Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 282 Delivered to your door
Han Si couldn't refuse Wang Yan's words.

He sensed a commotion behind him and instinctively turned around, only to see a girl of about sixteen or seventeen slowly walking towards him.

The woman was dressed in a pale yellow dress and a dark blue cloak. She had an exceptionally beautiful appearance, but... Han Si found that he couldn't examine her face closely because her eyes were too bright, and they shone with an undeniable brilliance that went straight to the heart.

Her clothes weren't expensive, but the aura she exuded was overwhelming, making Han Si instinctively want to escape. As soon as that thought crossed his mind, Han Si knew he was doomed.

He was caught between a rock and a hard place, and he couldn't get around either of them.

He had been staying in Daming Prefecture for so long without realizing how dangerous it was.

Xie Yuyan easily took control of the situation, and the three old craftsmen led people to deliver the newly fired porcelain.

Among them is a Magpie Tail Incense Burner once used by Master Zhiyuan.

Upon seeing the magical artifact, Shen Zhongguan couldn't resist reaching out to touch it.

Xie Yuyan explained, "Long-handled incense burners are mostly made of copper, but Daliang is lacking in copper mines, so we changed it to a ceramic burner. Ordinary ceramic incense burners are prone to cracking when the incense burner gets too hot, but our new ceramic is different. It is fired in a charcoal kiln, making it more fire-resistant and heat-resistant. We also use the method of 'indirect incense burning' to regulate the heat, so the incense burner will remain intact even after long-term use."

The incense burner, which has been recently filled with incense balls, is still emitting wisps of smoke, and there seems to be no problem with it.

Xie Yuyan then looked at Master Zhiyuan and asked, "Have you been using the incense burner we sent three days ago?"

Zhiyuan said, "Incense has been burning on the offering table without stopping."

Xie Yuyan then asked, "Are there any incense burners that have been cracked?"

Zhiyuan told the truth: "Never."

As he spoke, Old Wei brought over the reliquary box.

Shen Zhongguan subconsciously said, "Slow down, slow down, be careful."

Xie Yuyan pointed to the reliquary: "May I ask, Elder Xing, how is the firing of our tricolor pottery?"

With the item right in front of him, under the watchful eyes of everyone, how could he possibly lie through his teeth? The only one to blame is that Wang Yan started things up too well, and the woman caught it perfectly; the two of them worked together flawlessly.

Han Si had no words to express his suffering. He secretly took a deep breath and pretended to be nonchalant: "The color is even more vibrant after firing. No other kiln has ever produced such a treasure."

Xie Yuyan said, "This is a new firing technique."

Han Si nodded and said, "Indeed, it is quite remarkable." The three old craftsmen stared at him, and if he said even half a word wrong, he would be immediately questioned.

The voices of the people immediately rose up around them again.

"I've never seen such beautiful tricolor pottery."

"No, it never has."

"You don't need to tell me. Elder Xing said that this is a rare treasure. There is nothing like this in the entire Daliang. This is the only one of its kind in our country."

Han Si's face twitched. When had he ever said so much? It was easy to imagine how today's events would be spread.

Han Si now even suspects that this Baode Temple Dharma assembly is a trap specifically set for them.

Whenever they arrived in Daming Prefecture, they would inevitably see the tabloids and become somewhat interested in Baode Temple.

Once they appear at the Dharma assembly, they can never escape.

This wasn't a private conversation with Madam Xie, where I could easily make up an excuse. In front of Wang Yan and the people of Daming Prefecture, if I said anything wrong…

The next day it might be printed in the tabloids, and Wang Yan would have another chance to sue him.

After Xie Yuyan finished asking his questions, he looked at the three old craftsmen. Old Geng stepped forward with the offering plate: "Master Xing, take a look at how well this plate is made?"

The surrounding people looked over with great interest, eager to hear what this old man had to say about the new porcelain.

"The glaze is smooth, but the body is a bit thick."

As soon as Han Si finished speaking, someone said, "What does it matter? A thicker one is more durable."

"Besides, it's not thick at all, how come I didn't see it?"

Han Si was unable to continue and had to stop, but immediately some people said, "Continue, we'll keep quiet."

Han Si completely gave up struggling. He looked at the three elders and said, "I've never used this kind of coal kiln before, and I don't know how it works. How many pieces of porcelain can be fired in one kiln? And how many can be ruined?"

“That’s easy,” Xie Yuyan said. “Since Elder Xing has come to Daming Prefecture, he might as well go and take a look at the new kiln.”

Han Si nodded: "Okay, then let's go to the porcelain kiln tomorrow."

It was impossible for him to sneak away now; he had to point out the flaws in the porcelain, or he would have to take it back to Bianjing.

As soon as Han Si finished speaking, someone whispered, "Even Master Xing doesn't know about coal kilns. He'll have to go to our new kiln to learn the craft."

"Originally, only our area had coal kilns. You can ask Master Xing if you don't believe me."

The common people didn't mince words and immediately asked, "Is it true, Master Xing? Don't other people know how to use a coal kiln?"

Han Si felt a surge of heat rush to his head, and after a long while, he tried to speak in a calm tone: "Indeed, I have not heard of any coal kilns in other parts of Daliang."

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Han Si didn't mean to praise Madam Xie's porcelain kiln; he was just stating the truth. Whether the coal kiln was good or bad was still unknown, but clearly many people misunderstood his meaning.

“Since Master Xing says this porcelain kiln is good,” said the merchant beside Xie Yuyan, “then we have nothing to worry about. We’ll write the paperwork with Madam and go back as soon as possible to get the coal yard and pottery kiln ready.”

Another merchant chimed in, "Yes, we don't need to wait until tomorrow; let's get the paperwork done today."

Han Si looked at the merchants in surprise. Not only had he been manipulated, but he had also helped Madam Xie.

After that, Han Si felt his mind was in complete chaos. He watched as the merchants surrounded Madam Xie and inquired about the construction of the new ceramic kiln.

On the other side, all the Buddhist porcelain statues produced were snapped up.

Those believers who couldn't get a Buddha statue were eager to inquire about the porcelain produced in the same kiln down the mountain, hoping to sell them the porcelain.

Seeing this, Madam Xie stopped her, saying, "They are all the same porcelain. The new porcelain fired in the coal kiln will be sold in the Yang family's ceramics shop."

Looking at the delighted expressions on everyone's faces, Han Si found it all laughable. It was obvious that Baode Temple and Madam Xie were working together to promote the new kiln.

Isn't it obvious that Buddhist charcoal and Buddhist porcelain are used?
Why can't these people see it? They're all happily going to buy porcelain.

But so what? Even if someone steps forward and tells the truth, who can believe them all? Just as he had predicted, the situation will completely change after this Dharma assembly.

Madam Xie's new kiln, new porcelain, and coal kiln will soon be springing up everywhere.

Looking at the dejected Han Si, Xie Yuyan lowered her voice and said to Elder Wei, "After all, he is an expert in porcelain. Now that he has come, we cannot let him leave so easily."

Unless you learn something from him.

Why would you refuse a benefit that's offered to you?