Outside the Mengshan County town, County Magistrate Shen Yi, accompanied by his son and various officials, stood against the wind at the city gate.
As the biting cold wind swept past, the crowd shivered uncontrollably.
Soon, a procession of carriages and horses approached from afar. Shen Yi’s expression immediately turned solemn. He stood tall and straight, his gaze fixed forward.
A man sat high on horseback, dressed in a plain black robe, his hair tied up in a jade crown, his face handsome, but his expression was cold and stern, diluting some of his beauty, but even more manifesting the noble demeanor of the royal family.
His mother was the elder sister of the late emperor, and he was a cousin of the current emperor. He possessed royal blood and an aura of majesty far beyond that of ordinary people.
The only surprising thing was that, besides a horse accompanying him, he also led another beautiful horse. Its color was white, which was equal to his own red horse.
Why are you leading an extra horse? Shen Yi didn’t understand Qin Ke’s thoughts and didn’t dare to ask more questions. He quickly led all the officials to bow and salute to show respect.
In addition to King Qin, there were several carriages behind him, all of which were officials from the Ministry of Industry.
The streets and markets were cleared by the officers. The people secretly hid in their homes and looked outside. When they saw King Qinβs face, they were immediately astonished.
Who would have thought that Weiβs God of War could be so beautiful?
As Shen Yi arrived at the County government office, he breathed a sigh of relief. Though he had witnessed the former Magistrate’s capture by King Qin before, the current situation felt even more intense.
Back then, it was carried out in secrecy, but this time the procession was grand and solemn.
“Please take a seat, Your Highness, and all the esteemed officials,” Shen Yi said, feeling a bit apprehensive as he addressed the group of high-ranking officials from the capital for the first time.
The group took their seats in order, with Qin Ke seated at the head of the table.
“The Emperor has sent us to Mengshan this time to learn the skills of craftsmen,” Qin Ke said, taking a sip of tea. “Shen Yi, you should know where the glass kiln workshop is located. We would like to go and see it.”
Shen Yi asked: “The Prince and all the officials are tired from the long journey, why don’t we go tomorrow?”
It was almost time for dinner, and all the kiln workers should have gone home. There was no one in there, so there was no need to go.
Several people from the Ministry of Industry nodded and looked at Qin Ke.
Qin Ke stood up and said to everyone: “Tomorrow then. I have something to do. You guys enjoy your dinner.”
After finishing speaking, he left the table. Chen Chuangu naturally followed him.
The two rode together, leading the white sacred horse, in the Linxi direction.
“When you and I arrive at Rong’s house, Rong Xi must have already had dinner,” Chen Chuangu laughed loudly, “His expression will certainly be quite interesting when he sees these uninvited guests.”
Upon hearing this, Qin Ke thought about how Rong Xi had always been calm and gentle. If he had shown a lost expression, it would have been even more interesting.
The smile in his eyes flashed away, the riding whip was raised high, dust flew up, and Chen Chuangu was left far away.
Rongβs mansion.
After dinner, everyone took a rest, and the lights were on.
There was a sudden knock on the door, and Liu He came to open the door. Taking advantage of the dim sky, he saw the two people outside the door clearly, and said hurriedly: “It turns out to be the two gentlemen, please come in quickly!”
He stepped aside, gave way, and loudly ordered Liu Zishi in the courtyard: “Go and report to the young master quickly.”
Liu Zishi left in response.
When the two arrived at the main hall, Rong Xi hurried over. Seeing that they were really these two people, he looked slightly surprised and said, “Brother Si, brother Chen, how could you come so suddenly?”
Liu He served tea and placed it on the table. Chen Chuangu said with a laugh, “Brother Rong, brother Si and I just arrived in Mengshan and came to find you. We haven’t eaten yet, and now our stomachs are growling. What should we do?”
What the two of them did was extremely unruly. But it was precisely because the two of them did not regard Rong Xi as an outsider that they joked like this.
Upon hearing this, Rong Xi immediately got up and said, “Please wait a moment. I will go wash my hands and prepare some soup.”
Moments later, two meals were placed on the table.
Qin Ke lowered his head and looked. On the lacquered tray, a bowl of steaming hot fresh noodle soup filled the air with an aroma that made his mouth water. The soup was made from pork bones that had been simmered for a whole day, resulting in an incredibly rich and flavorful broth. The noodles were chewy and smooth, melting in the mouth.
On a nearby plate, several shrimp patties were arranged neatly, complementing the noodle soup perfectly.
“You’ve arrived at the perfect time. The pork bone soup has just been simmered for a whole day,” Rong Xi said with a smile. “I was afraid that Brother Si and brother Chen would wait too long, so I took the liberty of serving noodles instead. I hope you won’t mind.”
Just as Qin Ke was about to respond, he heard Chen Chuangu exclaim exaggeratedly, “Brother Rong, this bowl of noodles and these few patties are worth more than some of the most expensive dishes! I love them!”
As soon as Chen Chuangu finished speaking, he felt a chill on his neck. He couldn’t help but turn his head to look at Qin Ke. Seeing him eating noodles and patties with his head down, he secretly sighed that he was thinking too much.
After enjoying a delightful dinner, Liu He and Liu Zishi cleaned up the dishes.
