Chapter 96
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
Gu Yuanbai: “It seems the Xixia prince is drunk.”
His gaze brought a moment of clarity to the Xixia prince, who broke into a cold sweat and hurriedly said, “Yes, I drank too much and forgot my manners.”
The matter was lightly set aside, and after lunch, the Xixia envoys and officials left Xuanzheng Hall. As the palace attendants led the Xixia envoys out of the palace, Chu Wei also emerged.
For the first time, he approached the Xixia prince. Li Angshun stopped and waited for him to come closer, then mockingly smiled, “Is Lord Chu reluctant to part with me?”
Chu Wei calmly looked at him, as if seeing through him, “Seventh Prince, you say you like me?”
Li Angshun was momentarily stunned, then quickly replied, “Of course.”
He smoothed his slightly curled black hair and, under his felt hat, his features bore an exotic depth uncommon among Great Heng people. With his mixed heritage from Xixia and Khitan, he had a unique look, but his arrogant eyes were off-putting, “Does Lord Chu’s heart waver? Do you truly wish to return to Xixia with me and marry me?”
Chu Wei looked at him deeply, coldly, and suddenly said something inexplicable: “You’d better behave yourself.”
Then he turned and walked away.
Li Angshun’s face darkened, and he silently mounted his horse. Even a minor official from Great Heng dared to threaten and scold him. Li Angshun, after all, was the seventh prince of Xixia. Thinking of Chu Wei’s disdainful expression and the Great Heng emperor’s protection of him, his expression fluctuated between anger and contemplation.
***
The emperor’s affairs, both big and small, were numerous. As the year-end approached, Gu Yuanbai became busier, and the entire Ministry of State Affairs followed suit, overwhelmed by the workload. Year-end performance reports from officials across the country were gradually submitted, and the evaluation, rewards, and punishments of these officials had to be dealt with one by one.
As every department in the court was running at full speed, Gu Yuanbai openly skipped his duties to focus on his personal project: he wanted to build a heated kang bed-stove!
Having been the emperor for several years, Gu Yuanbai had endured hardships in the first three years, where he couldn’t even think about building a kang bed-stove, focusing solely on survival. Last year, he finally gained power but was bedridden with a severe illness all winter. This year, with no illness and no powerful ministers in his way, Gu Yuanbai decided he must have a kang bed-stove and hotpot to remind himself he was a time traveler.
A kang bed-stove consists of three parts: the kang stove, the kang body, and the chimney. There were many palaces in Shengjing with kang bed-stoves. Gu Yuanbai’s health was poor, and when the bed-warming pans got cold at night, he would be frozen awake. After a few nights of this, he grew frustrated and called the royal craftsmen to explain his memories of kang bed-stoves and underfloor heating.
In the Ming Dynasty, flues were laid under blue bricks. Gu Yuanbai could do without underfloor heating for now, but he definitely wanted a kang bed-stove.
After listening to the emperor’s idea, the craftsmen thought for a while and said it wasn’t difficult. “The challenge lies in handling the flues. Given the size of the palace, a single kang bed-stove wouldn’t heat the entire building. Multiple kang beds would need to be strategically placed.”
The craftsmen emphasized that while the kang bed-stove itself was not difficult, ensuring it looked elegant and did not spoil the palace’s aesthetics was the challenge.
Gu Yuanbai nodded. “The bricks can be topped with stone slabs, and then with mud. Inside, there should be a wall layer for the kang, with flues running through it.”
The craftsmen nodded repeatedly, looking relaxed. “Your Majesty, rest assured, we will draw up the designs promptly and present them to you soon.”
Gu Yuanbai was very pleased. “Thank you for your hard work.”
After leaving the emperor, the craftsmen gathered to discuss how to create this kang bed-stove. The emperor’s bed-stove had to be exceptional, using materials that provided lasting warmth, with flues that were smooth, clean, attractive, odorless, and noise-free. Considering all these aspects, what seemed simple became complex.
However, the idea of this heating method, never before considered, struck the craftsmen like a revelation. They were excited and enthusiastic, tirelessly discussing and designing the bed-stove.
A few days later, Gu Yuanbai received the design for the kang bed-stove.
The craftsmen had incorporated the palace style into the kang bed-stove designs. Kang beds would be installed in several palaces where the emperor frequently stayed, especially in his sleeping quarters and the main administrative hall. Given the large size of the buildings, several kang beds would be needed to keep them warm.
The emperor’s sleeping quarters alone would have seven kang beds.
Seeing the design, Gu Yuanbai could almost feel the warmth of the kang bed-stove, making him feel cozy. He reviewed the detailed drawings, noting the exhaust vents, flues, load-bearing walls, and kang surfaces, all meticulously designed and aesthetically pleasing.
The ancient craftsmen’s wisdom was impressive. Beyond Gu Yuanbai’s suggestions, they had added many practical details.
Gu Yuanbai immediately said, “Approved. Allocate funds and start constructing the kang bed-stoves immediately.”
