Royal Road Chapter 134

Published at 5th of September 2022 02:15:48 PM

The Xue and Wei families weren't amongst the uppermost strata, but they were of similar status and related by marriage to prestigious families. 

The Xue family had married off a daughter to the Wenxi Pei family; the Wei family had likewise done the same with the Taishan Yang family. Few from the two families entered the officialdom, for their primary engagement was one thing only: trade. 

The Pei family was one of the most powerful in Hedong, and related by marriage to the Prince of Donghai, while the Taihang Yang family had held the office of grand administrator of Shangdang for a number of generations; the twisted web of roots of their power and influence were grown deep. Hedong was known for its salt ponds, and Shangdang for its iron mines. On the surface, the imperial court had sole rights to the profits from the salt and iron trade, but how could the nobles pass up such a lucrative business? 

Thus, it was an open secret that the noble families privately dealt in salt and iron, but to protect their reputations, most of them indirectly conducted their operations through intermediaries, subordinate families belonging to a lower class of aristocracy. The Xue and Wei were two such families.

Xue Ren and Wei Qu had gotten a burning itch in their business-savvy hearts from the rare goods that had presented themselves at the banquet, requesting an audience with His Excellency Liang immediately after the banquet had ended, but were caught off guard when instead of receiving a summons, they were invited to the seat of the commandery government. That had put Xue Ren and Wei Qu in an awkward spot; they both knew what the other was thinking, but no merchant would ever give way out of courtesy, so they both entered the Grand Administrator's Mansion. 

The meeting, being a private affair, was to be held in the rear hall. Upon the grand administrator's entrance, dressed in casual wear now, the two brightened up and saluted. 

Liang Feng sat at the head seat and smilingly saluted in return, “So what is it that brings you gentlemen to my door?”

As the Xue family's status was slightly superior, Xue Ren immediately answered, “It is to my great fortune that I had the chance to meet you today, Your Excellency. I couldn't have imagined that you would be even more transcendent than the rumors implied, that a single cup of tea could bring me such a deep sense of profoundness. How impressive!”

Liang Feng demurred, “A small matter like that hardly deserves praise.”

Not keen on falling behind, Wei Qu hastily smiled, “The simple being I am, couldn't help sighing with admiration upon seeing that lustrous porcelain. It must be the Liang Estate's white porcelain, I presume? Only a person as divine as you, Your Excellency, could complement such exceedingly elegant wares.”

His words pointed directly to his objective. Liang Feng smiled, “You flatter me overmuch, Wei-lang. Servants, bring tea for our two guests.”

White porcelain utensils were brought forth at once. Unlike the lotuses that had been present at the banquet, these two were shaped like magpies after the fashion of Yue ware, but their pure white color and flawlessness, capturing the essence of sprightly doves, was genuinely adorable!  

Xue Ren couldn't help admiring, “This porcelain is truly second-to-none! I question whether one could see its like even in Luoyang.”

Wei Qu's eyes glowed as he thoroughly stroked the cup and sighed, “It's said that Yue ware is unmatched, but only now, after encountering white porcelain, do I know the most pinnacle of wares! If Your Excellency might be willing to part with such treasure, I would offer twenty thousand for this cup!” 

Xue Ren, surprised that Wei Qu would so shamelessly declare his price, hurriedly cleared his throat, “Twenty thousand is too little, I'm afraid. I would give twenty-five thousand!”

And in that manner, the two began bidding right before Liang Feng. Any other person would have swept the two philistines out the door already, but Liang Feng merely raised a brow, “I must inform you, gentlemen, the estate's excess white porcelain is all delivered to Taiyuan.”

Ah! They remembered simultaneously, His Excellency Liang's close friendship with the Taiyuan Wang family. No wonder they'd never noticed any trace of white porcelain in the market. If it were all sent to the Wang family, they would have likely divided it amongst themselves. After all, they were one of the most eminent families under Heaven, what need did they have to put such marvelous rarities for sale?