Qin Ke went to the courtyard and saw that the doors and windows were all made of glass. They were indeed transparent and bright. He said, “Tomorrow I want to lead a group of people from the Ministry of Industry to the glass kiln to learn skills. Brother Rong, would you like to accompany me and help clear up our doubts?”
“Brother Si, it’s no trouble at all. I’ll be happy to go.”
The candlelight in the room was bright and reflected. Half of Rong Xi’s cheek was illuminated, while the other side was hidden in the dark. In the haze, his handsome outline was fully revealed.
Although he was still slightly overweight, his overall demeanor was one of peace and tranquility, causing one to easily forget his appearance. Moreover, Rong Xi’s features were not at all unattractive.
Chen Chuangu suddenly laughed out loud, βBrother Rong, I haven’t seen you for a few days, and you are getting thinner and thinner. As time goes by, you will definitely be a handsome man who will attract the hearts of young ladies.”
The people of the Wei Dynasty were open-minded, and there were many romantic things, such as throwing handkerchiefs into the carriages.
Rong Xi said, “Brother Chen is joking. If we talk about handsomeness, I think brother Chen is even better.”
He didn’t dare to tease Qin Ke, even though Qin Ke’s appearance was the most magnificent he had ever seen in his life.
“Earlier, brother Rong sent me a message informing me of the horseshoes and glass, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude,” Qin Ke suddenly interrupted the two, his expression cold, “I do not know what you like, so I took it upon myself to choose a horse for you to use as a means of transportation.”
Wei people liked horses and liked to ride them when traveling.
However, the market price of horses was quite high, not to mention good horses. There were very few people who were qualified and had the capital to ride horses.
Therefore, gifting a horse was a significant gesture, indicating that the giver held the recipient in high regard.
Rong Xi was flattered, his eyes widened, and he was speechless for a moment.
Seeing him like this, Chen Chuangu laughed unceremoniously, Qin Ke raised the corners of his lips, and his eyes were soft.
“Brother Rong, the horse is outside the house. Would you like to go with me to see it?”
Rong Xi came back to his senses and said gratefully: “Thank you, brother Si, for the horse.” So, they went out of the house together, using the house’s lights to see the magnificent white horse.
In Rong Xiβs previous life, men took pride in their luxurious cars, while in the Wei Dynasty, men competed with each other in their horses.
Although Rong Xi was not an expert in horses, he could still tell that this horse was truly one of a kind.
“Is brother Rong good at equestrian skills?” Qin Ke suddenly asked.
Having just observed Rong Xi’s expression, he noticed that, although Rong Xi was grateful and impressed, he didn’t seem eager to try riding the horse.
If someone were skilled in horseback riding, upon seeing a fine steed, they would certainly be unable to resist the urge to mount it and experience the thrill of riding.
“I am ashamed,” Rong Xi said, a hint of embarrassment coloring his cheeks. “I have never learned horsemanship.”
Equestrian was a must for children of aristocratic families, but the original person had never learned equestrian.
Rong Xi lowered his eyes, memories emerged in his mind, and a dark color flashed in his eyes.
To be precise, the original Rong Xi learned horsemanship once. However, on that one occasion, he had been deliberately thrown from his horse, leaving him with a deep-seated fear that had prevented him from ever learning again.
The culprit was still the forth young master.
Chen Chuangu was surprised, “The academy offers archery and horsemanship courses, yet brother Rong never learned them?”
“Since I have received this magnificent gift from brother Si, I will definitely strive to learn horsemanship,” Rong Xi said with a faint smile, subtly changing the subject.
Qin Ke observed his expression, his thoughts unreadable.
The night was deep, and the wind was chilly. Rong Xi suddenly shivered, and his baby-fat chin retracted into his collar, making his cheeks look even more tender.
He is only sixteen, the same age as Siwen.
Qin Ke looked soft and said softly: “It’s cold, go back inside.”
After saying this, he quickly mounted his horse and left with Chen Chuangu.
Rong Xi watched the two of them go away, then turned around and faced the white horse. Their eyes stared at each other, and the white horse snorted aggrievedly.
He burst out laughing.
After bringing the horse into the house, Rong Xi asked Liu He to prepare some high-quality horseβs food tomorrow, and he was going to start raising the horse.
“Brother, did we have guests earlier?” Rong Lian approached suddenly and was slightly surprised to see the white horse.
He had been engrossed in his studies and was unaware of any guests at home. He had just taken a break and was informed by Xi Yan that there had been visitors. He had come over to inquire.
“An old friend came to visit.” Rong Xi smiled with a hint of tenderness at the corner of his mouth.
When Rong Lian saw this, he stopped talking and went back to his room to continue reading.
The next day, the weather was good and the sun was shining.
Shen Yi personally led Qin Ke and others to the glass kiln workshop on the outskirts of the city. Rong Xi and Hu Yulin were already waiting outside.
Seeing the arrival of the carriage, Rong Xi raised his head to greet the light, and his eyes met Qin Ke’s.
The two of them were stunned for a few seconds, then looked away.
When Shen Yi gestured with his eyes, Rong Xi and Hu Yulin bowed to the officials.
This time, several people were sent by the Ministry of Industry to Mengshan to learn from the experience, and Minister of Industry Cheng Hao was among them.
He was keen on making utensils since he was a child and did not want to study. After being educated by the elders in the family, he could only give up his hobbies and devote himself to studying.
