Chapter 665

Xiong Tianba heard the words, overjoyed, put down the big hammer, bang bang bang, immediately knelt down and kowtowed three times to Zong Tang.

Zong Tang hurried forward and helped him up, saying: "Kid, it's just two iron hammers—why such a grand ceremony? This makes me unable to accept it."

Xiong Tianba said: "A drop of kindness shall be repaid with a gushing spring. Today Uncle Zong has given me these two big iron lumps; when I make my fortune, I will surely present you with a mountain of gold."

Zong Tang laughed heartily and said: "You kid really have conscience; I don't want a mountain of gold—I'm a blacksmith. If you ever strike it rich, how about giving me an iron mountain?" He was just saying it casually, joking with the kid, but the kid earnestly nodded and said: "A gentleman's word is as swift as a whip on a horse. Uncle Zong, wait for me; later I'll use this pair of iron hammers to seize an iron mountain for you."

Several people came outside; Xiong Tianba gazed at the pair of iron hammers, loving them more and more. Seeing the strange symbols on the hammers, he felt curious and asked: "Uncle Zong, what are these symbols engraved here?"

Zong Tang said: "It should be an inscription of the black Hu people, anyway I don't recognize it."

Xiong Tianba said: "I don't recognize it either; it looks like little figures. Why are the hammers one heavy and one light?"

Zong Tang said: "Because the strength of the two arms differs, that's why they were cast in this shape."

Xiong Tianba swung the two great hammers back and forth, truly overjoyed.

Hu Xiaotian also thanked him on his behalf to Zong Tang; Zong Tang laughed and said: "It's just a trifle weapon, Sir Hu, why bother to mind it? Compared to what you've done for us, it's hardly worth mentioning."

Hu Xiaotian and Liu Yucheng went to visit the wounded; the seven severely injured patients treated by his surgery have all now escaped mortal danger, and their recovery is quite good, with five already able to get out of bed and walk. Hu Xiaotian, feeling relieved, also verified one point: the vitality of people in this era is far greater than in the previous world, and the chance of infection is much lower. Therefore, he was able to perform surgeries under conditions lacking strict sterilization, and most succeeded without serious complications.

Liu Yucheng delegated the task of changing dressings for the wounded to his two junior disciples; Zong Tang had already had food and drink prepared and invited them over.

Although the Dragon and Tiger Twin Kilns were destroyed, their dwellings remained largely intact.

Several people sat down in the grass shelter beside the Eternal Spring; last night there had been a night rain, but it had stopped early this morning; now the weather is pleasant and sunny, a thin veil of mist hovers over the Eternal Spring ahead, the air moist and fresh.

The Eternal Spring is a natural hot spring, with lush vegetation around. Flowers bloom profusely, the setting is very elegant; sitting in the shelter drinking wine, one can also enjoy the surrounding scenery, very pleasant and comforting.

Conditions here naturally cannot compare to those in the city. Nevertheless, Zong Tang had prepared a fairly abundant spread—chicken, duck, fish, meat none lacking. Although Hu Xiaotian and Zong Tang had only met twice, they hit it off; Zong Tang is also a strapping fellow.

Zong Tang again brought up the matter of the Long Princess Xue Lingjun commissioning them to forge that set of equipment. This morning he had already sent someone to deliver it to the princess's residence. Hu Xiaotian, having heard her say so when he met Xue Lingjun yesterday, was not surprised.

Liu Yucheng said: "Hu Brother, are you really planning to perform double-eyelid surgery on the Long Princess?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Zong Tang asked curiously: "What is double-eyelid surgery?"

Liu Yucheng said: "It is to turn a single eyelid into a double eyelid."

Zong Tang said: "How does one turn a single eyelid into a double eyelid?" To him, this seemed rather far-fetched.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Different trades are like different mountains. Elder Brother Zong works with ironware, while we deal with patients; if Elder Brother Zong wanted double eyelids, I could gladly help you for free."

Zong Tang laughed heartily: "I was born with this appearance; besides, I don't want to take another wife—what would I need double eyelids for?"

Liu Yucheng said: "Hu Brother, there's something you might not know: your double-eyelid surgery for the Empress Dowager has spread throughout Yongdu these past two days; many ladies and gentlemen from official families have come to our Shennong Society inquiring, and quite a few of them want the procedure."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Everyone loves beauty; everyone regards double eyelids as beautiful, so this desire is not unusual."

Zong Tang said: "I really can't understand—our bodies and hair are gifts from our parents; why change them? Would doing so be unfilial?" His view reflects that of many in this era; altering appearance clashes with traditional notions.

While the others talked, Xiong Tianba just kept eating; in a short while he had polished off half a plate of beef and downed a big bowl of wine, then blinked his eyes and said: "Actually, what's the difference between double and single eyelids? As long as one can see clearly, that's enough. Although I have a pair of double eyelids, my parents say I look ugly and strange."

Everyone laughed at once; this blockhead's appearance is indeed somewhat ugly, but though he's ugly in some ways, he's actually quite likable.

Liu Yucheng said: "For rough-and-tumble men it doesn't matter, but for those women who love beauty, double-eyelid surgery certainly has an irresistible allure."

