Misty Rain of the Old Times

Chapter 178

Things were almost done, and Chen Xuan became idle again. After all, it was all the work of the craftsmen, and he was only responsible for inspection and acceptance, and at most he would make suggestions for remediation of minor flaws.

It was still early, not even noon, so Chen Xuan planned to go out for a walk. Last time, he only visited a small part of the huge Mo City.

So I took an umbrella and prepared to go out.

"Brother Xuan is going out again," Jiang Kai greeted with a smile. In fact, he was quite puzzled. As far as he knew, when Chen Xuan was at Gao's house, he was quite a homebody and seldom went out. How come he couldn't stay idle at home after coming here?

Smiling, Chen Xuan said, "It's almost finished here. I plan to go look at the furniture and decorations and buy them, so that when the young master comes here, the place won't be empty. I also need to find someone to plant the flowers and plants in the yard. Oh, and the doors and windows are leaking, so I need to prepare some window seals in advance."

"That's right, then Brother Xuan, please take more care of it," Jiang Kai said with relief.

The doors and windows are finished, but there is still air leakage and needs to be sealed.

There was no transparent glass in this era, but there was relatively blurry colored glass, but that thing was not something that ordinary people could afford.

Ordinary people block doors and windows. Those with poor conditions and no regard for lighting can just use leaves or palm pith to cover them. Those with better conditions can use cloth to cover them, and those with even better conditions can use mulberry paper or oil paper.

Rich families would be more particular and could use translucent gauze or silk, but those things were too expensive and easily susceptible to moisture, mold and rot, and needed to be replaced frequently. This was what the Gao family in Yang County did.

If the top wealthy families become extravagant, they will have no limit. They can use rare colored glaze, polished and pieced together crystals or jade to seal doors and windows, or even mesh windows woven with gold and silver threads.

In short, decoration is a bottomless pit. It depends on one's ability. Ordinary people can't even imagine how extravagant the top ones can be.

As for this, there is no need for Chen Xuan to plan too well, but he also doesn't have to settle for anything less. He can just use some specially treated light-transmitting gauze. This kind of window sealing material has been soaked in tung oil or medicine, has good light and air permeability, is windproof and moisture-proof, can be used for a long time, and does not necessarily need to be replaced in one or two years. However, its service life is far less than that of glass.

Unlike the Gao family in Yang County, they usually use translucent silk with exquisite patterns, which sometimes needs to be replaced once a month. The Gao family can afford it.

Many weaver girls are reluctant to wear silk in their entire lives, but wealthy families treat it as a daily necessity. This is the reality.

In fact, if conditions permit, Chen Xuan would like to make some glass. Knowing the principle, he can make it through more experiments, but there is no need to do so. It would be bad to be too high-profile.

If we really put out glass to block the doors and windows, who knows how many people will be watching day and night trying to steal.

"Yeah, I can make some glass pits... and sell them to the unsophisticated people of this era, no, the rich people, and that's how I'll make my first pot of gold." Chen Xuan suddenly had an idea in his mind as a backup.

It was very simple for him to make some crystal clear glass. He didn't even need to start a kiln. The hot technique was enough to reach the temperature for firing glass, and he could also finely "pinch" it into the desired shape.

Not bad, not bad. The way to make money still has to get inspiration from daily life.

This is just one of the options. If there is a better way, Chen Xuan might just throw it aside...

"It's a sunny day, why does the boss bring an umbrella when he goes out?" Xiao Miao, who was cleaning, asked curiously while looking at the umbrella in Chen Xuan's hand.

Chen Xuanyang raised his umbrella and said, "It's better to be prepared. You guys should also be careful. You never know when it will rain."

Xiao Miao didn't take it to heart, but Master Fang and the others took it to heart, because they knew that scholars were good at fortune-telling, and it would never be wrong to pay attention.

It is indeed a sunny day now, but it is likely to rain in the evening. Chen Xuan has learned how to judge the weather in school.

