The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 144 Setting up the stall

In the evening, in the duty room, Old Pan lit a candle.

Xiao Yi leaned forward, gesturing with his hands to describe the glass he wanted as clearly as possible.

"Old Zhao, you are a skilled craftsman who built the imperial mausoleum, you should understand what I'm talking about, right?"

"I have never seen the glass that the general mentioned, which is 'glass made from sand.' It does resemble the glass that Bi Liuli is made from sand."

"Oh? What does 'bi liu li' mean?"

"General, have you ever seen the glaze on porcelain? It is so clear and lustrous."

"Yes, that's how it is. Does Old Zhao know how to fire it?"

Zhao Chu stroked his sparse beard, pondered for a while, and said, "This old man can give it a try, but to make it as clear as the general described is difficult. Perhaps I should ask a few old colleagues who often deal with foreign merchants."

"Then I'll leave it to Elder Zhao. Please start working on it as soon as possible. With more attempts, we'll eventually be able to build it."

Although Xiao Yi didn't understand the technology, he was willing to point out the direction, so he was very confident.

Zhao Chu looked fearful and worried, as if he was afraid that he would be killed by this powerful and military man if he failed to produce it. He agreed, took his leave, and said that he would go to find someone to discuss it that night.

Old Pan was also a little worried and asked, "Young master, the emperor needs twenty telescopes. If they can't be made in one or two months, wouldn't that be considered deceiving the emperor?"

"Don't worry, even deceiving the emperor will result in Shi Dechong's head being chopped off..."

Xiao Yi found that doing business was quite stressful. Because he had to do the accounting, he didn't sleep well that night, only managing to sleep for four hours before waking up.

He got up; it was still dark. The rooster that Zhang Yongde had bought to crow had been eaten by someone else, and the camp was quite quiet.

While washing up, I heard someone talking to the soldiers on duty at the gate. When I went over to check, I saw Lü Chou sneaking back.

Xiao Yi said nothing until roll call, when he called Lü Chou out of the line.

"Lü Chou, step forward."

"Here!"

Where did you go last night?

"General, I've had diarrhea for three days..."

"to be honest."

"Yes, I rented a courtyard for Xiaotao in Kaifeng, and I went to see her last night."

"You used the excuse of leaving camp to see her for three nights in a row?"

"No, no, it wasn't to see her. I saw other lovers the other night... No, what are you laughing at? Stand still."

Xiao Yi's expression darkened, and his laughter stopped abruptly.

He deliberately waited a few moments, and seeing that his soldiers were becoming increasingly uneasy and his face tightened, he spoke again.

“Lü Chou violated military discipline and was given twenty lashes and removed from the camp. Hua Nong confiscated his waist badge, armor, and weapons.”

"General! I know I was wrong."

Lü Chou's expression changed immediately, and he quickly knelt down.

Lu You hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward to plead, saying, "General, A Chou used to be a soldier, and he's always been a dissolute person. Please consider this his first offense..."

"Military law is merciless, take him away."

Zhang Mantun hesitated, as if he wanted to offer some advice, but in the end he didn't speak. He then picked up Lü Chou and dragged him out of the training ground.

A moment later, howling sounds came.

Xiao Yi's gaze swept over the soldiers' silent faces, and he said, "Continue training."

"Here!"

It wasn't until the training was over and they returned to their duty room that Xiao Yi ordered someone to carry Lü Chou over.

"Are you feeling wronged?"

Lu Chou, who was lying on the stretcher and groaning, immediately nodded upon hearing this and replied, "I am not wronged in order to uphold military discipline for the general."

"So you feel you've been wronged?"

"General, I tricked Xiao Tao into coming to Kaifeng, I can't just abandon her."

"Can you manage to control everything?"

"I know the general meant well by giving me twenty lashes so I could rest for a few days; otherwise, it really wouldn't be right."

