IRSBSC 96

Chapter 96

Gu Yuanbai: “It seems the Prince of Xi Xia is drunk.”

His gaze sobered up the Prince of Xi Xia for a moment, who then broke into a cold sweat and followed along, “Yes, I drank too much and forgot my manners.”

The matter was dropped casually. After the meal, the Xi Xia envoys, along with the other officials, left the Xuanzheng Hall. As the palace servants were guiding the Xi Xia people out of the palace, Chu Wei also happened to be leaving.

For the first time, he approached the Prince of Xi Xia proactively. Seeing him, Li Angshun froze in place, then chuckled lightly as Chu Wei approached, “Lord Chu, could it be you can’t bear to part with me?”

Chu Wei, calm and collected, looked him in the eye as if trying to see through to his soul, “Seventh Prince, you say you like me?”

Li Angshun paused for a moment, then replied, “Of course.”

He stroked his slightly curled black hair under his felt hat, his face bearing a depth uncommon among the people of Da Heng. The Xi Xia people and the Khitans intermarried, and Li Angshun’s mother was the daughter of a Khitan leader, lending him a hint of exotic charm. However, his gaze was haughty, which was quite displeasing, “Does Lord Chu’s heart waver, truly wishing to return to Xi Xia with me and marry me?”

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*

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During the Ming Dynasty, smoke ducts were laid beneath the brick floors. Gu Yuanbai might forgo underfloor heating, but he insisted on having a heated bed.

After hearing the Emperor’s idea, the craftsmen pondered for a moment before responding that it was feasible. “The challenge lies in managing the smoke ducts, and given the vastness of the palace, a single heated bed won’t warm the entire area. If we install several bed surfaces, we must choose their positions carefully.”

The construction of the bed surface was straightforward; the difficulty was in ensuring it appeared elegant and luxurious without compromising the aesthetic of the palace.

Gu Yuanbai nodded, “The bricks will be covered with stone slabs, which are then topped with clay. Inside, there should be a layer of bed wall, with the smoke ducts running through these walls.”

The craftsmen agreed, appearing relieved, “Your Majesty, rest assured, we will draft the designs promptly and present them to you later.”

Gu Yuanbai was immensely gratified, “Then I thank you all for your hard work.”

After leaving the Emperor, the craftsmen gathered to discuss how to construct the heated bed. It couldn’t be an ordinary creation for the Emperor; they had to consider which materials would provide long-lasting warmth, ensure the smoke ducts were clear and efficient, and make the bed clean, beautiful, odor-free, and silent. What seemed simple at first grew complex upon consideration.

However, the idea of such a heating method was revolutionary to the craftsmen. Inspired by the Emperor’s suggestion, they engaged in excited discussions, and their work on the designs was vigorous and dedicated.

A few days later, Gu Yuanbai received the designs for the heated bed.

The craftsmen had integrated the heated bed with the palace’s architecture, planning to install them in several of the Emperor’s frequently used palaces, especially the sleeping quarters and administrative areas. Due to the large size of the palaces, multiple heated beds were necessary to ensure warmth throughout the buildings.

Just the Emperor’s sleeping quarters alone were to have seven bed surfaces.

Upon seeing the designs, Gu Yuanbai felt as if he could already bask in the warmth of the heated beds, his whole body warming at the thought. He examined the detailed designs for the exhaust vents, smoke ducts, load-bearing walls, and bed surfaces, all neatly arranged and quite beautiful.

The ingenuity of ancient craftsmen was not to be underestimated. Beyond Gu Yuanbai’s suggestions, the craftsmen added many useful details to the design.

Gu Yuanbai immediately approved, “Approved. Allocate the funds today and begin the construction of the heated beds.”

The Imperial Palace buzzed with activity following the Emperor’s order. Even the side halls of the Xuanzheng Hall saw people setting up heated brick beds. Occasionally, when a high-ranking official passed by and heard the noise, they would inquire what was happening.

Gu Yuanbai simply responded, “Installing heated brick beds.”

The Emperor’s adoption of something often led to its popularity among the officials. Once the officials took it up, it sparked even greater desire among the populace. Just like the cotton clothes the Emperor had previously worn; once they were introduced, even the wealthy officials and merchants who usually wore silk desired to switch to cotton. However, cotton clothes were mostly sent to the frontiers and were hard to obtain, which only increased their desirability.

Understanding the benefits of the heated brick bed, the officials frequenting the Xuanzheng Hall became quite interested. Anything used by the Emperor was considered of high quality, but the designs were in the hands of the royal family, leaving the ministers unsure how to express their interest.

