Courtyard House: A System Connecting Two Worlds, Resources for the Nation

Bai Ling was taken aback for a moment when she heard what Zhou Feng said, but she immediately understood.

This guy must be having trouble adjusting to life in this world, so he wants to bring back some appliances from the future.

But for Bai Ling and the others, this is a good thing!

The more everyday items Zhou Feng brings into this world, the stronger his sense of belonging to this world becomes, right?

But she couldn't be too direct, so she could only say vaguely, "Logically speaking, your personal belongings shouldn't be a problem as long as they don't affect others or involve sensitive technology. However, this matter... I need to ask Director Sun and go through the proper procedures to report it."

Oh…

They even asked Director Sun; Director Sun is practically Zhou Feng's lapdog.

What could Director Sun possibly disagree with if Zhou Feng had brought it up himself?

However, she was also curious about what Zhou Feng would bring back from the future.

She couldn't even imagine what electrical appliances would look like sixty years from now.

"Okay, then go ask."

Zhou Feng nodded as well.

In fact, he wouldn't choose particularly large home appliances.

With the power lines and electricity supply of this era, wanting to freely use electrical appliances from later generations is just a joke!

Therefore, he could only choose appliances with low power consumption and power output, and use his own outdoor power supply to power them.

Just like that 100-liter mini-fridge with Level 1 energy efficiency, it only consumes a few tenths of a kilowatt-hour per day. Two 30-kilowatt outdoor power supplies are enough to charge it once a month.

There are also washing machines, rice cookers, kettles, electric heaters, ovens, razors, and the like, which are all used by the number of times they are used, so there are even fewer problems with them.

As for television... forget it. Although it can garner more emotional value, it's too conspicuous. Wouldn't that just cause trouble for Sun Yue and the others?

If you really want to watch something, you might as well use your phone.

In later generations, 60-inch TVs sit unused in homes; everyone is glued to their phones. What's the point of traveling around the world?

As Zhou Feng was the highest priority, he had an idea and immediately sent Bai Ling, who had finished washing the dishes and tidying up the house, to the Special Operations Division to report to Sun Yue.

Sun Yue was still reviewing documents. Although Zhou Feng was currently the main task of the Special Operations Division, there were other miscellaneous matters to handle.

Upon seeing Bai Ling arrive, Sun Yue immediately put down his pen and leaned back slightly in his chair: "What ideas does our Comrade Zhou Feng have that require Comrade Bai Ling to convey?"

Judging from Bai Ling's expression, it shouldn't be anything bad, so his tone was very relaxed.

Bai Ling gave Sun Yue a disapproving look and then earnestly reported Zhou Feng's idea of ​​bringing back electrical appliances from "Beautiful Country".

Just as Bai Ling had thought.

After listening, Sun Yue nodded, his smile remaining unchanged, and even becoming more pronounced!

"Comrade Zhou Feng has been quite thoughtful this time. Let him take it! As long as it's for his own personal use and doesn't involve large-scale dissemination, it's fine!"

"Comrade Bai Ling, do you know what this means?"

Bai Ling pursed her lips and remained silent, her mind filled with what Zhou Feng had told her that morning—about an automatic cooking pot and an automatic laundry machine…

What does it mean...?

Does it mean laziness?

Bai Ling had spent too much time with Zhou Feng, and his thoughts had even influenced her!

Seeing that Bai Ling didn't speak, Sun Yue started asking and answering his own questions.

"This means that Comrade Zhou Feng is starting to think about settling down here and making his life comfortable! This is a good sign; a sense of belonging is built up through these small, everyday conveniences!"

As he spoke, Sun Yue opened a drawer and took out a blank internal document.

He picked up his pen, thought for a moment, then quickly wrote a few lines and stamped it with the official seal of their Special Operations Unit.

A special approval document was thus completed.

The gist of the above is simple: Comrade Zhou Feng may configure some non-standard living equipment on his own due to special work needs. All units should cooperate and shall not obstruct or inquire about the source of the equipment.

"Take this to him. With this, even if someone sees some strange or unusual things in his house, he'll have an explanation to give to the local authorities and the police."

Sun Yue handed the certificate to Bai Ling, then suddenly remembered something: "By the way, should I go to the power supply station and give him a heads-up? It's better to report any abnormal electricity usage."

"No need, he said he can handle the electricity himself."

Bai Ling took the certificate; she had come back specifically to get this certificate for Zhou Feng.

Otherwise, what if the demons and monsters in that courtyard cause trouble while she's away?

