The parley speech exchange between Shen Lang and Lin Mo stunned Tian Thirteen downright to the core. Though his father, Tian Heng made an oath, agreement priori with this foolish guy, Tiang Heng held no hopes for Shen Lang’s success. At most, it was but only a gamble and one where they had nothing to lose. And besides, his Righteous Father had long agreed that he’d eliminate the existence of the Shen Family after this little charade.
But never did Tian Thirteen fancy the idea that this fool would be able to overturn his grim and desolate future. To think a thousand gold coins was well within his grasp and he, Tian Thirteen would gain immense merits from this! After all, the one responsible for the fool was him.
“Good!” Tian Thirteen laughed merrily and gave a thumbs up.
Shen Lang smiled and went to the back. He closed the doors behind him and began prepping the materials quintessential to the creation of the yellow dye.
“Alright.” Lin Mo clapped his hands. “I should also go ahead and prepare the payments.”
The creation and development process of the dye was simple yet highly detailed. The instructions in the recipe stated in great details the steps needed to be taken to create a golden dye.
It was published in a paper released by the Silk Museum at Hanzhou in mid ’01.
Shen Lang boiled the sophora plant till its yellow substance oozed out from the inside. The slag was then removed, leaving only the colored dye itself. Then, he cooked the dye together with an alum which would complement one another and morph to a bright and golden color.
In less than two hours, Shen Lang produced half a bowl of golden dye.
… … …
The door leading to the back creaked open. Shen Lang walked out, his manner of exit grand.
Lin Mo and Tian Thirteen rushed forward, their opulent eyes brimming with great anticipation.
“It’s finished.” Shen Lang handed over the bowl to Lin Mo.
Looking at the dye, Lin Mo shuddered. His lips quivered and fingered jittered. He quickly went ahead and canvased the wonders of the golden dye. The sight took his breath away. It was no simple dye and if released out in the open, it’d certainly give rise to his Lin Family’s prestige.
“The dye is not only excellent in color, it’d also augment the quality of the fabrics well.” Shen Lang smiled. “Are the payments ready?”
Lin Mo nodded. He raised his fingers and pointed towards the table. There lies a small chest resting quietly, its lid wide open revealing the shimmers of the gold coins.
One gold coin weighed no less than half a gram and over a thousand gold coins weighed several hefty pounds.
Two thousand gold coins was an elephantine fortune. After deducting one thousand gold coins for Tian Heng, the leftovers would be more than enough for Shen Lang’s family to live well and comfortably.
His eyes twinkled. He never amounted this ample fortune in his previous life.
“Ah, that’s right. What about the recipe?” Lin Mo questioned.
Shen Lang flicked his wrist and pulled out a small piece of note hidden inside his sleeve.
Lin Mo unfolded the note and examined the recipe. Only a few dozen words were inscribed. Appalled, his eyes broadened. “That simple?”
“That simple.”
“That can’t be…”
“In truth, Boss Lin, it wont’ cost you much to recreate. There are many simple wonders in this world that once extracted and torn apart can create a new otherworldly creation that’d stun the public. If you don’t feel that it’s worth the two thousand gold coins, then I’ll just go and make business with others.”
Lin Mo shook his head and smiled softly. “No, it’s worth it. It’s worth it.”
“Boss Lin, if you would, seeing that you have some doubts, then I recommend that you go and verify the instructions in the recipe. It should settle the doubts in your heart. I assure that you’ll produce a golden yellow dye as I have done. If satisfied, then I’ll go ahead and leave with the payment once finished.”
“Alright. That’s good.” Lin Mo nodded.
He did not allow his subordinates to create the dye. He found it best if he does it himself. Lin Mo quickly walked out and prepared the required materials as stated in the recipe.
Half an hour later, he came back with a bowl full of the golden yellow dye. It’s quality may even be better than Shen Lang’s given his years of experience.
“My Lin Family is going to strike riches!” Rubbing his glabella, Lin Mo laughed heartily.
“Early congratulations to Boss Lin!” Shen Lang smiled. “Now then, farewell!”
Prepared to leave, Shen Lang quickly picked up the chest and held it close to his bosom.
“Halt!” A familiar voice echoed from the outside.
Then, two figures walked in.
Taken aback, the hairs on Shen Lang’s body rose.
Xu Jiazhu turned his head, his cold gaze pierced towards the boy he thought dumb and foolish.
“Shen Lang, though I had kicked you out of my house, I do not blame you if you had chosen to hate me.” He muttered, voice grim and lacking remorse. “But you should have never robbed the new recipe we created! This is the lifeline of our Xu Family! Your actions not only consists of theft but can also be seen as choosing to offend the king! How will you pay for this?!”
Lin Mo was taken aback. “Xu Family Head, this… this recipe was stolen by Shen Lang?”
“Why of course!” Xu Jiazhu harrumphed. “I’m sure you’ve heard of the reputation of this dumb fool. He’s dumb, foolish, and lazy as a pig, a complete waste! Based on his aptitude, how can it be possible he’s able to produce a golden dye? This recipe was clearly developed by my Xu Family after many trials and errors! To think it’d be brazenly snatched away by this thief! You might wonder, why did I expel him from my Xu Family? Of course, it is because he steals things and often plays around with the female servants in my house! Such a despicable person even tried to trick you, Brother Lin!”
“I suspect Shen Lang looked through my drawers and saw a written recipe…” Xu Qianqian muttered softly. “Shen Lang, I know you hate and bear a grudge towards my Xu Family, but you should not have committed such a deed…”
“I seek forgiveness from the Xu Family!” Lin Mo bent over and pleaded. “I was almost bought in by this thief! Here I was wondering how this foolish boy is able to create such a wonderfully grand recipe… to think it was actually stolen! That’s right! I’ll go ahead and call the law enforcement!”
“Shen Lang, you are going to admit and tell me right here and now that you’ve stolen our recipe from my Xu Family!” Xu Jiazhu’s cold eyes were fixated on Shen Lang. “You only have this one chance to speak!”
“Shen Lang…” Xu Qianqian called out seductively. “If you admit to these crimes, then based on our previous sentiments, I will make sure that father let go of this matter… however, if you don’t, I’m afraid I cannot stop father’s ire…”