Chapter 10

Beimang Mountain, also known as Pingfeng Mountain, Taiping Mountain, and Jishan. Beimang Mountain is not particularly high, with an altitude of only about 300 meters, but it is quite long, stretching for hundreds of miles from east to west. It is majestic, with deep water, fertile soil, and dense forests. It is located north of Luoyang City and on the south bank of the Yellow River, being a branch of the Qinling Mountains and the Xiaoshan Range.

Beimang Mountain has both mountains and water. The Yi and Luo rivers flow from west to east through Luoyang City, making this area a primary activity site for the descendants of the Yan and Huang Emperors since ancient times. The Yan and Huang Emperors settled here in prehistoric times and continued to develop and thrive.

The Cui family built an estate at the foot of Beimang Mountain, nestled against the mountain.

During the Han Dynasty, aristocratic families often built estates, which were frequently used as important strongholds for family inheritance. The Cui family was no exception. The construction began during the time when Cui Lie served as the Grand Minister, and Cui Yi and Cui Hou have been continuously expanding and renovating it, making it quite extensive.

Fei Qian estimated that the entire estate was at least the size of twenty basketball courts, and he could see craftsmen entering and exiting the back of the estate. In ancient times, the land could be as large as one wanted; in modern times, it would likely cost at least a hundred billion to acquire such a large piece of land.

Cui Hou was also proud and began to introduce the layout of the entire estate to Fei Qian.

Although it was called an estate, it more resembled a fortress.

The Cui family estate, or Cui family fort, was built against a cliff of Beimang Mountain. Many caves were carved into the cliff face, enclosed by wooden fences and guarded by some guards, likely used for storing supplies. At the foot of the mountain, a thick wall was built, enclosing a large area of land. A mountain stream was diverted to flow through the fort, and a deep moat was dug outside the wall, serving both as a defensive measure and for water storage.

The entire fort was divided into over ten sections, including the main residence area, ordinary residential area, ancestral hall area, workshop area, vegetable garden, flower garden, warehouse area, and market, each with its own function, well-planned, and fully functional.

After crossing the drawbridge, one would reach the narrow gate, which could rival a city gate in size and sturdiness, with thick, solid walls on both sides. Inside the gate, there was a watchtower modeled after a city wall, with several guards armed with bows and arrows patrolling the top.

The streets inside the fort were intentionally built in a winding and complex manner with many forks, making it difficult for outsiders unfamiliar with the layout to find the main courtyard without Cui Hou's guidance.

Fei Qian marveled and lavished praise on the estate.

Cui Hou modestly waved his hands while enthusiastically describing the initial construction, the number of workers involved, and other details.

Indeed, the construction was impressive. The walls on both sides of the streets were half stone and half yellow clay, combining convenience and sturdiness. In addition to the mountain stream flowing through the fort, there were many large water jars to prevent fires, as Han Dynasty buildings were mostly made of wooden beams and doors.

The main living area of the Cui family was a mix of a garden and a military fortress. The outer walls were entirely built with blue bricks, clearly distinguishing it from the houses of the common people on both sides of the street. Brick carvings, stone carvings, and wood carvings adorned the area, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and diverse styles. Four-story corner towers with sloping eaves were also built at the corners of the courtyard.

Building such an estate was no easy feat, demonstrating the Cui family's substantial wealth.

The agricultural structure of the Han Dynasty was similar to the Cui family's estate. The estate served as a trading market and a place for exchanging goods. Most of the residents were landowners, while farmers and laborers lived in thatched huts outside the estate. In case of enemy invasion, everyone would gather inside the estate to defend it.

The small Cui family estate was a microcosm of the entire Han Dynasty and even the longer feudal agricultural era of China. Except for a few dynasties like the Han, Tang, and Ming, which had the capability to repel enemies at the borders, most of the time, the country was in a state of constant defense, allowing nomadic tribes to ravage outside the walls like locusts.

Upon entering the Cui family estate, Cui Hou did not take Fei Qian to a side hall but to his own small courtyard and a small hall, where they sat as host and guest.

Fei Qian's lips curled slightly, indicating that the effect of exchanging books for protection was evident.

The Han Dynasty was an era that emphasized etiquette and equality.

Different places were used for different people and occasions. The main hall of the Cui family was not suitable for Fei Qian, and even if he were taken there, he would not dare to be so disrespectful.

Fei Qian had initially worried that Cui Hou would take him to a side hall, which would mean a formal family banquet where Cui Yi would be present. Fei Qian would have to face Cui Yi directly, and if the elder asked a question, he would have to stand up and answer, which would not only be a breach of etiquette but also put him in a very passive position, making things very complicated.

By bringing Fei Qian to his own small courtyard and small hall, Cui Hou indicated that he was the host, and the elder Cui Yi would not be present. The banquet would be a more casual and equal gathering among friends, rather than a formal one.

Originally, the Cui family planned for Cui Yi to meet Fei Qian. As an elder and a former official, Cui Yi would first use etiquette to persuade Fei Qian to hand over the secret of crafting glass, but they received an unexpected letter from Cui Min.

