Chapter 2, The Art of Ironwork

"Yes, Er Lang, Han Zhong has noted it down," Han Zhong said while bowing.

The Tian Gong Iron Art Workshop can soar to great heights, and it can timely find the Xiao family to become its protector. All operations and plans originate from its own youngest son, Xiao Cheng

The Tian Gong Iron Art Workshop covers a considerable area, with a storefront approximately twenty paces long at the front, and upon entering, there is a row of several workshops for production.

"Er Lang, we should use the horse-drawn carriage." Li Xin, leading the horse along the road, had not gone far before he was already sweating profusely. Pouting, he said, "It's not like we don't have one at home. Just put a basin of ice in it, and it would be so refreshing! Look at those families; who isn't riding in a carriage? Our Xiao family is no worse than theirs."

Upon seeing Xiao Cheng come out carrying a book basket, the attendant Li Xin approached with a frown, leading the horse.

Li Xin stuck out his tongue, while the glimmer in Xiao Cheng's mouth was the life source of the family patriarch, Xiao Yu. No one dared to bring it out and steal a ride.

That's all! Xiao Cheng waved his hand, glancing enviously at the man's well-defined muscles. This guy was already 40 years old, yet still so robust, which truly made one envious. If I could have such a physique at this age, that would be perfect. Uncle Han, why haven't I seen Tie Chui?

Nodding slightly, Xiao Cheng walked inside

Such a golden chicken will naturally become an object of desire for everyone. Without a solid backing, it would have long been devoured, leaving not even a bone fragment. The fact that Tiangong can survive and thrive naturally indicates that it has its own support behind it

"Young Master Xiao, you have arrived?" The shopkeeper greeted with a nod and a bow.

Da Lang Xiao Ding is stationed in the northern frontier and often manages to acquire fine horses

Despite being expensive, it can still establish a foothold in the capital, which gathers the best craftsmanship from around the world, and carve out a space for itself, demonstrating its own way of survival

Watching the sparks flying in clusters, landing on the bronze-colored skin of those men, who appeared completely oblivious, Xiao Cheng couldn't help but nod repeatedly

Young Master! A similarly bare-armed man saw Xiao Cheng, joyfully handed the small hammer in his hand to someone beside him, and hurried over to Xiao Cheng, wiping the black sweat from his face, and bowed to greet Xiao Cheng. "Have you come over today at your leisure?"

Xiao Cheng came out late, but Li Xin had already learned from the gloating remarks of those who had come out earlier that his young master had suffered a setback today

Xiao Jialiang is known to be a studious individual, a fact well recognized by all. It is unclear why he has such a keen interest in Tian Gong Iron Art, or perhaps it is an inherent trait of the Xiao family, a legacy deeply embedded in their lineage. Is there a genetic predisposition at play? Even when he dedicates himself to his studies, he still holds a particular fondness for these crafts

The attendant quietly rolled her eyes, observing how grandly these words were spoken, yet was it not this very person who cried out in despair when the master brought down the heavy hand of punishment?

"Er Lang, are you alright?" Li Xin asked in a low voice as he took the book basket from Xiao Cheng's hands

Han Zhong chuckled and said: "Er Lang, Han Zhong is just a body of worthless bones, having forged iron all his life. If I don't swing the hammer for two days, I feel completely out of sorts. As soon as I swing the small hammer, I feel comfortable all over again"

"Please, make yourself at home," the innkeeper nodded repeatedly as he took the reins from Xiao Cheng's hands. Watching Xiao Cheng walk in with familiarity, he called out to the shop's attendants to quickly come out and tend to the horses. From his experience, whenever this young master arrived, he would surely linger for quite some time.

Speaking of the nominal owner of Tiangong, Han Zheng, he actually holds only a 10% stake in Tiangong

After the company gradually grew larger, Han Zheng immediately approached the current head of the Xiao family, Xiao Yu. Relying on their past relationship and a 30% stake, he easily obtained the protection of the Xiao family

The backstage of Tiangong is precisely the currently flourishing Xiao family

As a small companion and servant, what else can I do in response to my young master's commands, apart from offering a few words of advice? This particular individual has always been resolute and will not change their mind simply due to the persuasion of others

In just a few short years, Tiangong Iron Art has opened several branches in the capital city, extending its reach to the surrounding prefectures and counties. While it cannot be said that they are making a fortune daily, an annual income of over ten thousand guan is easily achievable.

I will go to the shop and take a look! At the intersection, Xiao Cheng pulled the horse's head and said to Li Xin, "You go back first."

Half an hour later, Xiao Cheng stood outside the gate of the Tiangong Ironworks, looking up at the few golden, shining copper characters, and smiled proudly.

Although the young Erlang Jun is not very old, the current success of the Tian Gong Ironworks and the Han family, which has now achieved a modest fortune, is entirely dependent on this young official. It is said that this young official is certain to pass the provincial examination next year, and subsequently, becoming a jinshi will naturally be within reach. In the future, the Han family will have to firmly hold onto the thigh of this young official!

In Xiao Yu's view, receiving an income of over 3,000 guan from the Tiangong Ironworks each year is indeed a profitable venture. Not only does it take care of his father's former subordinates and fulfill past obligations, but it also provides a modest benefit to the family, making it a matter of gain without expense.

If it is said that the weather outside is very hot, then inside here, it is like a furnace. The large workshop is supported by numerous columns, with the walls only half-built. Seven or eight furnaces, driven by bellows, are emitting blazing blue flames. High-quality iron bars are being heated to a bright red inside and then placed on an iron mat. Dozens of muscular men, bare-armed and wearing only shorts, are vigorously wielding their hammers, creating a rhythmic clanging sound.

