Chapter 141

The weather had not yet warmed up, and Xiao Chuchu could not help but yearn for the comforts of modern living.

Especially when she saw the commoners inquiring about loans, many of whom wore old cotton jackets, some even patched, she could not help but feel cold on their behalf.

[Alas, Jing Country is still poor. Although the national strength has improved considerably recently, with the country's ranking rising three places.]

[But the per capita wealth is still not abundant enough, and few commoners have attained a moderately prosperous life.]

Seeing it with her own eyes, Xiao Chuchu felt even more distressed.

While she herself wore a down jacket, down jackets had not yet become widespread among every household.

Xiao Chuchu increasingly felt that in modern society, where most people could dress warmly, eat their fill, and enjoy the comforts of electric heating and air conditioning, how fortunate and hard-won that was.

[If only Jing Country were wealthier, and everyone could have hot water bottles, vacuum flasks, hand warmers, and central heating, how wonderful that would be.]

Xiao Chuchu sighed wistfully, her thoughts drifting far away.

[Hmm, electric central heating is probably quite difficult, as the current technological tree hasn't even reached electricity yet.]

[But I wonder if we could try making hot water bottles and vacuum flasks.]

Liu Wenchang, who was about to speak to Liu Chaniang inside the carriage, froze momentarily.

Liu Chaniang also coughed lightly with a strange expression, stopping herself from speaking.

[Woof woof, Grandpa is here! It's been so long since I've seen Grandpa!]

Xiao Chuchu cooed and babbled, reaching out her short little arms from the wet nurse's embrace, eager to be carried by the old man.

[How is Grandma doing? And my Uncle, how is he? Has he found an Aunt yet... My Uncle is also quite old, yet still single, heh heh.]

The more Liu Wenchang listened, the more complex his expression became.

The little Princess was even concerned about marriage arrangements?

A transcendent being reborn, truly extraordinary.

It was all her Uncle's fault, the good-for-nothing, still unmarried to this day, causing the little Princess to worry.

Liu Wenchang decided that as soon as he returned home, he would immediately have a matchmaker visit, as his eldest son Liu Runnian had now obtained an official position in the Ministry of Works after failing the imperial examinations.

"Father, come up and talk. It's windy outside, come up and warm yourself."

Liu Chaniang spoke, having the carriage curtain opened.

Liu Wenchang shook his head, "It's nothing important, I won't come up. Your mother is still waiting for me at home for dinner."

Saying this, he rubbed his hands, exhaling a puff of white mist on the street, "Moving around will keep me from getting cold."

[Awoo, look how cold my Grandpa is! I wonder if current technology could make vacuum flasks and hot water bottles.]

[If I could exchange for them, I would quickly get a set for Grandpa!]

Xiao Chuchu was suddenly brought back to her earlier beautiful imaginings of how technology could improve life by the word 'cold'.

[If I remember correctly, old-fashioned hot water bottles had an inner and outer layer of bottles.]

"!" Liu Wenchang and Liu Chaniang immediately pricked up their ears, no longer exchanging pleasantries.

[The inner bottle chamber was coated with mercury.]

[I remember when I was little, I broke a hot water bottle and saw what it looked like inside...]

[If I'm not mistaken, this kind of bottle chamber could somewhat prevent heat radiation from escaping.]

[The space between the inner and outer layers prevented heat convection.]

A series of strange and unfamiliar terms made Liu Wenchang and Liu Chaniang's eyes widen in bewilderment.

But Liu Wenchang quickly bit his tongue, forcing himself to remember these incomprehensible words!

These must surely be celestial words from the immortal realm!

It was normal for him not to understand them.

The elaborate version cost five taels of silver.

For a time, the sundry shops sold out of both the simple and elaborate versions, as people eager for novelties snatched them up.

"I heard even the Minister of Revenue plays this card game."

"Not just him, the elaborate lacquered box version says it's the same as the one played by the Emperor himself!"

"Card games are too vulgar. Haven't you heard? The great scholar Shen Mian, The Vice Minister, even composed a poem about this board game. The miniature board represents the entire world, understanding all principles. Thus, the Emperor bestowed upon it the name 'The Board Game'."

"Indeed!"

"The Emperor and the Ministry of Revenue came up with the new lending policies for Jing Country Bank from studying this 'Grand Financier' game, also known as 'Whose Money is Greater than Jing Country'."

The scholars and literati of the capital, along with curious merchants with some spare cash and commoners, were eager to purchase either the simple or lavish edition. Whether in teahouses or at home, they began studying the game intently.

Once they delved into it, they became entranced!

Moreover, they deeply realized the necessity of borrowing from Jing Country Bank.

—To buy land, start businesses, and become grand financiers, borrowing from the bank is truly tempting!

Within just three days, the counters of the four Jing Country Banks in the capital were swarmed with merchants seeking loans.

"Your Majesty, a rough estimate shows that the interest we'll earn from loans next month will amount to tens of thousands of taels."

Jiang Li from the Ministry of Revenue could barely contain his glee.

Xiao Yunzhou remained composed.

The methods from the celestial realm were naturally effective. "Jiang Li, you must keep the risks under control. Don't let merchants with poor credentials exploit loopholes, ultimately leading to bad debts."

Jiang Li hurriedly acknowledged.

"Mm, you may leave if there's nothing else." Xiao Yunzhou was already pondering how to complete the task from the Jade Emperor.

"Ah, We have been troubled by many matters recently. Your Ministry must put in more effort and use your minds."

Jiang Li: "!" With the bank earning so much, how could the Emperor still have troubles?

Jiang Li truly admired Xiao Yunzhou.

Even his current 'ignorant subject' expression was sincere.

He simply could not comprehend the Emperor's lofty perspective.

"Wei Zheng, instruct the Ministry of Rites to prepare for Sanda to enter the palace."

"On Our last day, We must fulfill Our promise to them. Also, summon the Imperial Cabinet Lord Fu Cha and Minister Shen to the palace urgently to discuss establishing military communications with Wu Yun Country."

"???"

Xiao Yunzhou ignored Wei Zheng's puzzled expression of astonishment.

He pondered while sipping his tea.

He had to remain here to complete the celestial task from the Jade Emperor!

Just as Xiao Yunzhou was thinking, a guard reported from outside.

"Your Majesty, trouble! The Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and the Minister of the Ministry of Works were fighting at Zhengyang Gate!"

Xiao Yunzhou: "? Hmm?"

"It seems they were arguing over the credit for some insulated flask, with both ministries claiming it as their achievement!"

"!?"

"The Minister of the Ministry of War also arrived, saying he wanted to take it to the military camps—ah, now the Minister of War has also been beaten!"

"The Minister of Revenue, Jiang Li, who had just left the palace, heard about this and wouldn't let the Ministry of War take it away, saying he wanted to bring it to the Ministry of Revenue to sell... ah, the Ministry of Revenue has been beaten by the Ministry of War."

"..."

What item was this?

Xiao Yunzhou listened in bewilderment.