After passing the imperial examination and becoming an official, he relied on his own ability to become an official in the Ministry of Industry.
He shouldn’t have come to Mengshan this time, but he persisted, and Minister of Industry Yang Qianmu had to give him a spot.
“Prince, this is the place.” Shen Yi explained from the side.
Qin Ke nodded coldly, then looked at Rong Xi, “Since Young Master Rong is here, how about you explain the glass making method to us?”
A scribe prepared a pen and paper to write down the story beside him.
When the Prince spoke, the others naturally did not dare to refute, but were confused in their hearts as to when the Prince met a craftsman.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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“Young Master Rong is quick-witted and his skills are like those of a god. He can benefit the common people. If your father knows about this, he will surely be very pleased.”
After clearing up the confusion, Qin Ke suddenly opened his mouth and praised.
Including Rong Xi, everyone else was a little confused.
Who didn’t know that the Prince of Qin was a cold-faced Yama? Now, he was treating a small craftsman with such courtesy and praising him greatly, which was really confusing.
They were all important officials of the imperial court and did not listen to rumors, so they never thought that Rong Xi was the eldest son of Rong Shangshu.
“Thank you for your praise.” Rong Xi’s eyes were slightly curved, his lips were red and his teeth were white, “It is my pleasure to be able to help people.”
“Very good.” Qin Ke’s eyes, which were complicated and difficult to distinguish, fell on Rong Xiβs cheek.
After visiting the glass kiln workshop, they also visited Jiangβs iron shop.
The clerk recorded everything in detail on paper, waiting to study it after returning to the capital.
In any case, the three of them, Rong, Hu, and Jiang, would surely be rewarded by the court.
As the afternoon approached, everyone was about to return to their offices.
“Young Master Rong,” Qin Ke suddenly stopped Rong Xi in his tracks, in front of everyone, “I still have something I don’t understand. Can I ask you to explain it to me in private?”
Rong Xi was slightly surprised, but said: “It is no problem. I will do my best.”
The two of them left together, heading in the direction of the river.
In the crowd, Chen Chuangu couldn’t help but roll his eyes, Qin Ke actually abandons him and goes to eat alone!
In autumn, the grass was withered, the flowers were gone, and the fallen leaves were flying.
Rong Xi and Qin Ke walked side by side. The atmosphere was dull except for the sound of horse hooves.
“That’s it.” Qin Ke suddenly stopped, and said.
Rong Xi looked up at him, knowing that he was looking for him alone, not to solve his doubts, but for something else.
“Yesterday you said you were not good at equestrian skills, I will teach you.” Qin Ke’s eyes were light, and his long eyelashes were lowered, looking at the young man in front of him.
Rong Xi instantly smiled and said, “Why?”
Their status and aspirations were very different, they should have nothing to do with each other, and they were both just passersby. But why would the dignified Prince of Qin be so free to give horses last night and teach horsemanship today?
“Do you know what contribution the horseshoe you mentioned in your letter would make to the Wei Dynasty?” Qin Ke asked seriously.
So that’s it.
Rong Xi understood and said with a smile: “I will try my best to learn equestrian skills.”
The red divine horse suddenly snorted, as if he didn’t want others to get close to him.
Qin Ke stroked the horse’s head. After a moment, the red divine horse calmed down, glanced at Rong Xi, and moved its hooves.
Rong Xi saw that its hooves were already shod, and he smiled slightly.
“It’s called Chi Yan.” Qin Ke extended his palm to invite, “Come.”
Chi Yan glanced at Rong Xi with big eyes, seeming to despise him. Rong Xi found it interesting, smiled, and asked, “What if it bullies me?”
Qin Ke chuckled, “I’m here.”
With his assurance, Rong Xi slowly got on the horse. He was not completely inexperienced in horsemanship, after all, he had been to the racetrack a few times in his previous life.
However, those horses are docile and well-behaved. Even if he was accompanied by a coach, he could only drive the horses for a walk. If he really wanted to run, he couldnβt do it.
Seeing that he was not very good at it, Qin Ke carefully taught him equestrian skills with a smile in his eyes. He had a stern expression and an indifferent tone. He seemed to be unapproachable. If it was someone else, that person would be uneasy, fearing that he had done something wrong.
Rong Xi listened very carefully and wrote down clearly what he said.
“Try it.” Qin Ke said, passing on all the equestrian skills.
He was not a good teacher, but Rong Xi was very talented, and a good student. He ordered Chi Yan to follow his instructions, and fortunately Chi Yan gave him face and slowly raised his feet to move forward.
Getting better, Rong Xi clamped the horse’s belly, held the reins in his hand, and looked back at Qin Ke. The man stood tall, with orange circles beside him, as the sun was setting down. The breeze blew by, and his robes were flowing, as if they were flying.
Chi Yan started running around Qin Ke, and the sound of horse hooves could be clearly heard in the wilderness.
Rong Xi gradually became intoxicated with the pleasure of riding, and his expression was extremely excited.
His temperament was very different from his usual, slightly childish.
Within half an hour, Chi Yan gradually slowed down and stopped in front of Qin Ke, rubbing his shoulder. Qin Ke praised it, and its tail wagged a few times.
Rong Xi dismounted slowly, his cheeks flushed from the horse racing. The red color appeared in a white jade face, and his face looked more charming.
