Ming Zuo

Chapter 293

Soda ash works amazingly well.

Looking at the dyed cloth, Songjiang cloth merchants completely admired it.

Red like rouge, blue like blue sky, green like emerald, the fabric is shiny and lustrous.

"From now on, my Songjiang cotton cloth is unparalleled in the world, and I am invincible."

Holding the new cloth in his hand, Xu Ji laughed loudly, completely losing the elegance and calmness of the past.

Others didn't think he was arrogant, they were all proud of it.

It was Zuo Menggeng who came forward to remind him.

"Technology is constantly improving. Today's excellent products will stand still in the future, and it is inevitable to be surpassed. I also hope that you will continue to polish your skills and always hold the forefront of quality, so that others will not be able to catch up."

Everyone bowed their hands to be taught, and there was no doubt about his words.

This time, the fleet from Linqing not only brought soda ash, but also crochet needles, sewing machines, balls and other items.

Seeing the rapid rotation of the textile machine driven by the waterwheel, which drives dozens or hundreds of spindles to rotate at a constant speed, and the rapid production of fine and strong cotton cloth, the cloth merchants in Songjiang Prefecture will doubt the world.

They finally saw the power of industrialization.

"Everyone, this is the revolutionary effect brought about by new technology. The cost of producing the same hundred pieces of cloth is only one-fifth of the traditional production method. Tell me, if such cotton cloth is sold all over the world in the future, what will happen? What kind of consequences?"

Seeing that the new production method had convinced the cloth merchants in Songjiang Prefecture, Zuo Menggeng was complacent and firmly controlled the situation.

Shen Youtian stroked the new cloth, feeling the completely different texture from the old cloth, and sighed endlessly.

"The cost of this cloth is low, so naturally the price can be lowered. In this way, it is cheaper than ordinary people weaving by themselves. In the long run, I am afraid that the people will no longer weave for themselves and will buy cloth."

This result, everyone can see clearly.But when they thought that the traditional social phenomenon of men farming and women weaving would be broken, everyone was a little panicked.

It is not fear, but the disintegration of the life pattern that has lasted for thousands of years, which makes these people confused.

But at the same time, once it is done, the value contained in it will also make everyone's blood boil.

Chen A Cai is known to everyone in Zhujing Town, and everyone knows it.

It's not how powerful he is, nor how rich he is.But when it comes to needle embroidery technology, he said that Zhujing Town is the second, and no one dares to call it the first.

With this skill alone, Chen Acai has no worries about food and clothing.When many important people saw him, they had to respect him and make offerings.

The only thing that bothers Chen A Cai is that he is old, but neither his son nor grandson can learn his craft.

Thinking of future generations, Chen Acai looked sad and didn't know what to do.

"Brother Ah Cai, are you home?"

A familiar voice came from outside the courtyard, which woke Chen Acai to his senses.Turning around, seeing his son Chen Shengzi still standing there, he couldn't help cursing.

"Nong Tusheng, why are you so stupid, don't you hurry up and open the door?"

Chen Shengzi was scolded bloody, and hurried to open the door.

Chen Acai didn't dare to be negligent, and when she came to the door, she saw Chen Jiru, a member of the town, leading several nobles in.

"Brother A Cai, I have something good to see you."

Chen Jiru smiled, without arrogance at all.

Chen Acai was also used to it, and didn't think there was anything wrong with Chen Jiru's politeness.

"Meigong, is there a good job for me?"

He does needlework, and basically anyone who comes to him cannot do without these things.

Chen Jiru smiled openly.

"What's a good job? This time, it's a lifetime of wealth."

As he spoke, Chen Jiru led out the handsome young man behind him.

"A Caigong, this junior turned to you for help."

In Chen A Cai's eyes, there seems to be no distinction between high and low.Facing Chen Jiru, a local big family, he was flat and indifferent.Facing this face-to-face young man, he was still casual.

"You don't need to be polite, as long as the wages are sufficient, you will be satisfied."

This is the foundation of skill.

That young man was naturally Zuo Menggeng.

He asked Fu Yusun to take out the stockings and handed them to Chen Acai.

"A Caigong, take a look, can this kind of socks be embroidered?"

For the first time, Chen A Cai showed an expression.

"Hey, good workmanship."

He looked at it carefully before coming to a conclusion.

"If you want to embroider on this, you need a special needle."

When Zuo Menggeng heard this, he was very happy.He also asked Fu Yusun to take out a new crochet needle and present it to Chen Acai.

"A Caigong, look at this needle, how is it?"

Chen Acai's eyes lit up when he saw the silky crochet needles.

"Is there really anyone who can make such a magic needle?"

Chen Jiru asked eagerly: "A Caigong, is this needle enough?"

