The coldness of winter is actually not that difficult for the dignitaries.
Even in this era of the late Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms, there were still ways to keep out the cold.
Not to mention the indoor brazier, this is a common means of keeping out the cold also used by affluent civilian families.
The more advanced ones include charcoal stoves. While heating, a copper cauldron is placed on top and the hotpot is cooked directly.
Officials basically don't have to worry about fuel issues. Every winter, the lord will have firewood, charcoal and other heating supplies as rewards and distribute them according to level.
If it were a little higher, up to the level of a top aristocratic family or an emperor, then when building a palace, the fireplace space for bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. would be designed first.
You can also build a hollow wall, and the hot gas from the fireplace will pass through the hollow wall to achieve an effect similar to floor heating, and the smoke will not pass into the room.
Others include pepper incense rooms, warm mats, gold rasp incense and so on.
Of course, the cost of each item is astronomical for civilians.
Nowadays, the situation is uncertain. Although the Hanzhong Palace built by Old Liu is not so luxurious, it is definitely not close to the cold side.
Princes, generals and ministers also wear fur coats and cloaks when they go out... just like Liu Chan now.
The first stop today is Da Sima Mansion's former villa, where a family still lives there.
"From today onwards, you can go home."
When Liu Chan suddenly appeared in front of him and said the above sentence, the young man who was chosen by Manager Zhao to deliver a letter to Chai Rong seemed to still be dreaming.
During this period of time in Da Sima Mansion, except that he could not go out alone, he had to be accompanied by guards when he came into contact with people outside the mansion, and his personal freedom was slightly restricted, other aspects of his life could only be described as "exhilarating".
He had enough to eat and drink here every day, and he lived in Liu Chan's former courtyard, and he could burn firewood at will... If he hadn't been worried about whether Liu Chan would regret killing him, he would have lived a life like a fairy every day.
He even gained weight!
Seeing that he was speechless, Manager Zhao frowned and said, "Are you stupid? Thank you."
The young man quickly pulled his family members together to bow and kowtow: "Thank you, Prince, thank you, Prince!"
He actually made it out alive.
Liu Chan nodded. Now that the situation in Jingzhou has been decided, what this person knows is of little value and he no longer needs to be under house arrest.
He still has to work at Zhao's firm to make a living. In fact, he still stays out of sight on weekdays. Being selected by Manager Zhao, he will naturally know what to say and do in the future.
Later, Liu Chan listened indoors to Manager Zhao's report on his previous business trip to the south.
Manager Zhao's caravan had returned before the weather started to freeze. This time, the caravan went deep into Jianning County, the hinterland of South Central China. The road was filled with barbarian tribes and the people's customs were fierce. Coupled with the harsh natural environment, many of the recruited guards died.
But after all, after many years of operation of Zhao's business, most of the caravan managers are experienced, money paved the way, and there is a certain degree of force protection, the goal set before going has basically been completed.
Maybe it could go so smoothly the first time, and it also has the blessing of Liu Chan's [Wealth and Fortune].
"Prince, please see, this is the route map and terrain drawn by the caravan." Manager Zhao presented a leather scroll, "If we go again in the spring next year, we can avoid some dangerous places and the losses will be further reduce."
"Well, you did a good job. How was your experience during this trip?"
Manager Zhao immediately became excited when he said this: "The prince has a keen eye. Although the journey to the south is difficult and dangerous, the harvest is equally rich! The barbarians in the south are not good at farming, and the rich people lack fine wines. Our wine is sold at a high price there!"
Liu Chan was happy when he heard that he could let Manager Zhao describe it as "high price". It seemed that the big family in Nanzhong had been slaughtered quite cruelly this time.
"This trade resulted in a total of 100 jins of gold, more than 600 jins of silver, and pills..."
"Wait a minute." Liu Chan stopped Manager Zhao and asked with wide eyes, "One hundred catties of gold? More than six hundred catties of silver?"
"Exactly."
"...You lied to them that drinking wine can lead to immortality?"
Manager Zhao didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "We will do business with them again in the coming year. Naturally, my subordinates will not deceive them like this. The land of Nanzhong produces gold and silver, and the local wealthy families have huge hoards. These are not a big deal in their eyes."
Damn, the local emperors are really good at scraping.
Liu Chan rubbed his chin, already planning to fight against the rich.
After that, Manager Zhao continued to introduce the results of the trip happily. Paints such as paint and lacquer for making armor and weapons were also very cheap there, and he used the funds he earned to buy a lot.
They also rushed back 40 cattle and 20 horses at once. Although the horses were Yunnan horses, these 20 horses could be used as war horses, and their skins were strong and easy to raise without being squeamish.
The cost is much less than other places in Jing and Yi.
If it weren't for the lack of manpower and fear of causing chaos on the way back, Manager Zhao could have bought more.
In addition, an elephant was brought back, along with a servant who was trained to take care of the elephant.
"Southern barbarian elephants are very docile and are several times more powerful than oxen and horses for transporting heavy objects. Unfortunately, they are not in large numbers and are expensive."
When Liu Chan heard that he had brought back an elephant, his eyes lit up. He was overqualified for transporting heavy items.
When this thing goes on the battlefield, it looks like a tank...
Even if you don't use it to fight in battle, you can just sit on it to watch the enemy plunder the formation. Because of its height and wide field of vision, you can better observe the battlefield situation.
In large-scale operations, it is also excellent for use as a command vehicle.
Although he usually doesn't move very fast, if he really runs away, his speed is not as fast as a horse, but much faster than a person.
But if you don't have enough endurance, you won't be able to maintain this high speed for long.
"Very good, you will get gold and silver from this trip. You will share 20% with the people in the caravan, and don't forget the death guard's pension." After Liu Chan finished speaking, Manager Zhao's heart beat violently.
