Page 9

"Zishi, breakfast is almost ready. Rest for now."

At his words, Liu Zishi stopped short. He had meant to wipe his face with his sleeve, but remembering how clean his new clothes were, he could not bring himself to do so. Instead, he went to the well, fetched water, and washed himself.

"Young master, this servant sees that the coal briquettes have dried. Can they be used now?" The young man's curiosity had been burning fiercely, and after several days, he could no longer hold it in.

Rong Xi smiled and nodded. "Once Jiang's new apparatus is finished, we can give it a try."

Though Liu Zishi was young and innocent, Rong Xi saw that he was kind-hearted, unafraid of hardship, obedient, and sensible—a promising talent. After some thought, he asked, "Zishi, would you like to learn to read and write?"

In the courtyard, Liu He had been about to serve the meal. Hearing this, his expression trembled slightly, and he abruptly raised his head.

The youth beneath the eaves sat cross-legged, his hair covered by a futou cap. Clad in a deep robe with wide sleeves, he was plump, yet possessed a jade-like bearing. Bathed in the morning glow, he was splendid and radiant, outshining the golden sun.

The young master was kind and benevolent. He would surely serve him with utter loyalty, until death.

Young Liu was not as contemplative as his grandfather. He had never touched books or held an inkstone; he had merely listened outside the schoolhouse as the teacher recited, and had remembered a few lines that had been branded upon his heart.

Yet he remembered only their sounds, not their meaning.

"Young master, can this servant learn to read and write too?"

The young man's heart pounded wildly, nearly bursting from his chest. His eyes shone with excitement as he stared straight at Rong Xi.

The youth's eagerness to learn was plain to see. Rong Xi broke into a smile, the sharpness of his brows softening. "From today onward, come to my study every day from nine to eleven in the morning to learn characters and literature."

"Thank you, Young Master! Thank you, Young Master!"

Liu He hurriedly knelt and bowed in thanks, pulling the stunned youth down with him. Tears welled in Liu Zishi's eyes. He raised a hand to wipe the corners of them and said hoarsely, "This servant will certainly not disappoint Young Master!"

Rong Xi had come alone to Linxi and gained the service of the grandfather and grandson of the Liu Clan, both good people. Liu Zishi was also a promising youth. Rong Xi happened to lack trusted, loyal servants to handle matters for him, so personally training the boy was the best choice.

Since Liu He and his grandson had chosen to follow him, they would heed only his orders. Even if someone from the capital came to question them, they would know how to respond.

After breakfast, once they had rested their stomachs, Liu Zishi consciously followed Rong Xi into the room.

Rong Xi knew Great Wei's primers by heart, so teaching Liu Zishi was more than easy enough.

Liu Zishi had a proper attitude and a pure mind. He focused wholeheartedly on his studies, not realizing that noon had already arrived.

Just then, visitors came.

An ox cart stopped before Rong Residence, and Hu Yulin and Jiang Weiping climbed down together. Jiang Weiping held something in his arms, covered with black cloth so that none could see its appearance.

Hu Yunde had originally planned to visit today, but he was suddenly tied up with mundane matters and could not come. Deeply regretful, he had asked Hu Yulin to convey his sentiments in his stead.

When they reached the main hall, Liu He brought tea on a tray, noticeably more cheerful and attentive than before.

Hu Yulin was perceptive. He narrowed his eyes slightly. "Could it be that magpies have come calling today?"

As soon as he spoke, Rong Xi arrived with Liu Zishi. Knowing they had important matters to discuss, Liu He withdrew.

Hu Yulin then saw the excitement on young Liu's face and the ink staining his fingers. With a slight turn of thought, he understood the reason for Liu He's joy.

This was good as well.

Previously, seeing that Rong Xi had no clever, quick-witted servants attending him, Hu Yulin had intended to give him one or two. Now that Rong Xi was personally cultivating trusted aides, Hu Yulin no longer mentioned it.

"I have not failed Young Master Rong's trust. The coal stove is complete."

