Chapter 97: Go and Stay

It was the hour of Hai. People usually settled down for an early night's sleep.

However, no one was asleep at a small, inconspicuous kiln factory. Military artisans were building kilns through the night. Chen Ji and Liang Mao'er pushed a huge stone roller, while the Young Lord, Liu Quixing, and She Dengke sieved raw materials to a finer consistency.

Even the young monk rolled up his sleeves and worked, continuously bringing in new raw materials.

Only Liang Gou'er sat with his legs crossed, his straw hat covering his face, seemingly oblivious to everyone.

The Young Lord crouched by the stone roller, his mouth and nose covered with a cloth strip. He asked in a muffled voice, "Chen Ji, if we succeed in this, will we truly make history?"

Chen Ji smiled, "Yes, we will."

The Young Lord asked again, "What kind of name will we leave?"

Chen Ji replied, "In the autumn of the 31st year of Jianing, the cement produced by Zhu Yunxi, Zhu Baili, Chen Ji, She Dengke, Liu Quixing, the young monk, and Liang Mao'er will benefit generations to come. Cement is a groundbreaking product. Within a century, every household will build their homes not with mud and glutinous rice mortar, but with our cement."

"Even if future history books forget the Prince of Fu, the Prince of An, and the Prince of Qi, they will never forget us."

The Young Lord's eyes shone brightly. "To work, to work!"

Just then, a carriage stopped at the entrance of the kiln factory.

Everyone looked over to see Old Man Yao slowly disembarking, assisted by the coachman.

In his hand, he carried two bamboo sticks. Liu Quixing and She Dengke's expressions changed. *Oh no, we didn't tell Master we wouldn't be returning tonight. Master's here to beat us.*

Both simultaneously looked at the Young Lord. "Young Lord, save us! Master will surely go easy on us for your sake."

The Young Lord said bitterly, "I have no influence with Imperial Physician Yao."

Imperial Physician Yao scoffed from a distance, "At least the Young Lord has some self-awareness."

Liu Quixing eagerly approached Old Man Yao, saying with a fawning smile, "Master, you must be tired carrying those two bamboo sticks. Let me help you with them for a bit."

But as soon as he extended his hand, a bamboo stick landed on his hand.

Old Man Yao's tone was flat. "I remember the last time I beat you for not returning at night was just a few days ago. I suppose I'm old now, and my strength has diminished. Even a beating doesn't seem to make you remember."

Liu Quixing's eyes darted around, and he quickly changed the subject. "Master, Chen Ji's father came to the kiln factory today. He said he had already discussed with you about sending Chen Ji to Donglin Academy, so he wouldn't need to be an apprentice at our medical clinic anymore."

"Oh?"

Old Man Yao slowly looked at Chen Ji by the stone roller. "This is good news. Why didn't you go with your father? Why are you here doing manual labor, pushing a stone roller?"

"Master, I want to stay at Taiping Medical Clinic."

Old Man Yao chuckled. "You're giving up the silk and fine food of the Chen family, choosing hardship? I've already agreed with Master Chen, so you should go back to the Chen Estate."

Chen Ji calmly said, "I don't believe you agreed to it."

Old Man Yao raised an eyebrow. "Your father came to the clinic today and politely presented eight gifts, including ten silver ingots and a silver ruler. Why wouldn't I agree? Don't act like you're some precious treasure. I'd be glad for you to go home early and stop irritating me at the clinic."

"The Young Lord, as the heir of Prince Jing, whose diligence is now widely admired by the people, should set aside his playful nature, cultivate himself well, and not squander the reputation of Prince Jing's Estate."

Liu Quixing seized the opportunity to bring Old Man Yao a chair.

Supporting his master as he sat down, Liu Quixing said, "Master, when Master Chen came today, Chen Ji righteously refused him. Please calm down; he doesn't want to return to the Chen Estate, and it's all for the sake of your master-disciple bond."

