Chapter 6: The Blueprints Astonish the Blacksmith, Who Offers a High Price to Buy Them Out

Lin Ze leaned in curiously to see what Li Su was writing, raising an eyebrow ever so slightly. Li Su was quite an interesting character these days.

Finishing his writing, Li Su set his brush down. “Brother Chen, please sign this. The remainder must be repaid within three days.”

“How am I supposed to come up with that much money in just three days? Are you trying to drive me to my death?” Chen Ping was furious, suspecting that Li Su could read his thoughts and was deliberately guarding against him.

Li Su wore a faint, detached smile. “What are you saying, Brother Chen? Isn’t it only right to repay what one owes? As a scholar, if you don’t even understand this basic principle, perhaps you’d be better off returning home to plant sweet potatoes.”

“You—” Chen Ping jabbed his middle finger at Li Su, feeling utterly insulted.

He had always taken pride in his identity as a scholar and had once been diligent in his studies. But after failing the exams several times in a row, his heart began to wander. He was unwilling to give up on his scholarly aspirations, yet he didn’t want to devote himself fully anymore. By not putting in his best effort, he could always comfort himself with the excuse that he simply hadn’t tried hard enough, not that he was incapable.

He feared he was not a piece of fine jade, so he dared not hone himself too diligently. Yet he half-believed himself to be such, and so refused to resign himself to mediocrity among the common stones.

When Li Su had passed the child student exam at nine, Chen Ping was overwhelmed with jealousy. He only felt better once he had led Li Su astray, making him into someone just like himself.

It was as if, by doing this, he could justify his own self-indulgence, finding a place for the emotions that threatened to drown him.

Through Li Su, he could feel a sense of accomplishment.

A metallic taste rose in Chen Ping’s throat; he shot Li Su a vicious glare.

Li Su paid him no mind. He was well aware of Chen Ping’s desire to maintain his scholar’s identity and social standing, which was precisely why he forced him to sign the contract in front of everyone.

Once signed, there would be no escaping the debt. If Chen Ping tried to renege, Li Su would not hesitate to take him to court—ending Chen Ping’s scholarly career for good.

All eyes were on him. Face flushed with anger, Chen Ping resentfully signed his name.

Li Su!

At that moment, the look Chen Ping gave Li Su was as if he were facing his mortal enemy.

Li Su carefully folded the paper and tucked it into his robes. In three days, that would all be money.

The teacher, holding a book and clad in his long scholar’s robe, asked in confusion, “Why aren’t you all reading or reviewing your lessons? What are you doing?”

His gaze shifted to Li Su, who stood at the center of the crowd. “Li Su? Have you recovered from your injury?”

The teacher’s feelings toward Li Su were complicated. Once, he had held this student in high regard, but now he could only lament what might have been…

He had once hoped that, if he could not pass the provincial exams himself, at least he might teach a student who could.

He had placed all his hopes in Li Su, wishing for him to become a certified scholar. Now, those hopes were abandoned.

“Thank you for your concern, sir. I am much better. Tomorrow, I’ll be able to join my classmates in study and discussion,” Li Su replied, cupping his hands and offering a slight bow.

The teacher nodded. “Then what brings you here today?”

“My family’s circumstances are difficult, and after my recent injury, we have little money left. I had no choice but to ask Brother Chen to repay some of the silver he previously borrowed,” Li Su explained calmly, without embellishment, maintaining impeccable composure.

Chen Ping: “???” You call that a request? That was sheer coercion!

The teacher glanced at Li Su, noting the restlessness in him seemed to have vanished. He appeared more mature and steady, as though the injury had had a profound effect. “Take the silver home for now. It’s time for class—be sure to arrive on time tomorrow.”

After Li Su left the private school, the sound of recitation filled the room once more.

Li Su headed toward the blacksmith’s shop. The blacksmith, surnamed Hu, was a burly middle-aged man. When Li Su arrived, he was clad in a work jacket, hammering away at red-hot iron, his muscular arms flexing as he brought the hammer down with a rhythmic clang.

“Scholar, what are you here to have made?” Blacksmith Hu called out warmly upon seeing Li Su.

Li Su produced a blueprint. “Master Hu, I’d like to ask you to forge a plow for me. Here are the plans.”

Blacksmith Hu let out a hearty laugh. “I’ve made plows for years—no need for a blueprint!”

Li Su smiled politely. “Master, this plow is a little different from the usual.”

Intrigued, Hu took the blueprint. Different? He was curious to see just how.

After a few moments studying the drawing, Hu’s eyes lit up. “Young scholar, this design is fascinating!”

His trained eye immediately recognized that, compared to current plows, this one would save effort and be more convenient. For the common farmers, this would be a tremendous boon!

“Master Hu, you flatter me. Do you think it can be made?” Li Su asked, knowing a seasoned blacksmith would instantly grasp its merits.

“Absolutely! Let’s talk in detail inside.” Blacksmith Hu was already considering buying the blueprint outright, keeping it for his own shop alone.

Li Su followed him in. The blacksmith introduced himself, “May I ask your name, young scholar? I’m known as Hu Da.”

“My name is Li Su.”

“Master Li, would you be willing to sell me the blueprint for thirty taels? I’d like exclusive rights to this design. As for the plow itself, let’s call it a gesture of friendship—I won’t charge you for making it.” Hu Da had resolved to buy the design the moment he saw it. Sooner or later, all the plows on the market would be replaced by the one on Li Su’s blueprint.

Li Su was delighted, though he didn’t show it. He had planned to agree, but the price was still open for negotiation.

He’d considered requesting a share for every plow sold, but that would take too long for returns. He wanted a quick sum, to use as seed capital for a new venture for his family.

Each approach had its pros and cons, but after weighing them, he decided a buyout was best.

“Master Hu, I can see you sincerely appreciate the value of this plow. I won’t belabor the point. Just think—how many farmers are there in the world? One day, they could all be using plows made by your hand! Fifty taels.”

Hu Da pictured the scene as Li Su described it, and became excited—so many people using his plows! It would be a tremendous achievement, something even his own master had never dared dream of.

Overcome with enthusiasm, he shouted, “Deal!”

No sooner had he said it than he regretted it, wanting to slap himself—how could he possibly make so many plows for the whole world?

Li Su smiled, a bit surprised himself at how quickly Master Hu had agreed. Perhaps he had still undervalued the design. But fifty taels was already a considerable sum for this era.

Hu Da scratched his head, wanting to bargain, but he’d been swept away by his excitement. Then he thought, never mind—fifty taels wasn’t a loss. He could call back his master and a few older apprentices; perhaps they could build a reputation as the best plowmakers around. With his master and brothers each contributing, it wouldn’t be too much.

Unbeknownst to them, their savings were already being considered for this venture.

They signed a contract: Hu Da would pay fifty taels for the blueprint, and Li Su would not sell it elsewhere.

Once the agreement was settled, Hu Da immediately produced a fifty-tael silver note, handing it to Li Su. “Master Li, come back in five days to collect your plow.”

Li Su nodded, “Very well.” He hadn’t expected the blacksmith to be so wealthy, able to take out fifty taels on the spot.

In the past, Li Su had never lacked money, but now, holding the silver note, he felt a rush of excitement.

For his family’s needs today, he would use the three taels he’d just collected from Chen Ping. The purchasing power of three taels was nothing to scoff at.

Li Su set out to shop—buying rice, flour, meat, and some sugar and pastries, determined to let his family eat well for once.