The Young Dragon of the Ming Dynasty: Bound to an Industrial Blueprint from the Start

Sun San looked at Li Wei.

Li Wei pondered for a moment and then nodded.

Upon entering the cave, Yang Pu was stunned by the sight before him.

Three improved distillation units were in operation, and the air was filled with a rich aroma of spirits.

Several craftsmen each performed their duties: some controlled the fire, some recorded the process, and some collected the wine.

What shocked him most were several pieces of paper pasted on the cave wall, on which the process flow, key points of temperature control, and production records were written in charcoal.

Although the handwriting is crooked, it is clear and organized, unlike the work of an ordinary craftsman.

"Did you write all of this down?" Yang Pu asked Sun San.

Sun San smiled innocently: "I don't know many characters. It was His Highness who taught me. His Highness said that a bad pen is worse than a good memory, so I should write everything down."

Yang Pu walked to a table with several porcelain bottles on it, labeled: "Drunken Immortal Brew - Middle Section", "Cleansing Dew - 70%", and "Floral Dew - Jasmine First Trial".

He opened the bottle of "Drunken Immortal Brew," and a strong, refreshing aroma of the wine wafted out.

The wine was as clear as a spring, unlike any wine he had ever seen.

"Does this wine really keep you warm?" he asked.

Sun San nodded vigorously: "Yes! The men in the village have tried it. This small cup," he gestured, "makes you sweat all over!"

Yang Pu opened the bottle of "Cleansing Soothing Lotion" again, and the pungent smell made him frown.

"This is,"

"This is the first brew of wine; it's not for drinking, but it can heal wounds," Sun San said, taking out a wooden box from the side. Inside were Wu Langzhong's experimental records.

"Dr. Wu has tried it, and it works for abrasions and frostbite."

Yang Pu flipped through the records, his hands trembling slightly.

The document details the effects of different concentrations of "Wound Cleansing Lotion" on different wounds, as well as the improved formula with added herbs.

Although the writing is rough, the data is detailed and the conclusions are clear.

Yang Pu put down his notes, took a deep breath, and looked at Sun San: "Master Sun, tell me the truth, did His Highness really order you to do all this?"

Sun San remained silent for a moment, then suddenly knelt down: "Lord Yang, I dare not lie. These methods were indeed taught by His Highness."

Although the young prince is young, he is very clever, has read many books, and knows a lot. He taught us how to make coal briquettes and how to build stoves, and now he is teaching us how to brew wine and make medicine.

He raised his head, his eyes filled with sincerity: "Your Highness truly wants to find a way for the farmers to make a living, and also truly wants to share the burden for His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Lord Yang, you don't know, every time His Highness comes to the estate, he asks the villagers what they lack and how they are doing. He says he is a grandson of the emperor and cannot only think of enjoying himself."

Yang Pu listened, his mind in turmoil.

"Get up." Yang Pu helped Sun San up, his voice a little hoarse. "Master Sun, how much of this wine and medicine do you have now?"

"There's not much Drunken Immortal Brew, only about five catties. There's more Cleansing Dew, about twenty catties. We're still testing Flower Dew, not much yet," Sun San honestly replied.

"Load it all onto the truck," Yang Pu said decisively. "I'm taking it back to the city."

"this,"

"Don't worry, it's what His Highness the Crown Prince wanted," Yang Pu said in a low voice.

"Master Sun, please don't tell anyone why I'm here today. I will handle these wines and medicines properly."

Sun San understood and nodded vigorously, "I understand!"

While loading the truck, Yang Pu saw the distillation equipment again.

He stood there for a long time, then suddenly asked, "Master Sun, can this apparatus be made larger? I mean, if I want to distill 100 jin (50 kg) of liquor at once, is that possible?"

Sun San thought for a moment: "It's possible, but we'll have to rebuild a huge machine. The copper pipes will need to be thicker, the urn will need to be bigger, the heat will be harder to control, and it will cost a lot of money."

"Money is not a problem." Yang Pu's eyes gleamed. "Master Sun, if I let you work at full capacity, how much could you earn in a month, net profit?"

Sun San did some mental calculations: "If we have enough manpower and raw materials, and improve the equipment, we should be able to produce two or three hundred catties a month."

Yang Pu's heart was pounding.

Two or three hundred pounds! If, as the records say, this "wound-clearing lotion" has a miraculous effect on frostbite, then how many border soldiers' lives could two or three hundred pounds save!

"Okay, okay!" he murmured. "Master Sun, wait for my news. Soon, there will be new arrangements."

As Yang Pu left Xishan Villa, he sat in the carriage, watching the scenery rushing past the window, his heart filled with unease.

That evening, Yang Pu returned to the Crown Prince's residence with several sealed boxes.

In the study, Zhu Gaochi looked at the three porcelain bottles on the table: Drunken Immortal Wine, Cleansing Dew, and Flower Dew. After listening to Yang Pu's report, he remained silent for a long time.

"Zhanji," he finally spoke, his voice hoarse, "is that really what he said? He wants to share my burdens?"

"Yes." Yang Pu bowed. "Master Sun said that every time His Highness visits the estate, he asks about the livelihood of the villagers and how the soldiers on the border are doing. This brewing and medicine making is probably not a spur-of-the-moment thing."

Zhu Gaochi picked up the bottle of "Cleansing Lotion", opened it and smelled it. The pungent smell made him frown.

"Is this medicine really effective?"

"Wu Langzhong's records are very detailed." Yang Pu handed over the document. "Although I am not skilled in medicine, these records do not seem to be forged. Moreover, Master Sun said that someone in the village has already used them and the results were excellent."

Zhu Gaochi carefully examined the records, his fingers trembling slightly.

Frostbite, ulceration, amputation—these words have been swirling in his mind these past few days.

And now, his son, a four-year-old child, has come up with a possible solution.

"Scholar Yang," he looked up, tears welling in his eyes, "am I a useless father?"

"Why do you say that, Your Highness?" Yang Pu asked anxiously.

"Zhanji is only four years old, and he already has to worry about these things," Zhu Gaochi said with a wry smile.

"As for me, I can't even feed my soldiers properly, and my son has to secretly help me."

"Your Highness!" Yang Pu knelt down. "Your Highness has devoted yourself wholeheartedly to the affairs of the Northern Frontier, which we have all witnessed. The young prince's dedication is a testament to Your Highness's excellent guidance, and it is a blessing for our Great Ming!"

Zhu Gaochi shook his head and helped Yang Pu up: "Get up."

He took a deep breath. "What do you plan to do with these drinks and medicines?"

Yang Pu said solemnly, "I suggest that we leave the Drunken Immortal Brew untouched for now to avoid attracting attention. A batch of Cleansing Dew can be secretly sent to Xuanfu Town for trial use. If it proves effective, then we can proceed with large-scale production. As for the methods of brewing and making medicine..."

He thought for a moment, then said, "I believe it should be kept in the hands of the imperial court."

"you mean,"

"A 'Crafts Workshop' was established at Xishan Villa, specializing in the preparation of high-proof liquor and purifying dew. Core craftsmen such as Sun San and Wu Langzhong were included in the imperial crafts register, receiving salaries, but were also subject to regulations." Yang Pu explained clearly.

"This way, we can ensure supply, prevent technology leakage, and most importantly..."

He lowered his voice: "All of this can be said to be the result of His Highness the Crown Prince's compassion for the border troops, who ordered the development of this project. The young prince only provided some 'ingenious ideas'."