"Hehehe, thank you, Shopkeeper Li, for your kind words."
"I've got a lot of new styles on sale today. If Mr. Li wants them, I'll give you a 20% discount."
"Oh?"
"Then I'll have to buy more today."
Ye Ming accepted Li Youde's gift and let Yang Xiaohui lead him inside.
"Husband, we've got that billboard you mentioned and even had people shouting on the streets, but why are they just looking and not buying?"
"Because not everyone can afford white porcelain."
"And I'm not expecting to make a fortune from white or blue and white porcelain."
Ye Ming's main business was still winemaking and other catering.
White porcelain was only used for initial capital accumulation
and to lay the foundation for future industries.
Selling wine would require ceramic jars, and making improvised bombs would also require ceramic jars.
If he had his own factory, things would be much simpler.
"The County Magistrate has arrived!"
The onlookers made way at the sound of his voice and watched Cui Xian and Zhang Hang arrive.
"Brother Ye, good luck with your grand opening!"
"County Magistrate Cui, welcome!"
"Brother Ye, I didn't bring any valuable gifts today, I hope you don't mind."
"Your Excellency, County Magistrate, I'm so flattered. I'm so happy that you're here to support my factory. Come on, you and Brother Zhang, come inside."
The onlookers, who had initially thought Ye Ming would be punished by the Zhou family, were stunned when they saw the County Magistrate.
"Who is this Mr. Ye?"
"Why does he look so familiar to the new County Magistrate?"
"Who knows? Although the new County Magistrate is a good official, he's offended many grain merchants."
"Now that Ye Ming is involved with the County Magistrate, I'm afraid his business will be difficult in the future." This sentiment was shared
by not only the common people but also the merchants watching from afar.
Not far away, in the Huang family's carriage, a stunning woman was watching the goings-on in Ye Ming's ceramics shop.
"Miss, I think Ye Ming is a fool. He wants to avoid the Zhou family, but he's actually looking for this new county magistrate."
"Isn't that pure idiocy?"
"To join this county magistrate who angered the grain merchants is tantamount to seeking death."
"It's better to join our Huang family."
Huang Wenwen looked indifferent, disagreeing with the maid's words.
"This man must have some skills." "
He was a fool for the past eighteen years, and only just regained his composure a month or two ago, and now he has his own business."
"He's even created rare white porcelain, and he's even on friendly terms with that clueless Cui Xian."
"Maybe he's the key to our Huang family overthrowing the Zhou family."
Sure enough, Zhou Da soon arrived outside Ye Ming's shop with Su Xiaotang.
"The Zhou family is doing business, and outsiders, get out!"
The onlookers were frightened and gave way to Zhou Da.
Clearly, his intimidation was much stronger than Cui Xian's.
"Miss, the Zhou family is here. Do you think Ye Ming will stick with them, or will he fight them to the bitter end?"
"I bet he'll fight them head-on."
"Why, miss? Are you overestimating him?"
Huang Wenwen smiled faintly.
"Look at the woman next to Huang Da and Ye Ming's wife."
Huang Wenwen, worthy of being the daughter of a wealthy family, was incredibly observant.
With just a glance, she had guessed the relationship between Su Xiaotang and Su Xiaorong.
But Xiaoyun didn't see it.
"What's the big deal?"
"No matter how powerful Ye Ming is, he can't steal the Zhou family's servants, right?"
"I still think if he knew the Zhou family's strength, he'd definitely obey and sever ties with the county magistrate."
"After all, aristocratic families are permanent, but county magistrates are fleeting."
Huang Wenwen smiled faintly without saying anything.
"Which of you is Ye Ming?"
Zhou Da asked arrogantly.
"I am. I wonder who this guest is?"
The Zhou family? Arrived so soon?
That woman behind him, isn't she Xiaorong's sister? This look-alike is too much.
Zhou Da's face lit up with pride when he saw Ye Ming.
"Xiaotang, bring this over."
Su Xiaotang, who had been submissively bowing her head, stepped forward with the item in her hand when she heard Zhou Da's call.
"I'm Zhou Da, the Zhou family's housekeeper! I'm here to do business with Boss Ye, on orders from my master."
Ye Ming frowned, sensing something was amiss.
"Oh, Ye Ming is going to be blackmailed by the Zhou family again."
"Hehe, I don't think so. I've heard before that Boss Ye killed someone to save a big shot." He's not someone to be trifled with!"
The crowd of onlookers bustled around, most waiting to see Ye Ming defy the Zhou family. After all, they'd seen too many people give in, so they needed something different to entertain them.
"Oh, I wonder how Boss Zhou wants to do business?"
Zhou Da gave Su Xiaotang a look.
"Ye, Boss Ye, this is our gift."
As soon as Su Xiaotang spoke, Su Xiaorong, who was beside Ye Ming, recognized him.
If his suspicions had been there before, now they were confirmed.
"Little..."
"My dear, don't say anything!"
If Su Xiaorong was exposed at this moment, the Zhou family would have Ye Ming's weakness. Saving Su Xiaotang would be difficult.
"My husband, but..."
"No buts. If you want to save my little sister, just listen to me," Ye Ming whispered.
He then protected Su Xiaorong behind him and took the item from Su Xiaotang.
It was one hundred taels of silver and a contract.
The contract stated that Ye Ming would pay Zhou Quan 50% of the profits every month.
In return, the Zhou family guaranteed smooth business in Qingshui County.
"Butler Zhou, do I understand you're robbing me?"
Zhou Da sneered.
"Of course, Boss Zhou can refuse, but you'll offend the Zhou family, and your store won't be able to run smoothly in the future."
"That might not be so easy."
He had originally planned to buy Su Xiaotang back, but that was probably out of the question.
Besides, the Zhou family had been making inquiries over the past few days, and they were the local tyrants in Qingshui County.
They were a bit tough to mess with, at least not right now.
If he were given more time, he'd get the money and be able to organize his own forces.
Ye Ming was struggling over whether to give in first and then kill his entire family later.
"Hahaha, the Zhou family? How dare you!"
Cui Xian stepped out, snatched the contract from Ye Ming's hand, and slammed it in Zhou Da's face.
"You, the Zhou family, dare to demand 50% of my profits without doing anything? You simply don't respect the law!"
The moment he saw Cui Xian, Ye Ming remembered he had this backer.
Even if his term was only three years, with his protection, he could wipe out the Zhou family in just a month.
"Butler Zhou, if you're here to buy ceramics, we welcome you, but if you're here to rob us, please go back."
"I, Ye Ming, may be a farmer, but I won't give in easily."
Zhou Da saw Cui Xian actually standing up to defend Ye Ming, his face full of resentment.
"Good, very good, you're shameless, Ye Ming, right? Wait until my master comes to deal with you!"
My second book is also on the same subject (famine and surviving with the system).
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