Thus, they indirectly approached the Minister of Revenue. Upon hearing their interest, the Minister had a brainwave about a potential money-making opportunity and specifically went to Gu Yuanbai to report, “Your Majesty, the ministers are quite taken with the idea of the heated brick bed in the palace. How about, after the palace craftsmen finish installing the heated beds in the palace, we charge a fee to install them in the homes of the ministers and royal relatives? In this way, the court could also earn some money from installing the heated brick beds.”

Gu Yuanbai was perusing the memorial to the throne when he heard the remark and couldn’t help but chuckle, “Has the court really become so destitute that you, the Minister of Revenue, need to resort to such measures?”

The Minister of Revenue offered a sheepish smile, unwilling to give up: “Your Majesty, in the capital alone, there are tens of thousands of people who can afford to install kang heating systems. If, as the craftsmen claim, they are indeed as effective in providing warmth, then surely this winter, just from the installation of kang systems, a significant income could be generated.”

“I haven’t even had my brick bed system installed yet, and you’re already thinking about this,” Gu Yuanbai lamented with a headache, “I was planning to have the craftsmen install systems in the homes of officials and royal relatives after the palace work was finished, as a reward for their contributions to the court. With your interruption, am I supposed to collect money first and then bestow favors later?”

The Minister of Revenue pondered for a moment, “Your Majesty. Having the palace craftsmen personally go to the residences of your subjects to install such heating systems is a great favor. We would surely be grateful and constantly remember Your Majesty’s kindness. But if it works well for us, we’ll also think of our parents, spouses, and children. One household might need over a dozen heating systems, and that still wouldn’t be enough.”

Gu Yuanbai had already put down the memorial in his hand, “Go on.”

The Minister of Revenue bowed and said, “I was thinking, aside from the high officials and royal relatives, merchants and commoners also aspire to have kang heating systems. Once Your Majesty bestows this favor, the court will surely recognize the value of this invention. By then, it would be inappropriate for the ministers to directly seek Your Majesty for this. Instead, palace craftsmen could take on these projects but only do business within the circle of officials and royal relatives. For the common people and merchants, the blueprints could be given to local craftsmen, allowing them to take on heating installation projects. For each kang installed, a fee would be paid to the court.”

“This way, local craftsmen could earn some extra money for a better New Year. It would also ensure that the common people have a warm and comfortable home during the harsh winter.”

After pondering for a while, the Emperor nodded, “Proceed to draft a detailed statute.”

The Minister of Revenue was overjoyed, “Yes!”

*

Soon, the palace heating systems were ready for use.

What pleased Gu Yuanbai most was not the income it could generate for the court, but that he could finally sleep warmly and comfortably.

During these days, the only good night’s sleep he had had was when Xue Yuan rushed back to the capital and warmed his hands and feet. That night, he slept without dreams, feeling utterly refreshed. The next day, without someone to warm his bed, he returned to the cold reality of before.

However, as good as the heating system was, it was overly dry. Gu Yuanbai needed to drink several glasses of water in the morning to quench his thirst, and his lips were so dry that they began to peel.

Tian Fusheng, always attentive to the Emperor’s health, was concerned that the dryness from the heating system could lead to excessive internal heat. However, after the imperial physician took the pulse, he said, “These days have been fine. The heat prevents cold air from entering the body, which is beneficial. His Majesty just needs to drink more tea to quench his thirst and reduce internal heat. If there are symptoms like dry mouth and hot stomach, that would indicate excessive internal heat, requiring a change in diet.”

“Being cold is no good, but being hot isn’t either,” Gu Yuanbai sighed, “Alright, I understand. You may go now.”

After the imperial physician left, Tian Fusheng brought out some ointment, “Your Majesty, the imperial physician told me that the dryness could also cause cracking of the hands and face. It’s time to use the ointment.”

Gu Yuanbai extended his hand to Tian Fusheng, who applied the medicine before withdrawing his hand. Gu Yuanbai then noticed a faint herbal fragrance, lifting his hand to his nose and remarking, “I seem to have smelled this scent before.”

A tea-serving apprentice of Tian Fusheng also sniffed and recalled, “Your Majesty, when Lord Xue was on duty outside the hall, he once asked me for something to protect the hands. That concoction also contained herbs and smelled somewhat similar to this.”

Something for hand protection?

Gu Yuanbai couldn’t recall, “When was that?”

“It was after you caught a cold,” the young eunuch explained meticulously, “right after you made a lantern at Lord Chu’s residence, the next day after the Lantern Festival.”

Gu Yuanbai remembered, musing, “Ah, that time.”

He had burned his mouth, and Xue Yuan hurried to protect him, but in his haste, he ended up hurting Gu Yuanbai’s lips with his rough hands.

No wonder his hands felt softer in the summer retreat palace afterwards. But a few days ago, when he rushed back, his hands felt rough and calloused again.

Had he harbored feelings for him since then?

Xue Jiuyao, truly adept at hiding.