Every time I wear it quickly, there are always big guys giving it away.

"Jia Jia, look what this is?" Yang Mei held a sandalwood box and opened it like she was presenting a treasure, "Dangdangdangdang~"

The funny tone of voice, coupled with the Dongzhu that brightened the room, was surprisingly suitable.

The box was opened and placed in front of the eyes. Thumb-sized Dongzhu pearls lay quietly on the red silk cloth. The round and smooth pearls had a faint pink hue. They were extremely rare!

Chen Jia picked one up curiously and asked, "Amei, where did you find it?"

Ever since my friend became the only female official in Jeonbuk based on her own abilities, she has traveled all over the country in order to develop her livelihood.

Whenever she had any rare treasures, she would think of bringing her a share. Following the principle of reciprocity, Chen Jia also gave Yang Mei a lot of things that would touch her heart.

As time went by, their relationship became much closer, and they have been close friends ever since!

Such large Dongzhu pearls have always been the best tribute items. Even if the pearls are the size of beans, they cannot be obtained without channels.

What's more, the pearls in this box are of high quality and some are as big as the belly of a thumb, which shows how difficult it was for Yang Mei to search for them.

Chen Jia chuckled and spun the pearl between her fingers, "It's hard for you to go out, but you still think of giving me a gift."

As Xi Changkong's wife, she has always been favored and has never suffered any hardship even after following her husband here.

I have seen many good things, but what is rare is not a pearl of this size, but the thoughtfulness of searching for it for her!

"I went to Linhai County this time. There are many people who make a living by collecting pearls. Do you know how they collect pearls?"

A trace of pity flashed across Yang Mei's eyes, and she spoke in a heavy tone, "Pearl divers tie long ropes around their waists and hold curved tin tubes in their mouths. They can dive as deep as 400 feet underwater. Some use stones as weights and dive more than a hundred times a day."

"Eastern pearls are tributes to the emperor. Often, one pearl is worth thousands of gold coins, and there is still a shortage of buyers." She picked a smaller pearl from the box. "And pearl divers work so hard, but often one pearl can't even be exchanged for a bushel of rice!"

The reality is so cruel, pearl divers are of low status, their ancestors were all slaves. Although they are fortunate enough to escape from slavery, they still cannot engage in other industries and can only dive into the sea to dig for pearls.

Ordinary people do not need Dongzhu, and the trading rights of Dongzhu are actually in the hands of powerful people.

Seeing Chen Jia's face becoming a little heavy, Yang Mei put down the beads in her hand and changed the subject. "What a coincidence. I went to a fishing village where people make a living by fishing for pearls. I was lucky enough to see the whole process of their fishing. It was really not easy! I saw that the pearls they caught were of excellent quality and color, so I couldn't help but take them!"

Ordinary people cannot afford this Dongzhu, nor dare to take it! Only the local government dares to take it. However, if they take it, they naturally have the final say on the purchase price.

In the final analysis, it's nothing more than exploitation!

What can the pearl divers do to resist?

If it is sent to the government, it can only be exchanged for a few meals, nothing more.

Yang Mei has a big boss behind her and is in charge of many businesses. The dividends in her account alone are enough for her to buy anything without having to consider its value.

Naturally, she gave real money, so the pearl divers had a real income and regarded her as their breadwinner!

Later, there were negotiations with local authorities and many intrigues involved, but Yang Mei did not mention them.

In short, the fishing village was taken over by her, and the people of the entire fishing village now work for her.

The local authorities would not even frown, because even if this fishing village was gone, there were still other fishing villages and pearl divers, and their interests would not be affected.

Yang Mei smiled bitterly: "Although they are pitiful, I can't save all the pearl divers, and I can't even give them fair treatment. What's the difference between me and them?"

No matter how small a pearl is, it is still worth a lot of money. But she could not give the pearl divers the corresponding value. At most, she exchanged a bushel of grain for enough silver for the pearl divers to eat and wear.

"Fairness is relative. If you hadn't intervened, the lives of the pearl divers would still be difficult!" Chen Jia consoled her, "You used to love to fight for justice, but now you have learned to be roundabout. Isn't this a kind of growth?"

Times have changed, and she should adapt to the present.

At least, have a clear conscience!

Yang Mei suddenly laughed, "No wonder I love coming to you, it turns out I like to listen to your comfort..." So as not to fall into a dead end - self-torture!

In the past, Yang Mei looked at the words and deeds of the ancients with a modern perspective. It seemed that he was humble and modest, but in fact he did not take them seriously.

Her business empire once covered several cities, but before it could spread across the country, it was taken away by someone else!

She almost went to jail and her life was in danger. She finally realized that she was like a child walking on the street with gold bricks, and people had already been eyeing her!

When it comes to playing power struggles and intrigues like the ancients, she is a far cry from it.

After being rescued, Yang Mei was no longer so ambitious and heroic, trying to build a business empire on his own. Instead, he found a golden thigh to rely on.

After all, it’s nice to sit under a big tree and enjoy the shade!

At first, she helped Chen Jia manage the shops and properties under her name. Due to her good management, the profits were considerable, and the other party was generous and gave her corresponding dividends.

Later, she continued to manage the growing business under Chen Jia's name, and with her support, she successfully competed for the position of chief clerk. This was a turn that Yang Mei never expected!

Perhaps Chen Jia's words affirmed her ability, but for Yang Mei, who had fallen from the clouds, what she lacked was precisely the word confidence.

Despite many strange looks and obstructions, Yang Mei managed to stay firmly in the position of chief clerk and proved Chen Jia's vision with her ability. No one criticized her for getting the position in an illegitimate way anymore!

Other women approached Chen Jia mostly in order to become one of the sisters in the backyard.

Yang Mei initially wanted to express her gratitude for the other party's trust and to consolidate this backer, but later she gained confidence and comfort from her.

She is becoming more and more like the people here, and has become somewhat cold and utilitarian.

"This box of beads can be used to make hairpins, bracelets or necklaces, all of which are excellent and will suit your skin tone very well..." When Ping Sheng came in again to serve tea and water, Yang Mei suddenly understood and joked, "Good Ping Sheng, I am not a teapot, how can I hold so much tea——"

She stood up and smoothed her skirt, "I'm leaving now—"

"Miss Yang, you are joking."

Ping Sheng had a blank expression on his face, but in fact a blush appeared behind his ears.

Yang Mei picked up a plate of snacks and ate while walking, "How can I have a stomach full of tea? I need to eat some snacks to fill my stomach..."

Ping Sheng followed behind and wrapped some snacks, then stuffed them into Yang Mei's arms and hurriedly sent her away.

Ping Sheng came back soon, and Chen Jia nodded at her, "You——"

This is definitely not Ping Sheng's idea. Someone must be jealous again!