Half a month later, the honeycomb briquette workshop officially started operation. After confirming that it could operate normally, Jiang Liang stayed behind to manage it, while Yinzhen arranged for others to supervise it before returning to his residence.
Upon returning, Yinzhen went straight to the palace with the memorial. Even if it was a partial achievement, it was still an achievement, and he always wanted to inform his father, the Emperor. This was what made him a good son to his father.
His filial piety towards his father, the Emperor, was the reason why Yinzhen was able to stand firm and survive until the end.
His abilities were the reason why Kangxi ultimately chose him.
After returning, Le Shu first went to the main courtyard to pay her respects to the Fujin (the wife of the deceased).
"Greetings, Madam. May you be blessed with good fortune."
Ulanara smiled kindly: "Get up. You'll have to go to the estate with me. You'll have a hard time."
Le Shu stood up: "It is my duty to share the burdens of the master and the princess."
"Granny, please give Princess Chang a seat."
"Xie Fujin".
"There's no question of right or wrong. As for the honeycomb briquettes, Grandpa told me that they bring blessings to the people, which is a kindness and deserves a reward!"
...
When Yue Shu left, she took back many gifts with her, including fresh silks with patterns that were most suitable for her and suited her tastes.
There were also quite a few pieces of jewelry, all of which were quite exquisite.
In the main courtyard, after Le Shu left, the old nanny, thinking about the news she had just received, looked worried. Ulanara saw this and said, "Nanny, just say what you want to say!"
"Your Highness, I have just received news that Consort Chang is meddling in many things on the estate, and has even sent several craftsmen back to the Ministry of Works. I wonder if Consort Chang's actions are overstepping her bounds?"
Ulanara gave the old woman a deep look and then said, "It's just sending a few craftsmen back. Chang Gege has invented honeycomb briquettes. Sending them back must mean they didn't do a good job. What's so presumptuous about that? She received such merit and came to the main courtyard to pay her respects as soon as she returned. She's a smart person. As for the presumptuousness, you shouldn't mention it again, old woman."
The old woman was startled by her gaze and said guiltily, "Yes, Madam."
"Let Chamei come in and serve you. Granny, you can go and rest."
"Yes, Madam."
Cha Mei entered and, seeing that Ulanara looked somewhat tired, asked with concern, "My lady, would you like me to massage your shoulders?"
"Please give me a massage."
"yes."
Cha Mei's skills were excellent. Ulanara closed her eyes comfortably and said, "Granny Liu has been with me for many years. She is getting old. Go and investigate. If there are no problems, let her leave the manor to live a life of leisure!"
Cha Mei paused, then said, "Yes, Madam."
Ulanara's eyes were not open, but her tone was somewhat desolate: "Chamei, over the years, many people have come and gone from my life. Many of the people I brought from my maternal home are no longer by my side!"
Some of those people are gone, some were sent out of the palace to live out their days in comfort, and some got married.
Chamei: "This servant will always stay with the Princess Consort."
Ulanara's tone became wistful: "It's good to have you by my side."
When Le Shu returned to Shaoguang Courtyard, she had Su Mama inspect and register the fabric. Then, she selected two bolts of cloth and had them made into new clothes.
When Consort Li heard that Le Shu had received a reward from the main courtyard after returning from the estate, she immediately began to grumble unhappily.
"Why does she get to accompany the master out for fun and then receive a reward from the Fujin when she comes back? I think the Fujin is useless; she can't even control a mere concubine and is always rushing to serve him. Why wasn't she so generous to me before?"
"Consort, you mustn't say that. Please keep your voice down. If word gets out, the master and the wife will both punish you."
Consort Li shut up.
She's just too sharp-tongued. She's lost favor while Le Shu has gained it, and she's incredibly envious. But she can't do anything about it. Le Shu is also quick to speak her mind, so she can't confront her directly and can only mutter a few words behind her back.
As for why she said that, it's mainly because she doesn't know anything.
Despite being a concubine, she couldn't get any information about the main household or the Shaoguang Courtyard, so she naturally didn't understand why the main wife was giving her such a reward.
A month later, honeycomb briquettes officially appeared in the capital. Because they were easy to use, durable, and cheaper than ordinary coal, they quickly became a hot topic. Upon inquiring, people learned that the emperor had funded the production and ordered the Fourth Prince to make them, and they all kowtowed to express their gratitude for the emperor's favor.
This imperial coal was soon called Kangxi coal.
Yinzhen went to the palace and told them about it.
"This Imperial Coal was spontaneously renamed Kangxi Coal by the people of the capital. Now they are all grateful for the Emperor's kindness. They all say that the Emperor cares about the people, which is why Kangxi Coal exists. Your son has investigated and found that at least 50% fewer people have frozen to death in the outer city these days. Once Kangxi Coal is rolled out, the Emperor will surely be able to benefit all the people of the world."
Emperor Kangxi was overjoyed upon hearing this.
He knew the name "Imperial Grace Coal," but the name "Kangxi Coal" had become widely used, which clearly showed that the people truly recognized his authority.
"Yinzhen, you did a great job. Thank you for your hard work."
Yinzhen looked at Kangxi with a look of filial piety: "Serving Father Emperor is worth it no matter how hard it is for me."
After Yinzhen left, Kangxi felt much better. He had been paying close attention to the honeycomb briquette issue, and he was surprised that Yinzhen would report it so promptly. Looking at the memorials Yinzhen submitted, they were filled with details.
Thinking of the Crown Prince's inaction, or even his reckless actions, his excitement subsided, and he summoned Liang Jiugong: "Go and call the Crown Prince here."
"Yes, sir."
The Crown Prince learned about the coal incident from Emperor Kangxi. When he left the Qianqing Palace, he looked unwell. Upon returning to the Yuqing Palace, he immediately sent people to inquire about the details.
The next day at court, Kangxi brought up the matter and specifically praised Yinzhen. His purpose was to remind the Crown Prince that, as the Crown Prince, he should do something practical.
However, the Crown Prince felt that Kangxi was testing him and expressing his dissatisfaction. Otherwise, why would he praise Yinzhen for "having the people in his heart"? How could he, as the Crown Prince, put himself in such a position?
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