My life is like walking on thin ice

Chapter 41 Let’s talk about it when we get back!

On the way back to Chang'an from outside the city, Liu Rong remained silent and didn't say another word.

This provoked Second Young Master Xuan Ming, who was also sitting in the carriage, to look at each other for a while, and finally gave up the idea of ​​asking questions.

——The two brothers could probably guess that Liu Rong came here in good spirits and returned in disgrace.

But the reality was slightly different from the two brothers' expectations...

"Ah~"

"I originally wanted to make something useful."

"Unexpectedly, after going round and round, I still returned to luxury goods..."

Thinking of this, Liu Rong just shook his head and sighed, and looked aimlessly out of the car window.

Old Craftsman Qin's words were cryptic: The materials are not difficult to find and the production is not complicated, but they can sell for a lot of money.

But it was impossible for Liu Rong not to understand what Old Jiang Qin wanted to express.

--Luxury.

The material cost, labor cost, and time cost are all relatively low, and at the same time, the price is ridiculously expensive, and there is nothing else except luxury goods.

On the other hand, anything that meets the above conditions can be judged as a luxury product.

Can Liu Rong be a 'luxury product' in this era?

Yes, but Liu Rong doesn't want to.

Liu Rong didn't want to make something superficial and flashy that would embarrass the traveler community.

But today's experience made Liu Rong vaguely understand something.

"What I want to do is not a certain thing, but an entire industrial system..."

"——And it is the military industry and heavy industry system."

"If we want to build and improve the industrial system from scratch, we must hold the entire Shaofu firmly in our hands."

Realizing this, Liu Rong had no choice but to give up his previous naive idea even though he was unwilling to do so.

——In order to make advanced equipment with cross-era significance, Liu Rong first had to improve small parts and build large parts based on the existing industrial foundation of the Han Dynasty, so as to obtain a complete light and heavy industrial system.

Only the Shaofu can do this;

As for the Shaofu, only the emperor can control it.

In other words, in order to accomplish this feat, Liu Rong must first be the Emperor of the Han Dynasty...

"Mr. Qin is right."

"Whether it's making a new kind of armor, a new weapon, or finding a new way to make money for the young master, it's all the same."

"——The left and right are just contributing to quelling the chaos, adding bricks and tiles to the ancestral temple and the country, and by the way, pleasing the father."

"As for how to make this money..."

With the last trace of awkwardness removed from his heart, Liu Rong quickly regrouped and began to think about the luxury goods he would launch next.

The first thing Liu Rong thought of was paper.

Compared with other "things from later generations", paper has a certain foundation in today's Han Dynasty - in this era, there is already a relatively rough kraft paper;

Liu Rong did not need to 'invent' paper, he only needed to improve the technology on the existing basis to produce relatively fine paper that could be used for writing.

Liu Rong was convinced: when writing paper as thin as cicada wings, easy to store, and as white as snow comes out, no matter the dignitaries or the old scholars in Guandong who have "worked hard for generations", they will be happy to spend a lot of money!
And compared to pure decorations such as glass and porcelain, paper has some practical significance after all, which makes Liu Rong feel a little more comfortable.

But after repeated consideration, Liu Rong gave up the idea, or put the paper production on hold for the time being.

The reason is very simple: as a luxury product tailor-made by Liu Rong for the Shaofu's "Every day makes money", paper has a characteristic that is extremely unsuitable for luxury goods.

——Paper is a consumable product. Since it is a consumable product, the price cannot be too high - at least it cannot be more expensive than silk cloth;
Otherwise, those wealthy and educated people would rather write on silk than use more expensive paper.

Silk cloth can at least be washed and used again and again!

Even if it cannot be washed clean, it can be directly dyed dark and used as rags.

Taking this into account, the price of paper can only be one-third of that of silk cloth at most. If it is higher, it will lose the market.

But now in the Han Dynasty, one foot of cloth costs only eleven qian...

In addition, the rudimentary craftsmanship of paper production also makes the price of paper unable to remain high for long.

It can take anywhere from three to two years to four to five months. Unavoidable process leaks will cause paper to fall into the ranks of 'luxury goods'.

Thinking of this, Liu Rong had no choice but to put the paper aside for the time being and save it to make a fortune in the future or use it as a bargaining chip in exchange of interests.

And this time, luxury goods tailor-made for the young master...

"Porcelain bar."

"Although it is of no use, it is a real luxury item."

"——Start by firing porcelain, and then firing pottery and bricks will be smoother."

"Perhaps even glass can be 'obtained by chance' by a lucky person in this process?"

With the idea smoothed out, Liu Rong finally let out a long breath, completely adjusting to the disappointment of never being able to show off his skills in the Young Mansion and climbing the technology tree.

Or it should be said: The original impulse to make a few advanced objects has turned into a passion to change the times and build an advanced industrial system, and was temporarily sealed deep in Liu Rong's heart.

After thinking about this, Liu Rong looked out the window again and thought about the specific details of making porcelain.

Just as the carriage was walking, it stopped near the west gate of Chang'an City: Zhicheng Gate.

As for the reason, it's because of the noise not far away...

"Go and ask what's going on."

Inside the car window, Liu Rong said coldly, and the accompanying guards immediately took the order and left.

As far as Liu Rong could see, an old man with unkempt hair, disheveled face, and even a bit of madness was lying on the ground in fear, holding two rice cakes tightly against his chest.

Beside the old man, there are two internal historians in official robes. One of them is holding a slip in his left hand and a pen in his right hand, seeming to be recording;
The other person rolled up his sleeves and snatched the rice cake that was already covered with mud in the old man's arms very arrogantly...

"In broad daylight, the world is clear, and even more so at the foot of the Imperial City!"

"How dare you, a cool official?!"

Looking at the scene outside the car window, the third prince Liu Yi was immediately furious. He got up and wanted to get out of the car and go over to seek justice!

Even Young Master Liu De, who had always been calm and composed, was frowning at the moment, and was obviously annoyed by the scene that happened outside the car window.

Only Liu Rong frowned slightly when he saw the old man's face;

But he just frowned and didn't make any other reaction.

Not long after, the jailer had already inquired about the situation and immediately turned around and walked towards the carriage without interfering in the matter between the old man and the two 'dog officers'.

After the jailer brought back the details, Liu Rong just let out a long sigh and calmly ordered the carriage to enter the city, ignoring the old man.

"Big brother?"

"--Do not ask."

"——Let's talk about it when we get back..."

···
"Big brother!"

"——Let's talk about it when we get back!!!"

(End of this chapter)