The results of using soda ash are amazing.
Seeing the dyed cloth, Songjiang cloth merchants were completely impressed.
Red like rouge, blue like the sky, green like emerald, the fabric is shiny and colorful.
"From now on, our Songjiang cotton fabrics are unparalleled in the world and have no rivals."
Xu Ji held the new cloth in his hand and laughed, completely losing his previous elegance and calmness.
Others don't think he is arrogant, they are all proud of him.
It was Zuo Mengeng who came forward to remind him.
"Technology is constantly improving. Today's high-quality products will stagnate in the future and will inevitably be surpassed by others. I hope you will continue to hone your skills and always control the forefront of quality so that others cannot catch up."
Everyone accepted the instruction without any doubts about his words.
This time, the fleet coming from Linqing not only brought soda ash, but also crochet hooks, sewing machines, ball bearings and other items.
Seeing the spinning machine driven by the waterwheel rotating rapidly, causing dozens or hundreds of spindles to rotate at a constant speed, and the pieces of fine and strong cotton cloth being produced rapidly, the cloth merchants in Songjiang Prefecture were suspicious of the world.
They finally saw the power of industrialization.
"Everyone, this is the revolutionary effect brought about by new technology. For the same hundred pieces of cloth, the cost of production is only one-fifth of the traditional production method. What do you think will happen if cotton cloth like this is sold all over the world in the future? What are the consequences?"
Seeing that the new production method convinced the cloth merchants in Songjiang Prefecture, Zuo Mengeng was very proud and took control of the situation.
Shen Youtian stroked the new cloth, feeling the completely different texture from the old cloth, and sighed.
"The cost of this cloth is low, and naturally the selling price can be kept low. As a result, it is actually cheaper than ordinary people spinning their own cloth. If things go on like this, I am afraid that people will no longer be able to weave cloth to support themselves, and will have to buy cloth."
This result is obvious to everyone. But when they think that the traditional social phenomenon of men farming and women weaving will be broken, everyone is a little panicked.
It's not that they are afraid, but that the way of life that has lasted for thousands of years has been disrupted, leaving these people confused.
But similarly, once it is done, the value contained in it will also make everyone excited.
Everyone in Zhujing Town knows about Chen Acai.
It’s not about how powerful he is, nor how rich he is. But when it comes to needlepoint skills, he said he was the second in Zhujing Town, and no one dared to claim the first.
Just relying on this craftsmanship, Chen Acai has no worries about food and clothing. Many important people had to pay homage to him when they saw him.
The only thing that worries Chen Acai is that he is old, but neither his son nor grandson can learn his craftsmanship.
When thinking about future generations, Chen Acai looked sad and didn't know what to do.
"Brother A Cai, are you at home?"
A familiar voice came from outside the hospital, making Chen Acai wake up. When he turned around, he saw his son Chen Shengzi still standing there stunned, and couldn't help but curse.
"You're so stupid, A Tusheng. Why don't you open the door quickly?"
Chen Shengzi was so scolded that he hurried over and opened the door.
Chen Acai didn't dare to neglect herself. When she arrived at the door, she saw Chen Jiru, a master of the town, leading a few noble people in.
"Brother A Cai, I have something good for you."
Chen Jiru smiled, not arrogant at all.
Chen Acai was used to it and didn't think there was anything wrong with Chen Jiru's politeness.
"Mr. Mei, is there any good job for me?"
He does needlework, and anyone who comes to him is basically inseparable from it.
Chen Jiru smiled happily.
"What's a good job? This time, it's a lifetime of wealth."
With that said, Chen Jiru led out the dignified young man behind him.
"Ah Cai Gong, this junior needs help from you."
There seemed to be no distinction between high and low in Chen Acai's eyes. Facing Chen Jiru, a local rich man, he looked ordinary. Facing this unfamiliar young man, he remained casual.
"No need to be polite, noble man. As long as the wages are sufficient, you will be satisfied."
This is the foundation of skills.
That young man was naturally Zuo Mengeng.
He asked Fu Yusun to take out the silk stockings and hand them to Chen Acai.
"Ah Cai Gong, take a look, can these socks be embroidered?"
Chen Acai had an expression for the first time.
"Oh, good craftsmanship."
He looked at it carefully before coming to a conclusion.
"If you want to embroider on this, you need a special needle."
When Zuo Mengeng heard this, he was really happy. He then asked Fu Yusun to take out the newly made crochet hook and present it to Chen Acai.
"Ah Cai Gong, look at this needle, how do you like it?"
Chen Acai's eyes shined brightly when she saw the fine silky crochet hook.
"Is there really anyone who can make such a magical needle?"
Chen Jiru asked eagerly: "Acaigong, is this needle enough?"
