The Leisurely Life of a Peasant Woman in the Tang Dynasty

A gentle spring breeze blew by, carrying a hint of the salty and humid air of the ocean, blowing a few strands of hair from Tang Youyou's forehead. She stood by the window, her eyes deep, as if she could see through the turbulent waves hidden beneath the calm surface of the sea.

"Mom, what are you thinking about?" A crisp voice sounded behind her. Tang Wan walked into the room with a plate of pastries and gently placed it on the table.

Tang Youyou turned around, a gentle smile appearing on her face: "Wan'er, you're here. I was thinking about some business matters."

"Is this the news brought by Uncle Ma?" Tang Wan was very perceptive and immediately guessed what her mother was thinking.

Tang Youyou nodded, walked to the table and sat down, picked up a piece of cake and savored it slowly: "The competitors we are facing are not simple. Not only are their prices low, but their sales strategies are also very similar to ours. It seems that this is a tough battle."

"Mom, don't worry, we will definitely defeat them!" Tang Jin rushed into the room in a hurry, with Tang Xiaoya jumping and skipping behind him.

Tang Youyou looked at the three children, her heart filled with warmth. She reached out and lifted Tang Xiaoya onto her lap, smiling and saying, "Of course, Mother believes we can win. However, only by knowing ourselves and the enemy can we win every battle. Jin'er, take Xiaoya and find Translator Chen. I have something to ask him."

Although Tang Jin is still young, he understands things.

Realizing the importance of love, he patted his chest and assured: "Mom, don't worry, I will bring Uncle Chen to you safely!" After that, he pulled Tang Xiaoya and ran out excitedly.

After a while, Translator Chen walked into the room, accompanied by Tang Jin and Tang Xiaoya. Tang Youyou briefly asked him about the overseas market, especially information about products similar to theirs.

Translator Chen, who came from overseas, was very familiar with the local customs and business environment. He told Tang Youyou that some new caravans had recently appeared, bringing with them a lot of novel goods, including products similar to those of Tang Youyou's team. These caravans were low-key but very efficient, and were rapidly expanding their influence.

"It seems we have to take the initiative." After listening to Chen's translator's story, Tang Youyou had already made up her mind. She turned to look at Tang Wan and Tang Jin and said firmly, "Wan'er, Jin'er, you two take a few people and go to those newly appeared caravans to find out what they are, what advantages their products have, and why their prices are lower than ours..."

Tang Wan and Tang Jin exchanged a glance, their eyes sparkling with excitement. They knew a new challenge was about to begin... Taking orders, Tang Wan and Tang Jin split up, each accompanied by a few capable assistants, and began intensive market research. Tang Wan, a discerning and observant person, disguised herself as an ordinary citizen, blending in with the crowds, carefully observing the business models and sales strategies of the newly emerged caravans. She discovered that most of these caravans originated from overseas, bringing with them many novelties not available locally, all at relatively affordable prices. More importantly, they placed great emphasis on publicity and promotion, often holding on-site demonstrations and sales pitches in crowded areas, attracting the attention of numerous customers.

Tang Jin, on the other hand, focused more on technical product analysis. He and his assistants would purchase competitor products and carefully examine their materials, craftsmanship, and functionality. He discovered that while these products resembled his own in appearance and functionality, they differed in certain details. For example, the competitor's products were made of lighter and more durable materials, with more refined craftsmanship and a lower price.

"It seems we've encountered a formidable opponent." Tang Jin told Tang Wan about his findings, frowning slightly. "Their products are indeed very competitive. We must find a way to deal with them."

"Brother, don't worry, we still have a secret weapon!" Tang Xiaoya's crisp voice sounded behind them. She ran to them excitedly with a drawing in her hand.

"What secret weapon?" Tang Wan and Tang Jin asked in unison.

Tang Xiaoya unfolded the blueprint and pointed at the dense lines and symbols on it. She said excitedly, "This is what I saw from Uncle Chen. It's a brand new textile technology! It's said that the fabric produced using this technology is not only lighter, thinner and more breathable, but also waterproof and fireproof!"

Tang Wan and Tang Jin took the blueprint and examined it carefully. Both veterans in the business world, they naturally understood the value of this new technology. If they could master it, they could produce higher-quality products and gain a competitive advantage.

"Little sister, you're amazing!" Tang Jin excitedly hugged Tang Xiaoya and kissed her on the cheek, "This technology is so important to us!"

However, just as they were immersed in joy, a servant rushed in and shouted in panic, "Master, Madam, something bad has happened! Gang Leader Ma and Captain Zheng..."

"Master, Madam, something bad has happened! Gang Leader Ma and Captain Zheng and the others..." The servant was out of breath and sweating profusely, obviously running very anxiously.

Tang Youyou put down the teacup in her hand, frowning slightly: "You're so flustered, how can you be so unbecoming! Tell me slowly, what exactly happened?"