Jiang Weiping got straight to the point. He placed the stove on the ground and lifted the black cloth, revealing a coal stove half the height of a man's leg.

Compared with a charcoal brazier, it was far more exquisite and convenient.

Liu Zishi and Hu Yulin leaned closer to inspect it for a moment. Then the young man stood and asked, "Young master, may we try it?"

Rong Xi nodded in approval.

Liu Zishi carried the stove into an open space in the courtyard. Following Rong Xi's earlier instructions, he lit a honeycomb coal briquette and used tongs to place it in the firebox.

The firebox was tall and deep, able to hold three honeycomb coal briquettes stacked upright.

The youth placed two more unlit briquettes on top. Following Rong Xi's guidance, he adjusted the vent on the lower side of the stove, making the fire burn hotter.

The fire could not be wasted. Rong Xi went to the kitchen and told Liu He to bring out some meat.

Jiang Weiping looked puzzled. Hu Yulin raised a brow and explained, "Shouyuan will feast well today."

The words remained baffling. Jiang Weiping did not ask further, merely watching Rong Xi cut the meat into chunks and put it into a pot with cold water. Once it boiled, Rong Xi skimmed off the broth, repeating the process twice.

He then set a clay pot atop the courtyard stove, poured in the meat chunks, covered them with water, and added wine, scallions, Sichuan peppercorns, and fragrant mushrooms. He narrowed the vent and let it simmer slowly over a low flame.

"Brother Xuan Shi, Brother Shouyuan, why not stay and drink with me today?" Rong Xi invited them.

Hu Yulin nodded repeatedly. "How could I refuse such generous hospitality from Young Master?"

Jiang Weiping was about to politely decline when Hu Yulin interrupted him. "Shouyuan, there is no need to worry about Madam Jiang. I will send a servant to inform her at once."

With that, he instructed a sturdy servant to go to Jiang Family Ironworks and notify the Jiang Clan's lady.

Since matters had been put this way, Jiang Weiping no longer declined.

"Eldest Brother, this dish will still need some time. Why not go inside and discuss matters?" He had a task to complete today and had to see it through.

Rong Xi nodded. He had Zishi prepare all the seasonings and watch the coal stove before leading Hu Yulin and Jiang Weiping into the study for a detailed discussion.

"Eldest Brother," Hu Yulin said, putting away his smile and adopting a solemn expression, "when my father learned of the honeycomb coal briquettes, he rebuked me for taking too great an advantage of you. Xuan Shi offers his apology here."

Seeing Rong Xi about to speak, he raised a hand to stop him and continued, "But that matter is settled, so there is no need to say more. Now that the coal stove has been made, on behalf of the Hu Clan, I wish to discuss a joint venture with you and Shouyuan. Would you two brothers be willing?"

Rong Xi had expected this and was not surprised. Jiang Weiping, however, was utterly stunned. He was merely a blacksmith—what did this have to do with him?

"Young Master's ingenuity and Shouyuan's craftsmanship are both extraordinarily precious," Hu Yulin said with a smile. "All I have to offer is money. I wish to work with you both to achieve something great."

Rong Xi shook his head with a sigh. "Brother Xuan Shi, there is no need to belittle yourself. In business, skill is more valuable than money. I deeply admire your talent."

The two exchanged a glance, then burst out laughing.

Seeing how familiar the two had become, Jiang Weiping realized with surprise that he had been so absorbed in making the apparatus that he had not known his friend and Young Master Rong had formed such a close bond. Seeing it now, he could not help saying, "After only a few days apart, Xuan Shi and Young Master have actually..."

"Brother Shouyuan, there is no need for such formality. Just call me Dalang." Rong Xi's eyes curved with a warm, gentle smile.

Jiang Weiping had already admired Rong Xi's ingenuity. Seeing that Rong Xi bore not the slightest prejudice of social rank and, as the son of an official, had taken the initiative to befriend a craftsman, his favorable impression deepened. A smile appeared on his face, and dimples even emerged on his cheeks, softening his dullness and lending him a lively charm.