Chen Acai nodded, and said solemnly: "I wonder how many pieces you have to do? Let me tell you first, this will take a lot of work, and you need to pay more for it."

Zuo Menggeng's focus was not on this.

"Can you really embroider pictures?"

Silk stockings are already exquisite enough, but Zuo Menggeng knows that in order to attract more consumers, in addition to improving the quality, increasing the variety is also a necessary way.

How many fanatical consumers have been brought by those silk stockings of various styles such as mesh, ribbed, printed, hollowed out, and stitching in later generations?
If it can be realized on stockings, it will not only increase sales, but more importantly, it can improve the level of weaving technology.

Chen A Cai was very dissatisfied with this question.

"My lord, you can inquire about it. I, Chen Acai, have been doing needlework all my life. When will I stop talking?"

Zuo Menggeng didn't care about Chen Acai's unruliness, on the contrary, this guarantee made him even happier.

"A Caigong, I heard that your craftsmanship has not been passed down?"

While speaking, his eyes looked at Chen Shengzi who was hiding beside him.

Chen Acai's heart tightened, followed by painful powerlessness.

This kind of thing can't be hidden from people. The whole Zhujing Town knows that Chen A Cai's children and grandchildren are useless, and they can't learn Chen A Cai's skills at all.

Chen Acai couldn't help feeling sad when she thought that her craftsmanship would be lost, and that future generations would even starve to death.

Zuo Menggeng said sincerely: "The younger generation has seen A Caigong's craftsmanship, it can be said to be ingenious and wonderful. It would be a pity if such a good craftsmanship is lost. This time, the younger generation wants to invite the senior to be the technician of the Tianzhi Group. Supervisor, responsible for cultivating more talents and passing on your technology.”

Chen Acai misunderstood, thinking that Zuo Menggeng was trying to seize what he depended on for food.

"Hehe, the old man relies on this skill to support his family. Nobles wear gold and silver, and are tired of eating delicacies from mountains and seas. Don't you even let the old man make a living?"

Zuo Menggeng smiled, and hurriedly said: "A Caigong, you misunderstood. Your craftsmanship, without a suitable heir, will be lost after a hundred years? Why not use your craftsmanship in exchange for a stable income, It is a win-win situation for your children and grandchildren to live on and help Songjiang Cotton Spinning make a fortune.”

Chen Acai was speechless for a long time, just when Zuo Menggeng thought he was stubborn, he suddenly said something.

"My lord, what do you mean by that?"

I didn't understand...

Zuo Menggeng couldn't help but reflect, it seems that when he talks to ordinary people in the future, he can't speak politely.

"A Caigong, that's right. Have you heard of the Chamber of Commerce? Recently, Songjiang Prefecture established the Cotton Spinning Chamber of Commerce."

Chen Acai nodded, not caring.

"Isn't that your nobleman's business? We poor people don't dare to inquire about it."

Zuo Menggeng simply pulled Chen Acai to sit on the stone in the yard.

"It's not about noble people, it's about everyone. This chamber of commerce is to unite all those who are engaged in cotton spinning in Songjiang Prefecture. People like you can also become members of the chamber of commerce."

Chen Acai became a little interested and asked, "Is there any benefit?"

Zuo Menggeng laughed.

"There are too many benefits."

He snapped his fingers and said [-]: "Because you are a member of the chamber of commerce, from now on, if anyone dares to bully you, the chamber of commerce will stand up for you. For example, if someone owes you wages and refuses to pay, the chamber of commerce will help you seek compensation." want."

Chen A Cai misunderstood again.

"We are honest people, so we don't bother to call."

Chen Jiru's face darkened, and he hurriedly said: "The Chamber of Commerce is a serious business, how can it be compared with the business?"

Chen A Cai didn't believe it.

"The nobleman said that he can ask for wages for the old man. If you don't beat someone, how can you ask for it?"

Chen Jiru sneered, revealing his murderous aura.

"Brother Acai doesn't know yet, right? The chamber of commerce has set a charter recently. If a member like my brother is owed wages and insists on refusing to pay him, the chamber of commerce will cut off his cotton supply."

He pointed at Zuo Menggeng again.

"This guy is from Shandong. To whom or not to sell cotton depends on his words. Brother, do you think our chamber of commerce is useful?"

Chen A Cai understood and was quite moved.

He has been working all his life with his needlework skills, and his skills are exquisite, so many people ask him to work.

After working for decades, I don’t know how many people have been owed wages.

He was angry and wanted to ask for an explanation.

However, as a poor man, he is really bullied, what can he do?

If the Chamber of Commerce is really as good as Chen Jiru said, would a poor man like him still have to be afraid of being bullied?
(End of this chapter)