When he reached the door, Chen Xuan suddenly thought of something. He turned around and looked at Zhao Erhe and the others and asked, "Brother Zhao, have you dealt with the snake tendon from last time?"

"It has been processed long ago and stored in the shade to dry. Does Xuan'er want to use it?" Zhao Erhe nodded.

Chen Xuan said, "Give it to me. I'll go out and see if I can find a suitable craftsman to make two bows. That section of snake tendon should be enough."

"Okay, I'll get it right away."

With Chen Xuan's current strength, ordinary bows and arrows are completely useless. It is no exaggeration to say that any stone in his hand is comparable to a large-caliber sniper bullet. The reason why he made two bows is mainly because he didn't want to waste the snake tendon. The finished bow can also be used as a decoration in the house.

Besides, Gao Jingming is studying in the academy, and he might go out hunting with his classmates at any time. It is likely to be useful at some point, so it is better to have it than not.

The reason why he came up with this idea on a whim was that he remembered that Zhuo Erniu said that day that his blacksmith shop was on Cuiyun Road in Mocheng. Chen Xuan, who had seen the map of Mocheng, remembered that Cuiyun Road was just a few blocks away, probably a few miles away. He decided to go over and take a look. It didn't matter where he went.

It doesn't matter who you ask. I don't know if Zhuo Erniu, as a blacksmith, can make bows. Even if he can't, he should know someone in this field. I can ask him for recommendations.

Carrying an umbrella and a snake tendon, Chen Xuan went out and strolled in a different direction from last time. He mainly paid attention to furniture and decorations, as well as flowers and plants and shops with blocked doors and windows.

He walked around, stopped, and went into the store from time to time to ask questions. After an hour or two, he had confirmed most of the details. Once the house was completed, all the necessary materials would be delivered to his door for installation.

If the decorations are not very good, then it will be a bottomless pit. Most of them are just calligraphy and paintings. They are not authentic works of famous artists and they will not cost much money. They can also make the house look more elegant.

Before he knew it, Chen Xuan arrived at Cuiyun Road, a bustling commercial street populated mostly by small vendors. The people dressed simply and down-to-earth, making it a place for the lower classes. Naturally, the atmosphere was much worse, not as good as Liushui Street, where he had bought his house. Chen Xuan didn't feel out of place here, but rather quite at home, as it resembled the bustling streets of Yang County where he had lived for several years.

"After the house is finished in a few days, I can come here to buy some charcoal. Using charcoal to boil tea doesn't produce a lot of smoke, and it's also convenient. I don't need to buy firewood for now. The scraps left over from the construction are enough to burn for a while."

While planning in his mind, Chen Xuan walked and stopped from time to time. Then he heard the sound of iron hammering. Looking in the direction, he saw the sign of Zhuo Ji Blacksmith Shop at a glance.

Located in the middle of the street, there is a faded cloth banner hanging on a locust tree at the door with the words "Zhuo Ji Blacksmith Shop" blurred on it.

The shop is relatively simple, with many traces of smoke and fire, and it is both a shop and a residence in one.

Chen Xuan approached the shop. The stove was burning brightly. Zhuo Erniu, whom he had seen that day, was shirtless and hammering a red-hot iron block with a hammer. He was concentrating and serious, and sparks flew with every strike.

Zhuo Erniu was the only one in the shop. Chen Xuan didn't sense any other people's presence. He was probably alone. No wonder he ran away alone that day.

Just as Zhuo Erniu said that day, his shop was mostly filled with common items like farm tools, kitchen knives, and scissors. The only thing that could barely be considered a weapon was probably a butcher knife.

Weapons are different for different people. Some people can use a piece of iron as a deadly weapon...

After a brief look, as the iron block in Zhuo Erniu's hand cooled and he put it back into the furnace to heat it up with the bellows, Chen Xuan said, "Master Zhuo is busy."

