Since his soul fell into the Wei Dynasty, Rong Xi has not washed his hair or bathed his body because of his illness and the chilly autumn wind.
Although it is not easy to sweat in autumn, the dirt on the body surface can be seen by rubbing. Rong Xi could not bear it and asked Liu He to bring a bathtub.
The bathtub was an old one, covered with dust and cobwebs. After washing it and drying it in the sun, he scalded it with boiling water and let Xifang scrub his body carefully.
The people of Wei do not like to bathe, especially in autumn and winter, because they sweat less, so they dislike bathing even less. Not to mention the officials and nobles, even the common people only bathed once or twice in winter, and their bodies were covered in grease and dirt, and fleas were active on their hair, but they didn't care.
As far as he knew, the Liu family's ancestors and grandchildren had not washed for a month.
It is extremely difficult to go from extravagance to frugality. Rong Xi was unwilling to follow the local customs in such matters. Liu's grandparents and grandchildren always followed him. He didn't want people around him to be unkempt, so he asked the two of them to bathe carefully and change into new clothes.
Now that he has ten strings of cash in his hand, he is able to improve his life.
After taking a bath, it was time to turn off the lights. The room was dark, with only the faint moonlight visible outside the window.
The Liu family's grandfather and grandson lay together on the bed, and Liu He gave them earnest instructions.
"My dear, you are so kind. You must serve me wholeheartedly in the future and never slack off."
Liu He guarded the ancestral home for decades and witnessed many changes in the world and people's hearts. He was loyal to his master, and even though Rong Xi was sent to Linxi by mistake, he never treated him badly, but that was not sincere.
However, after spending more than ten days together, I realized that my husband was not a domineering person, but a kind and open-minded person, and he did not look down on his servants.
He is already old, with half his feet buried in the earth, and the person he is most worried about is his grandson. I was worried the whole night, not knowing what my grandson's future would be like. But now my husband is kind-hearted and capable. If my grandson is by his side, I will surely live a peaceful life.
My husband is not an ordinary person, so let your grandson also have some of the spirit of Longmen.
"Don't worry, Grandfather. I will serve you carefully."
Although young Liu is ignorant and honest, he can distinguish between good and evil. The young man has amazing abilities, is generous and easy-going, has excellent cooking skills, and even gave him new clothes. If the young man does not abandon him, he will do his best to protect him.
Rong Xi was unaware of the agreement between the grandfather and grandson. He only felt that the quilt was as cold as iron. The hard and thin quilt covered his body, and there was no feeling of being comfortable or soft at all. If it had not been dried in the sun during the day, it would have been even colder.
There was no cotton cultivation in the State of Wei, so in winter people either used blankets or filled quilts such as duck down or cashmere to keep warm. However, such quilts were only available to wealthy families.
Ordinary people can fill cloth bags with willow catkins, straw, and reed flowers to get through the winter.
In later generations, cotton was of high quality and low price, and many people used it, but unfortunately it was not available here.
Rong Xi curled up all night, but fortunately he had thick fat to keep out the cold, so he did not freeze into an ice stick. It's only autumn now, but it's already very cold. What will he do if winter comes?
Ten strings of cash are not a lot, and quilts are expensive. Purchasing a large number of them will definitely cost money.
The current solution is to open source.
After a cool night, Rong Xi got up in the morning and went jogging in the yard before the first sun appeared.
The Liu family's grandparents and grandchildren stood up one after another, and Liu Zishi followed Rong Xi's instructions and went jogging in the morning. Liu He added more firewood and boiled the water in the pot. After Rong Xi finished his morning exercises, he used the water to bathe himself.
Although Rong Xi's figure had lost some weight, he was still plump and rounder than ordinary people. After just one round, he was already panting like a cow and his heart was pounding.
"My dear, please go and have a rest." Liu Zishi was worried when he saw his pale lips.
Rong Xi crossed his legs, bent over, supported his knees with his hands, gasped a few times, and then tried his best to complete a circle. Later, his eyes turned black and he almost collapsed to the ground. Zishi supported him and he walked slowly half a circle before his strength returned.
At that time, the hot soup was ready, and Rong Xi went into the house to take a bath.
After putting on his clothes, he went to the corridor and saw Liu Zishi running around happily, sweat dripping from his forehead, but he didn't look tired at all. He couldn't help but feel envious.
"Zishi, breakfast is coming soon, please take a rest for a while."
Upon hearing this, Liu Zishi stamped his feet and wanted to wipe his face with his sleeve. However, thinking that his new clothes were clean, he could not bring himself to do it. So he went to the well and fetched water to wash.
