Beimang Mountain, also known as Pingfeng Mountain, Taiping Mountain, or Jia Mountain, is not particularly high, with an elevation of only about 300 meters. However, it stretches for hundreds of miles from east to west, boasting a majestic presence, deep soil, and dense forests. Located north of Luoyang and south of the Yellow River, it is a branch of the Qinling Mountains and an extension of the Xiao Mountains.
Beimang Mountain is rich in both mountains and water. The Yi and Luo Rivers flow from west to east through Luoyang, making this area a primary settlement for the descendants of the Yan and Huang Emperors since ancient times. The Cui family has built a manor at the foot of Beimang Mountain, nestled against the mountain.
During the Han Dynasty, scholar-official families often built manors, which served as important family strongholds. The Cui family was no exception. The construction of their manor began during the tenure of Cui Lie, who served as Minister of Works in the previous dynasty. Now, under the care of Cui Yi and Cui Hou, the manor has been continuously expanded and renovated, becoming quite large in scale.
Fei Qian estimated that the entire estate was at least the size of twenty basketball courts, and there were even craftsmen coming and going behind the manor. In ancient times, land could be acquired as one pleased, unlike in modern times where acquiring such a large plot would likely cost billions.
Cui Hou, with a proud expression, began introducing the layout of the manor to Fei Qian.
Though called a manor, it was more like a fortress.
Cui Manor, or rather Cui Village, was built against a cliff of Beimang Mountain. Numerous caves had been carved into the cliff face, secured with wooden fences and guarded by sentries, likely used for storing supplies. At the base of the mountain, thick walls encircled a large area of land, with a mountain stream running through the village. A deep moat had been dug outside the walls, serving both defensive purposes and as a water reservoir.
The village was divided into more than ten sections, including the main residential area, common residential area, ancestral hall, workshops, vegetable gardens, flower gardens, storage areas, and a marketplace, each with its own function, forming a complete and well-planned community.
After crossing the drawbridge, one would reach the narrow village gate, which was as sturdy as a city gate, with thick, solid walls on either side. Inside the gate was a watchtower modeled after city walls, where several archers were currently patrolling.
The streets within the village were intentionally built in a winding, maze-like fashion to confuse invaders. Without Cui Hou's guidance, an outsider would have a hard time finding the main courtyard.
Fei Qian marveled at the design, offering generous praise.
Cui Hou modestly waved off the compliments while enthusiastically explaining how the construction had begun, how much manpower had been used, and so on.
The manor was indeed well-built. The walls along the streets were half stone and half clay, balancing convenience and sturdiness. In addition to the mountain stream running through the village, there were also large water vats placed around to prevent fires, as most Han Dynasty buildings were made of wood.
The main living area of the Cui family was a blend of a garden and a military fortress. The outer walls were entirely made of blue bricks, clearly setting them apart from the commoners' houses along the streets. The area was adorned with intricate brick, stone, and wood carvings, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and diverse styles. The four corners of the courtyard were equipped with three-story-high corner towers with elegantly upturned eaves.
Building such a manor was no small feat, reflecting the Cui family's substantial wealth.
The agricultural structure of the Han Dynasty was much like the Cui family's manor. During peacetime, the manor served as a marketplace for trade and exchange. Most residents were property owners, while farmers and laborers lived in thatched huts outside the manor. In times of invasion, everyone would gather inside the manor to defend against enemies.
The small Cui Manor was a microcosm of the Han Dynasty, and even the broader feudal agricultural era of China. Except for a few dynasties like the Han, Tang, and Ming, which had the capability to defend their borders, most of the time was spent in constant defense, allowing nomadic tribes to ravage the lands outside the walls like locusts.
Upon entering the Cui residence, Cui Hou did not take Fei Qian to the side hall but instead brought him to a small hall in his own courtyard, where they sat as host and guest.
Fei Qian's lips curled slightly. The effect of exchanging books for the host's protection was showing.
The Han Dynasty was an era that emphasized ritual and propriety.
Different places corresponded to different people and standards. Fei Qian was not yet qualified to enter the main hall of the Cui residence, and even if he were taken there, he would not dare to be so presumptuous.
Originally, Fei Qian had worried that Cui Hou would take him to the side hall, which would imply a formal family banquet where Cui Yi would be present. If the elder were present, Fei Qian would have to stand and answer any questions according to etiquette, which would not only be uncomfortable but also put him in a very passive position, making things quite troublesome.
Now that Cui Hou had brought Fei Qian to his own small courtyard for the reception, it meant that Cui Hou was acting as the host, and Cui Yi, the elder of the Cui family, would not be present. The banquet's formality was thus reduced to a casual gathering between friends, rather than a formal, ritualistic feast.
Originally, the Cui family had planned for Cui Yi to be present. As an elder and a former official, Cui Yi would have used a combination of courtesy and pressure to persuade Fei Qian to hand over the secret of crafting glass. However, the Cui family was surprised to receive a letter from Fei Min.
The Cui family had initially believed that Fei Qian was merely a branch member of the Fei family, not receiving much attention from the main family. Such a powerless branch family would not be able to cause much trouble.
