Chapter 127: What I said: Crafstmen are Great

The eunuch-in-charge was sweating profusely; this was the Emperor we were dealing with, show some respect.

The artisan, holding a brush, continued to apply paste with a blank expression. It was evident that the paste layer was very thin, barely changing the color of the board.

Zhu Yunwen didn’t want to disturb the aloof master, so he turned to the eunuch-in-charge and asked, “Is there any particular technique involved in this?”

The eunuch-in-charge looked at the craftsman, then quickly apologized, saying, “Your Majesty, please forgive me. This craftsman…”

“Your Majesty?”

The artisan stared at Zhu Yunwen with wide eyes, his aloof demeanor instantly collapsing.

Whether he thought he would lose his head or his entire family would, he simply passed out.

Zhu Yunwen looked at the craftsman before him with disdain.

At the very least, learn from King of Yan’s acting. How could you faint with a slow motion? First, lean on someone, then slide down while glancing at the ground for any obstacles, and finally lie down with legs splayed?

“Get up and answer.”

Zhu Yunwen said in frustration.

The eunuch-in-charge looked at the motionless craftsman, kicked him irritably, and said, “If you don’t get up, it’s an act of disobedience.”

The craftsman quickly got up and kowtowed, saying, “I didn’t know Your Majesty had arrived…”

“That’s enough, get up and answer.” After Zhu Yunwen said this, he turned to the eunuch-in-charge and continued, “And you, today I’m in court attire, just here for a visit. I’ll ask you questions, and you should answer, but don’t disturb the other artisans.”

“I’ll follow your orders.”

The eunuch-in-charge breathed a sigh of relief, and the craftsman stood uneasily.

Zhu Yunwen looked at the craftsman and asked, “What is your name, and how many years have you been working as a craftsman in the workshop?”

The craftsman quickly replied, “I’m Huang Jiuer, and I entered the workshop in the 20th year of the Hongwu reign. It’s been more than ten years.”

“Ten years as a craftsman, that’s quite an achievement. How much do you earn each month?”

“I can earn two taels of silver each month.”

Huang Jiuer grinned.

“Two taels every month?”

Zhu Yunwen furrowed his brow.

Huang Jiuer nodded repeatedly and said contentedly, “It’s all thanks to His Majesty’s grace and the generous treatment of the various offices in the palace. In the past, it was only one tael and five maces per month.”

Zhu Yunwen found it hard to believe that the monthly salary of the craftsman in the palace was still lower than that of the palace maids.

“How many people are there in your family, and do you have any other sources of income?”

Zhu Yunwen inquired.

Huang Jiuer hesitated for a moment and then candidly replied, “There are only six people in my family, apart from my elderly mother and wife, we have three children. My wife has found work at the external laundry bureau.”

“External laundry bureau, huh? Well, that’s good.”

Zhu Yunwen nodded slightly.

Although the external laundry bureau mostly employed widows from the capital, they also needed women with good sewing skills as supplementary workers.

Zhu Yunwen didn’t press further and instead gestured towards the boards nearby, saying, “Tell me, what is the purpose of this paste?”

Huang Jiuer’s dark face formed a smile, and he explained, “Your Majesty, applying paste is for adhering to the sample drafts. There’s a technique to applying the paste; it can’t be too thin or too thick. If it’s too thin, it won’t adhere well, and if it’s too thick, the water in the paste will seep into the board, causing it to warp. It requires careful control.”

“I see. Please continue, I’m watching.”

Zhu Yunwen watched with interest.

Huang Jiuer was excited. Having the Emperor watch him at work was an immense honor, and he had to do it well.

After ensuring the paste was applied correctly, Huang Jiuer took a sample draft from the nearby tray. He aligned one end with the edge of the wooden board and gently unfolded the sample draft while using a fine, even palm brush to apply a light, sweeping motion as he did so.

Once the sample draft was smooth and free from any flaws, he used the palm brush in a “rice character” pattern to adhere it securely.

“Your Majesty, this is how we attach the sample draft to the board. After it dries, it can be carved.”

Huang Jiuer picked up the prepared board and placed it on a wooden rack nearby. He then retrieved a dried board from the side and took out a glass bottle, opened it, and instinctively sniffed and licked his tongue.

The eunuch-in-charge was furious, wishing he could kick this annoying guy to death. It was clear that he’d been stealing sips!

“What is this?”

Zhu Yunwen sniffed it too, finding it pleasant, and couldn’t help but ask.

The eunuch-in-charge smiled wryly and said, “Your Majesty, this is fragrant oil.”

“Fragrant oil?”

Zhu Yunwen was somewhat surprised.

Isn’t this stuff used for mixing in with food to add flavor?

Why are they using it in the printing workshop?

Could it be some kind of snack?

I’ve never heard of people using fragrant oil as a snack.

This stuff doesn’t even fill you up.

Huang Jiuer swallowed some saliva, feeling somewhat reluctant, he poured a few drops of fragrant oil onto the board. He then placed the glass bottle near his mouth, took a sip, and hesitated before putting the bottle away.

He picked up a brush and began spreading the fragrant oil. “Your Majesty, this fragrant oil is indispensable.” Huang Jiuer explained, opening the fragrance.

Zhu Yunwen watched and listened as the black characters and blank spaces on the sample draft became more distinct after the application of fragrant oil. The oil also seeped into the board, softening its surface and making it more suitable for subsequent carving.

Zhu Yunwen silently marveled at the wisdom of the ancient craftsmen, realizing that many seemingly ordinary processes required tremendous effort and wisdom.

“Your Majesty, now that the upper board is prepared, shall we move to the carving room?” asked the eunuch-in-charge with a smile.

“Since we’re here, let’s gain a clear understanding of the whole process. Lead the way,” Zhu Yunwen replied calmly.

Zhu Yunwen calmly instructed, taking a few steps forward before turning to Huang Jiuer, he said, “Craftsmen are not insignificant at all. You are great, and all craftsmen are great. You can relay this message to all the craftsmen, and I will never retract my words.”

Huang Jiuer, looking at Zhu Yunwen’s departing figure, tears streaming down his face, knelt heavily on the ground and choked out, “Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Craftsmen are great!

The Emperor says that we, the people like us, are great!

Great!

This word has never belonged to craftsmen, never existed for us!

It seems to belong to scholars, to the Emperor, to heaven, to the unattainable.

Huang Jiuer was deeply moved, kowtowing three times with great emotion before leaving behind his brush and running toward the other craftsmen.

The eunuch-in-charge also felt a sense of joy for the craftsmen. After all, they had spent a long time together and had developed a sense of camaraderie.

As they walked along the corridor next to the pond, after half an incense stick’s worth of time, they climbed a few steps. The rooms on both sides were filled with the crisp and clear sounds of work, which mingled in the lane.

The sounds weren’t heavy; rather, they were like fine sculptures, requiring intense focus.

Zhu Yunwen habitually walked on the right side and was about to enter a room on the right when a loud shout came from behind, “Liang datou, you ruined a character in your carving! It seems you don’t want to have dinner tonight. Kneel down!”

“Chief, I’m sorry.”

“Apologizing makes you think you can be spared? Do you not realize that His Majesty is eagerly awaiting the completion of the carving so that the book can be printed soon? Because of your delay, aren’t you letting down His Majesty?”

Whack!

The sound of a whip cracking was followed by a dull thud as it landed.

There were no screams.

Zhu Yunwen, standing at the door, watched as the middle-aged man braved the first lash and then, as the chief craftsman raised his whip again, he shouted sternly, “Stop!”

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