Chapter 11: Forging the Pot

After Xu Ling and his men left, Zhao Bin returned to the Wang residence with Wang Wu and Ling’er. Just as they arrived at the mansion’s gate, they encountered Wei Xiang, the captain of Yancheng, who was riding in on horseback. Wei Xiang swiftly dismounted and saluted, saying, “Greetings, Your Highness, the Prince.”

“No need for formalities, Captain Wei,” Zhao Bin signaled. “Captain Wei, did you come specifically to see me?”

Wei Xiang chuckled and replied, “Your Highness, the government office had no matters today, so I thought I’d visit the Wang residence and see if there’s anything I can assist with.”

“Oh? Captain Wei is so free today? No thieves to catch or bandits to pursue?” Zhao Bin laughed heartily.

“Your Highness, you may not know, although Yancheng lies on the frontier and is often troubled by raids from the Jie tribe, the local people are hardy but mostly honest. There are very few petty thieves or scoundrels,” Wei Xiang replied proudly.

As they conversed, they entered the residence. Chunxi saw Zhao Bin return and approached him, asking, “Your Highness, the blacksmiths and carpenters came this morning asking if they could go home now?”

“I hired them for work, not to kidnap them,” Zhao Bin said. “Give them their wages for the past few days and tell them my affairs are not yet finished, so they should stay a couple more days. Once I’m done, they can return home. Let them wait in the neighboring courtyard. I’ve got some more work for them today. Ling’er, go get the drawings I sketched.”

Ling’er and Chunxi responded and headed in opposite directions—one to the backyard, the other to the front yard.

“Your Highness, I can also forge iron. Are you making weapons? I can help,” Wei Xiang asked.

“No weapons. Just a few copper pots,” Zhao Bin smiled.

“Copper pots?” Wei Xiang’s mind was full of question marks.

Soon, Ling’er came out from the rear hall carrying several drawings. Zhao Bin handed two of the drawings to Wei Xiang.

Wei Xiang flipped through them repeatedly, puzzled. “Your Highness, these don’t look like pots at all. This one looks more like... a plowshare, doesn’t it?”

“That’s right. That’s an iron plowshare. As for the other one, once I make it, you’ll know what it is. Come on, follow me to the forge.”

They followed Zhao Bin to the neighboring courtyard where the blacksmith’s fire was already burning. Zhao Bin called the two blacksmiths over, spread the drawings on the table, and began explaining them.

Wang Wu and Wei Xiang leaned in to watch. After about half an hour, the two blacksmiths approached the forge and began working busily.

After explaining to the blacksmiths, Zhao Bin took out a few more drawings and lectured the carpenters, who were responsible for the plow’s body.

This kind of plow was simple and light, requiring only two people to operate—one pulling in front and one supporting the back—much lighter than the heavy plows they had seen at farmers’ homes before.

Once Zhao Bin finished explaining, everyone began bustling about in the courtyard. Zhao Bin occasionally gave pointers, asking how to make the construction more robust and practical.

His drawings were based solely on things he had seen in his previous life, so he wasn’t certain if they would be truly useful. Therefore, he wanted to hear the experts’ opinions.

Wang Wu and Wei Xiang took off their jackets and helped nearby. By dusk, the first copper pot, complete with a chimney in the center, was nearly finished.

Wang Wu squatted beside it, looking frustrated. “Your Highness, what use is this little pot? It’s too small to even hold chunks of meat for boiling.”

“Old Wu, meat doesn’t have to be eaten in chunks; slices work fine,” Zhao Bin said with a smile. “Masters, thank you for your hard work. Have you memorized the forging method for this copper pot?”

“Yes, Your Highness, we have,” the two blacksmiths nodded eagerly.

“Good. Ling’er, give each of them twenty taels of silver. They can take the day off to visit their families today. They’ll return the day after tomorrow to continue making pots. I’ll pay their wages daily from now on. They will work for me. Also, find me a few more blacksmiths.”

The two men knelt and bowed deeply, “Thank you, Your Highness, thank you.”

“Get up now. No more kneeling. Work well and I won’t treat you unfairly. You should go home early,” Zhao Bin said.

Only then did they rise and take their leave.

“Ling’er, take the pot back and clean it,” Zhao Bin instructed.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Ling’er replied, carrying the now-cooled copper pot back toward the mansion.

Zhao Bin glanced at the carpenters, who were assembling the wooden parts of the plow. Only the plowshares remained, but that would have to wait until the blacksmiths returned from their break.

After some effort, the plow bodies were assembled. Zhao Bin granted them a break as well and arranged for them to resume work the day after tomorrow.

