A Guest Arrives

In early spring of 1715, in Jingdezhen, a guest arrived at the Su residence.

This guest was Dutch and spoke Chinese fluently.

Since the end of 1712, Su Wuwen hadn't seen him.

The guest was Wang Jide, the head of the Dutch East India Company's operations at the Pudong port.

The previous head, Ouyang, had been transferred to Zhuhai.

The Su family had been long-time friends with Ouyang, but they weren't as familiar with Wang Jide.

However, despite the change in personnel, the contract remained the same, and business between the Su family and the East India Company continued as usual.

The East India Company was engaged in maritime transport, and most of the porcelain exported from the Qing Dynasty to various parts of the world was handled by their ships.

Porcelain was highly valued abroad and considered a rare and precious commodity, leading people overseas to pay high prices for it.

The East India Company acted as an intermediary, importing porcelain at low prices and selling it at high prices worldwide.

All of the Su family's exported porcelain also passed through the East India Company.

Wang Jide's visit was akin to that of a revered figure; he was not someone to offend or neglect. If he were displeased and decided not to import porcelain from the Su family, it could result in significant losses for their business.

Wang Jide's visit—what could it be about?

Fang Zhong had already invited him in.

Wang Jide took a seat, and a cup of pre-Qingming Longjing tea was placed in front of him.

Su Wuwen sat on the other side of the table, took a sip of tea, and smiled, "Mr. Wang, it's a pleasure to have you visit Jingdezhen. It truly honors us that you remember the Su family and chose to visit our residence."

Wang Jide set down his tea cup and replied, "Miss Su, you're too kind. I came to Jingdezhen specifically to meet with you."

"Mr. Wang, you came all the way from Pudong just to see me? Is there something important you need to discuss?"

"Yes, indeed. I have an important matter to discuss with you."

"Please, Mr. Wang, go ahead."

"News of your creation of the Lang Kiln red glaze porcelain has spread overseas. Miss Su, you are truly remarkable."

"Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Wang."

Wang Jide continued, "When Western envoys came to the Qing Dynasty to pay tribute, they visited your Lang Kiln red glaze Guanyin vase. After returning, they spoke highly of this vase, claiming there was nothing more precious or magnificent than the Lang Kiln red glaze. Now, many kings are eagerly anticipating it. The news has also spread to the common people in the West, who are keen to see it as well."

Su Wuwen smiled and said, "I don't wish to take undue credit. The Lang Kiln red glaze is not my sole achievement. I am deeply grateful and honored that it is so cherished by Western royalty and common people."

"You are too modest, Miss Su. Since the Western people are so eager, don't you want to help quench their thirst?"

Su Wuwen's heart skipped a beat. She had been worried about this since Wang Jide first mentioned the Lang Kiln red glaze.

"What do you mean, Mr. Wang?"

"You're an intelligent person, Miss Su. How could you not understand?"

Su Wuwen understood perfectly and decided to address it directly.

"Mr. Wang, as you know, Qing Dynasty law prohibits the export of high-end porcelain from official kilns. It can only be used for diplomatic gifts under imperial orders. As businesspeople, we have no right to act as diplomatic envoys and make unauthorized gifts."

Wang Jide waved his hand dismissively, "Miss Su, that's not what I mean. I don't want you to give it to me, nor will I have you break the law."

"What do you mean, then?"

"Miss Su, I would like you to sell some Lang Kiln red glaze porcelain to me. If you don't mention it, and I don't mention it, no one will ever know."

Su Wuwen replied, "Mr. Wang, it's not that I'm unwilling, but this matter may be problematic. There's no wall that doesn't leak, and once Kiln red glaze porcelain appears overseas, news will eventually reach the Qing Dynasty. If the Emperor finds out, it could be a capital offense."

"Miss Su, don't worry. I've already considered it for you. Once it's sold abroad, we'll change its name to 'Fallen Red Glaze Porcelain.' Who will know it's Lang Kiln red glaze?"

"Mr. Wang, I'm afraid that still won't work. The Western people have never seen the Lang Kiln red glaze and are highly enamored with it. If we quietly export Lang Kiln red glaze and rename it to Fallen Red Glaze, the Western people will still be unaware and will continue to crave Lang Kiln red glaze. They might even refuse to buy the Fallen Red Glaze, meaning you won't gain much profit, and the Western people won't get what they desire."

"Miss Su, you're mistaken. Although the Western people haven't seen Lang Kiln red glaze, they have a good appreciation for it. Even if we change its name, I believe it will still be highly sought after abroad." Wang Jide paused and added, "Currently, there is a severe shortage of red glaze porcelain overseas."

Upon hearing this, Su Wuwen quickly said, "Mr. Wang, since there is a severe shortage of red glaze porcelain abroad and Lang Kiln red glaze will be renamed upon export, if you're interested, I can sell you a batch of祭红 (Ji Hong) glaze porcelain. While it's not as valuable as Lang Kiln red glaze, it is still a precious porcelain with high production costs."

"Miss Su, are you referring to the祭红 (Ji Hong) glaze, used in rituals, or the宝石红 (Jewel Red) glaze, also known as 'Ji Hong'?"

Su Wuwen smiled, "I'm referring to the ritual祭红 (Ji Hong)."

Wang Jide's expression darkened, "Miss Su, are you joking? I know祭红 (Ji Hong) is your family's secret, but祭红 (Ji Hong) glaze is not a secret. Selling me祭红 (Ji Hong) glaze instead of Lang Kiln red glaze is an insult."

Su Wuwen was startled. Wang Jide seemed very upset.

"Mr. Wang, you misunderstand. I wouldn't dare deceive you. However, the Emperor has decreed that precious porcelain cannot be exported. Otherwise, I could face execution, and my entire family could be implicated."

Wang Jide was unconcerned with Su Wuwen's fate and left with the final words: "Miss Su, please reconsider. If you decide to export Lang Kiln red glaze porcelain, come find me at the Pudong port. I'll be staying where Ouyang used to be. If you agree to export the Lang Kiln red glaze, any other requests you have, I, Wang, will certainly fulfill. If you are executed, the East India Company would lose its business with you as well. Therefore, you can be assured that even if you export Lang Kiln red glaze porcelain, the East India Company will never disclose any information."

Wang Jide lowered his voice and added, "Lang Kiln red glaze is a valuable porcelain. The profit you would make from exporting one piece of Lang Kiln red glaze would be much more than selling ten thousand pieces of ordinary porcelain."

Wang Jide stood up and raised his voice, "I must take my leave now. Miss Su, please consider it carefully."

Su Wuwen was somewhat displeased but dared not show it, "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Wang. Safe travels."

Fang Zhong, standing nearby, saw Wang Jide's demeanor and quickly came over to lead him to the door. Su Wuwen glanced at the remaining Longjing tea in her cup. The yellow-green tea leaves had spread out and settled at the bottom, and the tea was clear and transparent.

Lang Kiln red glaze was a national treasure of the Qing Dynasty and was absolutely not to be sold abroad for profit. However, Su Wuwen wondered what Wang Jide might do next if she refused his proposal. The profit from porcelain exports accounted for half of the Su family's total profit, and all these porcelains were exported through the East India Company. Would Wang Jide make things difficult for the Su family's overseas trade out of spite for not getting Lang Kiln red glaze porcelain?