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It was a rare thing already for an aristocrat to lower oneself to beseech favors, but the reason Xue Ren was unafraid to seem so materialistic was that he knew white porcelain could be sold. If it could be sold, did it matter to whom? In the end, it was only a question of money. Liang Zixi, now that he had risen to grand administrator, was very different from the plain, powerless marquess of before. With his status and reputation, it would slowly become popular fashion to use what he did. Not to mention, the exceptionality of white porcelain itself would increase its market value as well. There was no great loss in spending somewhat more.   

Liang Feng paused for a moment at Xue Ren's words before he said, “Alright; if you truly desire it, Xue-lang, a hundred stone of millet grain would suffice.”

What! Xue Ren nearly choked to death; that was surely too high a price! Even now, when grain prices were low after the recent autumn harvest, a stone of grain still cost around six hundred coins! Moreover, if war broke out with the Xiongnu, who were currently establishing their own kingdom, grain prices would only soar. Who could afford to spend such a preposterous amount?!

Awkwardly forcing a smile on his face, Xue Ren said, “Grain is difficult to ship; could silks take its place? I would give fifty rolls of silk for one item of white porcelain.” 

The price of his offer appeared similar to the price Liang Feng had asked; however, the reality was that grain was more expensive than silk, for most nobles had their own mulberry fields and a decent stockpile of silks, so it was rather economical. 

However, Liang Feng lightly sighed, “It would be better to trade it for silk in Taiyuan.”

Now, Xue Ren realized that the reason he would sell him white porcelain was that transporting grain from Taiyuan was too inconvenient. There would be no doing business if grain were substituted with silk. 

Gritting his teeth, Xue Ren said, “Then would salt be acceptable, Your Excellency? Fifty stone of the highest-quality salt from the salt ponds is equivalent in worth to fifty rolls of silk.” 

Salt was actually slightly cheaper than silk, but it was a necessary military matériel in case of war. It was a substance used up absurdly quickly, and most had to plan for the occasion that the people in Donghai hiked the prices up. Xue Ren had made that offer to test whether His Excellency Liang was only interested in essential goods. 

At that, Liang Feng finally relented, “That would do, I suppose. You are welcome to speak more on the matter with the steward of my estate.”

So he'd agreed then! Xue Ren was delighted. Spending salt for white porcelain was a very decent bargain for him. While there was much profit to be had in salt, there was nothing more to its production than waiting by the ponds watching it dry; far less time and energy consuming than grain, and the supply was steady and guaranteed. Having a monopoly on the market for white porcelain would yield staggering returns!

Wei Qu lamented silently to the side. He was certainly unable to procure so much grain, and salt was even more of an impossibility. That Xue fellow had made it openly clear that he was going to corner the market for white porcelain. How frustrating it was to encounter such an irritating thorn so close to the threshold! The wheels in his mind spinning rapidly, Wei Qu said, “I don't understand much about porcelain and such, but my mother believes strongly in dharma and loves especially the seven Buddhist treasures, of which lazuli is most difficult to procure.” 

There were seven treasures of Buddhism, but they weren't fixed. The Prajñāpāramitā Sūtras listed them as gold, silver, lazuli, coral, amber, giant clam, and agate. His Excellency Liang's particular fondness of the Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra guaranteed that he considered lazuli to be one of the seven treasures. 

Liang Feng seemingly gained interest upon hearing Wei Qu mention the seven treasures, “The seven Buddhist treasures represent the Saptabodhyaṅga. Lucent lazuli, pure and perfect, is the treasure of samādhi. One who reveres Buddha should wear it to aid them in their practice.”

To hear him speak of it, one would think that lazuli was something one could find just off the side of the road. Wei Qu smiled awkwardly, “Lazuli is difficult to obtain, however….”

Liang Feng smiled, “Lüzhu, bring the box over.” 

The maidservant beside him left immediately and returned shortly with a wooden box, respectfully setting it on the table. Liang Feng casually opened the box and lifted a handful of its contents, “I seem to be fated with this lazuli. They were made a short time ago, and I was just planning to string them into a necklace.”

