Film and TV: Starting from the Night Watchman of Dafeng

Chapter 36 Huaiqing: Lin'an is right
Sitianjian, Guanxing Tower, Bagua Terrace

There is a sunset glow on the horizon.

The tall buildings are covered with clouds of light, and candles are already being lit in the lower buildings.

"Hold on."

When he came to see the Supervisor, Wei An also brought a honeycomb coal stove.

"Pong!"

Before he could take out the fire starter, the supervisor flipped his hand and a flame emerged from the void, penetrated into the vent under the honeycomb coal stove, and quickly ignited the honeycomb coal.

There is more wind at high altitudes.

As air continued to flow in, the two pieces of honeycomb coal above turned red visibly.

Wei put the metal kettle on.

"It will be fine in a moment." He looked at the warden.

The latter looked at this novel thing, his eyes moved slightly, but he remained calm.

After a while, one or two small bubbles slowly appeared at the bottom of the pot.

Wei An closed the lid of the pot and asked, "What do you think, Master Jianzheng?"

"Not bad." The supervisor nodded.

"In the Supervisor's opinion, does Senior Brother Mu Feng have a chance of reaching the sixth rank?" Wei An asked again.

The Supervisor smiled, asked him to sit down, and said, "I see that you have practiced several schools of thought. Why not try my magic as well?"

"Otherwise, wouldn't all these calls of 'teacher' be in vain?"

The dean and teachers can’t hear this!

"Can a sorcerer achieve immortality?" Wei An changed the subject.

The warden shook his head.

"Teacher, could you please give me some advice on how to achieve immortality?" Wei An asked.

The Supervisor picked up the wine glass, took a sip, and said, "You, the Confucian, have established virtue, merit, and words that will be immortal."

"With your current achievements, you don't even need to be a third-rank cultivator. You'll have a place in history. Why seek immortality?"

Wei An's expression remained unchanged as he said bluntly, "The third rank is what I desire, and immortality is also what I desire. The two are not in conflict."

The supervisor fell silent.

Wei An didn't care. He just brought up this to change the subject.

"I've heard that those who enter the Si Tian Jian are all incredibly talented and gifted. These past few days, working together to develop honeycomb coal, I've come to realize that the Si Tian Jian's sorcerers are exceptionally talented."

He paused.

The supervisor on the opposite side did not react and just kept drinking.

Wei An thought for a moment and continued, "If Senior Brother Mu Feng successfully enters the sixth rank this time, I wonder if the other senior brothers and sisters will have any thoughts?"

"Young man, please speak frankly." The supervisor put down his wine cup and looked at him.

"Teacher Jianzheng, I need a group of Sitianjian sorcerers. There will be many opportunities like honeycomb coal in the future."

"The Sitianjian will also bear the cost of realizing these opportunities."

Wei An is indeed direct.

Undisguised borrowing of chickens to lay eggs.

"can."

The supervisor was more direct, without any hesitation or further questions, and nodded in agreement.

Wei An was stunned for a moment.

He was confused for a moment.

What could possibly shake this old man's mind?
Even if he makes a steam engine one day, won’t it be impossible to shake it?
He shook his head and suppressed the thought.

Let’s take it one solid step at a time.

Wei An stood up and picked up a teacup from the horizontal table.

He walked to the hand-washing basin nearby and scooped a cup of water, then returned and pushed it in front of the supervisor.

"Teacher Jianzheng, look at this water. Are there any insects?" Wei An asked.

The supervisor took a look and nodded slightly.

Therefore, the monitor can observe tiny things in the water.

This should be linked to the strength of the supervisor, right?

"Teacher Jianzheng, with Senior Brother Song Qing's ability, can he observe these insects?" He asked immediately, confirming his guess.

"No." The supervisor shook his head.

really.

Wei An smiled brightly, "Teacher Jianzheng, I have another request."

"You can speak as you please, young friend." The supervisor waved his hand lightly, and the water in the teacup floated back into the hand-washing basin.

"A sixth-grade warlock is an alchemist. Your attainments in refining equipment must be quite high. I have an idea and would like to ask you for help, teacher." Wei An said, pulling out a roll of paper from his robe sleeve and handing it over.

The supervisor waved his hand, and the rolled paper floated in the air and slowly unfolded.

...

The next day, early in the morning

Imperial City
"Who says it's not?"

"I heard that he's getting involved in business again."

"It's a disgrace to the royal family!"

"Haha~"

"... "

Among all the princes who came to Ding Province, the fourth prince's face was as black as the bottom of a pot.

When everyone entered the hall, they found that the Huaiqing they had been talking about had already arrived.

He was directing three eunuchs to do something.

"What is this?"

"Huaiqing, what are you doing?"

"Is this... a stove?"

"Has Huaiqing been busy with this with Wei An these days?"

"... "

The princes and princesses gathered around, no longer mocking or ridiculing each other, but full of curiosity.

"Hmph, there's nothing strange about a stove burning fire."

After a string of questions, a sound of disdain emerged.

