Page 5

The implements lay quietly in the box, gleaming with the luster of brand-new metal. Their strange shapes defied comprehension.

Rong Xi rolled up his sleeve and picked one up, carefully running his fingers over it. Every detail was flawless, and his admiration for Jiang Weiping's craftsmanship deepened.

With only a few design drawings, this man had created something so exquisite. His skill was truly superb.

"Master Jiang's craftsmanship is extraordinary." As Rong Xi spoke, he actually rose and bowed deeply. Under the astonished gazes of Jiang and Hu, he continued, "Master Jiang's talent greatly impresses me. I am deeply grateful."

Though they were bound only by a contract, the quality of these implements showed that Jiang Weiping had put his utmost care into them. Not only were they of exceptional quality, but every detail was complete, revealing both the craftsman's remarkable talent and noble character.

As a lowly craftsman, Jiang Weiping had never received such praise or courtesy. Though his expression remained calm, he was delighted and grateful inside. He hurriedly returned the bow. "Young master flatters me. I dare not accept such praise. I merely did my best. To have not failed the young master's trust is already my greatest fortune."

Just then, Liu Zishi entered the hall carrying a tray and set the cups on the table. Upon seeing the strange new implement, 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 roughly half a person's height long. A straight iron rod stood upright in its middle, connected above to a horizontal handle and below to an inverted cylindrical iron cap. Inside the cap were twelve evenly spaced, slender iron rods of equal length.

"It cannot be used for the time being." Rong Xi shook his head with a smile.

Jiang Weiping immediately asked, "Is something missing?"

He thought the implement was somehow incomplete, and worry filled his heart.

"No." Rong Xi placed the implement 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 copper, while households rarely use it. Why is that?"

Surprised that Rong Xi had taken the initiative to ask him so openly, Hu Yulin cast aside his awkwardness and embarrassment. After pondering briefly, he replied, "Coal is difficult to mine. Firewood charcoal is sufficient for heating and cooking, so there is no need for coal."

In other words, mining costs were high, keeping coal prices elevated, while market demand was low. Only the wealthy used it reluctantly, because it burned longer and gave off greater heat.

"Since you have taken over the coalfields, you must know coal's benefits." Rong Xi smiled gently. Seeing Hu Yulin nod and listen attentively, he continued, "I have a method that may resolve your predicament."

Hu Yulin was no fool. His gaze immediately shifted to the iron implement. "Could the method you speak of involve this device?"

"Is the thing you said was missing coal?"

Talking with clever people was truly pleasant. Before Rong Xi had finished speaking, Hu Yulin had already inferred what he was thinking.

"Besides coal, yellow earth is also needed."

The other three in the hall did not understand what yellow earth was for, but it was common and easy to obtain. Since it concerned coal, Hu Yulin naturally intended to spare no effort. He was about to send someone to haul over coal and yellow earth when he heard Rong Xi continue.

"Riverbed silt is best. Leave it in the sun for several days. Once it has dried, use an iron sieve to remove hard stones and impurities, leaving only the fine, soft earth."

That 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 proceed 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 offers his apology here and hopes you will not hold it against me. Tomorrow, Xuan Shi will certainly call at your residence to make amends."

Though he did not understand the precise process, he had already deduced the purpose of the yellow earth from Rong Xi's words. If this method succeeded, it would bring the Hu Clan nothing but benefits.

"There is no need to come and apologize." Rong Xi smiled faintly. Two soft mounds formed on his cheeks. Though he was plumper than most, his skin was white as jade and lustrous as the bright moon, without the slightest greasy appearance. He was naturally likable to look upon.

Yet those words made Hu Yulin's face turn slightly pale, and unease rose within him. No need to come and apologize? Could it be that Young Master Rong was unwilling to associate with him?

If he could turn back time, he would never have been misled by rumors and treated Young Master Rong so rudely. Young Master Rong must have sought him out that day because of this secret method.

He had actually let such an opportunity slip through his fingers! He had truly brought this disaster upon himself!

Only then did Jiang Weiping learn that there had been friction between his close friend and his employer. Seeing Hu Yulin's remorseful expression, he worried for him and tried to mediate.

"There must be some misunderstanding between Xuan Shi and the young master. Why not speak openly and settle the cause of it?"

Though he had met Rong Xi only twice, Jiang Weiping could tell from his speech and manner that he was not narrow-minded. His friend Xuan Shi was not petty either. These two had not even met before—how could there have been a rift between them?

Hu Yulin sighed softly. "Shouyuan, this was Xuan Shi's fault. I should not have been swayed by rumors and judged Young Master Rong however I pleased with a petty heart. As the saying goes, seeing is believing. Only today have I truly understood this principle."

Seeing that the two had misunderstood his meaning, Rong Xi did not know whether to laugh or cry. He said plainly, "Young Master Hu overstates the matter. I have already forgotten what happened that day, so there is no need for you to blame yourself so severely. Since you happened to visit today, I have something I wish to discuss with you."

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

"If this method benefits the Hu Clan, and you are willing to work together, I wish 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 no more than a drop in the bucket. Moreover, he had already glimpsed the benefits of this method. If the Hu Clan mastered it, their future gains would exceed ten strings of cash by dozens or even hundreds of times.

Even taking a step back, if this method proved useless to the Hu Clan, these ten strings of cash could still serve as his apology.

As a merchant, Hu Yulin liked to calculate transactions and money matters clearly. But toward those with whom he sincerely wished to befriend, he preferred to treat them with genuine honesty.

Leaving aside the harm caused by rumors, his ability to judge people alone had already told him that this Young Master Rong before him was kind-hearted and broad-minded, certainly not some treacherous, slippery scoundrel.

"I am deeply honored by your words, young master." Hu Yulin said solemnly, "Xuan Shi believes that in exchange for ten strings of cash, the young master should grant this method to no one else. If it proves remarkably effective, Xuan Shi is willing to give the young master one-tenth of the profits."

In other words, beyond the ten strings of cash paid to purchase the method outright, so long as they profited from using it, Rong Xi would receive one-tenth of the profits.

That was practically an endless stream of money.

For a moment, Rong Xi was tempted. If he wished to continue his research, he would certainly need vast funds as a foundation. Yet after thinking it over carefully, he could not agree to this for the moment.