“Thank you, brother Si.” He was sincerely grateful.
Qin Ke stared at him for a moment, then took out something from his lapel and handed it to Rong Xi.
“Does this purse belong to you?”
The purse was old and embroidered with a rabbit. The white fur was clearly visible, and it was very cute and naive.
Apart from the excellent embroidery work, there was nothing special about it.
Rong Xi seemed to be struck by lightning. It was not him, but a very strange emotion suddenly burst out from the depths of his mind. It was sour, bitter and joyful, so chaotic and complicated that he almost cried.
The young man’s expression was greatly mourned, and his eyes were red, all of which fell into Qin Ke’s eyes.
He didn’t interrupt, just waiting for Rong Xi to calm down.
After a while, the sadness gradually dissipated, and memories flashed in his mind. Rong Xi calmed down, his eyes slightly curved. He took the purse with a smile and carefully hid it in his clothes.
“I lost it. I thought I would never see it again.” The young man seemed to be forcing a smile, which looked quite pitiful. “Brother Si, I can’t repay this kindness.”
A slight prick in his heart, fleeting. Qin Ke frowned slightly, this feeling was very strange.
He deliberately ignored it and said with a calm expression, “Your achievements are enough to repay.”
Rong Xi suddenly smiled and said, “I also have a gift for brother Si. Is brother Si willing to come with me to my humble residence to see it?”
“It’s an honor.” Before Qin Ke could think about it, he got on his horse and reached out to Rong Xi.
The handβs fingers were extremely long, with thin calluses covering the palms and fingertips. Rong Xi shook hands with him without any hesitation.
The young man’s hand was warm and soft, and the touch was as delicate as a warm jade. Qin Ke’s long eyelashes were slightly drooped, and he used his arms to pull Rong Xi behind him easily.
“Hold tight.” The man’s clear voice blew in the wind and sounded so magnetic that Rong Xi’s ears twitched slightly.
He wrapped his arms around Qin Ke’s waist, loosely, not touching Qin Ke’s body much.
Suddenly, Chi Yan accelerated. In desperation, he hugged Qin Ke tightly and pressed half of his face on the man’s back.
A faint, cold fragrance wafted into his nose.
Chi Yan was extremely fast, and in just a moment, the two of them arrived at Rong’s house.
Rong Xi instructed Liu He to lead out the white horse and play with Chi Yan, while he led Qin Ke to the study.
Last night, the sky was dark, and the benefits of glass were not yet obvious. Looking at it this time, it was indeed clear and transparent, with ample lighting.
Qin Ke thought in his mind that before returning to Shengjing, he should purchase some glass and replace the paper windows in the mansion.
“Brother Si,” Rong Xi said, taking out a cylindrical object from the wooden box and saying with a smile, “Come with me.”
The two of them rode together to the wilderness.
Rong Xi dismounted and asked Qin Ke: “I heard that people who practice martial arts have sharp ears and eyes. Brother Si is standing here, can you see clearly what is on the mountain?”
They were quite far away from the hills at this time, and other than the gathering of withered trees, they could no longer see anything else.
Qin Ke didn’t know his intention, but he replied seriously, “Except for the dense trees, I can’t see it very clearly.”
Rong Xi smiled cunningly, put the telescope in front of his eyes, and suddenly said: “If I lend you the thing in my hand, you can clearly see the bird’s nest on the tree.”
So magical?
Qin Ke boasted that his eyesight was excellent, and even he couldn’t see if there was a bird’s nest on the tree. Just with this cylindrical object, could he see it clearly?
Seeing his strange expression, Rong Xi handed the telescope into his hand and said, “Take a look through this mirror.”
Qin Ke followed his instructions and put the telescope in front of his eyes. He actually saw the bird’s nest on the tree on the distant mountain. He was extremely shocked. He watched it with different eyes for a long time before putting down the telescope, his eyes and eyebrows full of light.
“Brother Rong,” his eyes were very dark, and his voice was very deep. “How could your talent be so high? Do you know the merits of this thing?”
Rong Xi smiled slightly, “Then do you know why I gave it to you?”
The young man’s eyes were sincere, and his demeanor was leisurely. It seemed that such a magical thing was nothing special to him, like the breeze and the moon, like the river flowing into the sea.
“The territory of Wei was safeguarded by soldiers who engaged in bloody battles and spared no effort in its defense. How can my achievements compare with yours?”
The young man’s heartfelt words made Qin Ke’s heart suddenly throb, his heartbeat strong, almost rushing out of his chest.
He held a telescope in his hand, his eyes trembling.
After a long pause, he suddenly showed his face and said, “Is there anything you want?”
Qin Ke thought that a horse and some rewards from the court were not enough to measure Rong Xi’s achievements.
He had experienced countless battlefields and knew the power of this telescope. Because of this, he wanted to give Rong Xi more.
Rong Xi was stunned. What does he want? Maybe even he himself doesnβt know.
“Nothing, I just want peace, happiness, and a smooth life.”
This is the greatest luck.
Qin Ke looked at him deeply and said, “If you want, I will ensure that you are safe in this life.”
As long as he was alive, he would protect Rong Xi.
“This thing is called a telescope. If it is useful to you, I can write down the method of making it.” Rong Xi knew that telescopes were beneficial to war, and one telescope was not enough.
