Volume One, Chapter Sixteen: The World's Finest Brocade Unveiled!

Qin Bao’s eyes lit up.

The Qin family truly lived up to their reputation.

The materials for Rain Silk Brocade were always of the highest quality, never to be compromised. Yet now, for the sake of money, they were actually planning to cut corners.

Especially as Qin Bao and the princess were running their own brocade and dyeing business, pondering how to lure away skilled workers—it was a stroke of luck that Qin Youde had sent someone their way.

A timely rain indeed!

Seeing Qin Bao momentarily lost in thought, Chen Liuyuan sighed, “Young Master, living under another’s roof at Diecui Garden must be hard on you. If it’s not suitable, this old man will find his own way.”

Qin Bao rose to his feet, taking Chen Liuyuan’s hand, and shook his head. “You misunderstand, Master Chen. I’m simply overjoyed. Come, let’s head inside and talk.”

Chen Liuyuan remained somewhat skeptical.

The three entered the main hall and took their seats.

Qin Bao didn’t beat around the bush. “No need to worry, Master Chen. I’m not living under anyone’s roof. Diecui Garden is my own residence.”

Chen Liuyuan was astonished. “This estate belongs to you, Young Master?”

Qin Bao replied, “A gift from His Majesty.”

Ah!

Chen Liuyuan couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise, his weathered face full of shock—the young master had actually met the emperor and even received a reward.

He rubbed his hands together, curiosity burning in his eyes. “Young Master, you met His Majesty himself—does he truly eat from golden bowls, use golden chopsticks? Is everything made of gold?”

Hu Ankang eagerly nodded, his eyes shining with agreement.

Qin Bao couldn’t help but laugh.

A woodcutter imagines the emperor chopping wood with a golden shoulder pole; a country farmer assumes the emperor dines every meal on fine white bread.

It’s always the same.

Qin Bao explained, “Master Chen, I’m not well-acquainted with His Majesty’s dining habits. But I can tell you this: he is affable and treats people kindly.”

Chen Liuyuan sighed with regret. “What a pity I couldn’t see His Majesty eat.”

Qin Bao changed the subject, saying, “Your visit comes at the perfect time, Master Chen. I was just planning to start weaving brocade and open a dye workshop. With you in charge, I can rest easy.”

Chen Liuyuan patted his chest. “Rest assured, Young Master—I’ll see to everything.”

Thinking of weaving cloud brocade, Qin Bao instructed, “Please wait a moment, Master Chen. I’ll fetch a book on the craft of cloud brocade. Next, we’ll be weaving this new style. You must begin your research.”

Chen Liuyuan, an expert in brocade weaving, knew of all the famous brocades in the land, but had never heard of cloud brocade. Curiosity piqued, he smiled. “I’m at your service, Young Master.”

Soon, Qin Bao returned with a book detailing the manufacture of cloud brocade and handed it over. “I leave the research to you.”

Chen Liuyuan skimmed through it briefly, his expression growing serious. “Young Master, I haven’t read it closely yet, but I can already tell—cloud brocade will be no easy task. The weaving technique is extremely complex.”

Qin Bao asked directly, “Just give me a straight answer, Master Chen—can it be done?”

“It can!” Chen Liuyuan replied with head held high.

Qin Bao nodded. “They say an elder in the family is a treasure—having you here puts my mind at ease.”

Chen Liuyuan was delighted.

In old age, there’s nothing more precious than being respected and useful.

Qin Bao’s respect made him feel valued; full of vigor, he patted his chest and said, “Rest assured, Young Master. I promise to weave the finest cloud brocade.”

Qin Bao nodded and summoned Wang Thirteen to arrange quarters for them.

Diecui Garden had ample courtyards—not just for Chen Liuyuan and Hu Ankang, but dozens more could be comfortably accommodated.

With Princess Changle handling the search for workshops, Qin Bao focused on his writing and preparations for the Four Kingdoms Literary Gathering.

The next morning—

Wang Thirteen came to the study with a report: the princess had arrived.

Qin Bao set aside his pen and manuscript, personally going to the door to welcome Wang Caiwei into the main hall.

Once seated, Wang Caiwei could hardly wait. “Mr. Qin, I have two pieces of good news—care to guess?”

“Did you find the workshops?” Qin Bao asked.

Wang Caiwei’s eyes sparkled. “You’re sharp as ever! Yesterday, I found both a weaving and a dye workshop for sale and bought them.”

“They’re in Dahuang Village, northwest of Xianyang, with a river running through the village. The workshops have all the equipment ready for use.”

“Princess, your work is truly swift and reliable,” Qin Bao praised.

Wang Caiwei beamed with pride. “Can you guess the second thing?”

Qin Bao shook his head. “I’m not sure.”

She smiled, quickly adding, “Qin Sheng left for his post today and got into a conflict with officials from the Ministry of War. Three men beat him up—he even lost a front tooth and now walks with a limp.”

Qin Bao replied, “The aristocratic faction feels betrayed by Qin Sheng. If not him, who else would they target?”

Not a trace of pity crossed Qin Bao’s mind for Qin Sheng.

A rotten father is still a rotten father.

He favored his concubine over his wife, longing only for a carefree life with his mistress—he had nothing to do with Qin Bao.

Changing the topic, Qin Bao said, “Now that you’ve found the workshops, it’s perfect timing—Chen Liuyuan has come to join me and is already at my residence.”

Wang Caiwei was surprised. “Why did he leave the Qin family?”

