Dragon's Origin

Chapter 372: The Master Instrument Maker (Part 1)

The Yuanhun World is similar to ancient China on Earth, so the musical instruments are also similar. Wind, string, and percussion instruments have already been fully developed. Any innovation would essentially be the same old wine in new bottles, with little real significance.

Therefore, the only option is Western musical instruments. And the simplest, besides the maracas and triangle, the most representative would seem to be the guitar.

To be honest, Wang Sheng had only dabbled in guitar; he never truly immersed himself in learning it. When he was a new recruit, a comrade had a guitar, and Wang Sheng played it a few times, playing the simplest piece, "Romance de Amor."

Now that he wants to make a guitar, Wang Sheng's first thought is definitely the grandmasters of Linglong Workshop. A grandmaster would do; other carpenters probably couldn't create that kind of sound quality. The strings also need Iron Senior's help.

Wang Sheng doesn't have a good attitude towards the Emperor, but he has always respected these grandmasters. If he wants to ask these old masters to take action, Wang Sheng will definitely have to make a trip in person.

This is the first time Wang Sheng has gone out since returning from the Old Lord Temple. Wang Sheng didn't go directly to Linglong Pavilion, but first went to Qiansheng Yuan to check on the business there.

Wang Sheng hadn't been to Qiansheng Yuan since it opened. When Wang Sheng arrived, even the young shop assistant at the door didn't recognize him, treating him as a distinguished guest and welcoming him in. It was only when the shopkeeper inside saw that it was the Marquis who had arrived that he hurriedly paid his respects, and the young shop assistant realized Wang Sheng's identity.

Just as Wang Sheng had expected, the exquisite products in the front were frequently visited by scholars or other customers, while the unique and top-grade products in the back were rarely visited, but each visit resulted in a large transaction of hundreds of thousands of gold coins.

Wang Sheng didn't go to Runzi Workshop, after all, it is a women's shopping world, and Wang Sheng naturally wouldn't offend that rule. It's his own business, and he set the rules himself. If he doesn't abide by them himself, how can he do business?

On the way, he bought wine from the best restaurant, preparing to take it to the masters. Unfortunately, these wines, though claimed to be good, still couldn't reach the level of Wuliangye on Earth, not even as good as Er锅头.

As soon as Wang Sheng arrived at Linglong Pavilion, he simply greeted Shopkeeper Chen and went straight to Master Lu's place. This is his carving master, and he can't neglect him.

"You're here?" Master Lu was pondering how to carve a stone into an inkstone. He glanced at Wang Sheng when he arrived, said a word, and then focused his attention back on the stone.

Lu Yan's inkstones are now the best in the world. Only a few hundred have been released, and everyone who owns one cherishes it like a treasure. They either play with it and appreciate it, or carefully maintain it. They don't easily let others touch it, even family members or those close to them. When grinding ink, they repeatedly instruct them not to use too much force, lest they damage it.

"Take a look, what shape would be more natural to carve this into?" After pondering for a while, Master Lu handed the stone in his hand to Wang Sheng, asking him for an idea.

Taking the stone, Wang Sheng carefully observed it. The material of this stone definitely doesn't need to be considered; it must be one of the most suitable types for making inkstones, just the shape. Master Lu is considering making it according to the material, rather than cutting off most of it, so he is pondering more.

The bottom of the stone is very flat, which is obviously the bottom of the inkstone. The upper part has an irregular depression in the middle, with uneven edges and relatively flat surroundings. It is estimated that Master Lu is pondering how to utilize this irregular depression.

After carefully pondering it, combining it with the shapes of the inkstones he had seen on Earth, Wang Sheng had some ideas in his mind, but he still asked Master Lu, "Master, is this recessed area enough to make an ink pool?"

"Enough!" Master Lu had already studied it for a long time. The material of this stone is special, and the uneven rough parts around this recessed area are not easy to handle. If one breaks, it will be a whole piece, and it can only be scrapped if he can't think of what to do. Master Lu couldn't think of how to deal with it for a while, so he was in deep thought until Wang Sheng arrived.

"Then why not carve this part into a natural small pond-shaped ink pool, and render the surrounding area with a rustic farmhouse scene? Wouldn't that be perfect?" As soon as Wang Sheng heard that this part was enough to make an ink pool, he immediately said his idea.

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Sheng felt a blur in front of his eyes, and the stone in his hand loosened and left his hand, running to Master Lu's hand. Master Lu stared at the recessed area, his eyes no longer seeing other people or scenes.

Wang Sheng was stunned, and then shook his head. Master Lu is the kind of person who regards his works as life, but from the action of snatching the stone from Wang Sheng just now, Wang Sheng could see that Master Lu's cultivation seemed to have exceeded the eighth level and entered the legendary realm.

It seems that the recent changes have affected not only cultivators, but even grandmasters like Master Lu.

"Good! Wonderful!" After Wang Sheng stayed alone for a while, Master Lu finally praised, slapping his thigh. He hadn't thought about how to deal with this part before. Wang Sheng's words enlightened him, and this stone, which he originally thought had little hope, immediately became an embryo that could become an excellent work of art.

Carefully standing up and putting the stone in a special metal box, Master Lu walked to Wang Sheng's side. As soon as he stretched out his hand, Wang Sheng hurriedly and proactively offered the fine wine.

Master Lu took the small wine jar, opened it, smelled it, nodded with satisfaction, and then asked, "What are you here for?"

"I'm looking for a few masters to help make some musical instruments," Wang Sheng said truthfully.

"Musical instruments?" Master Lu frowned directly. He really couldn't understand Wang Sheng. At first, he wanted to learn to carve stone tablets, then he made pens, ink, paper, and inkstones, then he made crossbows, and now he says he wants to make musical instruments. What is he doing with this hit-or-miss approach?

"Some small things related to cultivation," Wang Sheng didn't hide anything. Even the Emperor had said it, so what couldn't he say to Master Lu? He explained with a smile, "Mainly to strengthen hearing."

Thanks to Wang Sheng, because Wang Sheng's foundation for running rampant in the Thousand Tuyere Land was his keen senses, all families are now trying to win over talents who strengthen various senses when they advance. These people were not valued much before, but now they are being treated as treasures.

"Who are you looking for? Do you want me, this old man, to come forward?" When Master Lu heard that it was related to cultivation, he didn't ask any more questions. Everyone's cultivation is a secret, and it is impossible to reveal it to others casually.

"Originally, I just wanted to find Iron Senior and Master Lu, but then I thought, since I'm making musical instruments, I should see if there are any masters in this field." Wang Sheng said to Master Lu with a cheeky smile, "Do you know any experts in this field?"