If this item was classified as military supplies, it would be more appropriate to hand it over to Qin Ke.
Qin Ke did not refuse. He secretly praised Rong Xi’s generosity and open-mindedness and said: “Your generosity will be kept in my mind.”
After speaking, the two looked at each other and smiled.
When it was the hour of the monkey, the two returned home and ran into Rong Lian.
Rong Lian had met Qin Ke several times in Shengjing. Qin Ke’s appearance was unforgettable for ordinary people. Therefore, Rong Lian was extremely shocked when he saw Qin Ke appear at Rong’s house. After being stunned, he hurriedly saluted solemnly.
βSecond young master, you donβt need to be polite.” Qin Ke was a little cold towards others.
However, as far as Rong Lian was concerned, King Qin’s behavior was considered gentle.
How could his elder brother know the King of Qin County? And they seems to be very familiar.
When the distinguished guest arrived at the house, Rong Xi invited Rong Lian to accompany him and cook dinner in the kitchen.
Rong Lian and Qin Ke were sitting in the main hall, and the atmosphere was extremely condensed.
After a long time, Rong Lian asked bravely: “Dare I ask, Your Highness, what are you looking for my brother for?”
He was worried because of Liang Siwen’s incident.
Because of Liang Siwen, Qin Ke had some impression of Rong Lian, but it was only a vague impression. Now that he looked closely, he could see that his appearance and demeanor were indeed good, and he could be a good friend with Liang Siwen.
“The Emperor heard about the glass and asked me to bring several people from the Ministry of Industry to learn the craftsmanship. Brother Rong is the creator, so I asked for his guidance.”
He avoided the important points, and Rong Lian didn’t hear anything, but only felt that it should be so.
Brother’s skills benefited generations, and now that they had caught the emperor’s eye, he was truly happy for his brother.
After the topic was over, the hall fell into silence again.
One person had a stern expression and did not like to speak. One person was taciturn, was intimidated by King Qin’s momentum, and did not dare say much.
Seeing that Rong Lian was slightly embarrassed, and thinking that he was Rong Xi’s younger brother, Qin Ke looked a little gentler and took out a topic, “Siwen has been friends with you for many years and has a deep relationship. However, he beat up Rong Han in public a few days ago. It was indeed impulsive, but there was a reason for it. I hope you two will not have a rift because of this.β
Rong Lian was flattered and said hurriedly: “My younger brother was at fault first. Brother Liang was innocently involved, so he should be angry and take action. It’s just a pity that my older brother’s things were thrown away by Rong Han.”
“No.” Qin Ke suddenly said.
Rong Lian looked at him doubtfully.
Qin Ke drank tea with his eyebrows lowered, secretly feeling that he was asking for credit and showing off, and quickly changed the topic, “He beat others in the street, regardless of whether there was a reason or not, it is indeed inappropriate. I have punished him with ten whippings.”
“What?” Rong Lian suddenly shouted in panic.
After calming down, he felt that he had lost his composure and hurriedly sat upright. However, he was really worried and asked, “How is he?”
Qin Ke was about to answer when he saw Rong Xi’s figure outside the door and stopped talking.
“Brother Si, second brother.”
Rong Lian didn’t ask anymore.
Liu He, Liu Zishi, and Xi Yan took the food and put it on the table, then retreated.
The three of them ate quietly, the only sound in the room was the sound of bowls and chopsticks.
After eating, Qin Ke said goodbye and rode away, with Rong Xi and Rong Lian watching him off.
Rong Lian looked at the white horse in the courtyard and suddenly asked: “Brother, is this horse a gift from the Prince?”
He saw that King Qin treated his brother very gently and amiably, and there was no one else but King Qin who could afford to give him such a magnificent horse.
Rong Xi smiled and nodded, “When I returned home just now, I heard Brother Si say that young Liang Siwen was punished with ten whips, which is quite pitiful. My second brother has always had close contacts with him, so why not write a letter to express his concern?”
He suggested heartily.
He really couldn’t bear this kind of abusive relationship!
After Qin Ke returned to the office, his servant came to report that Cheng Hao, the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, asked to see him.
After he nodded in agreement, he saw Cheng Hao walking in a hurry as he entered from the outside. Before he could stand still, he said, “I have seen the Prince. May I ask the Prince, when do you plan to return to the capital?”
“What do you think, Master Cheng?” Qin Ke knew his character and threw the question back.
Cheng Hao looked worried, but still replied: “Your Highness, I think that just one day of sightseeing will not be enough to learn the essence. I would like to stay for a few more days and work with the craftsmen to make glass and other things with my own hands. Only then can I live up to His Majesty’s order.β
He was really itchy.
There was silence in the room for a long time. Just when Cheng Hao thought Qin Ke would not agree, Qin Ke suddenly said, “Okay.”
The voice was unexpectedly gentle.
With his permission, Cheng Hao was overjoyed, hurriedly saluted and thanked him, and then left the room.
Qin Ke took out the telescope and laughed silently. He also wanted to stay longer.
In the next few days, Cheng Hao, the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, led many officials from the Ministry of Industry to frequently visit the glass kiln and Jiang’s iron shop, and even went shirtless with the craftsmen to make utensils.
The craftsman’s jaw dropped in shock.
