I was chased by my sickly junior brother who had two lives

The morning light shines through the window, onto the study room filled with jade samples and design sketches. Chen Jia and Chen Jue sit opposite each other, focused and enthusiastic. Chen Jia gently opens a book that records the characteristics of various jades, and is the first to break the silence: "My husband, we have made some achievements in the field of jade, but the market is unpredictable, and we need to keep innovating. I recently had a sudden idea. If jade is used to make fans, stirrups, pitching pots and other objects, what effect will it have?"

Chen Jue raised his eyebrows slightly, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He picked up a piece of warm jade, rubbed it and said, "My lady, this is a great idea! Jade fans are elegant and luxurious when opened and closed; jade stirrups are not only durable, but also can show the status of the rider; and jade pitching pots can also add a bit of elegance to the game. However, the craftsmanship of these objects is probably more complicated than before."

Chen Jia nodded and responded with a firm look, "What you said is absolutely right, sir. But it is precisely because of the huge challenge that it is worth a try. For jade fans, we can choose thin and tough jade slices, carve exquisite patterns, and use wood or metal for the fan bones, which can not only ensure the practicality of the fan, but also highlight the unique charm of jade. For jade stirrups, we need to consider their load-bearing and durability, choose hard jade, and carefully design the shape to make it more compatible with the horse. As for the jade pitching pot, we should not only pay attention to the exquisite appearance, but also the size and weight ratio of the pot body is also crucial to ensure the fun and competitiveness of the pitching pot game."

Chen Jue thought for a moment and added, "Madam, the carving patterns on jade fans can incorporate cultural allusions and auspicious meanings, such as plum, orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum, dragon and phoenix, etc., to give the fans deeper cultural connotations. Jade stirrups can be inlaid with gems or gold and silver decorations on the edges to enhance their gorgeousness. And the body of the jade pitching pot can be carved with delicate textures, such as volute patterns and cloud patterns, to add a simple and rustic charm."

Chen Jia's eyes lit up, and she said excitedly, "My husband's idea is really brilliant! In this way, these jade objects are not only practical tools, but also exquisite works of art. Then we will start right away and gather the craftsmen to discuss the specific production process."

Chen Jue nodded in agreement: "Okay, when you gather the craftsmen, focus on selecting those skilled craftsmen who are good at fine carving and complex craftsmanship, and work together to overcome the difficulties in the production process."

Soon, a group of experienced craftsmen gathered in the study. After Chen Jia elaborated on his and Chen Jue's ideas, a senior carving craftsman frowned and said, "Duke, Madam, it is very difficult to cut and carve the thin slices of jade fans. The texture of jade is hard and it will break if you are not careful. It requires special cutting tools and superb skills to complete it."

Chen Jue thought for a moment and said, "Master, we can send someone to find a sharper cutting tool. At the same time, let the craftsmen practice repeatedly on ordinary stones first. After they have mastered the cutting and carving techniques, they can use them in jade production."

Another craftsman who is good at metal crafts said: "Sir, the connection between the ribs of the jade fan and the jade slices is also a difficult problem. We need to find a connection method that is both firm and beautiful."

After thinking about it, Chen Jia said, "Master, can you try to use fine metal wire to skillfully wrap the jade slices and the fan bones, and then decorate them with gold and silver inlay techniques to make the joints more delicate?"

The craftsmen nodded and thought this method was feasible.

Then, when discussing jade stirrups, a craftsman who was good at making horse harnesses said, "Duke, Madam, although jade stirrups are beautiful, they must be strong enough to bear the weight of the rider. I suggest adding a metal support structure inside the jade to enhance its load-bearing capacity."

Chen Jue nodded and praised: "Master, this is very thoughtful. This way, we can ensure the sturdiness of the stirrup while retaining the appearance of the jade. It's just that the design of this metal support structure needs to be perfectly integrated with the jade so as not to affect the overall beauty."

Finally, when talking about jade pitching pots, an experienced pot-making craftsman said: "Madam, Duke, the key to jade pitching pots lies in the roundness and weight balance of the pot body. When carving the texture, make sure that the force on the pot body is even, so as not to affect the stability of the pot."

