Chapter 466: The unbearable heat at the end of August

A few days later.

Wannian County Yamen.

The sun was as hot as a ball of fire, the courtyard was burned until it was hot, the ground was shining with dazzling light, and even the wind blowing past carried a wave of heat.

Only under that old locust tree was there still a patch of shade. Chen Yan lay diagonally on a reclining chair covered with a bamboo mat, the collar of his black brocade robe loosened by two jade buttons, revealing half of his neck, his forehead still stained with sweat.

Hongye stood beside the reclining chair, the plain-colored round fan in her hand shaking gently, her movements steady and even, slowly sending cool breeze toward his face.

On the other side of the tree shade, several officials stood with their hands down.

Liu Mu Zhi had just finished reporting, bowed slightly, and asked: "My lord, this is the subordinate's preliminary political vision for the next month, what do you think?"

"Very good!"

Chen Yan on the reclining chair slowly opened his eyes, his fingertips resting nonchalantly on the edge of the bamboo mat, nodding lightly after listening, his voice carrying a hint of laziness, yet hard to hide the temporary: "Clear logic, taking into account both people's livelihood and public security, just do it according to this!"

He paused and continued: "If you encounter resistance in the subsequent implementation, don't be afraid of difficulties, this official will clear them for you, just let go and do it!"

For the political affairs of Wannian County, Chen Yan adopted the strategy of grasping the big and letting go of the small!

Daily affairs were handed over to Liu Mu Zhi, letting him represent his own will.

With the position of Chief Clerk, exercising the power of the Magistrate.

And for major matters, he would make decisions personally!

Upon hearing this, Liu Mu Zhi clasped his hands: "Thank you, my lord!"

Chen Yan propped himself up slightly from the reclining chair, his gaze passing over Liu Mu Zhi and sweeping toward Feng Xiao Yan, Gao Jiong, Sun Xiangbai, Yuwen Xiang, and others standing on the side, his fingertips tapping lightly on the armrest of the reclining chair, exhorting: "You must cooperate well with Chief Clerk Liu!"

Immediately, a faint smile curled the corners of his mouth: "If you do your job well, this official's rewards will not be small!"

Feng Xiao Yan took the lead in clasping his hands and bowing, Gao Jiong, Sun Xiangbai, and Yuwen Xiang followed closely, and several people responded in unison: "As you command!"

"So hot!"

Chen Yan lay back on the bamboo mat reclining chair, grabbed the plain-colored handkerchief hanging by his side, wiped it quickly on his forehead and neck, the sweat was wiped away, but it was still hard to hide the dryness and heat on his face.

He sighed at the locust tree leaves above his head and complained: "It's almost September, why is it getting hotter and hotter!"

Even with Hongye fanning him, Chen still felt unbearable heat.

At that moment, he really missed air conditioning!

"My lord, this year's weather is indeed a bit abnormal..."

Feng Xiao Yan nodded in agreement, raised his sleeve to wipe the sweat constantly flowing down his forehead, his voice carrying a hint of agreement: "In previous years, the heat would have almost dissipated by this time!"

Feng Xiao Yan had been in Chang'an for more than ten years, and this was the first time he had encountered such abnormal weather...

In previous years, it might have been a bit hot during the day, but morning and evening should have been a bit cool.

But this year, the temperature was not falling but rising.

Fortunately, there was often heavy rain, otherwise he would have to worry about drought and the harvest of crops...

"Don't know how much longer it will be hot..."

Yuwen Xiang also curled his lips, sighed lightly, his tone full of helplessness: "With this level of muggy heat, sitting in the hall for a while makes one feel restless and unbearable!"

Due to his father's relatively strict discipline, he was not a pampered young master.

But this hot weather made one's chest feel stuffy even if sitting still, let alone going out to handle errands...

Sun Xiangbai rolled up his official uniform sleeves, revealing his forearms reddened by sweat, raised his handkerchief and wiped the sweat on his face fiercely, then exhaled a hot breath, his eyes full of yearning: "If only there were a few ice cubes to cool off..."

No sooner had this remark finished than the Ministry of War official Yu Xiaojie shook his head, his tone carrying a bit of realistic helplessness: "Don't even think about it, those are things only nobles can use!"

He paused and asked back quite painfully: "How many days can your annual salary afford?"

Actually, there are ice cubes now, mainly obtained by collecting natural ice in winter and storing it for use in summer.

However, due to storage conditions and other aspects, it is not ordinarily expensive...

This is basically a rare item that only high-ranking officials can afford.

With his salary, he could afford at most ten or so days, and after that, wouldn't he still be hot?

Sun Xiangbai was choked by Yu Xiaojie, curled his lips, and wiped the sweat on his cheeks randomly again, humming lightly: "I'm just complaining, aren't I?"

