Chapter 985: Chapter 983: Trinket
After Zhou Biyao left, Wong Qiao did not go to the Qi family or the Jiang family. Instead, he relocated with the Mechanical Workshop to a courtyard in North City.
This was an abandoned warehouse purchased by Yuan Shang, which had been slightly renovated into the current setup, now known as the future Mechanical Research Institute.
This research institution, in addition to the workshop for making machines, of course, also had rooms for clerical work and artisan drafting.
Yuan Shang entrusted the machines and some craftsmen to his manager, and he personally led Wong Qiao, Shi Yin, and six key craftsmen to the three main houses in the center of the courtyard.
Entering through the central door was a bright living room.
In the middle of the living room sat Jinrong, accompanied by Jiang Yifan and Hu Jing on either side, and next to Jiang Yifan was Ye Xinyan dressed casually.
Hongzhi, Shi Yu, and several other attendants stood respectfully on either side of the living room.
Upon seeing Jinrong, Wong Qiao, Shi Yin, and a few others hurriedly stepped forward to pay their respects and greeted His Highness Prince Yu.
Shi Yin already knew Jinrong earlier. He went to the Mechanical Workshop in Clear Water Village because Jinrong persuaded him by saying that Clear Water Village had great potential and that he could see novel devices unseen in this world, which convinced him to visit.
The other six craftsmen had mostly met Jinrong and Jiang Yifan in Clear Water Village.
Of the two craftsmen recruited later, although they hadn’t met the two, they had heard about them from others.
Upon entering and seeing the scene, and then observing Shi Yin and Wong Qiao’s behavior, they realized that the young man in the black robe embroidered with gold sitting above was indeed the emperor’s son, His Highness Prince Yu.
They immediately tensed up, following the others to pay their respects.
Seeing Shi Yin and Wong Qiao enter and recalling what was mentioned in Wong Qiao’s letter, Jinrong was delighted and personally helped them up, exempting the craftsmen from performing grand ceremonies.
Once everyone had exchanged greetings and seated themselves, Jinrong and Jiang Yifan each inquired if their journey had been smooth.
Jinrong looked over the craftsmen present, smiled, and said, "Each of you is a master craftsman and has contributed greatly to the Mechanical Workshop. I’ve read the letters sent by Steward Wong, and the steam engine is now capable of running; your contributions are indispensable. When the steam engine can truly be applied to iron smelting or other industries, I will surely report to the court to get you all recognized."
What? What recognition? The craftsmen looked at each other, wondering what kind of recognition it would be?
The craftsmen, regardless of whether they had met Jinrong before, couldn’t imagine that this high-ranking prince would say such things today.
They are craftsmen who rely on their hands and physical strength to earn a living. Could such people actually receive recognition from the court?
Would this recognition make them, like the scholar-gentlemen, typically not bullied by others? The scholars could see an official without bowing.
The craftsmen were momentarily incredulous, then exchanged extremely excited glances. Seeing their restless demeanor, if not for the high-ranking figures present which were intimidating, these craftsmen might not be able to help but jump up in excitement.
Even Wong Qiao found it quite unexpected. He was aware that the court was implementing patent laws to fight for the rightful benefits of innovative craftsmen.
But isn’t that a matter of money? How come there’s now a discussion on status?
He turned his confused gaze towards Ye Xinyan. The proposal to grant craftsmen their deserved treatment was first brought up by Ye Zi. The idea of giving craftsmen status by the court? Besides Ye Xinyan, probably no one else could think of that, right?
Wong Qiao looked at Ye Xinyan, lost in thought.
Jiang Yifan noticed Wong Qiao’s dazed look and couldn’t help but cough lightly.
Wong Qiao came to his senses, feeling a little awkward.
Since going to Prince Fu’s Iron Workshop, it had been two years since he worked with Ye Xinyan. The Ye Zi of back then was now married, with a husband. He was overstepping a bit.
Jiang Yifan had no other intentions but seeing Wong Qiao’s embarrassment, he conveniently explained, "If the steam engine can indeed improve iron smelting efficiency, it would be a great achievement for the court. The credits of Ah Qiao and Master Shi are undeniable, and the craftsmen also share the credit. It’s reasonable for the court to give some rewards."
Shi Yin, a master of ingenious devices, often felt a bit smugly proud, but found Jiang Yifan’s words quite reasonable.
But Wong Qiao felt embarrassed, "Yuanfan, your words are too flattering for us. The steam engine was Ye Zi’s idea. Many of the transmission methods and structures were thanks to Ye Zi’s inspiration that we could think of them. We’ve already earned a decent wage at the Mechanical Workshop using Ye Zi’s ideas and the workshop’s resources. Even if there are court rewards, it shouldn’t be us receiving them."
The craftsmen sitting nearby all nodded promptly in agreement.
That’s indeed the truth.
Before the Mechanical Workshop, or rather, before they worked at the Mechanical Workshop, they never expected that as craftsmen, they could earn several to about ten taels of silver in monthly wages.
Every time they completed a device, all participating craftsmen could earn a substantial tip money.
Now, they had even relocated with their families to the prosperous capital under the feet of the Son of Heaven. In the past, that would have been an impossible dream.
Even the scholarly teachers with official degrees, earning one or two taels of silver a month, couldn’t surpass the craftsmen’s wages. This already seemed like a blessing accumulated over several lifetimes, and any more seemed unseemly.
Jinrong listened to everyone’s polite refusals and said with a hearty laugh, "No need for anyone to step back. No matter whose idea it is, or who invests in it, in the end, it still depends on the craftsmen’s diligence to accomplish things. Ah Qiao and the masters, don’t be overly modest; all the benefits come only after accomplishing things. Right?"
Shi Yin’s straightforward character and extraordinary skills made him impatient to see them pushing back and forth. He turned and pointed at the last craftsman, instructing, "Go and bring in the item we brought."
That craftsman was unfamiliar with the protocols and didn’t think about looking for any gestures from the prince above. He nodded promptly and went out effusively to fetch the item upon being ordered by his leader.
Jinrong wouldn’t bother arguing with a craftsman, focusing instead on the item Shi Yin mentioned, "Master Shi, are you talking about the small item made using the steam engine principle?"
Shi Yin, appearing extremely proud, replied, "Yes, that item is sure to satisfy Your Highness."
His Highness Prince Yu did not deceive him; at the Mechanical Workshop in Clear Water Village, he indeed witnessed novel things unseen in this world. And there weren’t just one; there were many. Perhaps, there would be even more in the future.
The letters from Wong Qiao had to go through Ye Xinyan’s hands, so she knew about the item described in Wong Qiao’s letter. It was a mechanical toy driven by steam.
This kind of item naturally couldn’t pique Ye Xinyan’s curiosity. If the steam engine could be put into application, and the smelting industry prospered, various steels of different properties could be produced. Then music and dance figures made of springs, and clockworks, would be far more interesting and exquisite than the toys powered by a steam engine.