Hu Xiaotian thought to himself: This is natural; everyone loves beauty, ancient and modern, Chinese and foreign—who doesn't love beauty? Since most people still judge by looks, someone born handsome and beautiful naturally possesses a great fortune; that's why cosmetic surgeons are so popular in modern society, a profession with limitless prospects. Yet living in such turbulent times, even great wealth cannot guarantee a comfortable life; in an autocratic monarchy where imperial authority reigns supreme, if the emperor is displeased, he can overturn your fate at any moment.

Because they had to attend a banquet at the Long Princess's residence that evening, Hu Xiaotian didn't dare to drink freely; Xiong Tianba, who can eat and drink, put away most of a jar of fine liquor, obviously becoming a bit tipsy. He grabbed his two great hammers and went to an open space, swinging them up and down, working up a sweat as he described, and the alcohol wore off.

Zong Tang watched Xiong Tianba wield the hammers with ease, swinging them with tiger-like vigor, feeling quite relieved; this pair of hammers had finally found a suitable master.

As several people watched Xiong Tianba absorbed in his hammer dance, an artisan approached, holding a lump of whitish substance; he had found it in the warehouse, and since he didn't know what it was, he first consulted Zong Tang before daring to handle it.

Zong Tang took a look, nodded, and said: "This is boiled fish fat, once used to make glue, but the effect wasn't good, so it was later discarded; it's useless—throw it away."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Let me see it."

The artisan handed the fish fat to him; Hu Xiaotian received it and discovered that this boiled fish bladder was extremely thin and supple, with great elasticity when pulled, its material resembling a condom; he felt delighted, marveling, "Great stuff! With this, couldn't we practice safe contraception?"

Those around saw his pleased expression but didn't know why he was happy. Zong Tang asked: "Hu Brother, do you recognize this thing?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I've never seen it; does it come in a thicker version?"

Zong Tang said: "Boiled fish fat does indeed vary in thickness; because the fish itself differs in size between males and females, the male is thicker, the female thinner—especially the bladder of a young female can be as thin as a cicada's wing, while that of a mature male can be as thick as sheepskin."

Hu Xiaotian said: "You just said this can be used to make glue?"

Zong Tang nodded and said: "Not bad!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I have an idea—could this be made into gloves?"

Zong Tang thought and said: "Shouldn't be difficult; just cut according to hand shape, then heat-seal the edges, and you can make a seamless piece."

Hu Xiaotian said: "It needs to be slightly smaller than the palm; I see this boiled fish fat has excellent elasticity, so it should be able to conform completely to the hand."

Saying is doing; immediately Zong Tang summoned the artisan responsible for cutting, had him make a glove according to Hu Xiaotian's hand shape, and the artisan, highly skilled, finished it in a moment. Hu Xiaotian picked up the glove; outwardly it was indistinguishable from a latex glove, pulling and stretching showed nearly the same supple feel; he blew air into it, it inflated, and when placed in water it leaked no air. He put the glove on—fit just right, moving his fingers, extremely dexterous. Unexpectedly, coming here today he had made this unexpected discovery, which could solve a major problem.

Liu Yucheng was the first to grasp Hu Xiaotian's intention; the previous deer-skin and sheepskin gloves were obviously less flexible than this one, so Hu Xiaotian surely meant to use these gloves in surgery.

Hu Xiaotian then had the artisan make several more pairs of gloves for him, also had Liu Yucheng take a hand mold so the artisan could make several more for him, and finally drew a few diagrams of condoms, asking the artisan to use the thinnest boiled fish fat and leftover scraps to make more; the best ones would naturally be kept for himself, while the thicker ones he intended to sell to the Prince of Yan, taking this opportunity to fleece him badly.

Naturally the artisan couldn't finish all that boiled fish fat into the products Hu Xiaotian needed in a single day; Hu Xiaotian first took away a dozen or so, and agreed with Zong Tang that once the rest were done they would be delivered to him.

Returning to Yongdu's urban area, Hu Xiaotian let Xiong Tianba go back to the South Wind Inn on his own; he couldn't let this blockhead lug the two great hammers along, since he himself was merely paying a visit, not causing trouble. But Xiong Tianba refused to leave, because Zhou Mo had instructed him to escort Hu Xiaotian back to the Qichen Palace before he could depart.

Hu Xiaotian, helpless, could only let him follow, but he instructed Xiong Tianba to wait outside, guarding the horses, and not to accompany him inside; Xiong Tianba nodded in agreement.

They arrived at the Long Princess's residence; only upon reaching the outer gate did they realize the premises were already full of guests, the open area before the mansion packed with luxurious carriages, and more than ten warriors on site maintaining order.

Hu Xiaotian worried that Xiong Tianba might cause trouble, so he gave him further instructions before stepping forward to the gate.

At the gate, a designated attendant greeted guests, seeing that everyone coming and going held an invitation card; Hu Xiaotian inwardly thought, "Oh no," the Long Princess had invited him but hadn't given him an invitation, now it was troublesome—although Xue Lingjun knew him, her servants might not recognize him, and he could end up embarrassed. (To be continued~^~)