Wei Qu's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets! There, resting on Liang Feng's palm, were lazuli pearls, yet to be carved into beads, each of them perfectly round and tinted cyan-blue, with a faint suggestion of wispy clouds. It was high-quality, to be sure! Was fate all it took to make something like this?! Or was he truly the incarnation of the Medicine Buddha?!

Such fine lazuli, complemented by jade and precious metals, would surely make for priceless jewelry — a far more worthwhile endeavor than making prayer beads! 

As the Xue family had already swallowed up the white porcelain, he was determined to seize this opportunity, “Are you amenable to parting with them? For each pearl, I would give…… three thousand coins!”

Three thousand was a more than reasonable price, considering that lazuli wasn't extremely rare, and would require further composing before it could be sold. Yet, Liang Feng shook his head, “How could Buddhist artifacts be sold for money? Although, if you were able to make iron ploughs, which would alleviate Shangdang's desperate need to cultivate more farmland, they could be traded for the benefit of the people.” 

Iron ploughs? They were easier to make than steel weapons, but the labor and material costs were still rather high; exchanging them for lazuli seemed too expensive. 

Just when Wei Qu was about to haggle down the price, Liang Feng spoke again, “The iron ploughs that are currently in use within Shangdang are forged differently from ordinary ploughs in a somewhat difficult process which requires refined iron. If you are so inclined, Wei-lang, I could give the blueprint to you. These iron ploughs are three-tenths more efficient than regular ones. They should be of some value, even if they are only sold to aristocratic families.” 

That came as a great surprise to Wei Qu. Wasn't he essentially giving a design for a completely new plough to him free of charge? As far as the Wei family was concerned, the extra trouble and expense in making it was only a matter of spending more man-hours, as the ability to make the new implement meant it would be a long-term source of revenue. Not only was he not at a disadvantage, he'd even gotten the better side of the deal! 

Was it because he'd mentioned Buddha that he was granted such generosity?

“Oh, I am so very abashed to receive such courtesy from you, Your Excellency,” or so Wei Qu said, but he wasted no time in agreeing, “In that case, I shall certainly forge some iron ploughs for you, Your Excellency. If I may ask, pearls of lazuli are there? ”

“Perhaps over two hundred,” Liang Feng gave a number, after thinking for a brief moment. 

Wei Qu was stupefied. Over two hundred?! Was that an amount he could casually make?! If he could make more than two hundred pearls in one breath, would lazuli still be worth anything?!

Liang Feng softly sighed, “It was mere coincidence that I obtained so many. A hundred are of even size, but there is slight variation in the other hundred. I am uncertain whether I could ever acquire such lovely lazuli again. If that is too much for you, Wei-lang, you could take less….”

“No, no! They have such affinity with Buddhism that it would only be right to take them all!,” Wei-lang said hurriedly in realization. Lazuli was still lazuli, even if the amount had been more than he'd expected. Moreover, with so many pearls of equal size and quality, he alone could envision over a dozen enormously extravagant ornaments. And his “uncertainty” in procuring more lazuli was a statement of his intent to limit its production to increase its value.

With this, he could make a fortune. It would be an unconscionable waste not to take them all! 

Seeing the enthusiasm in his eyes, Liang Feng naturally nodded with a smile in acceptance.

Even though neither Xue Ren nor Wei Qu had not occupied the entire benefits, they were both immensely satisfied, for white porcelain and lazuli were both a highly lucrative business, and all they'd spent was some measly salt and iron. The two took their leave without delay and went off to find Jiang Ni for further discussion. Liang Feng quietly breathed in relief; he had not held the banquet in vain then. 

He'd put careful consideration into the guest list. The invitees would all be nobles to be sure, but he had to at least invite a few of the great families' proxies, for the express purpose of capturing their interest in white porcelain and lazuli. Sure enough, the two wealthiest families had raced to get ahead and raised prices as they bid against one another. What was more serendipitous was that, currently, the things he required most were not money or grain, but the military matériel in their possession. 

