Every beginning of a banquet of this kind is always dull...

Master Dong's summaries of various events in Jiangning this year, and his expectations for the coming year, are always the same old story, year after year. This year, because the situation is becoming special, he has been talking vaguely about many things. In fact, many of the people sitting here now probably know more about the real situation of the Jiangning weaving industry than this Master Dong. Search: \(、End、Book、God、Station、) to read high-quality literature for free.

"We're eating crabs tonight..." As a witness and participant in the events of this evening, Wang Wenzhuo of the Wang family muttered under the swaying lamplight. The aroma was already faintly wafting from downstairs. Then, he turned to a steward beside him and asked, "What do you think of tonight's events?"

The Wang family steward whispered, "Naturally, we still hope that the Su family will win. And it seems like there shouldn't be much of a problem."

"The Wu and Xue families are not to be trifled with either. Look over there, those two families don't seem very nervous. As for the Su family... to be honest, this Ning Liheng makes me feel a little disheartened..."

The Wang family is a medium-sized, relatively small merchant in Jiangning, and has always had a good cooperative relationship with the Su family. Naturally, they also hope that the Su family can obtain the title of Imperial Merchant, which would surely benefit them as well. However, Wang Wenzhuo looked at Ning Yi over there and felt that he was the only unreliable factor. The Wang family steward smiled and said, "He's just a scholar, no need to worry about him. We know that Miss Su is the one really in charge behind the scenes. Tonight, the Su family is well-prepared, and now we just need to wait for the conclusion, so there shouldn't be any problems."

"As long as the Xue family doesn't play any tricks, I'll be relieved..."

The Xue and Su families have a strained relationship, so the Wang family doesn't have much goodwill towards the Xue family either. Many people in the circle generally believe that the Xue family was behind the assassination of Su Boyong last month. Of course, once such a thing is determined, it's very serious, and no one would say it out loud.

Amidst the whispers, Master Dong's speech in the front was also nearing the main topic. Everyone quieted down and, amidst the music and the aroma of dishes, waited for the most important event of the evening to begin.

********************

"...Today, I invite everyone to appreciate the Snow-Patterned Gauze recently woven by our Qi family. The silk threads used in this gauze are not easy to weave. After it's made, it's light, thin, and flexible. Please take a look. This gauze is almost transparent, and the natural patterns on it are as white as snow lines. We use special looms to control the number of silk threads..."

It wasn't long after nightfall, and everyone was already seated in the Green Ripple Pavilion. Among the many seats, the head of a weaving household was now unfolding a bolt of gauze in the center of the venue. Fruits, pastries, and other items had been placed on the numerous round tables around. After he finished speaking, the many weaving households and officials discussed it for a while. Then, Master He Fang stood up and announced with a smile that anyone interested could come forward to evaluate it. So, people from each table went to the center to take a closer look at the quality of the gauze and chat with the head of the Qi family.

Tonight's gathering is about the tribute cloth, the Imperial Merchant title, and also about the future status of each weaving household in Jiangning. Of course, all kinds of exchanges won't be limited to competing for the Imperial Merchant title. Those who are confident in their own products will bring them out to show off. Perhaps some weaving households will be interested in talking about cooperation or other things later. At this time, the presentation has just begun. After the head of the Qi family finishes speaking, people will basically surround him with smiles to take a look. Some people sit around chatting.

"This gauze is not bad..."

"The method of splitting silk was already used by the Wu family a few years ago..."

"But the Wu family's cloth has a low yield."

"This Qi family is worth dealing with..."

Of course, it's impossible to discuss in detail at this time, but those who are interested have already gone up to check the quality. There will be a whole night to slowly consider and discuss. Even if they're not very interested, such as the Su, Wu, and Xue families, they will also send people to evaluate it and say a few good words. Once this thing starts, the atmosphere becomes lively.

After the Qi family, Master He also began to call another family to talk about the events of this year. Everyone listened carefully. Some merchants might also reveal some information they wanted to reveal at such gatherings, which might not be an indicator of the coming year. After speaking, this family didn't bring out any new fabrics. Then it was the next family...

After this procedure began, everyone became a little serious. The focus on the Imperial Merchant title temporarily faded away, and they concentrated on watching the things in front of them and discussing things that would benefit them. The Wang family also took a fancy to a fabric. Wang Wenzhuo discussed it with the steward next to him and decided to go to that side during the banquet to inquire about their intentions.

