CHAPTER 103: CHAPTER 97: FIRING THE KILN

The blacksmith agreed without giving Zhao Hanzhang a receipt.

The Zhao family is the largest in Xiping, and no one dares to cheat them, especially since Zhao Hanzhang is part of the main branch.

Zhao Song heard about the matter and assumed the spearhead was made for Zhao Erlang. He said, "Erlang isn’t doing well in his studies, but learning some martial skills for self-defense isn’t bad. Do you have a teacher on your side? If not, we can pick one from here to teach him."

Zhao Hanzhang replied with a smile, "Fifth Uncle, have you forgotten? Zhao Ju is with me."

"Oh, right, you have Zhao Ju." Zhao Song finally remembered that Ji Yuan and Zhao Ju, the two most useful people to Zhao Changyu, were both with Zhao Hanzhang.

He couldn’t help but ponder, could it be that my brother holds Third Sister in higher regard?

When Zhao Ming realized his father’s doubts, he wanted to shake his shoulders to wake him up. "Father, the current clan leader is from the second branch. If Uncle had such intentions, wouldn’t it be causing a division within the clan? This is a major taboo for the clan. Shouldn’t you be trying to ease tensions and weaken your connections with Third Sister?"

"My brother devoted his life to the court, the people, and the clan with all his energy. In terms of foresight and knowledge, how many in this world can match him?" Zhao Song said, "He would never harm the Zhao family. If what you say is true and Ji Yuan and Zhao Ju are left intentionally for Third Sister, it means he believes the second branch is not capable and that handing the clan over to Third Sister is better than giving it to the second branch."

Zhao Ming: "...What if Ji Yuan and Zhao Ju weren’t given by Uncle but were taken by Third Sister herself?"

Uninterested in participating in his father’s blind praise of his uncle, Zhao Ming decided to stay out of it, only aiming to ease the internal clan relations.

Zhao Song fell silent.

Zhao Ming noticed that his father was finally considering another possibility and was greatly moved. His efforts to instill some caution about Zhao Third Sister weren’t easy, were they?

Zhao Hanzhang had already taken the craftsmen they provided back to Shangcai.

After just a few days, Zhao Erlang had tanned noticeably. He rode up on a horse, wielding a large knife, looking ecstatic. "Sister, Brother-in-law, I can now take on Uncle Qianli’s five moves while on horseback."

Fu Tinghan nodded, praising him, "Very impressive! Have you been reviewing your studies lately?"

However, Zhao Hanzhang was focused on his tanned face, "Erlang, you’re not going to find a wife like this. Didn’t I tell you not to go out when the sun is at its strongest?"

He didn’t like hearing either of them, so he selectively forgot what he most disliked, responding only to one of them, "Then I won’t get a wife."

He rubbed his face, saying, "Mom tries to dress me up every day, but I don’t like powder. It smudges my eyes when I sweat, and it’s very uncomfortable."

He pointed at Fu Tinghan, "Brother-in-law is great, he never uses any powder either."

"That’s because he doesn’t need powder to look fair," Zhao Hanzhang glanced at her brother and finally sighed, "Alright, you don’t need to use powder either—it’s pointless for you."

The wheat on both sides of the road had been harvested, and farmers were plowing the land, preparing to sow beans. Zhao Erlang, seeing Zhao Hanzhang moving slowly while checking both sides, became anxious and said, "Sister, let’s have a horse racing competition to see who’s faster."

He said, "There’s nothing interesting about farming. If you want to watch it, there’s land beside our house; you can see it when we return."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "This is related to whether we’ll be hungry or full next year, of course, I’ll watch."

She instructed, "Even if you don’t like it, you should understand a little. When you manage your own household in the future, you must at least know how much grain is in your stock and whether it’s enough for people to eat."

"Just leave it to Mr. Ji," Zhao Erlang said, "Mom said we could leave all household matters to Mr. Ji. If I don’t understand, I’ll ask him."

Zhao Hanzhang seized the opportunity to ask, "Has Mr. Ji taught you how to read?"

Zhao Erlang fell silent again.

"I know you don’t like reading, but it’s alright. If words are too hard to recognize, we won’t focus on recognizing words. Fifth Uncle is right; if you don’t excel in academics, then we’ll take the martial path," Zhao Hanzhang said. "But taking the martial path doesn’t mean being reckless. Here’s what we’ll do: I’ll teach you military texts daily."

"You don’t need your eyes to read; you can listen with your ears and remember with your brain. Knowledge in this world isn’t solely acquired by reading; you can learn by listening as long as you’re willing to use your brain to remember."

Zhao Erlang only half understood, but knowing he still had to study made his back stiff. He quickly turned to Fu Tinghan, "I, I, I want Brother-in-law to teach me."

Zhao Hanzhang raised an eyebrow and looked at Fu Tinghan.

Fu Tinghan: "...I can barely recall ’The Art of War by Sun Tzu,’ but not other military texts."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "It’s alright. Our library has ’Six Secret Teachings’ and the ’Literary Records of Han,’ along with ’The Art of War by Sun Tzu.’ If he can learn even two parts of these three, it’ll be enough for a lifetime."

Fu Tinghan felt like he was handed a teaching task.

He rubbed his forehead, saying, "I’ll do my best, but I don’t have a deep understanding of military strategy. You may need to fill in the gaps."

"Sure, we can teach together. It’ll be good exercise to practice martial arts and keep fit."

Fu Tinghan was close to forgetting this. Remembering the days running and boxing with Zhao Hanzhang, exhausted like a dog, made him silent.

These few days at Zhao’s Fortress have been truly blissful.

Fu Tinghan couldn’t help but ask, "When are we going to Xiping next?"

"We’ll see. I want to wait until the glass is made," Zhao Hanzhang replied.

For Fu Tinghan, making glass wasn’t difficult. He knew all the formulas and steps. As long as there were skilled craftspeople, it was only a matter of time.

The timing issue was due to the limitations of the current equipment, but it didn’t matter—solutions are always more than difficulties. Reverse-stepping the process, achieving it step by step was all it took.

Zhao Hanzhang gave the returned craftsmen to Uncle Cheng, asking him to arrange the craftsmen’s families well, then immediately instructed them to start preparing for porcelain making.

She decided to first test the kiln conditions, observe their heat control, and then begin glass production.

Ji Yuan didn’t know that she intended to make glass, thinking she was only interested in porcelain. Seeing the craftsmen’s porcelain works, he was full of disdain, "Such porcelain is only suitable for the manor’s people; it can’t be sold. Why waste your relationship with Fifth Grandfather for such small profits, Third Sister?"

The craftsmen nearby were displeased by his words. "This batch didn’t turn out well because the kiln is new, and the environment is different from before. Once we get used to it, it’ll be fine."

"Exactly, and the clay isn’t good enough. If Third Sister wants to make good porcelain, better clay and materials are needed."

Zhao Hanzhang generously waved her hand, "I understand. Everything you need will be provided. You guys just need to start the kiln. The porcelain made recently will be for the manor’s use, so make porcelain cups, bowls, plates, and trays mainly."

Ji Yuan couldn’t help but pull Zhao Hanzhang aside, "Third Sister, do you really plan to run a porcelain business?"

He added, "With few products, it’s fine now, but with more items, it’ll inevitably compete with Xiping’s business, leading to disputes and potentially souring relations."