Chapter 12

When it came to stir-frying, Jiang Weiping finally understood the use of the thin cauldron, feeling both proud and moved in his heart. If the art of iron smelting improved, more commoners would be able to use ironware, and every household would be able to use a thin cauldron.

Many families currently had no iron cauldrons available for use.

Though his mind whirled with countless thoughts, he felt an overbearing flavor ambush him, instantly drilling into his nasal cavity and striking straight to his spirit altar.

His index finger uncontrollably pinched the corner of his tunic, and he turned his head to look at Hu Yulin. But he saw that this man was already entranced in mind and spirit, as if wandering in a wonderland.

When the dishes were placed on the table, the two of them could no longer care about decorum, directly using chopsticks to pick up the food and put it into their mouths. A texture completely different from the past quickly conquered the two of them. Their dual pairs of chopsticks were like shadows, their cheeks bulging, and when Rong Xi saw this, he was extremely delighted and gratified.

After eating, Jiang and Hu supported themselves against the pillars and walked slowly, their bellies bulging like mounds.

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

Clutching a stack of paper in his hand, Hu Yulin looked closely and said, "Eldest Brother, what are these?"

On the blueprints, various bizarre shapes rushed into his eyes. Jiang Weiping leaned in, tilted his head to look at them, and wore a look of astonishment as well.

"Eldest Brother, I have never seen these. Where did you learn of them?"

Rong Xi smiled and said, "Shengjing has many traveling merchants; some travel as far as the Western Regions and Tazi, some come from the East Sea, and many enter the Southern Frontier."

Before he finished speaking, the two of them already understood.

Perhaps these were all obtained from the mouths of traveling merchants.

"Xuan Shi, your connections are many. If you discover such things, I must trouble you to buy them, and when the time comes I will surely return the silver in full."

Hu Yulin hurriedly waved his hand. "Leave such a small matter to me. There is no need to speak further of silver."

Rong Xi did not persist; anyway, the method of repayment did not lie solely in silver.

The day after tomorrow at the hour of mao, the Hu Clan's ox cart arrived in front of the residence. A robust servant respectfully welcomed Rong Xi into the carriage, and Liu Zishi entered along with him.

Since coming to Great Wei, Rong Xi had only gone to the coal mines to see Hu Yulin, having stepped out of his residence once.

Behind his back, Liu He constantly praised his steady disposition, capable of accomplishing great things. Little did he know that Rong Xi simply loved staying at home.

After about a double hour, the ox cart crossed the flat official road and arrived at Mengshan County city.

Mengshan was impoverished; the city walls were tamped with loess and were not considered sturdy, yet they could still withstand the ravages of wind and rain.

After the guards at the city gate checked their travel permits, they granted passage.

Compared to Linxi Town, Mengshan County city was much livelier. Peddlers cried out their wares, carrying-pole vendors shouted boldly, and people came and went in a continuous stream along the streets.

"Lord Rong, pass the alley entrance ahead, and just around the bend is Feng Carpentry." The robust servant spoke while urging the sturdy ox forward.

"Trouble for you." Rong Xi lifted the curtain, seeing the bustling street, which was quite full of interest.

Liu Zishi felt the carriage was stuffy, so he had long since sat shoulder-to-shoulder with the robust servant in front of the curtain, looking out with curiosity.

"My lord, there is a monkey show over there, it's so fun!"

The cart had already passed a hundred meters away before the young Liu boy turned his head back with lingering reluctance.

Arriving at Feng Carpentry, the cart stopped steadily. Rong Xi got down slowly, raised his head to see the shop was desolate, but did not mind it and walked straight inside.

In the main hall, a young lad was lowering his head to carve wood, wood shavings flying from his fingertips, and in the blink of an eye, he turned out a plum blossom carving.

Seeing that he paid them no mind, the Hu Clan's robust servant was about to step forward to make inquiries, but was stopped by Rong Xi. Only after the young lad finished his work did he speak up.

"I wish to commission wooden utensils. How does one go about making an agreement?"

The young lad blew on the carving, raised his head to meet his gaze, and asked perfunctorily, "What do you want to commission?"

Rong Xi motioned to Liu Zishi.

Liu Zishi took out several blueprints from his bosom and handed them to the youth. "Have a look."

The young lad was somewhat surprised, as he rarely saw guests who brought their own blueprints. Ordinary people who came to commission utensils mostly gave oral descriptions.

He unfolded the yellowed paper, and seeing that the paper actually contained novel things he had never seen before, he grew interested for a moment. His plain complexion seemed to have ink colors added to it, instantly becoming lively and vivid.

"Honored guests, wait a moment. I shall go and return at once."

With those words, he cradled the paper and went into the back hall, placing the blueprints before a middle-aged wood-carving man.

"Abba! Look at this!"

The man's expression paused. After a moment of silence, he suddenly stood up and said, "I will go to the front parlor to meet them."

The young lad followed him and returned to the front parlor.

The man unfolded the paper and asked with a smile, "I wonder who drew these blueprints?"

The Feng Clan had always been famous for novelties, yet they had never laid eyes on the things on this paper. Smitten with the sight of something rare, he made this presumptuous inquiry.

"I drew them." Rong Xi's expression was calm. "If Artisan Feng is willing to make an agreement, might you as well set out paper and grind ink?"

"The young gentleman possesses great talent." Feng Shan smiled extremely warmly and instructed the young lad, "Hurry and fetch paper and brush."

Paper and brush arrived, and the contract was concluded.

"I wish to select timber. Would Artisan Feng be willing to lead the way?" Rong Xi asked as he signed.

Naturally, Feng Shan had no reason to refuse.

Leaving the Hu Clan's robust servant and Liu Zishi to wait outside, Rong Xi and Feng Shan entered the back courtyard to select wood.

There were only samples in the courtyard. Rong Xi swept his gaze casually and had already made his selection. Seeing Feng Shan readily agree and about to see him off, he took a looped jade pendant from his bosom, which cast a lustrous sheen in the sunlight.

"Does Artisan Feng recognize this item?"

Upon seeing it, Feng Shan widened his eyes instantly, his face revealing shock.

The author has something to say:

Eldest Brother is a homebody (*^▽^*)

Chapter 12

Feng Shan's hands trembled and his eye sockets moistened.

Only after his emotions stabilized did Rong Xi withdraw the jade pendant, waiting for his answer.

"From where did the young gentleman obtain this item?" The man shed his previous honest and unpretentious demeanor, his entire person bursting with martial aura.

Rong Xi's gaze narrowed slightly; sure enough, just like the Chen Clan's master and servant, he possessed the airs of a soldier.

"Given by a friend," Rong Xi said in a soothing tone with a calm expression. "At the time of bestowing the jade, my friend led me to Artisan Feng's place."

Seeing the jade, Feng Shan believed it by more than half, and could not help sighing, "What do you seek me for?"

"My little servant once received guidance in martial arts from him, but because he was entangled in important matters and had no time to teach, he used this jade as a token of trust, bidding me to come seek Artisan Feng."

Hearing this, Feng Shan pondered for a long moment before saying, "Since it is his request, I will naturally do my utmost."

Seeing him agree so readily, Rong Xi could not help revealing a bright smile, bowing deeply. "Many thanks, Artisan Feng!"

The two returned to the front parlor, and Feng Shan carefully sized up Liu Zishi.