The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 357 - 358: How About a Cooperation?

Chapter 357: Chapter 358: How About a Cooperation?

Wang Yongzhu was well aware, but she simply couldn’t discern what the boss was really up to at the moment; she could only adapt as things came.

She chuckled lightly, "For a businessperson, profit is of utmost importance. As long as I can make money for them, they naturally won’t act against me. We are all just mutually benefiting each other, who knows about the future?"

Song Chongjin knew that Wang Yongzhu had a clear understanding, so he didn’t say any more.

Upon arriving at Changfeng Escort Agency, Steward Lu immediately greeted her when he heard the name Wang Yongzhu, followed by a capable-looking man in a robe with a shrewd face.

Upon seeing Wang Yongzhu, he sized her up a few times without leaving a trace.

After Steward Lu introduced him, it was learned that the man was Zhang Yinbao’s inspector, named Guan Yifei, who had just arrived in Shiqiao Town that day.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Guan Yifei didn’t beat around the bush, "I was sent by the owner to prepare early for the autumn, and also in case Miss Wang has anything she doesn’t understand or is unsure about, so I can offer some advice."

The subtext of his words implied a lack of trust in the Wang Family. Sending Guan Yifei so early, on the one hand, was to lead the Wang Family; on the other hand, it seemed that if the Wang Family couldn’t handle things, he would have to handle things alone.

Wang Yongzhu laughed, understanding Zhang Yinbao’s concerns.

"That’s great. Our family recently gathered some goods at home before the autumn harvest, and it’s perfect timing for Big Brother Guan’s arrival to keep an eye on things for us and see if we’ve made any mistakes in what we’ve gathered. If there’s anything we haven’t thought of, I would certainly appreciate any advice from Big Brother Guan."

Her attitude was extremely modest.

Originally, Guan Yifei came with orders from the boss and was somewhat displeased to hear that the Steward he was to deal with was a young lady, thinking the boss might be confused.

Before leaving, Zhang Yinbao instructed him to be polite, especially to Wang Yongzhu. Concerned that Guan Yifei might look down on her, he specifically mentioned how Wang Yongzhu had once helped him.

Before coming, Guan Yifei was worried that Wang Yongzhu might be unreasonable, which would make his life difficult.

Unexpectedly, the young lady had been very astute and actively suggested that he give guidance, and her attitude was quite friendly.

His displeasure dissipated a little.

"Alright, I just arrived today. What’s the quantity of the mountain goods you’ve gathered? If it’s not too much, you can send it here tomorrow so I can take a look. If there’s a lot, I’ll rent a warehouse in the next couple of days to store it," said Guan Yifei, a decisive person who didn’t like to talk too much.

Wang Yongzhu couldn’t have asked for anything better, as she had been continuously buying mountain goods and her coffers were nearly empty. With the approaching autumn harvest, expenses were imminent as well.

Delivering the mountain goods and getting them approved by Guan Yifei meant that she could reclaim the invested silver.

She nodded readily, "Alright, I’ll bring the goods tomorrow."

The deal was so swiftly made that Guan Yifei, seeing that Steward Lu seemed to have something else to discuss with Wang Yongzhu, tactfully retired to his room.

Steward Lu welcomed Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin into the main hall, pouring tea for them.

He then proceeded to report in detail the tasks Wang Yongzhu had entrusted to him on her last visit.

Their findings on the treatment were not much different from what Song Chongjin had discovered, except they heard a piece of news that said Lady Sun was very fond of beauty and loved wearing new clothes.

In the past, she reportedly favored fabrics from Riches Textiles Shop the most; every time a new color was released, it wasn’t long before she would be seen wearing it.

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But not long ago, she fell in love with the fabric from the Auspicious Dyeing Workshop jointly opened by Wang Yongzhu and Shopkeeper Wu, especially the blue base with white flowers engraved in the dyeing vats.

However, since the supply was limited, she tried several times to make a purchase but failed, and it’s said that she did not look very pleased at that time.

When Wang Yongzhu heard this, she exchanged a glance with Song Chongjin.

Both had an idea in mind, so after thanking Steward Lu, they took their leave.

Upon leaving the Changfeng Escort Agency, Wang Yongzhu went to arrange for a carriage at the carriage service to transport the goods to Qilidun early the next morning. Only then did the two head back home.

It wasn’t until they were out of Shiqiao Town, with no one around, that Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin simultaneously exclaimed, "Riches Textiles Shop!"

Song Chongjin nodded. "I’ll have someone look into it today. If it really is them behind this, what do you plan to do?"

Wang Yongzhu smiled slightly. "Have you heard of ’fishing law enforcement’?"

Song Chongjin was taken aback but seemed to understand the gist of it, although he didn’t quite agree: "Since we have a lead, why is Lady Sun still staying at home?"

Because of Lady Sun, he hadn’t been able to visit the Wang Family for some time.

Wang Yongzhu snorted, "Since Lady Sun has harbored such thoughts, she won’t get off so easily. Wasn’t she crying and begging to serve as a concubine to my Third Brother, saying she would cling to the Wang Family even if she had to ’eat chaff and swallow vegetables’? The autumn harvest is just around the corner, and this year our family has more land to harvest without the strong labor of Fourth Brother and Big Brother."

"Why should my good Third Brother and his beloved concubine be idle? By the end of the harvest, I’m sure Lady Sun will be unable to bear it. Then, if I carelessly reveal something, she is sure to take action. Once she does..."

"What about Riches Textiles Shop then? How do you plan to resolve that?"

"Of course, we must teach them a lesson and let them know that not all persimmons are soft to pinch." Wang Yongzhu knew that Riches Textiles Shop’s move was a signal, and who knows how many peers were watching from the shadows.

If the Riches Textiles Shop’s affair was exposed without yielding a lesson to instill fear in her peers, others would still eye her if she brought out anything new and interesting in the future.

Song Chongjin also understood this. He lowered his eyes for a moment and then suddenly said, "What if we collaborate?"

Wang Yongzhu looked puzzled. "Collaborate on what?"

"Since Riches Textiles Shop has dared to extend its claws, we should chop them off! The owner behind Shopkeeper Wu doesn’t seem to be a long-term partner. What do you think about us taking over Riches Textiles Shop and running it ourselves?" Song Chongjin’s proposal wasn’t about taking advantage of Wang Yongzhu or about using her dye formula to make money.

What he wanted was more involvement in Yongzhu’s life, to leave his mark on everything that belonged to her.

Song Chongjin could tell that Wang Yongzhu was still distant toward him. If they could become business partners, with interests entwined and inseparable, perhaps their relationship could draw closer?

Wang Yongzhu considered Song Chongjin’s suggestion for about three seconds and was somewhat tempted.

The cooperation with Shopkeeper Wu was good for business, but since Shopkeeper Wu was not the decision-maker, as everything depended on the backer behind him, it wasn’t a viable long-term strategy.

However, she hesitated about collaborating with Song Chongjin, and in the end, she didn’t give a definitive answer. "In terms of the dyeing business, I already have a contract with Shopkeeper Wu. Integrity is vital to a person. As long as no shenanigans arise from Shopkeeper Wu’s side, it would be impossible for me to break the contract. Let’s talk again after dealing with Riches Textiles Shop."

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