The importance of salt need not be said; iron ploughs were also an unobtainable asset at the moment. Disregarding the amount of iron it would take, the Liang Estate's metalworks simply didn't have enough manpower. Giving the blueprints to the Wei family and using lazuli to convince them to make ploughs was another matter entirely, however. The Wei family could easily make the farming tools he so urgently needed, given that they likely had hundreds of smiths in their iron mines. And since they would be made with refined iron, they could be reforged into sabers and spears in case there was a weapons shortage. It was two birds with one stone. 

That was the most convenient method until he could establish his own mines. As for lazuli, he really wasn't on mass-producing it, or else it'd be difficult to profit off it. Until arriving in this era, Liang Feng hadn't known that glassware had existed in China since ancient times, though they were made differently from what he knew. Glass was cast in molds and had poor heat resistance because of their high lead content, so they could only serve as artwork. 

The glass cups imported from the west did resemble those he remembered, and were suitable for everyday use. Thus, he had abandoned the ancient way of glassmaking at the very outset, beginning the development of cheaper sodlime glass. He wasn't quite sure where the sodlime came from, but there were only so many commonly used materials they could be. 

It only took a few months of experimentation for the workshops to grasp the basics of glassmaking. When their glassblowing technique matured, that would be the time when they really started earning a killing off it. Was there any doubt that perfectly transparent glass wouldn't sell for a high price?

And aside from those suckers, it wasn't like he hadn't gotten anything else out of the banquet. Liang Feng pondered briefly, then said to Lüzhu, “Go summon Registrar Duan.” 

Although dialectics had been the only activity at the banquet, Liang Feng had carefully observed the scholars who'd been present. Not all the attendees today had power and influence. There were those amongst the scholar-gentry who were of modest means or were downright poor. He could choose from them to form a pool of backup officials. Orders to take in refugees had already been passed out to each county, but not every magistrate could execute them well. He wouldn't hesitate to replace anyone who was incompetent or had an attitude problem.  

That did not count as employing lowborn. Since they were gentry as well, all the others could say was, “only merit mattered.” The impact it would have on Shangdang, though, would be tremendous. Only by hammering Shangdang into an iron barrel could he ensure that they could endure the pressure when Bing Province fell into chaos and protect as many people as possible.

For that goal, there was no such thing as too much preparation!

The author has something to say: 

As to the making of lazuli, it depends on the dynasty. Glassmaking was known in China as early as the warring states period; and unlike western sodlime glass, it required lead and barium cosolvents, making the glass expensive and its thermal properties poor. It could only be used as jewelry or art pieces. After the Han dynasty, China began importing large amounts of glass from the west. By the Northern Wei dynasty, they'd figured out glassblowing; then, lead glass and alkali glass were created. 

Book of Wei, “Records of the Western Regions”: “In Emperor Taiwu's time, the merchants of his people (Greater Yuezhi) traded in the capital; they claimed they could cast stone into five-colors lazuli. Thus, they mined ores in the mountains, returned to the capital to cast them, successfully; its lustre surpassed that of the west. By imperial decree, a palace, large enough to hold a hundred people, was made of it. All those who saw the colored light passing through gasped with awe, as if it were the work of a god. Afterward, lazuli gradually became cheap; people no longer valued it.” 

So you see, as long as the craftsmanship was possible, they could make glasses with very high transparency. By the Tang dynasty, lazuli was used in antique artifacts in various ways: glaze carving, embossed decals, gilding, etc. They were just as exquisite as modern works. In the Song dynasty, glass artisans started appearing among the populace, and only the most extravagant of glassware would be enshrined in burial tombs. By the Ming dynasty, glass was plain cheap, so glass burial goods were extremely uncommon.

If one transmigrates to before the Song dynasty, making glass counts as a get-rich-quick profession, though the workmanship and fire temperature might be finicky. After the Song dynasty, it'd probably be really difficult to outcompete the techniques of the craftsmen of that time period.

Chapter end