"What's so special about this blue brick?" Assistant Minister Zhang Zhiliang looked up and asked Shangshu Zuo Ningyuan curiously.
Zuo Ningyuan handed him the memorial and explained, "This blue brick was made specifically for the capital, hence the name Jing Brick. Its uniqueness lies not only in its name..."
The other party took the letter, read it carefully, and then a look of sudden enlightenment appeared on his face. He exclaimed in amazement, "It turns out that the production process of these Beijing bricks is so complicated and delicate. It takes pine branches to burn for a full 40 days before it can be fired out of the kiln. It is really ingenious."
Everyone circulated the memorial presented by the chief, which detailed the selection of soil for these Beijing bricks: the soil must be from the west of Taihu Lake and the north side of the canal. It should be sticky but not loose, powdery but not sandy. After firing, it would make a crisp metallic sound when struck, and it would break without holes, hence the name "gold brick."
Xue Zhongfu watched all this silently from the side. Shen Qishan spent a lot of effort on the floor tiles of Wanshou Hall and developed this Beijing brick to present to the emperor. He was also happy for the Shen family.
In the evening, he finished his official duties in the meeting hall, and was worried about telling his mother what he had heard about the Shen family today.
He rode back to the mansion at dusk. He hurried into the Prajna Hall to pay his respects. He saw the maids in the hall busy with their heads down. When they saw him come back, they all bowed and greeted him.
Xue Zhongfu waved his hand to signal them to excuse themselves, then asked, "Is mother in the hall?"
The maids exchanged glances, and one of the older maids replied respectfully, "Reporting to the Second Young Master, General Duan and his family left the capital today to return to their hometown in Gusu. The old lady took a carriage to the outskirts of the city after noon to see them off..."
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