He immediately bowed and said: "Prince, the harvest from this trip is so rich, it is enough for me to profit evenly without 20%..."
Liu Chan waved his hand: "Rules are rules. Since they are set down, there is no reason to renege on them. There are also a lot of expenses for the daily operation and maintenance of the business, so you can take it with peace of mind."
Manager Zhao is loyal and reliable, and has no political ambitions. He does not tamper with every harvest and expenditure, nor does he shy away from or bribe the people he arranges around him.
Liu Chan would not be stingy with such a rare talent.
Manager Zhao bowed deeply: "Thank you, Prince."
These three words were extremely important. He had been in business for many years and could say beautiful things until the evening without repeating them. However, he only said three words at this time.
"Here is a list. You can ask a stonemason to erect a large monument at the entrance of the military camp in the suburbs. Carve 'Red Star Army Loyal and Brave Martyrs' on it, and then engrave all the names on the list." Liu Chan handed over the list, which included Fan. Including Tiger, the twenty-four reserve warriors who had previously been willing to be burned to death in Gangneung.
"yes."
Liu Chan exhaled a breath, "Their bodies can no longer be found. Let's find a place with suitable Feng Shui in the suburbs and set up a tomb for them."
"Yes, I will resolve this matter as soon as possible."
As for their pensions, Lao Liu has already taken over.
Although he has set a slightly higher standard, the majestic King of Hanzhong will definitely not regret it.
After explaining this, Liu Chan set off for the shanty town.
He admitted that his actions were intentional to win people's hearts.
But these are indeed things he thinks he should do. He remembers the appearance of those people. Drilling in the military camp and suppressing bandits by himself all seem like things not long ago.
Now that it was gone, not even the body could be found, the heavy feeling in his heart was not fake, it was not a contradiction.
The closer he got to the shanty town, the more obvious this feeling became, because he was going to do something that would not make people too happy soon, but he didn't want to leave it to others.
However, the atmosphere in the shanty town was not like Liu Chan's mood at this time.
Lao Liu's rewards have been delivered in batches, and the soldiers and civilians inside are jubilant.
The soldiers of the Red Star Army had been fighting for a long time, and Liu Chan gave them ten days of leave. One was to rest, and the other was to hurry up those who had a wife to have a baby, and those who didn't have a wife to hurry up and find a wife.
There isn’t much work to do in winter anyway, so it’s a good time for everyone to engage in indoor exercise.
Population is the most important resource at this time.
Moreover, the population and children in the shantytowns have special significance to Liu Chan's long-term plan, so they naturally need to be taken more seriously.
When everyone saw Liu Chan arriving, they expressed their gratitude and thanked him.
Although it was Lao Liu who provided the money, all their gratitude fell on Prince Liu Chan.
In their eyes, the dignified King of Hanzhong was respected and loved because he was the prince's father.
Love the house and black out belongs to yes.
As for the Emperor of Han Dynasty? Sorry, not familiar with that.
Unlike these people whose faces are filled with joy, others cannot hide their sadness even though they have money and silk to support them.
Naturally, they are the families of those fallen soldiers.
Liu Chan first went to Fan Hu's home. He had two parents, a virtuous wife, and a son who was less than two years old and could only dance a few words.
If he can survive, his future life should be quite happy.
When his family members saw the prince coming in, they saluted in panic. They looked at the ordinary mats on the couch and on the ground at home, and then looked at the prince's luxurious cloaks and fur clothes. They wondered whether they should give up their seats.
Liu Chan didn't notice their conflicting thoughts. He took off his cloak and placed it on the couch, then sat on it casually.
"You guys can sit down too."
The words he had originally thought of, but now that he had actually entered his house and saw the sadness on their brows, Liu Chan felt that it was too false and redundant, and he rejected it before he even said it.
"...Is life difficult?"
Several people shook their heads. Father Fan Hu, as the head of the family, replied hurriedly: "We have enough food and clothing, and plenty of money. Now that we have firewood and winter clothes, there is no difficulty."
"That's good……"
After saying that, Liu Chan fell silent, and the room fell into silence, except for the crackling sound of the brazier and the sound of the child.
Liu Chan stretched out his long arms and picked up the child on the couch. The child refused to recognize him and was lifted up by Liu Chan and chuckled twice.
Putting the child back on the couch, caressing his head, Liu Chan said in a deep voice: "Gu failed to bring Fan Hu back alive... If you have any difficulties in the future, you can go directly to the palace to inform him. If anyone dares to stop him, Anyone who bullies you will be killed."
Fan Hu's mother and wife suddenly heard this but couldn't bear it anymore and sobbed softly.
The child didn't understand why, and when he saw his mother crying, he started crying too.
Fan Hu's father lowered his head, his clenched fists trembling, and suddenly scolded: "Why are you crying! Don't cry!"
Upon hearing this, the wife and daughter-in-law hurriedly stopped crying, and the daughter-in-law stepped forward to pick up the crying child and comfort it.
The skinny old man looked at Liu Chan and asked, "May I ask the prince, my son... died because of his loyalty and bravery in battle?"
Liu Chan thought of the charred corpses all over the city, and his chest felt tight. He said in a deep voice, "His loyalty and bravery can set an example for the army."
The old man also had tears in his eyes, but he grinned, leaned over and said, "In this way, my son's wish has been fulfilled, and he has no regrets."
Liu Chan pursed his lips and nodded, silently put on his cloak, stood up and went out.
There were still twenty-three families behind him. If he didn't come out, he would be unable to hold on any longer...
Thank you to the boss "lxg111" for 500 points, and the boss "Qingxianren 2022" for 100 points to invest in the Jihan Armed Group. The two points will be used to keep the military and civilians warm in winter. Thank you for your support~
(End of chapter)
