Chapter 0103: Jian’an Under Divine Protection, Emperor Jian’s Paternal Smile
Old Gu couldn’t be bothered to deal with Xie Chengze any longer. He took off his shoes and climbed onto the heated kang bed, feeling around here and there, then lifted the bedding to carefully inspect the kang surface, sniffing the air and testing its temperature.
“The kang surface shouldn’t have bedding laid directly on it. It’s best to put a tightly woven bamboo mat as insulation. Also, the area farther from the fire opening remains relatively cool… Hmm, let’s try stacking honeycomb-shaped stones at the foot of the kang to channel the heat from the smoke upward. The height of the honeycomb stones should temporarily be about one hand’s breadth.”
After pointing out the issues with the kang, Old Gu put on his shoes and got down, feeling the chimney pipe thoughtfully before saying, “Add a baffle inside the chimney pipe to prevent excessive smoke leakage in winter, which would cause the kang surface to cool too quickly. Also, pay attention to blockages, especially in winter when heavy snow can easily seal the opening…”
“Yes,” responded the attending clerk, who diligently recorded all of Old Gu’s observations in a ledger.
Once Old Gu finished speaking, Xie Chengze quickly offered flattery: “Old Gu truly lives up to being the head of the Ministry of Works! The ministry only has a soul with you here!”
“Stop flattering me!Old Gu shifted away irritably. “Your Highness, if you have nothing else, you should leave quickly!”
“No rush, no rush.”Xie Chengze followed Old Gu closely and tentatively asked, ‘Old Gu, you’re so skilled—do you happen to have any disciples under you?””
“Hmph!” Old Gu turned his head away without answering.
“Old Gu does have a few apprentices learning under him, but he hasn’t formally taken any disciples yet,” an official chimed in with a smile. “That’s why Old Gu is very interested in the craftsman who designed the kang. He says the person has great talent and wants to take them as a disciple!”
Old Gu couldn’t help but glare at the official. “Shut your mouth! Who said I want to take a disciple? I think that person is just average. If they were truly capable, why wouldn’t they come work at the Ministry of Works? They’re probably just some country bumpkin who happened to sketch that design on a whim!”
“Ah, Old Gu, you’re just being stubborn,” the official sighed, shaking his head, then turned to Xie Chengze. “Your Highness, do you know who this craftsman is?”
“Well…” Xie Chengze rubbed his chin, noticing out of the corner of his eye that Old Gu was secretly perking up his ears. He deliberately put on airs and said, “I’ve heard this person is exceptionally handsome and talented. When he walks down the street, fruits are thrown at his carriage in admiration—such is his charm and brilliance that he captivates crowds. Although he’s a novice in craftsmanship, he’s young and has a promising future. Moreover, he’s gentle-tempered, smooth in handling interpersonal matters, and his family wealth rivals the state’s—ahem. As for craftsmanship, to him, it’s merely a pastime; his ambitions don’t lie there.”
The officials couldn’t help but exclaim in understanding, “So that’s how it is.”
“But which family’s young master is he? In Jian’an, the only merchant family with wealth rivaling the state’s is that one.”
“Could it be that Young Master Jiang? But no, how come I’ve never heard of any achievements in craftsmanship from him? Instead, his talent for finding gold is quite remarkable…”
The officials of the Ministry of Works whispered and debated among themselves. Just as they were about to press Xie Chengze for the craftsman’s identity, the main gate outside was heavily knocked, followed by a drawn-out, familiar announcement: “Is Gu Yun, the supervisor of the Ministry of Works, present?”
“That sounds like Eunuch Zhao’s voice.”
“Hurry, hurry, go open the door quickly!”
The two gatekeepers swiftly ran to the entrance and opened the Ministry of Works’ gates, welcoming Eunuch Zhao inside. Gu Yun stepped forward from the crowd and said solemnly, “Your humble servant is here. May I ask why Eunuch Zhao has summoned us so urgently?”
“His Majesty has sent me to inquire about the progress of the heated kang,” Eunuch Zhao replied, lightly flicking his horsetail whisk. Suddenly, he caught a fleeting glimpse of crimson and stood on tiptoe to peer further, asking in confusion, “Hmm? Could the Second Prince be here as well?”
Xie Chengze crouched on the ground with his head in his hands: …This old man, how is his eyesight so sharp!
“The Second Prince is indeed here. We were just about to ask him about the craftsman who invented the heated kang,” an official said with a smile.
