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Jiang Weiping hurriedly stopped him, saying sheepishly, "No need to spend more, Dalang. The ironmaking method you gave me before was already a great kindness. I was just about to speak with you about this matter."

He took a sheet of paper from his robe and spread it across the table.

Rong Xi examined it carefully, his brow slightly furrowed. Only after a long while did he say, "Brother Shouyuan, I am deeply grateful for your regard, but this would not be appropriate."

"What is inappropriate about it?" Fearing that he meant to refuse, Jiang Weiping hurriedly said, "Without your ingenious method, Dalang, I could not have made this pot. You deserve immense credit."

He wished to share the profits with Rong Xi.

Rong Xi shook his head and sighed. "Brother Shouyuan, though this method is ingenious, salt and iron are state monopolies in Great Wei. Sooner or later, others will learn of your technique. When that happens, the authorities will intervene, and the ironmaking method will belong to the court."

That was true, and Jiang Weiping knew it as well. Yet he was unwilling—not for himself, but for Rong Xi.

Eldest Brother was extraordinarily clever, with endless ingenious ideas, yet he lived in hardship and endured the scorn of others. He truly should not have had to.

"Brother Shouyuan, why not wait until the mourning period for the state has passed, then present this method to the authorities?" Rong Xi suggested.

Great Wei had such regulations: if commoners developed an ingenious method and rendered merit, the court would grant rewards. Though the sums were small, their fame would spread far and wide, which would also benefit the Jiang Clan.

Jiang Weiping could only nod. Secretly, he decided that all reward money would go to Dalang. Still, he remained puzzled.

"Why does Dalang not wish to make a name for himself through this?"

The moment the words left his mouth, he felt utterly foolish.

Eldest Brother was the son of a court official. Even if he wished to gain fame, it would be for his scholarship. How could he possibly value the reputation of a craftsman?

Unaware of Jiang Weiping's self-reproach, Rong Xi said casually, "My reputation is in tatters. If my name were spread, the common people would likely spit on it, and the authorities would detest it. It would not help matters."

His reputation meant little to him.

Jiang Weiping was deeply moved. Heat welled up in his eyes, and he raised his teacup to conceal them, tilting back his head to force the tears down. With a long sigh, he said, "Dalang's breadth of mind commands my admiration!"

The two spoke at length. It was not until the exact hour of the Goat that Jiang Weiping reluctantly departed.

In the guest room, the Chen Clan's master and servants were sitting or standing about.

Chen Chuangu picked up a fried dough twist and chewed as he said, "Why do I always feel that Young Master Rong is somewhat suspicious?"

When the matter of being overnourished had been mentioned earlier, Young Master Rong had been surprised, but not shocked. Could it be that he had known all along?

"The fact that he does not match the rumors is suspicious enough." Chen Dalang reclined against the bed, holding a book as he smiled. "And regarding what you said about his health—if he is intelligent, he must have known long ago."

Chen Erlang could not help chiming in as well. "From what I observed, Young Master Rong possesses considerable talent and intelligence. In Shengjing, he must have been concealing his abilities. Now that he has come to Linxi and must make a living, his talents naturally have to show themselves. That is why he differs from before."

It had to be said, such reasoning was quite logical.

Who could clearly explain the affairs of an inner household? Few stepmothers were kind. Young Master Rong had left Shengjing and settled peacefully in Linxi, living a carefree life.

Yet for a true man, being unable to achieve merit and establish a career would be a lifelong regret. No one knew what choice Young Master Rong would make.

"What Second Young Master says makes perfect sense." Chen Chuangu smiled as he flattered him. "But in my view, this Young Master Rong may be even more remarkable than we imagined. What we have seen is merely the tip of the iceberg."

Chen Dalang closed his book and set it on the table. "Why do you say that?"

Thinking of the item in that strong man's hands, Chen Chuangu frowned. "Honeycomb coal briquettes and coal stoves—none of us had ever seen them, yet they were all gathered in the Rong Residence. Now there is another new thing. It truly makes one wonder."

After speaking, he described the item he had seen to the two of them.

Chen Erlang glanced at the sturdy servant behind him. The servant understood at once and immediately left the room. Shortly afterward, he returned and reported, "Old Liu did not hide anything. He said that object was a new-style iron pot, capable of pan-frying dishes."

"Pan-frying?" Chen Chuangu froze. "What is pan-frying?"

"Old Liu does not know." The sturdy servant looked helpless. "He said it was Young Master Rong's instruction."

At those words, Chen Chuangu's curiosity became unbearable. He nearly sprang from his seat and rushed to Rong Xi's quarters to demand an explanation.

"So many capable people emerge in the world. It is truly a blessing for Great Wei." Chen Erlang sighed emotionally, as though he shared in the honor.

Chen Dalang considered matters more deeply. In surprise, he said, "If that truly is a new-style thin pot, then the blacksmith's skill must be extraordinary. Yet the government's ironworking techniques seem far inferior to this, do they not?"

The moment he said this, Chen Erlang was stunned. He turned to look at him. After a moment, he laughed brightly. "This trip to Linxi has been truly significant."

Chen Chuangu raised a brow and set down his teacup. "The skill belongs to its creator. You two would not resort to seizing it by force, would you?"

"Great Wei has laws, and the common people must abide by them. Besides, the court will grant rewards, bringing both fame and profit. How could that be called seizure?"

Chen Chuangu did not bother arguing with these two nobles. He merely muttered quietly, "The reward money is meager, and commoners disdain it. If so, who would be willing to develop new things?"

Yet Chen Dalang had excellent hearing and caught his words, his swordlike brows drawing together slightly. However, the situation in Shengjing was the pressing concern at present, so it was inconvenient to say more about such matters.

"Chuangu, my leg injury has healed. Can we travel the day after tomorrow?"

Chen Chuangu shot him a sidelong glance and sighed. "We can."

If not for the duties upon him, he truly wished to live carefree in the Rong residence for the rest of his life. There was delicious food all around, and Dalang's clever conversation for company. It was incomparably pleasant.

But Shengjing was a dragon's pool and tiger's den, filled with flashing blades and drawn swords. One misstep, and he could lose his life.

At noon the following day, Chen Chuangu came to find Rong Xi. He handed him the prescription and told him that they would be leaving the residence.

Rong Xi nodded with a smile and solemnly thanked him.

A day and night had passed, and the Thin Cauldron was ready for use. Tonight, he might as well prepare fresh dishes to see them off.

River delicacies, poultry, meat, and other ingredients had all been prepared. Rong Xi instructed Liu He and his grandson to assist beside him, arranging all the various seasonings evenly.

He removed the sinew, membranes, skin, and bones from the meat, sliced it into shreds, then soaked it briefly in sauce and wine.

The stove fire burned fiercely, and the thin pot heated with astonishing speed. Moments after the oil was poured in, white smoke turned bluish. As soon as the shredded meat hit the bottom of the pot, there came a sharp sizzle, startling Liu He and his grandson.

Rong Xi kept stir-frying without pause. The fragrance of meat gradually filled the kitchen and even drifted into the courtyard.

The Chen Clan's two sturdy servants stood guard beneath the corridor. Upon catching the scent, their mouths began to water and their stomachs rumbled repeatedly.

Before long, steamed flour, vinegar, sugar, and other ingredients were added to the pot, then sprinkled with scallion whites. The aroma became even more enticing, making their fingers twitch with appetite.

Seeing it with their own eyes, Liu He and his grandson were utterly convinced. They had never expected that stir-frying could produce such exquisite dishes.