By the time Shen Zhiwei returned to the marquis's residence, darkness had already fallen.
All along the way, Qinghe had looked like she wanted to say something but couldn't.
It wasn't until they entered the courtyard that she finally couldn't hold it in any longer.
“Miss.”
“Hmm?”
“Outside the workshop today... someone said some really nasty things.”
Shen Zhiwei's steps faltered.
“What did they say?”
“They said you...”
Qinghe bit her lip.
“They said you had no shame. That you're the legitimate eldest daughter of the marquis's residence, yet you spend all day mixed in with those craftsmen. They even said you were...”
She couldn't finish.
But Shen Zhiwei already understood.
“They also called me crazy?”
Qinghe nodded.
“Mm-hmm.”
“And someone said you'd ruin the marquis's residence's reputation sooner or later.”
Shen Zhiwei smiled.
“Is that all?”
Qinghe stared at her.
“Miss, isn't that serious?”
“Not really.”
Shen Zhiwei pushed open the door and entered.
“If they're calling me crazy, at least that proves they've started paying attention to me.”
Qinghe looked completely baffled.
“What is there to be happy about?”
Shen Zhiwei sat down.
“When someone does something completely worthless, no one wastes time insulting her.”
Qinghe froze for a moment.
“So...”
“Now people are insulting me.”
Shen Zhiwei poured herself a cup of tea.
“That means I've already touched certain people's interests.”
She lifted the teacup.
There was no anger in her eyes.
Only absolute calm.
“And the real trouble has only just begun.”
She had guessed correctly.
Early the next morning, trouble arrived.
Shen Zhiwei had just finished breakfast when the steward hurried in to report.
“Eldest Miss, Madam asks you to go to the main courtyard.”
“What is it?”
The steward lowered his head.
“I don't know.”
Shen Zhiwei glanced at him.
“What else?”
The steward hesitated before answering.
“There are several guests at the residence today.”
“Who?”
“People from the Ministry of Works.”
“And...”
The steward lowered his voice.
“The managers of several merchant houses in the capital.”
Shen Zhiwei arched an eyebrow.
She rose to her feet.
“Let's go.”
She wanted to see for herself.
Who would be the first to lose their nerve this time.
Main courtyard.
Madam Liu sat in the seat of honor.
Beside her sat a man of about fifty, dressed in a dark brown brocade robe and holding a string of jade beads.
Shen Zhiwei didn't know him.
But the moment she entered, she saw the contempt that flashed across his eyes.
Madam Liu smiled as she introduced him.
“Zhiwei, this is Manager Shen, one of the capital's most famous ceramics merchants.”
“These gentlemen are Official Zhou from the Ministry of Works and several merchant-house managers.”
Zhou Yuanshan sat off to one side.
When he saw Shen Zhiwei, he gave her a slight nod.
Shen Zhiwei returned the courtesy.
“Greetings, everyone.”
Manager Shen looked her up and down.
“So this is Eldest Miss Shen?”
“That is correct.”
Shen Zhiwei sat down.
“May I ask what brings you all here?”
Manager Shen gave a short laugh.
“I've heard that Eldest Miss Shen has been making some unusual little contraptions lately.”
“I came by especially to take a look.”
“And now that you've looked?”
Shen Zhiwei asked.
Manager Shen was caught off guard.
Madam Liu hurriedly smiled and smoothed things over.
“Zhiwei, Manager Shen is one of the largest glass merchants in the capital.”
“He heard that you made transparent glass and wanted to discuss a business deal with you.”
Shen Zhiwei understood.
So they had come for the glass.
“What kind of deal?”
Manager Shen held up one finger.
“I'll offer five hundred taels.”
“For your manufacturing method.”
The room fell silent.
Behind Shen Zhiwei, Qinghe's eyes widened.
Five hundred taels.
That was no small sum.
For ordinary people, five hundred taels would be enough to live on for many years.
But Shen Zhiwei only asked, “A complete buyout?”
“Of course.”
“That includes the formula, the process, and the kiln modifications?”
“All of it.”
“If I agree,” Shen Zhiwei said, looking at him, “does that mean I can't make glass anymore?”
Manager Shen smiled.
“Miss Shen, you can certainly continue making it.”
“But you can't teach the method to anyone else.”
Shen Zhiwei smiled.
“Five hundred taels.”
“Yes.”
“Too little.”
The smile instantly faded from Manager Shen's face.
“Miss Shen.”
“Five hundred taels is already quite generous.”
“For a woman,” he added after a pause, “especially one who's never done business before.”
Shen Zhiwei's gaze turned cold.
