Chapter 104
Xie Chengze kept feeling there was something odd about Emperor Jian’s gaze, as though he were plotting something wicked again.
Still, it was no great problem. Surely nothing he plotted could be so bad as banishing Xie Chengze to the frontier and denying him food and clothing?
While everyone’s attention was on Eunuch Zhao and the Ministry of Works officials, Xie Chengze quietly slipped around a pillar and back to his place before the throne. Looking as though nothing had happened, he resumed attending court with perfect confidence.
Xie Zimiao gently tugged his sleeve and whispered, “Second Brother, where did you go to play?”
He was not as favored as Second Brother and could not leave court whenever he pleased. When Xie Chengze had slipped out of the Golden Throne Hall, he could only watch enviously, not daring to follow.
“I went to the Ministry of…” Xie Chengze paused. Remembering something, he took a little paper packet of walnut kernels from his sleeve and secretly slipped it to Xie Zimiao. “You’ve been standing all day. Hungry? Second Brother went to find you something to eat.”
In fact, while returning with the Ministry of Works officials just now, he had found Xiaobiao waiting outside the hall with a food box. Seeing that court had still not ended, Xiaobiao had prepared some snacks and brought them over to wait, so Xie Chengze could settle his hungry stomach a little as soon as he came out.
Thinking that Xie Zimiao and Xie Jinyu had not eaten either, he had taken a few extra portions.
Xie Zimiao opened the paper packet as though it held a priceless treasure. Seeing the amber-colored candied walnuts inside, he looked up and smiled with narrowed eyes. “Thank you, Second Brother. You’re so good to me.”
Second Brother must be giving him walnuts to nourish his brain.
Second Brother must be giving him sweet walnuts so his brain could have something sweet to nourish it.
Xie Chengze affectionately rubbed his head. He had actually had a younger brother in the modern world too. He had been only ten then. Learning that his parents overseas had had another son and planned to keep the boy with them, he had jealously said he did not want a younger brother. He had even maliciously wished the boy would die.
Afterward, his younger brother really had died.
Xie Chengze had always regretted it. Even after learning that his brother had died from an infection that could not be treated, he still felt he had cursed the boy to death.
He had wanted a younger brother, really. He had even made plans to get a passport the moment he came of age. Since his parents and brother could not return home, he would go overseas to find them.
But plans could never keep pace with change. His younger brother had died, and he himself had transmigrated just one day before coming of age.
Thinking of it this way made Xie Chengze feel even more aggrieved.
“Second Brother…” Xie Zimiao’s quiet voice sounded again. “You’re messing up my hair.”
Xie Chengze focused on him. Sure enough, he had rubbed Xie Zimiao’s hair into a frizz. He hastily smoothed it down and withdrew his hand guiltily. “Ahem. It’s fine. However messy his hair gets, little Miao is still the best-looking.”
Xie Zimiao smiled and put a candied walnut between his lips. It was sweet, just like his mood at that moment.
Emperor Jian glanced sidelong at the two of them shirking in the corner, but did not reprimand them. Instead, he turned toward the puzzled officials below the dais and said calmly, “Elder Gu, explain to our officials exactly what this heated brick bed is.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Elder Gu bowed, then began his explanation. “The so-called heated brick bed is a warm sleeping platform built of clay, stones, and bricks, also known simply as a kang. Its ingenious feature is its connection to the cooking stove. By using the residual smoke from the cooking fire, it keeps the bed surface as warm as spring. In winter, it wards off the cold and warms the body, sparing one the hardships of the bitter season. In summer, it provides warmth without excessive heat, taking the chill off the bed surface. Once introduced throughout the northern territory, it will surely benefit the people.”
When Elder Gu finished, the officials turned to their neighbors and began discussing it.
“Keeping warm with the cooking fire? I’ve never heard of such a thing before…”
“So we won’t be woken by the cold on winter nights anymore?”
“This heated brick bed is wonderful! I was worrying about how to get through the snow disaster. With one of these, surely it won’t be so difficult!”
Joy shone in the officials’ eyes. They congratulated Elder Gu one after another. “With the threat of a snow disaster upon us, this has appeared at precisely the right moment. Elder Gu, you have rendered a great service!”
Elder Gu shook his head. “His Majesty foresaw the need and gave our Ministry of Works the drawing in advance. Otherwise, we could not have completed the heated brick bed so easily.”
It was His Majesty?
Surprise appeared on the officials’ faces. Then, recovering themselves, they bowed to the Son of Heaven seated on the dragon throne and declared in unison, “Your Majesty’s wisdom is unparalleled, your foresight far-reaching. Truly, you are the lasting good fortune of our dynasty and the blessing of all its people!”
“Hahaha. I too obtained this method for making heated brick beds from someone else by chance.” Emperor Jian threw back his head and laughed. Under Xie Chengze’s disdainful gaze, he finally regained his serious expression and asked solemnly, “What thoughts do my ministers have concerning these heated brick beds?”
Prime Minister Li considered for a while, then stepped forward. “Your Majesty, if we introduce this among the people, we should regulate the market price of firewood in advance. Otherwise, unscrupulous people may exploit the snow disaster to raise prices, leaving the people with beds but no firewood to use.”
“Indeed. There are also many plains in the north. We should order places with abundant forested mountains to cut firewood in advance, lest heavy snow close off the mountains and leave us without fuel.”
“In that case, we must also…”
The other officials offered their opinions too, and once again talk flowed endlessly through the hall.
“Everything my ministers have said is sound. This snow disaster will affect a vast region. Every aspect of disaster prevention, great or small, must be completed as quickly as possible, especially in Liaozhou, Yingzhou, and Lanzhou. Who is willing to shoulder this great responsibility?” Emperor Jian asked in a deep voice.
The officials looked at one another. “Well…”
This snow disaster was no small matter. Even putting it mildly, one might freeze to death outside, one’s corpse shrouded in white snow. If too many of the people starved to death and word returned to the capital, that would be a crime punishable by beheading. Naturally, these ministers who had long lived in the capital did not wish to step forward.
“This official is willing to go to Lanzhou and arrange the necessary disaster-prevention measures.” A military officer stepped forward. “Your Majesty, Lanzhou is this official’s hometown. I shall not fail your command and will protect the lives of its people!”
Seeing this, a civil official with delicate, handsome features also stepped out and said firmly, “Your Majesty, this official is willing to accompany General Lin to Lanzhou.”
“Director Han, this journey will be fraught with danger. Why must you do this?” Seeing Director Han volunteer, the military officer urged reconsideration with a complicated expression.
“General Lin is, after all, a military officer whose expertise lies chiefly in warfare. This official’s assistance will be needed for disaster prevention.” Director Han bowed slightly. “I beg Your Majesty to grant this request.”
“Very well. In that case, Lanzhou will be entrusted to the two of you.” Emperor Jian nodded his approval. Then his imposing gaze swept across the officials. “As for Yingzhou and Liaozhou… Who is willing to go?”
The officials lowered their heads, eyes fixed on their noses as they stood in silent contemplation.
Xie Chengze secretly glanced at Shen Yuan, just as Shen Yuan looked his way.
In the original book, General Lin and Director Han were the very people sent to Yingzhou to provide disaster relief. Both were exceptionally good officials who worked conscientiously to find a way for the people of Lanzhou to survive. Although the events had not been described in detail, both returned safely to the capital after relief efforts ended and received commendations. Presumably, they had done very well.
As for Yingzhou and Liaozhou…
One had been assigned to the Crown Prince, and the other to the Second Prince and Shen Yuan.