The world of film and television begins with the God of Medicine.

Chapter 1516 White Glaze

"Shen Yishi is dead."

Early in the morning, after the usual morning meeting, Hai Rui handed a letter to Wang Yan.

This is a letter sent by Tan Lun, which details the intention to arrest Shen Yishi and confiscate his property for military funds. It also states that after Shen Yishi's death, a preliminary inventory revealed that he was completely penniless.

There wasn't enough silk in stock, not enough looms in the workshops, no money at home, and not much left of other shops, courtyards, estates, and farmland, all of which had been sold off to raise money when the land was acquired in the two counties.

This is really awkward. Everyone thought Shen Yishi was the richest man, and that confiscating his property would cover the military expenses for the anti-Japanese war. But now, not only is he left with nothing, but Shen Yishi has also left behind a mountain of debts, creating an even bigger mess…

Wang Yan chuckled as he handed the letter back, idly scraping tea leaves from his covered bowl: "Tan Lun is truly a good friend. He explained everything clearly and in great detail."

“Wang Yongji and I were recommended to Prince Yu by him, and Prince Yu recommended us to the Ministry of Personnel. Now that such a big thing has happened in the province, he should let us know.”

Hai Rui asked, "Right now, the military budget is nowhere to be found, and selling off Shen Yishi's remaining assets is just a drop in the bucket. I reckon their next target will be the raw silk from our two counties. What's your opinion?"

"If you're going to give it to them, then give it to them. It's been over a month now, and they've produced a batch of silk. We have no use for it if we keep it, and the people don't treat it as money either. We might as well let them weave silk and earn more money."

"Give them to them?" Hai Rui emphasized the word "give" and habitually widened his eyes, ready to unleash a torrent of abuse if Wang Yan didn't say something right.

“Sell.” Wang Yan shook his head. “We do owe money and grain, but we can’t start paying it back right now. We have to let the people accumulate it gradually. If they pay a reasonable price, we’ll sell. If they try to lower the price…”

"How to do?"

“I’ll also do some business. I’m thinking of setting up a workshop to weave silk. They’re so unscrupulous that they’re driving down prices, so I’ll buy raw silk on credit from the people and sell it through His Majesty’s Imperial Silk Manufacturing Bureau. With His Majesty’s approval, even the corrupt officials at the Imperial Silk Manufacturing Bureau won’t dare to go too far. The money I make can be used for military expenses.”

"According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, officials are prohibited from engaging in commercial activities," Hai Rui stated bluntly.

"My lord, do you believe me? I've already partnered with His Majesty, so what's this talk about not being able to do business? Which official in the court doesn't have a business at home? How come everyone else can do it, but I can't? My lord, as I always say, only those in positions of power can govern effectively."

Wang Yan took a sip of tea and laughed, "Actually, sometimes, reflecting on how we have developed to this point, my feeling is that people want to live better lives."

In ancient times, people ate raw meat and drank blood. Some were dissatisfied with this, so Suihuang invented fire... Today, our food, clothing, and daily necessities are vastly different from those of ancient times. This all stems from human desires.

From this perspective, I believe it's perfectly normal for anyone to want better food and drink, and to desire fine wine and beautiful women. What's abhorrent is that some people don't create these things themselves, but instead resort to trickery and plunder—that's going down the wrong path.

"Look at the red bricks and cement I've researched. Used properly, they benefit the country and its people, and can even generate profit—that's my creation. However, without His Majesty's favor, I can't continue this business. Within months, someone will seize it. Even if they don't, they'll still take a huge cut of the profits, making me just another Shen Yishi. Cautious and sycophantic for half my life, I've ended up with nothing…"

"I didn't hear a single word of legal reasoning in your words."

"Who sets the law? Who controls fortune and misfortune? It's nothing more than the survival of the fittest."

Wang Yan stood up. "I'm going to burn the sand. I should have some results in the next couple of days. If this is done, I'll be set for life. With His Majesty on the throne, I might even rise to a high position."

He wasn't joking. Glass is cheap and versatile. Once it's developed, and you're doing business with wealthy families, you can make a steady stream of money.

Putting aside everything else, just the initial wave of wealthy families making a fortune by replacing their house windows with glass was enough. Not to mention the various other glasswares that would certainly sell well once they were made.

The most important thing is to establish a royal monopoly, monopolize production and sales, and not allow others to sell, so that profits can be made for a long time, since not many people are bold enough to steal the royal business.