“So you're not here to negotiate a deal.”
“You're here to teach me how to do business?”
Manager Shen's smile stiffened.
“Miss Shen, you've misunderstood.”
“I just think that, as a woman, you shouldn't waste your energy on these things.”
“This kind of technology needs to be placed in the hands of professionals.”
“That's the only way it can reach its full value.”
Shen Zhiwei looked at him.
“Professionals?”
She picked up her teacup.
“Manager Shen.”
“Do you know how my glass is made?”
“Of course not.”
“Do you know the proportions of the raw materials?”
“No.”
“Do you know the kiln temperature?”
“Well...”
“Do you know the annealing time?”
Manager Shen fell silent.
Shen Zhiwei set down her teacup.
“Since you don't know anything,” she said, “what makes you think you're more professional than I am?”
The room was utterly silent.
Zhou Yuanshan lowered his head and took a sip of tea.
The corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
Manager Shen's expression turned ugly.
“Miss Shen.”
“I only meant well.”
“Five hundred taels for an immature process is already quite an offer.”
“I've shown you more than enough respect.”
Shen Zhiwei smiled.
“Then I'll give you an answer in return.”
“I'm not selling.”
Manager Shen frowned.
“You'd better think carefully.”
“I have.”
“You won't take five hundred taels?”
“No.”
“What about one thousand?”
“No.”
“Two thousand?”
Shen Zhiwei raised her eyes.
“I wouldn't sell it for any price.”
The smile disappeared from Manager Shen's face completely.
“Miss Shen.”
“A person shouldn't be too greedy.”
Shen Zhiwei replied coolly, “I'm not greedy.”
“I simply know what it's worth.”
Madam Liu's expression shifted.
She had initially thought this was a good deal.
Two thousand taels.
No matter how much Shen Zhiwei kept stirring things up, it would be enough to support her for a long time.
“Zhiwei,” Madam Liu said gently, “Manager Shen is only trying to help.”
“As a woman, it truly isn't convenient for you to manage such a large workshop.”
“Why not sell the method?”
“With the money, you could settle down and get married in the future.”
Shen Zhiwei turned to look at her.
“Mother thinks a woman should sell off whatever she worked hard to obtain.”
“Then go home and wait to get married?”
Madam Liu's smile stiffened.
“That isn't what I meant.”
“Then don't try to persuade me.”
Shen Zhiwei stood up.
“This deal isn't happening.”
Manager Shen sneered.
“Fine, then.”
He rose.
“But Miss Shen...”
“In the world of business, having something doesn't mean you'll be able to keep it.”
“You'd better think carefully.”
“There are plenty of people in the capital who want to get into the glass business. I'm not the only one.”
Shen Zhiwei looked at him.
“I know.”
“That's why I'm not selling.”
Manager Shen snorted and turned to leave.
The other merchants rose as well.
Soon, only Zhou Yuanshan, Madam Liu, and Shen Zhiwei remained in the main courtyard.
After a moment of silence, Zhou Yuanshan said, “Miss Shen.”
“Hmm?”
“Manager Shen was right.”
“People in the capital have already started asking about your glass.”
“Since you've refused to sell the formula, I'm afraid trouble is coming next.”
Shen Zhiwei nodded.
“I know.”
“Then what do you plan to do?”
She smiled.
“Wait.”
“Wait?”
“Wait for them to make their move.”
Sure enough, three days later, something happened at Zhiwei Workshop.
At dawn, Gu Changfeng had just opened the main gates when he found a line of constables standing outside.
“By order of the Ministry of Works,” the lead constable announced, displaying an official document, “this workshop is to be sealed.”
Gu Changfeng's expression changed.
“Why?”
“Someone reported that you were secretly manufacturing prohibited equipment.”
“What prohibited equipment?”
“I don't know.”
“Then why are you sealing the workshop?”
“It says so in the document.”
The constable impatiently shoved him aside.
“Move.”
Gu Changfeng immediately blocked his path.
“No!”
“This is Eldest Miss's workshop.”
“Without her permission, no one gets inside.”
The constable sneered.
“You're just a craftsman. You dare obstruct the authorities?”
“Take him away.”
Several constables immediately stepped forward.
The craftsmen gathered around them.
A confrontation was about to break out when a cool voice suddenly rang out.
“Stop.”
Everyone turned.
Shen Zhiwei stood at the entrance, with Qinghe behind her.
She wore a plain-colored long dress.
Her expression was calm.
“Eldest Miss!”
Gu Changfeng hurried over.
“They say they're sealing the workshop.”
“I know.”
Shen Zhiwei walked up to the constable.