There are about twenty or so merchants participating in this gathering. Each family will definitely have something to say, but not necessarily have something to bring out. It all depends on their willingness. When the gathering was a little more than halfway through, Master He said, "...Please ask the Lü family to talk about some of the things that have happened this year." The whispering caused by the fabric display just now gradually stopped in the banquet. Everyone waited quietly for the Lü family's fabric display.

Afterward, the head of the Lü family came out to end the brief summary. Someone next to him brought over a brocade box. He smiled and patted it, "...In the past, my Lü family's Tea-Scented Silk has received everyone's care. Recently, we have used the idea of Tea-Scented Silk and created a new cloth. It's not yet named, but we'll take it out to show everyone and ask for guidance from the seniors..."

He opened the box and had his servants display a black cloth in front of everyone. Exclamations arose from the crowd. Wang Wenzhuo also opened his mouth and looked at it a few times. Then, he and the family steward almost simultaneously looked to the side, casually sizing up the reactions of some of the surrounding merchants, especially the Su, Xue, and Wu families. The Lü family's Tea-Scented Silk was originally a famous cloth in Jiangning. This time, it may also threaten the position of the top three families at this gathering. After a moment, he retracted his gaze and smiled at the steward.

"It seems that the three families all have trump cards. They don't care about this Lü family."

"That's how it should be."

"But this black cloth is really good. I'll go take a look."

As Wang Wenzhuo spoke, he got up. In fact, many of the merchants present were also observing the expressions of the Wu, Xue, and Su families. The Wu family had been smiling gracefully all along. After each family's product came out, they would talk politely and ask some questions. They haven't changed at this time. The Xue family also seemed very confident, as did the Su family. Now, Ning Yi, the first talent who is temporarily in charge of the Su family, kept his right hand on the lid of the brocade box on the table, tapping his fingers leisurely, giving off a feeling of calmness and confidence. At this time, Shopkeeper Liao didn't talk to him either, but smiled and said a few words to the shopkeeper next to him, and then got up and went forward. Su Zhongkan also walked over.

The Lü family's cloth can't shake the position of these three families, but in Jiangning, it's already considered a very good cloth. For a time, it set off a small climax in the gathering. Wu Chenghou of the Wu family also came out at this time and talked with Su Zhongkan about this cloth for a while, giving it a high evaluation. After the time for free access ended, the black cloth was also displayed in the front of the floor so that everyone could see it throughout the entire banquet.

When the next family came out, the discussions hadn't stopped yet. Then, these discussions subsided slightly, and everyone entered the time of the other merchants. The lingering charm of the Lü family's black cloth hadn't disappeared. When He Fang came out and said the name of the Xue family's "Great River Cloth Shop," the atmosphere in the banquet suddenly seemed to be cut off by a knife. Almost everyone had been estimating this moment, and it finally arrived.

At the round table, Ning Yi stopped tapping his fingers. Shopkeeper Liao and others straightened their positions. Xue Yan smiled in this direction, held a wooden box, and began to talk about the good things that had happened in the Xue family in the past year. The entire second-floor hall was quiet, and everyone was paying attention to what the Xue family was going to bring out, as well as the attitude of the Su family. When the Xue family finally displayed a new cloth of noble purple color, almost the entire space was stagnant for more than ten breaths. People waited quietly for the reactions of others, mostly looking towards the Su family. Even the Xue family was casting their attention towards the Su family. After looking at it for a while, the Su family's shopkeepers were also exchanging some glances with each other.

One second, two seconds... Finally, Shopkeeper Liao looked around, straightened his robes, and smiled as he stood up, preparing to go forward to take a look. As he took a step, Ning Yi frowned, and his fingers fell again, leaning back in his chair. Then, he heard the whispers mixing together in a roar, and everyone stood up and walked forward one after another.

"The Su family didn't react?"

"What's going on?"

"The Xue family doesn't have any follow-up moves?"

"The Su family has been preparing for several years. It seems that it's not very meaningful to just assassinate Su Boyong. Su Tan'er hasn't fallen..."

"This time, the Su family's all-or-nothing gamble has paid off..."

"The finale, the Imperial Merchant title is probably going to the Su family..."

