NFBE Chapter 171 Go Where It's Cool
Chapter 171 Go Where It's Cool
[The previous chapter has been completed; those who haven't read it can go back and read it now.]
After handing the glassmaking formula over to Yu Ercheng and the workshop craftsmen, Gu Lin put Yu Ercheng in full charge of the matter.
A few days later, Yu Ercheng came to the Zheng residence, and Gu Lin had someone bring him in.
Lobby.
After Yu Ercheng followed Xizhu in, he said to the young man sitting at the head of the hall, "Master."
Gu Lin asked, "Why did you come here? Did the workshop encounter any difficulties in researching the firing of glass?"
Yu Ercheng did not hide anything and replied, "The craftsmen in the workshop and I studied the glass formula day and night, but the results were not satisfactory. Most of the craftsmen in the workshop are good at woodworking and making rouge and face powder. Apart from one or two craftsmen who can understand a little about the glass formula, the other craftsmen do not understand its meaning."
Listening to Yu Ercheng's report, Gu Lin realized the mistake he had made. It was good to give the glass formula to the craftsmen, but there are also sub-categories among craftsmen, such as carpenters, blacksmiths, and goldsmiths. They all seem to be craftsmen and have little difference, but they are actually very different. In their own fields, they are all experts, but in other fields, they are laymen.
If the artisans in the workshop were blacksmiths, silversmiths, goldsmiths, etc., they might even be able to research glassmaking techniques.
Gu Lin said helplessly, "It was my carelessness."
Even so, they couldn't find any artisans specializing in glassmaking, or blacksmiths, silversmiths, or other craftsmen. These artisans were all registered in the government's roster, and skilled craftsmen either worked for the government or for powerful and wealthy families. Gu Lin simply couldn't poach their workers.
Seeing his boss's troubled expression, Yu Ercheng reminded him, "Boss, glassmaking doesn't necessarily require craftsmen to study it."
As soon as Yu Ercheng finished speaking, a thought flashed through Gu Lin's mind. He looked up and stared at Yu Ercheng with lightning speed, saying, "You mean to invite... a sorcerer?"
Yu Ercheng was not surprised that his boss quickly guessed his thoughts.
He said, "Most craftsmen are only proficient in one skill and are lacking in other areas. They are also conservative and dare not innovate. On the contrary, alchemists are good at exploring. If we can find an alchemist to study how to fire glass with us, we will definitely achieve twice the result with half the effort."
Without making a decision immediately, Gu Lin pondered. Influenced by certain historical factors, he did not have a good impression of alchemists. In fact, there were good and bad alchemists. There were many who cheated and swindled, but there were also those who possessed real skills.
The firing of glass involves a great deal of knowledge, from the selection of raw materials and the control of temperature to the chemical reactions of various chemicals in the furnace. These are all things that Yu Ercheng and the craftsmen in the workshop cannot control. Gu Lin pondered that he really needed to invite a professional with rich theoretical and practical knowledge back.
However, finding a truly skilled alchemist is no easy task. Those with even a modicum of ability either integrate into Taoism and become Taoist priests, become court sorcerers, or retreat to the mountains in seclusion…
Although the firing of glass urgently requires the assistance of a sorcerer, Gu Lin also knows that the more anxious he is, the more likely he is to make mistakes. If he accidentally brings back a swindler sorcerer who might also leak the glass-making formula, he will only be asking for trouble.
After clearing his mind, Gu Lin said to Er Cheng, "Go back and find a reliable alchemist. Don't be stingy with money, and don't give up on your research into glassmaking."
Yu Ercheng agreed, and as he turned to leave, he encountered Lord Zheng returning to his residence. He immediately bowed and, after receiving permission, left the Zheng residence.
Gu Lin had just returned to his courtyard when Zheng Hao came in.
happy Zhu and the others were busy setting the table with food. When they saw Lord Zheng come in, he paused. He glanced at his husband out of the corner of his eye and saw that his expression was normal, so he set out an extra set of chopsticks and bowls.
After setting out the food, they left silently.
As always, Zheng Hao sat down opposite Gu Lin.
The young man picked up his chopsticks and began to eat. He neither urged the young man to leave nor offered to let him stay for the meal.
For a moment, the entire room was very quiet, with no sound except for the clinking of bowls and chopsticks.
"Uncle Gu."
The young man suddenly spoke, calling out to the young man.
Gu Lin didn't want to look at the other person, but when he thought of the aggrieved look on the other person's face when he didn't respond a few days ago, his fingers paused involuntarily.
He slightly raised his eyes and looked at the young man opposite him, clearly signaling him to speak quickly without saying a word.
Gu Lin is becoming increasingly impatient with Zheng Hao.
If Zheng Hao was once Gu Lin's precious darling, now...
Go stay somewhere cool.
[These next few days will be busy with school exams, so I'll try my best to post 4 updates a day. If that's not possible, I'll post 1 update a day and make it up the next day. Thank you for following along, my darlings! The rest of the content will be added tomorrow!]