Never Sleeps CH 066 A Man's Promise
Lingzi stone, also known as dolomite, is primarily composed of calcium magnesium carbonate, a common type of mineral.
In Tang Shen's memory, dolomite was abundant in the modern world, not at all rare. But in this era, dolomite is not as common. The first reason is that no one has any use for this mineral. In this time period, minerals are used mainly for iron smelting, ceramics, or as pigments. Dolomite cannot be used to smelt iron, nor can it be used for ceramics, and using it as a pigment is even more unrealistic.
Without a market, there’s no demand.
The second reason is the lack of high-purity dolomite veins.
With the production technology of this era, the purity of dolomite needed to produce glass is extremely high. Even if the purity is sufficient, it’s still difficult to produce completely transparent glass.
Yes, Tang Shen intended to make glass.
Glass, to be precise, is not a modern invention. As early as 3000 BCE, the Egyptians had glassware. By the 5th century BCE, the Romans invented glass blowing techniques, using clay pipes to blow glass utensils. This method was used for over a thousand years, and even in modern times, craftsmen still used it to make glass art.
However, neither in historical China nor in the Song Dynasty, where Tang Shen currently resides, were glass-making techniques as advanced as in the West.
There was glass in the Song Dynasty, called "ceramic glaze." It was made from an extremely expensive material called "glazed stone" and was exquisite and dazzling. Each ceramic glaze cup was incredibly valuable, used only by royalty. Most glazed stone was colored, so the glassware in the palace was primarily colorful, with very little clear glass.
In truth, making glass isn't that difficult.
Tang Shen thought for a moment and asked, "What about feldspar and sandstone?"
Shopkeeper Lu replied, "Those are easy to find. There’s a suitable mine in Northern Zhili."
Tang Shen said, "Good, in a few days, Shopkeeper Lu, have a cart of high-purity dolomite shipped back from the northeast."
"Understood!"
Shopkeeper Lu didn’t understand what Tang Shen was planning to do but didn’t bother trying to figure it out. After all, the little boss wouldn’t do anything wrong—it was just a few cartloads of stone. Some people like to play with jade, and Tang Shen likes to play with rocks—what a great hobby! These useless rocks won’t ruin them financially in any case.
Not long after, Shopkeeper Lu transported several cartloads of dolomite, feldspar, and sandstone to Shengjing. Tang Shen headed straight to the Tang Soap Workshop outside the city after finishing his work at the government office, diving into researching glass-making techniques.
Making glass wasn’t hard; the main materials were dolomite, feldspar, sandstone, and sodium hydroxide.
Tang Shen had already made sodium hydroxide while making soap. Now familiar with the process, he quickly produced a pot of sodium hydroxide and carefully stored it in a clay jar. Feldspar and sandstone were rich in silica, and by using sodium hydroxide to oxidize dolomite and then undergoing a chemical reaction to produce silicate, crude glass could be made.
But though it sounded simple, it was much harder in practice!
In his past life, Tang Shen studied materials, and in a lab, you’d never run out of raw materials, nor would you use such crude minerals to make glass.
Tang Shen enlisted several craftsmen to grind the stones into powder, which took half a day. Due to the insufficient purity of the raw materials, he had to experiment while adjusting the proportions based on the materials’ purity.
It was the twelfth lunar month, and the new year was approaching.
Shengjing welcomed its first snowfall of the year. The thick snow covered the streets, and people and carts left tracks and wheel marks, flattening the snow. With the New Year approaching, every household hung lanterns and decorations. On the 12th of twelfth lunar month, the government office took a break, which would last until after the Lantern Festival.
Tang Shen returned from the office, brushing off the snow from his shoulders. Aunt Yao brought a steaming bowl of chicken soup, and Tang Shen felt warm as soon as he drank it. Looking around, he asked, "Where’s Tang Huang?"
Aunt Yao smiled, "Ah Huang went to buy New Year’s goods with San'er."
Tang Shen nodded.
In the evening, Tang Huang and Yao San returned from outside.
The Tanhua Residence was a large three-courtyard house, with two additional two-courtyard wings on either side. With such a big house, Tang Shen had originally intended to buy some servants and maids for cleaning, but Aunt Yao firmly opposed it.
