50 Chapter 50
◎Troublesome. ◎
When Ying Zheng ordered his men to take the booklet copied by Li Ying to Bashu, Fusu had just finished making the first batch of candles.
Fusu went to see his father with a candle. When someone came to answer him, he stepped aside and sat down.
Prince Dan of Yan, who was held hostage in Qin, tried to escape but was captured. He came to ask the king what to do with him.
Ying Zheng stood up and stood in front of the map. After a moment's silence, he pointed at Zhao, which lay between Qin and Yan, and said calmly, "Send someone to Yan to ask the King of Yan what I should do with his crown prince."
"Yes." The man took the order and left.
Fusu put down the candle box, walked over to his father and asked, "Father, are we going to attack Zhao?"
Ying Zheng did not answer, but simply asked, "Fusu, what day is it today?"
Fusu replied, "Father, it is the second day of the second month."
Ying Zheng said, "So, the Qin army's swords haven't drunk blood for the entire winter."
Fusu knew that the war against Zhao was imminent.
Ying Zheng pondered in front of the map for a while, lowered his eyes and rubbed Fusu's head. Although there was no smile on his face, his palms were still as warm as ever.
Fusu raised his head and said, "If father is busy, Fusu will leave first."
"No need." Ying Zheng took his hand and said, "Talk about your business."
The father and son returned to the table and sat down. Fusu took out the candle and said, "Look, father, this is a white candle."
Ying Zheng took it, compared it with the beeswax he usually used, and asked, "Is this all you made?"
Fusu said, "Father, how many you want? I'll have them made immediately. This thing is not difficult to make, and it doesn't take much time. The molds are already made, and we can produce it in large quantities at any time."
Ying Zheng said, "It doesn't have to be too much. I'll use it as a reward to others so they don't keep staring at the porcelain. These important officials and nobles of Qin State act as if they have never seen anything good before."
Fusu couldn't help but laugh and said, "It's just that they haven't seen such good things before. Several porcelain kilns have been built, and the craftsmen are skilled. When the first batch of good ones are fired, they will naturally be presented to you. As for the lesser ones later, why don't you show some mercy and reward them? Otherwise, they will think about it day and night, and be restless, which will delay your important work."
Ying Zheng tapped Fusu's forehead and said with a smile, "Don't I already have a batch of good ones? Didn't you say that if I didn't want them to make it myself, the children would come and cry to me? Now you want me to ask for others' too. Aren't you afraid they'll cry?"
Fusu chuckled and said, "Father can't just have this one set. Our father is the King of Qin, the most honorable man in the world. Of course he needs many, many of the best!"
Ying Zheng patted his head, his eyes filled with laughter: "You little brat, you only know how to tease me."
Fusu said seriously, "Father, neither Yan nor Zhao will hinder you in the future."
Ying Zheng raised his eyebrows and smiled, saying, "It should be so."
…
The first batch of exquisite porcelain successfully fired in the kiln fell into the hands of Ying Zheng. After that, Ying Zheng gave several sets to Fusu and one set to each of the princesses and princes. The rest were transported to various countries by caravans together with candles for sale.
The ministers of the Qin court finally received the king's reward, and because the porcelain began to circulate on the market, they were able to buy the exquisite porcelain that made them salivate at a high price.
Soon after porcelain was successfully manufactured, glass was also produced. However, Ying Zheng only took one look at it and shook his head, saying, "It is far inferior to porcelain."
Fusu instantly understood why the ancient glass craftsmanship had not made any progress, because in terms of ornamental value, porcelain was far superior to glass products.
But since it had been done, it had to be of some use. Fusu thought about it, found some stones and water plants, put some water in, and put two small fish in it to make an ornamental fish tank for his father.
Ying Zheng liked the glass fish tank very much and asked someone to put it where he read memorials every day. Occasionally looking at the fish was a way to relax.
Because there is no oxygen equipment, the biggest disadvantage of the glass fish tank is that you must change the water and fish frequently, otherwise the fish will die and the water will become smelly, making it unpleasant to watch.
However, because Ying Zheng was the King of Qin, he could send someone to watch over the fish tank and change the water and fish, and that person would not dare to slack off at all, so this so-called shortcoming did not exist.
In the bustling palace, the glass fish tank quickly attracted the attention of the court officials.
It was the eve of the attack on Zhao, and everyone was so busy that they couldn't help but take a look at the fish tank even when passing by. But no one was so tactless as to ask the king at this time.
Everyone was looking forward to the Qin army's great victory in the upcoming battle against Zhao, so that those who participated in it could receive some rewards from the king.
The king has always been very generous in his rewards. In addition to titles, gold and silver, not to mention fish tanks, porcelain from a few days ago, iron pots from years ago, and maybe even two precious ancient books.
Wonderful, wonderful.
Unlike the Qin king and his ministers who were full of confidence, Fusu was a little worried about this war.
——Although he once believed that the Qin army, which was more powerful than in his previous life, would not repeat the same mistakes, but...