"It's hard to say about the Wu family, but if the Wu family has the intention, according to the past situation, the Wu family should have been the finale..."

"Accumulating strength over time, true accumulation of strength is like this..."

"Su Yu should be relieved to hand over the family to his granddaughter..."

Amidst the whispers and various discussions, everyone also walked forward with smiles. As one of the three major weaving families in Jiangning, although everyone was surprised at this time, they still wouldn't disrespect it. The scene suddenly became lively. Of course, there were different moods in this liveliness. Regardless of the liveliness, after the Xue family put the purple cloth in the front, Xue Yan also walked back to his seat without showing any expression, and then turned his head to talk to his younger brother in a low voice.

"I'm thinking, Su Tan'er may really win the Imperial Merchant title tonight..."

"Just now, the expressions of Su Zhongkan and Su Yunfang became a bit strange, hehe..."

The banquet was still in the midst of great doubt and discussion. He Fang got up and waved his hand, but couldn't suppress it too much. As usual, he said that the next family should come out. Wu Chenghou smiled and stood up from his seat, and then brought a brocade box forward. There was a slight sense of astonishment in the crowd, and Wu Chenghou was already smiling and talking.

The rear was slightly quieter. Wang Wenzhuo glanced at Wu Chenghou, frowning: "Why is it the Wu family after the Xue family?"

"Yes..." The Wang family steward nodded, also puzzled, and then tilted his head, continuing the conversation just now: "In any case, as long as the Su family wins the Imperial Merchant title this time, our hearts will be settled. If Su Tan'er can't take over the family business, the consequences are unimaginable..."

"I'm already prepared to..."

They were talking anxiously about what they were just talking about. Wu Chenghou's words above were a bit dry. Most people still listened for a while, and their doubts in their hearts were not reduced. The Xue family brothers next to him frowned and whispered: "Heh, I've always been thinking that the Su family has made the assassination case of Su Boyong too complicated..."

"The reaction is very intense, but it's no wonder. I just hope that they will make some mistakes in the end..."

"I still don't quite believe that they can really make a cloth that can overwhelm everyone. They're bragging very loudly..."

"Su Tan'er is sick, those shopkeepers can only do this. In any case, at the last moment, it will... wow."

Before Xue Jin finished saying these words, his gaze, looking forward, suddenly froze. Even if everyone was chatting, they were also listening to Wu Chenghou's words. At this time, a golden brocade was suddenly unfolded in front of everyone. Wu Chenghou's words were meaningless, but at this time it was casual. It was just that after the golden brocade was unfolded for a moment, it suddenly attracted everyone's attention.

Xue Jin and Xue Yan were stunned for a long time. Wang Wenzhuo, who was talking to the steward next to him, couldn't help but adjust his body and stretch his neck. Xue Yan looked at it for a long time, and probably forgot the topic of talking to his younger brother with one mind and two purposes. Then he sighed: "This Wu family is really... a dog that bites doesn't bark..."

"The Wu family also brought out a trump card..."

"This cloth... no..." Xue Yan suddenly reacted to something and looked to the side!

In front of Wu Chenghou, the golden cloth was unfolded, and there were also silk threads dyed in the same gold color in the box as raw materials. The color was bright and dazzling, and it was unusually gorgeous. Wu Chenghou was still talking: "This灿金锦 (Càn Jīn Jǐn, Splendid Golden Brocade) is dyed by my Wu family with a special dyeing formula, and the weaving process is handled by Luo Shenzhen, so..."

He paused slightly, smiled and stopped the introduction. In the hall, which had been quieted down at some point, a figure in a green robe had crossed several tables. It was Ning Yi, who was looking at the golden brocade next to Wu Chenghou, who had gotten up at some point. At this time, everyone was still sitting, but he slowly walked closer, and then stopped slightly. Everyone in the entire venue turned their attention over. He Fang thought for a while, and then stood up slightly: "Nephew Ning, the Wu family hasn't finished speaking yet, and it's not time to go forward yet, please go back to your seat first?" In the past, everyone used titles such as "Nephew" and "Master," and the relationship seemed to be good. At this time, He Fang's tone was also kind.

However, there was no reaction.

Quietly, people's gazes began to move back and forth between Ning Yi and the Wu family. Some people gradually thought of some things, and then some people thought of more...

"Something's not right..."

"What's wrong..."

