Chapter 46

In the blink of an eye, it was deep autumn again. The south, which had just passed the Mid-Autumn Festival, was gradually turning cool. Since returning from Shouzhou, Ye Yu had devoted all his thoughts to business.

Although he had experienced many things during this period, it did not affect the rapid expansion of his business. With Liu Yuanshan's strong support, Ye Yu spared no effort in funding the construction of bridges and reinforcing the embankments.

Although the cost was not small, these actions for the people's benefit earned Ye Yu the reputation of a righteous merchant.

The quality of goods was far less important than one's reputation, which was precisely what was known as brand effect in later generations. Moreover, the quality of Ye Yu's fabrics was already well-known.

Therefore, after Ye Yu's benevolent actions, he accelerated his pace in occupying the Chuzhou market.

However, Ye Yu did not become complacent. He not only tried to increase the number of looms and spinning machines but also diversified the color combinations of dyeing fabrics.

In ancient China, the materials used for coloring could be divided into mineral pigments and plant dyes, with the latter being the main dye in ancient times. Therefore, the color combinations in ancient clothing were relatively simple.

Even the clothing of the current royal family and nobility, though more colorful than that of the common people, still appeared somewhat dull in color.

Although Ye Yu was not very professional in this area, he had done some research on mixing several dyes to create new colors.

Even if he was unsure about the proportions and temperatures, he had plenty of time. Without a ready-made formula, he could explore based on a general direction.

This kind of exploration with a direction was much easier than aimless exploration. After repeated trials and obtaining the accurate formula, Ye Yu could not help but marvel at the wisdom of the ancients, which was truly immeasurable.

If he found it so difficult to explore with a direction, how unimaginably arduous must it have been for the ancients to create something from nothing?

However, the diversification of fabric colors gave the people more choices and also set a trend for the nobility to follow.

For a time, merchants and cloth shops from Chuzhou and the surrounding areas sent people to Qingliu County to discuss orders. Qingliu County, due to the influx of customers, became even more prosperous than before.

During this period, regarding the marriage of Guo Xiaotian and Li Ping'er, Ye Yu specifically asked Guo Xiaotian where they wanted to get married. Guo Xiaotian suggested getting married in the county town and hoped that Ye Yu would be his wedding master.

Ye Yu had no objections to this, but Li Dayin, who was far away in Yushan, disagreed and insisted that Guo Xiaotian go to Yushan for the wedding, sending a letter explaining the reasons.

After reading the letter, Ye Yu was moved, realizing that Li Dayin had considered things so thoroughly for him.

If the wedding were held in Qingliu County, given Ye Yu's current status and connections in Qingliu County, there would surely be a large number of guests. At that time, with so many people, if Li Ping'er's identity were exposed, not only would the wedding be disrupted, but it would also have a profound impact on his business.

Imagine a merchant who deals with bandits—how could he gain the trust of others?

Ye Yu, in his moment of joy, had not considered these issues. After discussing with Guo Xiaotian, Guo Xiaotian agreed to this decision.

In fact, Ye Yu had already noticed that Guo Xiaotian did not want to deal with the Li siblings. He thought that since the marriage had been agreed upon, it could not be easily revoked, especially since Guo Xiaotian had undressed Li Ping'er.

Thinking of Guo Xiaotian undressing Li Ping'er, Ye Yu couldn't help but laugh. Later, Guo Xiaotian explained the details.

It turned out that after escaping from Qingfeng Fort, due to the rugged and winding paths of Yushan, Guo Xiaotian felt lost and returned to the same spot several times. Finally, he was caught by Li Ping'er, who had been chasing him.

Although Guo Xiaotian was not a match for Li Dayin, he was more than capable of dealing with Li Ping'er. After a few rounds, he easily overpowered her.

However, facing the pursuing bandits, Guo Xiaotian had to take Li Ping'er as a hostage and slowly escape down the mountain. On the way, he repeatedly asked for directions, but Li Ping'er refused to cooperate and kept cursing.

Guo Xiaotian, by nature taciturn, naturally disliked talkative people. Combined with Li Ping'er's lack of cooperation, he became angry and threatened to tear her clothes to force her to comply.

Li Ping'er, who had grown up in a bandit's den, was not easily intimidated.

Unfortunately, Li Ping'er encountered a stubborn person. Guo Xiaotian, who was single-minded, would not back down, as could be seen from his first meeting with Ye Yu.

Seeing that Li Ping'er was not cooperating, Guo Xiaotian reached out and tore her clothes, revealing half of her breast under her red belly band! Shocked, Li Ping'er finally submitted...

Regarding the incident of Guo Xiaotian undressing Li Ping'er, Ye Yu could only say that it might all be fate, otherwise, Li Ping'er would not have fallen for Guo Xiaotian.

