Five Big Bosses are Too Clingy After Transmigrating into a Book - Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Impartial Favor is the True Principle

While Ling Zhou was lost in thought, the kang construction on Chu Xingchen’s side was finally successful. Because time was urgent and the disaster could not be delayed, Chu Xingchen ignored the risk of cracking the bricks from drying too quickly. She personally supervised the rapid drying process, and as soon as a comfortable warmth was felt, she sent people to invite the Empress and the officials responsible for the reconstruction.

Although the Empress was skeptical, her daughter was showing such proactive seriousness for the first time, so she arrived quickly. The other officials were equally unconvinced but also arrived on time.

They were then invited to the still-simple kang and experienced its warmth firsthand.

A constant stream of heat rose up. Simply draping a piece of clothing over it was enough to stave off the cold. The initially dismissive expressions on the officials’ faces completely changed.

Chu Xingchen introduced it again. “The kang consists of three parts: the stove, the kang body, and the chimney. The stove connected to the kang can be used for cooking, and the kang itself provides warmth and a place to sit or sleep—a triple benefit. Furthermore, the earth-kang has a low cost. With a little effort and instruction, every household can build one.”

When an official asked about the heating principle, Chu Xingchen explained it in detail. Seeing Chu Xingchen speak so confidently and eloquently, the Empress was deeply relieved and, for the first time, showed a look of pride for this daughter.

“This kang is excellent. With this kang, I believe that in the future, the Great Chu will no longer have anyone freezing to death.”

With the Empress’s endorsement, everyone followed suit with praise. The ‘fish’ of Chen Ruoshui, who had been waiting for Chu Xingchen to make a fool of herself, his eyes full of scorn, now turned green and white. Amidst the chorus of praise, he suddenly interjected, “Although this kang is good, Nanshan County is low on trees. The firewood needed for burning…”

He didn’t finish his sentence, but the implication was clear: the kang was useless without fuel.

He didn’t know who had given this excellent idea to the foolish Crown Princess, but he had to prevent her reputation from improving.

Chu Xingchen merely said, “Oh.” “Lord Yu doesn’t need to worry about this. The fuel for the kang doesn’t have to be wood. Sawdust, weeds, animal dung, and anything flammable can be used. This is well-suited to Nanshan County’s lack of wood. The feature of the kang is to create the warmest home with the least amount of fuel.” It was quite a coincidence that Chen Ruoshui’s admirer also happened to be named Yu.

“Good, well said!” The Crown Princess immediately issued an order to promote the kang in Nanshan County right away, minimizing the number of people who would freeze to death. The true depth of winter was approaching, and no time could be wasted.

Everyone understood the urgency, but currently, no one knew how to build the kang. If they waited for people to be properly trained, the delay would be too long. Chu Xingchen stated this was not a problem.

“There is no need to specifically find masters to learn. Send the shadow guards; their speed is the fastest. Moreover, they have already learned, and they can teach the locals while they build there.”

The officials present: “……” Shadow guards? Are those the shadow guards we’re thinking of? Can shadow guards do this kind of thing?

The Empress: “……” She also hadn’t expected Chu Xingchen to use the shadow guards in this manner.

The shadow guards, who thought their bizarre mission was over: “……”

They were accustomed to hiding in the dark and were truly unused to being watched by so many people, and… they have to take on apprentices?

They were mentally protesting, but obedience was etched into their bones, and they quickly accepted the command.

The shadow guards, carrying the diagrams provided by Chu Xingchen, set off at maximum speed. That very evening, those with sharp ears in the capital learned that the Crown Princess had solved the heating problem for Nanshan County’s post-disaster reconstruction, a problem that had stumped everyone.

Moreover, this solution was not just applicable to Nanshan County but could be used in all cold regions of Great Chu, truly benefiting the nation and the people.

After consulting with the Empress, Chu Xingchen handed the diagrams and instructions for building the kang to the Ministry of Works, arranging for people to be trained. Finally, it was to be publicly announced throughout the Great Chu, so that all Chu people could learn, ensuring that the number of people freezing to death would decrease, and they could live warmly through the cold winter.

…

By the time Chu Xingchen returned to the Eastern Palace, it was dark. She was hungry after a full day of work, but she felt incredibly fulfilled and satisfied.

The attendants in the Golden Splendor Hall were perceptive. After she washed her hands, steaming hot food was served. Chu Xingchen ate contentedly, chatting casually with Wan Dong.

“I’ve overcome one obstacle and done something substantial. This should begin to turn people’s impression of me around, right?”

Chu Xingchen was just chatting, but Wan Dong suddenly became serious. She stepped back two paces, knelt down, and bowed respectfully. “Your Highness, what you have done is not a small matter; you have saved thousands upon thousands of lives. Because of the kang you introduced, people will no longer suffer from the cold in winter.”

Wan Dong entered the palace because her family was poor, so she naturally understood the difficulty of the poor commoners enduring winter, where many elderly and children froze to death.

“Quickly, get up.” Chu Xingchen felt embarrassed; she didn’t invent the kang.

Wan Dong rose and praised the kang repeatedly. Chu Xingchen looked at her. “Since you like it so much, you can live in that room with the kang. Move in.” Warm kangs would soon be built in the palace, too.

Wan Dong was overjoyed, thanked her sincerely, and felt the taste of being favored for the first time.

Chu Xingchen continued to ponder. Although she had improved her situation slightly, it wasn’t enough. She was still weak. She needed to stabilize the existing powers, such as Grand Secretary Shen and the royalist faction.

She had seen Xiao Wang’s father, Minister Xiao, today, and his attitude toward her was not warm. This was not surprising, considering that his son was in her harem and had been bullied and mistreated.

“Wan Dong, what do Consort Shen, Lord Ling, and Lord Xiao usually like? How should I reconcile my relationship with them?” She had to show them respect and ease the tension. Aside from the reasons of court, the wrongs committed by the original host also needed to be mitigated; they were innocent.

“Your Highness, you have finally come to your senses!” Wan Dong was delighted. She listed their preferences and offered helpful advice. “You can visit them first. As long as you don’t show favoritism, things will slowly improve.”

“No favoritism, huh.”

“That’s right. The way to peace in the harem is impartial favor.”

Chu Xingchen was surprised. “You know about impartial favor? Wan Dong, you’re quite knowledgeable.”

Wan Dong was modest. “Everyone says so. And since I plan to marry three husbands in the future, I’ve thought about it and I think it makes a lot of sense.”

Chu Xingchen looked at her with admiration, giving Wan Dong a thumbs-up. “Wan Dong, you are impressive. A grand goal! Though, is it hard to find prospects now?”

“It’s still early. Palace maids usually leave the palace after twenty.” Palace maids rarely died in the palace. They were expected to leave at twenty to marry and bear children. If a noble favored them, they could even return to service after marriage.

Chu Xingchen was smiling, but she suddenly recalled that in the novel, Wan Dong died before leaving the palace at age eighteen, with no prospect of three husbands.

She took a deep breath. “Wan Dong, I will make sure you marry three good husbands!” Although she was accustomed to monogamy, Wan Dong deserved her wish.

Chu Xingchen felt energized and enthusiastically began planning. “Do I still have any rare books or calligraphy in my treasury or study? Quick, find them!” She was going to see Shen Cangzhu.