“You’re not using the master-apprentice excuse to get close to Zhou Jin, are you?” Qing Mulanzhou asked, eyeing Jin Feng suspiciously. “If that’s the case, you might as well take her as a concubine openly. Otherwise, a scandal about a master and apprentice could ruin your name.”
“She’s right, darling,” Guan Xiaorou nodded, looking worried. She didn’t mind Jin Feng taking a concubine but was concerned about his reputation.
“Do you all think I’m that desperate?” Jin Feng said, exasperated. “Even if I were, wouldn’t Dongdong or Run Niang be prettier than Zhou Jin? Why would I go after her?”
Tang Dongdong and Run Niang, whose faces had just calmed, turned red again.
“I’m saying this one last time: I’m not interested in Zhou Jin. I just think she’s a good kid, hardworking, talented, and worth training,” Jin Feng said, feeling drained. “It’s that simple. Believe me or not, that’s up to you.”
“Darling, are you really taking Zhou Jin as an apprentice?” Guan Xiaorou asked. After years of marriage, she knew Jin Feng well and could tell from his tone and expression that he had no intention of taking Zhou Jin as a concubine.
“Not exactly an apprentice. I’ve come up with some new ideas, and since she loves being a medic, I want to teach her,” Jin Feng explained.
Crossbows, spinning wheels, smelting furnaces, catapults, soap… everything Jin Feng had devised was remarkable.
Tang Dongdong forgot her shyness and asked eagerly, “Brother Feng, what have you come up with now?”
“On the border battlefield, I discovered that a substance called alcohol, refined from strong liquor, can prevent wound infections. Later, I found that mould from buns, when cultivated and refined, works even better than alcohol,” Jin Feng said, making it up as he went. “But refining alcohol and cultivating penicillin is too time-consuming. Since Zhou Jin loves this work, I’ll teach her.”
“A medicine that prevents wound infections?” Tang Dongdong’s expression changed.
Countless people in Da Kang died yearly from infected wounds, including wealthy nobles and merchants. Even without medical knowledge, Tang Dongdong instantly grasped the immense value of such a medicine.
Qing Mulanzhou’s breathing quickened. Coming from a military family and focused on the battlefield, she knew how deadly infections were. Over half of wounded soldiers died from them. If Jin Feng was telling the truth, this medicine could reshape Da Kang’s military structure.
“Sir, is this true?” Qing Mulanzhou asked, her voice trembling.
“I’ve tested alcohol, and it works. When the Marquis was gravely injured, I had the doctor clean his wounds with strong liquor,” Jin Feng said. “As for penicillin, I stumbled upon it and have only used it myself.”
“Brother Feng, you’re going to teach Zhou Jin how to make alcohol and penicillin without taking her as an apprentice?” Tang Dongdong asked.
“Yes,” Jin Feng nodded.
“Brother Feng, are you mad?” Tang Dongdong stamped her foot. “Something this valuable, and you’re just giving it away?”
“If I don’t teach someone, where will I find the time to research it myself?” Jin Feng said helplessly. “Besides, I’m not interested in this stuff.”
“Brother Feng, I know I might not have the right to say this, but please, you must take Zhou Jin as an official apprentice if you’re teaching her,” Tang Dongdong said earnestly.
“Is that necessary?” Jin Feng thought she was being overly serious.
“Absolutely necessary!” Tang Dongdong insisted. “Brother Feng, wealth stirs hearts. A medicine that prevents infections could bring unimaginable profits. If Zhou Jin learns it and strikes out on her own, you’ll have nowhere to cry. And if she leaks the formula to enemies, it could be a disaster for Da Kang,” Qing Mulanzhou added.
“Would making her my apprentice stop her from going rogue?” Jin Feng asked.
“Once a master, always a father. After a formal apprenticeship ceremony, a disciple betraying their master is unthinkable, condemned by all,” Tang Dongdong explained. “With that bond, Zhou Jin wouldn’t dare act rashly. Since you don’t plan to take her as a concubine, making her your apprentice makes her family. You teaching her or Sister Xiaorou looking after her would be proper and above board.”
“That makes sense,” Jin Feng nodded.
To him, taking an apprentice didn’t matter much, but Tang Dongdong’s reasoning made sense. He didn’t want his hard work to benefit someone else.
No wonder Tang Dongdong managed the textile factory so well. She had a knack for management and handling people.
“Since you all think so, I’ll ask Zhou Jin if she’s willing to become my apprentice,” Jin Feng said. He wasn’t stubborn and could accept good advice. Besides, Tang Dongdong’s point was clear, and insisting otherwise might make it seem like he had designs on Zhou Jin.
Phew! Tang Dongdong and Qing Mulanzhou sighed in relief.
“Since you’re taking Zhou Jin, why not take Man Cang too?” Tang Dongdong suggested.
Man Cang had been learning smelting from Jin Feng for a while and had picked up a lot, which worried her.
“Man Cang’s only a year younger than me. Wouldn’t that be odd?” Jin Feng frowned.
In his original memories, he and Man Cang grew up together, and with Lin Yunfang’s connection, having Man Cang bow to him as a master felt awkward.
“Zhou Jin’s only two years younger than Man Cang. You’ve taught him so much, so taking him as an apprentice makes sense. What’s odd about it?” Tang Dongdong persisted. “It’s just a title. It doesn’t change anything. Your relationship with Man Cang is already like master and apprentice.”
“Fine,” Jin Feng agreed. One apprentice or two, it didn’t matter much.
As they discussed Man Cang and Zhou Jin, a veteran guarding the gate entered.
“Sir, Zhou Jin’s here. She said you told her to come.”
“Yes, bring her here,” Jin Feng nodded.
Moments later, Zhou Jin, carrying a small bundle, followed the veteran in.
Seeing everyone, she was a bit shy but bowed slightly, greeting each one. “Greetings, sir, madam, general, captain…”