This person was dressed in gorgeous palace attire, and it was none other than the second princess Lin'an.

Huaiqing turned his head and glanced at him calmly, "Someone once said, 'Don't comment without knowing the full picture.' Lin'an, I hope you will remember this in the future." Bickering has been the norm for the two since they were young.

Lin'an was particularly disgusted by Huaiqing's reaction, which made her seem insignificant.

She snorted coldly and said, "No matter what, it's still a stove!"

The other princes and princesses did not try to dissuade them, but instead stepped back to make room for the two. They watched the fun with smiles on their faces.

It’s more about seeing the excitement in Huaiqing.

Huaiqing, whose gaze was focused, nodded slightly and said calmly, "It's a stove for burning fire. I didn't say it wasn't."

It was like punching cotton, Lin An's breath was stuck in his chest, "You..."

"Then you have been busy with this furnace these days?" The oldest prince, who was over thirty years old, pointed to a furnace he had never seen before and said.

Huaiqing signaled the eunuch to open the thick butter paper package, and inside were several pieces of honeycomb coal.

"This is…"

The princes and princesses cast their eyes over.

It's another new and strange thing I haven't seen before.

"It's so lively, what are you talking about?"

Emperor Yuan Jing's voice sounded without warning.

Unlike his indifferent tone at the court meeting, his voice now sounded a little more lively.

It seems to be because of the heirs in the palace.

"Father."

"Greetings to my father."

"... "

The princes and princesses saluted respectfully.

"Okay." Emperor Yuan Jing smiled and nodded.

As he got closer, he also noticed the honeycomb coal stove and coal that looked out of place in the hall.

"This thing is..."

Huaiqing stepped forward, bowed, and introduced, "Father, it is named honeycomb coal because its holes are like honeycomb holes."

"Is this the result of your work these days?" asked Emperor Yuan Jing.

"Please allow me to demonstrate and introduce this thing to you, Your Majesty," Huaiqing requested.

She could rely on her father's love and bring these into the palace.

But to light it, Emperor Yuan Jing’s consent is required.

Emperor Yuan Jing nodded slightly.

The eunuch standing by immediately stepped forward and followed the eldest princess's previous instructions.

"This honeycomb briquettes are made of coal, loess, and sawdust..."

Briefly explain the raw materials and production of honeycomb coal.

Huaiqing did not disclose the ratio publicly.

After handing over the summary from the Astronomical Observatory's Mu Feng, he continued, "This year is also the Great Cold, and there are families in the capital who can't afford charcoal. Honeycomb coal is cheap, durable, and has a strong firepower. It is a real aid to the common people!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the eunuch lying on the ground blew gently, and a small wisp of almost colorless smoke rose.

Emperor Yuan Jing put down the paper in his hand and stepped forward.

The princes and princesses followed behind him.

In several pairs of eyes, inside the furnace, the red color quickly spread from the lowest to the highest point.

This red is so eye-catching even in the morning light.

"It burns quickly."

One of the princes said.

"It also depends on the firepower."

Another prince said.

Emperor Yuan Jing simply waited with his children.

Soon, a faint gurgling sound came from the copper kettle.

"So fast?"

Some princes were shocked.

"Huaiqing, is the cost of honeycomb coal really lower than charcoal?"

Those with a keen business sense are already asking for details.

Huaiqing glanced at him and gave him an apologetic and formal smile.

In this palace, apart from her, only Emperor Yuan Jing knew the cost of honeycomb coal.

Emperor Yuan Jing looked down at the paper in his hand.

Wei An…

After thinking for a while, he said, "Huaiqing, what are your plans?"

Huaiqing stepped forward and said, "Father, I believe that the royal family should take the lead and work with the Imperial Astronomical Observatory to produce and sell it."

"The specific distribution... still needs to wait for the supervisor's reply."

Emperor Yuan Jing said nothing.

Inside the hall, the perceptive princes and princesses were secretly thinking about how they could get a piece of the pie, while the duller ones just pretended not to notice the excitement.

As for the previous ridicule of Huaiqing...was there any?
Can not remember.

Some of them were quick-witted and were now thinking about another person they had ridiculed not long ago, Wei An.

"Isn't this competing with the people for profit? Huaiqing, you are blinded by greed!"

Like thunder coming out of nowhere, Lin'an's voice broke the silence.

The princes and princesses looked surprised.

Is this something Lin'an could say?

"Lin'an." The prince was Lin'an's brother, and he immediately stopped him.

Lin'an pouted and stepped back into the crowd.

The prince withdrew his gaze, stepped forward, and bowed to Emperor Yuan Jing. Just as he was about to speak...

"Lin'an is right." Huaiqing picked up the words that seemed to have fallen.

Lin'an, who was still feeling humiliated, was stunned.

What do you mean?
Does she agree with what I said?

But Huaiqing continued, "Father, I believe that the two types of honeycomb coal listed in the Imperial Astronomical Observatory's summary have low costs, so you can only make one cent per piece; while high costs can earn you ten cents per piece."

(End of this chapter)