Volume One, Chapter 10: I Will Build the Fashion Scene of the Capital!

In the capital city of the Liang Kingdom, there was a saying: wealthy in the south, poor in the west, officialdom in the east, and the imperial palace in the north.

This meant that the southern part of the city was home to affluent families, the west housed ordinary commoners, the east was where government officials and nobles resided, and the north contained the imperial palace.

The Chu family’s shop for settling debts was located at the intersection of the southern and western districts.

Of course, the Chu family owned more than one shop; they had another in the south.

The southern shop was the foundation of the Chu family’s livelihood and naturally, it was not given to Xiao Yichen. Instead, he was entrusted with the one near the western district.

At this moment, inside the ready-made clothing shop called Chengyi Pavilion, Chu family assistants were loading goods onto a horse-drawn carriage, preparing to transport them to the southern shop.

The Chu family dealt in fabrics and silk. In the capital, there were over ten such businesses. The Xiao family was also in the fabric and silk trade, with their shop located in the south, just across the street from the Chu family’s other shop.

Once the assistants finished loading the goods, Xiao Yichen stepped inside to inspect the shop. Though not very large, its location was excellent, situated at the crossroads of two main streets.

The Chu family had given Xiao Yichen this shop mainly because of its proximity to the west side of the city.

After all, common folk couldn’t afford to buy much, and this shop naturally earned far less than the southern one.

Xiao Yichen then browsed several nearby fabric stores.

He began to form a plan: if the Xiao family’s business was to stand out among these fabric shops, high production volume was only one aspect.

Innovation was essential.

This was a difficult task for others, but not for Xiao Yichen.

This world resembled the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods of ancient China, where both productivity and technology were relatively backward.

His knowledge and vision far surpassed this era.

“Young master, are you planning to continue the fabric business with the Chu family’s shop?” Qiao Yun, having seen Xiao Yichen visit multiple fabric stores while muttering to himself, couldn’t help but ask.

Xiao Yichen smiled, “Yes, soon the fashion scene in the capital will be defined by me.”

“Fashion scene?” Qiao Yun was puzzled, unfamiliar with the term.

Xiao Yichen didn’t explain; such modern concepts were hard to convey. She would understand in time.

“Let’s go see our family’s shop.”

Before long, the two arrived at Jinxi Pavilion in the south. Even before entering, they saw a crowd gathered outside, watching a commotion.

Muffled voices could be heard.

“This is how your Xiao family treats us? What’s wrong with asking for a bit more pay?”

“I’m making it clear today: no extra pay, then we won’t work.”

“Right, no work. This is too much; the monthly wages are barely enough to live on.”

“...”

Xiao Yichen hurried over and saw that a group of assistants were striking at the entrance of Jinxi Pavilion. Third sister-in-law Zhao Wanxuan looked anxious as she spoke.

“How can you do this? You want extra pay halfway through the dyeing process?”

“Uncle Zhang, you’ve been with Jinxi Pavilion a long time. You know how the Xiao family treats you. Don’t take advantage of this moment.”

Zhang Tao’s eyes showed a trace of guilt, but recalling the orders from a powerful figure and the promises made to him, he gritted his teeth.

“Manager Zhao, stop talking. I’ve developed a new dyeing technique. If you give us ten taels of silver extra per person per month, fine. If not, find someone better.”

Before he finished, Xiao Yichen stepped out from the crowd and said coldly,

“Find someone better if you want. I don’t believe Jinxi Pavilion will close without you.”

“Tenlang...” Zhao Wanxuan called out.

Before she could finish, Xiao Yichen interrupted, “Don’t worry, third sister-in-law. I’ll handle this.”

Then he looked at Zhang Tao. “Ten taels per person per month? Why don’t you just rob them? Third sister-in-law, pay their wages for this month and send them away!”

The assistants exchanged glances. They were causing trouble with Zhang Tao, hoping the Xiao family would increase their pay.

They had heard that yesterday the Xiao family borrowed 200,000 taels of silver from the Chu family.

As longtime employees of Jinxi Pavilion who mastered dyeing techniques, they thought the Xiao family would give in.

After all, the Xiao family was like a group of widows and orphans with a useless member. Their protest would surely force a concession.

