Divorced by her husband's family and rejected by her own! She defiantly turned her life around

"Mrs. Su, the master craftsman's skill is superb, but mine is creative."

Liu Siyue then explained the purpose of the other drawings, which delighted Madam Su. "Madam Liu," she said, "how do you suggest we cooperate?"

"Madam Su, I have already signed cooperation agreements with several craftsmen here. We will only sell within the jurisdiction of Dongping Prefecture and will not venture into other places."

I hope Madam is aware of this.

"You can rest assured about that. I will never participate in or interfere with business in Dongping Prefecture."

"That's good!

These are all good ideas, but once the finished product is produced, it will be easy for others to imitate and replicate it. You should know better than I do how to do it.

The key is to seize the early market opportunity and continuously innovate so that customers think of you when they want to buy furniture.

"Thank you for your guidance, Madam Liu. I know what to do now."

"How do you plan to collaborate?"

"To be honest, Madam, I have a profit-sharing partnership with the craftsmen here, but I would like to sell the blueprints to you." She didn't want to get too involved with the officials, and she didn't want to do business with them. If they ever got into trouble, she might suffer the consequences as well.

"Why is that? Wouldn't you get more money if we split the profits? And the price you ask for when selling the blueprints is too high; I'm afraid I can't afford it."

"Madam, I have my reasons for doing this. Money can never be earned enough. How much is enough?"

I won't charge exorbitant prices. This is just a craft, and I hope it can reach every household so that everyone can use it conveniently.

"Liu Niangzi's character is no less than that of men; she is a role model for us women."

"Manzhi, did you hear that? A person should have a broad perspective and a long-term vision."

"Mother, I understand."

"Madam, I'm asking for 1000 taels for each of these 10 drawings. What do you think?"

"1000 taels is indeed not expensive. I don't have much cash on hand, so I'll give you 5000 taels first, and the remaining 5000 taels will be given to you before the fifteenth of next month."

how?"

"Yes, madam, I certainly trust you."

Madam Su went into the inner room and soon came out with a box. She placed it on the table and pushed it in front of Liu Siyue. "Madam Liu, there are 5000 taels of silver notes in here. Please count them."

Liu Siyue opened the box, counted the silver notes, and found they were just right.

"The amount is just right. Madam Su, please don't blame me for being impolite. It's best to count the money back then to avoid any disputes later."

"What Lady Liu said makes sense; business should be conducted with cash on delivery."

"Madam Liu, my husband has some matters he would like to discuss with you. I wonder if it would be convenient for you, Madam Liu?"

"It just so happens that I also need to speak with the magistrate."

Madam Su immediately sent her maid, Green Pearl, to the front to fetch someone.

Before entering, Su Yimin coughed lightly outside and deliberately slowed his pace.

Madam Su immediately came out to greet her, and Liu Siyue quickly bowed and said, "This humble subject greets Lord Su."

"Madam Liu, there's no need for such formalities. Please rise."

Su Yimin entered the reception room first and slowly sat down. Madam Su invited Liu Siyue to sit down, and Green Pearl served tea to everyone again.

"My lord, I have been entrusted by the clan chief of Liujia Village to deliver this document to you."

Yesterday, the clan chief brought his wife to the county town for medical treatment. However, due to the complicated situation, he originally intended to come in person, but was afraid of offending the elders. Therefore, he entrusted the matter to a commoner. I hope the elders will not be offended.

The clan chief said this was the recommendation document for the new village chief, and asked the elders to take a look.

Granny Liu presented the document to the county magistrate. Su Yimin opened it, glanced at it, and then closed it. "I am aware of this matter. The decree will be sent to Liu Family Village soon."

"Madam Liu, please don't be so formal. This is the inner quarters; please make yourself at home."

"Thank you, sir!"

Despite what others said, she still sat upright and proper, just like Madam Su.

