Chapter 24

Chen Chuangu was extremely curious. Who would write a letter to Qin Yama?

He craned his neck to look, but Qin Ke waved him aside. Still, catching a glimpse of the handwriting on the letter, he blurted out, "It's a letter from Rong Dalang! What did he write?"

Qin Ke's expression had originally been cold and indifferent, but after reading the letter, delight filled his brows and eyes, making his features seem even more handsome and vivid.

"What on earth did he write to make you so happy?" Chen Chuangu asked anxiously.

Qin Ke abruptly rose to his feet and handed him the letter. Rarely, his expression was gentle. "Such an ingenious method would be a blessing to Great Wei! I must enter the palace at once and report it to His Majesty."

He moved so quickly that before Chen Chuangu could recover, he had already vanished through the door.

Chen Chuangu carefully read the letter, then after a long while slapped his thigh and burst into laughter. "It truly is marvelous!"

No wonder that Qin fellow had been in such a desperate hurry.

Author's Note:

Little Xi: Thank you, darlings, for the bombs and nutrient fluid~ (〃'▽'〃) It'll only get sweeter from here!

Chapter 24

After Qin Ke entered the palace, he met the new emperor and told him everything concerning Rong Xi.

Upon hearing this, the new emperor first harshly condemned the Mengshan County commandant for secretly embezzling the iron-smelting method, then repeatedly praised Rong Xi's capabilities.

If Rong Xi had been present, he would certainly have recognized the new emperor as Chen Erlang.

"If Horseshoe is truly so miraculous, why should Great Wei fear failing to destroy the northern barbarians?" He stood with his hands behind his back, every feature brimming with the spirit of a youthful sovereign. "I shall summon Yang Qianmu to the palace immediately."

Yang Qianmu was the Minister of the Ministry of Works. Upon receiving the emperor's summons, he swiftly dressed and entered the palace.

The three discussed the matter for a long time, only ending at dusk.

Rong Xi knew nothing of the events in Shengjing. He was busy firing new wares.

Rong Lian saw him out every day but did not know what he was busy with. He asked about it in conversation, only for Rong Xi to brush him off.

"Second Brother, focus on your studies. When you pass next year's provincial examination, you will bring glory to our family."

Rong Lian sighed inwardly. His face was stern and proper, like that of a schoolteacher. After being subjected to one lecture after another, Rong Xi's head began to ache.

"Your elder brother is not suited to studying. Second Brother, do not try to persuade me again."

Just then, Liu Zishi came to report, "Young Master, the carriage is ready. When shall we depart?"

Faced with Rong Lian's gaze that seemed to wish his elder brother would become a dragon, Rong Xi could only cruelly refuse him. "I have an appointment with Brother Hu. Second Brother, study quietly at home. I will return by the hour of the monkey."

Then he fled in disarray.

By the time he reached the kiln outside the city, Hu Yulin had already been waiting for half an hour. Seeing his carriage stop, he stepped forward to greet him. "Eldest Brother, shall we fire it today?"

Several days ago, Rong Xi had taught the kiln workers how to turn coal into coke. Coke could reach far higher temperatures than coal, and since making Glass required intense heat, it was indispensable.

Moreover, compared with kilns for firing bricks, stone, or porcelain, a Glass kiln needed to be smaller, making it easier to concentrate the heat.

After several days of modifications and fuel preparations, Hu Yulin had grown unbearably anxious.

"We can indeed give it a try today." Infected by Hu Yulin's mood, Rong Xi also felt excited.

Glass could not only be used for windows; its applications extended into every aspect of daily life. If they truly succeeded in producing it, life would become much more convenient.

The kiln workers were all highly skilled craftsmen. Rong Xi assigned them their tasks and divided them into groups to handle each stage of the process.

After the mixed raw materials were placed in the furnace and melted at high temperatures, they were pressed in molds.

Rong Xi understood only the theory, and it was the kiln workers' first attempt, so the finished products were far from satisfactory. Yet even though they did not meet the standards, Hu Yulin and the kiln workers were still endlessly astonished.

Though bubbles and ripples appeared in the Glass, anyone with eyes could see that its transparency alone would ensure it became popular throughout the land.

Hu Yulin was overwhelmed with emotion, the corners of his eyes reddening. "If we succeed in firing it properly, your wages will be doubled!"

The kiln workers were overjoyed and immediately continued their attempts.

Rong Xi and Hu Yulin were rich and generous. Even though repeated firings turned into waste, neither showed the slightest pain at the loss; they merely stared fixedly at the kiln.

They failed to produce successful glass on the first day, and all the kiln workers felt ashamed and guilty.

But Rong Xi remained relaxed. After returning home, he wrote down all the experience gained that day. If the chance arose, it might be left for future generations to study.

Autumn passed and winter arrived, and the cold wind grew increasingly savage.

Rong Lian was bent over his desk studying, while the lamp flame flickered uneasily. Suddenly, a fierce wind rose and forced its way desperately through the window lattice, nearly blowing out the candle.

The window paper had come loose again.

Rong Lian's expression remained calm, though he sighed inwardly. Compared to Shengjing, the ancestral residence offered food beyond compare, every meal tasting like a feast of immortals. It was also peaceful and tranquil, free from disturbance—a fine place to study.

Only the window paper was truly too thin. When winter came and cold wind blew inside, it would hinder his studies.

Tomorrow, he would have Xi Yan buy more paper and paste it on securely.

Early the next morning, Rong Lian got up and finished washing. Just as he was about to eat, he heard a commotion outside the residence.

He walked to the front courtyard and saw carriages and horses stopped outside the gate, while numerous craftsmen carefully unloaded items.

What had Elder Brother bought?

At that moment, Rong Xi came around from the other side of a horse, standing shoulder to shoulder with Hu Yulin as they chatted softly and smiled.

The rosy clouds were brilliant, and he was like green bamboo.

Elder Brother had grown thinner again. The flesh had receded from his cheeks, revealing clear, handsome contours. His brows were like mountain peaks, his eyes like stars, and his nose and lips looked fit to be painted.

He no longer bore the slightest resemblance to the Rong Clan's Eldest Brother described by others.

"Elder Brother," Rong Lian could not help calling.

Rong Xi turned around, his expression leisurely. "Second Brother, you're up? I was just about to look for you. The craftsmen will be repairing the doors and windows today, and they will surely disturb your studies. Could you go to Master Gao's home and stay there for the day?"

He had only thought of the doors and windows last night, yet Elder Brother had hired people to repair them this morning. Rong Lian felt both ashamed and impressed. "I will not study today. Elder Brother, can I help?"

"No need. Just rest." After saying this, Rong Xi invited Hu Yulin into the residence.

After many failures, they had finally succeeded in producing Glass. Once it had been pressed, fire-polished, and annealed, Glass windows finally appeared before Rong Xi.

Once the kiln workers became experienced, they fired glass day and night, and by now they had made enough.

Hu Yulin had come today specifically to see the effect of Glass doors and windows with his own eyes.

After breakfast, the craftsmen began work. Even Feng Shan and his son had been invited, since installing Glass in wooden doors and windows required the assistance of carpenters.

The Rong Residence had been quiet for a long time, but today it became bustling. The craftsmen hammered and clattered away, their figures filling the courtyard.