Chapter 0104: Righteous Xie Chengze, Sweet Brain-Boosting Xie Zimiao
Xie Chengze always felt Emperor Jian’s gaze was peculiar, as if he was scheming some mischief again.
But it wasn’t a big issue—how bad could it get? At worst, he’d be demoted to the borderlands without food or clothing.
While everyone’s attention was focused on Eunuch Zhao and the Ministry of Works officials, Xie Chengze quietly slipped back to the front of the hall by circling around pillars, pretending nothing had happened. He righteously continued attending the court session.
Xie Zimiao gently tugged his sleeve and whispered, “Second Brother, where did you go to play?”
Unlike his favored elder brother, he couldn’t leave court at will. So when Xie Chengze sneaked out of the Golden Luan Hall, he could only watch enviously without daring to follow.
“I went to the Ministr…” Xie Chengze paused, remembering something, and pulled out a small paper packet of walnut kernels from his sleeve, secretly handing it to Xie Zimiao. “You’ve been standing all day—aren’t you hungry? Second Brother went to find you some food.”
Actually, when returning with the Ministry of Works earlier, he’d spotted Xiao Biao waiting outside the hall with a food box. Seeing him delayed at court, Xiao Biao had prepared some snacks to tide him over until dismissal.
Knowing both Xie Zimiao and Xie Jinyu hadn’t eaten, he’d taken extra.
Xie Zimiao opened the packet as if it were treasure, gazing at the amber-glazed walnut kernels inside before looking up with a squinting smile. “Thank you, Second Brother. You’re the best.”
Second Brother must be giving him walnuts to boost his brainpower.
And giving him sweetened walnuts meant he wanted him to have sweet brain nourishment.
Xie Chengze affectionately ruffled his hair. In his modern life, he’d also had a younger brother. Back then, at just ten years old, upon learning his parents overseas were having another son they planned to raise abroad, he’d jealously declared he didn’t want a brother—even bitterly wishing the baby would die.
Later, his brother really died.
Xie Chengze had always regretted it. Even after learning the infant died from an untreatable infection, he still felt responsible, as if his curse had caused it.
He’d actually wanted a brother. He’d even planned to get a passport as soon as he turned eighteen—if his parents and brother couldn’t return to the country, he would go abroad to find them.
But plans never survive reality: his brother died, and he himself transmigrated one day before coming of age.
Thinking of this, Xie Chengze grew even more melancholic.
“Second Brother…” Xie Zimiao’s soft voice piped up again, “You’re messing up my hair.”
Xie Chengze focused and saw he’d indeed tousled Xie Zimiao’s hair into frizz. He quickly smoothed it down, retracting his hand guiltily. “Ahem, it’s fine. Even with messy hair, Xiao Miao is still the most handsome.”
Xie Zimiao curved his lips into a smile, placing an amber walnut in his mouth. The sweetness mirrored his current mood.
Emperor Jian glanced sideways at the two slackers in the corner but didn’t reprimand them. Turning instead to the puzzled officials below the dais, he said mildly, “Ancient Minister, explain to everyone what this heated kang actually is.”
“As you command, Your Majesty.”
Gu Lao bowed and then began to explain in detail, “The so-called heated brick bed is a warm sleeping platform constructed from clay and stone bricks, also known as a kang. Its ingenuity lies in its clever connection to the cooking stove, utilizing residual heat from the cooking fire to keep the kang surface as warm as spring. In winter, it can ward off the cold and keep the body warm, sparing people from the hardships of severe cold; in summer, it remains warm without being overly dry, alleviating the chill of the sleeping surface. Once promoted across the northern territories, it will undoubtedly benefit millions of people.”
After Gu Lao finished speaking, the ministers began whispering among themselves, discussing fervently.
“Using cooking fire to stay warm? I’ve never heard of such a thing before…”
“So, does this mean we won’t have to wake up shivering from the cold on winter nights anymore?”
“This heated brick bed is excellent! I was just worrying about how to endure this snow disaster. With the heated brick bed, wouldn’t it be much easier to bear?”
The ministers’ eyes lit up with joy, and they congratulated Gu Lao one after another, “With the snow disaster at hand, this invention has arrived at the perfect time. Gu Lao, you have rendered a great service!”
Gu Lao shook his head, “It was His Majesty’s foresight that provided the Ministry of Works with the blueprint for the heated brick bed in advance. Otherwise, we would not have been able to complete its construction so easily.”
It was actually His Majesty?
The ministers looked astonished, then quickly regained their composure and bowed in unison to the emperor seated on the dragon throne, expressing their admiration, “Your Majesty’s wisdom is unparalleled, and your foresight is a blessing for our dynasty and the well-being of all people!”
“Hahaha, I merely obtained the method for the heated brick bed by chance from someone else,” Emperor Jian laughed heartily. Under Xie Chengze’s disdainful gaze, he composed himself and spoke seriously, “What are your thoughts on this heated brick bed, my esteemed ministers?”
Prime Minister Li pondered for a moment before stepping forward and saying, “Your Majesty, if this invention is to be promoted among the people, we must regulate the market price of firewood in advance to prevent unscrupulous individuals from taking advantage of the snow disaster to inflate firewood prices, leaving the people with kangs but no firewood to use.”
“Indeed, and since there are many plains in the north, we should instruct those in forested areas to gather firewood in advance to avoid being cut off by heavy snow, which could lead to a shortage of firewood.”
“In that case, we also need to…”
The ministers continued to voice their opinions, and the hall was once again filled with lively discussion.
“Your points are well taken,” Emperor Jian said solemnly. “This snow disaster has widespread implications, and disaster prevention must be carried out meticulously and swiftly, especially in Liaozhou, Yingzhou, and Lanzhou. Who is willing to take on this heavy responsibility?”
The ministers exchanged uneasy glances. “This…”
The snow disaster was no trivial matter. At the very least, one could freeze to death and be buried in the snow. If the number of people starving to death became too high, it would be a crime punishable by execution. The ministers, long accustomed to life in Jingcheng, were naturally reluctant to step forward.
“I am willing to go to Lanzhou to oversee the disaster prevention efforts,” a military officer stepped forward boldly. “Your Majesty, Lanzhou is my hometown. I will not fail Your Majesty’s command and will protect the lives of the people of Lanzhou!”
Seeing this, a refined-looking civil official also stepped forward and said resolutely, “Your Majesty, I am willing to accompany General Lin to Lanzhou.”
“Minister Han, this journey is fraught with danger. Why must you insist on this?”General Lin, seeing Han’s voluntary offer, discouraged with a complicated expression.”
“General Lin is, after all, a military officer, skilled primarily in warfare. In matters of disaster prevention, my assistance may be needed,” Minister Han bowed slightly. “I beg Your Majesty to grant your permission.”
“Very well. In that case, Lanzhou shall be entrusted to you two.Emperor Jian nodded in approval, then swept his dignified gaze across the assembled ministers. “As for Yingzhou and Liaozhou… who among you is willing to go?”
The ministers all lowered their heads, eyes fixed on their noses as if contemplating their hearts.
Xie Chengze stole a glance at Shen Yuan, just in time to meet the gaze Shen Yuan had directed his way.
In the original text, it was General Lin and Minister Han who were dispatched to Yingzhou for disaster relief. Both were rare, capable officials who worked diligently to secure livelihoods for the people of Lanzhou. Though the details weren’t elaborated, after the relief efforts concluded, both ministers returned safely to the capital and received commendations, suggesting the mission was completed quite successfully.
As for Yingzhou and Liaozhou…
One was assigned to the Crown Prince, and the other to the Second Prince and Shen Yuan.