The Cui family had initially thought that Fei Qian was just a minor branch of the Fei family and had not received much attention from the main family. Such a powerless branch would not cause much trouble.

However, Cui Min's letter, besides pleasantries, specifically mentioned thanking the Cui family for inviting and hosting Fei Qian, and expressed the intention to invite the Cui family to visit in the future.

Although the letter did not explicitly state its meaning, it revealed that Fei Qian was not as insignificant and ignored by the main family as the Cui family had thought. Pressuring Fei Qian would be seen as a lack of respect for Cui Min, turning a personal matter into a conflict between the Cui and Fei families.

The position of Censor-in-Chief was not as high as the Three Excellencies, but Cui Min was a current official, while the highest-ranking official in the Cui family, Cui Lie, was a former official and had passed away. In comparison, this did not give the Cui family a significant advantage.

After weighing the pros and cons, Cui Yi decided not to meet Fei Qian directly and instead had Cui Hou host him, treating it as a purely friendly invitation.

In such a small courtyard and small hall, there was no need for the formality of a formal banquet. After sitting down, Cui Hou removed his headgear and placed it aside, gesturing for Fei Qian to do the same.

Interesting, Fei Qian thought, smiling as he removed his headgear. This casual gesture implied that today's gathering was informal, with no other agenda.

As expected, as dried fruits, pastries, wine, and various meats were served, Cui Hou avoided discussing business and instead shared amusing stories and street gossip.

The Cui family was not simple. The profit from glass was enormous, but they did not let greed cloud their judgment. They knew when to let go and did not show any awkwardness or negative emotions, appearing genuinely friendly and热情.

The banquet lasted from afternoon to dusk, and everyone was well-fed and satisfied.

Although Han Dynasty wine was slightly sweet and sour with a low alcohol content, drinking too much could still make one drunk. Fortunately, either Fei Qian's body had a strong ability to metabolize alcohol, or his drinking skills, honed in the office of his future life, were quite good. Despite his flushed face, slurred speech, and unsteady gait, most of it was an act.

As the banquet neared its end, Cui Hou called a servant to prepare a room for Fei Qian to rest.

In the Han Dynasty, a proper banquet would last from noon to sunset, and guests would usually stay overnight at the host's residence, completing the banquet with a full circle.

A good meal and a good night's rest were essential for a proper invitation. Guests rarely left at night, as doing so would be considered impolite and embarrassing for the host.

Fei Qian, swaying and supported by a servant, walked toward the guest room. After a few steps, he staggered back, pulled out a silk handkerchief from his robe, and handed it to Cui Hou, slurring, "Brother, you have... no, no, no, been very kind to me. I will... leave Luoyang soon. This... this is something I... I found by chance... I give it to you as a... farewell gift..."

Before he could finish, Fei Qian collapsed and fell asleep.

Cui Hou, barely sober, opened the handkerchief and was instantly sobered. He called Fei Qian several times, but seeing that Fei Qian was truly drunk and asleep, he instructed the servant to take good care of him and then, without changing his clothes, went to see Cui Yi.

Cui Yi, who was in the habit of sitting quietly at dusk, was irritated by the interruption and Cui Hou's disheveled, alcohol-stained appearance.

"Father, please wait! Please look at this first!"

Cui Yi took the handkerchief, glanced at it, and his drowsiness vanished. Frowning, he asked, "How did you get this? Did you steal it from Fei Qian while he was drunk?"

Cui Hou quickly recounted what had happened.

"This young man is not simple!" Cui Yi stroked his beard. "If this method is genuine, tsk, tsk, it makes us look inferior... Well, we will accept this favor!"

"Copy this and quickly call the family's master craftsmen to test it. We need to see if it works." Cui Yi ordered, deciding to start the work immediately, regardless of the late hour.

Leaving Cui Yi and Cui Hou to their tasks, Fei Qian, supported by two servants, walked unsteadily to his room, a slight smile on his lips. The same item could have different effects depending on the occasion.

If he had been forced to hand over the formula, he would have received no reward and would have been ridiculed. The rules of the aristocratic families were ruthless.

Now, with the support of the main family, Fei Qian had temporarily gained an equal status with Cui Hou. Regardless of how long this status would last, presenting the formula in this situation meant a gesture of friendship, and the Cui family would have to follow the rules of reciprocity among the aristocratic families, or risk losing their reputation.

The aristocratic families were a contradictory yet unified group.

Since he was leaving Luoyang, it was best to leave with a clean slate. Moreover, the formula Fei Qian gave to Cui Hou was only slightly better than the Han Dynasty's glass formula, mainly in the purity of the lead, resulting in a more lustrous and transparent glass.

Fei Qian even thought that if the Cui family could further research and improve the formula, it would be their achievement. As he thought, he was supported by the servants, swaying and stumbling toward the guest room. Suddenly, a line of red light appeared in the sky, making Fei Qian blink uncomfortably. He squinted and looked out.

At that moment, the setting sun was like blood, casting a crimson glow over Luoyang City.