novelraw Chapter 66: Coal Stove
Chapter 66: Coal Stove
Chapter 66 Coal Stove
The Tiger Might Escort Agency was stopped by the guards at the city gate as they were leaving the city.
The escorts were all strong and robust individuals, whether they were on horseback or running alongside. They were naturally brave and martial, and their ferocity had only intensified from their journeys north battling evil creatures. With good food during this period, they were in better condition than the guards of wealthy families.
One or two were fine, but a group of forty to fifty, armed and led by someone wielding a Ma Shuo, and carrying a tiger-head banner, looked like they belonged to a prominent family. However, what major family had a tiger's head as their emblem? They couldn't identify them for the moment.
The guards, seeing such a formidable and unidentified group attempting to leave the city, had to inquire. Were they going hunting? Undertaking other affairs? Or perhaps, were they intending to leave the Zhao Clan and seek a new master? The escorts were a little flustered, but Escort Leader Lin remained calm. He produced the voucher given by Wen Gu, explaining that they were on a mission to pick someone up.
The city gate guards always had literate personnel on duty in each shift. Upon inspection, they saw that the document indeed indicated an official matter, complete with an official seal. Looking closer at the seal, they saw “Jingxing District” and “Qingyun District”? Huh? Wasn’t that…
They were well-informed about the happenings in Xin Prefecture City and knew that the Zhao family’s young cousin had requested two newly established districts, named “Jingxing” and “Qingyun” by the young master himself. The contents of the voucher presented were not doubted, but the guards gathered together, looking at Escort Leader Lin and his men as if they were rare curiosities for quite some time before letting them pass.
“An escort agency?”
“A rare find from the south?”
“Probably brought by that young cousin from the south.”During their downtime, the guards couldn’t help but discuss amongst themselves.
At the same time, at the Zhao Residence.
Whenever a new wealthy family or clan moved north, people would visit their mansion, followed by various gatherings. The ladies were at Madam Shen’s place, with both young and old, some even with children, creating a lively atmosphere. The journey north had been arduous, and while some had recovered, the ladies with weaker constitutions still looked weary.
Those who considered their status and background superior to the Zhao family felt displeased. However, given the circumstances, they dared not show it, only stating that they hadn’t fully recovered yet. Although they claimed to be seeking refuge with the Zhao Clan, they maintained a superior attitude in their hearts. Compared to a family like the Zhao family, which had experienced a downfall, they still felt a sense of superiority. Coming to the Zhao Mansion was also an opportunity to observe the Zhao family’s living conditions.
Regardless of whether the times were stable or chaotic, wealthy households and nobles, as long as they themselves were not in major trouble, would still prioritize their quality of life. The exquisite pastries made by the chefs were met with polite indifference, with only basic courtesy shown. This continued until the kitchens brought out several bowls of soup.
Madam Shen, seated at the head, smiled gracefully, “Everyone has different tastes and preferences. I personally don’t like overly sweet things, so the kitchen always cooks more lightly. However, you are welcome to adjust them according to your own liking.”
The maids served the dishes according to their seating arrangement. Besides the desserts, there were also two small, exquisite porcelain jars. The ladies present were initially thinking to themselves, could it be that the Zhao family couldn’t afford sugar? When the maids beside them opened the jars and saw the white or transparent substances inside, they couldn’t help but gasp.
This was… sugar?!
The situation on the Zhao Family Head’s side was similar. These prominent families and clans, regardless of their pickiness about other items from the Zhao family, were indeed astonished by the sugar. And this was just the beginning. In subsequent small banquets, new surprises would always appear.
Zhao Family Head initially prioritized military strength, believing that power was enough to assert dominance. However, being able to assert themselves in material terms, seeing the astonished expressions of those wealthy families and clans, brought him great satisfaction. Further consideration of the supplies they could exchange with these wealthy families made him even happier. When the two hosts were in a good mood, they tended to give things away. Thus, Wen Gu’s warehouse was more than half filled again.
Madam Shen’s side, besides social events, was also often surrounded by relatives and younger family members. These young relatives and juniors knew that gaining Madam Shen’s favor would give them more standing within the Zhao Clan. If they had no other skills and couldn’t get anything from their cousin Zhao, it was easier to approach the elders. Today, several young members of the Shen family came to assert their presence. Madam Shen had many good things, and more importantly, she could often directly influence the Zhao family father and son. Diligently accumulating favor and presence was beneficial and harmless!
As the Zhao Clan's power and strength grew, this aunt became increasingly graceful and noble. Indeed, power nurtures people! To dream a little further, if the Zhao Clan were to ultimately ascend to power, she would be either the Empress or the Empress Dowager. These in-laws were the most reliable and could be counted on to hold onto the coattails of power.