“Give me the document.”
The constable handed it over.
She scanned it.
“Suspected illegal manufacture of military equipment?”
“Yes.”
Shen Zhiwei looked up.
“I make glass.”
“Not weapons.”
“The document says you've privately modified a high-temperature kiln.”
“That is true.”
“Manufactured unidentified metal implements.”
“We have.”
“And purchased large quantities of quartz sand, soda ash, and limestone.”
“That is also true.”
The constable sneered.
“What else is there to say?”
Shen Zhiwei smiled.
“Plenty.”
She handed the document back.
“You can conduct your inspection.”
“But I want every single item recorded clearly.”
“What you're sealing.”
“What you're taking.”
“Who took it.”
“How much.”
“And who will be responsible for it afterward.”
“Record everything.”
“Otherwise,” she said, looking at the constable, “you don't touch a thing.”
The constable's expression shifted.
“Miss Shen, don't make this difficult for us.”
“I'm not making anything difficult.”
“It's called procedure.”
Shen Zhiwei turned around.
“Gu Changfeng.”
“Yes.”
“Bring me the workshop's complete materials inventory.”
“Yes.”
Before long, a thick stack of account books was carried out.
Shen Zhiwei opened one directly.
“These are all the materials purchased since the workshop was established.”
“Every transaction is recorded.”
“These are the records for each experiment.”
“These are the glass samples.”
“And this is the kiln modification blueprint.”
She laid everything out on the table one item at a time.
“You can inspect them.”
“But I want the inspection conducted according to this inventory.”
“If so much as one item goes missing...”
“I'll go to the Ministry of Justice and report you.”
Sweat began to bead on the constable's forehead.
They had thought this would be nothing more than a formality.
They hadn't expected the eldest daughter of the marquis's residence to have prepared for even this.
“You...”
“What about me?”
Shen Zhiwei lifted her eyes.
“Didn't you come under orders to seal the workshop?”
“Then inspect it.”
“I'll cooperate.”
“But don't even think about using this opportunity to take my things.”
Her voice wasn't loud.
Yet no one dared underestimate her.
Just then, a fast horse came galloping from the end of the street.
“Make way!”
The rider leaped down from the saddle.
It was one of Shen Mingyuan's personal guards.
“Eldest Miss.”
He cupped his fist.
“The Marquis sent me to deliver a message.”
“Go on.”
“The Ministry of Works' document is problematic.”
Shen Zhiwei's gaze darkened.
“What kind of problem?”
“The signature is genuine.”
“The seal is genuine too.”
“But the reason for the investigation is unclear.”
“The Marquis has already sent people to investigate at the Ministry of Works.”
Shen Zhiwei understood.
This wasn't a normal investigation.
Someone was using the Ministry of Works' name to force her to hand over the glass formula.
She looked at the constables.
“You heard him.”
“There is a problem with this order.”
The constables exchanged glances.
The leader gritted his teeth.
“We were only carrying out orders.”
“Then wait for further orders,” Shen Zhiwei said coolly.
“Until this matter is cleared up, no one is to touch my workshop.”
In the end, the constables could only put away the document.
“Let's go.”
The group left.
Only then did Gu Changfeng let out a breath of relief.
“Eldest Miss.”
“Hmm?”
“You just now...”
“Were you afraid?”
Gu Changfeng shook his head.
“No.”
“I was afraid they'd actually haul the workshop away.”
Shen Zhiwei smiled.
“Don't worry.”
“They can't move it.”
However, the matter wasn't over.
That very night, Shen Zhiwei received a letter.
There was no signature.
Only one sentence:
“Hand over the glass formula, and your workshop will be safe.”
After reading it, she threw it straight into the brazier.
Qinghe jumped.
“Miss!”
“It's a threat.”
“Then what do we do?”
“Nothing.”
“But what if they come again?”
“They will.”
Shen Zhiwei watched the flames.
“And next time, it won't just be the authorities sealing the workshop.”
Qinghe's face paled.
“Then what do we do?”
Shen Zhiwei didn't answer.
She rose and walked to the writing desk.
Then she took out a sheet of paper.
She wrote several words:
Publish the process.
Qinghe froze.
“Miss, didn't you say you didn't want to give the formula to anyone else?”
“I don't want to give it to them.”
“But if you publish it...”
“Then things will be different.”
Shen Zhiwei set down her brush.
“As long as the process is made public, everyone can learn it.”
“They won't be able to threaten me through a monopoly.”
Qinghe's eyes widened.
“But wouldn't that mean other people could make glass too?”
“Yes.”
“Wouldn't that put you at a disadvantage?”
