The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!

Chapter 581: An Unexpected Order

Lord Yao inspected the weaving workshop.

The sound of cotton being processed and the hum of the looms intertwined to create a marvelous melody of cotton textile development.

Finished fabrics were personally touched, and the capacity of the weaving workshop was understood.

Initially, Tong Hua Qiong thought Lord Yao was asking about capacity just as a routine inquiry by a local official to promote cotton cultivation.

After all, she learned from history in later years that officials in every dynasty had the responsibility to promote advanced agricultural production techniques like water wheels, sowing carts, quality seeds, and even the promotion of cotton cloth was due to Huang Dao Po improving cotton textile technology.

Since she was in this fictional dynasty improving and producing cotton cloth, it was only natural for the local official in Ning City to promote cotton cultivation.

Tong Hua Qiong thought she was supporting Lord Yao’s achievements with her actions, so she wondered if she should exchange it for some benefits.

For example, market promotion of cotton cloth, as her setting up of the weaving workshop was driven by the desire to profit, besides allowing everyone to wear affordable and warm cotton cloth.

The market for linen and silk had already been divided, and she couldn’t break into it, so she could only find a new path using information asymmetry.

While Tong Hua Qiong was contemplating how to ask Lord Yao for benefits, she was surprised when Lord Yao took the initiative to offer her a big business opportunity, which was the one Tong Hua Qiong most wanted to seize.

It was the business of supplying military materials to the border.

It’s evident the border is cold, especially in winter, when the wind and snow are rampant, and the cold wind cuts through clothes like knives.

Su Chengmin had stayed at the border for a while, and from Su Chengmin’s mouth, Tong Hua Qiong learned that soldiers stationed at the border faced wind and snow during patrols and training and often engaged in skirmishes with Mo Bei.

Many soldiers can’t all wear great cloaks and fur garments, nor can they wear silk; most have linen garments.

Linen’s ability to keep warm in winter was poor, regardless of how many layers were worn.

There would be cotton clothing in winter, but due to outdated production techniques, they were only slightly better than linen.

If warm and light cotton clothes could be given to soldiers, it would likely enhance their winter combat capacity.

After all, Mo Bei counts on many soldiers in Dasheng being unaccustomed to the harsh weather at the border and often launches attacks in winter.

Since Lord Yao gave Tong Hua Qiong the business, she gratefully accepted it.

The weaving workshop’s current production couldn’t cover all the winter clothing for border soldiers, even if all the cotton from Gu Baishuang’s stock was used.

Lord Yao just told her to provide as much as there was, and they’d take a part for now.

After hearing this, Tong Hua Qiong was relieved and realized the pie was only so big, and giving her a part would surely affect the interests of others, like linen and fur merchants. She would take a part now and seek more later.

As for why Lord Yao could allocate part of the border supplies business to Tong Hua Qiong, she thought the Yao Family was a noble family in Shengjing, certainly having more connections than a forgotten country lady bestowed by the Old Emperor.

However, what’s challenging for Tong Hua Qiong was that she hoped to deliver this batch of cotton clothes within two months.

Lord Yao expressed he would send someone to deliver a down payment to Tong Hua Qiong.

Just as the weaving workshop was starting, it received angel funding?

Tong Hua Qiong was both surprised and excited, but her mind buzzed, fearing the looms might spark fire from rushing orders. Yet, she wasn’t afraid of rushing; fortunately, she foresaw it and let Gu Baishuang stockpile cotton early, but it wasn’t enough, still not enough.

Tong Hua Qiong glanced over at Mr. Lu, contemplating whether to ask him later.

Imperial merchants have extensive paths.

Aunt Tang and Lian Heng Ruo joined the others in visiting the weaving workshop; Tong Hua Qiong had long noticed Aunt Tang’s gaze at Lord Yao being entirely like a mother-in-law looking at a son-in-law.

For someone as ambitious as Aunt Tang, she would definitely seize a chance for a magistrate son-in-law.

And the occasional exchange of glances between Lord Yao and Lian Heng Ruo certainly had sparks.

Destiny can’t be obstructed.

When no one was around, Aunt Tang confided in Tong Hua Qiong that when Lord Yao had gone to Jufu Supermarket to deliver silver to Lian Heng Ruo, she noticed Lord Yao was interested in her daughter, and Lian Heng Ruo also had a good impression of Lord Yao.

Aunt Tang didn’t know what Lord Yao really meant, so she wanted to ask Tong Hua Qiong to inquire.

"...My daughter Ruo Er is suitable to marry a prince and be a princess consort, but I don’t seem to be useful and still need the other party to be interested. I heard noble families are very picky about daughter-in-laws, so I want you to ask Lord Yao what he means. If he thinks my daughter Ruo Er is unworthy or could be a concubine, then we’ll drop it, and I’ll search for another suitable match for her." Aunt Tang seized every opportunity to have Tong Hua Qiong exert it before Lord Yao.

Aunt Tang wished to settle the marriage quickly.

Tong Hua Qiong sincerely felt that if the two were married, it would be very good for Lian Heng Ruo.

As an illegitimate daughter coupled with Aunt Tang’s ambition, the two did not have a very good reputation in Pingchuan County.

Lian Heng Ruo couldn’t find a better family to marry in Pingchuan.

And her marriage has always been controlled by her father for balancing relationships with his sons.

Lian Heng Ruo would eventually marry; rather than marrying into another family to help the Lian Family form alliances, it was better to marry Lord Yao.

Lord Yao seems mature, but a good person, backed by a noble family, marrying him would free Lian Heng Ruo from the Lian Family.

"Does your Ruo Er agree?" Tong Hua Qiong asked, uneasily.

Aunt Tang smiled broadly, "She agrees."

"Alright, I’ll ask for you," Tong Hua Qiong said.

Tong Hua Qiong appreciated Aunt Tang’s straightforward approach, seizing a good son-in-law and if unsuccessful, continuing the search.

No internal friction.

After lunch, Lord Yao prepared to bid farewell and return to the prefecture.

Tong Hua Qiong took the chance to clearly express her opinion on Lian Heng Ruo to Lord Yao, whether or not he was willing for the marriage. Lord Yao was already on his horse but dismounted immediately to tell Tong Hua Qiong he agreed to the marriage, and if Miss Lian agreed, he’d propose to the Lian Family in ten days.

Tong Hua Qiong thought, why let the woman propose first when he already agreed?

This was a misunderstanding of Lord Yao; he originally wanted to officially propose once reaching the prefecture through Tong Hua Qiong, but Aunt Tang preemptively seized the moment.

Tong Hua Qiong felt assured and informed Aunt Tang of Lord Yao’s intention to propose to the Lian Family in ten days once Lord Yao departed.

Aunt Tang’s tears of joy rolled down.

Finally, her painstaking efforts placed her illegitimate daughter into the position of magistrate’s wife and noble family’s daughter-in-law.

Lian Heng Ruo, however, appeared calm.

Tong Hua Qiong sensed something and said to Lian Heng Ruo, "I need to transport a batch of cotton garments to the border in two months, but I don’t have enough cotton and lack silver to stockpile it..."

Lian Heng Ruo said, "If you don’t mind, let my Aunt partner up."

Aunt Tang said, "Besides Ruo Er’s dowry, I have two thousand taels of silver."

Tong Hua Qiong knew Lian Heng Ruo would help her share the risk.

On their way back, Aunt Tang sighed, "Manager Tong is indeed a businesswoman."

Lian Heng Ruo slightly smiled, saying, "Aunt, don’t you understand Manager Tong’s intention?"