In a workshop outside the county town, Wang Yan worked with the craftsmen, spreading a bright red liquid on a board, then cooling and tempering it to eventually form a large piece of glass with fairly good light transmittance.

This is an initial product; the internal impurities haven't been removed completely, so the finished product isn't very clear.

However, reaching this point is already a success. We can now produce complete pieces that won't shatter during cutting and can withstand a certain amount of force.

The subsequent issues such as impurities can be resolved by gradually adjusting the process and optimizing the production flow, leading to the production of better glass products.

"Good, very good!"

Wang Yan, fiddling with the glass, looked up at the sky and encouraged the craftsmen around him, "Once you've made this white glass, you'll be set for life, with plenty to eat and drink, and your children will enjoy the good life with you."

"We dare not think too much. We only ask to work for the Third Master for the rest of our lives," the craftsman said sincerely.

Because Wang Yan was really good to them. He not only paid them a good wage, but also tried his best to provide them with meat and eggs to improve their food. He even occasionally bought them some wine.

If anyone has a problem, just go to Wang Yan, and he'll definitely be able to solve it. Whether it's needing money, taking time off, or being bullied or wronged, Wang Yan will really get things done.

They lived like human beings under Wang Yan's command, full of spirit, energy, and hope. Who would want to be treated like pigs or dogs when they could be treated like human beings? Therefore, what they said was the absolute truth.

Wang Yan smiled and said, "This business, like cement, is to be offered to His Majesty, and it's mainly managed by those eunuchs. But you can rest assured, although those eunuchs have physical defects and are eccentric, His Majesty's word is law, how could they possibly cause trouble? As long as they do their jobs well and make as few mistakes as possible, things will be alright."

The wages and food you're receiving now, I will also submit a memorial to His Majesty, requesting that these benefits be retained. It won't affect your lives; things will definitely get better and better in the future.”

He offered a few words of reassurance, then waved his hand, "Alright, fire another batch. Be careful, only when we can produce a stable output can we report the good news to His Majesty."

While Wang Yan was leading a group of craftsmen to continue firing glass, Qi Dazhu led a group of people, including a horse-drawn carriage carrying six bound men.

Hearing the clerk's call, Wang Yan went outside, wiped his body with a wet towel, and sat there shirtless and carefree, chugging down boiled water that had been cooled down, showing no trace of scholarly elegance.

"What happened?" "Third Master, these five men are itinerant merchants who came here to sell mountain goods. They started asking around randomly when they arrived, and the locals reported them. When we came to their door, they even tried to run away. They were obviously guilty. After we caught them, we gave them a severe beating. They said that this man was a real Japanese soldier who came to spy on Chun'an. But he speaks in a very broken language, which we can't understand. We couldn't get any answers from him, so we came to you, sir."

Although Qi Dazhu was not officially appointed, he was the de facto captain of the Chun'an County militia, and the local militia in Chun'an obeyed his orders.

Even though the conversion from rice paddies to mulberry trees had been successfully completed and production had resumed, Chun'an did not relax its efforts. The local militia was retained to maintain daily security within Chun'an County.

The main reason, of course, was to suppress local powerful families, deny them opportunities to take risks, and also to ensure internal security. Of course, considerations related to the Japanese pirates were also taken into account.

At this time, the threat of Japanese pirates was severe, with the people suffering greatly from their incursions year after year. Hu Zongxian had already received the news and issued orders for all regions to be on high alert and vigilant against the pirates' activities. In some places, battles had even already broken out with the pirates.

And that's how we got what we have today.

Wang Yan glanced at the group of people who were tied up and had bruised and swollen faces, and casually waved his hand: "Go find the master about this matter, have him report to Minister Hu, and then send someone to send them all there so that Minister Hu can interrogate them."

Qi Dazhu nodded in response and then asked, "Third Master, the Japanese pirates have come to gather intelligence. Does this mean we're about to be attacked by them?"

"Perhaps. You should organize the local militia to train, and make daily patrols more rigorous, but respond immediately to any enemy activity. In such matters, it's better to be safe than sorry. Our people in Chun'an have suffered enough; we've just begun to enjoy a better life, and we can't let these Japanese pirates ruin it for us. Go."

"Yes, Third Master." Qi Dazhu left with his men.

Not all Japanese pirates were small-time Japanese; many were major smugglers from the coastal areas who kept pirates in their homes, roaming the nearby waters and causing havoc inland.