As an avid tool maker, Cheng Hao found the true meaning of life in the kilns of Mengshan County.
After getting acquainted with the craftsmen, Cheng Hao heard many craftsmen praise Rong Xi. He thought about how Rong Xi didn’t show any nervousness or fear when he met the Prince before, and he admired him very much in his heart.
“Then Master Rongβs skills are passed down from ancestors?” he asked the craftsman beside him.
If Young Master Rong is willing, he can recommend him to Minister Yang and find him a position in the Ministry of Industry.
The craftsman looked surprised, “Ancestral tradition? Minister Cheng doesn’t know Young Master Rongβs life experience?”
Cheng Hao really didn’t know, so he humbly asked, “What is it?”
The craftsman saw that he really didn’t know, so he whispered: βYoung master Rong comes from Shengjing. He is the eldest son of Rong Shangshu.”
What!
Cheng Hao was immediately stunned. Apart from Minister Rong of the Ministry of Personnel in Shengjing, there is no other Shangshu surnamed Rong, right?
He suddenly remembered that his wife had mentioned that Rong Shangshu sent his son back to his ancestral home in anger. He didn’t pay attention at the time, and a few months later, he had completely forgotten about it.
Therefore, it was normal to not know Rong Xiβs identity.
Rong Shangshu actually didnβt recognize his legitimate sonβs talent! Cheng Hao felt extremely aggrieved and uncomfortable.
After arriving in Mengshan, Rong Xi’s ability shocked him. He had long wanted to make friends with him, but except for the first day, Young Master Rong did not appear the following days, so he only asked the craftsmen.
If he is really the son of Minister Rong, how can he “kidnap” him to the Ministry of Industry? If Rong Shangshu finds out, he will definitely settle the score with him.
However, he couldn’t just let the pearl of genius go to waste.
After returning to the office, Cheng Hao felt unhappy and went to his room to write down his experience making utensils today. After thinking about it, he decided to go find Qin Ke.
It was a pity that Qin Ke was not in the office.
He was teaching Rong Xi higher-level equestrian skills.
Xue Ni was the name Rong Xi gave the white horse. Compared to Chi Yan, Xue Ni was obviously more docile, but its speed and endurance were not much worse than Chi Yan.
“When will you return to Shengjing?” Horsemanship is not easy, Rong Xi dismounted from the horse panting and asked Qin Ke.
Chi Yan approached Xue Ni, and Qin Ke also dismounted and let them play on their own.
“It depends on how many days Master Cheng wants to stay.” There was a hidden smile in his eyes; his long eyelashes seemed to be brushing against the stream of light; his pupils were a little light, and he could easily appear ruthless and indifferent.
Even so, he was still beautiful.
Rong Xi didn’t care about other people’s looks before, but now he felt that appearance could really confuse people.
Thinking of Minister Cheng’s passion for utensils, Rong Xi couldn’t help but laugh.
The fat on his body gradually disappears, slowly revealing his handsome silhouette. Just because Rong Xi was still young and still immature, he looked quite cute.
With red lips, white teeth, and graceful eyebrows, he looked like a boy in a New Year painting. Although he was slightly fat, he was still handsome.
Qin Ke had never paid attention to other people’s looks, but now he suddenly felt that the smile of the young man in front of him was quite pleasing to the eye.
His heart softened a bit.
Having just broken a sweat, now that he was resting, a cold breeze blew, and he suddenly felt a chill. Rong Xi couldn’t help but stroke the goosebumps on his arm.
“Come back.” Qin Ke saw how pitiful he was and immediately mounted his horse.
Rong Xi slowly rode on the back of Xue Ni and rode home with Qin Ke.
Qin Ke had become accustomed to eating dinner together, and Chen Chuangu was shameless and forcefully stayed at Rong’s house.
When he saw the two people arriving, he smiled brightly and said, “Brother Rong, what’s the dish for today?”
Because of entertaining guests, the dishes at the Rong residence changed daily, but they were all delicious.
Rong Lian and his servant, as well as the Liu He and Liu Zishi, ate so much every day that their mouths were full of oil and they wish they could keep doing it for a long time.
After arriving at Linxiβs Rong’s house for some time, Rong Lian suddenly felt that he seemed to have gained some weight.
In the Wei Dynasty, appearance also played a role in the selection of officials. Being too fat would diminish one’s attractiveness, making it difficult to seek even a minor official position.
Filled with anxiety, he immediately reduced his food intake, which was quite painful.
After dinner, Rong Xi escorted Qin Ke and Chen Chuangu from the residence.
He pondered for a moment, and when he saw the two of them about to ride on their horses, he suddenly said, “Brother Si, I have something I want to ask you.”
Qin Ke looked solemn and said, “Say.”
“I know iron is managed by the government,” Rong Xi gathered his courage and continued, “but if the iron smelting process is improved, and the iron output increases significantly, with the increasing demand from the people, relying solely on the government may not be enough to meet the needs of the people.”
When Qin Ke heard this, he was very interested and said, “Continue, brother Rong”
Rong Xi smiled shyly and said, “The court may consider granting exclusive operating rights. The government can designate local blacksmiths to operate on its behalf and collect taxes and profits from it.”
The Wei Dynasty had vast territories, and the government had many affairs to manage. It couldn’t pay attention to every detail.