“Well, then you’ve come to the right person,” Eunuch Zhao waved his whisk and said cheerfully, “The craftsman who came up with the heated kang method is actually—”
“Eunuch Zhao!” Xie Chengze hurriedly interrupted, scrambling over to cover Eunuch Zhao’s mouth. “First, tell us why you’re here!”
Eunuch Zhao looked at Xie Chengze in puzzlement, realizing that Xie Chengze was intentionally hiding something. He couldn’t understand why—if the heated kang were promoted, the northern people suffering from the snow disaster would at least not freeze to death in their homes. Such a great achievement, why was the Second Prince keeping it secret?
Could it be that because His Majesty hadn’t specifically mentioned it to the Ministry of Works, the Second Prince misunderstood and thought His Majesty didn’t want him to gain a good reputation, hence his reluctance to speak?
Ah, the Prince is still too obedient.
A child who doesn’t cry gets no candy.
Eunuch Zhao felt deeply sympathetic, but he didn’t bring up the matter again. Facing the disappointed looks of the crowd, he cleared his throat and said, “Gu Yun, His Majesty has sent me to ask—has the heated kang been constructed?”
“Your humble servant has fulfilled the mission and completed the construction of the heated kang,” Gu Yun declared confidently. “Only minor imperfections remain, but countermeasures have been prepared, and they will be resolved shortly.”
“Excellent, excellent. In that case, please, Gu Yun…” Eunuch Zhao suddenly shifted his gaze and changed his words, “…and all the officials, come to the Golden Luan Hall to receive orders.”
The ministers exchanged glances, then bowed in unison. “Yes.”
The large group from the Ministry of Works began bustling their way to the Golden Luan Hall. Along the way, they inevitably discussed the celestial bell that had resonated that morning and asked, “Eunuch Zhao, what is the Heavenly Decree that was issued this time?”
Heavenly Decrees always foretold blessings or calamities. The veteran officials in the palace couldn’t help but recall that the last Heavenly Decree from the Directorate of Celestial Observation was an auspicious omen, claiming the Second Prince was some kind of heaven-sent lucky star—though in the past twenty years, they hadn’t seen any “luck” in the Second Prince.
“It’s a snow disaster,” Eunuch Zhao sighed. “A once-in-a-century heavy snow disaster, affecting the entire northern territory. I’m afraid Jingcheng will also be impacted.”
“A major snow disaster? Such a calamity is extremely difficult to control!” Upon hearing this, the officials all showed worried expressions. However, when they thought of the heated kang, they couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. “Then the completion of the heated kang is truly timely! Once implemented, it will surely help us survive the harsh winter!”
“Rather than saying the heated kang was completed in time, it’s more accurate to say the blueprint arrived just in time.”
“Indeed! The heated kang didn’t come early or late, but right before the Heavenly Decree descended. It must be that the gods are protecting our Jian’an Dynasty, unwilling to let our people suffer such great hardship!”
“Exactly, exactly! Truly, heaven has taken pity and blessed our Jian’an!”
The officials all exclaimed with joy, completely unaware that Eunuch Zhao, who was leading the way ahead, secretly rolled his eyes.
What divine protection? What heavenly mercy? That was clearly the Second Prince racking his brains to devise the heated kang method!
…
In the Golden Luan Hall, before Eunuch Zhao even arrived, his congratulatory voice echoed into the hall first, “Your Majesty, great news! The heated kang has been successfully developed!”
Upon the dragon throne, Emperor Jian rose joyfully, his imperial countenance beaming with delight, “Excellent! With this, the common people will suffer less from the harsh winter cold!”
Heated kang?
What was that?
In the grand hall, all civil and military officials looked toward the entrance with puzzled expressions, only to see Eunuch Zhao leading the Ministry of Works officials, striding in with heads held high and chests out.
Seeing so many people entering the hall, Emperor Jian couldn’t help but look questioningly at Eunuch Zhao, his eyes asking: Hadn’t he instructed that if the heated kang was completed, only Old Gu should be summoned? Why were so many people brought along?
Eunuch Zhao hurried over with quick, small steps to Emperor Jian’s side, leaned in, and whispered a few words into his ear. Moments later, the emperor’s gaze fell upon Xie Chengze, who was walking at the back of the crowd and sneakily trying to slip back to his position before the throne. Understanding dawned on Emperor Jian’s face, accompanied by a teasing smile.
Xie Chengze, who happened to catch sight of this ambiguous smile: ?