But Fei Min's letter, aside from pleasantries, specifically mentioned his gratitude for the Cui family's invitation and hospitality to Fei Qian, and expressed an opportunity to invite the Cui family as guests in return.
Although the letter did not explicitly state anything, it revealed that Fei Qian was not the insignificant figure the Cui family had assumed. Pressuring Fei Qian would now mean disrespecting Fei Min, turning a personal matter into a conflict between the Cui and Fei families.
The position of Remonstrance Counselor was not as high as the Three Excellencies, but Fei Min was a current official, while the Cui family's highest-ranking official, the late Minister of Works Cui Lie, was a former official. This comparison did not give the Cui family much advantage.
After weighing the pros and cons, Cui Yi decided not to appear in person and instead had Cui Hou host Fei Qian as a purely friendly invitation.
In this small courtyard and hall, the atmosphere was not as formal as a grand banquet. After sitting down, Cui Hou removed his headpiece and placed it to the side, signaling to Fei Qian to do the same.
Interesting. A casual, headpiece-free banquet? Fei Qian smiled and also removed his headpiece, thinking to himself that the ancients were quite amusing. This simple act of removing the headpiece was actually a subtle hint that today's gathering was purely for casual dining and drinking, with no serious matters to discuss.
As expected, with dried fruits, pastries, wine, and various meats served, Cui Hou avoided any serious topics, instead sharing amusing anecdotes and street gossip.
The Cui family was not simple. The profits from glass were enormous, but the Cui family was not blinded by greed. They knew when to let go, showing no awkwardness or negative emotions. To an outsider, it would seem like a sincere and warm friendship.
The banquet lasted from afternoon until dusk, with plenty of food and drink.
Although Han Dynasty wine was similar to modern fermented rice wine, slightly sweet and sour with low alcohol content, drinking too much could still make one drunk. Fortunately, whether due to Fei Qian's natural tolerance or his experience from modern office drinking culture, despite his flushed face, slurred speech, and unsteady gait, most of it was an act.
As the banquet drew to a close, Cui Hou called for maids to take Fei Qian to a guest room to rest.
In the Han Dynasty, a proper banquet would last from noon until sunset, after which guests would typically stay overnight at the host's residence, marking the perfect conclusion to the event.
Eating well and sleeping well were the hallmarks of a successful banquet. Guests rarely left the same night, as doing so would be seen as disrespectful to the host.
Fei Qian, swaying and stumbling, was supported by maids as he made his way to the guest room. After a few steps, he wobbled back, pulled a piece of silk from his robe, and handed it to Cui Hou, slurring, "Brother, you've treated me... well. I will soon... leave Luoyang. This... this is something I... stumbled upon... a parting gift..."
Before he could finish, Fei Qian collapsed to the ground, seemingly passed out.
Cui Hou, struggling to stay sober, opened the silk and was instantly wide awake, his drunkenness mostly gone. He called Fei Qian's name several times, but seeing that Fei Qian was truly unconscious, he repeatedly emphasized the need to take good care of him. Then, still in his wine-stained clothes, he hurried to see Cui Yi.
Cui Yi, who usually spent his evenings in quiet contemplation, was disturbed by Cui Hou's sudden arrival. Seeing Cui Hou disheveled and reeking of alcohol, he was about to scold him.
"Father, wait! Please take a look at this first!"
Cui Yi took the silk and, after a quick glance, his drowsiness vanished. Frowning, he asked, "How did you obtain this?" Did you steal it from Fei Qian while he was drunk?
Cui Hou quickly explained what had happened.
"This young man is not simple!" Cui Yi stroked his beard. "If this method is genuine, it makes our Cui family seem rather petty... Very well, we shall accept this favor."
"After I make a copy, summon the family craftsmen to test this method immediately," Cui Yi ordered, disregarding the late hour. They would work through the night if necessary.
Meanwhile, Fei Qian, supported by two maids, made his way to the guest room. As he swayed along, a slight smile played on his lips. The same item, presented in different contexts, could yield vastly different results.
If he had been forced to reveal the method, he would have received no reward and would have been ridiculed. The scholar-official class followed the law of the jungle, with no room for sentimentality.
Now, under the temporary protection of the Fei family, Fei Qian had gained a status equal to Cui Hou. Regardless of how long this status would last, presenting the method in this context signified a gesture of friendship. The Cui family would have to follow the rules of reciprocity among scholar-official families, or risk losing their reputation.
Scholar-official families were a paradoxical yet unified group.
Since Fei Qian was planning to leave Luoyang, it was best to tie up loose ends. The formula he gave Cui Hou was only slightly better than the Han Dynasty's glass-making methods, primarily using purer lead materials to produce more lustrous and transparent glass.
Fei Qian even thought that if the Cui family could further refine the formula, it would be their own achievement. As his drunkenness began to take hold, Fei Qian allowed the maids to guide him to the guest room. Suddenly, a red glow from the horizon caught his eye, making him blink uncomfortably. He squinted and looked outside.
At that moment, the setting sun bathed Luoyang in a blood-red hue.