Unless Zhou Feng is in danger, his comrades protecting him will generally not show up.

After all, nobody wants to live under someone else's surveillance all the time, even if it's for protection, it will make them feel resentful!

"Comrade Bai Ling, when Comrade Zhou Feng brings the things over, remember to find an opportunity to mention it to him."

"What should I mention?"

Bai Ling was somewhat puzzled.

"You can say that the colleagues in the department, especially some of the technical ones, are very interested in these machines he brought back from America and want to borrow them to study and see if they can find some inspiration, or even just broaden their thinking."

"Of course, we can't let Comrade Zhou Feng help us for nothing. Our department has already collected quite a few paintings, calligraphy, porcelain, jade pieces, and the like. After the experts have screened and registered them, you can take a batch to him. We can exchange what we have!"

As soon as Sun Yue said this, Bai Ling immediately understood what he meant.

That's not entirely wrong, although Zhou Feng will definitely bring household appliances from the future.

However, the technology that has been ahead of its time for so many years, whether big or small, represents a revolutionary approach to this era.

Bringing them back and studying them a little might give scientists of this era new inspiration.

Furthermore, bringing back those antiques and paintings would further strengthen the connection with Zhou Feng—killing two birds with one stone!

"By the way, he also wants the 1962 edition one-cent coin. How's the arrangement going?"

"The application is already being processed! We're not on the same system as the bank, so it won't be that fast!"

Looking at Bai Ling's blinking big eyes, Sun Yue replied irritably.

Not only was Bai Ling eager to ask, but he was eager to ask too!

So, after being scolded on the phone by her boss who was annoyed by her, Bai Ling asked him the same question.

The key point is that he can take being scolded, but Bai Ling can't. Using such an impatient tone is already the limit.

It's just preparing to date someone from the future, what's so special about it!

I…

Well, he really can't!

Sun Yue sighed and decided to focus on his own business.

Just as Bai Ling had put away her documents and was preparing to go home, Zhou Feng's house also welcomed a group of guests.

The leader was Master Cha, who had previously made a deal with Zhou Feng, followed by three unfamiliar men and women, all in their forties or fifties.

They were all wearing cotton-padded jackets that were neither new nor old, but they all stood up straight with their bodies stiff.

They were all carrying or holding cloth bags or wooden boxes of varying sizes, and their eyes held a hint of admiration as they looked at Zhou Feng.

Like Master Cha, these "Manchus" still cherish the glory of their ancestors, but are forced to submit to reality.

Now, even facing a young man like Zhou Feng, one can't help but sigh with emotion.

"Comrade Zhou Feng, I'm bothering you again. We're so grateful for what you did last time. These old folks are just like me, their families…sigh…"

"We've been keeping these things passed down from our ancestors, and we're struggling financially right now. We'd like to trade them with you for some food to take back with us..."

Compared to last time, Master Cha's attitude has clearly undergone a major change.

I don't know what Yan Bugui said to him, but this Master Cha seemed much more respectful.

"Come in, let's talk inside."

The four filed in, making Zhou Feng's small house feel somewhat crowded.

The men that Master Cha brought stood nervously in the room, looking around with some curiosity. The man at the back tugged at his companion and pointed with his chin to the kitchen. Both of them widened their eyes at the same time.

The stack of rice and noodles was quite impressive.

"Let me go first, to set an example for these elders."

As he spoke, Uncle Cha placed a long box wrapped in blue cloth that he had brought on the table and carefully opened it.

Inside was a scroll, which he carefully unrolled part of.

"Comrade Zhou Feng, please take a look. This is a landscape painting by literati from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. The painting technique is extremely exquisite! The paper is old paper, the ink is ancient ink, and the texturing of the rocks, the dotting of the trees, and the calligraphy of the inscription all exude that refined and elegant literati spirit. It is also well preserved."

Grandpa Cha introduced the items in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of reluctance and pride.

Over this long period of time, all of his treasures have been carefully cared for by him, and they are all in excellent condition.

Zhou Feng had seen this painting before; it had been hanging in Master Cha's house. He never expected that it would be taken down this time as well.

He wasn't exactly an expert in calligraphy and painting, but he did have a basic eye for art.

This painting is indeed full of antiquity and has a serene atmosphere; it is not an ordinary object.

Seeing that Zhou Feng didn't say anything more, Uncle Cha opened another, slightly smaller wooden box.

Inside is a Western-style clock with a gilded brass casing. It has an elegant design and exquisite craftsmanship. Although it shows some signs of age, it is polished to a shine and has no obvious damage.

