Wealth and Fine Wares Stir the Heart

As soon as the door opened, a cloud of mist drifted out and slowly dissipated. Then, a breathtaking aura roared out!

Even though Meng Qingyan and Meng Bufan, father and son, were used to grand occasions and important figures, and were accustomed to the aura and pressure of others, they still couldn't help but feel a little shocked at this moment.

After the two focused their attention and looked again, they finally saw Qiu Yan sitting upright in the center of the room through the slowly dissipating mist.

Qiu Yan sat in a chair next to a table with a teapot and teacups on it, smiling as he looked at the Meng Clan father and son.

The Meng Clan father and son were indeed experienced individuals. Although surprised, they quickly calmed themselves down and, recalling what Qiu Yan had just said, couldn't help but feel puzzled.

"We came here because of the Ancestral Vein's upheaval, and we also wanted to find out the purpose of Qiu Yan's article. Did he really intend to threaten the interests of the Aristocratic Clan? Why did he say he had something to show us?"

As the thought raced through his mind, Meng Qingyan subconsciously looked at his son, just as Meng Bufan returned the glance. The father and son exchanged a look, both increasingly puzzled, unable to fathom Qiu Yan's intentions.

In fact, Meng Qingyan's main purpose in coming here this time was to test the waters. Qiu Yan's proposed Movable-Type Printing Technique reduced the cost of this industry. Once it spread, it would inevitably lead to the rise of private workshops and a printing craze, threatening the interests of many people. Even the imperial court would have to be careful, otherwise it would also be shaken.

In this era, books actually play a role in guiding public opinion and have a certain degree of authority. Wrong things and bad deeds, after being guided and embellished by books and then spread throughout the world, may become good things.

Those powerful Aristocratic Clan who control the narrative have never been shy about distorting the truth and calling a deer a horse.

In this regard, they would definitely not let go of this "public opinion" battleground easily. However, Meng Qingyan did not expect that his son would explain this clandestine affair so clearly.

However, upon further reflection, he felt relieved. Judging from the information he had, Qiu Yan was undoubtedly a clever and knowledgeable person with considerable skill. Rather than being vague and ambiguous, it would be better to be open and True Intention, so as to avoid the Meng Clan getting involved in any trouble.

If successful, then order them to retract the article.

If defeated, one should withdraw and naturally abandon any association with Qiu Yan. After all, this matter concerns the entire Aristocratic Clan class. If things are made clear, Qiu Yan will not have any complaints, and it will also make one's own actions appear magnanimous.

Having understood this, Meng Qingyan followed up on her son's words, preparing her own remarks and expounding on them.

Unexpectedly, Qiu Yan appeared and, before they could even speak, said he had something for them to see.

"What is it? With Qiu Yan's intelligence, since he brought out that article, he must know its impact. He also must know why my son and I came here. Why would he need to make things mysterious?" Meng Qingyan was still thinking when Meng Bufan gave him a look, and he immediately understood.

"That's right, let's go inside and explore first." Thinking this, Meng Qingyan smiled slightly, bowed at the door, and then went inside.

"I wonder what you wish to show my son and me, sir? To be honest, we have come here to discuss an important matter. It concerns..." Meng Qingyan led Meng Bufan in, and before they had even stopped, he spoke directly, appearing anxious.

This is a speaking technique that creates an impression of urgency, thereby making the other party anxious, thus gaining control of the conversation and neutralizing Qiu Yan's imposing aura.

However, Meng Qingyan stopped abruptly halfway through her sentence. Then, her gaze fell on the cup and teapot beside Qiu Yan, and her expression suddenly changed.

At first glance, the cup and the teapot seem no different, but to a knowledgeable person, they are not so different at all.

"This is... Sky-Blue Glaze? Moreover, the printed, engraved, and appliquéd designs on the cup are very exquisite. The entire cup is subtly translucent, as thin as a cicada's wing, as if it were made by nature, giving people a sense of smooth weathering!" With just one glance, Meng Qingyan could see many details from the cup and teapot.

The reason why the Meng Clan was able to rise to prominence and remain powerful was not only due to its power, but also its wealth. The clan maintained a considerable number of caravans that traveled north to the Grasslands and south to the Jiangnan, accumulating wealth.

Among these, porcelain and tea are of paramount importance. After all, although the Grasslands have a huge demand for ironware and are willing to exchange heavy items for it, the Meng Clan family would not produce such things as those explicitly prohibited by the imperial court. At most, they would do it occasionally to do someone a favor, so as not to give others cause for criticism. A family with more than a hundred years of heritage is not that short-sighted.

Therefore, porcelain and tea, which are essential items for the Grasslands, became the main focus.

Among these, tea was often transported to the Grasslands to exchange for animal hides and other goods, which were then processed in the Central Plains and sold throughout the Great Rui region, making it a major source of income.

In contrast, porcelain is different. It can be traded both on the Grasslands and in the Central Plains. Three Jin and Central Passes are rich in clay and have mineral deposits such as limestone, which are suitable for firing. The Meng Clan occupies this area and has convenient transportation, so why wouldn't they take advantage of it?