Many government-run departments, many officials were not familiar with practical matters, and their orders were often unrealistic. Over time, production could not develop and expand.
If craftsmen were granted special permission, they would do their best to smelt iron to seek profits, and with competition in mind, they would only become more innovative.
He didn’t explain in detail, but Qin Ke already understood what he meant.
“This method is indeed feasible,” the man chuckled, his eyes softening, and he whispered, “However, this method touches the interests of some people, so it may be difficult to implement.”
Rong Xi also knew this, but where there’s a will, there’s a way.
“I believe that there are countless skilled craftsmen in the world. If the court can provide special rewards to guarantee the interests of innovators, why wouldn’t the Wei Dynasty prosper?”
Interests are always the driving force behind creativity.
Rong Xi had this great ambition that had been buried in his heart for a long time. It was precisely because he trusted Qin Ke that he mentioned it to him.
Qin Ke was not a pedantic person, and since the young Emperor ascended the throne, he was committed to reform and tried to change the current situation of corruption and decadence in the court.
Rong Xi’s words might just align with his intentions.
“I understand what you said.” Qin Ke suddenly reached out and stroked his bun, “Please be at ease and wait for my news.”
“Thank you.”
After returning to the office, Qin Ke was about to take a bath when Cheng Hao came to look for him again.
“I have met the Prince.” He saluted hastily, his straight face seemed troubled.
Because of Rong Xi, Qin Ke had a good impression of him, so he said warmly: “What do you want from me?”
“Your Highness, I admire Young Master Rong’s skills and wanted to make his acquaintance. I planned to invite him to the capital, but today I unexpectedly learned that he is the son of Rong Shangshu.”
Qin Ke raised the corners of his lips slightly, “So?”
Cheng Hao felt that King Qin was becoming more gentle, so he boldly said: “I believe that genius should not be buried. Although Rong Xi is not good at reading, he is extremely talented in the art of making weapons. This place is so remote . I donβt want the pearl covered with dust”
He looked regretful, as if he were more like his father than Rong Shangshu.
Thinking of Rong Xi’s proposal, Qin Ke pondered, “What do you want?”
“The lower official thinks that Young Master Rongβs talent is qualified for the post of chief of the Yu Heng Division.” Cheng Hao dared to say so.
The Wei Dynasty selected officials through imperial examinations, but did not rule out recommendations. Although Rong Xi had no fame, he could still hold a certain position if he was recommended by Qin Ke and the Minister of Industry.
“What if he doesn’t want to?” Qin Ke thought about Rong Xi’s words and concluded that he was not an ignorant person. “Master Cheng, you can ask him yourself to see if he is willing or not.”
He respected Rong Xi’s choice.
Cheng Hao was stunned for a moment, then came back to his senses and said, “I understand, I understand.”
After saying this, he left.
Qin Ke stared at his back. Cheng Hao was a fanatic about making weapons. It was good if Rong Xi could be friends with him.
The next day, Cheng Hao came to see Rong Xi.
Upon beholding the young man’s strikingly handsome features, refined countenance, eloquent speech, and noble demeanor, a sudden warmth filled his heart.
Rong Shangshu is so dim-sighted that he sent such a wonderful gentleman to a remote ancestral home.
His eyes were kind and his expression was incomprehensible, and Rong Xi suddenly felt a cold feeling behind his back.
“Hello Master Cheng.” He was about to salute, but was stopped by Cheng Hao.
Cheng Hao grinned, his short beard trembling, and his eyes narrowed into slits, “Young man, you don’t have to be polite, I’m looking for you for one reason. Are you willing to work in the Ministry of Industry?”
Hearing this, Rong Xi was shocked but also a little helpless, “Thank you very much, Master Cheng, for your kindness, but I have no intention of returning to the capital for the time being.”
Not to mention joining the Ministry of Industry.
He just wanted to do research in peace and did not want to get involved in official disputes.
Seeing that he was determined, Cheng Hao had no choice but to give up and say no more.
He really couldnβt bear it!
The time to return to Shengjing was set. The day before departure, Cheng Hao finally made a flawless glass with his own efforts. He was so excited that he drank a few glasses at dinner and was so drunk that he fell unconscious.
When he woke up, he found that he was already in the carriage. The carriage was swaying towards Shengjing.
Everyone in the Ministry of Industry knew his nature. Once he was obsessed with making weapons, he would act randomly regardless of his status as an official in the imperial court.
After hurriedly returning to Shengjing, Qin Ke and Cheng Hao went to the palace to report on their duties.
Qin Ke spoke calmly, recounting their journey to Mengshan, while the young emperor listened drowsily.
“Minister Cheng is good at this. It would be better for him to explain the matter of crafting in detail to His Majesty.”
Cheng Hao had been eager to speak since long ago. After being named by Qin Ke and granted permission by the emperor, he passionately described the crafting process, making it lively and interesting.
The Emperor was very interested and leaned forward slightly, his eyes shining.
“Minister Cheng’s skills are impressive, to have already produced glass,” he praised with a smile, then asked, “When will the people of Mengshan be able to enjoy glass? And when can this palace be furnished with glass?”
Cheng Hao understood his intention and promptly replied, “Your Majesty, I have mastered the art of making glass. Once the craftsmen gather, we can start producing glass on a large scale.”
“I am waiting for your good news.”
The young emperor conversed with the two for a long time, not forgetting the matter of rewarding them.
