Early the next morning, Cheng Chubi got up early, washed up, and had just finished breakfast.
A servant came to report that His Highness the King of Shu came to visit. Cheng Chubi quickly picked up the drawings he had carefully drawn after returning to the mansion yesterday and hurried out of the mansion.
The two of them rode horses hand in hand towards the General Supervisor of the Tang Dynasty. The General Supervisor was a magical department that was in charge of all sorts of things.
For example, the production of colored glaze was under the management of the general, and could be regarded as a royal franchise.
Usually they make some jewelry, or things like paperweights and buckles.
It was used by the royal family, or given to ministers. For example, the ceremonial sword that Cheng Chubi placed at home.
What is inlaid in the position of the ferocious beast's head is not a gem, but a glass product.
This made Cheng Chubi have to look twice at His Highness the King of Shu, who was a scholar and a rich man.
I originally thought that this kid had no talents other than eating, drinking and having fun, but I didn't expect that he would be interested in such a relatively unsophisticated department.
They can all be told in a eloquent manner, which at least proves that he still has some talents and is not really just a fool waiting to die.
Seeing Cheng Chubi's admiring look, Li Ke showed off even more. "In the past, this colored glaze was an extremely rare item."
"The value is still higher than gold and jade, but it is no longer the case now."
"Why, everyone thinks this thing is worthless?" Cheng Chubi was quite curious.
I saw Li Ke start to shake his head. "Things are rare and valuable. This colored glaze is not valuable. It happened many years ago.
"Book of Wei·Biography of the Western Regions·Da Yuezhi" records: His countrymen were merchants in the capital, and since Yunneng cast stones into five-color colored glaze.
So it was mined in the mountains and cast in the capital. Once it was completed, its luster was as beautiful as those from the West... From then on, Chinese colored glaze became inferior."
Cheng Chubi was immediately confused. "You mean, there are also Western merchants who make Western glass in Chang'an City now?"
Li Ke chuckled. "How is that possible? Someone has long spent a lot of money to buy the secret recipe from people in the Western Regions and make it themselves.
They also used the name Western Region Glazed and specially hired Hu people as waiters to sell it..."
Cheng Chubi was completely convinced. As expected, businessmen are the most powerful and keenest people in the world.
"What, you don't believe it?" Seeing Cheng Chubi muttering in silence, Li Ke was unhappy.
"That old man Zhao's family is not only engaged in the cloth business, but also has a shop that specializes in selling Western Regions glaze products."
"That's great..." Cheng Chubi couldn't help but feel happy. Since it was the old Zhao family, it would be easy.
I am very grateful to the old Zhao family for cutting my prostate. Not only do I want their secret recipe, but it is definitely no problem to ask them to help make some items.
However, Lai Du has come to supervise the situation, so we should first look at the quality of the products of state-owned enterprises before making any conclusions.
When we arrived at the General's Yamen, His Royal Highness Prince Li Ke led the way, and there was His Majesty's handwriting. Soon, a young prisoner who was the General's Supervisor walked away quickly.
Li Ke briefly exchanged greetings and introduced the young eunuch to the general. "This is the third son of Duke Lu, and he is now the deputy commander of Zuo Nei of the East Palace."
"I've met His Highness and the deputy leader of the process."
"Wu Shaojian, I don't know where Liulicang is. I need to trouble you to show the way for the supervisor."
"This official knows, how about he personally lead you two there?"
"If that's the case, then I'll have to trouble Young Supervisor Wu." Cheng Chubi wished that his immediate superiors would lead the way, which would naturally make it easier to do things.
Liuli Bureau is located outside Chang'an City, in an inconspicuous house. Looking from a distance, green smoke curls up above the house.
When they arrived at the courtyard, Shaojian Wu opened the door with just one word. Cheng Chubi and Li Ke followed Shaojian Wu into the courtyard, which covers an area of several acres.
There are not many houses in the yard, only a few.
There are not many fences with wooden pillars and grass as sheds below, and there don't seem to be many craftsmen as far as the eye can see.
"This medicinal jade is not used much nowadays, so there are not many craftsmen who can make it."
"Your Highness and Mr. Cheng are here, but they want to pick out some suitable items, eh?..." Mr. Wu has not finished speaking.
I saw that Cheng Chubi did not go to the rooms where glass products were stored.
Instead, he walked straight to the work shed. Wu Shaojian couldn't help but be a little confused. Could it be that these two were here to look for someone?
"Wu Shaojian doesn't care. In fact, I followed my father's instructions and accompanied Young Master Cheng here. He wants to make some special objects."
Cheng Chubi walked to the work shed and happened to see a craftsman holding a pair of iron pliers.
Place a red-hot, soft thing on a smooth and flat bluestone board.
Then he cut out a lump of about one or two pounds and placed it on the stone slab, then turned away and stuffed the lump back into the firelight.
A craftsman holding two tools similar to small tweezers began to work.
Cheng Chubi was surprised to find that the craftsman's technique was somewhat similar to making a candy man, except that he used small iron tweezers instead of fingers.
After all, who could be stupid enough to pinch the red and soft glass with their fingers?
Following the craftsman's movements, a soft lump of something similar to maltose gradually began to take shape under his deft manipulation.
It turned into a lying creature with a shell on its back and short and clumsy limbs. Is it a turtle or a tortoise? Lying on a square shape.
Cheng Chubi glanced uncertainly at the maltose-like artist with a focused expression, working on the turtle-like animal.
Soon, a lifelike ancient beast that resembled a carrying stone tablet appeared in Cheng Chubi's eyes.
"Good job..." Li Ke, who had been standing aside for a long time, couldn't help but praise.
At this moment, the craftsman who finally completed the work in one go noticed the official wearing official uniforms and two young gentlemen in luxurious clothes.
He quickly stood up and saluted with some trepidation. "Old man Jiang Laoliu has met the officials and the two young masters."
Wu Shaojian waved his hand, and then gestured towards Cheng Chubi and Li Ke.
"Jiang Laoliu, right? There is no need to be polite. These two nobles are here specially to make some objects."
Cheng Chubi smiled at Jiang Laoliu, the craftsman who looked a little nervous.
"I just wanted to ask if you could help me make some objects, like this..."
Cheng Chubi took out the pattern he drew with hard lines. Next to him, Li Ke quickly stretched his neck.
I want to see how shocking the new works created by the artistic genius Cheng Chubi are.
To his surprise, he was disappointed. He only saw a square, strange thing with a small round hole on it, similar to a container.
Why did Cheng Laosan's painting style suddenly become normal? Li Ke was puzzled.
After thinking about it for a moment, I realized that the painting was entirely composed of lines without regard to aesthetic concepts.