Drive to the Tang Dynasty, where supplies are refreshed daily!

Chapter 103 Empress Xiao!
"Just made? How could someone make something like this?" Princess Yuzhang also heard this.

Previously, Li Shimin and others preferred to accept that the glass was 'heirloom'.

Because Xiao Ran's previous glass was so rare that it couldn't be made.

It's so much better than this era.

"Yes, it can be made now." Xiao Ran nodded.

Li Lizhi and Princess Yuzhang stared intently at the glass.

He then showed a desire to see what other people were doing.

Xiao Ran led the group to the other side of the pool, to the place where glass was burned.

Next to the kiln, a simple wooden hut was built, and the shelves inside were full of glass bead products.

The lower ones are of poorer quality; the ones at the top are better.

"So many?" Li Lizhi leaned closer and picked up a small bowl.

Seeing these things, and the kiln outside, Li Lizhi and Princess Yuzhang completely believed that Xiao Ran had done it.

"How much is this worth?" Cheng Tiehuan knew a little about it; this kind of thing was very expensive.

The reason why glass products during the Zhenguan period were so expensive was due to the triple constraints of "difficulty in finding raw materials, limited craftsmanship, and imbalance between supply and demand," each of which increased their value.

The lead-barium glass currently in production requires lead material to be extracted from specific ores, while high-quality barium material mostly comes from the south or the western regions, and is rarely found in Guanzhong.

High-purity saltpeter and lead blocks, in particular, often had to be transported from Sichuan and Hexi, thousands of miles away. Along the way, they had to pass through checkpoints and encounter bandits, and by the time they arrived in Chang'an, the cost had increased several times over.

Not to mention the "Poli" imported from the Western Regions, which is natural crystal or high-purity glass. It traveled along the Silk Road, and camel caravans had to cross the Gobi Desert. Less than 30% of the goods in ten carts could reach Chang'an. The transportation cost alone was comparable to that of silk of the same weight.

Glassmaking is a "treasure-making" craft.

The kiln temperature needs to be kept stable above 1000℃. Even a slight difference in the raw material ratio can result in the firing of cloudy "stone lumps".

The shaping after melting depends entirely on the craftsman's feel; a slight mistake can cause the furnace to break due to excessive air bubbles or uneven stress—a master craftsman is considered to be able to produce one qualified batch out of ten.

According to the Tang Dynasty's Six Codes, when the Imperial Household Department was in charge of manufacturing glassware, "only two out of ten pieces were successfully made." With such a low success rate, losses naturally had to be factored into the price.

More importantly, most glass artisans were from the Western Regions or from families that had passed down their skills for generations. They kept their techniques secret and passed them down to their sons but not their daughters. Under this monopoly, the skills themselves became a source of premium capital.

Another is the "scarcity worship" in social perception.

During the Zhenguan era, glass was regarded as "the essence of heaven and earth," and was ranked alongside gold and jade.

According to the "Cefu Yuangui", glassware presented as tribute by various countries in the Western Regions was often regarded by Li Shimin as a symbol of the authority of the "Heavenly Khan". When it was bestowed upon meritorious officials, a glass bowl the size of a palm could be equivalent to the taxes of ten farming households.

Popular belief has further mythologized it, with people believing that "glass can ward off evil spirits" and "reflect objects accurately." This added cultural value has driven its price far beyond its actual cost.

Ordinary people may never see a piece of glass in their entire lives, while nobles, in order to show off their status, are willing to spend a fortune even if the price is high. This extreme imbalance between supply and demand further drives up its value.

It's not that the glass itself is worth so much, but rather the scarcity of each layer—from raw materials to craftsmanship, from transportation to people's hearts—that gives it an aura of "sky-high price."

These items, casually placed on the shelves in front of you, can all be sold for a good price.

"I never expected that the young master would know how to make glass." Li Lizhi was truly numb.

It's not surprising that they could burn glass; they even burned glass during the Tang Dynasty.

However, only one person has produced such a high-quality product.

"I haven't tried it before, and I'm still figuring it out." Xiao Ran was telling the truth.

"Young master, you're too modest!" Li Lizhi gently tapped the glass.

You have to admit it, there are just too many ways to make money.

Li Lizhi and her companions also went to see the kiln, while Zhang Dalang and his group were busy at work.

Although I still can't read, I'm familiar with the process.

They're all quite young, but they learn things very quickly.

Back home, Li Lizhi had barely sat down when she said, "Young master, the coal hasn't been sold yet. Grandpa said to wait a little longer, there are still some things we haven't prepared."

"At first, the price of charcoal was normal, so we let the people sell some charcoal first. If coal comes out, it may affect the people near Chang'an from selling charcoal."

In the sixth year of the Zhenguan era, many people around Chang'an made a living by "cutting firewood and burning charcoal".

In the forests on the northern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, farmers cut down miscellaneous trees in winter, burned them into charcoal, and then carried it on their shoulders and in carts to Chang'an to sell to officials and merchants for heating and cooking. This was an important source of income for them in winter and spring.