What is there to be afraid of? Those few are all preparing to go to the Teaching Office, and when they return, they will undoubtedly say the same. Everyone is in sync, and there will be no slip-ups. "Xiao Cheng picked up the whip and lightly struck Li Xin, saying, 'Isn't it better for you to go back and sleep soundly?'

Standing at the entrance of the Tiangong Iron Art Workshop, the sharp-eyed shopkeeper immediately came forward to greet. Although this shopkeeper was unaware of the intricate relationships within, it did not prevent him from knowing that the Xiao family was the guardian of Tiangong, ensuring its standing in the capital.

Rest assured, although Master Cen has punished me, he actually holds me in high regard and will not report me. It is rare to have an early study session, and it is just the right time to attend to some personal matters. After you return, just say that I went with my classmates to discuss the classics, and I will definitely be back a bit later today.

The ordinary household items sold here, such as kitchen knives, cleavers, boning knives, axes, chopping knives, and sickles, are most praised for their sharpness. While it may not be said that they can cut through iron like mud, they indeed make cutting meat, chopping bones, and splitting wood exceptionally easy. Compared to the goods found in an ordinary blacksmith's shop, they are not just slightly superior, but vastly superior. They can be used for a year and a half without the need for resharpening.

Li Xin helplessly carried the book basket and made his way alone to the location of the Xiao residence

"You go ahead and do your thing, I can find him myself, it's not like I don't know the way!" Xiao Cheng said with a smile as he walked back, but after taking a few steps, he turned around and asked, "Uncle Han, with your current wealth, is it really necessary for you to work so hard? A little guidance would suffice."

Unlike other members of the Xiao family, who rarely come to the Tiangong shop, this young master frequently visits here to enjoy himself

Li Xin was taken aback and said, "Er Lang, it would be better to return early today to avoid further angering the master, wouldn't it?"

Few people are aware that, over the course of several years, the Tian Gong Iron Art Workshop, which has gained a remarkable reputation in the capital, is actually owned by the person before us, Xiao Cheng

As the name suggests, Tian Gong Iron Art Workshop sells items made of iron

"The hammer is following his grandfather behind him," Han Zhong said with a smile, "I will take Erlang inside from this side."

"Is it that you want to ride in a carriage?" Xiao Cheng said with a smile and a scolding tone, tilting his hat atop his head, squinting at the blazing sun, and then immediately lowering his head again, as he himself was also drenched in sweat! "I prefer riding horses, not sitting in a carriage. Sweating profusely is also quite good. It's a pity I can't bring out the old man's spirit; this horse has no temperament at all, it's rather dull."

Er Lang made a mistake at school and was punished. If he returns early to apologize, he might receive a lighter punishment. However, if he continues to linger outside, he is likely to face even harsher consequences upon his return. Moreover, as a servant accompanying the young master who is being punished, I will inevitably be implicated and receive a beating as well.

Therefore, although the products from Tiangong are expensive, when users calculate the costs over the years, they actually save a considerable amount of money compared to purchasing ordinary goods.

Little hammer jingles

The sledgehammer struck with a loud bang

However, my elder brother made mistakes in martial arts training, while I merely lacked diligence in my studies

It seems chaotic and disordered, yet it resonates like a beautiful metallic symphony in Xiao Cheng's ears

The most notable characteristic of the items in the Tian Gong Iron Art Workshop is their high price

Xiao Cheng smiled and said: "It's nothing, your young master is tough and resilient; even the old man's big ruler has never made me beg for mercy. What can Cen Fuzi's little ruler do to me?"

Han Zheng, the former employer of Tiangong, was once a subordinate of Xiao Ding. In the past, when Xiao Ding was still leading troops, Han Zheng served as a blacksmith under his command. As he grew older, he retired from the military and opened a blacksmith shop. His son, Han Zhong, inherited the family business and also became a blacksmith

The Xiao family comes from a military background, and the household is governed by military law. When a mistake is made, the heavy stick is truly used to strike the body. Whether it is the elder brother Xiao Ding or Xiao Cheng himself, they have both endured the family discipline since childhood

Although Xiao Yu has transitioned to a civil service position and become a civil official, the traits of someone from a family of military lineage remain deeply ingrained in him: a love for fine horses and a passion for swords and blades. His family's stable indeed houses a considerable collection of excellent horses, which is well-known in the circles of the capital.

Li Xin's expression revealed difficulty

Xiao Cheng laughed heartily, "Everything in moderation. You should learn more about other things now, otherwise as the stakes get higher in the future, you won't be able to steer the ship. The old man is getting on in years; you can't expect him to work hard all the time, can you?"

In addition to these common goods, Tiangong also sells countless exquisite items. Moreover, the craftsmen at Tiangong are highly skilled in design and possess remarkable dexterity. A simple pair of scissors can be transformed in their hands into various forms, capable of being designed for over a dozen different uses and styles. There are designs intended for ordinary people, as well as luxurious ones inlaid with gold and silver for the affluent households.

However, what Xiao Yu could never have imagined was that the true mastermind behind the heavenly craftsmanship was his youngest son, Xiao Cheng, whom he regarded as the seed of the Xiao family's second rise, truly leaping from the military aristocracy to the scholarly elite, thus paving the way for the family to become a genuine noble clan.

Xiao Cheng nodded, "Alright, you carry on with your work, I will go to the back to find Han Dongjia. Take good care of the horses outside."