Volume 2: Residence in the Capital Chapter 196 Take All Those You Like
The reason why Zhang Shou asked Ah Liu to invite Carpenter Sun was that he thought that when he was chatting with Carpenter Sun and others about various technical equipment these days in Lu Sanlang's small dark room, this strong man was very reasonable. According to Ah Liu, when Carpenter Sun was leaving, he whispered to Lu Sanlang that he was a warm and honest gentleman, and asked Lu Sanlang to think about how to explain it to him.
However, although he was brought here by Ah Liu as if he were kidnapped, Carpenter Sun quickly put aside his anger and devoted himself to work. He confirmed his judgment and was naturally more polite to this craftsman who was quite famous in the capital.
"I don't know where Emperor Taizu got this thing from, but I also know that it would be difficult to make another one that is exactly the same. But, Uncle Sun, look at these small nails on the four corners, aren't they different from ordinary nails?" Zhang Shou tried his best to induce Carpenter Sun to pay attention to the four cross screws, and then began to use his trickery.
He first explained the mathematical principle of spirals, which made Carpenter Sun dizzy, and then he drew a picture of a screw on paper, and then tentatively put a screwdriver on the table. Sure enough, Carpenter Sun didn't understand the theory very well, but when it came to practice, Carpenter Sun, who had devoted his life to studying various woodworking, nodded thoughtfully.
"Well, I roughly understand what you mean, Dr. Zhang. You want to remove these four things that you think are screws, and you think you need a screwdriver like this? However, I'm not very good at this, so I'm afraid I'll have to ask the blacksmith, Old Zhang, for help."
Zhang Shou had anticipated Carpenter Sun's proposal and smiled. "I will certainly ask Master Zhang to help me. But I have another idea about how to make screws and screwdrivers. For example, instead of manually polishing them after casting, is it possible to use tools to shape them?"
Before Carpenter Sun could decide whether it was feasible or not, he immediately said, "The Emperor gave me the relics of the great ancestor, maybe he wanted to find out the mystery. Of course, Master Sun, you and Master Zhang are famous craftsmen in the capital, and I know how much work you have in hand. I'm afraid you don't have that much time to spend on something that requires a lot of time and energy."
If Carpenter Sun had some liking for Zhang Shou because of his appearance and his attitude towards people, which was why he was able to gradually calm down after being "kidnapped", then, after hearing these unusually considerate words, he simply felt that it would be too unreasonable if he really could not help at all.
Besides, the goal is to solve the mystery of Taizu’s relics. If he makes some contribution, he will have something to brag about in the future!
So, he thought of a solution in a hurry, rolled his eyes and laughed: "Dr. Zhang, if the great grandfather in heaven knew about your painstaking efforts, he would definitely bless you. How about this, I have a large number of disciples, I will pick a few to help you, how about that?"
Before Zhang Shou could agree or refuse, Carpenter Sun said righteously: "Old Zhang has a lot of apprentices. As long as I ask, he will know that you need help, and he will definitely send his best apprentice to help!"
"That's a good idea." Zhang Shou smiled, then shook his head and said, "But I don't know when I can make progress on my side, so I don't need the best, but I need the most persistent and hardworking people. How about this, I'll go to you, Master Sun, and Master Zhang in person and pick two people? I'll sign long-term contracts with them, pay them wages, and never treat them unfairly!"
Carpenter Sun was immediately happy: "That's great! Dr. Zhang, you are the smartest person in the capital, and you must need smart people. The guys under me and Zhang have the strength to work, but it's hard to say how many of them are smart. You can pick them yourself, and take away all the ones you like. As for wages, you don't have to worry about it. Except for a few of my apprentices, most of the people who work for me are not yet apprentices. Food and accommodation are provided, that's enough!"
"In that case, let's go now!" Zhang Shou saw that Carpenter Sun was shocked, so he smiled and said, "I don't know how that kid Ah Liu brought you here, Master Sun. Maybe your family is worried sick right now. He did something wrong, so of course I have to make amends. It is my duty to personally send you back now."
Carpenter Sun was stunned at first, then he said with a smile: "Dr. Zhang, you are so polite. How can I feel embarrassed... Well, let alone here, even in those wealthy mansions, servants do wrong things by taking advantage of the power of others. The young man just now was too young, maybe he misunderstood your meaning..."
The two of them exchanged some polite words, and Zhang Shou sent Carpenter Sun out. Thinking that he had just come home and was about to go out again, he felt a little guilty when he saw Wu coming out after hearing the news. But after he explained the whole story, Wu glanced at Ah Liu at the door with a reproachful look, and then said to Carpenter Sun: "The children at home are ignorant and have wronged the guests. Ah Shou should personally send you back."
Wu paused for a moment, then called Aunt Liu out and said, "There are freshly made snacks in the kitchen. Go pack a food box. Ah Shou, wait for me for a moment. I remember there is a piece of nice-colored material in the box. I can't think of what to make with it. Wait for me to wrap it up and bring it over."