Xiao Yi casually picked up a bag of copper coins and threw it at Lü Chou's face.

Lu Chou first covered his face in distress, but after weighing the bag in his hand, he was overjoyed.

"Thank you for the reward, General."

"Take it to clean up the mess."

As they were talking, Lao Pan brought Zhao Chu in. Xiao Yi didn't have anyone carry Lü Chou out; he just let him lie there listening.

"General, this old man may be able to try to make the glass you want."

"Then let's get started. Is there anything you need?"

"There must be a kiln, preferably in a mountain valley on the outskirts of the city, so that you can cut firewood to make the kiln fire. The valley will block the wind and make it easier for the kiln fire to gather heat. It would be even better if it were close to a water source, so that you can wash and cool the kiln."

How much land is needed?

"Renting two acres is enough."

Xiao Yi shook his head, knowing that Zhao Chu's suggestion only allowed for building a small workshop. He should buy a large plot of land to facilitate future expansion, and more importantly, to maintain secrecy.

He then beckoned to Old Pan and instructed him, "Find a good place in the suburbs and buy the entire mountain in your name."

"My lord, the cost difference is quite significant."

"When it comes to great things, why skimp on small expenses?"

After that, it was nothing more than building cellars, purchasing raw materials, hiring craftsmen, and other minor matters. Xiao Yi only focused on a few key points: the craftsmen had to be trustworthy and able to keep secrets; in addition, he instructed Lao Pan to act in Shi Dechong's name as much as possible, so as not to reveal that he was the real owner.

After the discussion was settled, they looked at Lü Chou again and saw that his face was full of flattery.

"how?"

"General, you are in need of capable people right now. I would like to continue to serve you. I humbly request that you give me a chance."

"I'm not going back to inherit the family business."

“What’s the point of slaughtering pigs? I only want to serve the general, no, I only want to serve my lord with utmost loyalty.” “You were eliminated, so your salary is not as high as that of soldiers.”

"I should, I will definitely do my best."

Xiao Yi then said to Old Pan, "Take him away."

"Hehe, thank you, my lord."

We've finally managed to get the stall up and running for now...

Xiao Yi knew that the current stability was actually quite rare.

Once the New Year celebrations are over, Liu Chong of Hedong will surely react when he learns that Guo Wei has declared himself emperor. Other vassal states, and even other kingdoms, may also become restless.

Therefore, he dared not slack off, setting up industries on one hand and selecting and training soldiers on the other, and practicing martial arts diligently whenever he had free time.

By the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, the troop strength had reached 80%, and he had 400 elite soldiers under his command, whose bodies had also become increasingly robust from the training.

He declined all invitations and never even visited the newly bestowed mansion.

Besides being busy, there are other reasons, such as not having the money to repair it, or not needing to live there if one lives alone.

I'm thinking of bringing Zhang Wan out. Guo Xin promised to stay with her for a few days, but she won't let her go.

When I woke up that day, I didn't know what I had dreamed about, but my vigorous body felt as hard as iron.

He simply went to the drill ground alone and practiced his spear once. Finally, when the time came, he banged the gong to wake up his men for roll call and began rigorous training.

"what!"

"what!"

At Chenshi (7-9 AM), Li Chongjin rode up to the drill ground and said, "Your first commander is making too much noise."

Xiao Yi was prepared to fight him at any time, and stepped forward to say, "Greetings, Commander."

"Go wash up, and don't put on your armor later. Come with me to do some errands."

"Why?"

"Look at you, covered in mud and sweat. You'll catch a chill if the wind blows. Hurry up, I'll wait for you."

Although Xiao Yi didn't know what Li Chongjin was planning to do, he wasn't afraid to wear armor and changed into some light clothing.

Li Chongjin glanced at him and said, "Hehe, he looks quite presentable. No wonder he was able to seduce the palace ladies-in-waiting."

"where are we going?"

"Didn't I say? Go to Jinfeng Garden to play Cuju (ancient Chinese football)."

