The arrival of Mr. Wang and the implementation of the double-entry bookkeeping system were like a shot in the arm, injecting the lifeless Jinxiu Pavilion. The accounts gradually became clear, and the veins of the deficit were gradually identified. Although the figures were shocking, at least they gave Shen Ruoxin a sense of security and enabled her to know where the problem was. She began to cut unnecessary expenses, optimize the personnel structure, and with the precise control of reconciliation purposes, renegotiated with several suppliers of decent reputation and won more reasonable payment cycles and prices.
Meanwhile, she is also quietly planning the "rebirth" of the Splendid Pavilion. She is well aware that merely cutting costs cannot bring things back to life; there must be a "lifeline" that can attract customers and generate profits. Drawing on her memories from her past life and her vague prediction of market trends, combined with the current popular elegance, she personally designed several novel and unique embroidery styles. Among them, one is the "Landscape Embroidered Handkerchief" that she has devoted the most effort to.
This handkerchief is different from the common flowers, birds, insects and fish on the market. Instead, it is based on a simple and elegant lake blue silk, and uses a special silk thread mixed with silver thread. It is embroidered with an innovative combination of "random stitch" and "flat stitch" to create a corner of the freehand landscape - the distant mountains are like dark blue, the nearby water ripples gently, and a small boat, with a distant and profound artistic conception. The stitches are delicate and the composition is unique. It not only has the elegance of literati paintings but also retains the delicacy of boudoir embroidery.
To ensure uniqueness and quality, Shen Ruoxin did not engage in large-scale production. Instead, she personally selected the two most skilled embroiderers in the shop, and behind closed doors, taught them new stitching techniques and color matching essentials step by step. After the sample came out, the effect was astonishing. Even Uncle Wang, who was used to seeing good things, couldn't stop praising it, believing that this item was bound to lead the trend.
Shen Ruoxin carefully took this "landscape embroidered handkerchief" as the "secret weapon" for the transformation of the Jinxiu Pavilion. She first found an opportunity to send a few gifts to the wives of several officials and refined ladies she knew well in the city. As expected, they drew a chorus of admiration and inquiries. Subsequently, she placed a limited edition of the ten-square-shaped handkerchief in the most prominent position of the store, priced slightly higher than the ordinary embroidered handkerchief, aiming to create an image of scarcity and high-end.
In the first few days, the effect was just as expected. Although the price is not low, this unique design and exquisite craftsmanship have attracted many wealthy women who pursue novelty and taste to stop by. Although not much is sold each day, just one or two cubic meters, the attention and topic it brings have brought a bit of vitality back to the long-dormant Jinxiu Pavilion. The guys also wore more smiles on their faces, thinking that the second young lady was indeed capable and that the shop might really be saved.
Shen Ruoxin is also quite satisfied with this. This is just the first step. She plans to gradually increase production after the market has warmed up enough, and then launch a series of matching sachets, sachet bags, etc. around this handkerchief to form the unique style of Jinxiu Pavilion.
However, the good times didn't last long.
That afternoon, the sun was shining brightly. Shen Ruoxin was checking the transaction records of last week with Uncle Wang in the back hall when Xiao Cui, the clerk in charge of the front hall, rushed in with a flustered look on his face.
"Two..." Miss Two! Oh no!
"Why panic?" Shen Ruoxin put down her pen, frowned and said, "Speak slowly. What happened?"
Yes... It's Zhang Ji! That Zhangji Embroidery Shop at the street corner! Xiao Cui was panting, with an expression of disbelief on his face. "They..." They have also started selling 'landscape embroidered handkerchiefs'!
What? Shen Ruoxin and Wang Bo were both startled at the same time.
Zhang Ji Embroidery House is just across from the Jinxiu Pavilion, separated by only a few shops. Boss Zhang Sheng is a shrewd businessman. In the past, he mainly dealt in mid-to-low-end embroidery products on a small scale, but he was flexible and very good at following the trend.
Did you see clearly? Are you sure it's a "landscape embroidered handkerchief"? Shen Ruoxin pressed further.
Absolutely true! The little one saw it with his own eyes! Xiao Cui said urgently, "It's almost exactly the same as ours!" It's also a lake blue background, embroidered with small boats featuring mountains and waters! And... And they sell it 20% cheaper than us! Many customers who originally intended to come into our shop to see the parapets were stopped by them! Now their door is surrounded by people. It's extremely lively!
Shen Ruoxin's expression darkened instantly. The thing she was most worried about still happened!
Come on, go and have a look! She made a prompt decision, got up and walked out. Uncle Wang also hurriedly followed.
Before reaching the street corner, I could see from afar that the entrance of Zhang Ji Embroidery Shop was crowded with people, even more lively than a market fair during the Spring Festival. Several well-dressed maidservants and old women crowded in front of the counter, waving silver money in their hands and Shouting loudly:
"Boss!" Get me the five directions again! Yes, I want that mountain and water handkerchief!
