Chapter 4

"Xuan Shi's kindness humbles me," Rong Xi said, shaking his head in refusal. "Ten strings of cash are enough. Too much is as bad as too little."

To keep Hu Yulin from continuing, Rong Xi changed the subject and asked about Jiang Weiping.

"If Master Jiang has some free time, could he make another object for me?" He had always respected skilled craftsmen.

Without these highly skilled artisans, even if they understood the principles perfectly, they would have no way to make the devices, much less carry out their research.

Jiang Weiping did not know what he wanted made and did not dare boast. He merely asked, "Does my lord have a drawing?"

The diagrams and written instructions had long been prepared. Rong Xi took them from his sleeve and handed them to the young man, explaining to Jiang and Hu, "The substance made by mixing coal stone with yellow earth can be used together with this object. It is very inexpensive."

The yellowed paper carried a faint scent of ink. Wherever the brushstrokes ran, diagrams sprang to life upon the page. Tiny characters beside them explained the principles and dispelled confusion.

Hu Yulin thought, Rumors truly do harm people! When had the Eldest Brother of the Rong Clan ever been an idle good-for-nothing? The handwriting on the page was austere yet vigorous, simple yet luxuriant, with an unworldly charm that made one's heart pound at the sight of it.

Such exquisite calligraphy could never be achieved without ten years of practice.

Rong Xi excelled at calligraphy because, in his previous life, he had been clever but unruly and impatient by nature. Such a temperament was harmful rather than helpful in research. To temper his state of mind, he had begun practicing calligraphy in his youth and had continued for more than a decade.

His writing was not first-rate, but it was presentable.

Compared with the handwriting, Jiang Weiping cared more about the diagrams. He was naturally gifted and had studied for several years, giving him broader knowledge than an ordinary blacksmith and making it easier for him to accept and grasp novel things. The diagrams and text were detailed. After considering them for a moment, he solemnly nodded.

"I am willing to give it a try."

Seeing that Rong Xi did not wish to discuss the matter of profit-sharing further, Hu Yulin left the Rong Residence with Jiang Weiping.

Things had gone more smoothly than Rong Xi had imagined, putting him in an excellent mood. Now he only had to wait until the coal stone and yellow clay were ready before starting on the honeycomb coal briquettes.

At exactly midmorning the next day, Hu Yulin visited the Rong Residence again.

He had come to offer a formal apology. His manner was humble and his smile warm, and even Liu He let go of the resentment in his heart, calling Liu Zishi over to serve the guest tea and food.

The reason was that Hu Yulin had brought gifts. Though they were not numerous, they showed his sincerity. Great Wei had a custom of gifting whole pigs, and Hu Yulin had brought an entire pig as an apology. Whether in terms of etiquette or practicality, it was exceedingly appropriate.

Moreover, several wild birds had come along with the pig, enough to feed them for quite some time.

"Brother Xuan Shi's gift is weighty and his feelings profound. I have no way to repay you." Rong Xi invited him to sit and smiled helplessly. "I have never held any resentment. Brother Xuan Shi need not do this."

"Eldest Young Master, I know your heart is broad and upright. I do this only for my own peace of mind. Please indulge me this once and accept it with a smile."

Hu Yulin was not one to favor lavish gifts. Though he had known Rong Xi only a short time, he felt that Rong Xi's temperament suited his own. Since he had been at fault first, such a gesture was only proper.

He spoke and laughed with Rong Xi in this manner because he knew Rong Xi was open-minded and would not blame him. It was also meant to bring them closer together.

When making friends, one should be frank and open, treating each other with genuine sincerity.

Both men had broad interests and extensive knowledge. As they talked, they completely forgot the time. It was not until the sun was sinking in the west and the hour of shen had arrived, when Liu Zishi came to ask them, that they finally came back to themselves, still wanting more.

"My lord, my grandfather sent me to ask when you will dine?"

Rong Xi kept his guest for dinner. Unable to refuse, Hu Yulin sat kneeling behind the table. When the lacquered tray was brought out, he was suddenly startled.

What exactly was this thing in the bowl?

Rong Xi also wanted to hold his forehead. Though Old Liu was loyal and hardworking, he had absolutely no talent for cooking. The delicious wild pheasant had somehow been turned black as charcoal and tasteless as wax, making it difficult to lift one's chopsticks.

What a terrible waste of good food!

Author's Note:

Dear readers, please leave lots of comments~ Kisses~

Chapter 4

Food should never be too refined, nor meat too finely minced.

Hu Yulin had sampled many delicacies served on jade platters, but he had never seen cooking this poor. Seeing Rong Xi's stunned and embarrassed expression, he immediately felt a pang of pity.

He had never expected the son of a minister to live in such hardship.

There were no capable servants or beautiful maids attending him, no fine dishes surrounding him. Only a faltering old servant and an ignorant little boy waited upon him, and even his meals were tasteless. It was truly heartbreaking.

He was about to speak when Rong Xi rose with a smile. "If Brother Xuan Shi does not mind, please wait a moment. I will cook it myself."

Old Liu's dishes truly could not be served to guests. Rong Xi was deeply embarrassed and wished to prepare the food himself.

After talking with Hu Yulin all day, Rong Xi had gained a deeper understanding of this world. Neither Old Liu nor Zishi had ever left Linxi, and their horizons were not as broad as Hu Yulin's. They were not suitable companions for deep conversation.

To express his thanks, he would personally cook for his guest, returning a peach for a plum.

Unexpectedly, Hu Yulin was astonished to hear this and immediately asked, "Eldest Young Master, you actually know how to cook?"

His curiosity aroused, he wanted to see for himself how Rong Xi cooked, so he followed him to the kitchen.

Inside the kitchen, the Liu Clan's grandfather and grandson were eating from bowls in their hands. Seeing the two young masters arrive, they immediately put down their bowls and rose to greet them.

"Does my lord have any orders?" Liu He asked uneasily.

Because Rong Xi did not like others attending him while he ate, the Liu Clan's grandfather and grandson did not, like other servants, remain by their master's side during meals.

When he saw Rong Xi and Hu Yulin arrive, Liu He felt apprehensive, thinking that he had failed in his duties as a servant and angered his master.

"Where is the pork hock? Old Liu, go fetch it." Rong Xi instructed Liu He, then had Liu Zishi bring yellow wine, light soy sauce, dried tangerine peel, red dates, and other ingredients.

Seeing that his master was about to show off his skills, Liu Zishi was beside himself with excitement. He darted off to find the ingredients, the patched hem of his brown clothes fluttering in the wind.

Hu Yulin clicked his tongue in wonder. Judging by the expressions of the Liu Clan's grandfather and grandson, they seemed to be greatly looking forward to the Eldest Brother's cooking.

He had sampled countless

delicacies

and did not have especially high expectations for Rong Xi's cooking. Yet seeing the son of an official personally tend the stove, and doing so for a merchant like him, filled Hu Yulin with deep emotion.

Even if the dishes turned out poorly, the sincere sentiment within them would surely make them taste extraordinary.

Once the pork hock was brought over, Liu He consciously gathered firewood and stoked the flames, bringing the water in the cauldron to a boil.

Rong Xi placed the pork hock into the cauldron and boiled it until tender. He then removed the hock and drained away the water, poured yellow wine and light soy sauce over it, added dried tangerine peel and red dates to the pot, and simmered it slowly over a low flame.