Shen Zhiwei smiled.
“No.”
“What will truly make me money isn't the formula.”
“It's the standards.”
“The standards?”
“Yes.”
She pointed to the experiment records on the desk.
“How to select the raw materials.”
“How to determine the proportions.”
“How to build the kiln.”
“How to anneal the glass.”
“How to test the quality.”
“These are the most important things.”
“If others only know the formula but don't know how to produce it consistently...”
“They still won't be able to make it properly.”
Qinghe understood only part of it.
But Shen Zhiwei had already made her decision.
She was going to strike back.
And this time, she had no intention of merely defending herself.
The next day, Shen Zhiwei personally wrote an announcement and posted it at the workshop entrance.
It contained only one sentence:
“Zhiwei Workshop is willing to publish the basic method of glassmaking. Any craftsman may come here to learn.”
Once the news spread, the entire capital was shaken.
In the teahouses, people couldn't believe it.
“She must be crazy.”
“She published the formula?”
“Is she stupid?”
“If everyone learns it, how will she make money?”
Some people sneered.
“I told you she was crazy.”
But elsewhere, the craftsmen of the capital were in an uproar.
Because to them, this was an unprecedented opportunity.
No more relying on family secrets.
No more depending on knowledge passed orally from master to apprentice.
No more being shut out forever because of their low status.
As long as they were willing to learn, they could come.
Three days later, more than a hundred craftsmen had gathered outside Zhiwei Workshop.
There were blacksmiths.
Carpenters.
Potters.
Kiln workers.
There were even several glassmakers who had traveled from other places.
Gu Changfeng stood at the entrance, staring at the sea of people.
He was completely dumbfounded.
“Eldest Miss.”
“Hmm?”
“There are too many people.”
Shen Zhiwei walked out and looked at the crowd before her.
She wasn't afraid.
Instead, she smiled.
“Then expand.”
“Buy the neighboring courtyard too.”
“And build another workshop.”
Gu Changfeng: “...”
“And one more thing.”
Shen Zhiwei looked toward the crowd.
“Starting today, Zhiwei Workshop won't just make things.”
“We'll teach people too.”
“Teach what?”
“How to think.”
“How to record things.”
“How to conduct experiments.”
“How to find answers in failure.”
The crowd gradually fell silent.
Shen Zhiwei stood beneath the sunlight.
Her voice was clear.
“I'm not afraid of you learning.”
“Because I hope that one day, every city in Dayong will have its own workshops.”
“Every craftsman will be able to create something new.”
“That day,” she said, looking into the distance, “will be when we've truly begun to change this era.”
The crowd was silent for a moment.
Then someone shouted first:
“Miss Shen!”
“I want to learn!”
Then a second voice.
Then a third.
More and more people began to call out.
“So do I!”
“I want to learn!”
“We want to learn!”
The voices surged like a tide.
Shen Zhiwei stood before the crowd.
For the first time, she truly felt that she was no longer fighting alone.
She had her first group of fellow travelers.
At the same time, in the Shen family's rear courtyard, Madam Liu smashed a teacup.
“She actually published the method?”
Shen Ruolan's expression was just as grim.
“Mother.”
“What is she trying to do?”
Madam Liu gritted her teeth.
“She isn't crazy.”
“She did it on purpose.”
“On purpose?”
“Yes.”
A cold, sinister light flashed through Madam Liu's eyes.
“She knows someone wants to steal her formula.”
“So she simply made it public.”
“She made sure everyone would know.”
“That way, anyone who moves against her will become the target of everyone else.”
Shen Ruolan fell silent.
She suddenly felt that her elder sister had become truly frightening.
The Shen Zhiwei of the past had never known how to resist.
But now, she had begun learning how to harness the power of the entire capital.
Late that night, Shen Zhiwei stood by the window.
The glass window she had made with her own hands reflected the moonlight.
She knew that today had only been her first counterattack.
Madam Liu.
Shen Ruolan.
The merchants.
The Ministry of Works.
Even those hiding in the shadows.
None of them would give up just because she had published a single process.
But she would not retreat again.
She lowered her head and opened her experiment notebook.
On the final page, she wrote:
“Today, my first counterattack.”
Then she added:
“The best way to deal with an enemy isn't to fight him over one thing.”
“It's to make sure that thing can never again be used as his bargaining chip.”
She closed the notebook.
Outside the window, the capital glittered with the lights of ten thousand homes.
And beyond those lights, an even greater storm was already quietly approaching.
Shen Zhiwei looked only once before turning back to the desk.
She still had her next target.
The steam engine.
She would give this era its first true—
industrial power.