In Da Kang, there is no glass; the only similar transparent material is crystal.
Crystal in Da Kang is an absolute luxury, even nobles and high officials are reluctant to use it for windows.
In fact, the process of making glass is not very complex. If he wanted, Jin Feng could easily produce it.
In terms of transparency and malleability, glass far surpasses crystal.
If managed properly, this could undoubtedly bring Jin Feng immense wealth beyond his estimation.
However, an innocent man with a treasure invites trouble. Without sufficient power, if Jin Feng rashly produced glass, it would not be wealth but a disaster.
So, Jin Feng decided not to make glass too soon.
“Darling, can we really live in the kind of house you described?” Guan Xiao Rou asked, her face full of longing.
“Trust me, we definitely will,” Jin Feng said firmly.
He was only eighteen, with a long life ahead to fulfil his promises.
“I believe you!” Guan Xiao Rou replied. Hearing the workers outside return to their tasks, she took the initiative to wrap her arms tightly around Jin Feng’s neck.
Tang Dong Dong, passing by outside, gave a quiet tsk and walked away, blushing.
Jin Feng couldn’t even recall when he fell asleep that night. The next day, he didn’t get up until the sun was high.
Looking at Guan Xiao Rou, still sound asleep in his arms, Jin Feng gently lifted the thin blanket to get out of bed.
But Guan Xiao Rou stirred awake.
She gave Jin Feng a sweet, sleepy smile, then snuggled into his arms like a kitten, gently rubbing her face against his chest.
Since overcoming her initial shyness, she had become very clingy with Jin Feng, especially when they were alone, practically wanting to stay in his arms forever.
“Alright, you’re awake, so get up. It’s probably late,” Jin Feng said, playfully tapping her nose.
Guan Xiao Rou glanced at the sunlight streaming through the crack in the door.
The light was almost centred…
Like a startled cat, she leapt up. “Oh no, oh no, we overslept. With so many people in the courtyard, they’ll definitely tease us to death.”
“Who dares tease you? I’ll kick them out,” Jin Feng said, joking.
“Nonsense,” Guan Xiao Rou shot him a look, quickly dressed herself, and then hurriedly helped Jin Feng dress.
Luckily, the female workers were all at work, and the courtyard was empty.
Guan Xiao Rou breathed a sigh of relief and slipped into the kitchen.
Hearing noises from the blacksmith’s shop, Jin Feng strolled over.
Not only were Zhang Liang and Man Cang there, but Zhong Wu and his group were also present.
The small blacksmith’s shop was packed with people.
Some were busy working the bellows, others adding firewood, all bustling with activity.
“What are you all doing?” Jin Feng asked, yawning.
“Brother Zhong Wu asked me to forge two good knives for them,” Man Cang replied with a simple grin.
Ever since Jin Feng forged two fine knives for Qing Huai, Zhong Wu had been envious.
Knowing Jin Feng was busy, he didn’t dare ask him directly and instead turned to Man Cang.
Forging a battle knife is delicate work. In Wei Zhou’s military camp, Man Cang had been occupied making iron wire and had no time to forge knives for Zhong Wu.
It had been delayed until now.
Early that morning, Zhong Wu had gone to Man Cang’s house and “invited” him out of bed.
“Sir, you’re finally up?” Zhong Wu said with a sly wink. “You look thin, but your stamina’s impressive. I heard from the night shift aunties that you were battling half the night!”
In the army, most were rough men, and crude talk was as common as drinking water.
But Guan Xiao Rou was thin-skinned. If she heard this, how could she face anyone?
“Get lost!” Jin Feng kicked Zhong Wu’s backside. “Man Cang, if this guy spouts nonsense again, don’t forge his knife, got it?”
“Got it!” Man Cang, still resentful about Zhong Wu dragging him out of bed, had been held back by his older brother Zhang Liang. Now, with Jin Feng’s support, he stood taller. “Don’t worry, sir. Zhong Wu’s knife will be forged last.”
“Sir, Brother Man Cang, I was wrong!” Zhong Wu immediately backed down, bowing repeatedly to Jin Feng and Man Cang.
Jin Feng ignored him and walked to the furnace. “How’s it going?”
“Our furnace is a bit slow. If we could improve it, it’d be much better,” Man Cang said. During his time in Wei Zhou, his first task was to improve the camp’s furnaces, gaining considerable experience.
“Liang Ge, is the blacksmith’s workshop in the new courtyard finished?” Jin Feng turned to Zhang Liang.
“It’s done. Now it’s just the main house left,” Zhang Liang replied.
“Alright, I’ll head over in the next couple of days to build a bigger furnace. Liang Ge, help me find a few skilled masons.”
This furnace was built hastily, with many makeshift elements.
Steel was central to all of Jin Feng’s future plans, so with this move, he intended to carefully construct a furnace with a higher heat capacity.
“No problem. I’m going to the county tomorrow, and I’ll have someone look into it,” Zhang Liang nodded. “By the way, Feng Zi, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“About half a month ago, some bandits appeared in Tong Shan. The last few times I went to the county to deliver goods, they extorted me,” Zhang Liang said.
“Old Zhang, that’s no good. Why pay bandits a toll? Just take them out!” Zhong Wu said, displeased. “Didn’t sir leave you several crossbows? Can’t you handle a few bandits?”
Since Jin Feng led the Tie Lin Army to defeat the Dang Xiang southern expedition, Zhong Wu had grown cocky.
Not just him, most of the Tie Lin Army soldiers were the same, looking down on everyone.
Pride leads to defeat, a dangerous trend. Jin Feng had specifically warned Qing Huai before leaving.
Whether Qing Huai took it seriously was beyond Jin Feng’s control.
“Zhong Wu, do you even know who these bandits are, and you’re talking about taking them out?” Zhang Liang glared at him, then explained without waiting for Jin Feng to ask. “These bandits are from Tie Guan Shan.”
“Are you sure?” Jin Feng frowned slightly.
“Certain. The leader is the same small-time chief who comes to our village every year to collect tribute,” Zhang Liang replied.
Now Zhong Wu understood why Zhang Liang didn’t take out the bandits.
Tie Guan Shan was one of the three largest bandit groups in Jin Chuan County, with hundreds of men. Its terrain, like Qing Shui Shan, had only one mountain path, making it easy to defend and hard to attack.
If Jin Feng led the Tie Lin Army back, taking down Tie Guan Shan would be effortless.
But with just their current group, storming Tie Guan Shan was a pipe dream.
Moreover, Zhong Wu and his men were only escorting Jin Feng back and would return to the Tie Lin Army in a few days.
If they killed the bandits blocking the road, what would happen when Tie Guan Shan retaliated?
“How much toll are they demanding?” Jin Feng asked.
If it wasn’t much, he was inclined to keep the peace for now.
“Not much, but it keeps increasing each time,” Zhang Liang said. “And I feel they’re doing it on purpose.”