"I can handle it myself. I have nothing else to do at home, so cleaning is something to do."
Tang Shen couldn’t argue with her, so he didn’t buy any servants. Aunt Yao and the pages boy Feng Bi handled all the household chores in the Tanhua Residence.
When Tang Shen saw Tang Huang return, he deliberately put on a stern face. "Didn’t I tell you to wait at home today? We’re going to Xixia Tower for dinner tonight."
Tang Huang said, "You said we’re going at night, dear brother, and it’s not nighttime yet!"
Tang Shen shook his head helplessly. "Go change your clothes." After a while, he called out again, "Wear that fox fur coat you brought from Gusu."
Tang Huang paused for a moment, then nodded and obediently went to change.
In winter, the sky darkened quickly. By the time it was barely past 3 pm, the sun had already set, and the night sky had fallen. Under the starry sky, the Tang siblings made their way to Xixia Tower. When Shopkeeper Lu saw that the little boss had arrived, he immediately led them to a private room on the second floor, away from the street. As soon as they entered the room, Tang Shen felt a wave of warmth.
In the simple yet elegant room, a charcoal brazier was burning brightly.
The finest smokeless silver silk charcoal was used, with sandalwood burning nearby. The rising white smoke was both refreshing and calming.
The room was so warm that Tang Shen and Tang Huang removed their cloaks and hung them up. Tang Shen opened the window, and the moonlight illuminated the room, reflecting the snowy streets of Shengjing. The snow and the moonlight complemented each other beautifully.
Tang Huang nervously asked, "Brother, who are we meeting for such a grand dinner tonight?"
Tang Shen glanced at her, "Guess who."
Tang Huang thought for a moment, "Could it be your teacher?"
"And my senior brother."
Half an hour later, Fu Wei and Wang Zhen arrived at Xixia Tower.
Fu Wei arrived first. Upon entering, his attention was immediately drawn to a painting hanging on the wall. His eyes lit up as he approached to take a closer look. After examining it carefully, he turned to Tang Shen and asked, "A painting by Wu Daozi?"
Tang Shen smiled, "Indeed, it’s the work of the Saint of Painting."
"This is a treasure. Although it’s not one of Wu Daozi’s famous works, it must’ve cost you a lot of silver." Fu Wei commented as he admired the painting, "It’s beautifully done, definitely better than anything I could produce."
When Wang Zhen entered, he too noticed the painting on the wall. After a meaningful glance, he turned his gaze to the young lady standing beside Tang Shen, who seemed somewhat anxious and nervous.
In truth, Tang Shen and Tang Huang didn’t resemble each other much.
Tang Shen was tall and slender, with a refined and handsome appearance. He had bright, clear eyes that naturally curved when he smiled, resembling crescent moons. When he wasn’t smiling, his features took on a more youthful, charming look—like a boy of nature and simplicity. After all, at 17, he was still in his youth.
In contrast, Tang Huang had a more vigorous presence. It wasn’t that she looked masculine, but compared to her brother’s delicate features, her face was more sharply defined, with bright, piercing eyes. Even though she seemed a bit fearful while looking at Wang Zhen, there was an unshakable determination in her gaze.
A stubborn and resilient young lady, Wang Zhen concluded. He turned to Tang Shen and softly asked, "Your sister?"
Tang Shen introduced them, "Yes, this is my sister, Tang Huang."
After the introductions, the four sat around the table and began enjoying their meal of boxiagong.
Before they knew it, more snow had begun to fall outside. The vast snowfall paired with the steaming hot pot created a scene of utmost comfort.
After the meal, Tang Shen signaled to Shopkeeper Lu, who promptly removed the painting of Wu Daozi from the wall and carefully wrapped it in silk. Tang Shen handed the painting to Fu Wei.
Since it was a painting by Wu Daozi, even Fu Wei was surprised: "Jing Ze, you’re giving this to me?"
Tang Shen replied, "It was meant for you, Sir. I heard about this painting being sold in Gusu, and I bought it for you because I know how much you love painting. Sir, please accept it. Since I arrived in Shengjing three years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish anything without your guidance and support. I will never forget what you’ve done for me!"