But they didn’t expect this useless Xiao Yichen to simply dismiss them.

“Fine, fine, you said it. We’re leaving. If you don’t want us here, we’ll find somewhere else. Don’t regret it!”

Zhang Tao was furious. He was a founding member of Jinxi Pavilion and even Liu Jine respected him. Yet Xiao Yichen just kicked him out.

Fine, then leave!

The group followed Zhang Tao away.

Zhao Wanxuan wanted to plead with them but Xiao Yichen pulled her inside Jinxi Pavilion.

“Tenlang, what are you doing? They control the dyeing technology. If they leave, what will happen to Jinxi Pavilion?”

Zhao Wanxuan glared at Xiao Yichen in frustration, thinking her younger brother was more of a hindrance than a help. She had hoped he would reason with Zhang Tao, but he had just driven them off.

“Third sister-in-law, don’t worry. They want ten taels more, which we can’t afford. If that’s the case, we don’t need them.”

“As for dyeing, what’s so difficult about it? Leave it to me. I’ll make dyes even better than theirs.”

Zhao Wanxuan looked at him as if he were an idiot.

Qiao Yun smiled wryly beside her.

As Xiao Yichen’s maid, she knew his skills well.

He was good at walking dogs, raising birds, brewing tea, and drinking wine, but other talents were doubtful.

Dyeing was a complicated craft; there was no way he could handle it.

“Tenlang, stop teasing third sister-in-law. Business has been bad lately. I’m worried sick. Now the assistants have all left. How am I supposed to explain this to mother?”

Xiao Yichen smiled. “I’ll tell mother. Jinxi Pavilion will close for a few days. Once I’ve made the new dye, we’ll reopen and business will boom.”

Zhao Wanxuan sighed and quietly went to the back courtyard to finish the unfinished work left by the assistants.

...

“Boss Zhang, where are we going now? Are we really leaving the Xiao family?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve arranged a fallback for you. The Xiao family has offended a powerful figure. Staying at Jinxi Pavilion will only drag us down. I’m doing this for your own good.”

Zhang Tao led the group to the Chu family’s Luoyi Workshop.

The workshop’s manager was Chu Qiyun, daughter of Chu Weitian, the third uncle of Chu Aoshuang.

That day, Chu Weitian had informed her that the Jinxi Pavilion assistants would come seeking refuge and to prepare for their arrival. Now, indeed, they had arrived.

She was secretly delighted. The Chu family’s dyeing skills had always lagged behind the Xiao family’s, resulting in poorer business. Now with the Xiao family’s dyeing assistants joining them, the Xiao family’s business was doomed.

...

At the Fu family residence, Fu Chenxing sat in the main hall discussing borrowing money with his relatives.

Such a large sum required mortgaging fertile fields and shops and borrowing from every possible source.

The Fu family members wore grim expressions.

They felt marrying Chu Aoshuang had been a great loss—no war spoils to show for it, yet they had to pay a hefty dowry of 200,000 taels.

However, considering Fu Chenxing had caught the attention of a powerful figure and had recently achieved great merit, they reluctantly supported him.

While they were discussing how to raise the funds, a young servant rushed in.

“General, all the Jinxi Pavilion assistants have gone to Luoyi Workshop.”

Fu Chenxing’s eyes brightened.

Zhang Tao had indeed followed instructions. Now the Xiao family was finished.

After being betrayed by the Chu family, Fu Chenxing grew increasingly resentful.

He would not let Xiao Yichen have it easy.

But publicly, he couldn’t harm the Xiao family; after all, they were a family of loyal martyrs with high popular standing.

Moreover, the empress seemed to be paying attention to the Xiao family, so Fu Chenxing could only resort to underhanded means.

The Xiao family’s only shop was Jinxi Pavilion; he would ruin it.

Without the dyeing assistants, Jinxi Pavilion’s business would surely plummet.

He had heard that several of Xiao Yichen’s sisters-in-law were stunningly beautiful. When the Xiao family collapsed, he would come to their aid, winning their heartfelt gratitude.

Xiao Yichen, I will not only steal your women but also toy with your sisters-in-law.

I will make you suffer so deeply that you regret crossing me!

Heh heh.