"The military leader just said it was an official mission."

"It's all because it was in front of the soldiers."

Jin Feng Yuan was an open space west of Daning Palace, where a small cuju (ancient Chinese football) field was set up.

On the field, Guo Shouwen was already preparing with several young men, who all appeared to be from military families.

Screens and elegant seats were set up in the stands next to them, and many women were eating fruits and vegetables, preparing to watch them play Cuju (ancient Chinese football).

Xiao Yi asked, "What's going on?"

"Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival, let's have some fun." Li Chongjin put his arm around his shoulder and whispered, "There are a few sons of warlords who have come to the capital. They've always been disrespectful to us. Let's find a chance to teach them a lesson."

"Who?"

Before Li Chongjin could speak, Zhang Yongde arrived and considerately helped Guo Siniang up to the stands.

Xiao Yi quickly noticed that there were two familiar figures behind Guo Siniang, namely Guo Xin and Zhang Wan, who were dressed in men's clothing.

Guo Xin wore a white robe that made her skin look even whiter. Her outfit lacked any heroic air, but instead made her look more delicate and charming than usual.

Zhang Wan is taller and more slender. With her hair all pulled back, her swan-like neck is even more graceful, her back is straight, and her neat clothes accentuate her slender figure.

Soon, perhaps sensing that he was watching, Guo Xin took Zhang Wan's hand, interlocked their fingers, and waved it in their direction as if in a show of defiance.

Xiao Yi knew that the more he cared, the less likely Guo Xin would give him back.

He pretended not to see it, turned his head, and continued talking to Li Chongjin.

"Brother Chongjin, you still haven't said who it is."

"Who?"

"Who dares to challenge you?"

"Oh, they're here."

Xiao Yi turned around and followed Li Chongjin's gaze. A group of people wearing short, round-necked, narrow-sleeved cuju-style robes walked by, and he immediately noticed one of them.

This man was about twenty-four or twenty-five years old, with a handsome face, resolute eyes, sword-like eyebrows that slanted upwards to his temples, and a nose that was straight and prominent. His appearance was in no way inferior to Zhang Yongde's, but his aura was even stronger. He was tall and robust, and when he talked and laughed with his companions, he exuded a sense of calm and solidity.

Xiao Yi noticed that he had broad, thick hands with large knuckles, clearly indicating that he was a martial artist, but he had a flute tucked into his waistband with a red tassel, which swayed gracefully.

When Zhang Yongde saw him arrive, he quickly led him to the center of the arena.

"Brother Zangyong, you just arrived in the capital yesterday. How have you been?"

"Brother Baoyi, how have you been? After today's football match, we shall have a good drink."

"Of course, I have reserved a private seat at Linque Tower. If I can hear Brother Zangyong play a song then, I will be willing to accept defeat today."

“If Brother Baoyi has the ability to win, regardless of victory or defeat, I will play a song for him.”

"Alright, then let's each use our true skills."

Xiao Yi realized that although the two seemed very polite, they were actually competing with each other.

He then asked Li Chongjin, "Who is that?"

"Gao Huaide, son of Gao Xingzhou, the military governor of Tianping, is very skilled in martial arts. We... cannot defeat him. Today we must beat him in Cuju and deflate his arrogance."

"Brother Chongjin, I'm not very good at Cuju (ancient Chinese football)."

"Getting scared already? Fifth Sister already said you're the best at Cuju (ancient Chinese football). No time for nonsense, let's go."

This was utter nonsense, but things had come to this point, and he couldn't afford to show weakness, so Xiao Yi had no choice but to go on stage and stretch his muscles.

There were more than twenty young people in the room. Gao Huaide did not ask his name, but glanced at him indifferently, with the kind of disdain that a master would show when looking at an ordinary person.

Meeting that gaze, Xiao Yi felt a sudden surge of fighting spirit.

(End of this chapter)