"A few days ago, Madam returned and told me about some of Lady Liu's thoughts. I was very interested after hearing them and would like to hear Lady Liu explain them in detail."

"My lord, these are just my humble opinions, and they are all just wishful thinking. There is no practical proof yet."

"Madam Liu, there's no need to be modest. It's already quite remarkable that you have any ideas."

"Since Your Excellency is willing to listen, I will make a fool of myself."

Liu Siyue discussed everything from poor soil to composting, from seed quality to seed improvement, from germination rate and survival rate to improving planting methods...

Su Yimin's eyes lit up as he listened. No matter which one of these things was accomplished, it would be a great achievement that would benefit the country and its people.

He excitedly stood up abruptly, rubbing his hands and pacing back and forth in the room. "Lady Liu, your ideas are all wonderful. If they really come true, you will be a great hero of the Great Sheng Dynasty, a boundless deity revered by all the people of the world."

Liu Siyue wanted to laugh. This is all it takes to be considered a god? Becoming a god is too easy!

"My lord, there's no need to get excited. It's all just wishful thinking. It's a long process, and we can't expect to see results overnight."

"I understand. Lady Liu, please go ahead and do it. I will do my best to cooperate."

"My lord, as I said before, secrecy is of utmost importance before the matter is resolved. I do not wish to invite trouble out of thin air."

"Yes, if Lady Liu encounters any trouble, feel free to come to me, and I will clear all obstacles for you."

"Thank you for your support, sir. I will do my best to conduct the research."

"My lord, there is a matter I wish to discuss with you."

"Oh, what is it, Madam Liu? Please speak freely."

"The farmers' farming efficiency is too low. They either use hoes to dig the ground or people to pull the plow. There are very few households in the countryside that can afford to buy oxen."

That heavy plow was clearly defective. I noticed the problem a long time ago, but I told them not to listen. They all said I was being narrow-minded.

I have carefully examined the existing plows and discovered their drawbacks.

Based on people's farming habits and the way the plow moves in the soil, I improved a new plow and named it the curved-shaft plow, compared to the current straight-shaft plow.

I want to collaborate with the government to manufacture and sell curved plows. The government will make all the decisions, and I will only take a share. I hope the government won't sell them at too high a price, so that they can benefit the people.

"If the curved plow you mentioned is indeed useful, we can make a few plows to test it out. If it is as you say, I will report it to the court and promote it with all our might. Your contribution will naturally be significant."

Could I take a look at the blueprints?

Liu Siyue took out the blueprints of the curved plow and handed them to Su Yimin. Su Yimin looked at them and found the drawings to be very detailed.

"Very well, I agree. Twenty percent of the profits from this plow will be yours, and the rest will go to the government."

"My lord, most of the land in this world is in the hands of the powerful and wealthy. Therefore, I want 20% of the profits from all the land, not just Lingshui County or Dongping Prefecture."

"This..." Su Yimin was somewhat embarrassed and didn't know how to say it.

Seeing the two of them at an impasse, Madam Su quickly tried to smooth things over, "Master, Madam Liu, could you please hear me out?"

The two men looked at her at the same time. "Madam Liu, your request is indeed putting the master in a difficult position. This concerns the imperial court, and the master is only a seventh-rank county magistrate, not a very powerful one."

To tell you the truth, Madam Liu, I am the third daughter of the current Minister of Revenue. If you trust me, I will inform my father and have him mediate. You will surely gain some of the fame and fortune.

If we only sell in Lingshui County, the imperial court will find out sooner or later, and someone might even steal our credit. It's better if we take the initiative and proceed simultaneously from both sides.

"What you say makes sense, madam. Then I'll leave this matter to you, sir and madam."

"You're too kind, Madam Liu. Once the first plow is made, I will take it to Liu Family Village and we will test it in secret."

"Excellent!" After finishing her business, Liu Siyue was about to take her leave, but Madam Su insisted that she stay for a meal. She could not refuse and ate.