The other three materials are similar to quartz sand. Raw materials already existed in the Qing Dynasty, but the stock in the capital was not large. You Qing could only have some people buy them to try and see if they could make glass.
Regarding the raw materials, send someone to purchase them.
However, it's already time to prepare to set it on fire here.
With some materials prepared, the next step was to find people. Originally, Youqing planned to find folk craftsmen who knew how to fire kilns. After Kangxi learned of her plan, he said, "Craftsmen who know how to fire kilns generally don't lack food and won't sell themselves. There will inevitably be lawsuits involved."
Even if it's officially banned, people will still have designs on it behind the scenes. After all, glass is bound to be expensive from the start, and money can be a powerful motivator.
Youqing thought about it and realized that made sense.
"Could you find some reliable people?"
First, test the glass. Once you have the results, you can then proceed with assembly line production, thus avoiding the possibility he mentioned.
"I've had someone take care of this for you."
In ancient times, when imperial power was supreme, Emperor Kangxi could do so much.
The country is so big, and the raw materials for glass are not expensive. At first, we will take the high-end route and sell for a year or two. Then we will lower the price so that ordinary people can also use glass. This will increase the output, and then we will follow the strategy of small profits and quick turnover.
The emergence of new industries signifies change, and even the smallest change can lead to some turmoil.
It's best to keep the glass industry under control from the start, otherwise it will become a tool for unscrupulous people to make money.
...
The Imperial Household Department.
"Have you heard what Eunuch Liu from the Qianqing Palace said about that matter? What are your plans?"
“No, I’m doing just fine at the Imperial Household Department. Who knows what it will be like if I go there? Eunuch Liu only said the pay was good, but he didn’t say exactly what it was. I don’t believe that I can get a job at the Imperial Household Department that’s as lucrative as this one.”
"What you said makes sense. If no one goes, we'll probably have to send people directly."
Reminded like that, the group immediately realized what was going on.
Yes, the messenger was Eunuch Liu from the Qianqing Palace. Whether it's good news or not is hard to say, but someone definitely has to go.
The Imperial Household Department has no shortage of people, but few are willing to go! If there are plenty of people available, who would be willing to take on an unknown future?
In the following days, the Imperial Household Department was filled with people offering gifts and connections, all afraid of being selected. In the end, the list that reached Youqing consisted of only five people, almost all of whom were honest and unassuming.
Fortunately, he was a bit dull, but not stupid. Being honest was better than being cunning. Besides, making glass required patience.
“You all used to work in the Imperial Household Department and are very skilled. I have a recipe here that I need you to try. Your monthly salary will be three times that of the Imperial Household Department. If you do well and the experiment is successful, you will receive additional rewards.”
Youqing didn't offer any motivational speeches; she simply provided the money. Once the treatment was good, everything else was negotiable.
"Of course, I pay more, but I don't support idlers or useless people. We can't keep delaying the results."
After hearing this, the people's previously somewhat dejected expressions brightened considerably.
Their dull nature doesn't mean they're stupid; they just aren't very tactful. Originally, they thought the same as everyone else in the Imperial Household Department: leaving the Imperial Household Department would definitely make their lives worse than working there.
They were all prepared to suffer, but then their new master said, "Triple the monthly pay."
This is a wonderful surprise.
"Your servants will certainly do their best, please rest assured, Master."
Youqing nodded without saying anything. Whether you're reassured or not can't just be said; you have to show some real concern.
"Chengying, take them to rest and get ready first, then we'll start work tomorrow."
"Yes, Master."
Five people lived in a small courtyard, which was much more spacious than the one they lived in at the Imperial Household Department.
The servants in the palace lived a hard life. Most of them lived in large communal rooms. Only those servants who had the opportunity to meet their masters could live in four-person or double rooms. The five of them lived in a small courtyard, which was fully equipped with food, clothing and daily necessities. After they followed Cheng Ying in, their eyes were wide open.
"My goodness, what a wonderful life! When we were eating just now, there was more oil on the plate than when the Imperial Household Department celebrated the New Year. I wonder if we can eat like this every day."
There were many servants in the palace, and they all ate communal meals. Some could eat better, but it wasn't their turn. If they wanted a good meal, they would have to spend money and beg their fathers and grandmothers. They didn't have that much extra money, so they never had special meals prepared for them.
There weren't many people in Youqing Village. She was someone who valued quality of life. Imported things had to taste good, and her clothes, while not necessarily made of expensive materials, had to be comfortable.
Therefore, there are many skilled cooks in the village, which is quite a hidden talent. Since there are few people in the village, the cooks want to show off their skills, which has benefited the people living in the village. Whether they are masters or servants, they are almost all treated to the best food.
Another glanced at him and said, "What master would be so willing to do that? Keep dreaming!"
"You, even if it's impossible, you can't even let me think about it."
The group chatted and laughed as they looked around at the furnishings in the courtyard.
"The girl Chengying who brought us here just said that only the three of us live in this courtyard, but I don't know if that's true."
The courtyard was a small one, about a hundred square meters in size, with two large rooms, a small kitchen, and another room that was said to be a latrine.
"It's okay to listen, but don't take it seriously. How could such a nice house only house five people?"
"That's true."
Just then, the person who had gone out to use the outhouse came back, looking delighted, and said to them, "I don't know who the master is, but this outhouse is better built than the people's living quarters. It's so clean you could cook in it. After you're done, just pull the rope above and water will wash away the waste. This is much better than the outhouses in the Imperial Household Department."
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