The weak scholar in the end of ancient times

Chapter 87 New Tycoon

Despite the biting cold wind, Jingxingfang had ceased operations, but the kilns in Qingyunfang were still running.

Several special kilns have adopted insulation measures, with the insulation layer of the kiln body thickened.

The improved kiln requires highly experienced craftsmen to operate and manage it in order to maintain stable operation.

Even so, the low-temperature environment still increases firing costs. The technical challenges are even greater; a slight oversight can lead to firing failure.

Of course, this failure only refers to not meeting the requirement of reviewing the material.

In recent days, the Treasure Bridge in Jingxingfang has been the hottest topic in the city, and the craftsmen have also gone to see it during their spare time. After the initial shock and amazement, they knew in their hearts that those so-called rare treasures actually contained many flaws.

The kiln testing is still ongoing.

With the low temperatures of winter and the increased costs of raw materials and auxiliary materials, experienced craftsmen can estimate how much money they burn every day.

Some people had concerns and specifically went to review the previous article: due to various factors, too much money was spent, and the finished product still did not meet your standards, so should we suspend it for now?
In response, Wen Gu said, "No need to worry, keep burning!"

Failed products will find their own way out.

Even now, the technology is still limited. Experiments such as color removal, color adjustment, impurity removal, and bubble removal result in flawed products that are placed on the eaves or hung on the wall as paintings, but few people will go up to take a closer look.

Once the technology improves, they can be replaced one by one during routine building maintenance.

The beauty created by distance can continue to exist.

The review required two types of colorless transparent glass: one was a thin, transparent glass in the shape of a petri dish, and the other was a thicker, clear glass without bubbles, which was to be used for polishing.

The craftsmen didn't know what the polishing tools were for, only that the workshop head had extremely high standards.

Those that fail to meet the requirements during the experiment and trial process are recycled if possible, and otherwise used as other "building decoration materials".

However, the craftsmen did not have strong negative feelings, and Wenfangzhang paid them very readily.

Moreover, the review marked several time periods. The faster the qualified products were developed, the greater the rewards the craftsmen would receive. They might even be recruited into the Zhao family's workshop as junior managers, and their families could be settled together! This was something many craftsmen dreamed of!
Wen Gu held the latest fired product up to the light and examined it closely.

In fact, with the accumulation of experience and the improvement of techniques, the craftsmen were already very close to meeting his requirements.

Counting down the days until the New Year, I would visit the craftsmen during their meal breaks to offer a few words of encouragement.

With renewed vigor and unwavering confidence, we will push forward with renewed determination and high spirits!
……

On the road to Xinzhou City.

A large procession of carriages and horses moved forward in the cold wind, looking from a distance like a giant snake winding its way across the snow.

Although the sky was clear, the temperature was cold, and the thick layer of snow on the ground had not melted.

Fortunately, after entering Xinzhou, the local city defense troops had cleared the roads in advance, and some sections were even filled with burnt coal ash to prevent slipping.

The team didn't need to spend as much time clearing snow and removing obstacles. The road surface was also smoother, which made the people in the carriages much more comfortable.

At the very front of the column were the cavalry of the Xinzhou hunting army.

Following closely behind were mounted guards dressed in distinctly different clothing, each guarding their master's important carriages and goods.

Inside the large carriage near the front of the procession sat an old woman and a young man.

Both of them looked exhausted from their long journeys and exhaustion in order to make a living.

Buddhist patterns were embroidered on many of the expensive fabrics used to decorate the carriage.

The young man wore a string of Buddhist prayer beads on his wrist.

He raised his hand, slightly lifted the curtain, and looked at the monotonous snow scene outside.

They came from the South. In their hometown, it rarely snows in winter, and snow only occasionally falls during exceptionally cold winters.

Some nobles would also go to the warm and bustling towns in the south to recuperate during the winter.

However, with the spread of the plague, the warm climate has brought many disadvantages, and towns in the south have been destroyed one after another.

From the beginning to the end of the year, we experienced the threat of evil spirits every day, and the air was filled with a tragic and desperate atmosphere.

Last winter, they moved their family and some supplies to several small islands, but this was not a long-term solution.

They decided to send a group north to seek more opportunities for survival and a longer-term future for their family.

Among the information gathered, they considered all six major powers in the North.

With a large family and a large business, those in power bear greater pressure. Time is of the essence, and decisions must be made as soon as possible.

After nearly a year of observation, during which the Zhao family sent people south to contact them, they ultimately contacted three other major shipping companies and chose to go to Xinzhou.

