nycdaug Chapter 108 The Raw Material Dilemma: A New Path Begins
Chapter 108 The Raw Material Dilemma: A New Path Begins
New Path Opens to Overcoming Raw Material Dilemma
The servant's voice was urgent, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "Master, something terrible has happened! We're running out of porcelain clay!" The smile on Zheng the porcelain merchant's face froze instantly, his eyes widening in disbelief. "What? How can we not have enough? Didn't we just receive a large batch?"
The servant explained with a mournful face, "I don't know either! There was enough originally, but recently the porcelain kiln's output has increased several times over, and the previous batch of porcelain clay has been used up very quickly. Now there's only a little bit left in the warehouse..."
Zheng, the porcelain merchant, was immediately panicked. Porcelain clay is the key raw material for firing porcelain. If there is no porcelain clay, the kiln will have to stop production. What will happen to the mountain of orders?
He was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, running around in circles.
Upon seeing this, Su Yunlan frowned slightly, realizing something was wrong.
She reassured him, "Don't panic, Mr. Zheng. Let me go and discuss this with the supplier."
"I'm afraid that won't work, Madam Su!" Zheng, the porcelain merchant, said with a worried expression. "The suppliers announced a few days ago that the demand for porcelain clay is currently high, and they want to raise prices by 30%! This... this is simply outrageous!"
Su Yunlan's eyes flashed. A 30% price increase?
It seems this supplier is trying to make a fortune while the porcelain kiln business is booming.
Her eyes were firm, and her tone was calm. "Raising the price by 30% is simply outrageous. I'll go and talk to him."
Xiao Yuhan grasped Su Yunlan's hand and gave her a firm look, "I'll go with you."
After finding a supplier, Su Yunlan got straight to the point and stated her purpose.
However, the supplier acted arrogantly, arms crossed, saying, "Madam Su, this porcelain clay is in high demand right now. I'm only raising the price by 30% because of our past relationship."
Su Yunlan raised her eyebrows slightly; this supplier was clearly trying to raise prices arbitrarily.
She argued that the quality of this batch of porcelain clay had not improved compared to the previous batch, and that a 30% price increase was unreasonable.
The two engaged in a heated exchange, their words sharp and their tone tense.
The supplier sneered, "Madam Su, if you don't accept this price, then there's nothing I can do. Take the porcelain clay or leave it!"
During the stalemate, Su Yunlan's gaze inadvertently fell on a document on the supplier's desk. The words peeking out from the corner of the document caught her attention...
Su Yunlan's gaze swept over the document, and she saw the words "mineral vein exploration map" written on it. A thought struck her, and she immediately understood the source of the supplier's confidence.
It turns out that he didn't only have one source of porcelain clay, but had mastered a new mineral vein!
A subtle smile played at the corners of her lips. With this information, how could she worry about not having porcelain clay?
Su Yunlan remained outwardly calm and continued to negotiate with the supplier, but she had already made her plans in mind.
She sighed, feigning helplessness, "Since that's how it is, then so be it." With that, she pulled Xiao Yuhan away, leaving the supplier behind with a smug look on his face.
After leaving the supplier's residence, Su Yunlan immediately instructed Young Master Xiao to inquire about other mines in the city.
Soon, Young Master Xiao brought back exciting news: there was an abandoned mine outside the city that had once produced porcelain clay.
Su Yunlan immediately led his men to the mine, and after some exploration, they indeed discovered a vein of high-quality porcelain clay.
The crowd cheered with joy, as if they had seen hope for the future of the porcelain kiln.
The day the porcelain clay was transported back, the entire kiln was in an uproar.
The newly formed porcelain clay was piled up like a small mountain, exuding the fresh scent of earth.
The Song Dynasty potter eagerly grabbed a handful, carefully kneading it, feeling the delicate texture of the porcelain clay, and a long-lost smile appeared on his face.
"Great! Great porcelain clay!" he exclaimed excitedly. "With this porcelain clay, we'll definitely be able to make even better porcelain!" Painter Liu also waved his brush, as if he wanted to pour all his inspiration into the porcelain of the future.
