Chapter 236: Sales Plan

Rulans stared in disbelief at the white porcelain bowl in his hand—it seemed more elegant than crystal goblets or the silver tableware of the castle.

Pottery?

Rulans had never seen pottery like this. The pottery he knew was mostly earth-toned—browns, blackish yellows, and the like—and he had never laid eyes on white pottery.

And yet, this thing felt harder than pottery.

“I call it ‘porcelain,’”

Roning answered Rulans’s question. “In the Ubei Domain, there is a special kind of clay—I call it kaolin. When fired at extreme temperatures, it becomes this porcelain.”

“Unlike ordinary pottery, its appearance is more refined, its body dense and sturdy. I believe that once the firing techniques in Ubei improve by even a fraction, the even more exquisite porcelain produced will be adored by nobility.”

Through every dynasty, high-grade porcelain had been reserved exclusively for the high-born.

Thus, the market for Ubei porcelain would inevitably target nobility—only they could afford its exorbitant price.

As for the vast majority of commoners, Roning would not shut them out entirely.

He would simply grade the lower-quality pieces into tiers and sell them at different prices.

And for the nobles’ porcelain, he would give it a special name—distinct from ordinary porcelain.

“This is a fine business!”

Rulans lightly tapped the rim of the porcelain bowl with his finger; it rang out a clear, melodious tone—even sweeter than crystal or silver.

“What price do you plan to sell it for? One silver coin? Or more?”

One silver coin?

Roning thought that too little. After all, kaolin was a rare mineral. Even if other regions had it, without the firing technique, they could never produce porcelain.

For now, Roning held a temporary monopoly. The price could be higher.

It wouldn’t reach a gold coin per small bowl—but it could rise a bit.

The key issue: no reputation yet.

Roning had two plans. First, once more and better porcelain came off the kilns, he would send Rogner with Pierson to present gifts to nobles and knights.

Second, once the entire Ubei Castle had been outfitted with porcelain tableware, he would invite select nobles to gatherings within his domain—using the occasion to promote it.

Beyond that, there was another path: elevating his own status.

If he were king of this world, every action of his would be emulated.

If the king drank a certain wine, that wine would become scarce, its price soaring.

If the king favored porcelain, then porcelain’s value would rise the same way.

“We haven’t set a price yet,” Roning smiled. “It can’t be mass-produced yet, and the quality still has room to improve.”

“When better pieces come out, I’ll send you one.”

“Ha! Then I look forward to it!”

Rulans chuckled. “Ubei Domain truly is a land of auspicious fortune—first came the novel silkworm silk, now porcelain. I wonder what new marvel you’ll conjure up next time we meet?”

Roning wholeheartedly agreed.

Ubei Domain was indeed a blessed land—he held a dragon in his grasp!

“Things lie there, waiting. Perhaps every place has its own specialties and charms—only lacking eyes to see them.”

Roning blinked. “My eyes are quite sharp.”

“Hahaha…”

Rulans laughed heartily.

Outside, on the steps, Most heard the laughter and felt his chest loosen.

Rulans’s temperament had always been peculiar. After decades of torment, surviving without losing his mind, remaining lucid, was already remarkable.

The marquis had always been stern, rarely smiling.

Even Most, who had served Rulans since youth, had once been scolded into silence, treading with utmost caution.

As Rulans aged, he grew more reclusive, colder than ice, making others dare not approach.

To hear him laugh so freely today—truly, it had never happened before.

“Since young Lord Roning changed, the master’s spirit seems to have lifted.”

Most sighed, thinking further. “I wonder how much longer the master has left…”

Inside the study, Roning had come today with many questions for Rulans.

“Grandfather, at the last banquet at Wushan Castle, both the Audin royal family and Count Hesus rode griffins as flying mounts. If one day we face enemies attacking from the sky, how do we defend?”

Rulans smiled warmly at Roning. “That’s a dangerous mindset. Why think of opposing the royal family?”

“Er—I was merely considering defense strategies, not plotting against the crown.”

Rulans nodded. “Say such things only to me. In front of other nobles, keep quiet. Don’t give them an excuse to crown you like Gailar—trying to shake off such a label would be a nuisance.”

“Gailar did suffer unjustly.”

“He only made things worse for himself. If he’d held out two more months, nothing would’ve happened.”

Such matters were always endless bickering.

Still, for Gailar, two months under house arrest was worse than being a patrol captain.

At least then he could walk, see the world, breathe fresh air.

“The griffin you mentioned? It’s not invincible.”

Returning to the subject, Rulans began explaining how to counter griffins.

“Even with aerial superiority, griffin riders must descend to strike hard targets effectively. But once they lower their altitude, they become vulnerable.”

For a Silver Knight, leaping ten or more meters was no challenge.

With techniques like Macken’s Rock Serpent, one could leap even higher.

Rulans slowly rose, picking up his cane. “Come. I’ll take you to Wushan Fortress.”

He stepped slowly toward the door.

Compared to before, his back was even more bent. The backlash from his last ordeal had not stabilized—his condition would continue to deteriorate.

“Do I look to you like some ancient, crippled old man who can barely walk?”

Roning laughed. “No. I was just thinking about the Soul Eruption.”

He remembered Natalia and the others in the strange valley.

“Grandfather, have you ever encountered such a person?”

Roning chose his words carefully. “Even if you pierce his body with a sword, he won’t die—not a single drop of blood spills. But if you strike him with massive amounts of aura or magic, he simply dissolves into dust before your eyes, scattered by the wind.”

Rulans gave his grandson a peculiar glance. “Which knightly novel did you read?”

Roning smiled awkwardly. It did sound like something from a tale.

But it was clear—Rulans had never heard of such a thing.

Luo Ning glanced at the much-older Rulans and decided not to press the matter further, lest the man exhaust himself searching for answers on his behalf.

“After your last reply, I wrote back to His Majesty Bruno.”

Rulans spoke as he walked: “Since you’ve agreed, this alliance will proceed. I’m certain a response will come from their side soon.” (End of chapter)