The original main hall, although it had doors and windows, did not allow for much light. Even in broad daylight, the interior of the hall still required the use of oil lamps for illumination.
Not only did it appear gloomy, but the smell of burning oil lamps was also quite unpleasant, and the officials were somewhat depressed at every court assembly.
But now that the doors and windows have been replaced with glass, the lighting effect is immediate. Sunlight shines through the glass into the hall, making the entire hall incredibly bright.
As the saying goes, a bright environment can improve one's mood, and this was certainly true for the officials in the hall at that moment.
With the main hall having been renovated, the officials in Chongzheng Hall no longer have to squeeze together so tightly.
The spacious, warm, and bright environment put the officials in a good mood, and they suddenly felt that the Empress Dowager's order to repair the main hall was not inappropriate.
At least we won't have to feel so stifled anymore, right?
Just as everyone was waiting for the emperor to attend court, Liu Shu, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, approached Cao Song.
Liu Shu reached out and touched Cao Song, whispering:
"Hey, Grand Minister of Agriculture, do you have any extra 'glass'?"
Yes, I do! What's wrong??
Cao Song turned his head to look at Liu Shu with a curious expression.
Liu Shu couldn't help but chuckle. "Hehe~, you see, we've been colleagues for so many years, we have a very deep bond. For the sake of this bond, you couldn't bear to see me stuck in that dark and stuffy room at home all this time, could you...!"
"Uh... after all that beating around the bush! What are you trying to do?"
Cao Song involuntarily took two steps back, widening the distance between himself and Liu Shu, and looked at Liu Shu with a wary expression.
The surrounding officials, seeing Liu Shu and Cao Song whispering to each other, couldn't help but prick up their ears, wanting to hear what they were saying.
Liu Shu said somewhat embarrassedly, "I was just thinking, since there are any leftover pieces of glass, could the Grand Minister of Agriculture give me some? I'd like to install some in my home!"
As Liu Shu finished speaking, the surrounding officials couldn't help but brighten up, thinking of their own dark and gloomy houses. Lighting up the lamps was too expensive, and opening the windows was too cold. Staying in there was indeed quite uncomfortable.
Seeing how well the glass allows light to pass through, everyone immediately had an idea: if you have the means to live a better life, no one wants to compromise their own well-being.
"Hmm~, well...!"
Upon hearing Liu Shu's words, Cao Song stroked his beard, lowered his head, and pretended to consider it. The surrounding officials also couldn't help but lean closer.
"Huh? What are you doing?"
Looking up, Cao Song was startled to see a circle of heads surrounding him.
"Hehe~, it's alright, Grand Minister of Agriculture, you see we have a pretty good relationship, that glass...!"
Everyone chuckled and looked at Cao Song with eager expressions.
Cao Song quickly shook his head, "There is indeed a lot of glass left, but His Majesty and the national treasury spent a lot of money to make it, so of course we can't just give it to you for free! If you want it, you can go and buy it!"
Where can I buy it?
Cao Song laughed and said, "Hey~, you've come to the right person! The 'Royal Glass Shop' opens tomorrow, just go and buy some then!"
"Oh, I see! You should have said so earlier!!"
Upon hearing that it was available, the enthusiasm of the crowd surrounding Cao Song immediately dissipated considerably. If they had known it was available, why would they have bothered to fawn over him?
"Ugh~, you bunch of scoundrels!"
Seeing everyone treating him like a servant, Cao Song couldn't help but feel a little annoyed.
Seeing this, Yuan Feng couldn't help but chuckle.
Then Yuan Feng looked at everyone and said, "Gentlemen, although you can buy glass, do you know how to install it? What if it breaks because you can't install it securely? You know, this glass isn't cheap!"
"yes!"
Everyone then realized what was happening and looked at Yuan Feng with eager expressions.
"Minister Sikong, isn't it you who led the engineering college in renovating Chongzheng Hall?" an official approached with a smile.
"good!"
Yuan Feng nodded with a smug look on his face.
The official said with a fawning expression, "Then, would you be so kind as to have someone from the Engineering Academy help me with the installation?"
"Yes, yes, Sikong, we're such good friends, you should be willing to help, right...?"
"......"
Seeing this, everyone quickly gathered around and started trying to get close to Yuan Feng.
Seeing the enthusiasm of the crowd, Yuan Feng couldn't help but feel secretly pleased.
"Ahem~, we are colleagues, so I shouldn't refuse your requests. But the craftsmen in the engineering college are very busy, and installing the glass requires modifying the windows, which takes a lot of time and materials. This expense..."
Yuan Feng coughed twice, first making small talk with everyone, and then raised the key question, looking at everyone with a troubled expression.
"Don't worry, Sikong. Since we're helping out, we certainly won't let you and the Engineering Academy work for nothing. We'll cover the costs ourselves, and we'll pay the craftsmen double their wages!"
"Yes, yes, Sikong only needs to send someone over!"
Everyone suddenly realized what Yuan Feng meant and readily agreed to pay for the installation.
Yuan Feng smiled and said, "Alright, anyone who wants to modify or install this, come and sign up!"
"I...I......"
Everyone rushed over to get there.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