Old Man Yao was silent for a moment, then turned to Liu Quixing. "There's some food in the carriage—donkey meat pastries and candied garlic. Go get them and share them. Young people don't know the importance of regular meals. When you get old, you'll understand that good health is what matters most."

Liu Quixing's eyes lit up, and tears of gratitude nearly welled up. "Master, you really do care about us."

The Young Lord also stood up and bowed in return. "Thank you for the reminder. We won't disturb your rest. Farewell."

In the evening, they had impulsively returned to the kiln factory without eating. If it weren't for the military artisans sharing some flatbread, they would likely still be hungry.

Everyone rushed towards the carriage, but Chen Ji remained rooted to the spot.

The young man and the old man gazed at each other from a distance in the night.

A mountain lord and a mountain lord.

Like the old era gazing upon the new.

This master, despite his harsh words, had brought a carriage full of food.

Old Man Yao was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke, "Go back, return to the Chen Estate."

Chen Ji was surprised. "Why?"

Having said that, Old Man Yao settled back into the ox cart, calmly shaking the reins as it slowly began to move away. He looked up at the night sky and slowly said, "The Chen family's status is beyond what others can achieve in generations. Going back would be good for you. Whether you continue to study medicine or prepare for the imperial examinations at Donglin Academy, it's better than staying at my small Taiping Medical Clinic. I have nothing left to teach you about the Mountain Lord's Path; you don't need to stay by my side."

Chen Ji was stunned. He hadn't expected that his master, after a day of careful thought, had rushed over in the middle of the night not to keep him, but to persuade him to leave.

He knew that Old Man Yao must have initially refused Chen Liqin.

But Old Man Yao had pondered for an entire day, undergoing countless changes of mind, and still chose a smoother path for Chen Ji.

Simply because this path was better for Chen Ji.

From behind, someone whispered, "The Young Lord is mischievous. It's a pity, considering how diligent Prince Jing is and how he cares for his people."

Old Man Yao calmly said, "The Mountain Lord's Path is incredibly expensive. If you stay at Taiping Medical Clinic, even if you master my medical skills, you'll only slowly accumulate money, a tael of silver per patient. You'll waste your life and never reach the threshold of the Divine Path realm. If you return to the Chen family, as long as you achieve an official title, even as a concubine's son, you'll have plenty of money to spend."

Chen Ji hummed in acknowledgment.

Old Man Yao was unusually talkative tonight and continued, "Golden Pig came looking for you at the clinic again today, but still couldn't find you. His patience will eventually run out. If you return to the Chen family, he'll be wary of consequences and probably won't dare to do anything to you."

"Go back. The Chen family is more suitable for you."

Chen Ji said, "But Master, one cannot always choose what is suitable; one must choose what one desires."

He looked at the Young Lord and the others gobbling down food at the kiln factory entrance and suddenly asked, "Master, you actually calculated long ago that a great catastrophe would befall the Prince's Estate, which is why you don't want me involved in this whirlpool now and chose to send me away, isn't that right? If I return to the Chen family, staying away from Taiping Medical Clinic, away from Prince Jing's Estate, away from the Young Lord, and away from the Princess, will I be able to stay out of trouble and escape this calamity?"

On the ox cart, Liu Quixing heard the whispers and said with his head bowed, "It's only because Prince Jing is benevolent that they dare to speak like this. If it were Prince Fu, Prince Qi, or Prince An, would they dare to mock? They'd kill all their chickens and dogs."

Old Man Yao was silent for a moment. "Yes."

Chen Ji said earnestly, "Master, if my fate can be changed, then can the fate of Prince Jing's Estate be changed?"

Old Man Yao gazed at Chen Ji. "The fate of Prince Jing's Estate is intricate and cannot be changed by one person or a single word. Their destiny is already set, but your fate still holds infinite possibilities. If you don't leave, you'll merely be a moth drawn to a flame, drawn into an unknowable fire."