When the fleet approached the coast and a large amount of supplies were exchanged for Xinzhou Qianyin (a type of currency), their future path was basically set.

This road leads directly to Xinzhou; changing routes midway would result in significant losses.

The teams arriving at the harbor will come in batches.

Many people are not used to the northern weather and are also tired from the journey, so they need to rest for a longer period of time.

They were the first group to head to Xinzhou City, but were forced to stop twice along the way due to the weather.

On the southern coast, when the gale rises, it carries a destructive power, brimming with moisture, as if it wants to sweep people into it and drown them.

The biting, fierce winds of the North are like rows of ice blades, each one piercing deep into the bone.

They were indeed not used to it, but they also saw that the monsters that had driven them to the brink of despair in the South were like those under a spell cast by gods and Buddhas, or like rusty machines, slow and dull.

When they stopped to rest in a town along the way, the army and guards cleared out the evil creatures hiding there as easily as cutting melons and vegetables.

It felt like we were encountering a completely different kind of monster.

The limitations of low temperatures are so obvious!
"Winter in the North truly holds a glimmer of life!"

The young man lowered the curtain to prevent more cold winds from blowing in.

The old woman beside her also turned her gaze away and began to pluck the prayer beads in her hand.

In today's world, the harsh winter and snowfall also serve a protective function.

"It's been so long since I've felt this quiet," the old woman sighed softly.

Winters in the North are cold, but there is also a reassuring tranquility.

Otherwise, in ordinary times of chaos, they could have formed their own power in the south!

Those who succeed in maritime trade and build large businesses are not lacking in connections or wealth. Far from the emperor's reach, their luxurious lifestyles rival those of the high-ranking nobles in the capital.

now……

"Ugh!"

The young man sighed silently.

After much deliberation and planning, we finally arrived at Xinzhou City!
They saw the newly built, magnificent defensive fortifications, as well as the military garrisons in the outer city.

Even with a jumble of thoughts on my mind, I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

We've arrived at our destination, and it seems relatively safe and reliable.

They will rest for another night in the outer city.

As members of several powerful families, they are exempt from quarantine here, but they need to rest and recuperate here.

Once we enter the inner city, we'll have to start socializing and entertaining people. We can't go to meet people looking disheveled and exhausted, can we?

I thought the conditions in Xinzhou would be harsh, and I was mentally prepared for a significant drop in my quality of life, but I never expected that even my temporary accommodation would contain something new and interesting!
"Glass windows? Xinzhou is so extravagant?!"

The young man looked surprised.

They were engaged in maritime trade and had quite a few imported glass items, so it wasn't unusual for them. But it was far from enough to warrant using glass for windows! "It's better than window paper and roofing sheets; it's windproof, rainproof, and lets in light." The old woman's gaze passed through the glass window, looking at the scenery outside.

"Xinzhou has mastered the firing technique!"

They sent people to inquire further and learned that the residences in the outer city for receiving distinguished guests all had glass windows installed. However, production was currently limited, and many wealthy families in the inner city were still in line!
“Grandmother, we’ll all change into these after we enter the city,” the young man said.

Those who sought refuge with the Zhao family were able to enjoy certain preferential treatment.

He couldn't help but estimate the benefits the Zhao family could gain from this.

Apart from the glass windows, the other furnishings inside were actually quite ordinary in their eyes.

The old woman's initial curiosity about the glass window faded, and her expression returned to calm.

The young man knew the old man missed his family still on the southern island, and he missed them too. This trip was to scout out whether to bring his family over; they needed to see if Xinzhou was worth it!

"I heard there's a new bridge in Jingxing Ward in Xinzhou City. I'll have to see it sometime!"

It sounds exciting, but the attitude is actually casual.

They also found newspapers in the room.

The young man picked it up and read it for a while before reading it to the old man.

Outside, the guards and attendants gathered together to discuss the matter.

According to the information I gathered, the hottest topic in Xinzhou City recently is Baoqiao.

"Jingxingfang and Qingyunfang? Jingqing Lane? Where in the inner city are they?"

“I asked the city defense soldiers, and they said that once you enter the inner city, you can see that there is a tall, glazed bridge suspended in the air.”

"All treasures? Is it really that amazing? You must be exaggerating!"

"There must be some exaggeration. Border towns are harsh and cold, and rare and precious things are hard to find."

They're in the maritime trade; they've seen countless rare and exotic things. Unlike the locals who are ignorant.

"But there are also many noble families here, so perhaps they were the ones who helped."