Chen Jia said: "Master, please take the trouble to strictly control the size and weight during the production process. At the same time, you can inlay metal decorations on the mouth and bottom of the pot to enhance its exquisiteness."

The craftsmen took the order and went to engage in intensive preparations and experiments.

A few days later, Chen Jia and Chen Jue came to the jade fan workshop. A craftsman excitedly presented a jade fan that had just been completed and said, "Duke, Madam, for this jade fan, we chose thin slices of Xiuyan jade, carved plum blossom patterns on it, matched the fan bones with purple bamboo, and fixed them with silver wire."

Chen Jia gently took the fan and slowly opened it. She saw the plum blossoms on the jade piece were lifelike, and the purple bamboo fan bone and the jade piece complemented each other. She exclaimed: "Master, this craftsmanship is extremely exquisite! But if the edge of the jade piece can be polished to be more rounded and smooth, it will be more perfect."

Chen Jue also nodded and said, "Master, when the fan is opened and closed, you must ensure that the connection between the jade pieces is smooth, without any sense of lag."

The craftsman quickly said, "Don't worry, Duke and Madam, we will continue to improve it."

At the jade stirrup production site, craftsmen are finely polishing the jade with metal support structures. Chen Jue picked up a stirrup that had taken shape, examined it carefully and said, "Master, this metal support structure is well hidden and almost unnoticeable if you don't look closely. But can the appearance of this stirrup be rounder to make it more comfortable for the rider to step on?"

The craftsman nodded and said, "What the Duke said is absolutely right. We will optimize the shape."

In the workshop where jade pitching pots are made, craftsmen are carefully carving the texture of the pot body. Chen Jia looked at the pitching pot with cloud patterns carved on it and said, "Master, the cloud patterns are carved delicately and smoothly, but if the color of the pot body can be more uniform, it will highlight its beauty."

The craftsman said, "Madam, we will try to adjust the selection and processing of the jade to make the color of the pot more uniform."

After the craftsmen's unremitting efforts day and night, the first batch of jade fans, stirrups and pitching pots were finally completed.

The jade fan is unfolded, the thin jade piece is as transparent as a cicada's wing, the carved patterns are exquisite, the connection between the fan bone and the jade piece is seamless, and the opening and closing are full of elegance. The jade stirrup has a beautiful shape, the warm luster of the jade and the metal decoration complement each other, and the internal metal support structure makes it extremely strong. The jade pitching pot has a round body and delicate texture, and the metal decorations on the mouth and bottom of the pot add a bit of gorgeousness.

Chen Jia and Chen Jue looked at these works that embodied everyone's hard work, and they were filled with satisfaction. Chen Jia said, "My husband, these works are perfect. I believe that once they are launched, they will cause a sensation in the market."

Chen Jue smiled and said, "Madam, this is all due to the joint efforts of you, me and the craftsmen. We can first display these new products in the store and invite dignitaries and scholars in the city to come and taste them. At the same time, we can increase publicity efforts to let more people know about our innovative works."

Soon, Chen Jia and Chen Jue held a new product tasting event in their store. Celebrities from all walks of life in the city were invited and praised these new jade items.

A scholar held a jade fan in his hand, gently waved it, and exclaimed: "Duke Chen, Madam Chen, this jade fan is so exquisite that it is breathtaking. The poems and patterns carved on the fan add a rich cultural atmosphere. It is indeed a rare treasure."

Chen Jia smiled and responded: "Thank you for your praise, sir. We hope to pass on and promote jade culture through these jade objects."

A general looked at the jade stirrup and said, "Duke Chen, this jade stirrup is not only beautiful, but also strong and practical. If it can be equipped in the army, it will definitely improve the morale and dignity of our army."

Chen Jue said: "If the general has any needs, we can customize it. I hope this jade stirrup can add brilliance to the general's road to battle."

Amidst laughter and praise, Chen Jia and Chen Jue, with their innovative ideas and unremitting efforts, have once again written a glorious chapter in the jade industry, injected new vitality into Qing State's commercial development, and allowed jade culture to showcase its unique charm in more fields.