Chen Ji looked at these figures and suddenly said, "Master, they are very good friends. I cannot leave. Even if fate is already decided, I want to try to change it."

Chen Ji laughed heartily, "As long as we have breath, we won't go back yet. We'll stay at the kiln factory until we successfully produce cement. If we can never make it, then we'll never go back."

However, once the setting sun had completely dipped below the horizon, the light in the Young Lord's eyes gradually faded.

The young monk once said that Chen Ji had already cut away greed and hatred from his life, leaving only 'obsession' inexplicable.

This 'obsession' was both stubbornness and persistent dedication.

Old Man Yao looked at his disciple, remaining silent for a long time.

After a long while, he stood up. "You can pretend I didn't say any of these things tonight. Just remember not to regret it when you see your destiny."

"I won't regret it."

Chen Ji, in turn, smiled and waved to the Young Lord and the others. "Are you full?"

"Yes, we are!"

"Back to work!"

Liu Quixing chuckled, "Chen Ji, you should eat one too. I saved the one with the most donkey meat for you."

Old Man Yao turned and got into the carriage. Halfway in, he looked back at the kiln factory. The young men had already stuffed the donkey meat pastries into their mouths and resumed pushing the stone roller, as if pushing against heavy fate.

The following afternoon, the sun was bright.

A carriage slowly traveled along the official road.

The Young Lord whispered, "Why doesn't my father have another son?"

Princess Baili pulled back the carriage curtain slightly, letting the cold wind stir the light hair at her temples. "Father, my brother and the others didn't return to the estate yesterday."

Prince Jing sat upright at the back of the carriage, his eyes closed in repose, and simply hummed softly in acknowledgment.

Baili uttered a soft "Huh?" "Father, in the past, if my brother didn't return at night, you would hang him up and beat him. Why are you so lenient now?"

Prince Jing didn't even open his eyes. "I used to be strict with him because sooner or later, he will become Prince Jing. Every word and action from that position affects the livelihoods of countless people, so naturally, I couldn't let him do as he pleased."

"Then what about today? Why aren't you angry?"

"Because he is doing something important."

Baili asked with a smile, "So, you want another son to compete with him for the position of Prince Jing?"

Baili looked out the window, casually probing, "Father, you've been sitting with your eyes closed for a while, are you perhaps planning how to scheme against Chen Ji?"

Prince Jing slowly opened his eyes. "Do you truly think your father is so petty?"

Baili closed the curtain and sat up straight, saying earnestly, "Father, you know best how shrewd you are. Just tell me directly. After suffering a hidden loss yesterday, how do you plan to scheme against him?"

Prince Jing chuckled. "Why are you asking this? If I tell you, won't you just turn around and betray me? Well done, Baili, you're starting to play tricks on your old father."

"Don't scheme against him. I'll make you braised pork when we get back."

"Father doesn't like braised pork anymore. It's too greasy."

"Then I'll give you a back massage!"

Prince Jing uttered a soft "Hmm?" "Why are you so protective of this young man? Has he charmed you?"

Baili said solemnly, "He has no family to rely on. As his friends, we naturally must look out for him. He's not like those gentry; you're not allowed to use the methods you use against the gentry on him."

Prince Jing was silent for a moment. "Alright, but some matters involve military strategy. I won't let those secrets leak to the common people. And you must understand, if he monopolizes some things, it's like a child carrying jade; it will attract trouble."

Baili extended her pinky finger. "Anyway, you promised me. Pinky swear."

"Alright, alright, pinky swear!"

The carriage slowly stopped in front of the kiln factory. Before Steward Feng could even set down the footstool, Baili had already lifted the curtain and jumped out.

Steward Feng called out anxiously from behind, "Oh, Princess, slow down! The ground is muddy and slippery."

No sooner had he spoken than Baili had already run through the main gate and out of sight.

Prince Jing's soft cough came from inside the carriage.

Steward Feng turned to look. "Your Highness, how is your health?"

