Chapter 12

It was only when he began stir-frying that Jiang Weiping understood the purpose of the Thin Cauldron. He felt both proud and moved. If ironmaking improved, more common folk could use iron tools, and every household could have a Thin Cauldron.

At present, many families did not even have an iron pot.

Countless thoughts ran through his mind, but then an incredibly domineering fragrance assailed him, instantly rushing into his nostrils and striking straight at his senses.

His forefinger involuntarily clenched the corner of his robe as he turned to look at Hu Yulin. Hu Yulin was already intoxicated, as though wandering through some immortal realm in a dream.

Once the dishes were set on the table, neither man cared about manners any longer. They directly picked up food with their chopsticks and put it into their mouths. The utterly unfamiliar texture swiftly conquered them both. Their chopsticks moved like shadows, their cheeks bulging as they chewed. Rong Xi felt incomparably delighted at the sight.

After eating, Jiang Weiping and Hu Yulin had to support themselves on the pillars as they walked, their bellies swollen like hills.

Rong Xi fetched some drawings from the study and handed them to Hu Yulin.

Holding the stack of papers, Hu Yulin focused his gaze and asked, "Eldest Brother, what are these for?"

All manner of strange shapes leaped from the drawings into view. Jiang Weiping leaned closer and tilted his head to inspect them, his face equally full of surprise.

"Eldest Brother, I've never seen these before. How did you learn of them?"

Rong Xi smiled. "There are many merchants in Shengjing. Some travel as far as the Western Regions and Tazi, while others come from the Eastern Sea. There are also many who travel in and out of the southern frontier."

Before he finished speaking, the two men understood.

Perhaps he had learned all this from traveling merchants.

"Brother Xuan Shi, you have many connections. If you come across any of these things, please buy them for me. I will repay every coin when the time comes."

Hu Yulin hurriedly shook his head. "Leave such trivial matters to me. There's no need to speak of money again."

Rong Xi did not insist. After all, there were ways to repay kindness besides money.

At dawn the day after next, the Hu Clan's ox cart arrived before the residence. A sturdy servant respectfully welcomed Rong Xi into the cart, and Liu Zishi entered with him.

Since arriving in Great Wei, Rong Xi had only left the residence once, when he went with Hu Yulin to inspect the coalfield.

Behind his back, Liu He had repeatedly praised his steady temperament, saying he was bound to accomplish great things. Little did he know that Rong Xi simply liked staying at home.

After roughly half an hour, the ox cart passed along the flat official road and arrived at Mengshan County.

Mengshan County was poor. Its walls were rammed from yellow earth and were not particularly sturdy, though they could still withstand the ravages of wind and rain.

After the soldiers at the gate checked their travel documents, they let them pass.

Compared with Linxi Town, Mengshan County was far livelier. Vendors shouted their wares, porters bellowed loudly, and people streamed through the streets.

"Young Master Rong, once we pass the alley ahead and turn the corner, we'll reach Feng Carpentry." As he spoke, the sturdy servant called out to urge the strong ox onward.

"Thank you for the trouble." Rong Xi lifted the curtain and found the bustling street rather interesting.

Liu Zishi found the carriage stuffy, so he had long since sat beside the sturdy servant in front of the curtain, watching curiously.

"Young Master, there's a monkey show over there. It's so fun!"

The cart had already gone more than a hundred meters before the young Liu Zishi reluctantly turned his head back.

When they reached Feng Carpentry, the cart stopped steadily. Rong Xi climbed down slowly and looked up to see that the shop was deserted. He did not mind and walked straight inside.

A young man in the hall was bent over carving wood. Wood shavings flew from his fingertips, and in the blink of an eye, he had carved a plum blossom.

Seeing that the youth ignored them, the sturdy servant of the Hu Clan was about to step forward and ask, but Rong Xi stopped him. He did not speak until the youth had finished.

"I wish to commission some wooden furnishings. How should we make an agreement?"

The young man blew on the carving, raised his head, and met Rong Xi's gaze. He asked perfunctorily, "What do you want made?"

Rong Xi gestured to Liu Zishi.

Liu Zishi took several drawings from his robe and handed them to the youth. "Take a look."

The young man was somewhat surprised. He rarely saw customers who brought their own drawings. Most people described the items they wanted commissioned.

He unfolded the yellowed papers and found strange objects he had never seen before. His interest was immediately piqued. Color seemed to be added to his otherwise placid face, making it vivid and animated in an instant.

"Honored guests, please wait a moment. I'll be right back."

Once he finished speaking, he carried the papers into the back hall and placed the drawings before a middle-aged man carving wood.

"Father! Look!"

The man's expression froze. After a moment of silence, he suddenly rose. "I'll go meet them in the front hall."

The young man followed him back to the main hall.

Spreading out the drawings, the man smiled and asked, "May I ask who drew these?"

The Feng Clan was renowned for novel creations, yet they had never encountered the things on these papers. His heart thrilled at the sight of something new, and so he ventured this presumptuous question.

"I drew them." Rong Xi's expression remained calm. "If Master Feng is willing to make an agreement, why not lay out paper and grind the ink?"

"Young Master, you are truly gifted." Feng Shan smiled with great warmth and instructed the young man, "Go fetch paper and brushes at once."

Once the paper and brushes arrived, the contract was completed.

"I wish to select the wood myself. Would Master Feng be willing to show me the way?" Rong Xi asked after signing his name.

Naturally, Feng Shan had no reason to refuse.

Leaving the sturdy servant of the Hu Clan and Liu Zishi waiting outside, Rong Xi entered the rear courtyard with Feng Shan to choose wood.

The courtyard only held samples. Rong Xi casually swept his gaze over them and had already made his choice. Seeing Feng Shan agree readily, he was about to see him out when he took a circular jade pendant from his robes. Its luster was warm beneath the sunlight.

"Master Feng, do you recognize this?"

The moment Feng Shan saw it, his eyes widened, and shock filled his face.

Author's note:

Eldest Brother was a homebody. (^▽^)

Chapter 12

Feng Shan's hands trembled, and his eyes grew moist.

Only after his emotions had settled did Rong Xi put away the jade pendant and wait for his answer.

"Where did Young Master obtain this?" The man's formerly honest and simple demeanor vanished, and an imposing aura burst from him.

Rong Xi's gaze narrowed slightly. Just as with the Chen Clan's master and servant, Feng Shan possessed the bearing of a soldier.

"It was a gift from a friend." Rong Xi's tone was gentle, his expression calm. "When he gave me the jade, he directed me to Master Feng."

Seeing the jade, Feng Shan believed him more than halfway. He could not help sighing. "Why have you come looking for me?"

"My young servant once received instruction in martial arts from him. However, he is occupied with important matters and has no time to teach him, so he gave me this jade as a token and sent me to find Master Feng."

After hearing this, Feng Shan pondered for a moment before saying, "Since he asked this of me, I will naturally do my utmost."

Seeing him agree so readily, Rong Xi broke into a bright smile and bowed deeply. "Many thanks, Master Feng!"

The two returned to the front hall, where Feng Shan carefully examined Liu Zishi.