Although the price of charcoal is not high, it is stable. The income from burning charcoal for a season is enough for a family to buy grain for the winter and to purchase farm tools.

As a new commodity, if coal were to flood the market in large quantities prematurely, its high combustion efficiency and long burning time would inevitably divert demand from charcoal.

If people can't sell their charcoal, the piled-up timber will rot, and the manpower invested in the early stages will be wasted, which could lead some families into hardship.

As a monarch who personally experienced the chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty, Li Shimin knew that "the peace of the people determines the peace of the nation," and he was always cautious about policies that might affect people's livelihoods.

The suspension of coal sales is actually a buffer period for people who rely on charcoal for their livelihood—either allowing them to earn more money to get through the winter while charcoal can still be sold.

Later on, the demand for charcoal was high and the price rose. Releasing coal could lower the price and help regulate it.

"You can handle this Fifth Sister as you see fit." Xiao Ran wasn't in a hurry and understood that Li Shimin had other considerations.

It's normal for emperors to have many considerations.

“Young master, you’re not in a hurry, but the people in the village might be, which could put you in a difficult position,” Li Lizhi said.

"No, I will explain. I believe everyone will understand."

Xiao Ran's words still carry some weight in Kaolao Village.

Zhang Mingde and Zhang Jinhe will also help put in a good word.

At least others won't feign modesty.

Since the salary was paid normally, no one else could say anything.

When Li Lizhi and the others returned, Xiao Ran gave them a few to take back with them.

The two little princesses also received gifts, but they were cakes and cream, not glasses.

Since Li Lizhi and the others never came empty-handed, Xiao Ran felt bad letting them go back empty-handed.

In the Lizheng Hall, Li Shimin looked at the glass and fell into deep thought.

The quality was indeed good, but Li Shimin was not concerned about the glass cup.

It was the all-seeing eye that Xiao Ran had mentioned before.

Only high-quality glass can be used to make telescopes.

These vessels are certainly valuable, but their importance cannot be compared to that of a telescope.

Telescopes play a significant role on the battlefield.

"Xiao Ran said it would be difficult before, but I didn't expect him to finish so quickly." Li Shimin was quite surprised by this speed, and hadn't been to Kaolao Village for a while.

The last time was because of the issue of not being allowed to marry if they are close relatives.

“Grandpa, I saw that the young master made a lot of glass art. The beginnings weren’t very good, but the later ones became more and more exquisite,” Li Lizhi said. “Is there a lot of improvement?”

"Father, you can say that you've made rapid progress."

Li Shimin chuckled, "It seems that it won't be long before I can become a clairvoyant."

Xiao Ran mentioned this when they went hunting in Zhongnan Mountain, but Li Lizhi and the others didn't know it.

I didn't know that the core of a telescope is glass.

If the quality of the glass is good enough to make a telescope, then its nature changes.

Previously, it was just an ordinary luxury item, but the Thousand-Mile Eye was something that Li Shimin and the court had to treat with great care.

"Wang Wang Wang!"

Little Black barked, and Third Sister ran out of the yard after him.

When she saw the carriage approaching, Third Sister assumed it was for the little princess and was very happy.

However, upon closer inspection, the carriage appeared different.

Third Sister turned and ran to find Zhang Erya, saying that someone had come.

Having a carriage means one must be rich or noble; Zhang Erya must treat this with caution.

As the carriage stopped in front of the courtyard gate, the winter sun slanted down onto the curtain, and the gilded brass rings shimmered with tiny sparkles in the light.

Just as the coachman was about to step forward and lift the curtain, a young man dressed in a brocade robe jumped down from beside the carriage shaft. His black robe was embroidered with a leopard tail with a dark pattern. He walked steadily to the side of the carriage and gently lifted the heavy curtain with his hand.

An elderly woman was the first to get off the bus.

The young man supported her arm; her movements were slow, yet every step she took exuded an indescribable air of composure.

He was wearing a dark blue jacket with light gray mink fur trim around the collar and cuffs. The fabric looked unassuming, but it shimmered with a delicate sheen in the sunlight—it was top-quality brocade from Jiangnan, something that ordinary people rarely saw.

Her hair was neatly combed and tied with a jade hairpin. Although some white hairs had grown, it did not look messy at all.

When he looked up at the courtyard, his gaze was as peaceful as if he were immersed in warm water. The fine lines at the corners of his eyes held the composure honed by the years. Although it was his first time visiting Kaolao Village, he showed no sign of unease, as if he had the same expression when he received the congratulations of the officials in the Zichen Hall.

This is Empress Xiao. Even though she has left the position of "Mother of the Nation," her inherent grace remains undiminished.

The young man supporting her was Li Ke.

He was taller than the average scion of a noble family, with his shoulders and back straight as a pine tree. The leopard tail pattern on his black robe undulated slightly with his movements—a pattern reserved for princes.

There was no smile on his face, but when his eyebrows were slightly raised, there was a hint of sharpness that was hard to detect. His gaze swept over the fence at the gate of the courtyard and the stack of firewood in the corner, as if he were examining them or memorizing them.