“The craftsmen of Mengshan have benefited future generations with their skills. I intend to reward them. Tomorrow at the court meeting, I will inquire about the opinions of the ministers.”
Qin Ke’s eyes moved slightly. His Majesty’s move was, first, to reward them, and second, to test the attitude of the courtiers.
Merchants and craftsmen were considered low-class, and rewarding them might provoke controversy.
Previously, His Majesty ordered him to take several people from the Ministry of Industry to Mengshan, and some pedantic ministers had already complained.
As the sovereign of a nation, neglecting literary governance and sending people to learn craftsmen’s skills was considered uncultured.
After a while, the Emperor ordered Cheng Hao to leave the palace first, leaving Qin Ke behind.
“You showed me your eyes just now. Do you have something to say?” the young Emperor asked with a smile.
The two of them had a deep relationship and a tacit understanding. Qin Ke’s expression had already fallen into his eyes, so he asked this question.
Qin Ke nodded, took the telescope from his arms, and said, “This thing was also made by Rong Xi. It’s called a telescope. It can see things in the distance clearly.”
The Emperor had also been on the battlefield. Hearing this, he was immediately surprised and took it from his palm and placed it in front of his eyes.
Outside the palace gate lay white jade steps adorned with intricately carved dragons and phoenixes, encircled by auspicious clouds. The Emperor could not see the fine lines clearly with his eyesight alone. However, with the help of a telescope, the dragon’s whiskers on the steps were lifelike, and the phoenix’s tail was exquisite, all of which were reflected in the mirror.
After looking at it for a long time, he reluctantly put it down and sighed, “How can Rong Xi have so many ingenious ideas? If this thing is used on the battlefield, it will definitely surprise the enemy.”
He said and laughed loudly again, “I regret listening to your words and not calling him back to Shengjing.”
“Your Majesty, if he really returns to the capital, he will be haunted by villains and have no time to use his skills. Wonβt it be a pity?” Qin Ke showed no mercy, pointing out that the villains in Rongβs Mansion were rampant.
As for who the villain was, the two of them knew very well.
He then took out a stack of paper. “These are recipes from Rong Xi’s culinary skills. Your Majesty can pass them on to the imperial kitchen.”
All the iron pots in the palace were replaced by thin pots. The Emperor longed for the delicacies of Rongβs house. Now that he had found a good cooking recipe, he was extremely happy.
“Rong Xi is very kind to me!”
At the time of Shen, the Emperor kept Qin Ke in the palace to eat with him. With the royal delicacies placed in front of him, Qin Ke felt no waves in his heart.
He was used to the food cooked by Rong Xi, and the food in front of him really tasted like wax.
After eating, Qin Ke was about to leave the palace and return to his residence, but he saw that the Emperor was pretending to be dissatisfied.
“Qin Ke, have you forgotten something?”
Qin Ke looked serious and said seriously: “There is only one telescope. I need to secretly find people to make it. Without a physical comparison, the craftsmen cannot make it. Could it be that your Majesty thinks that all craftsmen in the Wei Dynasty are Rong Xi?”
The Emperor was choked after hearing this, laughed and said teasingly: “I have never seen you praise someone so highly. This shows that Rong Xi is outstanding. I have to think about what kind of reward I want to give him.”
At the court meeting the next day, the Emperor mentioned the merits of the Mengshan craftsmen and expressed his commendation.
“Rong Weijing.β
Rong Shangshu, who was holding his hut with his head bowed, was suddenly called upon, and he immediately came out of the line to salute, “I am here.”
“Have you heard about Mengshan’s new tools?”
The Emperor asked for no reason. Rong Shangshu was uneasy and said honestly: “Your Majesty, I have heard something.”
“Does Rong Weijing know that these inventions were all made by your son?” He said with a meaningful smile, “Rong Weijing has raised a talented son!”
When the Emperor praised his son again, Rong Shangshu was no longer stunned, but shocked.
It wasn’t that he couldn’t understand people’s words, it was just that what the Emperor said was beyond his cognitive scope, and he almost lost his voice.
“Your Majesty’s praise is excessive. These are just clever tricks and can hardly be considered significant achievements.” He blurted out in shock.
It was quiet in the palace.
Ministers: ββ¦β Has Rong Shangshu been kicked in the head? The Emperor’s intention was so obvious that he actually refuted His Majesty’s face in public! What’s more, the one he praised was his own son.
“What a strange thinking!” Cheng Hao was so angry that he didn’t care, and jumped out loudly, “Does Rong Shangshu know how important the method of smelting iron is to our Wei Dynasty? Do you know how glass can benefit the future? The eldest young master of the Rong family possesses talent, yet to be deemed unworthy on stage by you truly fills me with profound sadness and anger!!”
Rong Shangshu: “…” What did I say just now?
With a “pop” sound, he knelt down on his knees and leaned to the ground, shaking like chaff.
The author has something to say:
“Mingfu” is the name for the county magistrate. “Yu Heng” is in charge of making weapons.
Wow
π€£π€£Thanks for the chapter!
Thanks for the chapter! An MC after my own heart! Peace, joy & a smooth life (if which I include good health) are the most precious indeed.
Let’s work together to have great country
Thank you for your translation πππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππ
The scum father being put on the spot is so satisfying!