This pottery-making business had long been one of the pillars of the Meng Clan's wealth, accounting for nearly half of their income. It was because of this that Hua She responded immediately when Qiu Yan proposed the Movable-Type Method. This was partly because he had learned some firing techniques on the way, and partly because he knew about the Meng Clan's business and had observed it several times.

In view of this, Meng Qingyan, as the head of the family, naturally had a deep understanding of this technique, knew the importance of glaze color, and was proficient in the methods of distinguishing shape, color, and texture.

Scarcity drives up value. Compared to ordinary porcelain, the more exquisite and rare the patterns and glazes, the more valuable they are. Even if the raw materials are the same, as long as the craftsmanship Higher Vehicle, the price difference between the two can be enormous.

This is similar to many industries in Qiu Yan's previous life. The same raw materials and products produced by the same factory can have vastly different prices due to various reasons, not just the materials. These products can also reflect the taste of the user and lead the trend. Therefore, even though they are expensive, they are still sought after by many. Some people even go so far as to harm themselves or destroy their homes just to obtain one item. This shows just how popular they are.

Although people's hearts are fickle, their yearning for things is similar. In Great Rui's view, those things from the previous life are equivalent to calligraphy, paintings, porcelain, jade, poems, and songs. Among these, porcelain accounts for a significant portion.

This is because porcelain can be displayed at home for guests to admire, or held and played with in one's hands, giving it many opportunities for exposure and making it a perfect reflection of status and taste, thus naturally attracting many admirers.

For the Aristocratic Clan like the Meng Clan family, the porcelain produced in their workshops was not just the simple ceramics for ordinary people; many were exquisite pieces, sold to wealthy and powerful individuals.

Plain and simple items were sold to the people of the Central Plains or bartered with the people of the Grasslands, while exquisite items were favored by the Wang Gong and nobles of the Grasslands, who could exchange a small amount of capital for more goods on the Grasslands.

However, the Meng Clan knew that trade with the Grasslands was subject to the policies of the imperial court, and that a single imperial edict could cause the entire trade to collapse at any time. Therefore, they had long had other ideas.

For the Aristocratic Clan to survive, it needs not only to make a quick fortune but also to have a way to make a steady, long-term profit. Therefore, the Meng Clan attaches great importance to the porcelain trade in the Central Plains. However, they have failed to lead the porcelain trend in several attempts.

The reason lies in the several major kilns in Jiangnan. The porcelain produced by those kilns is famous throughout the world. Even if they look similar, their reputation and seals alone make them superior to the Jin Kiln of the Meng Clan.

Moreover, the Meng Clan's porcelain, in terms of material, pattern, and glaze, was inferior to that of the kilns in Jiangnan in almost every aspect, resulting in a crushing defeat.

However, Meng Qingyan was not content with this. In this world, although there are many trades like porcelain, there are not many suitable for his Meng Clan, considering geographical factors. Of course, he would not give up easily.

Therefore, he often studied this art, and even kept several pieces from the Southern Kiln in his room to observe. He was naturally clear about this art, and now, looking at the cups and teapots on the table, he saw the secrets and couldn't help but pick them up to take a look.

Meng Bufan, standing behind him, frowned, noticing the change in the situation. But before he could speak, Meng Qingyan asked, "May I ask, sir, about this porcelain...?"

"This is exactly what I wanted to show you two," Qiu Yan said, reaching for a teacup and handing it over. "Master Meng, you may wish to take a good look."

Meng Qingyan wanted to say something more, but after taking the cup, he couldn't utter a word. It was the cup's coolness that invigorated him. Upon closer inspection, he discovered many exquisite details. From a distance, he could only discern the extraordinary Sky-Blue Glaze. Common blue glazes are mostly Mugwort Green, already considered superior, with those tinged with yellowish-green being slightly inferior, but still top-tier. This sky-blue glaze is extremely rare on the market, naturally causing astonishment, especially considering...

"This cup feels smooth and round, with an even glaze; it's truly a superior piece." Muttering to himself, Meng Qingyan flicked his fingers across the cup, his astonishment growing stronger.

Looking down at it closely, the cup has a bright glaze and fine, crack-like patterns, but these do not detract from its exquisiteness; on the contrary, they enhance its beauty.

The next moment, his hand trembled slightly. He looked up at Qiu Yan and asked, "This... this kind of pattern cannot be carved by human hands. Could it be Heaven's Gift?" The so-called Heaven's Gift from heaven is actually the change in the kiln temperature, which causes the temperature and flames inside to deviate, resulting in an uncontrollable chemical reaction in the porcelain, creating the unusual pattern.

Most of these patterns are ugly and can ruin all the effort put into them. However, if a beautiful pattern happens to appear, its value will skyrocket! This is because it cannot be created by human hands and can be considered unique.

Upon hearing the question, Qiu Yan shook his head and said, "This cup is actually the original teacup in the room. The pattern on it is not Heaven's Gift, but can be made by human hands. If Master Meng wants to know, I, Qiu, will present you with the method of firing and forging!"

ps:

Thanks to "yuanjing" and "Shenshou Kun Palace" for the reward!