Prince Jing smiled. "I'm better after taking Imperial Physician Yao's medicine. Why is it so warm here? Let's go in and see."

Inside the kiln factory, a solid downdraft kiln stood in the center. Chen Ji and the others were shoveling coal, scoop by scoop, into its combustion chamber.

A roaring fire ignited, sweeping through the enclosed downdraft kiln.

The raw materials were gradually consumed by the flames, melting and sintering.

Prince Jing stood silently before the kiln. He couldn't see what was happening inside.

He could only feel the waves of heat radiating through the kiln walls.

The Young Lord looked aside. "Let them take it if they want. I don't want anything; I'll give it all to him."

He looked at Wang Luozhi. "How is it?"

Wang Luozhi replied with difficulty, "Your Highness, the flames are nearly white; the temperature is higher than we imagined."

"What are they firing now?"

"Cement."

"How much longer?"

"This is already the third batch. Before dawn this morning, they had already fired the first batch and used the clinker from it to build a brick wall."

Only then did Prince Jing notice that a brick wall had appeared in a corner of the kiln factory at some unknown time.

Mortar adhered between the brick seams.

No sooner had he spoken than Chen Ji stopped shoveling coal, smiled at Prince Jing, and handed him a hammer. "Your Highness, please try hitting that brick wall with this hammer. See if my cement can replace glutinous rice mortar."

Steward Feng spoke from the side, "Your Highness, you've just taken your medicine. Let your humble servant strike it instead."

Prince Jing looked at the brick wall but shook his head. "No need, I'll do it myself."

The Young Lord turned around and asked in surprise, "Hey, what are you doing?"

With that, he dragged the hammer to the brick wall and swung it with all his might.

Some chips of stone broke off the blue brick, but the brick wall remained firmly bonded, without budging.

Prince Jing struck it a few more times, finally dislodging a few blue bricks.

The Young Lord saw the wall broken and looked at Chen Ji with concern. "What now? It's not strong enough."

However, the next moment, Prince Jing asked, "Was this wall built this morning?"

Wang Luozhi explained, "Reporting to Your Highness, I watched them build it this morning."

Prince Jing continued, "If it were glutinous rice mortar, how long would it take to achieve this strength?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, glutinous rice mortar requires a full ten days. If this cement material were used for repairing city walls in border towns, it would likely have remarkable effects."

Prince Jing asked again, "How long does it take them to prepare this cement?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, it requires four hours of on-site preparation and another two hours of setting before it can be used."

Prince Jing asked further, "What do you estimate the cost of this material to be?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, the raw materials for this are merely clay and poor quality ash. Its cost is less than one-fifth of glutinous rice mortar. If materials can be sourced locally, excluding transport costs, the price might be less than one-tenth."

The Young Lord fell silent.

As the saying goes, outsiders see the spectacle, while insiders understand the true method.

Only military artisans like Wang Luozhi could truly grasp the significance of cement for this era.

Prince Jing looked at Steward Feng. "Go invite Minister Zhang Zhuo and Minister Chen Liqin to come here."

Steward Feng was puzzled. "Your Highness, Minister Zhang still needs to preside over the autumn imperial examination at the Imperial Academy today, and Minister Chen still has to manage river dikes and water conservancy affairs. I'm afraid they won't be able to come."

Prince Jing smiled. "Then tell Minister Zhang, isn't he troubled by how to build houses and resolve the issue of refugees in Yuzhou? Now his problem is solved. With this material, the refugees can have temporary shelter. If Luocheng can avoid deaths this winter, it will be a tremendous political achievement for Zhang Zhuo. Compared to this, the autumn imperial examination is nothing. He knows what's more important."

"What about Minister Chen?"

"Tell him his river dikes are also saved."

The Young Lord suddenly cheered.

Baili smiled, watching him, Liu Quixing, and She Dengke lift Chen Ji up together. "It's a success, it's a success!"