Following the emperor’s order, the palace bustled with activity. Even the side hall of Xuanzheng Hall saw workers laying out kang beds. Occasionally, officials passing by would ask about the noise inside.
Gu Yuanbai simply replied, “Installing kang beds.”
Items used by the emperor often became desirable to officials and the public alike. When officials adopted them, the general populace followed. Just like the emperor’s cotton-padded clothes previously; when they were introduced, even officials and merchants accustomed to wearing silk wanted to switch to cotton, though it was difficult to obtain as most cotton was sent to the borders.
Understanding the benefits of the kang bed-stove, officials entering and leaving Xuanzheng Hall became intrigued. Anything used by the emperor was of high quality, but the blueprints were held by the royal craftsmen, leaving the officials unsure how to request them.
Thus, they approached the Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue, who, upon hearing their request, had a bright idea and reported to Gu Yuanbai, “Your Majesty, many officials are very interested in the palace’s kang bed-stoves. Perhaps, once the royal craftsmen finish with the palace, we could charge a fee to install them in the homes of officials and nobles? This way, the court could also earn some additional revenue.”
Gu Yuanbai, flipping through memorials, couldn’t help but laugh, “Has the court become so poor that you, the Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue, must resort to this?”
The Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue grinned sheepishly but persisted, “Your Majesty, many in the capital could afford to install kang beds. If, as the craftsmen say, the kang bed-stoves provide excellent heating, then just from this winter, we could earn considerable revenue.”
“My kang bed-stove isn’t even finished yet, and you’re already thinking ahead,” Gu Yuanbai sighed. “I originally planned to have the craftsmen install them in officials’ and nobles’ homes as a reward for their service. If we start charging, how can I bestow such a gift later?”
The Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue pondered for a moment, “Your Majesty, having the royal craftsmen personally install such a heating system in officials’ homes is a great honor. We would be deeply grateful. But if the officials find it useful, they’ll want to install more kang beds for their families, and the demand will still be high.”
Gu Yuanbai had put down the memorial, “Go on.”
The Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue bowed and said, “I was thinking, besides the officials and nobles, merchants and common folk also desire the kang bed-stove. After Your Majesty bestows this favor, everyone in the court will realize its benefits. By then, officials will want to install more kang beds, but it would be inappropriate for them to directly ask Your Majesty. Instead, the palace craftsmen could take on these tasks, only working for the officials and nobles. As for commoners and merchants, we could distribute the blueprints to local craftsmen, allowing them to take on the work. For every kang bed installed, a fee would be paid to the court.”
“In this way, the local craftsmen can earn extra money and have a good New Year. The people’s homes will be warm, allowing them to comfortably get through the harsh winter.”
The emperor thought for a moment, then nodded, “Write a detailed plan for this.”
The Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue was overjoyed, “Yes!”
***
Soon, the kang bed-stove in the palace was ready to use.
Gu Yuanbai was most pleased not by the potential revenue for the court but by the prospect of finally getting a warm and comfortable sleep.
For the past few days, his only restful sleep had been the one where Xue Yuan rushed back to the capital and warmed his hands and feet. He had slept soundly that night, without dreams, feeling extremely comfortable. Since then, without anyone to warm the bed, his nights had reverted to their previous discomfort.
However, despite the benefits of the kang bed-stove, it was too dry. Gu Yuanbai would wake up in the morning needing several cups of water to quench his thirst. His lips were dry and peeling.
Tian Fusheng, always attentive to the emperor’s health, worried that the dryness from the kang bed-stove might cause internal heat. But the imperial physician, after checking the emperor’s pulse, said, “These days, the kang bed-stove is actually beneficial, preventing cold from entering the body. Your Majesty just needs to drink more tea to stay hydrated. If you feel parched and your liver and stomach feel hot, that’s when internal heat becomes a problem, and dietary restrictions are needed.”
“Too cold is not good, too hot is also not good,” Gu Yuanbai sighed. “I understand, you may leave.”
After the imperial physician left, Tian Fusheng brought out some ointment. “Your Majesty, the physician mentioned that excessive dryness can cause chapped hands and face. This ointment should be used.”
Gu Yuanbai extended his hand. After Tian Fusheng applied the ointment, Gu Yuanbai noticed a faint herbal scent. He sniffed his hand and remarked, “I seem to have smelled this before.”
Tian Fusheng’s apprentice, delivering tea, sniffed as well and recalled, “Your Majesty, Lord Xue once asked me for something to protect his hands. It also contained herbs, with a similar scent.”
“Hand ointment?”
Gu Yuanbai couldn’t recall, “When was this?”
“Right after the Lantern Festival, when you caught a cold and stayed at Lord Chu’s residence the next day.”
Gu Yuanbai remembered and mused, “That time, huh.”
He had burnt his mouth, and Xue Yuan had rushed to protect him, but in his haste, Xue’s rough hands had hurt his lips.
No wonder his hands had become smoother later in the summer palace. But recently, when he returned, Xue Yuan’s hands seemed calloused again.
So he had cared for him that early on?
Xue Jiuyao, you sure know how to hide your feelings.
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
