Outsourcing

But Shen Chu could not help taking Li Chengwen's kindness to heart.

That piece of Silver-Veined Meteorite Iron had allowed him to improve his innate foundation; this favor was not something a few taels of silver could repay.

The meeting ended amid a clamor of noise.

The masters dispersed in twos and threes. Some frowned as they calculated the work schedule, some murmured about wages, and others ran straight to the storeroom to count the remaining materials.

Li Chengwen stood on the steps, watching the backs of the crowd as they scattered. The fervor on his face gradually faded, replaced by a heavy trace of worry.

He sighed, turned, and prepared to go back inside.

"Young master."

A voice came from behind him.

Li Chengwen turned around and saw Shen Chu walking over from the back of the crowd. He could not help feeling a little surprised. "Shen Chu? Weren't you asking for leave to go back to your hometown? Why haven't you left yet?"

Shen Chu walked up to him, fell silent for a moment, then said, "Young master, I thought it over just now. I've decided not to ask for leave for the time being."

Li Chengwen froze. "What do you mean?"

"I'll stay and help you finish this batch of orders. After the delivery, I'll ask for leave and go back home."

Hearing this, Li Chengwen was stunned at first, then a huge smile spread across his face.

He stepped forward and heavily patted Shen Chu on the shoulder, his voice filled with excitement he could not conceal. "Good! Good brother! I knew you were loyal!"

He immediately turned and shouted to the accountant, "Write it down! From now on, Shen Chu's wages are doubled! Once the order is completed, I'll give him a hefty reward on top of that!"

Shen Chu smiled and cupped his hands in thanks.

In his heart, he silently calculated.

Once this batch of orders was finished and this favor repaid, it would be time to truly consider leaving.

The night was already deep.

A side room in the Li Residence was still lit.

The curtains were drawn tightly shut, allowing only a dim yellow glow to seep through.

Madam Liu reclined on a soft couch, holding a round fan in her hand and waving it now and then.

She wore a lotus-root-colored sleeping robe, its collar slightly open, revealing a stretch of snow-white skin that gleamed with a warm luster under the candlelight.

Li Jiwu sat on the round stool opposite her, holding a cup of warm tea, but his eyes roved dishonestly over her body.

"What are you looking at?"

Madam Liu noticed his gaze, but instead of avoiding it, she gave him a coquettish glare, the corner of her mouth carrying a hint of a smile.

Li Jiwu set down the teacup and said with a smile, "I was looking at how good Aunt Liu's complexion is today. Father must have been busy with official affairs these past few days and had no time to disturb Aunt Liu's rest. Since Aunt Liu slept well, naturally you're glowing with beauty."

Madam Liu heard the teasing in his words, spat lightly at him, and gently swatted him with the round fan:

"Stop wagging that oily tongue here. I called you over because there's something proper to discuss. Don't keep dragging in all this useless nonsense."

Li Jiwu reined in his smile and said seriously, "Aunt Liu, please speak."

Madam Liu waved the round fan and said slowly, "Your elder brother has been riding the spring wind of success lately. Things are in full swing over at the Sword-Forging Courtyard. I heard the sample goods are already out, and the quality is not bad. He shouts orders around the courtyard every day, and he's actually managed to make something of it. With the eldest miss supporting him outside as well, if this continues, your father will only have eyes for this eldest son of his."

Li Jiwu's brows furrowed slightly. After a moment of silence, he said in a muffled voice, "That's an order from the authorities. I can't exactly make him not do it, can I?"

Hearing this, Madam Liu gave a derisive laugh and tapped his forehead with the round fan. "You're usually quite clever. How is it that whenever it comes to times like this, you turn foolish?"

Li Jiwu was not annoyed by her tap. Instead, he leaned a little closer. "Then I'll have to ask Aunt Liu for guidance."

Madam Liu rolled her eyes at him and pushed him back with the round fan before saying unhurriedly, "Of course the goods must be made. Not making them would offend the authorities, and our Li Family cannot shoulder that responsibility. But how they are made—that is where the learning runs deep. Didn't your elder brother say he wanted the people in the courtyard to work overtime and rush the job? Then go tell your father that, in order to guarantee quality, you suggest outsourcing part of the order to other reliable forging workshops. After all, time is tight and the task is heavy. If something goes wrong with the quality and the authorities place blame, no one can bear that responsibility."

After Li Jiwu listened, his eyes gradually brightened.

He lowered his head and thought for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Aunt Liu means... I should make Father feel that Elder Brother's plan carries risks, and thereby accept my suggestion?"

"Smart."

Madam Liu smiled in satisfaction.

"That way, even if your elder brother ultimately produces the goods, the credit won't belong entirely to him alone. And in your father's heart, he will also feel that you, as the younger brother, are thinking on his behalf and on behalf of the Li Family. One arrow, two eagles—why not do it?"

Li Jiwu stood up, cupped his hands toward Madam Liu, and said sincerely, "Aunt Liu is brilliant. Chenghan has been taught."

Madam Liu waved her hand and yawned. "All right, it's getting late. Go back. As for what to say tomorrow, you just need to know it in your own heart."

Li Jiwu answered, turned, and pushed the door open to leave. The night wind stirred the hem of his robe, and his steps were much lighter than when he had arrived.

Early the next morning, Li Jiwu went to Master Li's study.

When he entered, Master Li was sitting behind the desk and looking through the account books. The eldest young master, Li Chengwen, was also at the side, his face carrying a somewhat proud expression.

Clearly, he was reporting on the progress of the rushed work.

Li Jiwu walked forward without showing a trace, first paying his respects to Master Li, then nodding toward Li Chengwen, before saying, "Father, your son has one matter he wishes to discuss with you."

Master Li put down the account book and glanced at him. "What is it?"

Li Jiwu considered his wording. "It's about that batch of orders at the Sword-Forging Courtyard. I know Elder Brother has been leading everyone through very hard work during this period, and the progress is indeed quite good. But your son is somewhat worried. Fifteen hundred long sabers, with such a tight deadline, all relying on the people in our courtyard to work overtime and rush it—if their strength fails to keep up in the later stages and the quality goes wrong, once the authorities place blame, I'm afraid it will be difficult to explain."

He paused, then continued, "So your son was thinking, why not outsource part of the order to several other forging workshops in the city with good reputations? First, it can share our burden. Second, it can also guarantee quality. Although the cost will be a little higher, it's still better than having a mishap."

After Master Li listened, he did not immediately state his position, but turned to look at his eldest son. "Chengwen, what do you think?"

As soon as Li Chengwen heard this, a surge of anger immediately rose in his heart.

He had finally managed to earn some face in front of his father, and now Second Brother had jumped out at this time to suggest outsourcing. This was clearly tearing down his stage!

Li Chengwen immediately stood up and said in a ringing voice:

"Father, I don't agree with outsourcing! First, the cost of outsourcing is at least twenty percent higher than making them ourselves. Second, we have no way to control the quality of outsourced work throughout the whole process. If an outsourced workshop cuts corners, in the end it will still be our Li Family taking the blame. Rather than let others earn the money, it's better to let our own people earn it!"