that the Qi Family Construction Business used several new types of tools, Prince Fu, who was in charge of the Ministry of Works, was very interested in the matter and specifically sent people to the Qi family to learn new skills for the court’s projects.

Accompanied by Wong Qiao, Ye Xinyan received these visitors. Princess Fu’s letter stated that Prince Fu was interested in the new skills because of his role in the Ministry of Works, yet those who came were advisors from Prince Fu’s mansion, accompanied by two minor officials from the Ministry itself.

After introductions and formalities were exchanged, the advisor surnamed Fang from Prince Fu’s mansion reiterated their purpose for the visit.

Wong Qiao looked at Ye Xinyan with some concern; Prince Fu was already a high-ranking personage, and what’s more, he was using the court’s name to make his request. It would be difficult for Ye Zi to refuse, wouldn’t it?

In fact, Ye Xinyan had no intention of obstructing them. Forget Prince Fu making overtures to the Qi Family Construction Business in the name of the court; even if he merely said that his people wanted to follow the business to see their construction work, Ye Xinyan had no plans of stopping them.