As he spoke, he looked up at the sun in the sky, the sun was still scorching and dazzling, even the light seemed to carry heat, unable to help but squint his eyes, his voice adding a hint of expectation: "Every day, I have to wait until the sun goes down to be a little cooler..."

Chen Yan on the reclining chair had originally closed his eyes to listen to the two bickering, but when he heard those two words, his fingertips paused, and he muttered in a low voice: "Ice cubes?"

His brow furrowed slightly, as if he were pondering something.

A moment later, his eyes suddenly lit up, as if struck by some thought, he sat up abruptly from the reclining chair, his palm hitting the outside of the armrest heavily, and the bamboo chair made a light sound.

A hint of smile appeared on his face, his tone carrying a bit of excitement: "This is a good way!"

With this kind of climate temperature, selling ice cubes is a good channel to earn silver, and it is another stable source of income!

It can also provide convenience for the people of Great Zhou.

Sun Xiangbai saw Chen Yan with a happy face, and was the first to be unable to suppress his excitement, leaning forward half a step, his tone full of expectation: "My lord, are you going to spend silver to buy ice cubes to cool off the yamen?"

As soon as this remark came out, the eyes of the officials around instantly lit up.

Who didn't know that the big leader was not short of silver?

Not using it in the yamen was to share weal and woe with them...

And Gao Jiong and Yuwen Xiang not using it was for the same reason.

Chen Yan stood up from the reclining chair, stretched a big stretch, his dark brocade robe swaying gently with his movements, sweeping over the expectant eyes of the crowd, the corners of his mouth curling into a smile, asking back: "Why buy ice cubes?"

This remark made the light on everyone's faces dim a bit, just as they were about to feel disappointed, Chen Yan suddenly smiled meaningfully, stepped forward half a step, and said decisively: "This official can make ice cubes for you!"

"And, as many as you want!"

At that moment, the cicadas in the courtyard seemed to stop.

Everyone looked at each other, the light that had just faded from their eyes suddenly ignited again.

Even Hongye's fan-shaking movements slowed by half a beat.

Sun Xiangbai widened his eyes, even forgetting to put down the sleeves he had rolled up, his voice full of surprise and shock, subconsciously leaning forward another half step: "My lord, you can also make ice cubes?!"

Yu Xiaojie pursed his lips and said in surprise: "My lord, you are not joking with us, are you?!"

He was not questioning, but felt it was hard to believe...

Is the leader too omnipotent?

Not only can he investigate cases, fight wars, and write poetry, but he can even make ice?!

Chen Yan shrugged at the shocked gazes of the crowd, smiling, his tone relaxed: "This official is not that idle..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, asking back: "What benefit is there in teasing you?"

Sun Xiangbai was instantly excited, slapped his thigh abruptly, his voice raised a few points: "If there are ice cubes, we won't have to suffer this crime when handling errands in the room, and the efficiency of the yamen's operation will probably increase several times!"

In those eyes was unparalleled reverence.

"Right!"

Feng Xiao Yan nodded forcefully, his tone full of agreement: "As long as there are ice cubes to relieve the heat, we can deal with affairs more wholeheartedly!"

As he spoke, he raised his hand to wipe the sweat on his forehead, his eyes full of excitement: "Won't be restless and sleepy because of the heat again..."

Chen Yan raised his chin slightly, the arc of the corners of his mouth becoming more obvious, full of certainty and confidence, and said proudly: "What's difficult about making ice?"

Immediately, he waved toward the outside of the courtyard, his order crisp and neat: "Go and get ten catties of saltpeter and ten large pottery vats for this official, and build a sunshade in the corner of the courtyard, prepare plenty of straw, wheat bran, and wooden frames, as well as wooden spoons and bamboo baskets for transport, as fast as possible!"

"As you command!" Everyone responded in unison, their voices loud enough to drown out the cicadas in the courtyard, and the energy that had been worn away by the heat instantly returned.

Feng Xiao Yan urged urgently: "Go, go, go!"

"Let's go do it!"

After saying that, he took the lead and walked toward the outside of the courtyard, his steps faster than usual.

Yuwen Xiang and others followed closely, everyone carrying excitement, full of energy.

After a stick of incense time, the courtyard of the yamen was already piled with various items.

Ten catties of saltpeter were packed in coarse cloth bags, and ten large pottery vats were lined up under the sunshade.

Straw and wheat bran were piled into small piles, and wooden frames, wooden spoons, and bamboo baskets were also neatly arranged on the side.

Feng Xiao Yan walked quickly to Chen Yan, clasped his hands and bowed: "My lord, the things you want are all here..."

"Come!"

Chen Yan saw this, smiled calmly: "This official will show you a hand!" ===== CHAPTER 467 =====