Re-embroidering life

Chapter 118 High-end

In the early morning of the capital city, the cries of hawkers, the clacking of wheels, and the laughter of people meeting on the street awaken the sleeping city.

Shui Qinghua went out early and walked hurriedly towards a teahouse called Qingfeng Yazhu.

Ye Jincheng had been waiting here for a long time. He was wearing a moon-white gown with delicate cloud patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs, which concealed his burly figure and made him look more like a romantic scholar. Only his eyes were still as shrewd and decisive as always.

Both of them were very happy to see each other again after a long separation. After a few pleasantries, they got down to business.

Ye Jincheng picked up the teacup and took a sip. "Mrs. Shui, since you agreed to open a Shuixiu workshop in the capital, it must be a natural outcome. Are you going to copy Jiangxia's model, or will you make some changes?"

Shui Qinghua has thought about this question countless times. "Of course we can't copy it. The situation in Jiangxia and the capital is very different. The result of copying it is that Shuixiufang will die soon."

Ye Jincheng frowned suddenly, Shui Qinghua touched his sore spot.

Shui Qinghua continued to talk: "The biggest difference between the capital and Jiangxia is that there are many dignitaries, many embroidery schools, and many government-run embroidery workshops."

In the past six months since she came to Beijing, she has been to the streets a lot. Although Beijing has embraced Suzhou embroidery, Hunan embroidery, Guangdong embroidery and other four styles, Beijing embroidery is still the most popular.

Beijing embroidery is a collection of the essence of various embroidery masters. Its needlework inherits the rules of Suzhou embroidery, and it uses exquisite materials and has an elegant style. It is even smooth, fine, uniform and shiny, and even better than Suzhou embroidery. But there is one thing: Beijing embroidery mainly serves the court and officials. The palace embroidery bureau is responsible for embroidering the clothes of the royal family, while the folk embroidery workshops embroider the official uniforms of officials, including patches and round flowers.

This makes the most prominent feature of Beijing embroidery the emphasis on "rules" and "etiquette". Patterns are not only beautiful, but also a symbol of status. Whether it is the emperor or the ministers, the patterns and colors of the clothes they wear are clearly regulated, and making a mistake is a serious crime. Over time, the people of Beijing also like solemn, wealthy, elegant, and regular styles, and do not favor lively and agile rural styles.

Ye Jincheng's brows furrowed even more tightly. He stood up and walked to the window, standing with his hands behind his back, his back lonely.

"So, if Chu Xiu wants to break into the capital, it is still wishful thinking?" He looked at the sky outside the window in confusion, as if he was asking Shui Qinghua, and also as if he was asking himself.

Chu embroidery is a typical rural style, free and lively, even with a bit of mystical elements. It is conceivable that it will not be welcomed by the people in the capital.

Ye Jincheng turned around and said, "Since Madam Shui is planning to open an embroidery workshop, you must have some ideas. Why not tell me about them?"

"Yes, Jiangxia Water Embroidery Workshop is taking the mid-range route, but the mid-range market in Beijing has been divided up by various schools of Suzhou embroidery and Hunan embroidery. We can't squeeze in, so I plan to go straight to the high-end."

Ye Jincheng was extremely surprised: "You just said that the nobles only like Beijing embroidery. How can we compete with the government-run embroidery workshop?"

Shui Qinghua sighed helplessly: "Now it's not about whether I want to fight with them or not, but I have to fight with them."

The Empress Dowager bestowed a name and honors on her, which made her very popular. Whether she wanted to or not, the Embroidery Bureau and the government-run embroidery workshop were targeting her. Unless she stopped embroidering from now on, she would have to face their endless troublemaking. Could she stop embroidering? Absolutely not, so instead of dodging, it would be better to attack head-on.

"Since my embroidery has won the favor of the Queen Mother and the great scholar, it means that I should take this path. I am not qualified to make official embroidery, so I will do my best to make embroidery paintings and turn embroidery into an elegant art that can stand shoulder to shoulder with painting. This is something that even Jingxiufang cannot do."

Just think about it, no matter how well the dragon robes and official uniforms are embroidered, they are just a piece of clothing, which cannot be appreciated and praised by scholars. Who will be remembered in history in the future, the one who embroidered the dragon robes or the one who embroidered the paintings?

"But your Furong Garden embroidery is of the boudoir style. If it enters an embroidery workshop, it will be tainted with the atmosphere of the market. Will those dignitaries be willing to go to an embroidery workshop to buy an embroidery painting that is available to everyone?" Ye Jincheng calmed down and turned into a sharp businessman again.

Shui Qinghua had also considered this question. She was confident: "Whether it has a market atmosphere depends on how it is decorated. It's also an embroidery workshop. I've seen the grandeur of Jingxiufang, which is comparable to the imperial palace, and it has nothing to do with the word market atmosphere."

If an embroidery workshop is decorated as a place for the most elegant literary gathering or refined art, attracting talented people to come, will there still be the atmosphere of a market place?

A smile finally appeared in Ye Jincheng's eyes: "You have really thought it through. I am happy for you."

"But," he changed the subject, "I don't see the existence of Chu Xiu Pavilion in your plan."

Having said that, Ye Jincheng's eyes were fixed on Shui Qinghua, with anticipation on his face. He expected Shui Qinghua to deny him and tell him that she had already thought of a complete plan to promote Chu embroidery.

Shui Qinghua paused and told the truth: "I really haven't figured out how to let Chu Xiu in."

Ye Jincheng's face was obviously disappointed. "Forget it. I told you that if you want to open an embroidery workshop, you must tell me first. You kept your promise."

Although there is no position for Chu Xiu for the time being, he believes that Shui Qinghua can make money, and as a businessman he will not refuse a profitable business.

"It's just that I can't do it for now." Shui Qinghua smiled at him soothingly, "I'll use Furong Garden embroidery to pave the way. Once the territory of the capital is opened up, I can put in Chu embroidery. But you need to be patient and wait for two years."

"Why two years?" Ye Jincheng didn't understand.

Shui Qinghua smiled and kept it a secret: "You will know in two years. Now you should consider whether you want to cooperate with me for the opportunity of Chu Xiu entering the capital in two years?"

"Yes!" Ye Jincheng did not hesitate. He had seen Shui Qinghua's ability to be a treasure chest with his own eyes. This time, without Si Yi Fang's interference, he wanted to take 50% of the business shares!

"You can own 50% of the commercial shares, but you have to bear 80% of the costs." Shui Qinghua said with a smile.

Ye Jincheng couldn't believe that after not seeing Shui Qinghua for nearly a year, she had become more cunning than him. "Why? Your embroidery workshop is called Shui Xiufang, not Chu Xiuge, and it has nothing to do with my Ye family."

"If I say that I am brewing a new technique, after launching it, not only will the water embroidery workshops in the capital make money, but even the water embroidery workshops in Jiangxia will be able to escape the pursuit of other embroidery workshops. The dividends you can share will rise rapidly and will soon make up for the investment in the capital. Will you still invest?"

Ye Jincheng's breathing became rapid. There is a new skill! This woman is really a treasure trove and will never stop improving.

He suddenly remembered the resolution he had made in Jiangxia: it was better to invest in a person than an embroidery workshop. Since he had chosen her, why should he hesitate? This was not his business style.

"I vote!"