Madam Shen was quite lenient with her blood relatives, the younger ones. Having these youngsters entertain her brought her genuine joy. She would often bestow gifts upon them: exquisite ornaments, delicious pastries, luxurious clothing… These youngsters, while verbally proclaiming their humility, accepted the gifts with great happiness.
However, after these individuals departed, Madam Shen would turn and instruct her maid to send a batch of newly prepared medicinal herbs and incense to Wen Gu. The maid, without showing any change in expression, respectfully carried out the task. In this day and age, what was more valuable besides grain? Was it gold, silver, or treasures? No! It was medicinal herbs and incense!
Wen Gu was accustomed to his warehouse being replenished from time to time. His aunt and uncle were not stingy people. It was precisely because of this that Wen Gu continued with his plans. He needed to send more things. The goods in his warehouse were consumed quite quickly, and he needed to continue replenishing them.
One day, he strolled to Qingyun District. He didn’t bother Daoist Master Qingyi but went to Blacksmith Yu’s place. The items he had commissioned the Yu family to make were finally ready for inspection.
“Foreman, according to what you said last time, we’ve made further improvements.” Yu Er carried over a cylindrical object. This was the honeycomb coal stove that Wen Gu had asked them to make. Beside it, a small pile of ready-made honeycomb coal was also brought over. The main body of the stove was cast iron, and the firebox was lined with refractory material. The Yu family possessed the formula for refractory clay, as these materials were related to iron forging, and if others didn’t know, their family was very familiar with it. The overall design of the stove followed Wen Gu’s provided blueprints. Due to their unfamiliarity with this new item, they had inevitably made mistakes during the production process. Wen Gu did not blame them. He simply noted the error-prone areas and asked them to continue improving. Now, they were presenting the revised and adjusted stove.
The Yu family members watched Wen Gu nervously. Wen Gu had already provided them with excellent conditions, from the workshop to the remuneration, all of which were very satisfactory. The necessary materials were also supplied by Wen Gu, so they didn’t have to worry about them. However, the fact that they had made mistakes every time was embarrassing, and they were anxious, fearing that Wen Gu would no longer ask them to do work in the future.
Wen Gu carefully examined the first honeycomb coal stove of this era. This item was intended for his uncle. The craftsmanship was more refined, the details were polished multiple times, and it was even carved with patterns and adorned with some copper decorations, its shiny color lending it a noble air. The external appearance was passable, but for the Yu family, producing it to this extent was already quite commendable.
He then asked Yu Er to add coal and try to boil water. Whether it was successful, aside from its appearance, also depended on its actual use. After testing it without any issues, Wen Gu nodded and said, “It’s ready!” The Yu family, blacksmith included, let out a long sigh of relief. Success, finally!
Wen Gu then looked at the coal beside him. These coals looked the same at first glance, but there were differences within. Besides clay, a small portion contained a combustion enhancer, based on a formula provided by the Daoist Master. Daoist Master Qingyi would not easily give away truly top-secret formulas, and Wen Gu did not demand that level of sophistication. He only asked the Daoist Master to make some adjustments, not requiring anything overly advanced, just functional. He intended to produce several grades of honeycomb coal to meet the demands of people with different statuses. Those wealthy patrons loved pursuing high quality. Later, after the Daoist Master experimented, he provided a formula that, when added to the honeycomb coal, would allow it to burn faster and more thoroughly.
“Let’s keep these things confidential for now,” Wen Gu told the Yu family. The Yu family nodded repeatedly, wishing they could immediately swear an oath. “Confidentiality! We definitely won’t tell anyone!”
Wen Gu then pointed to the small pile of honeycomb coal and selected a few. “Load these up. Cover the coal stove. Where are the fire tongs and poker?”
“Here!” Yu Er handed them over. “Include the briquette mold as well.”
Wen Gu walked to the side of the stove. For ease of carrying, the stove body was equipped with a movable handle. He grabbed the handle and lifted the coal stove to test its weight. It was manageable.
Yu Er beside him was stunned! He looked at the coal stove, then at Wen Gu. It was like seeing a very discordant image. Then, he saw Wen Gu frown and put down the stove, saying, “It’s a bit heavy.”
Yu Er inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief. Their foreman, being so frail and delicate, wasn’t suited for such tasks. Wen Gu also thought so. Although he could lift it, it would damage his elegant image.
Looking at the prepared coal and stove, he called out to someone, “Tietou, take these, we’re leaving.” Off to the Zhao family’s for a meal!
(End of this chapter)