A Poor Man's Son-in-Law: He Picks Up the Daughter of a Duke's Mansion at the Start

On the tenth day of the eighth lunar month, as the first rays of dawn shone, the Zichen Palace was already filled with solemnity.

Lu Qingyan knelt on the cool gold bricks, three brocade boxes laid out before him in a row. The first box contained the pale blue glass bowl with a scrolling floral pattern; the second was a newly fired tea set—a teapot and four cups; and the third was a square, half-foot-wide transparent glass plate. The three objects shimmered in the morning light, casting dappled shadows throughout the hall.

Emperor Zhao Heng descended the imperial steps slowly. He first walked to the glazed tile, bending down to examine it closely—the surface was as smooth as a mirror, of uniform thickness, and the patterns on the brick floor could be clearly seen through it. He tapped it lightly with his finger, producing a clear, jade-like sound.

"Is this... for windows?" Zhao Heng straightened up and looked at Lu Qingyan.

"Your Majesty, that is indeed the case," Lu Qingyan replied with his head bowed. "Glass is translucent and can be used for doors and windows, providing both protection from wind and rain and bright light. If used in greenhouses, it can keep the plants warm in winter, which is beneficial for crop growth."

A hint of surprise flashed in Zhao Heng's eyes as he walked to the second brocade box. The tea set had been hastily made the night before; the teapot was round and the cups were thin-walled, glazed with a pale blue crackle pattern that shone like ice and jade in the light. He picked up a cup and looked at it against the sunlight streaming in from outside the hall—the cup was so clear that he could clearly see the outline of his fingers.

"How does it compare to Jing Shuo's approach?" the emperor suddenly asked.

Lu Qingyan's heart skipped a beat, but he still said respectfully, "Your subject dares not presume to compare it to the imperial treasures. It is merely a slight improvement on the 'medicinal jade' making method of the previous dynasty, based on ancient records, and fortunately, it has been completed."

Zhao Heng put down the cup and walked to the first brocade box. The bowl with its intertwined floral pattern lay quietly, the floral design seemingly coming to life in the morning light. He looked at it for a long time before slowly saying, "You said this is based on an ancient book… Which ancient book? How come I don't know it?"

The question was asked calmly, yet it contained a hidden sarcasm. Lu Qingyan took a deep breath: "Your Majesty, when I was organizing the classics of the previous dynasty in the Hanlin Academy, I saw a fragment of the 'Tiangong Kaiwu' (The Exploitation of the Works of Nature), which contained a chapter on 'glass,' which recorded that 'by combining quartz sand, limestone, and alkali, one can make a translucent object.' However, the method of making it was not detailed, so I experimented repeatedly with the craftsmen and, by chance, succeeded."

His words were half true and half false. The *Tiangong Kaiwu* (The Exploitation of the Works of Nature) was written by Song Yingxing of the Ming Dynasty. It may not exist in this world, but similar technical texts should. The important thing is that he had to emphasize that this was an ancient method restored from old documents, not something created out of thin air—too shocking would only arouse suspicion.

Zhao Heng was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Do you know how much a set of glass cups from the Western Regions costs?"

"I have heard a little about it."

"Two years ago, one set was exchanged for a hundred top-quality warhorses." The emperor's voice was soft, yet carried immense weight. "Last year, three sets were exchanged for three hundred horses. And most of our dynasty's finest horses come from the northern border." He turned, his gaze sharp as lightning. "Lu Qingyan, do you know what this 'lucky success' means?"

Lu Qingyan bowed: "Your subject is foolish and dull."

"This means that the Western Regions have lost a powerful tool to coerce our dynasty." Zhao Heng walked back to the imperial steps and sat down again. "It means that our dynasty can produce its own glass and no longer needs to exchange warhorses for these flashy but impractical items. It also means..." He paused, "that the Ministry of Revenue can save 100,000 taels of silver in procurement expenses every year."

The hall fell silent. Lu Qingyan knelt, able to hear his own heartbeat.

After a long silence, Zhao Heng finally asked, "What reward do you desire?"

Lu Qingyan raised his head, his expression solemn: "Your Majesty, I dare not ask for a reward. However, now that the glassmaking method has been successfully tested, it would be a waste to keep it only in a private residence. I am willing to offer the formula and technique, and request the court to set up workshops to supervise its production, so that it may benefit the whole country."

These words were spoken earnestly. Zhao Heng stared at him for a long while, then suddenly laughed: "You are indeed generous. Do you know that if you held this formula in your hands, it would be a mountain of gold and silver?"

"Your Majesty, I know," Lu Qingyan said frankly. "But I also know that a common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime. If the glassmaking technique can fill the national treasury and strengthen our Great Yong, then it will be the best use of resources."

A hint of approval flashed in Zhao Heng's eyes. He pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Since you are willing to offer the formula, I cannot mistreat a loyal minister. Here's what we'll do—the Glassmaking Bureau will be established under the Ministry of Revenue, and you will be in charge. Of the glass produced, the court will take 80% of the profits, and the remaining 20% ​​will go to you. Furthermore, you are promoted to Assistant Minister of Revenue, a fourth-rank official, specifically in charge of this matter."

A three-rank promotion! Lu Qingyan's heart skipped a beat. From a seventh-rank Hanlin Compiler to a fourth-rank Assistant Minister of Revenue, this was not merely a leap in rank, but a consolidation of real power. He bowed deeply, saying, "Your Majesty... I thank you for your great favor. However, I am still instructing the Third Prince, and I fear it will be difficult to attend to both..."

"I have my own arrangements for Jing Shuo," Zhao Heng waved his hand. "You go to the Ministry of Revenue to hand over your duties first, and take office in three days. As for instructing Jing Shuo... you only need to go there for two days every ten days from now on."

This was a way to utilize him without completely removing him from his position as a tutor to the princes. Lu Qingyan understood the emperor's deeper meaning—being a tutor to the princes was a prestigious position, while holding a real post in the Ministry of Revenue was a source of power. Having both was both a favor and a check on the system.

"I obey your decree."

"Get up." Zhao Heng gestured for him to rise. "I'll keep that tea set. This glass plate..." He looked at the transparent panel, "Send it to the Ministry of Works and have them study greenhouse construction. As for this bowl... take it to Jing Shuo and tell him it was a gift from his master."

Lu Qingyan was taken aback: "Your Majesty, this..."

"Since he likes glass, let's give him something to look forward to," Zhao Heng said calmly. "And let him know that his master is not just a storyteller."

These words were quite meaningful. Lu Qingyan dared not ask further and simply agreed respectfully.