Сhарter 204: Millennium Рinе Soot Ink
Нowevеr, rерlасing thе Ink Testing Мaster midway through the Тributе Ink Selеctiоn wаs trulу unрreсеdеntеd аnd brokе established соnventiоns. If in the future, anуone whо failed in thе соmреtitiоn blаmed it on thе Ink Тesting Маstеr, the Ink Аffairs Вurеau would fасe signifiсant difficulties.
"Сhanging the ink testing mеthоd midwаy—dоesn’t that violаtе thе rules?" Аt this mоmеnt, Оld Маster Тiаn, who hаd beеn sitting quietly withоut uttering а wоrd, suddеnly sроkе uр.
"Brother Тian, what’s against the rulеs? The Ink Tеsting Mastеrs remаin thе samе gentlemen. Only the inkstone and writing materials have been changed. The Ink-Fading Stone Inkstone and Refined White Jade Slab minimize the influence of individual techniques, allowing the ink’s color to be displayed more simply and directly. This can fully serve as a standard for ink testing. I believe this method could even be added to future Tribute Ink Selection trials as a new convention," Old Shopkeeper Li replied with a calm expression.
His words left everyone stunned once again. Initially, it was assumed that the Li family was dissatisfied with the three Ink Testing Masters and would certainly replace them for the retrial, especially since testing on the Refined White Jade Slab had nothing to do with individual calligraphy or painting skills—anyone could perform it. Yet the Li family proposed that the same three Ink Testing Masters conduct the test, which was thought-provoking.
Upon hearing Old Shopkeeper Li’s words, Yuan Bai, Kang You, and the others, whose faces had been pale, suddenly flushed with excitement as they looked toward the Li family. It was truly a case of "when all seems lost, a new path appears."
They hadn’t expected the Li family to give them another chance.
Earlier, like everyone else, they had assumed the Li family would demand replacements. If that happened and Li Mo was proven superior to Tian ink, their reputations would be ruined, and they would no longer have a place in the industry.
But if they were allowed to conduct the test again, the simplicity and directness of the Refined White Jade Slab would make it difficult to falsify results. If Tian ink proved superior, it would confirm their earlier judgment was correct. If Li Mo proved superior, it would only indicate that their techniques were unsuitable for Li Mo, without tarnishing their reputations. Techniques could be improved, but a ruined reputation would end their careers in this field.
They might even be too ashamed to show their faces.
The Li family’s move had given them a way out, and they couldn’t help but feel secretly grateful.
Soon after, Yuan Bai, Kang You, and Lu Chong stood up and bowed to Lord Liu, saying, "Your Excellency, we are also willing to conduct the test again. The issues raised by Miss Li earlier were indeed valid, and we have reflected deeply. Perhaps our techniques did limit the performance of Li Mo. Let us test it once more on the Refined White Jade Slab."
By this point, the Tian family had nothing more to say. Lord Liu also breathed a sigh of relief. Replacing the Ink Testing Masters would have been a blow to the Ink Affairs Bureau’s reputation, as the masters were selected by the bureau.
Zhen Niang observed everyone’s expressions. In her opinion, replacing the Ink Testing Masters would have been ideal. But seeing the reactions and expressions around her, she couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—the older generation truly had more wisdom.
Clearly, her grandfather’s approach was the best.
At this moment, Lord Liu ordered someone to bring the Ink-Fading Stone Inkstone and Refined White Jade Slab, and the three Ink Testing Masters began the ink test once more.
Testing on the Refined White Jade Slab involved various dots, lines, and shades of ink, as well as the layering of dots, the overlapping of lines, and the interplay between dots and lines.The performance of Tian ink was actually quite impressive. After all, being able to become Tribute Ink itself demonstrated its strength. Unfortunately, it ultimately lost to Li Mo in the layering of brushstrokes.
After three layers of layering, Tian ink gradually lost its distinct levels. In contrast, Li Mo maintained clarity even up to five layers—five overlapping brushstrokes—and upon close inspection, the sides of the lines could still distinguish the five strokes, clearly surpassing Tian ink.
In the end, the Li family’s Four Harmonies Ink successfully became the Tribute Ink. After twenty years, the Li family finally became a Tribute Ink merchant.
When Lord Liu announced the result, Old Madam Li burst into tears.
“Old master, I have lived up to the ancestors of the Li family in the underworld,” Old Madam Li murmured, her lips trembling.
