Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 296 Stepping Stone

"Madam."

Xu En and Xie Yuyan arrived at the second floor of the inn and found a quiet room. As soon as they sat down, Xu En couldn't wait to speak.

"I came here for the pottery vase."

Upon hearing Xu En's words, Xie Yuyan nodded and said, "Does Chief Xu find anything about the pottery bottle that is not handy? I can instruct the craftsmen to make improvements."

"no no."

It's not that it's not handy; it's that it's too handy.

Xu En said, "The pottery vases that Madam makes are good in every way, except..."

He was embarrassed to say that the pottery vase was gone, shattered in the explosion. He felt somewhat sorry for Madam Xie, who had worked so hard to make the porcelain, only to have it reduced to a pile of fragments in just one day in his hands.

Xie Yuyan waited for Xu En to continue.

Xu En said, "In short, the pottery bottles are extremely useful to us, so I want Madam to help me fire another kiln."

"One kiln?" Xie Yuyan said, "Wouldn't that be too much? This pottery bottle has just been improved, so we should use it for a while longer before we know how it really is."

The Yang family's newly built pottery kiln, even the smallest one shaped like a steamed bun, can fire several hundred intact pottery bottles. If the firing temperature is well controlled, there will be fewer defective products, and even more can be produced.

Xu En said, "I need at least two hundred of those ceramic vases."

He wasn't just saying he wanted to equip both the left and right guards with these ceramic vases; he genuinely wanted to do it. Even if the imperial court refused, he would use his own salary to do it.

You'll know how good something is once you use it.

He also wanted to see what it would look like if all two hundred ceramic bottles were used to throw black oil.
Of course, saying this would definitely get me beaten up.

The earthenware bottle was fired for practical use, not to be thrown around as a firearm. If it could become part of the military, that would be ideal; but if it didn't, wouldn't all this effort have been wasted?
Actually, Xu En wasn't afraid that the pottery bottle was useless; he was afraid that it would be seized by the arms workshop, leaving Madam Xie with nothing. Of course, he would try his best to prevent such a thing from happening, but he couldn't say anything until he succeeded.

Furthermore, both the Demonic Cult and the Black Fire Oil are secrets and cannot be revealed to anyone.

Xu En pondered for a moment, wanting to continue persuading, but Xie Yuyan had already nodded: "Alright, I'll arrange for someone to fire a kiln for you, so you can get the pottery bottle as soon as possible."

Xu En was overjoyed, but he immediately remembered that he hadn't finished speaking: "Actually, I have another request. Madam, could you please not sell these pottery bottles for the time being? After I receive this batch, please don't fire any more of the same pottery bottles... In other words, please don't let these pottery bottles circulate."

"In case this ceramic bottle is used by the military in the future, it is best not to see it in the general public."

Xu En also knew that it was impossible to completely eliminate it, but at least for a period of time, it should be restricted.

“I understand,” Xie Yuyan said. “Besides the kiln of pottery bottles, I will also hand over the method of making the pottery bottles to Chief Xu.”

Xu En was immediately taken aback: "Madam, are you so at ease? What if I take it to the armory to make..."

Xie Yuyan said, "If the military equipment workshop can adopt this method to fire pottery bottles, it can save a lot of money, and our efforts will not have been in vain."

Xu En looked at Xie Yuyan and suddenly realized that she was truly a remarkable person. Talking to her was exceptionally easy; without thinking or hesitating, he readily agreed.

"Don't worry, Madam, I will report this to the court. At the very least, this credit must remain with the Yang family's pottery kiln," he said, looking outside. "If there's anything else you need my help with, just let me know."

Xie Yuyan shook his head: "Everything has been arranged. When Elder Han Xing came to Daming Prefecture, he pointed out the porcelain from various kilns, and everyone was grateful. From now on, we will entertain Elder Han Xing during his stay in Daming Prefecture as a sign of our respect." Xu En thought of the situation just now. Han Si was as obedient as a quail, and it seemed that he really didn't need to do anything.

But he had nothing to repay Madam Xie with right now, so he decided to take one last look at Han Si before leaving and warn him to behave himself.

Xu En thought this way and did it that way. When he stepped out of the house, he glanced at Han Si, who immediately panicked and almost dropped the porcelain bottle in his hand.

Xie Yuyan did not rush back, but looked down at the people on the first floor.

When Elder Wei and Elder Geng arrived, Xie Yuyan whispered, "With Elder Han Xing's help, it will be easier for us to select a few usable porcelain kilns."

Old Wei nodded: "It was indeed a great help." There are many porcelain kilns near Daming Prefecture and Luzhou, but it is not easy to select a few that can be integrated with the Luzhou kiln techniques. The three old men have been busy with this recently.

Before Han Si arrived, they had to leave Daming Prefecture and search for porcelain kilns one by one. Now, thanks to Han Si's reputation, they have gathered all the people who make porcelain kilns in the vicinity here.

It makes things much easier for them.

Moreover, there were other people helping them inspect the porcelain.

Old Wei stroked his beard and smiled, "This is what Master Xing should do. Leaving behind a few porcelain kilns is his achievement, but no one will thank him."

Whether it was voluntary or out of necessity, everyone can see it clearly. Han Si can only point out the merits and demerits of the porcelain; he can't actually help the kiln overcome its difficulties. The person who will help repair the coal kiln and fire new porcelain in the future is none other than Madam Xie.

Han Xing always ends up doing the work for others.

In the future, when the Luzhou Kiln integrates and fires more new shapes, Han Xinglao will have contributed a lot. He will also become a good stepping stone.

……

Baode Temple.

Yan Sui looked at Shen Zhongguan, who was kneeling on the prayer mat chanting sutras. This eunuch looked extremely devout. If you shaved his head and put him in a monk's robe, he would be no different from an ordinary novice monk.

During his stay at Baode Temple, Shen Zhongguan stayed by Master Zhiyuan's side, listening to Zhiyuan preach, and sometimes helping the novices carry water and do chores.

“Master,” Yan Sui said in a low voice, “that eunuch… good man, he seems to have become more devout to Buddha. This is all thanks to Master’s wisdom.”

Zhiyuan didn't know whether he was really good or not, or whether what he was doing was right or wrong.
In the past, when I preached to people, I always hoped that believers would accept and understand the Dharma, find peace and joy in it, and strengthen their faith to continue their practice.

Every time he sees results, he rejoices for the believers and monks.

But now... he doesn't really want to see this outcome.

That Benefactor Shen is now engrossed in cultivation, lingering in the temple and unwilling to step out of the mountain gate even once. Every time he sees Shen Zhongguan's infatuated expression, he feels a little guilty.

He didn't even know whether he was a monk or someone who bewitched others...

"Amitabha, well done, well done!" Zhiyuan hurriedly uttered.

“Master,” Yan Sui said, “I went down the mountain for a walk today. It was quite lively outside. That benefactor Han who came to the temple earlier was blocked at the inn.”

"Amitabha."

“Master,” Yan Sui said, seeing his master’s face growing increasingly grim, “another group of people came up the mountain today asking for seeds. We can save quite a few lives.”