Chapter 111: The Return of the Foreign Merchants

Wei Renshi did not return to Fuchang.

It wasn’t that he had any special business left in Luoyang.

He simply found the prospect of returning to Fuchang troublesome.

Three hundred people were no small number; settling them would require considerable effort.

Even though the land beneath Pingshan had been secured by Jiao Haiqing, with wooden houses built and a coal yard established, the first few days of settling three hundred people there would inevitably be full of challenges.

Those troubles could be left to Jiao Haiqing to handle—ha ha!

Wei Renshi hid himself in the backyard of Yimeng Pavilion, spending his days mostly teaching Wang Xiaosui to cook. The rest of the time, he held pen and paper, sketching various designs, carefully drawing out the details of some devices from his memory.

Of course, most of these were impossible to realize, but the principles were there. Some simple devices, once their principles were understood, could be adapted and manufactured in this era to serve certain purposes.

Naturally, this required a few skilled craftsmen to study and discuss together before deciding what could ultimately be turned from drawings into tangible objects.

Until the craftsmen were all gathered, Wei Renshi had nothing else to do.

The autumn chill deepened; even under the midday sun, a single long robe felt cool.

The sky was a clear, endless expanse of blue.

In these crisp, leisurely autumn days, watching the white streak of a bird flying across the sky, Wei Renshi finally regained a sense of carefree wandering.

“Little young master?”

A voice called from behind, pulling Wei Renshi’s gaze down from the sky. Turning around, he saw Sun Peng’s wife standing there.

“The weather’s growing colder; fewer people buy ice or cold drinks now,” she said.

“That’s all right. We’ll sell again when it warms up,” Wei Renshi replied. “No need to close the shop; if someone wants it, we’ll still make it.”

“Very well,” she nodded.

No sooner had she left than a waiter ran up, saying, “Young master, a man has come outside, claiming to be sent by Shopkeeper Tian from the Jiao Family Trading House. He says you instructed the Hu merchants to bring back some goods.”

“Back already!” Wei Renshi’s spirits surged; he could almost smell the cumin.

“That’s excellent!” Wei Renshi called out, “Uncle Shi, hitch up the carriage—we’re heading to the Jiao Family Trading House!”

My barbecue stand has been ready for a long time, just waiting for these little treasures to arrive!

The carriage rolled out of the side gate onto the street, heading toward the northern market.

As the wheels clattered over the bluestone pavement, Wei Renshi swore to himself that once the craftsmen were assembled, he would put considerable effort into improving these carriage wheels.

Arriving at the Jiao Family Trading House, Wei Renshi approached the doorway.

The staff inside recognized him immediately; upon his arrival, someone called for Shopkeeper Tian.

Shopkeeper Tian appeared shortly, bowing politely and smiling, “Master Wei, you’re quick indeed.”

“Where are the goods?” Wei Renshi smiled. “The weather’s been favorable these days. When do you have time in the next few days?”

“I’m free tomorrow and the day after,” Shopkeeper Tian replied after a moment’s thought.

Wei Renshi nodded. “Then it’s settled. Tomorrow we’ll go to the park—I’ll treat you to barbecue!”

“Oh?” Shopkeeper Tian smiled. “I’ve long heard that no one rivals Master Wei’s culinary skills. I must taste it for myself!”

“You flatter me!” Wei Renshi waved his hands. “What about the anise? Take me to see it!”

Shopkeeper Tian smiled apologetically. “It’s still with the Hu merchant Adili, hasn’t been brought over yet. We planned to deliver it tomorrow. I’ll accompany you to see him and find out what rare things he’s brought back.”

The two left, climbed into the carriage, and found the Hu merchants.

They were setting up tents in the market, noticeably more than the last time Wei Renshi had come.

This area was designated for Hu merchants. Although some of the wealthier, larger traders had residences within Luoyang, most simply pitched tents here to live and sell their goods. Like individual tents, this allowed them to pack up and move on after selling a batch, continuing their journey westward.

If all went well, the trip took at least half a year. Some merchants were robbed along the way.

Furthermore, these merchants bought and sold as they traveled, slowing their pace. The goods they carried were rare in the Tang Empire, which allowed them to command high prices.

Scanning the scene, Wei Renshi didn’t see cumin at once. Instead, he noticed a collection of glassware being arranged into a tent.

“Wow...” Shopkeeper Tian looked on admiringly. Catching Wei Renshi’s glance, he smiled, “These glass items are truly exquisite!”

Ah, these are what they now call “liuli.”

“I think they’re not as beautiful as jade cups,” Wei Renshi said, glancing at a few wine cups Tian was admiring.

“Master Wei, you don’t know,” Shopkeeper Tian chuckled. “These liuli items are priceless. What you see are the lower-grade pieces; the truly fine ones aren’t even displayed. Believe me, in less than three days, these will all be sold out, and the merchants will have made their profit.”

“Just these?” Wei Renshi looked over the pieces. “So expensive?”

“Master Wei, those two wine cups alone would cost several hundred guan,” Shopkeeper Tian said with a smile. “Liuli isn’t just beautiful; only those with status can afford to use it.”

Wei Renshi looked again, unable to see what made them so special.

But rarity breeds value. Liuli could only be bought from Hu merchants, who transported it from the Arab lands to the Tang Empire. The added costs along the way pushed prices high. This exorbitant price made liuli not only a utilitarian object but a symbol of status—only the distinguished could afford it.

But Wei Renshi knew the main ingredient for glassmaking was quartz, silicon dioxide—in other words, refined sand.

Where was the rarity in that?

He knew the raw materials, the annealing methods; though he couldn’t fire a kiln himself, there were certainly people who could. Though he couldn’t blow glass, he could find Hu artisans who could.

Once he had his own kiln, he’d make these things cheap as cabbage!

Keeping this thought to himself, Wei Renshi looked further back and said, “Let’s go see the cumin.”