Oh dear, why is it gone again? I've been waiting for a long time!
"Boss Zhang, your handkerchief is really beautifully embroidered. It's unique and cheap!" It's much better than the one opposite!
Zhang Sheng, the owner of Zhang Ji, a short and stout middle-aged man, is now standing behind the counter, sweating profusely but with a big smile on his face. While greeting the guests, he shouted at the top of his voice, "Everyone, don't worry!" Don't worry! The new goods will arrive soon! Guarantee to satisfy everyone! Our Zhangji company adheres to the principle of selling at a low profit margin but in large quantities, and offers genuine and high-quality products!
Shen Ruoxin stood at the periphery of the crowd, her eyes cold as she gazed at the "landscape embroidered cushions" placed on the counter of Zhang Ji. Sure enough, both the color matching and the composition are exactly the same as the version she designed! Just...
Her eyes were sharp and she distinguished carefully. The silk of Zhang Ji's handkerchief was obviously inferior in quality and had a dull luster. The embroidery work was also much rougher. Although it seemed similar at first glance, upon closer inspection, the stitches were unevenly dense and the lines were stiff. Especially the silver thread, which had a dull color, clearly indicated that inferior substitutes had been used. The most crucial point is that the freehand charm has not been imitated at all. It only captures the form but not the essence.
It imitates quickly, but unfortunately, it's a poor imitation. Shen Ruoxin snorted coldly in her heart.
But she is also well aware that for the majority of ordinary customers, they may not be able to distinguish this subtle difference. What they value more are novel styles and lower prices. Zhang Ji precisely seized this point, using inferior counterfeits and adopting a low-price strategy to quickly capture the market!
Second Miss, this... What should be done about this? Xiao Cui was so anxious that she was on the verge of crying. "It's only been a few days, but our shop hasn't sold a single piece of handkerchief today!" As a result, the number of customers looking at other silk fabrics has decreased by more than half!
Wang Bo's expression was also solemn: "This boss, although his methods are not very sophisticated, is the most effective." Counterfeiting combined with low prices is enough to erode the little advantage we have painstakingly accumulated. And... How did he get our style? We've only launched this handkerchief a few days ago, and there are only two embroiderers...
Shen Ruoxin did not reply immediately. Looking at the bustling scene in front of Zhang Ji's door and then glancing back at her own deserted Jinxiu Pavilion, a chill rose from the bottom of her heart.
This is by no means accidental!
The "Landscape Embroidered Handkerchief" is her highly anticipated comeback work. The design patterns and key stitches are strictly confidential, and only she, the two embroiderers, and a few core personnel such as Mr. Wang know about it. There is only one possibility that Zhang Ji could replicate it so accurately in such a short time - there is something wrong inside!
Who leaked the secret?
Was it one of the two embroiderers entrusted with important tasks by her? Or which fellow can get in touch with the back hall? Or perhaps... Did Shen Zhongkang and Lady Liu play tricks behind the scenes and bribe the people around her?
In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through her mind. She felt that there seemed to be a fatal crack in the fortress she had carefully built.
"Second Miss?" Seeing that she remained silent, Uncle Wang called out softly.
Shen Ruoxin came to her senses, and her eyes had regained their composure. Anger and panic can't solve the problem. The most important thing now is to figure out how the intelligence was leaked and how to deal with the impact of Zhang Ji.
"Uncle Wang," she said in a deep voice, "go back to the shop immediately and keep the two embroiderers separately. Don't let them touch each other and don't let them leave the shop." Just say... I'm going to check the working hours and materials and ask them to wait in the backyard.
"Yes!" Wang Bo immediately understood Shen Ruoxin's meaning and turned to leave quickly.
"Xiao Cui," Shen Ruoxin said to the clerk again, "go to Zhang Ji and find a way to buy one of their cushions." Remember, pretend to be an ordinary customer and don't reveal your identity.
"Understood!" Xiao Cui took the order and left.
Shen Ruoxin stood alone at the street corner, her gaze once again turning to Zhang Ji. Zhang Sheng's smug expression and the hustle and bustle of the crowd were like needles pricking her heart.
She knew that this was not merely a simple commercial plagiarism. Behind this, there is very likely to be a deeper conspiracy hidden. Not only does the other party want to seize her creativity and market, but they might also be trying to undermine her authority through this, putting her in a difficult situation again in front of her people and proving that this woman "is indeed no good".
The finances of the Jinxiu Pavilion had just been sorted out when she got a moment to catch her breath. This sudden blow was undoubtedly a fatal blow! If one cannot respond promptly and effectively, the little confidence and situation that have been painstakingly built up may very well collapse.
She must fight back! And it should be fast! Be tough!