Fusu was so worried that he didn't sleep well for two days. Liu Ju and Li Chengqian in the group were still laughing as usual and didn't take his troubles seriously at all. Fusu was too lazy to touch his phone these two days and just played with Meng Hua and others.
Using Fusu's kiln, Menghua and his team also made a batch of porcelain, which they had already sent back home. Seeing that Fusu had been feeling a bit down lately, they persuaded him to come to the kiln to play and relax.
"My mother said the first bowl I made was too ugly, so I told her that she had never seen Master Jianglu make a bowl, and that was what was called ugly. She even told me not to talk nonsense, even though I was clearly telling the truth." Meng Hua walked beside Fusu, talking non-stop, "Master, Master Jianglu's bowl is definitely uglier, right?"
Fusu smiled and said, "You can't compare yourself with others, like Wang Li. He's very talented and does everything well."
Wang Li smiled and said, "Menghua, it doesn't matter if you don't do well. Come and ask me to teach you. Next time, bring it back so that your mother can praise you."
"Why should I ask you? I ask you, Young Master!" Meng Hua squinted his eyes and said with a smile, "Young Master, you can't just stand by and watch Wang Li bully me!"
Fusu smiled helplessly and said, "I still need to ask Wang Li to teach me, how can I teach you?"
Meng Hua had never seen the process of Fusu making porcelain, he had only seen the finished product - although the finished product was not as good as Wang Li's, but he had a filter.
Meng Hua was surprised and said, "It's impossible for the eldest master to be inferior to Wang Li!"
Fusu smiled and said, "I'm sorry to disappoint you. I'm not good at everything. I can only make porcelain, but I can't compare to Wang Li."
"Ah..." Meng Hua sighed and tried to comfort Fusu, "It's okay. Didn't the eldest master tell me that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. No one can be omnipotent. Don't be sad about this, eldest master!"
Wang Li also said: "Yes, when three people walk together, there must be a teacher among them. The eldest son knows more. We can learn from each other's strengths and weaknesses."
Mi Qing was originally talking to Li You, but was distracted by the noise here. Upon hearing what was happening, he came over with Li You to comfort Fusu.
After being comforted by them, Fusu was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. He was not so sad about such a small matter, but he still appreciated their kindness.
Fusu said, "When the next batch of porcelain is ready and delivered, I will pick out some to give to you. I won't give you the ones I made myself. Let me tell you something in secret: my father is very narrow-minded. If he knew I gave away something I made myself, he would be very angry."
Several people had dirt on their hands, and they forgot what to do when they heard this. My king... are you narrow-minded?
Being with the eldest son really allows me to refresh my understanding of the king at any time!
Fusu reminded: "Move your hand."
The four of them started to get busy. After the matters at hand were settled, Meng Hua whispered, "The king... is really angry."
Fusu raised the corner of his mouth: "Who made my father love me?"
Meng Hua and others: "..."
Their mood echoed that of the court officials: The king and the eldest son really love to show off their father-son relationship.
Before the battle between Qin and Zhao was over, Fusu heard another piece of news from his father.
There was a man named Cheng Miao in Yunyang Prison who presented him with a new font. After seeing it, Ying Zheng thought it was good and easier to write than the current Qin Dynasty's large seal script, so he decided to promote it among the officials.
The court officials did not dare to complain and could only take another job with tears in their eyes.
Fusu was not unfamiliar with official script, although he actually wrote the most in his previous life, small seal script.
"I ordered them to print a set, and after it was printed and distributed, it wasted their time. They all looked miserable."
The King of Qin had called his eldest son over to complain to his ministers: "I have more to do every day, but I haven't seen him do anything. What's wrong with the people under me? He hasn't treated them unfairly, yet they are still reluctant to do things!"
To be fair, this is not a matter of just printing and distributing it. There are many other miscellaneous matters, such as how it will be implemented later, which all need to be kept an eye on by the court officials. Otherwise, if something goes wrong, the king will not review it, but will only hold them accountable.
——Of course Ying Zheng also knew this truth, but he was the king, and he was not scolding anyone in person. Couldn’t he just complain a few words?
Fusu was busy patting his father on the back, advising him, "Father, please don't be angry. It's not worth it to get yourself hurt. If you think they are bad, just scold them. Don't keep your anger to yourself."
Ying Zheng said angrily, "Everyone is running faster than rabbits. I can't find anyone even if I want to scold them!"
Fusu straightened his chest and said righteously, "Father, scold me!"
Ying Zheng couldn't help laughing: "Scold you? I scolded you, but it was me who tried to appease you. I won't do anything that would harm others and not benefit myself."
Fusu held his chin up proudly and said, "I know, my father just can't bear to scold me."
Ying Zheng pinched his cheek and said with a smile, "You little brat who only knows how to flatter and please others, come here and read the memorial with me."
Fusu didn't want to work, but he also wanted to share his father's worries. He hesitated for a moment, then moved closer to his father and said, "Father, you have to take care of the food."
"Am I still starving you?" Ying Zheng handed the memorial to Fusu.
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