Chapter 22

"Sizhi, do you also think the white sugar and tofu were both made by Rong Dalang?" Chen Chuangu asked with a grin.

Liang Siwen, whose taste buds had been sweetened by the sugar, looked up in surprise and confusion. "Uncle Chen, are you saying Rong Xi made all of these?"

"We'll know when we return," Qin Ke replied.

He had already sent people to investigate in secret. Among the people around Hu, Jiang, Duan, and Zheng, someone was bound to know the secret.

What was more, Rong Dalang did not seem to have gone out of his way to conceal it.

"And if they were?" Chen Chuangu's eyes curved as he asked again.

Qin Ke rarely concerned himself with such matters, yet when it came to Rong Xi, he was unlike his usual self.

"If so, he may know more methods of ironmaking. If not, then these new things must have their own source."

What he needed most was precisely a method for ironmaking.

Author's Note:

I won't go into detail about the court's struggles for power, okay? Feel free to imagine it yourselves, little cuties (*^▽^*) Anyway, the county magistrate was arrested (〃'▽'〃)

Also, this novel is set in an alternate world. Historically, potatoes and corn were introduced to China from the Americas during the Ming Dynasty. I may write about more crops later on; some were introduced during the Ming Dynasty, and some during the Qing Dynasty, so please don't mind it too much, little cuties~

Chapter 22

Upon arriving at the county yamen, the sturdy servant who had gone to investigate Rong Xi happened to return.

After seeing Qin Ke and the other two, the servant reported everything he had discovered.

"Your Highness, this servant has investigated thoroughly. Honeycomb briquettes, coal stoves, Thin Cauldrons, white sugar, and tofu were all made by Young Master Rong."

Liang Siwen, who was holding the sugar box, instantly widened his eyes.

How was that possible?

He had indeed seen much during this journey out of the capital with his father, but this trip to Mengshan County had truly opened his eyes.

Especially Rong Xi, who had changed so drastically.

Unlike him, Qin Ke and Chen Chuangu both wore expressions that said, "Just as expected."

"What else?" Qin Ke asked.

What he wanted to know was every novel thing concerning Rong Xi.

Sweat beaded on the sturdy servant's forehead. After racking his brains for a moment, he replied, "A few days ago, Young Master Rong bought several mu of farmland and hired people to bury straw under the soil."

"Why?" Liang Siwen asked curiously.

He had been born at the border as a child and had farmed before, yet he had never heard of burying straw.

"This servant does not know either."

Chen Chuangu could not help asking further, "Other than that, what interesting things has he done?"

"This servant heard that Young Master Rong seems to be rather close with Lady Jiang." Unable to think of anything else, he brought up the rumors of the marketplace. "Previously, Lady Jiang often came and went from the Rong Residence. Some time ago, Young Master Rong also often came and went from the Jiang Residence."

The room immediately fell silent.

After a long while, Liang Siwen finally muttered in a small voice, "Didn't he like men?"

Qin Ke cast him a faint glance, then said blandly to the servant, "You may leave first. We depart for the capital tomorrow."

After the sturdy servant left the room, Chen Chuangu's handsome face bore a smile. "The ironmaking method will reach the Ministry of Works before long. The Ministry of Works will be lively again then."

"It is better than having nothing to do," Qin Ke said, his expression calm.

Liang Siwen cautiously asked, "Father, if all these novel things were made by Rong Xi, why had we not heard his name before arriving in Mengshan County?"

No matter what was mentioned, only the Hu Clan, Jiang Clan, Zheng Clan, and Gourmet Pavilion had become famous. Even the ironmaking method had been submitted under the Jiang Clan's name, without the slightest trace of Rong Xi.

It was truly baffling.

A smile touched Qin Ke's eyes. "When we said farewell today, he said he enjoyed pastoral scenery. He likely does not wish to be disturbed."

Liang Siwen only half understood. Just as he wanted to ask more, he heard the man say, "Return to your room and rest early."

It seemed Qin Ke did not wish to say more.

He could only hug the sugar box and leave alongside Chen Chuangu.

The next day, County Magistrate Cao of Mengshan County was escorted under guard to the capital, and the common people all cheered with joy.

A county magistrate was charged with enforcing the law, yet County Magistrate Cao often abused private punishments. In his hands, the number of wrongful and false cases was beyond counting.

He had powerful backing behind him and authority in his grasp; even the county magistrate had no choice but to bow beneath him.

Now that the wicked official had been punished, upright officials and commoners alike felt incomparably satisfied.

The autumn rain had only just ceased, and the cold wind carried a faint chill.

Ever since Hu Yulin had found potatoes and corn, he had followed Rong Xi's instructions and begun buying the two crops in great quantities.

Mengshan County was remote, yet there were no shortage of traveling merchants. Some truly had these things in their hands and sold all of them to Hu Yulin.

The Hu Clan's coal and coal stoves had now spread throughout Qingzhou. The slightest movement from Hu Yulin stirred speculation throughout the city.

The wealthy households and merchants did not recognize potatoes or corn, but seeing him purchase them, they too bought some here and there. Yet they could only toss them into their homes, having no idea what to do with them.

With Hu Yulin's help, Rong Xi obtained many potatoes and corn, all of which he stored in the cellar.

Maples blazed red, chrysanthemums shone golden, and white frost pressed against the earth.

Rong Lian arrived by carriage from Shengjing and stopped before the Rong Residence.

The bookboy Xi Yan carried their luggage on his back as he helped Rong Lian from the carriage. Seeing the residence gates tightly shut, the two could not help exchanging a glance.

Xi Yan stepped forward and knocked on the door.

A moment later, the decrepit gate creaked open, revealing an old man's face from within.

"Who are you?"

"May I ask, sir, is this the Rong Clan's ancestral residence?" Rong Lian asked politely.

Liu He studied him carefully. Seeing that he was handsome and refined, with the bearing of pine and bamboo, Liu He knew he was likely no evildoer and nodded. "It is. What business does this young gentleman have?"

Xi Yan answered for Rong Lian, "My young master is the second son of the Shengjing Rong Residence. Is Eldest Brother here?"

Upon hearing this, Liu He noticed that Rong Lian did indeed resemble the master of the household in his memory. He led the two inside and replied, "Eldest Brother went into town and has not yet returned."

No sooner had he spoken than voices drifted in from outside the residence.

Rong Lian turned and looked back, only to see someone step through the gate. He wore a faint smile and an unhurried expression. As he walked, his bearing was elegant and graceful, set against the blazing sunset clouds as though all brilliance had burst forth.

"Elder Brother?" he cried in astonishment.

They had not seen each other for only a few months, yet his elder brother's transformation was so enormous that he did not know what to do.

The Liu Clan grandparents and grandson spent every day with Rong Xi, so naturally they could not feel his change. The same was true for Jiang, Hu, and the others.

Yet Rong Lian's memories of Rong Xi's former appearance were deeply etched in his mind. Seeing him again so suddenly, all that remained in his heart was disbelief.