Qin Bao explained, “After I left, Qin Youde took over the weaving and dye workshops. He insisted that Master Chen cut raw materials by twenty percent. When Master Chen refused, he came to me.”

Wang Caiwei snorted. “A dog can’t change its ways—Qin Youde is as foolish as ever. Cutting corners might seem to save costs, but it’s a path to ruin.”

Qin Bao nodded. “You’re absolutely right, Princess. Whether in life or business, one must hold to principle. There’s a right way to conduct business, or it won’t last.”

Wang Caiwei declared, “No time like the present—let’s bring Master Chen and go to Dahuang Village.”

“Agreed.”

Qin Bao immediately sent for Chen Liuyuan and Hu Ankang.

They entered the hall and bowed. “Young Master.”

Qin Bao gestured to Wang Caiwei. “This is Her Highness, Princess Changle. The new weaving and dye workshops are her property.”

Wang Caiwei added, “They’re jointly managed by Mr. Qin and myself.”

Chen Liuyuan hurriedly bowed. “A humble subject greets Your Highness.”

“Greetings, Your Highness,” Hu Ankang stammered, legs trembling.

Wang Caiwei nodded slightly and said nothing more, leading the group out of Diecui Garden and on their way to Dahuang Village, north of Xianyang.

After half an hour’s walk, they arrived at Dahuang Village.

Nestled beneath forested hills, the village sat on level ground, with a river nearby—a truly ideal location.

Entering the weaving workshop, Wang Caiwei showed them the looms and equipment. “Is the scale here sufficient?”

Qin Bao turned to Chen Liuyuan. “Master Chen, can you weave cloud brocade?”

“I can!” Chen Liuyuan replied firmly.

His clouded eyes now shone brightly. “The cloud brocade technique you gave me is complex and challenging, but with good terrain and the jacquard loom you mentioned, I’m sure we can weave it.”

“Excellent,” Qin Bao smiled.

He turned to Wang Caiwei. “Princess, cloud brocade will take the world by storm—it will be the finest brocade of all. But the current scale isn’t enough.”

“I suggest we purchase the surrounding land to ensure we can expand.”

“Once cloud brocade is woven, we’ll use the Four Kingdoms Literary Gathering to promote it, letting Zhou, Chen, and Yan see its splendor.”

Qin Bao spoke confidently. “Using the literary gathering to market cloud brocade, making a profit while benefiting the nation and its people—that’s the real goal.”

“Brilliant, simply brilliant!” Wang Caiwei’s heart brimmed with joy.

Yet a trace of worry lingered on her radiant face. “Are you sure cloud brocade will succeed?”

“It’s certain!” Qin Bao replied with conviction.

So long as Chen Liuyuan followed the techniques and, given his own expertise in dyeing and weaving, they would produce a brocade like no other.

Wang Caiwei always trusted Qin Bao. “I believe in you, Mr. Qin.”

She gave Chen Liuyuan full authority, promising the princess’s household would provide all necessary support.

Chen Liuyuan, moved to tears, vowed not to disappoint.

With everything arranged, Chen Liuyuan and his apprentice stayed behind, while Qin Bao and Wang Caiwei returned to the city.

On the way back, Wang Caiwei pressed him for more writing and shared news from court.

Back in the city, Wang Caiwei dropped Qin Bao off at Diecui Garden before heading home herself.

Qin Bao did not go out in the following days, focusing on his writing and asking Wang Caiwei for histories of Liang and the other states to better understand the current world.

The original Qin Bao had only a general idea of other states—books were needed for a deeper grasp.

Five days passed in a flash.

Early one morning, just after his exercise, Wang Thirteen came to report: “Young Master, Chen Liuyuan is waiting in the hall.”

Qin Bao was delighted and hurried over, finding Chen Liuyuan dusty from travel.

“Master Chen, you must have set out from Dahuang Village before dawn, coming all this way. There’s no need to rush like this—traveling in the dark is dangerous at your age.”

Chen Liuyuan grinned. “I’ll remember your advice, Young Master.”

He produced a palm-sized piece of brocade, handling it with great care. “Please take a look, Young Master—this is a sample of cloud brocade.”

Qin Bao took it and stroked the fabric.

It was smooth and delicate to the touch, softer even than skin. The peony embroidered on the brocade was layered and lifelike, its dazzling colors far surpassing the Qin family’s Rain Silk Brocade.

It’s done!

This was the very cloud brocade he’d envisioned.

Qin Bao exclaimed, “Master Chen, your skill is truly remarkable!”

The compliment made Chen Liuyuan beam, revealing a mouthful of yellowed teeth.

He shook his head modestly. “It’s no credit to me, all thanks to your guidance, Young Master.”

“With your techniques, your new jacquard loom, and all the little tricks for the patterns and color gradients, I just followed your instructions.”

“The real credit is yours—I only put it into practice.”

Still, Chen Liuyuan was proud.

Cloud brocade far surpassed Rain Silk Brocade.

Qin Bao put away the first sample and instructed, “Now that it’s a success, begin full-scale production. If you need anything, just ask.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

After a few more words of encouragement, Qin Bao saw Chen Liuyuan off and headed straight to the princess’s residence.

He found Wang Caiwei in the rear courtyard, reading a book. Smiling, he announced, “Princess, the sample of cloud brocade is ready—the great task is accomplished!”

Wang Caiwei’s eyes shone with anticipation. “Where is it? Show me at once!”