Meanwhile, Zheng, the porcelain merchant, was already speechless with astonishment. He had originally thought that the porcelain kiln was facing a shutdown crisis, but he never expected that Su Yunlan would find a new source of porcelain clay so quickly.
His eyes were filled with admiration and gratitude as he looked at Su Yunlan.
Xiao Yuhan walked to Su Yunlan's side and, in front of everyone, held her hand tightly.
His gaze was intense, as if he wanted to melt Su Yunlan into it.
Feeling the warmth of his palm, Su Yunlan's heart was filled with happiness.
She nestled close to Xiao Yuhan, a faint smile on her lips. At that moment, all her weariness vanished.
On the other hand, they were stunned to learn that Su Yunlan had found a new source of kaolin from the old supplier.
He was so frustrated that he beat his chest and stamped his feet, never expecting that he had missed a chance to make a fortune.
He rushed to Su Yunlan's porcelain kiln, hoping to make peace, but was stopped by the shop assistant at the door.
As night fell, Su Yunlan and Xiao Yuhan discussed the future development of the porcelain kiln in their room.
Outside, the moonlight gently spilled onto the window frame.
Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps approached from afar.
Su Yunlan and Xiao Yuhan exchanged a glance.
With the kiln fire blazing, the new porcelain clay seemed to be infused with magical vitality, and the fired porcelain was more warm and delicate than ever before, with a more radiant glaze.
Each piece of porcelain is like a fine work of art, shimmering with a captivating luster in the sunlight.
The crisp tapping sounds rose and fell, as the craftsmen skillfully sculpted the porcelain. Every cut and every stroke was imbued with their love for the art of porcelain.
The heat from the kiln hit you, mingled with the fragrance of earth, and the air was filled with a scent of joy and hope.
The output of porcelain kilns increased significantly, and batches of exquisite porcelain were continuously transported to various places.
In the market, the porcelain improved by Su Yunlan was in short supply, and there was even a situation where money could not buy it.
Every day, Zheng, the porcelain merchant, looked at the mountains of orders, and the smile on his face never stopped. Silver flowed into his purse like water.
He praised Su Yunlan's ingenious ideas to everyone he met, as if he had found a great treasure.
Standing in front of the porcelain kiln, Su Yunlan looked at the bustling scene and felt a great sense of accomplishment.
The sunlight shone on her, bathing her in a golden glow.
She took a deep breath; the air was filled with the fragrance of porcelain clay, mixed with the heat of the kiln fire, which made her feel incredibly at ease.
Young Master Xiao and the other kiln workers looked at Su Yunlan with admiration, having witnessed firsthand how Su Yunlan led them step by step to glory.
As night fell, the hustle and bustle of the porcelain kiln gradually subsided.
Su Yunlan and Xiao Yuhan held a banquet in the courtyard to celebrate the success of the porcelain kiln's innovation.
After a few rounds of drinks, Xiao Yuhan held Su Yunlan's hand and said affectionately, "Yunlan, you are truly my lucky star." Su Yunlan smiled gently, her eyes filled with tenderness and affection.
Just as the two were immersed in joy, a herdsman rushed over, his face showing anxiety.
He reported to Xiao Yuhan that recently, for some unknown reason, the livestock on the ranch had been falling ill one after another, and some had even begun to die.
The herdsman's tone was full of worry and helplessness.
Upon hearing this news, the smiles on Su Yunlan and Xiao Yuhan's faces gradually faded.
Su Yunlan's heart skipped a beat, and she asked, "What symptoms do the livestock show?"
The herdsman described the livestock's condition in detail, and Su Yunlan frowned upon hearing it.
She realized that this might not be an ordinary illness...
“Let’s go take a look.” Su Yunlan stood up, her tone firm.
Xiao Yuhan immediately got up and walked with Su Yunlan toward the ranch.
As the night fell, their figures gradually disappeared into the distance...