The servant took a deep breath, slowing his rapid breathing, and then said, "Boss Ma and Captain Zheng were transporting goods to a neighboring province when they encountered heavy rain and landslides. The road was blocked and the goods could not be delivered on time..."

"What?!" Tang Jin was immediately anxious when he heard this. "Boss Hai is in a hurry to get this batch of goods. If the construction is delayed, he will have to pay a large amount of liquidated damages!"

Seeing this, Tang Wan quickly comforted him, "Don't worry, brother. It's already happened. There's no point in worrying about it. Let's think about how to solve it first."

Tang Youyou asked calmly: "Are there any casualties?"

"Thank God, no one is safe. It's just that the goods are trapped in the mountains and cannot be transported out for the time being." The servant replied quickly.

"It's good that everyone is okay." Tang Youyou breathed a sigh of relief. After a moment's silence, he instructed, "Jin'er, go to the dock in person and inform Boss Hai about this. Apologize to him and tell him that we will find a way to ship the goods out as soon as possible and try to minimize the losses."

"Yes, mother." Tang Jin took the order and left.

A wave of unrest, a wave of up again.

As soon as Tang Jin left, Wu Dehua, who was responsible for contacting Boss Hai's cooperative enterprise, hurried over and brought an even more difficult news.

"Madam, Boss Hai..." Wu Dehua looked troubled. "Their partner company has put forward higher requirements and requires us to provide more new and innovative products. Otherwise..."

"Otherwise, we'll cancel the cooperation and look for someone else, right?" Tang Youyou took over the conversation, her tone calm, yet revealing a sense of majesty.

Wu Dehua nodded silently, and for a moment, the atmosphere in the whole room became solemn. Tang Youyou stood up and walked to the window, looking at the lush sycamore tree in the yard, her eyes deep, wondering what she was thinking.

Tang Xiaoya walked over to Tang Youyou, gently tugged at her sleeve, and said in a baby voice, "Mom, don't worry, we can definitely overcome these difficulties!"

Tang Youyou looked down at her daughter's innocent little face, and a warm feeling suddenly surged in her heart. She gently stroked Tang Xiaoya's hair, a faint smile curling up at the corner of her mouth.

"Yes, we can definitely do it." Tang Youyou's tone was firm, and her eyes were full of confidence. "Wan'er, go and invite Translator Chen over. I have something to discuss with him."

As night fell, the lights in the Tang family's study remained on. Tang Youyou sat at her desk, carefully studying the overseas information brought by Translator Chen. Her brows furrowed, lost in thought... Tang Youyou put down the Western information in her hand and rubbed her brows. The overseas market was changing with each passing day. If she wanted to gain a firm foothold, she had to keep innovating.

"Mom, you should go to bed early too. These things can't be rushed." Tang Wan walked into the study with a cup of hot tea, looked at her mother's tired face, and said with heartache.

"Wan'er is right, mother, you must take care of yourself!" Tang Xiaoya also ran in with her short legs, hugging Tang Youyou's legs and acting coquettishly.

Tang Youyou looked at her sensible and well-behaved daughters, feeling very relieved. She patted her daughters' heads and said with a smile, "Okay, Mom understands. I'll go rest now."

Early the next morning, Tang Youyou summoned Wu Dehua, Chen the translator, Tang Jin and others to discuss countermeasures.

"We can't lose Boss Hai's cooperation." Tang Youyou said in a serious tone, "Jin'er, go there in person and make sure to reassure Boss Hai. Tell him that we are developing new products and guarantee that they can meet their needs."

"Yes, mother!" Tang Jin took the order and left.

"Dehua, continue to follow up on the matters concerning contact with Boss Hai's cooperative enterprise. If you have any news, please report it to me in a timely manner."

"Don't worry, ma'am. I will do my best."

"Translator Chen, regarding overseas markets, we still need you to take more care and compile the latest market information and technical data so that we can make plans for the next step."

"Don't worry, ma'am. I understand."

After arranging everything, Tang Youyou went to the study alone, spread out the map, and studied it carefully. The landslide hindered the transportation of goods. This was a thorny problem, but it also contained new opportunities.

"If we can build a new road, it will not only solve the current difficulties, but also drive the economic development of the entire region..." Tang Youyou murmured to herself, and a bold idea gradually formed in her mind.

She called the housekeeper and asked, "Do you know Mr. Li Shanren?"

Mr. Li is a well-known philanthropist in the local area. He is generous and charitable, highly respected and influential in the local area.

"Madam, I know Mr. Li. He is an upright person, enthusiastic about public welfare, and deeply loved by the people." The housekeeper replied.

"Okay, prepare the car. I'm going to visit Mr. Li Shan." A hint of determination flashed in Tang Youyou's eyes, and he stood up and walked out the door.