"Never mind whether it's true or not, everyone get ready! The inner city is already inhabited by wealthy nobles, and countless eyes are watching us. We're entering the city tomorrow, and we can't let our master down!"

After a night's rest, the first group of the four major maritime families—Feng, Liang, Xu, and Guo—who had migrated from the south to the north, entered the inner city of Xinzhou the next day, led by the Feng family.

The leading guard was from the Feng family.

They had fought against bandits and pirates, and risked their lives against evil forces in chaotic times. Their wild bodies, forged by years of ocean waves, were agile and dangerous. They may not be physically imposing, but their ferocity was no less than that of the border troops.

At this moment, in order to support their employer, whether they were riding horses or walking closely behind, they were all steady, powerful, and full of momentum.

The guards on horseback had stern faces, but they were thinking to themselves.

As trusted confidants, they knew more information.

The Feng family, being devout Buddhists, initially intended to join the Ren clan, one of the major powers in the north.

It was only because the Zhao family was the first to contact them and offered promises and sincerity that they joined forces with the other three families to come to Xinzhou.

However, it was also heard that the Zhao family did not have a good attitude towards Buddhism and Taoism.

No temples are allowed to be built; only Buddhist shrines are permitted in one's own home.

The guards and attendants also followed their master's preferences, worshipping Buddha on land, except for the sea goddess related to naval affairs.

Upon entering the inner city, one gains a deeper understanding of the local market system and the strict order maintained even amidst chaos.

The walls and fences only revealed the rooftops of the taller buildings, but none of them resembled a temple.

There were no monks on the road.

The Zhao family really doesn't build temples!

Will they only be able to worship Buddha at home from now on?
He had some thoughts on his mind, but he also kept a close eye on his surroundings.

Something seemed to flash past in my peripheral vision.

The brilliance, the vibrant colors, the dazzling light—not the light of a sharp weapon.

He turned to look for it.

Bathed in sunlight, a dreamlike flying bridge comes into view.

"I... Ah... Wow!"

I wanted to say something, but for a moment I didn't know what to say. I remembered that I couldn't shout or yell and embarrass my employer, so I could only utter syllables haltingly.

The rider on horseback had a wide field of vision and discovered one spectacular sight after another.

One by one, they twisted their necks, and some couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, almost falling off their horses.

The saddle felt like it was nailed to the ground, making it impossible to sit still. I wanted to calmly look ahead at the road, but my gaze couldn't help but follow that glittering place.

"Is there some custom here, like making it from melted ice?" someone asked in a hoarse voice.

"How can it be!"

If it were placed on snow, there might be such doubts, but!

Look at the high-reaching flying bridge over there, look at the roof tiles and walls that look like they're piled up with jewels, and the glass windows on both sides that seem to be free and the dazzling stream of light!

"That's the legendary Xinzhou Treasure Bridge?!"

Is Xinzhou City really that rich?!

Inside the protected carriage, the young master Feng Zaining and his wife were looking at a list of identity information for powerful and important figures in Xinzhou City.

Their strengths lie in water and naval aviation, which are difficult to utilize in Xinzhou. Although they know the Zhao family will definitely make other arrangements for them in the future, they are restricted in the short term.

The old-fashioned aristocratic families and the newly powerful elites, in this chaotic world with its unprecedented order and rules, may not necessarily welcome their arrival.

The grandfather and grandson discussed how to exchange gifts and resources during the upcoming holidays and social gatherings, and how to quickly integrate into the upper echelons of Xinzhou City.

Hearing the commotion outside, the grandfather and grandson's first reaction was—this was a show of force from the local powerful figures!

With a sense of vigilance, Feng Zaining lifted the curtain beside him, and a guard came over and briefly informed him in a low voice.

Not the powerful and wealthy?

Baoqiao?

Feng Zaining was somewhat surprised. He stepped out of the carriage, stood on the horse-drawn carriage, and looked in the direction everyone was looking.

His eyes narrowed slightly from the flash, then widened in surprise.

From their vantage point, although they couldn't see the entire bridge, they could still see most of it. Even from a distance, they could still sense its radiant and sacred beauty!

If it is a small item, such a radiant and precious object should be offered in a Buddhist shrine!

I vaguely saw some colorful light spots moving on it.

Feng Zaining felt a wave of dizziness.

Xinzhou City... seems to be different from what they expected!

They dislike Buddhism and Taoism here; could it be that they worship another kind of deity?!

He appeared calm and composed on the surface, but the prayer beads on his wrist trembled slightly, while inwardly he was frantically striking the wooden fish!

I wonder if it's possible to donate some money for merit there?

(End of this chapter)