Zhuo Erniu, who had been busy and focused before, finally noticed Chen Xuan and looked up to greet him warmly, "Young Master, is there anything you need to make or buy? Our shop has been in business for seven or eight generations, with a history of over a hundred years. We have superb craftsmanship and offer high-quality products at low prices. I'm sure you will be satisfied."

Chen Xuan was delighted. That’s not what you said that day.

It seems that the hype surrounding the large-scale disappearance of blacksmiths in Mo City has passed, and he has returned here to resume his old profession. He looks honest but can boast about his skills.

"Master Zhuo doesn't recognize me?" Chen Xuan said in silence.

After a moment of hesitation, a trace of vigilance flashed in Zhuo Erniu's eyes, and he asked doubtfully: "Don't blame me, young master. I am not very good at seeing people. I have seen so many people in my daily life that I really can't remember them. But I think you look familiar to me."

It seems that he really forgot about me, which is normal. After all, it has been so many days and people's memory is limited. I was not an eye-catching figure in the car that day, and definitely not as impressive as Ning Guiliang, the kidney-deficient man.

Zhuo Erniu said that he looked familiar, obviously to save Chen Xuan's face. Besides, he was doing business, so he had to get to know Chen Xuan even if he was not familiar with him.

"About twenty days ago, on the way to the academy, I had the honor of traveling with Master Zhuo and met him. I wonder if Master Zhuo still remembers him?" Chen Xuan said with a smile.

He had a deep memory of that day's experience. Hearing this, his eyes grew even more alert. He moved unnoticed, approaching the place where the hidden arrows were hidden. Suddenly, he said, "So it's you, young master! I just remembered you now. Don't blame me. I wonder what brings you here?"

You absolutely don't remember me at all, okay? Can you pretend a little more?
Forget it, it's not easy for them anyway, so Chen Xuan didn't continue the topic and said, "Master Zhuo, what are you talking about? What else could I come to you for? Of course, I want you to make something for me."

"Thank you very much for taking care of the business, young master. What do you need? Farm tools, kitchen knives? Or pots, tongs and spoons?" he immediately said enthusiastically.

He never mentioned any weapons, which clearly showed that he was on guard. It seemed that Langya would cast a huge shadow on him.

"Master Zhuo, can you make a bow?" Chen Xuan went straight to the point.

Zhuo Erniu was stunned. He thought of many possibilities, but he never thought that Chen Xuan would make such a request. He scratched his head and said, "Young Master, what you said is wrong. I am a blacksmith. I don't know how to make a bow. Even if you find a carpenter, it will be more reliable than me, right?"

At this moment, he was a little suspicious that Chen Xuan was bored and came here to entertain him.

It was normal for a blacksmith to not be able to make a bow, so Chen Xuan still held onto some hope and asked, "You don't even know how to make an iron frame bow?"

This aspect is still related to blacksmithing.

Zhuo Erniu thought to himself, I can do it, but you look so weak, can you pull it away if I do it?
"You're joking, young man. I definitely can't do that. I can only play with small things like farm tools and kitchen knives," he shook his head.

Chen Xuan couldn't read minds, and he didn't know if he really couldn't, nor could he force him, so he could only say, "Well, excuse me, Master Zhuo, does he know anyone who can make bows? Could you recommend one?"

Are you serious? Are you just trying to build a bow?

Zhuo Erniu was really unsure of Chen Xuan's intentions, but after a moment's hesitation, he said thoughtfully, "I do know someone who lives not far from here, but I'm not sure if she's home right now. Do you need me to take my young master there?"

Do you really know any professionals in this field?

"Is it convenient?" Chen Xuan was delighted and pointed at the blacksmith shop and asked. After all, they were still doing business.

He immediately turned off the fire, stood up, wiped his hands on his dark apron, and said, "It's okay, young man, come with me. It's just a few steps away, it won't delay you..."

(End of this chapter)