Chapter 21: The Fifty-Fifty Partnership

  The next morning, the sun broke through the clouds early and cast a golden glow. However, the atmosphere at the White family's home was oppressive today. From early in the morning, many people came to the White family's house, and the servants knew that something had happened. One by one, they furrowed their brows, clearly not a good thing.

  Everyone who came this morning was a key figure in the White family's business, and they usually found it difficult to gather together. However, today they all rushed over. Many of the servants did not know what had happened, but they were all respectful and silent as cicadas in winter.

  Yue Kang also received an invitation and followed Bai Miao Xi to the White family's council hall.

  Many people had already gathered in the conference hall, and Bai Miao Xi led Yue Kang to arrive early in front of a middle-aged man. The middle-aged man's attire was simple, but his eyes emitted a sharp and astute light, and at first glance, he didn't seem like an ordinary person.

  Bai Miao had previously introduced him as her uncle, Meng Tangxin. Now that her father was no longer around, it was Uncle who took charge of the porcelain kiln. At Yue Kang's wedding, Uncle Meng was busy with the kiln and couldn't make it, so Yue Kang didn't recognize this uncle of hers.

  Yue Kang went up to greet him, and Meng Tang gave people a very easy-going feeling, chatting with Yue Kang for a few sentences.

  The rest of the people, Yue Kang had seen quite a few, all of whom had appeared at his wedding, Wang Xinde from "Sifang Wine House" also came, and smiled when he saw Yue Kang, but in the oppressive atmosphere, he didn't come over to greet him.

  The old lady gestured for everyone to sit down, and over a dozen people sat in two rows on the chairs. The old lady sat in the central head chair, while Bai Miao Yun and Bai Miao Xi stood in the middle.

  The old lady began to speak, "You are all the mainstays of the Bai family, what do you think about this incident?"

  One person angrily replied: "This time the Hu family is being utterly unreasonable. We did everything according to their requirements, but now they don't want it. The ordinary ceramics are still okay, we can sell them to other merchants, but this batch of ceramics was specifically requested by the Hu family. Not only were the dimensions much smaller, but the workmanship was also very rough and the colors not bright. Those defective ceramics, we can't even sell now. The Hu family is being too outrageous."

  The man who spoke had a goat-like beard and was recognized by Yue Kang as someone who used to be in charge of manufacturing at the kiln factory, belonging to the workshop director of the previous world.

  "We previously treated the Hu family with kindness, selling to them at the lowest price. When they had no money, we would even let them owe us. But now they're turning against us, it's really ungrateful. The key is that we trusted the Hu family too much in the past. Although we did receive some deposits, those deposits are nothing compared to our costs."

  "And this time, the government is clearly siding with the Hu family, saying that our written agreement is vague and unclear, which means we've breached the contract and have to compensate them for their losses. The county magistrate has also benefited from our White family's kindness before, but now..." Another person also looked troubled.

  The rest of the people were also discussing it, all pointing out that the Hu family was unkind and unjust. Some slapped their thighs, while others gritted their teeth in anger. They had worked hard for the Bai family for many years, and the Bai family was their iron rice bowl. This time, the Bai family's setback would also cause them a lot of losses, and even whether the Bai family could get through this difficult time was uncertain.

  Meng Tangxin furrowed his brow and remained silent, this matter was indeed very tricky, for the time being he didn't know how to resolve it.

  The old lady signaled everyone to be quiet, "Everyone be quiet and listen to what Yun'er has to say."

  Bai Miao's gentle steps moved forward, the pearl hairpin on her head also swaying with her movements. The beauty's expression was very calm, "The Hu family insisted on not wanting our porcelain, and we didn't have a good solution to this matter. Everyone knows about it now, it has even alarmed the authorities, and County Magistrate has come to the scene. It is clear that he doesn't know what benefits the Hu family gave him, as he kept taking their side, saying that we were in the wrong."

  "Now is not the time to complain about how unjust the Hu family is, what's most important is how we should deal with our 30,000 pieces of porcelain. Everyone knows that these 30,000 pieces are no small number, if they go bad in our hands, it would be a significant loss for the Bai family."

  Bai Miao Yun looked around and saw that everyone who knew her was lowering their heads in shame, but this wasn't the time for them to be blaming themselves.

  Bai Miao Yun paused for a moment before continuing, "As for the Ren family, I think you all know that they came to our Bai family yesterday and said they had a way to help us. The prerequisite is that we need to cooperate with them on this matter. That's why I've gathered everyone here today to discuss whether or not to cooperate with the Ren family. I'd like to hear your opinions."

  "Ren Jiake has always been against us, does he want to cooperate with us?" Meng Tang's eyebrows furrowed in deep thought.

  The people below also started discussing it in an uproar.

  "What kind of cooperation is this between Ren's family and us? Is he going to buy all 30,000 pieces of porcelain?" someone stood up and asked, voicing everyone's doubts.

  "To be honest, our 30,000 pieces of porcelain basically can't be sold, and the Ren family won't be able to sell them either. So when the Ren family said they would help us solve this problem, I think it's because they want to show their sincerity. After cooperating with the Ren family, he is in charge of external affairs, we are in charge of internal affairs. The main division of labor is that our Bai family produces and the Ren family sells the products, and the final profit is split 50/50." White Miao Yun explained.

  "But our Bai family didn't get along with the Ren family in the past! I'm afraid the Ren family isn't genuinely cooperating." someone said.

  "There are no eternal enemies in the business world, and this time the other party's sincerity is sufficient. I shouldn't have any ulterior motives." In fact, Bai Miao Yun was also uncertain, now that the White family was in such a state, perhaps cooperating with the Ren family was the only way out.

  Meng Tangxin spoke up at this time, "Yunyun, I always feel that our cooperation with the Ren family is not quite right, but I can't put my finger on why."

  Bai Miao Yi looked at Meng Tang Xin and said, "I also know the concerns in Uncle's heart. Is Uncle afraid that letting Ren Jia Guan sell our products will result in them taking a cut of the price, or directly saying they sold ten taels but telling us it was only five taels? Uncle can rest assured on this matter, as Ren Jia has also agreed to let us send someone to supervise. I think with our people at Ren Jia, they won't be able to pull any tricks."

  When Meng Tang heard Bai Miao Yun's explanation, he still felt a bit strange in his heart. He wasn't the only one who felt this way; Bai Miao Xi also shared similar thoughts. As a retired and reclusive second miss of the White family, she rarely interfered with business matters. Today, she hadn't planned on coming, but after recalling the story about eagles that Yue Kang had told her, she decided to come out of curiosity.

  "Does anyone else have anything to say? If no one has any objections, then we can cooperate with the Ren family. I think it won't be a loss for us either. At least the matter of those 30,000 pieces of porcelain will be settled." asked Bai Miao Yun.

  "There are no eternal enemies in business. Since both sides can make a profit, why not? I agree." One person voted.

  "I agree."

  "I agree too"

  Everyone nodded in agreement.

  The old lady said at this time: "Since everyone agrees on this matter, tomorrow Ren's family will come, and our two families will sign the contract. From then on, the Bai and Ren families will be one family."

  "Hold on, I think this is not right." Yue Kang, who had been sitting in the corner without saying a word, suddenly stood up and said loudly.

  Everyone's gaze shifted over, looking at this unglorious brother-in-law of the Bai family with confusion.

  Bai Miao also frowned slightly, she had never had a good impression of Yue Kang, and asked: "What's wrong with this matter?"