“Seventh Brother, you can rest in peace now,” Old Shopkeeper Li’s eyes were also reddened. Back then, due to Li Jingfu’s actions, the Li family lost the Tribute Ink Privilege, and Seventh Brother passed away in depression. This had always been a burden on Old Shopkeeper Li’s heart. Although it couldn’t completely make up for the regret, it was at least some form of closure.
Zhen Niang’s feelings at this moment were a mix of emotions. Since arriving in this era and taking charge of Li Mo, she had worked toward this day. Now, her mood was like that of a farmer—sowing in spring, striving in summer, and now reaping the harvest in autumn.
The joy of the harvest was evident on her face. Beside her, Luo Wenqian was also happy for the Li family.
“Imperial Decree has arrived!!!” Just then, the imperial decree from the court arrived.
“…Immediately select the Tribute Ink merchant and have them produce ink. In two months, compete with the Japanese in ink craft…”
This imperial decree immediately stirred up the Huizhou ink industry like a boiling pot of porridge.
Evening had fallen, and a light rain still drifted in the air. The long bluestone street was washed exceptionally clean by the rain, with shallow puddles reflecting human figures.
The teahouses on the street were bustling at this moment, all discussing the recently concluded Tribute Ink competition.
“If only I had bet on the Li family. How could the Tian family be so disappointing? With the Xu family backing them, they still lost to the Li family. I lost a huge sum,” an old man said with a pained expression.
“What about the Xu family? Let me tell you, the Xu family is in big trouble now. How could they care about the Tian family? Besides, competing for Tribute Ink is about skill and ability. The Tian family is still a bit inferior to the Li family,” an elderly scholar beside him remarked.
“The Xu family is in trouble? Scholar Ruan, do you have some inside information? Tell us about it,” the man from earlier asked, his face full of curiosity.
“Hmm…” The old scholar named Ruan pondered, looking wise and composed.
“Hurry up and tell us. We’ll even pay for your pot of tea,” a few others urged relentlessly.
Only then did Scholar Ruan speak unhurriedly, “Do you remember Zhu Zi’s wife, whose two children ate rat poison and tried to commit suicide during the New Year two years ago?”
“Yes, yes. Wasn’t Zhu Zi’s wife the daughter of Jiang Niang? It was all because of the silkworm farming. Back then, after they were poisoned, it was Young Master Luo who passed by and gave Jiang Niang some silver to save the mother and her children,” someone nearby chimed in, then furrowed their brow. “What? How could she be connected to the Xu family?”"Zhu Zi is gone. Didn’t the family leave a few meager acres of land for his wife and two children? She also has a cousin named Niu Shuan’er, who is a lackey of the Tian family’s second young master. That little rascal is quite cunning and has long had his eyes on those few acres of land belonging to Zhu Zi’s wife. Fortunately, Zhu Zi’s wife still has her maternal family to protect her a little. Plus, everyone knows this Niu Shuan’er is no good, so he hasn’t managed to get his way. However, not long ago, this rascal actually sought out the second young master of the Tian family and managed to have Zhu Zi’s wife’s few acres of land ‘donated’ under the name of the Xu family’s third young master. Once the land fell into the Xu family’s pocket, who would dare to ask the Xu family for it back? Zhu Zi’s wife had nowhere to turn for help. But then, just in time, Lord Hai arrived. A few days ago, Zhu Zi’s wife filed a complaint against Niu Shuan’er and the Xu family. Lord Hai set off yesterday, heading for Songjiang—isn’t the Xu family in Songjiang? With Lord Hai’s reputation as a just official, even the Xu family will have a headache dealing with him. Isn’t that a troublesome matter?" Scholar Ruan said.
"Oh, no wonder. Serves them right!" The onlookers finally showed understanding on their faces.
"Even the Li family’s Tribute Ink Privilege isn’t easily obtained. The Li family has stirred up a huge trouble," Scholar Ruan added.
"What trouble?" someone nearby asked.
"Haven’t you heard that the Emperor issued a decree, ordering the winner of the Tribute Ink to compete with the Japanese in an Ink Competition?" Scholar Ruan retorted.
"How could we not have heard? As soon as the tribute dispute ended, this matter spread like wildfire," the previous person said, then added, "Isn’t this a good thing? The Li family received the imperial decree—it’s a matter of bringing honor to their ancestors."
"But what if the Li family loses? Wouldn’t the court hold them accountable? This is a competition where only victory is allowed, not defeat," Scholar Ruan said, then sipped his tea.
"That’s true," someone nearby nodded in agreement. It has always been said that the imperial family is ruthless.
………………
The Tian Family.