"This is something that came out of the palace during the Qianlong era. It was a tribute from the West back then, and it was quite accurate in its time of departure."

Grandpa Cha looked at the clock with a look of reluctance in his eyes, but he still sighed and placed it in front of Zhou Feng.

Then, the other three people also opened their packages.

A tall, thin, middle-aged man wearing old-fashioned round-framed glasses took out a brocade box containing a four-piece set of jade writing implements carved with dragon patterns: a pen holder, a pen rest, a water dropper, and a paperweight. The jade was warm and lustrous, the carving was smooth, and the patina was natural.

Another woman, wearing an old navy blue woolen coat, took out a pair of famille rose butterfly vases wrapped in soft cloth. The vases were elegant in shape, with delicate glaze and lifelike butterflies.

The old man beside Master Cha tremblingly brought out a small sandalwood box containing a string of eighteen agarwood beads, which was oily and shiny with a faint fragrance.

Zhou Feng could tell from the sight of these things that they were definitely valuable items, the most treasured possessions these people kept under wraps, and they had been carefully preserved.

However, he wasn't in a hurry to name a price. Instead, he looked at Master Cha and said, "I've looked at all your items, and they're all quite good. Tell me, what would you like to exchange them for? Grain, eggs, meat?"

Mr. Cha and the others exchanged glances, and it was Mr. Cha who spoke first.

"Comrade Zhou Feng, we're not greedy. We just want some practical things to stave off hunger and get through the winter. Refined grains are best, but coarse grains are fine too. If you could also give us a little oil or eggs, we would be extremely grateful!"

As he spoke, he pointed to his painting and clock: "These two are fine with whatever you think is appropriate. As for the others..."

The tall, thin man with glasses eagerly chimed in, pointing to his jade writing set: "Comrade Zhou Feng, this set of mine is made of top-quality Hetian jade, from the former Qing Dynasty prince's mansion! It should be worth at least thirty catties... no, forty catties of flour! Plus five catties of eggs and three catties of pork!"

The woman next to her quickly added, "These two vases of mine are exquisite pieces from the official kilns during the Daoguang era! They're worth at least fifty catties of rice! Plus ten catties of eggs!"

The old man with the agarwood bracelet didn't say anything, he just stared at Zhou Feng expectantly.

Mr. Cha frowned almost imperceptibly. This price was quite different from what they had agreed upon before they left!

He was unaware that the two men had seen the large amount of supplies stored in Zhou Feng's kitchen and were eyeing them.

Before Zhou Feng could speak, Master Cha carefully reached out and tugged at the bespectacled man's sleeve, signaling him not to be too greedy.

Although Zhou Feng is young, he has taken Yan Bugui's warning to heart last night.

Whether the goods are sold or not is not important. If a deal falls through once, you can try again. But if you offend people, it's too easy to get rid of those "black five categories"!

Zhou Feng's face remained expressionless upon hearing their offer.

These are people who have been driven to desperation, so they're still hoping to take a gamble with him!

Unfortunately, even though he had so much food, he wasn't willing to be a sucker.

Walking up to the jade writing set, Zhou Feng picked up the pen holder, weighed it in his hand, examined the carving, and then put it back.

He then turned to the bespectacled man, his tone flat: "The Hetian jade is genuine, and the carving is quite good. However, what era are we living in? This stuff is neither edible nor wearable, and it's just an eyesore. Forty catties of flour, plus so many eggs and pork?"

As the two stared at each other, Zhou Feng shook his head: "Fifteen catties of flour, three catties of eggs, and one catty of pork. You can trade, or you can take it back and keep hiding it."

The bespectacled man's expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed urgently, "Fifteen catties? This...this is far too little! This is top-quality jade! It's been passed down from my ancestors!"

"Twenty catties of flour, five catties of eggs, and two catties of pork. This is my final quote. If you think it's a bad deal, the door is over there. This isn't Liulichang; we don't do gimmicks here."

The other person opened their mouth, as if they wanted to say something, but when they met Zhou Feng's gaze and glanced at Master Cha's slightly warning look, they finally nodded helplessly.

Zhou Feng looked at the woman again, but before he could speak, she quickly lowered the price: "Forty...forty catties of rice, ten catties of eggs, is that alright?"

"Twenty catties of rice and five catties of eggs."

The price was halved, and Zhou Feng's tone was equally indifferent: "The vase is beautiful, but who displays one these days? Are they complaining about having too much of a comfortable life?"

The woman's lips trembled slightly, her eyes reddened, but she finally nodded.