Carpenter Sun declined hastily, but he was still very kind. In the end, he saw Wu hurried in. After a while, Ah Liu had already taken a full three-layer food box from Aunt Liu, who seemed to be the cook of the Zhang family, with an expressionless face. When Wu came back, she was holding a piece of wrapped soft material in her hand. Seeing this, the little resentment he had left flew to Java, and he thanked her again and again.
After he left the house, as an old Beijinger, he recognized at a glance that this was indeed the back street of the Zhao Mansion, and he felt more at ease. But just as he stepped on the carriage, he saw a girl in a light yellow dress coming out of the back door of the Zhao Mansion not far away, followed by two or three followers, and actually walked straight towards this side. In just a moment, he realized who that person was.
Isn't she the rumored noble fiancée of Dr. Zhang, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhao's mansion? She is indeed incredibly beautiful!
Zhu Ying, who hurried over, couldn't help but ask when she saw this: "A Shou, are you going out again?"
"A Liu forced Carpenter Sun to come over for me. I'm going to send him back now and pick two apprentices from him to help me with some work. I may also visit another blacksmith, Zhang, so I may be back very late." Zhang Shou smiled apologetically at Zhu Ying. Before he could continue speaking, the eldest lady glared at him angrily and then snorted in annoyance.
"It's a rare day off, but you're still so busy... Originally, mother wanted to invite you and Aunt Wu to have dinner at home, but now I'll just invite Aunt Wu alone! Come back early, if you can't make it for dinner, you can still make it for a midnight snack. Grandmother and mother have something to say to you!" I also have something to say to you, and Princess Deyang gave me a clear answer today!
"Okay, it's settled then!"
The young lady was so reasonable, Zhang Shou certainly didn't say anything nonsense, and nodded with a smile. Carpenter Sun, who had one foot on the car, also jumped down quickly, smiled and bowed to Zhu Ying. Seeing that this young actually greeted him kindly with a smile, and then entered the Zhang family yard, he couldn't help but secretly wonder.
Rumors like this really don't count! Miss Zhu is obviously a kind and polite person...
Along the way, Carpenter Sun felt a little uneasy because Ah Liu was the driver, so he just chatted along with Zhang Shou's words. When the carriage stopped, he looked out and saw that it was indeed his home. He felt relieved. He jumped out of the car first and found that there was no one at the door. He was furious. He walked quickly to the door and coughed loudly.
Following the voice, a large group of people immediately rushed out from the door. The leader hugged Carpenter Sun in an exaggerated manner, saying repeatedly: "Master, you are back! We were so scared that we wanted to report to the Shuntian government office. A good person suddenly disappeared, and we didn't see you go out... Where did you go?"
Zhang Shou, who was getting off the carriage, glanced at Ah Liu with both anger and amusement. When he suddenly found that Carpenter Sun was brought here with a black cloth over his head, he thought that Ah Liu might be trying to be efficient or save trouble, but after thinking about it again and again on the way, he found something wrong. Ah Liu is taciturn, but he is not stupid. Is there any benefit in doing this?
If you think about it carefully, it actually has its benefits. Ah Liu did a stupid thing, but as long as he treats Carpenter Sun politely and sincerely afterwards and comforts his "wounded heart", he can further maintain his image as a gentle gentleman.
Sure enough, under the concerned question of his apprentice, the dignified Carpenter Sun immediately became embarrassed, but then he put on the airs of a master and scolded: "That's because you were distracted and didn't notice me leaving...Okay, stop talking nonsense, go and clean up the hall, your master and I will entertain the guests! Go back and tidy up yourselves, and come to the hall to pay our respects later!"
Seeing that the apprentices of different ages were looking at him curiously, but soon hurried back at the urging of Carpenter Sun, Zhang Shou walked to Carpenter Sun and admired the prosperity of the Sun family.
He knew that carpenters and blacksmiths these days could make more money than farming after they finished their studies, because they no longer had a craftsman's license, which restricted their personal freedom. Carpenters who were good at it, like Sun, were even richer than the owners of wine shops and teahouses. Therefore, ordinary families often sent their children to be apprentices. They were provided with food and accommodation, and their skills would be determined after they were in their twenties to determine whether they could become apprentices.
Of course, it is also possible that you may encounter a black-hearted master who will never let you graduate just to get an extra free laborer.
But Carpenter Sun was obviously not that kind of person. When he followed the others to the hall and sat down, a young apprentice who was still a child came to serve him tea. After a while, the apprentices who had changed into good clothes came out, and he first introduced Zhang Shou's identity.
"This is Doctor Zhang, the doctor of the Imperial Academy. The emperor just appointed him to the Imperial Academy not long ago, and he is now a sixth-rank official. Although there are so many talented people in the capital, no one can compare to him! He now wants to find two people to help him do something, so he came to me to select people. This is a rare opportunity. What are you good at? Why don't you tell Doctor Zhang?"
Whether it's a mule or a horse, pull it out quickly. If you miss this opportunity, you'll miss that opportunity forever! After Carpenter Sun made this clear hint, his apprentices immediately started to whisper to each other, and then their eyes lit up.