"Sir, I see that the coal briquettes are dry. Can they be used?" The young man was very curious and could no longer hold back after several days of curiosity.
Rong Xi smiled and nodded, "Once Jiang Gong's new device is finished, we can try it out."
He thought that although Liu Zishi was young and naive, he had a good character, was not afraid of hard work, was obedient and sensible, and was a talented person with great potential. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Zishi, do you want to learn to read and write?"
In the courtyard, Liu He was about to serve the meal, but when he heard the words, his face was slightly shocked and he suddenly raised his head.
A young man is sitting cross-legged in the corridor, wearing a fu hat and a long robe with wide sleeves. Although he is fat, his temperament is like jade, and his beauty is reflected by the morning glow, surpassing the splendor of the golden wheel.
The gentleman is kind-hearted, so he should be loyal and do his best until his death.
The young Liu was not as thoughtful as his grandfather. He had never touched a book or an inkstone. He just heard the teacher reciting outside the school, and he managed to remember a few words and engraved them in his heart.
But I only remember its sound and don't understand its meaning.
"Sir, can I read and write?"
The young man's heart was pounding so hard that it almost burst out of his chest. His eyes were bright and excited as he looked straight at Rong Xi.
The young man's desire to learn was obvious. Rong Xi smiled and softened his brows. "From now on, come to my study at 9:00 p.m. every day to learn Chinese characters and write."
"Thank you, my dear! Thank you, my dear!"
Liu He hurriedly knelt down to express his gratitude, and led the stunned young man to kneel down with him. Liu Zishi's eyes were filled with tears. He wiped his eyes with his hand and said in a hoarse voice, "I will definitely live up to your expectations!"
Rong Xi arrived in Linxi alone and was served by the Liu family's grandfather and grandson. Both of them were good people, and Liu Zishi was a promising talent. He was in need of loyal and confidant servants to do things for him, so personally training the young man would be the best choice.
Since Liu He and his grandchildren had chosen to follow him, they only had to obey his orders. Even if someone from the capital came to inquire, they would know how to deal with it.
After finishing breakfast and digesting the food, Liu Zishi followed Rong Xi into the house.
Rong Xi had already memorized the Great Wei's enlightenment textbooks, so he was more than qualified to teach Liu Zishi.
Liu Zishi had a positive attitude, a pure mind, and was fully focused on studying. Before he knew it, it was already noon.
At this time, a visitor arrived.
The ox cart stopped in front of Rong's house, and Hu and Jiang got off together. Jiang Weiping embraced something with his arms and covered it with a soap cloth, so that others could not see its appearance.
Hu Yun wanted to visit today, but was suddenly busy with worldly affairs and could not come. He was very regretful and asked Hu Yulin to convey his thoughts on his behalf.
When they arrived at the main hall, Liu He held a tray and served tea, and he was more cheerful and enthusiastic than before.
Hu Yulin was very perceptive and narrowed his eyes slightly, "Could it be that a happy event is coming today?"
Just as he finished speaking, Rong Xi and Liu Zishi arrived. Liu He knew they were there to discuss important matters, so he withdrew.
Hu Yulin saw that the young boy Liu was excited and had ink on his fingers. He thought about it and knew what Liu Hexi was talking about.
That's fine.
Previously, he saw that Rong Xi had no servants with eloquence and intelligence to serve him, and wanted to give him one or two. But now that Rong Dalang has personally trained him as his confidant, he no longer mentions it.
"I have lived up to your trust, Mr. Rong. The coal stove is ready."
Jiang Weiping went straight to the point. He placed the stove on the ground and lifted the soap cloth, revealing a coal stove half a leg high.
Compared with the charcoal basin, it is much more exquisite and convenient.
Liu Zishi and Hu Yulin came closer to observe for a moment, and the young man stood up and asked, "Sir, can you give it a try?"
Rong Xi nodded in agreement.
Liu Zishi then carried the stove to an open space in the courtyard and, according to Rong Xi's previous instructions, lit a honeycomb of coal balls and placed them in the furnace with tongs.
The furnace is tall and long, and can accommodate three honeycomb briquettes stacked vertically.
The young man placed two unburned coal balls on top of it and, following Rong Xi's instructions, moved the side vents at the bottom of the coal stove to make the fire burn more vigorously.
The fire could not be wasted, so Rong Xi went to the kitchen and told Liu He to get the meat.
Jiang Weiping looked puzzled, and Hu Yulin raised an eyebrow to explain: "Shouyuan will have a good meal today."