Whether intentional or unintentional, it was an interesting way for them to come together. However, to avoid unnecessary trouble, Ye Yu decided not to attend Guo Xiaotian's wedding as the master of ceremonies.

...

Speaking of Su Quanzhong, although his daughter was eventually rescued after being kidnapped, he had been exhausted and his health had not been good.

Now, seeing Ye Yu's achievements in business, he felt greatly comforted by his keen eye for talent and made an important decision.

He decided to entrust his family's modest business to Ye Yu.

Ye Yu firmly disagreed with Su Quanzhong's decision. Although he knew that mergers and acquisitions were common in business, he did not want Su Quanzhong's life's work to go to waste.

Therefore, in the Su family courtyard, Ye Yu and Su Quanzhong engaged in a verbal tug-of-war.

"Uncle Su, this matter cannot be discussed further!" Ye Yu's attitude was very firm, and he would not budge.

Su Quanzhong sighed slightly and said, "Nephew, I appreciate your filial piety! But as you can see, I am already as withered as a dead tree. Who will take over this business after I pass away? Yueyun? I have operated this business for many years, and although it is not large, how can a woman like Yueyun manage it? Business is like war, and if it cannot be maintained, it will be devoured. Can you bear to see that happen, nephew?"

"..."

Hearing this, Ye Yu was at a loss for words. He knew that Su Quanzhong was right, but his refusal was not only out of gratitude for Su Quanzhong's kindness but also due to a concern he had not expressed.

"Ha ha! Nephew, don't worry too much..."

Su Quanzhong seemed to have read Ye Yu's mind. After a pause, he closed his eyes and said to himself, "Future generations have their own blessings, and I do not want to interfere too much! Matters of fate cannot be forced, and I have deep experience in this!"

"..."

Realizing that his thoughts had been read, Ye Yu felt somewhat awkward and did not know how to respond.

As Su Quanzhong said, he was concerned that this was a dowry for Su Yueyun. If he accepted it without clear understanding, it would be difficult to explain in the future.

He treated Su Yueyun as a friend and had not considered marriage. Even for his maidservant Qiulan, he only felt gratitude.

However, now that Su Quanzhong had made his intentions clear, Ye Yu felt more at ease. The future was unpredictable, but he had no plans to get married at the moment.

Ye Yu took a deep breath and said respectfully, "If so, I will not let you down, Uncle."

"Father..." At this moment, Su Yueyun's light footsteps and her gentle call echoed as she entered the pavilion.

Su Quanzhong slowly opened his eyes and asked softly, "Yueyun, what is it?"

Su Yueyun entered the pavilion, glanced at Ye Yu and smiled, then responded, "Father, this is a letter from Lin'an."

Seeing this, Ye Yu knew it was a private matter and said solemnly, "Since Uncle has received a letter from a distant guest, I will not disturb you..."

"Ah! Nephew, you are being too formal!" Su Quanzhong had already opened the letter and said with a smile.

"Father is right. Brother Yu, you are always so busy and hard to see. Can't you stay a little longer?"

Although Su Yueyun's words were tinged with shyness, it was unseemly to retain a man in front of her father, but she still spoke without hesitation.

Just as Ye Yu felt somewhat awkward, Su Quanzhong had finished reading the letter and laughed heartily, "Finally, we have a good magistrate in our county!"

Hearing this, Ye Yu frowned slightly and asked, "Why do you say that? I heard that the new magistrate, Yang Zheng, is about to take office. Do you know his background, Uncle?"

"Ha ha! Not only do I know, but although I am not very familiar with the new magistrate, his father is an old friend of mine! Now that the son of an old friend is taking office in our county, I should welcome him properly!"

"Oh? That is indeed good news. Welcoming him is only right! If Uncle does not mind, I hope you will introduce me to him!"

Ye Yu did not expect the new magistrate to have such a connection with Su Quanzhong. This would save him a lot of trouble.

"Ha ha! Of course! You can rest assured, nephew!" Su Quanzhong laughed heartily, giving Ye Yu a sense of reassurance.

Ye Yu smiled in gratitude, feeling a weight lifted from his heart. Not long ago, he had learned from Liu Yuanshan that the new magistrate, Yang Zheng, was about to take office, which had surprised him.

In his view, Lu Kun had received his due punishment, and the vacant position should have been filled by Liu Yuanshan. Why was a new magistrate being sent?

Did Yang Zheng have some background? This doubt had been on Ye Yu's mind, and he had been investigating Yang Zheng's background.

Now, knowing that Su Quanzhong and Yang Zheng's father were old friends, Ye Yu felt much more at ease. Actually, who would serve as the magistrate of Qingliu County was not a major concern for him.

As long as it was not a corrupt official like Lu Kun, the merchants of Qingliu County would not suffer another major loss.

Since Yang Zheng was the son of Su Quanzhong's old friend and Su Quanzhong spoke highly of him, Yang Zheng must be a decent official.