When the New Year's bell rang, the transport team from Sanshui County was already on their way.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan were unable to eliminate the cold current. The only thing they could do was to send the cotton that was planted early and harvested early this year to Sanshui County to be made into clothes to the northernmost area of the Tang Empire. Originally, this batch of clothes and quilts was prepared to be sold in the capital for a good sum of money.
In addition to the quilts and coats, Wang Juan also took a military map of the area and circled a few places on it with a pen. She asked the local people to think of a way to dig in those places. Those were the approximate locations where coal mines could be found.
Zhang Xiaobao had thought more than once that it would be great if there was heating. If there was no heating, he could hide in the house and try not to go out as much as possible. Unfortunately, this wish was too difficult to realize. It might be possible to make a small boiler with his family's resources, but if he wanted to provide heating in a certain province or several provinces at the same time, not to mention whether he had the money to support it, even the materials were not available.
The only place that could use heating now was probably the marble house in the Imperial Palace. He hoped that Li Longji would not forget that there were still people who were freezing to death when he was warm.
When the steaming hot dumplings were placed on the table, the sound of New Year's greetings rang out among the families celebrating the New Year together.
There were still people performing on the built stage.
In the midst of the bustle, a group of children ignored the people singing and dancing on the stage. They were led by the maids and servants to play with the flowers. Winter in Shuzhou was not warm. At least this year, it was dry and cold.
Unfortunately, there was no snow or ice. Without the snow and ice lanterns, many people who lived in the north were not used to it.
Old Man Pi and the other three people always had a trace of worry in their eyes amidst the bustling atmosphere. They did not want to mention it during such a happy time, but they had to find Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan, who were leading the fireworks.
"Xiao Bao, do you think someone will freeze to death in the north?" Old Man Pi frowned as he listened to the sound of fireworks exploding one after another. He shouted at Zhang Xiaobao.
When Zhang Xiaobao heard the commotion, he opened his mouth and directly pulled Old Man Pi and the other three people into a nearby room. It was better to talk here than outside. When the crackling sounds of firecrackers rang in their ears, they also shouted to the four old men.
"My family doesn't have a choice either. Didn't they start building a large number of kang beds a few years ago? I don't think there's anything wrong. "
When he said this, Zhang Xiaobao felt that he was going against his conscience. No matter how many kang beds were built, there would still be people who would freeze to death. However, there was nothing he could do about it. Not to mention now, even when he and Wang Juan were still together, when the cold winds of winter came, not everyone could be safe. There were even people who died of heatstroke in summer.
"Then can you send some cold resistance items over? For example, the things in the shells that your family sells? If you apply it on your hands and face, at least your skin won't crack from the cold. "
Old Man Pi shouted again.
He also knew that there were people who died of heat and cold every year. In the past, he couldn't think of a way, but now that he had Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan's things, he felt that he could do a better job.
Zhang Xiaobao didn't think that anti-freeze ointment could save people's lives, but since Old Man Pi suggested it, he could only agree. He nodded and shouted, "Then send a few more carts of things over. After the New Year, my family will make a special heating product. I hope that the people in the north will have the money to make it. Next year, oh, it's this year's winter, if we encounter such a situation again, it will be better."
Zhang Xiaobao thought of an earthen boiler. It was a very simple thing. It was built inside the stove, installed a water circulation system, and connected to the outside with a pipe. It could be heated. It was better than a kang. A kang's heat dissipation was too poor, so it wasn't cold standing on it. If the house was bigger, it would still be cold standing far away from the kang.
Zhang Xiaobao had experienced this kind of cold before. When he was sleeping at night, his back was uncomfortably hot and his nose was red from the cold. People in the countryside all used earthen boilers. As long as there was a fire in the stove, it was much more comfortable.
Old Man Pi was satisfied. "I knew your family would have a way. Can the methane pool be used there?"
Zhang Xiaobao felt that Old Man Pi was really whimsical. When it was cold in the north, the methane pool's efficiency was too low. Weiwei shook her head. This time, she didn't say anything, but her meaning was very clear.
"Forget it. Let's go out and watch the fun." Old Man Pi said regretfully. His voice was directly covered by the sound of firecrackers and fireworks outside.
This year's New Year, the people of Shuzhou were much better off than before. Every family had spare money and didn't have to worry about dumplings. Even people who lacked labor at home also had white flour and meat.
According to tradition, Zhang Zhong still sent things to the poor this year. He personally sent things to the people next to the state capital. He also sent people to send things to the people further away in hopes that everyone would have a good New Year.
*****
At this time, the capital was also very lively. Ever since there was such a good advertising method like ice lanterns, the merchants spared no effort to decorate the capital.
As the emperor, Li Longji was also enjoying the happiness of the new year. He had a very beautiful house made of white marble. Even if the outside could freeze people into ice, the inside of the house was still very warm.
Fireworks bloomed in the night sky one after another. Li Longji had to come out of the warm house to celebrate with the people. He looked at the ice lanterns on the street in the distance with his Clairvoyant Eyes and then looked at the bright fireworks in the sky. The cool and lively atmosphere of the night made people feel like they were in a dream.
A cold wind blew, making people shiver involuntarily. Li Longji took the stove that was handed to him. He finally remembered that there was a place in Great Tang where even news could not be sent. Who knew how many people there would freeze to death? He turned his head and asked the person next to him, "Official Gao, what do you think will happen in the north at this time?"
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I've received news that the Zhang family of Sanshui County sent a large number of carriages a few days ago to transport all the cotton-padded clothes and blankets that Lu Zhou just sent over to the north. Counting the days, it won't be long before they arrive. Your Majesty, please look over there. The light there is different from other places. It's the light bulb that the Zhang family sent over here."
Gao Lishi replied and immediately pointed at a place not far away. There were colorful lights there, which looked very beautiful in the night sky. It was good to use this to divert Li Longji's attention.
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