This question was still unclear, so Jiang Weiping stopped asking and just watched Rong Xi cut the meat into pieces, put them into the pot with cold water, and when it boiled, he drained the soup, and did this twice.
Then place the pottery pot on the stove in the yard, pour the meat in, cover it with water, add wine, onions, peppercorns, and shiitake mushrooms into the pot, reduce the air outlet, and simmer over low heat.
"Brother Xuanshi, Brother Shouyuan, how about you stay at my house and have a drink with me today?" Rong Xi invited them.
Hu Yulin nodded repeatedly, "How can I refuse Dalang's kindness?"
Jiang Weiping was about to say no, but was interrupted by Hu Yulin, "Shouyuan, don't worry about Madam Jiang. I'll send a servant to tell you right away."
After saying this, he ordered his servant to go to Jiang's iron shop and inform Mrs. Jiang.
Having said this, Jiang Weiping no longer refused.
"Da Lang, this dish will take some time to prepare. Why don't you come inside to discuss it?" He had a mission to accomplish today and he had to get it done.
Rong Xi nodded and ordered Zishi to prepare all the auxiliary materials and keep the coal stove safe. Then he took Hu Jiang and the others into the study for a detailed discussion.
"Da Lang," Hu Yulin restrained his smile and said solemnly, "My father blamed me for bullying others after he found out about the honeycomb briquettes. Xuanshi apologizes here."
Seeing Rong Xi about to speak, he stretched out his hand to stop him and continued, "But the matter is over, no more words. Now that the coal stove is ready, I, on behalf of the Hu family, would like to discuss the conspiracy with Dalang and Shouyuan. I wonder if the two brothers are willing?"
Rong Xi knew this and was not surprised. Jiang Weiping was stunned. He was just a blacksmith. What did it have to do with him?
"Da Lang's ingenuity and Shou Yuan's skills are both invaluable." Hu Yulin said with a smile, "I only have money to offer, and I hope to work with you two to achieve great results."
Rong Xi shook his head and sighed, "Brother Xuanshi, there is no need to be modest. The way of doing business is more valuable than money. I admire your talent very much."
The two looked at each other and suddenly laughed out loud.
Seeing how familiar the two were, Jiang Weiping was surprised to find that he was so immersed in crafting tools that he didn't know that his friend had a close relationship with Rong Langjun. Seeing them now, he couldn't help but say, "I haven't seen you for a few days. Xuanshi and Rongjun, actually..."
"Brother Shouyuan, there's no need to be so polite. Just call me Dalang." Rong Xi's eyes narrowed and his smile was warm and gentle.
Jiang Weiping had always admired his ingenuity, and seeing that he had no prejudice against any party members and took the initiative to interact with the craftsmen despite being the son of an official, his affection for him increased. He smiled and even had dimples on his cheeks, which made his dull look fade and made him more interesting.
"Da Lang."
Suddenly, there was a burst of laughter in the room.
Since the matter involved Jiang Weiping, Rong Xi no longer refused. Mr. Hu was kind and gave three parts of the profits from the coal stove to Rong Xi and Jiang Weiping respectively, and kept four parts for himself.
Rong Xi only needed to provide the blueprints and he could gain one-third of the benefits. Apart from Hu Yulin's friendship and Hu's foresight, Rong Shangshu's power must also be within Hu's consideration.
The three-party contract was concluded.
The Hu family hired people to make tools, and Jiang Weiping was the chief engineer, supervising all the craftsmen. As for Rong Xi, he was staying at home, waiting for good luck to come.
Such a wonderful thing made Rong Xi feel ashamed and couldn't help but remind him.
"Brother Xuanshi, you know that the method of making honeycomb briquettes is simple. When it is introduced to the world, craftsmen will learn it by watching it. Its benefits will only last for a short time."
Hu Yulin understood what he meant and smiled like a fox.
"Don't worry, Dalang. My father once said that fame is more important than profit. Even if you are a lowly person, you still have great ambitions." He curled his lips and smiled, "The Hu family must not rely on charcoal for generations."
Rong Xi smiled and praised: "Your Highness, your opinion is profound."
Mr. Hu made his fortune from charcoal, but he did not want to be bound by charcoal. Since he had ambitions, Rong Xi should help him.
"Brother Shouyuan has superb skills. I have something to ask for your help."
After he settled in Wei State, he missed cooking very much, but the iron pot was heavy and difficult to cook, so he asked Jiang Weiping to make an iron pot for him to satisfy his appetite.
Jiang Weiping was just about to respond when Zishi's voice was heard from outside the door.
"My dear, the time has come!"
Rong Xi stood up instantly, his meat!
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