When he touched Empress Xiao with his fingertips, he lightened his grip and murmured, "Grandmother, please slow down." His voice didn't reveal much emotion, but it did show a touch of tenderness.

As Li Shimin's third son, he possessed both the nobility of a royal descendant and an inexplicable aloofness. Standing in this rustic courtyard, he resembled a transplanted pine tree, exuding an upright and dignified air.

The last person to get off the train was a young girl, about fifteen or sixteen years old, wearing a light purple jacket and skirt with several lotus blossoms embroidered on the hem, the stitches so fine they looked like they were painted by an artist.

She was Xiao Yu, a member of the Lanling Xiao clan. Her parents died early, and she was of low status. She served Empress Xiao.

Zhang Erya looked at the group and asked, "Madam, who are you looking for?"

Empress Xiao smiled faintly, "Madam, is the venerable Physician Sun still here?"

"Yes, madam, please come in." Even if the visitor were an ordinary person, they wouldn't be stopped.

Anyone seeking treatment from Sun Simiao can enter.

This is the default setting.

It was a bit cold, so Sun Simiao wasn't in the courtyard, but in his room reading the Compendium of Materia Medica.

There was also a brazier burning inside the house for warmth.

Zhang Erya led Empress Xiao and the others to Sun Simiao's room.

He knocked gently on the door. "Sir, someone is looking for you."

When Sun Simiao opened the door, his gaze lingered on Empress Xiao for a moment, then the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothed out, revealing a gentle smile with a hint of surprise:
"What a rare guest! The old man was looking forward to some peace and quiet here, but it's quite a coincidence that I've run into you, madam."

Sun Simiao stepped aside to let him through the doorway, gesturing with his withered hand, "Come inside and warm up, it's windy outside."

Empress Xiao, supported by Li Ke, nodded slightly, her tone warm and familiar:
“I heard from others a few days ago that Mr. Sun has settled in Kaolao Village, so I thought I’d come and see him. You know, this old man just doesn’t feel at ease without Mr. Sun’s prescriptions.”

Empress Xiao's gaze swept over the brazier in the room, then fell back on Sun Simiao, her smile deepening. "I didn't expect you to choose such a quiet place, sir."

Sun Simiao invited everyone into the room. Seeing that Empress Xiao's back was still straight when she sat down, he smiled and stroked his beard: "Your Majesty's complexion is even better than when I saw you in Chang'an a few years ago. Although the lines at the corners of your eyes are a bit deeper, they still have a healthy glow. You must be very happy on ordinary days."

These words were half a doctor's observation and half a casual greeting between acquaintances, spoken naturally and comfortably.

Empress Xiao raised her hand to smooth the mink fur at the edge of her sleeve and sighed softly, "It's comforting, but my body is so weak; I always seem to have some minor ailments."

“How can I compare to you, sir? Look at your gait and your eyes, you are much more energetic than this old woman. The last time I saw you, you said that ‘old bones can’t take any more hardship,’ but now it seems that you are getting stronger and stronger.”

As Empress Xiao spoke, a genuine smile filled the fine lines at the corners of her eyes, showing no trace of the distance she had shown when they first met.

Upon hearing this, Sun Simiao laughed heartily, his voice carrying the open-mindedness of an elder: "This old man is just benefiting from the countryside. He drinks mountain spring water and eats coarse grains every day, which is more comfortable than living in the city."

In fact, Empress Xiao was in good health. Seeing a doctor was secondary; her main concern was to have a talk with Sun Simiao.

As the number of acquaintances dwindled, Sun Simiao became a rather unique figure.

Zhang Erya did not disturb Sun Simiao and Empress Xiao, but immediately went to find Xiao Ran.

Explain the situation to Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran, who was busy burning glass, knew from Zhang Erya's description that the person who came was no ordinary person and wanted to go and see.

"I gonna go see!"

Xiao Ran asked Zhang Jinhe to prepare some pastries and send them over.

Xiao Ran also went along.

In Sun Simiao's room, Xiao Ran saw Empress Xiao, Li Ke, and Xiao Yu.

My eyes were immediately drawn to Empress Xiao. Her aura was somewhat similar to that of Empress Zhangsun.

As for why this was the case, Xiao Ran couldn't explain it for the time being.

However, Li Ke, standing next to him, bears a striking resemblance to Li Shimin in his features.

"Hmm?" Xiao Ran suddenly realized that this might be a member of the royal family.

"Grandpa!" Xiao Ran called out.

Sun Simiao introduced Xiao Ran to Empress Xiao, indicating that Xiao Ran was the master of the place.

"I've heard of your talent and promise, young man." Empress Xiao felt a sense of kinship upon hearing that Xiao Ran also shared the surname Xiao.

"Young master, this is Madam Xiao, from the Xiao family of Lanling."

Upon hearing Sun Simiao's words, a name popped into Xiao Ran's mind: Empress Xiao!
(End of this chapter)