Chen Acai nodded and said solemnly: "I wonder how many pieces you want to make? Let's talk about it first. This is more labor-intensive, and we need to pay more for it."
Zuo Mengeng's focus is not this.
"Can you really embroider pictures?"
Silk stockings are already exquisite enough, but Zuo Mengeng knew that in order to attract more consumers, in addition to improving the quality, increasing the variety is also necessary.
How many fanatical consumers did the mesh, ribbed, printed, hollow, spliced and other styles of silk stockings in later generations bring?
If it can be implemented on stockings, it will not only increase sales, but more importantly, it can improve the level of weaving technology.
Chen Acai was very dissatisfied with this question.
"Your Excellency, you may ask, I, Chen Acai, have been doing needlework all my life. When did I stop talking?"
Zuo Mengeng didn't care about Chen Acai's unruliness. On the contrary, this guarantee made him even happier.
"Ah Cai Gong, I heard that your craftsmanship has not been passed down?"
As he spoke, his eyes looked at Chen Shengzi who was hiding next to him.
Chen Acai's heart tightened, and then she felt helpless in pain.
This kind of thing cannot be hidden from anyone. The entire Zhujing Town knows that Chen Acai's children and grandchildren are useless and cannot learn Chen Acai's craftsmanship at all.
Chen Acai couldn't help but feel sad when he thought that his craftsmanship would be lost and future generations would even starve to death.
Zuo Mengeng said sincerely: "This junior has seen A Cai Gong's craftsmanship. It can be said to be ingenious and exquisite. It would be a pity if such good craftsmanship was lost. This time, I want to invite senior to be the technical director of Tianzhi Group. Supervisor, be responsible for cultivating more talents and passing on your skills."
Chen Acai misunderstood, thinking that Zuo Menggeng was trying to steal what he relied on for food.
"Haha, the old man relies on this little craft to support his family. The nobles are tired of wearing gold and silver, and eating delicacies from the mountains and seas, so why don't you even let the old man make a living?"
Zuo Mengeng smiled and said hurriedly: "Ah Cai Gong, you have misunderstood. If your craftsmanship does not have a suitable successor, won't it be lost after a hundred years? Why not use your craftsmanship in exchange for a stable income? Let your descendants and descendants be able to make a living, and it will also help Songjiang Cotton Spinning make great profits. This is a win-win situation."
Chen Acai was speechless for a long time. Just when Zuo Mengeng thought he was stubborn, he suddenly said something.
"My lord, what do you mean by this?"
Turns out I didn’t understand...
Zuo Mengeng couldn't help but reflect. It seemed that when talking to ordinary people in the future, he would not be polite.
"Ah Cai Gong, it's like this. Have you heard about the Chamber of Commerce? Recently our Songjiang Prefecture established a Cotton Textile Chamber of Commerce."
Chen Acai nodded and didn't care.
"Isn't that your noble business? We poor people don't dare to inquire."
Zuo Mengeng simply took Chen Acai and sat on the stone in the yard.
"This is not a matter for nobles, but for everyone. This chamber of commerce is to unite all those in Songjiang Prefecture who are engaged in cotton spinning. People like you can also become members of the chamber of commerce."
Chen Acai became interested and asked, "Is there any benefit?"
Zuo Mengeng laughed loudly.
"There are so many benefits."
He clasped his fingers and said clearly: "As a member of the Chamber of Commerce, from now on, if anyone dares to bully you, the Chamber of Commerce will stand up for you. For example, if someone owes you wages and refuses to pay them, the Chamber of Commerce will help you to ask for it." want."
Chen Acai misunderstood again.
"We are honest people, so we won't bother to fight."
Chen Jiru's face darkened and he hurriedly said: "The Chamber of Commerce is a serious business, how can it be compared to the business of fighting?"
Chen Acai didn't believe it.
"This noble man said that he can beg for wages for the old man. How can he beg for it if he doesn't beat him?"
Chen Jiru sneered, his murderous intent clearly revealed.
"Brother A Cai doesn't know, right? The Chamber of Commerce has recently made a charter. If a member like me is owed wages and insists on not paying them, the Chamber of Commerce will cut off his cotton supply."
He pointed at Zuo Mengeng again.
"This guy is from Shandong. Who he sells cotton to or who he doesn't sell to depends on his words. Brother, do you think our business is useful?"
Chen Acai understood and was very moved.
He has been working on needlepoint all his life, and his skills are exquisite, so many people ask him to work.
After working for decades, I don’t know how many people have been owed wages.
He was angry and wanted an explanation.
But he, a poor man, was really bullied to his head, what could he do?
If the Chamber of Commerce is really as good as Chen Jiru says, do poor people like him still need to be afraid of being bullied?