"Haha, compete, I’ll let you compete. In the end, you’ll only lift a stone to drop it on your own foot. Father’s move is truly brilliant. Once the Li family runs into trouble, the Tribute Ink will still be ours, and then there will be no Li family to stand in our way." As soon as Tian Er returned to the mansion, he spoke with great satisfaction.
"Shut up. Get out." Old Master Tian glared angrily at Tian Er. This boy was simply hopeless. It was a pity that the eldest son had taken the blame for him, and with the wife’s death, the eldest son had ultimately drifted apart from him.
Otherwise, he would never have handed over the family business to this second son.
"Father, I wasn’t wrong," Tian Er said, looking resentful after being scolded by his father, unwilling to concede. Earlier, Third Sister had also mentioned that the ink in the hands of the Japanese was made from thousand-year-old pine soot pigment and top-quality sea dragon glue.
With only two months left, subtracting the time needed for the ink to dry, there was barely a month left for making the ink. Where could the Li family find such materials?
"You… you ignorant fool! With your attitude, I doubt you’ll be able to hold onto the Tian family’s legacy in the future." Master Tian’s face flushed red with anger at Tian Er, sitting there panting heavily.
Tian Ronghua quickly helped her father calm down, then snapped at Tian Er, "Second Brother, Father told you to leave, so leave."
"Fine, I’ll leave." Tian Er angrily swung his arm. He felt a surge of pent-up frustration in his heart. When his eldest brother was around, he had to watch his brother’s expression. Now that his eldest brother was in prison, he still had to watch his third sister’s expression. What kind of world was this?"Father, don't be angry. Your health is what matters most." Watching her second brother leave, Tian Ronghua quickly stepped forward to console him.
After a while, when Master Tian had caught his breath, he asked, "Do you also think that today, because of the Ink Competition with the Japanese, I deliberately didn't compete with the Li family, hoping to take advantage after their failure?"
"Competing with the Japanese in the Ink Competition is indeed very risky. There's nothing wrong with what you did, Father. A wise man does not stand under a dangerous wall," Tian Ronghua replied. Today, during the competition for Tribute Ink, the Li family ultimately won the Tribute Ink Privilege with the Dongpo Ink Testing Method. However, the Dongpo Ink Testing Method was too simple—how could the outcome be determined solely by it? If the Tian family had protested, the Li family wouldn't have obtained the Tribute Ink Privilege today, and of course, neither would the Tian family. Perhaps today's competition would have ended inconclusively.
But in the end, her father had conceded outright. It was clear that he wanted to avoid the conflict of competing with the Japanese in the Ink Competition.
"You're also confused," Old Master Tian sighed deeply. Compared to her eldest brother, the third daughter still fell short. If her eldest brother were here, he would surely understand his father's intentions.
Still, she was a girl after all, and the third daughter was already quite capable. It was just a pity that, compared to that girl from the Li family, her perspective was still somewhat narrower. Old Shopkeeper Li was truly blessed to have such a granddaughter.
The reason he had conceded was that the Tian family could not bring shame to Huizhou ink. In this Ink Competition, only the Li family could uphold the banner of Huizhou ink. That was why he had given up.
"Help me to the study," Master Tian said at that moment.
Tian Ronghua quickly supported Old Master Tian into the study.
"Roll up that scroll," Master Tian pointed to a peony painting hanging on the wall nearby.
Tian Ronghua didn't know what her father intended to do and looked puzzled. Nevertheless, she followed his instructions and rolled up the painting, only to discover a hidden compartment behind it.
"Open it."
When Tian Ronghua opened the hidden compartment, she found a jar inside. It felt quite heavy as she lifted it. "Father, what's inside?"
"It's pine soot from a thousand-year-old pine. Take it to the Li family," Old Master Tian said. He had obtained this soot pigment by chance. Back then, it was precisely because of this soot pigment that he had conceived the idea of entering the Ink Industry.
"Pine soot from a thousand-year-old pine? Father, if our family has this, why did you ultimately give up competing for the Tribute Ink?" Tian Ronghua asked, her expression a mix of surprise and reluctance.
"With our family's ink-making methods, it's difficult to bring out the characteristics of this Millennium Pine Soot Ink. In the end, we would inevitably face defeat. Go now. This Ink Competition with the Japanese isn't just the Li family's competition—it's the competition of the entire Huizhou. Our Tian family must not be looked down upon either," Master Tian said.
"Yes, Father. I'll go right away," Tian Ronghua nodded upon hearing her father's words. She picked up the jar and left. Her father was right—the Tian family must not be looked down upon either.
Li Zhenniang, our Tian family has done its part. Now it's up to your Li family to prove yourselves.
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