Even someone as thick-skinned as Fu Wei blushed and thought: Did I really?
He laughed heartily, "Then I shall accept it."
After they had eaten and drunk to their fill, Tang Huang followed Shopkeeper Lu to check the daily earnings of Xixia Tower. Fu Wei, delighted with the painting he received, was so overjoyed that he took it back home immediately, saying he wanted to appreciate it properly. In the private room, only Tang Shen and Wang Zhen remained.
Wang Zhen gently skimmed off the layer of foam from his tea and took a light sip of the Biluochun tea.
The window was open, and the room was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood. Under the moonlight, Wang Zifeng, dressed in white, quietly sipped tea while gazing at the moon. It was hard to tell whether the moonlight was more brilliant, or the person under the moonlight had a more distinguished aura.
Tang Shen found himself staring in a daze for a moment. When he snapped out of it, he quickly took out a small embroidered box from his sleeve and handed it to Wang Zhen.
Wang Zhen accepted the box with a smile, asking, "Is this a bribe?"
Tang Shen paused.
Wang Zhen's remark was not without basis.
Fu Wei was the Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy and had no direct authority over Tang Shen, so there was no issue with Tang giving him gifts. However, Wang Zhen was the Minister of Revenue and had full jurisdiction over Tang Shen, who worked in the Secretariat. On top of that, they both served in Qinzheng Hall.
Tang Shen sighed helplessly, "Senior Brother, are you teasing me again? Whether it is or isn't, don't you already know?"
Wang Zhen replied, "Little Junior Brother has grown bolder recently."
"In what way am I being bold?"
Wang Zhen mimicked Tang Shen's tone, "In what way are you being bold? You should know yourself."
The two shared a laugh.
When Wang Zhen opened the box and saw what was inside, even though he was prepared, he was still momentarily stunned.
Inside the delicate little embroidered box was a small glass bottle, no larger than a palm.
It was a strange glass bottle, completely transparent, with a square, angular shape. The mouth of the bottle was adorned with a fine gold wire, and a plum blossom was inlaid on the body of the bottle. It was undoubtedly exquisite and breathtaking, a masterpiece. In his twenty-six years of life, Wang Zhen had never seen a colorless glass bottle, not even in the imperial palace or the national treasury.
However, despite its beauty, the craftsmanship of the gold wire on the bottle was slightly lacking. The bottle contained a light yellow liquid, which made the flawed goldwork less noticeable.
Wang Zhen leaned in for a sniff, "Is this Golden Wisp?"
"It is."
Wang Zhen examined the bottle for a while longer. "Where did you get this glass bottle?"
Glassware was mostly reserved for royalty. It was rare to find such glassware outside the palace, especially something as refined as this, nearly comparable to tribute items.
Tang Shen replied, "I made it myself for you, Senior Brother."
Hearing this, Wang Zhen's head snapped up, staring at Tang Shen intently.
Tang Shen smiled, "In the three years we've known each other, I've gained much. This is my New Year's gift to you."
Wang Zhen gazed at Tang Shen for a long time before finally speaking in a slow, drawn-out tone, "My Little Junior Brother has prepared a gift for me, yet I haven't prepared one for you. I suppose I owe you a gift now."
Tang Shen certainly wouldn't refuse Wang Zhen's offer of a gift; in fact, he'd eagerly agree with both hands and feet.
Who wouldn't take advantage of a good deal?
However, two days passed, and Tang Shen still hadn't received a gift from Wang Zifeng.
"I never would have thought that even Wang Zifeng would lie. A man's promises truly can't be trusted."
After lamenting this, Tang Shen packed his bags and prepared to return home for the New Year with Tang Huang.
Yes, this year, Tang Shen decided to return to Gusu Prefecture to visit his parents’ grave.
Yao San still had matters to attend to in Shengjing, so he stayed behind. Tang Shen brought his younger sister and his page boy Feng Bi, and they boarded a boat to sail south along the Grand Canal. Ten days later, they arrived in Gusu Prefecture.
As soon as they disembarked, they were met with the sound of drums and firecrackers.
Tang Shen was startled and saw Tang juren and the clan leader of the Tang family approaching quickly. "Jing Ze, you're finally back. We've been waiting for you all year!"