Page 5

The device lay quietly within the box, gleaming with the sheen of brand-new metal. Its strange shape defied comprehension.

Rong Xi gathered his sleeves and picked it up, carefully running his fingers over it. Seeing that every detail was flawless, he admired Jiang Weiping's craftsmanship all the more.

With merely a few design drawings, this man had created such an exquisite object. His skill in the craft was plainly superb.

"Master Jiang's skills are extraordinary." As Rong Xi spoke, he actually rose and bowed deeply. Under Jiang Weiping and Hu Yulin's astonished gazes, he continued, "Master Jiang's talent fills Xi with admiration. Xi is endlessly grateful."

Though they were bound only by contract, the quality of this device showed that Jiang Weiping had poured his whole heart into it. Not only was it of superior quality, but every detail had been attended to. It showed both the artisan's remarkable gift and noble character.

As a lowly craftsman, Jiang Weiping had never received such praise or courtesy. Though his expression remained calm, his heart brimmed with joy and gratitude. He hastily returned the bow. "Young master, your praise is too generous. I dare not accept it. I merely gave it my all; being able to avoid failing your trust is already my greatest fortune."

Just then, Liu Zishi entered the hall carrying a tray. He set the cups upon the table, and upon seeing the novel device, his curiosity flared. He asked innocently, "Young master, what is this?"

Jiang Weiping and Hu Yulin both pricked up their ears to listen.

The object was about half a person's height long. A long, straight iron rod stood upright at its center, connected above to a horizontal handle and below to an inverted cylindrical iron crown. Inside the crown stood twelve slender iron rods of equal length, evenly spaced.

"It cannot be used for now." Rong Xi shook his head with a smile.

Jiang Weiping immediately asked, "Is something missing?"

He thought the device had not been perfected, and worry seized his heart.

"No." Rong Xi set the device in a corner, then suddenly asked Hu Yulin, "Young Master Hu is well versed in coal. You must know that coal is mostly used for smelting iron and refining copper, and rarely in households. Why is that?"

Surprised that Rong Xi had asked him so openly, Hu Yulin cast aside his awkwardness and embarrassment. After pondering for a moment, he replied, "Coal is difficult to mine. Charcoal is enough for people nowadays to keep warm and cook, so there is no need for coal."

In other words, the high cost of extraction kept coal prices high, while market demand remained low. Only the powerful and wealthy deigned to use it, for it burned longer and gave off greater heat.

"Since you have taken over the coal fields, Young Master, you must know coal's benefits." Rong Xi smiled gently. Seeing Hu Yulin nod in response and listen with utmost attention, he continued, "Xi has a method that may resolve your predicament."

Hu Yulin was no fool. His gaze immediately shifted to the iron device. "Is the method you speak of to be carried out with this device?"

"The thing you said was lacking—could it be coal?"

Speaking with intelligent people truly brought joy to the heart. Before Rong Xi had finished speaking, Hu Yulin had already inferred his intentions.

"Besides coal, yellow earth is also needed."

The three men in the hall did not understand what use yellow earth could serve, but it was common and easily obtained. Since this concerned coal, Hu Yulin naturally intended to spare no effort. Just as he was about to send someone to haul over coal and yellow earth, he heard Rong Xi continue.

"Mud from the bottom of a river is best. Let it dry in the sun for several days. Once dry, use an iron sieve to remove hard stones and impurities, leaving behind the fine, soft soil. That will do."

This meant they would need several more days before they could see any results.

Though Jiang Weiping and Hu Yulin were eager to witness it, how could they act rashly before the materials arrived?

Hu Yulin suddenly bent forward in a deep bow and spoke sincerely. "I was disrespectful to you the other day. Xuan Shi apologizes here and now, and hopes you will not hold the past against me. Xuan Shi will certainly visit tomorrow to offer a formal apology."

Though he did not understand the exact procedure, Rong Xi's words had already allowed him to deduce the use of the yellow earth. If this method succeeded, it would bring the Hu Clan nothing but benefits.

"There is no need to come and apologize in person." Rong Xi smiled faintly, two soft mounds rising on his cheeks. Though plumper than most, his skin was white as jade and lustrous as the bright moon. There was not the slightest trace of greasiness about him; he was naturally likable.

Yet those words made Hu Yulin's face turn slightly pale, unease stirring in his heart. There was no need to visit and apologize—could it be that Young Master Rong did not wish to associate with him?

If he could turn back time, he would never have been misled by rumors and treated Young Master Rong with such rudeness. Young Master Rong's visit to him that day must have been for this secret method.

Yet he had let the opportunity slip right through his fingers! Truly, he had brought this calamity upon himself and could not escape it!

Only now did Jiang Weiping realize that there was friction between his close friend and his employer. Seeing Hu Yulin's remorseful expression, he worried for him and sought to mediate.

"There must have been some misunderstanding between Xuan Shi and the young master. Why not speak openly and clear up the reason for it?"

Though he had met Rong Xi only twice, Jiang Weiping had seen enough of his speech and conduct to know that he could not be narrow-minded. His friend Xuan Shi was not a petty man either. These two had never met before—how could there have been such a rift between them?

Hu Yulin sighed softly. "Shouyuan, this was Xuan Shi's fault. I should not have been swayed by rumors, using the heart of a petty man to freely speculate about Young Master Rong. As the saying goes, seeing is believing. Only today have I truly understood that principle."

Seeing that the two had misunderstood his meaning, Rong Xi did not know whether to laugh or cry. He went straight to the point. "Young Master Hu, you overstate it. Xi has already forgotten what happened that day, so there is no need for you to blame yourself so harshly. Since you happened to visit today, Xi has a matter he wishes to discuss with you."

Hu Yulin immediately replied, "Please speak, young master."

"If this method benefits the Hu Clan, and if you are willing to work together, Xi wishes to exchange it for ten strings of cash."

To ordinary people, ten strings of cash was already an enormous sum. Yet in Hu Yulin's eyes, it was but a single hair from nine oxen. Moreover, he had already glimpsed the benefits of this method. If the Hu Clan mastered it, their future earnings would surpass ten strings by dozens or even hundreds of times.

Taking a step back, even if this method proved useless to the Hu Clan, the ten strings of cash could still be considered his apology.

As a merchant, Hu Yulin liked to calculate transactions and money with complete clarity. Yet toward those with whom he sincerely wished to associate, he preferred to treat them with genuine sincerity.

Leaving aside the malice of the rumors, his own ability to judge people had already told him that this young master of the Rong Clan before him was kind-hearted and broad-minded, certainly not one of those treacherous, slippery schemers.

"Xuan Shi is deeply honored by your words, young master." Hu Yulin's expression turned solemn. "Xuan Shi believes that, in exchange for ten strings of cash, the young master should not sell this method to anyone else. If this method yields remarkable results, Xuan Shi is willing to give the young master one-tenth of the profits."

In other words, apart from the ten strings of cash paid to buy it outright, as long as this method earned profits, Rong Xi would receive one-tenth of them.

This was simply a never-ending stream of money.

For a moment, Rong Xi was tempted. If he wished to continue pursuing his research, he would certainly need vast sums as a foundation. But upon further thought, he could not agree to it for the time being.