"Something's not right, not right, not right..."

"The Wu family..."

"The Su family has a problem..."

Some things suddenly swept up like a snowball. However, it seemed to be just a change in some kind of atmosphere. No one discussed it, but the expressions between each other became complicated, and gradually became more complicated. The atmosphere became restless, and it seemed that the sound of words was about to sound immediately. Shopkeeper Liao had already walked over at this time, trying to get Ning Yi to go back. Wu Chenghou in front also looked at Ning Yi for a long time. He had been smiling with some confusion, and then opened his mouth with a "He."

"Uh, it doesn't matter. If Nephew Ning wants to take a look, he can take a look. It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. Speaking of which, I talked to Nephew Ning about something a few days ago. My family also has new cloth to bring out. If Nephew Ning has poetic inspiration, I would like to ask him to compose a poem for it. It doesn't have to be too good, just to borrow Nephew's fame. In short, this cloth has already been brought out, so there's no need to introduce it too much. Luo Shenzhen's weaving skills must still be worth boasting about. Come, come, everyone is welcome, please give your advice, hehe, I won't say much..."

Several shopkeepers close to the Wu family stood up, but for a while, not many people spoke, and barely audible whispers shuttled among them.

"Something happened..."

Wang Wenzhuo frowned, then reached out and rubbed it, his expression complex and indescribable.

"Is it... the Wu family?" Xue Yan leaned back on the chair in disbelief, and then laughed complexly, "He."

Ning Yi and Shopkeeper Liao were in the sight of everyone. Shopkeeper Liao said something, but Ning Yi frowned and didn't say anything. He just looked at Wu Chenghou, looked at the Wu brothers, Wu Qilong and Wu Qihai, who were smiling and coming over, and sometimes his eyes didn't know where to look. Only for a moment did he seem to clench his teeth and want to continue going forward, and Shopkeeper Liao grabbed his shoulder.

In the moments that followed, the entire hall seemed to be cut into two pieces by something, one pale and one noisy. Ning Yi finally retreated to his seat and sat down. He just looked at the center of the venue, his expression complex, not knowing what he was thinking. Of course, in fact, all businessmen may have seen such eyes, which are the eyes of some people who invest a burst of enthusiasm in the business world and are then suddenly swallowed by the darkness of the business world. They are complex and indescribable, unbelievable but speechless. Many people have already guessed something. Even if they can't be sure of their guess, they have more or less felt the atmosphere.

Buzzing, buzzing...

The Wu family returned to their seats, and the golden brocade was placed in the front, but that feeling of division didn't leave. No matter the pale or noisy scene, the feeling of fast forward didn't disappear. Everyone was waiting for the final conclusion of some things. They looked at the still smiling Wu family, looked at the silent Ning Yi in the Su family's seat, and the few shopkeepers who were exchanging glances but still maintaining their composure. The Xue family also guessed a lot of things, and Xue Sheng sighed to his two sons with a frown.

"A dog that really bites doesn't bark. The Wu family's power lies in this. They don't make a sound, watching everyone quarrel, and they quietly turn their hands into clouds and turn their hands into rain behind their backs... He, the Su family has made such a big show during this period of time, but it's useless. This move is really too ruthless. The situation of Jiangning's weaving industry, where the three families stand on equal footing, will no longer exist. After the Su family is finished, we must take it as a warning... Alas..."

In the past, the Xue family had a bad relationship with the Su family, but at this time, there was no schadenfreude in his sigh. It was as if he saw the twilight of an era, the red sunset in the sky, the remaining red about to break, with a slight hint of regret and melancholy.

It's not because the Su family is not good, but because the Wu family is too powerful behind the scenes. Xue Yan looked at Ning Yi sitting over there. The role of this scholar in the past month was probably the smallest. It felt like a sheep standing in a pack of wolves. He originally didn't have any room to resist, and in the past he also felt that things were ridiculous, but at this time that back figure was obviously particularly lonely. He still couldn't do anything, and he didn't do anything, but at this time it seemed a little sympathetic.

Finally, at a certain moment, He Fang's voice rang out, pushing everything to the end...

***********

All the wiring is complete, and now I can start asking for monthly tickets and recommendations with confidence, and ask for everything that can be asked for. It's the end of the month, please vote if you have monthly tickets, I also want recommendation tickets ^_^

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