In Tang Dongdong's eyes, the spinning wheel before her was already remarkable, yet Jin Feng told her it could be further improved.
This made her heart race, and she couldn't help but press further: "How much faster can it become after the improvements?"
"It's hard to say. There are too many factors involved."
Jin Feng's mind drifted to his school days when he visited a textile factory.
The massive looms, over a hundred meters long, filled with shuttles darting back and forth, made the spinning wheel in front of him seem like a child's toy.
But given the current industrial level of Dakang, creating such machinery was a pipe dream.
Issues like power, materials, and craftsmanship stood in the way. Even if Jin Feng devoted his entire life to it, success was far from guaranteed.
"What factors are involved?"
Tang Dongdong continued to dig deeper.
"Let's not get into that for now. I've answered so many of your questions. Shouldn't you answer some of mine?"
Jin Feng found it difficult to explain industrial complexities to Tang Dongdong and decided to change the subject: "Are you planning to sell the spinning wheel outright or find investors to start a workshop?"
"Selling such a treasure would be foolish..."
"So, you're implying I'm a fool?"
"Uh..."
Tang Dongdong realized her mistake and awkwardly rubbed her nose: "How about we partner to start a workshop? I promise you and Xiaorou will live a prosperous life."
"I have the spinning wheel, but you're so poor you can't even pay taxes. What do you bring to the partnership?"
"I can manage the workshop," Tang Dongdong said confidently. "I know where to get the cheapest hemp, and I know where to sell the spun thread and woven cloth for the best profit. Do you know these things?"
"It seems you're quite knowledgeable about the textile industry."
Jin Feng admitted frankly.
While he could improve the spinning wheel, he knew nothing about the aspects Tang Dongdong mentioned.
"Of course! My family has been in textiles for three generations. If it weren't for my father..."
At this point, Tang Dongdong's voice trailed off. She sniffled and looked up at Jin Feng: "Anyway, I can guarantee that if you entrust the spinning wheel to me, you and Xiaorou will live well."
"Anyone can make promises. Tell me your plan directly."
Upon learning that Tang Dongdong came from a textile family, Jin Feng's interest was piqued.
But he didn't agree or refuse immediately. Instead, he wanted to hear Tang Dongdong's ideas first.
"Originally, I planned to take the spinning wheel to the city and partner with my father's old friends. That way, we could start making money quickly. But those old foxes are shrewd, and my family has fallen on hard times. They would definitely lowball us. So, let's not go down that path."
"Alright, tell me how you plan to partner with me."
Jin Feng also didn't want to waste energy scheming with a bunch of old-timers.
"I did some calculations earlier. This spinning wheel is five to six times faster than the old ones. If Xiaorou and I take shifts spinning non-stop, within ten days, we can earn enough to buy wood and make another spinning wheel. Then, I can hire two workers. Even after deducting their wages, within fifteen days, we can earn enough to make another spinning wheel and hire two more workers.
"Continuing like this, within a year, we could become the largest workshop in Jinchuan!"
Tang Dongdong's eyes sparkled as she looked at Jin Feng: "What do you think?"
To be honest, Jin Feng was tempted.
Although Tang Dongdong's plan was simple, it was highly effective. Most capitalists' initial accumulation of wealth followed a similar path.
The early stages might be tough, but once things got on track, he could sit back and let the money roll in.
He had the technology, and Tang Dongdong had the connections and experience in managing workshops. They complemented each other perfectly.
"So, how do we split the profits?"
It's best to settle financial matters upfront to avoid future disputes.
The spinning wheel is mine, and future improvements will depend on me. Xiaorou will also be involved in the spinning in the early stages...
Jin Feng silently calculated his bargaining chips, determined to secure the best deal.
But to his surprise, Tang Dongdong shook her head and said, "We won't split the profits."
"No profit-sharing? What do you mean?"
"I'll marry you as a concubine. There's no need to split the profits."
"Cough, cough!"
Jin Feng was so shocked by Tang Dongdong's words that he started coughing violently.
Weren't women in feudal times supposed to be reserved?
Why was every woman he met becoming bolder than the last?
His wife, who had only been married to him for a few days, kept talking about finding him a concubine. Now, here was another woman offering herself as a concubine?
Was the social climate in Dakang this liberal?
Guan Xiaorou, standing nearby, looked delighted: "Dongdong, you've finally come around! That's great! Let's go to Grandma Wu's house to get your things..."
"Wait a minute!"
Jin Feng grabbed Guan Xiaorou and turned to Tang Dongdong: "Why?"
Guan Xiaorou had married him because she had no other choice.
But Tang Dongdong clearly wasn't in such dire straits.
Why was she in such a hurry to marry herself off?
Did she have feelings for him?
Jin Feng wasn't that narcissistic.
Tang Dongdong must have another reason.
"Xiaorou told me you're a scholar who never hits women, and you're a tiger-hunting hero. You're the most suitable husband in the nearby villages. Isn't it normal for me to want to marry you?"
Tang Dongdong countered.
"I want to hear the truth."
"This is the truth."
Tang Dongdong said, "Even if I can scrape together enough to pay next year's taxes, I won't be able to do it the year after. So, I'll have to marry someone eventually. Rather than marrying a brute from the village, I might as well marry you."
"Fine, if you don't want to say, forget it."
Jin Feng patted his pants and walked toward the door.
Just as he was about to step out, he heard a sigh from behind. Then Tang Dongdong said, "Alright, I admit it. There's another reason I want to marry you."
"That's more like it." Jin Feng turned around: "Go on, what's the reason?"
"I want to revive my family's business and defeat the Zhou family."
Tang Dongdong clenched her fists and said through gritted teeth.
"Which Zhou family?"
Jin Feng racked his brain but could only recall one person surnamed Zhou.
They lived in Xihe Village, right across from Zhang Liang's house.
But the man of that family had died in battle two years ago, leaving behind only a ten-year-old daughter. That couldn't be the Zhou family Tang Dongdong was referring to.
"The largest cloth merchant in the prefecture—Zhou Changlin!"
Tang Dongdong said each word deliberately.
"You want to defeat the Zhou family? What does that have to do with marrying me?"
Jin Feng was even more confused.
"You just said the spinning wheel could be further improved, but then you stopped talking about it. So, I know you don't trust me.
"The spinning wheel is yours, and I've told you my plan. You could easily cut me out and do it yourself, leaving me with nothing.
"Moreover, if partners aren't united, it's hard to grow the business. Only by marrying you can I gain your trust and support, allowing the workshop to expand as quickly as possible."
Tang Dongdong smiled bitterly: "That's my reasoning. If you still don't believe me, there's nothing more I can do."
"I believe you."
"So, you agree to marry me?"
"No!"