These pirates are just as hateful as the Japanese; they are all utterly wicked and deserve to be torn to pieces.

Like bandits on land, they started as unfortunate people who ran into the mountains to make a living. As more and more people gathered, the burden of doing bad things together became smaller and smaller. Eventually, they got used to it and no longer knew what was right or wrong. They had their own set of logic.

As the saying goes, the essence remains the same despite all the changes. This principle also applies to those in power. Over time, they become superior to others, forgetting who they are, and they also develop their own set of actions and thought processes...

That evening, Wang Yan had dinner with Hai Rui's family.

Hai Rui said, "Today Qi Dazhu captured a Japanese pirate spy; we must be wary of this."

“Of course.” Wang Yan smiled and nodded. “I have already made arrangements to intensify patrols and train the local militia. If any Japanese pirates invade, I will personally take up my sword and fight them to the death to protect the people of Chun’an.”

"There's no need to risk your life. Your command from the rear is more effective than your fighting on the front lines."

"I thought you were afraid I'd die..."

"He died a worthy death!" Hai Rui said with certainty.

Wang Yan took a sip of wine: "My personal involvement is what makes the battle so effective. The local militia have never seen battle or bloodshed. If they don't have the upper hand, they'll collapse at the first sign of trouble, and that would be a complete defeat. As the Third Master, I'll be at the forefront, leading the charge. As long as I'm alive and the flag stands, Chun'an will not be defeated. You know I know some fighting techniques, and I'm strong, which actually gives me an advantage on the battlefield."

The sea mother said, "Alright, you two, don't talk about the dead while you're still alive. Go drink your wine."

Wang Yan laughed heartily and raised his wine glass to drink with Hai Rui.

After this period of time, Hai Rui's family was eating and drinking well, and their complexions had become rosy. The old lady was also full of energy and vitality. Hai Rui's wife also had a radiant complexion, having replenished her nutrition. Hai Rui's daughter, needless to say, was also doing well; the girl was bouncy and energetic, eating and drinking well, and was very healthy.

Wang Yan also told the little girl not to go to the river to play, because in the drama, the girl fell into the river and drowned...

Hai Rui said, "We just talked about raw silk this morning, and at noon the province sent a document ordering us to collect the raw silk from the people and give it to the weaving bureau as a way to return a portion of the grain for military use."

I replied to the provincial authorities, instructing them to buy the grain at market price and repay the loan in three years—this was the original agreement. Purchasing silk at market price would still yield a considerable surplus, enough to support military funds for a period. Military funds cannot be used as an excuse to exploit the people. Furthermore, the three-year repayment was promised by Shen Yishi when he borrowed the grain; His Majesty has not explicitly objected. How dare they even ask for more?

"They're at their wits' end. Shen Yishi has no money or supplies. If he can't find any soon, Zheng Bichang, He Maocai, and the others will be in trouble. They'll become military supplies. Who knows, the imperial decree to investigate Zheng and He might be on its way right now."

"Those who do evil will not live long; they have only themselves to blame."

Wang Yan shook his head with amusement.

"What, you don't agree?" Hai Rui asked.

"They didn't bring this upon themselves, nor did it come as divine retribution. Rather, they were abandoned by Grand Secretary Yan and the young Grand Secretary, so their deaths were inevitable."

Where is Minister Hu?

"It's unclear. The court's deficit hasn't been covered, and military spending has increased. If this hole is filled well, Minister Hu can stay. If it's not filled well, after this battle, Minister Hu will have to step down, and might even face imprisonment."

Hai Rui knew that Wang Yan was referring to Yan Song and his son, and was just using Hu Zongxian as an example. He shook his head and sighed, "Minister Hu was still capable; he made great contributions to the military and national affairs of resisting the Japanese pirates."

He was really talking about Hu Zongxian.

“It’s not time for you to give your final verdict on Minister Hu.” Wang Yan then pulled a piece of glass from his pocket. “Here, sir, take a look at this.”

Wang Yan discussed the glass with Hai Rui, and the promising future of making a fortune from it. Yan mentioned that he had already sent a letter to Zhu Qi, instructing Zhu Qi to deliver the glass and the letter to Jiajing.

At this point, Zhu Qi is certainly no longer in Chun'an; he's in Hangzhou dealing with various issues and investigating various inside stories, and he's quite busy...

I want to express my sincere gratitude to all the kind readers who have given me generous support through tips, monthly tickets, recommendation tickets, and those who have been reading quietly!