Chapter 463 - Chapter 463: Glaze Needed
Chapter 463: Glaze Needed
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
An expanded version of the workshop appeared in Su Binglan’s mind. That way, they could make more tools when the pottery workshop grew.
Not only could they use their equipment for the winery, but they could also sell them to people who needed them.
The Taos could use porcelain and make tea sets or various beautiful cups. However, the technology in this era was limited, and Su Binglan did not know if she could make it.
It was better to improve some things based on this era. Even if Su Binglan wanted to forge something, she could only do it step by step.
She was in the place the Taos made their pottery, and it was pretty dangerous. The villagers did not let the children approach the workshop, fearing they would bump into the furnace and get burned. Therefore, the workshop was relatively quiet.
The workshop’s thick door was usually closed, and outsiders would not enter, but since Tao Eryong had opened it, the group could follow him in. Although it was freezing outside, everyone felt a heat wave when they entered.
Inside, Tao Zhenggang, Miss Li, and Tao Dayong were busy. The trio had carefully placed the porcelain Tao Dayong had just made on the table.
When Su Binglan entered, she saw the bottles on the shelves at a glance. Of course, the shiny bottle was the most attention-grabbing one. She knew it was unique to everything else at a glance.
The others were earthenware, but the shiny one was porcelain.
She walked over and took the bottle down before looking at it.
Tao Eryong said, “That’s the one my big brother made.”
Even Su Fengmao and the others saw the bottle from afar and went to circle it. Everyone had shocked expressions on their faces.
That bottle is gorgeous! It’s different from the others.” Su Wenxian reached out and touched it delicately. He moved gently, fearing he might break it. He knew they should store their best wine in such an exquisite bottle.
That way, the customers would know the wine was high quality just by the bottle’s unique look.
“Wow, it really is possible to make such an exquisite bottle,” Su Fengmao said emotionally, “Your big brother is a genius, Eryong!”
Tao Eryong chuckled. He agreed that his big brother was indeed brilliant. Tao Eryong also knew he was not as hardworking as his elder brother. However, he would also do things in a down-to-earth manner.
Su Fengzhang looked at the bottle with a stunned expression. “That’s an excellent piece of porcelain. Only high-ranking officials and nobles can afford to use such a thing.”
Su Binglan asked, “Uncle Fengzhang, did you see patterns on that porcelain you saw?”
After all, she had never seen porcelain in a place like Tenghe Town.
Su Fengzhang was stunned. “Patterns? Can these things have patterns? I’ve never seen any porcelain with patterns since I’ve only been to the capital once to send Ding Wan to a doctor.
“The doctor had a vase in his house. It was very smooth, but there were no patterns. Now I wonder whether or not there were patterns on it.”
‘If we could make teacups with porcelain, it would look good even without patterns. Still, a porcelain wine bottle with patterns on it would look incredible. Also, we can advertise our winery if we can put words on our porcelain bottles.’
It would be more beautiful if they could engrave or paint Su’s Wine on their bottles instead of using stickers.
Nonetheless, Su Fengzhang knew his niece would not ask such a question for no reason. ‘It must be because I could’ve seen patterns on the vase.’
He also reached out and touched the bottle.
‘It’s so smooth, so how can we draw or paint on it? We can’t engrave it either. Even if we painted on it, won’t it fade after washing? If my hands were sweaty, I would wipe away the painting, too.
‘If that were the case, I can’t touch the bottle either. Wait that can’t be.’ Su Fengzhang was perplexed.
Su Binglan said, “There can’t be patterns on porcelain, but we can make a permanent one that can’t get erased or washed away.”
She needed pomelo or something else to make a glaze. ‘I can search for some natural substances and fuse them to make a glaze with fruit and ash. Then the porcelain’s color will change after dipping it in the glaze.’
She could also use the glaze to draw permanent patterns onto the porcelain bottle.
“There’s such a method?” Su Fengzhang and Su Fengmao looked at Su Binglan curiously.
Su Wenxian was even more excited. He could not help but say, “If we can make such patterns, we can sell the bottle for a lot of money. This bottle alone should be worth a lot.”
Su Binglan smiled. “That’s right. In that case, we can also sell bottles to people from other places. Then we need to hire more people to work at the winery and pottery workshop.”
Su Fengzhang happily added, “Yeah, the more people we hire, the more people we’ll help.”
Everyone’s families’ lives would improve if they had jobs and could earn money. That was the most apparent reason for hiring more workers.
Tao Eryong was listening on the sidelines and was stunned. ‘We can make such an exquisite bottle even more beautiful with patterns? Will the patterns also be permanent? I’ve never heard of such a thing.’
Still, he believed whatever Su Binglan said.
She asked, “Where are your big brother and parents?”
She felt Tao Dayong was more talented in this area and might figure it out if she explained things to him. She knew the bottles would look better, even with simple patterns. Then they would stand out more amongst other porcelain items in the market.
Su Binglan could imagine how valuable these things would be if she sold them.
Her heart felt warm when she thought of these things.
“Oh, my parents and big brother are making more of these at the furnace.” Tao Eryong brought them to the other side of the pottery workshop.
The temperature inside was even higher because of the pine wood fire burning in the furnace.
Meanwhile, Tao Zhenggang and the others were busy. The whole family was very excited because Tao Dayong had made the bottle Su Binglan needed. They could not stop smiling at that moment.
Tao Zhenggang and Madam Li were helping their son burn a few more of these porcelain bottles. They were so focused that they did not notice anyone coming in.
When Miss Li saw Su Binglan, she exclaimed excitedly, “Miss Su, you’re here!”
She typically restrained herself whenever she faced Su Binglan. However, she was thrilled that Su Binglan was here this time because her arrival meant there was bound to be good news.
Tao Dayong turned his head and looked at Su Binglan. He hurriedly stood up and placed his hands by his side. He did not know where to put them nor how to stand when facing her.
Su Binglan looked at the young man and smiled. “Don’t be nervous. I saw the bottle you made. It’s excellent. You’re very talented in this area..”