“Captain Wei, I have a task for you,” Zhao Bin said to Wei Xiang.

“Your Highness, your orders shall be carried out faithfully,” Wei Xiang replied.

“Tomorrow, I’ll have Xing’er bring you some silver. Take about a hundred men and scour the city for copper—copper basins, pots, mirrors, good or bad, anything made of copper. Bring all the collected copper to this courtyard. But remember, exchange must be fair; absolutely no robbing from the common people.”

“Your servant obeys. I’ll have my men start collecting copper first thing in the morning,” Wei Xiang promised with a salute.

For the next two days, Wei Xiang led his men throughout the city collecting copper. But by the fifth day, they simply couldn’t find any more.

Several constables returned to the mansion after a day’s search—some empty-handed, others carrying only a rusty door knocker. Yancheng was a small city; they had knocked on every door, leaving no place unchecked.

Meanwhile, Zhao Bin and Wang Wu continued forging copper pots, plowshares, and plow bodies.

Half a month had passed since Xu Ling’s departure.

The neighboring courtyard was piled high with fifty small copper pots and over thirty plows. Zhao Bin surveyed the array and felt it was sufficient. Fifty pots should be enough for two taverns.

“Old Wei, come here,” Zhao Bin called to Wei Xiang, who was busy at the forge.

After more than ten days working together, Zhao Bin no longer called him “Captain Wei” but simply “Old Wei,” which Wei Xiang appreciated greatly.

Wei Xiang put down his tools and hurried over.

“Your Highness, what is it?”

“Do you know who owns the largest tavern in this city, and who runs it?” Zhao Bin asked.

“There aren’t many decent establishments here. The largest one isn’t really a tavern, just a single-story place with about ten tables. The manager’s surname is Zhang, called Zhang Guide,” Wei Xiang replied.

“How is his character?” Zhao Bin inquired further.

“His character is passable, but he is a merchant after all,” Wei Xiang answered.

“Alright, I understand,” Zhao Bin nodded.

Zhao Bin contemplated the tavern he intended to open. In this poor frontier town, he doubted he could make any money. To profit, he would have to open shop in the capital city and earn from the wealthy aristocratic families.

Since he planned to go to the capital, he needed someone reliable who could handle social situations. Xiao Chu was indispensable to him, Wang Wu wasn’t suitable, and the three maidservants were no good for such matters.

So, he would have to hire someone from outside, but he wouldn’t entrust the business entirely to a stranger. The best plan was to hold the person’s family hostage.

However, this was not urgent yet. He still hadn’t brought back the salt or traded for cattle and sheep. It was too early to worry about that.

“Your Highness, Your Highness! Captain Xu’s men have returned!” Chunxi came running in from outside.

“How many came back? How many carts?” Zhao Bin asked excitedly. It seemed his wishes were coming true.

“One man, one horse,” Chunxi replied softly.

“Damn! One man, one horse? Where’s the caravan?” Zhao Bin asked anxiously.

“Your Highness, please don’t be upset. He only came back to deliver a message,” Chunxi said quickly, noticing Zhao Bin’s irritation.

“Let’s go see,” Zhao Bin said, heading toward the gate. Wang Wu dropped his hammer and followed him back into the mansion.

“Your servant pays respects to Your Highness,” a sunburned guard knelt on one knee as Zhao Bin entered the hall.

Zhao Bin stepped forward to help the guard up. “Brother, you must be tired from the journey. Come, sit and speak. Ling’er, bring some tea.”

The guard, visibly moved, stood and said, “Thank you, Your Highness. I returned early to deliver a message. The caravan is still over thirty li from Yancheng. Because they’re hauling salt, progress is slow. They likely won’t reach the city today but should arrive by noon tomorrow.”

“How many came back? How many carts?”

“This time thirty men in total, with ten carts. Eight of the carts are loaded with salt, two are carrying some field officers. Also, I brought some seafood for Your Highness.”

“Chunxi, tell the kitchen to prepare some wine and dishes for tonight. Have this brother dine with me. By the way, brother, what is your name?”

“My name is Han Rang, Your Highness,” the guard replied.

“Good, Han Rang. Tonight, you’ll eat with me and tell me about your experiences by the sea,” Zhao Bin said, patting Han Rang on the shoulder.

“I dare not,” Han Rang bowed respectfully.

“Nonsense. If I invite you, you’ll eat. You’ve earned merit. When the others return, we’ll all celebrate together,” Zhao Bin replied.

“Yes, Your Highness. I obey,” Han Rang said.

That evening, Zhao Bin and several others gathered around a table, eating while listening to Han Rang describe their salt-drying work by the sea.