Like most families, the Chen family's major decisions were made by Master Chen, while Madam Chen managed all the trivial matters within the household.
When Madam Chen found out that so many people had come to the house, she went to see Lord Chen.
When Lord Chen saw his wife coming over, he realized that he had slept in the front yard last night and hadn't gone back, so he forgot to tell her about it.
Sure enough, as soon as Madam Chen arrived, she asked, "Master, I just heard from the nanny that twenty or thirty people have come to the mansion. What's going on?"
Lord Chen quickly explained, "They're coming to install heating. It'll probably take a few days. Although they're just ordinary farmers, they were brought here by His Majesty and Chief Steward Liang. Just treat them well and make sure they have plenty of food and clothing. When they leave, give them four taels of silver per room, depending on the number of rooms they're installing heating in."
Madam Chen understood immediately. The Qian family was not lacking in wealth; her own family was wealthy merchants. This was one of the reasons she was able to marry into the family. The Chen family was more prestigious than her own family, but while she had the reputation, she was not as wealthy.
When she married into the family, her dowry included 200,000 taels of silver, which was kept in the bottom of her trunk. In addition, she also owned other estates, fields, and shops. Over the years, thanks to her careful management, the income from these properties has increased significantly, far exceeding the amount of silver kept in the bottom of her trunk.
Four taels of silver for a room sounds like a lot, but in reality, it's nothing to the Chen family.
If it can contribute something useful to her husband's career, then spending several times more money would be worthwhile.
"Don't worry, my lord, I will personally oversee this matter and there will be absolutely no mistakes."
Lord Chen trusted his wife completely. Over the years, there had been no mishaps in the trivial matters at home and outside. His career had been relatively smooth, and his wife deserved much credit for that.
I trust you to do things.
After saying all this, Lord Chen thought of what Liang Jiugong had said and added, "Once the heating is on, if it works well, you can invite some close friends to come and see it. Such a good thing should be enjoyed by more people. If it's convenient, you can also ask them to help you when you go back to your parents' home, and let them mention it to their relatives and friends."
Because of Lord Chen's position, Madam Chen has access to many wives of officials of higher rank than herself, as well as wives of officials of lower rank.
She came from a merchant family and knew she wouldn't get much favor among these ladies from prominent families and wives of officials, so she was extremely good at interpersonal relationships. Over the years, few people cared about her merchant family background anymore.
As for those who minded her status as a merchant's daughter, Madam Chen had long since stopped associating with them.
Madam Chen immediately understood what Lord Chen had asked her to do.
"Does the master mean that more families in the capital who can afford heating should be able to use it?"
Lord Chen nodded: "That's the idea."
Having received confirmation, Madam Chen was somewhat puzzled.
"I haven't seen this heating system yet, but since you value it so much, it must be a very useful thing. But why does you want heating to become popular throughout the capital?"
Isn't this a thankless task?
Finally, Madam Chen's true feelings were not spoken aloud, but Lord Chen understood what she meant.
Although Madam Chen was in the inner quarters, she was not a woman who knew nothing. Lord Chen explained to her, "The heating system uses inferior coal. If it works, the entire capital can save a lot of coal over the winter, which is a good thing for the country."
Furthermore, the heating system was installed by the Empress herself. You probably know a bit about the Empress's personality. It is said that she spent over a million taels of silver to repair cement roads on several main roads in the capital, using ordinary farmers as laborers, which has made life much better for the farmers near the capital this year.
The price of heating for a room is four taels of silver now, which isn't much for us, but those who come to install heating are ordinary people from the vicinity of the capital. This money, once it reaches the hands of the people, is quite a sum for them, thus improving their lives. His Majesty and the Empress probably intend to improve the lives of the people in this way.
At this point, Lord Chen felt a pang of emotion. Although his position in the capital wasn't among the most outstanding, he was still quite respectable and knowledgeable. He considered himself to have read a lot of history books and be well-versed in human relationships.
But he never expected that he would encounter a wise ruler. Although Kangxi's actions in his early years were also significant, they were more about consolidating his power and his position.
The major initiatives of the past few years may seem insignificant when viewed individually, but upon closer examination, they are all for the benefit of the people.
Even on seemingly trivial matters like heating systems, he always thought of the people.
Lord Chen thought to himself, "This is not bad. If I work hard, I might make a name for myself in history."
Throughout history, periods of chaos and periods of great prosperity have often produced renowned officials. As one reaches middle age, it is not impossible to look forward to such a time.
Upon hearing this, Madam Chen couldn't help but exclaim, "Her Majesty the Empress is truly kind-hearted, and His Majesty is also wholeheartedly devoted to the people. It is indeed a blessing for the Qing Dynasty."
"Who can argue with that!"
Madam Chen continued, "A couple of years ago, there were some rumors in the capital that were unfavorable to Her Majesty the Empress, but in the last two years, there hasn't been a single one. If anyone were to speak carelessly and it gets out, it's hard to say what His Majesty might do, but being cursed by the people of the capital is inevitable. In all the dynasties that the Qing Dynasty has gone through, Her Majesty the Empress is the first one who has won the hearts of the people so much. Such an Empress who has won the hearts of the people is rare throughout history."
"Yes, I'm warning you beforehand, we absolutely cannot afford to offend Her Majesty the Empress, so please don't say the wrong thing."
Madam Chen glanced at him and said, "Don't you know me? I have no grudge against Her Majesty the Empress, why are you saying such things?"
"I certainly trust Madam, but the people in the manor also need to be warned. His Majesty treats the Empress even better than rumored."
"Yes, sir."
After leaving the front yard, Madam Chen summoned her trusted nanny. Although Madam Chen said she would keep an eye on things herself, it wouldn't be appropriate for a woman from the inner quarters to actually go and watch over twenty or thirty farm men.
It wasn't that she looked down on them, but it was just inappropriate. If the people in the backyard found out, they would inevitably start speculating, and her good intentions might backfire, which wouldn't be good.
"Madam, did you call me?"
"You've arrived. There's something I need you to do."
"Please give your orders, Madam."
"Twenty or thirty people came to the manor today. They are all here to install heating systems. Have someone take good care of their food, clothing, and lodging. Do not mistreat them."
The trusted nanny was puzzled when she heard this.
"Madam, what's this heating system?"
Judging from its name, it must be for heating, but I've never heard of it before.
"It was made by the Empress. It can be heated with inferior coal and doesn't make people feel choked."
The old nanny looked surprised upon hearing this: "There are such wonderful things? Your Majesty the Empress is truly ingenious. This winter is cold, and if this is really the case, this winter will be much easier."
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