Chapter 468: Really... really made ice?!

Several other bailiffs who hadn't spoken also nodded quietly.

They also didn't think much of it.

Especially after so long, and there was still no reaction...

"Who is Lord Chen Yan?"

The bushy-bearded bailiff's brow knotted even tighter, his voice raised a bit unconsciously: "He is not an existence that can be discussed with common sense!"

He hammered his thigh with his fist, his tone full of unquestionable certainty, "I believe Lord Chen Yan can!"

This remark was like a stone thrown into the water, and the bailiffs beside him immediately nodded in agreement.

A tall and thin bailiff leaned forward, his voice loud: "I also believe Lord Chen Yan can!"

The bailiffs and servants on both sides held different opinions, and the voices gradually grew louder, and just as they were about to quarrel, someone suddenly pointed toward the sunshade and shouted at the top of their lungs: "Look quickly! It's ice! It's ice! It really is ice! Lord Chen Yan did it!"

This shout was like a thunderbolt exploding in the courtyard, and everyone's quarrel stopped instantly, and even their breathing seemed to pause for half a beat.

The next second, whether it was Old Lin who held a skeptical attitude, or the bushy-bearded one who firmly supported, or the servants standing on tiptoe on the periphery, all cast their gazes toward the sunshade.

I saw Feng Xiao Yan carefully peeling away the straw outside the pottery vat, and Yuwen Xiang reached out and fished out something crystal clear from the inner vat.

The sun shone obliquely on it, actually reflecting fine cold light, if it wasn't ice, what was it?

The crowd instantly exploded, the previous quarrel had long been thrown to the clouds, everyone poured toward the sunshade, even Old Lin, who had questioned it at the beginning, opened his mouth wide, muttering: "Really... really made ice?!"

At that moment, the exclamation one after another instantly drowned out all sounds.

A young bailiff squeezed to the front, and when he saw the ice reflecting cold light in Yuwen Xiang's hand, he took half a step back in shock, then leaned forward again, his voice trembling: "My God!"

"That really is ice!"

Several bailiffs beside him also started shouting, a little bailiff who had just started work not long ago had his eyes wide open, staring at the ice and swallowing saliva: "Lord Chen Yan succeeded!"

As he spoke, their gazes fell on Chen Yan, full of undisguised worship.

The bushy-bearded one squeezed through the crowd to Old Lin's side, bumped his elbow lightly against Old Lin's, the corners of his mouth curling into a mocking smile, his voice deliberately raised a few points, carrying a bit of sarcasm: "Just now, who was questioning Lord Chen Yan!"

Old Lin's ears turned red, but he didn't panic at all, instead straightened his waist, his eyes glancing at the ice under the sunshade, and replied righteously: "Don't know!"

He cleared his throat, his voice louder, deliberately letting everyone around hear, "I have always been firmly convinced of Lord Chen Yan!"

Sun Xiangbai stared at the ice floating in the inner pottery vat, his eyes wider than copper bells, his mouth constantly making "tsk tsk" sounds, and after a long while, he squeezed out an exclamation: "My mother!"

"So much ice!"

He had been half-believing when he was arranging the wooden frames and spreading the straw, but seeing the ice in the vat crystal clear now, even his voice was trembling.

As he spoke, he carefully stretched out his hand, his fingertips touched the ice surface first, and a chill instantly rushed to his palm, making him unable to help but shiver.

Immediately, he hugged a smaller piece of ice, and without waiting for others to react, he directly pasted it onto his sweaty face.

The cold touch instantly dispelled the dryness and heat remaining in the afternoon, and even the sweat on his temples seemed to freeze instantly.

"So refreshing!" Sun Xiangbai narrowed his eyes comfortably, unable to help but let out a sigh, the ice in his hand rubbing lightly on his face.

Yu Xiaojie gripped a piece of ice firmly, the cold touch rushing through

He held the ice cube up to his eyes, watching the tiny water droplets condensing on it, his voice full of excitement and admiration: "The Lord truly does not deceive us!"

"This time, there is no need to worry about that sweltering summer heat anymore!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he tilted his head back and let out a hearty laugh: "Hahahaha!"

Amidst the exclamations throughout the courtyard, Gao Jiong stood by Chen Yan's side the whole time, his gaze moving from the ice in the pottery vat to his own Lord, the admiration in his eyes almost overflowing.

He stepped forward half a step and solemnly gave a thumbs up: "A miraculous technique!"

"What a miraculous technique this is!"

"Lord, you are truly a divine person!"

Hearing this, Chen Yan raised his hand to press down lightly, a faint smile on his lips, his tone light and breezy: "It is just a petty trick, not worth mentioning!"

Gao Jiong immediately replied, his tone even more earnest, "Making ice in summer has never happened from ancient times to the present. Seeing it with my own eyes today, I am truly amazed!"

Liu Mu Zhi, Yuwen Xiang, and others nearby also stepped forward one after another, cupping their hands in agreement: "We are also convinced! This ability of yours, Lord, is truly unprecedented!"

He clenched his rust-stained hands and took a deep breath. The panic and agitation from before gradually faded. He bowed toward Gao Jiong, his tone lowered significantly: "I ask that you enlighten me, Commandant!"

His gaze swept over the bailiffs in the courtyard who were looking eagerly at the ice cubes, and he raised his voice to instruct: "Go and distribute these ice cubes to the brothers of the County Yamen to cool off!"

"Let them take the extra home!"

"Understood!" Feng Xiao Yan, Gao Jiong, and others immediately responded in unison, turning to make arrangements.

These words, however, caused the surrounding bailiffs to freeze instantly, and the previous cheers stopped.

A young bailiff standing nearby couldn't help but step forward half a step, his voice full of shock and disbelief, asking cautiously: "Lord, are you really giving them to us?!"

You must know that in previous summers, even wealthy merchants and large households found it difficult to use ice. Now, the Lord was actually going to distribute it to them, ordinary bailiffs, and even let them take it home—it was simply like a dream!

The smile on Chen Yan's face grew thicker, and he flicked the sleeve of his black brocade robe, his movements carrying a touch of ease. He asked back in a tone that was gentle but sounded like a matter of course: "Otherwise?"

"This official made the ice, isn't it just to let the brothers cool off?"

Lord Chen Yan truly treats us like brothers!... The bailiffs stood frozen in place, the previous shock gradually turning into burning excitement, their eyes turning red, and the same exclamation could not help but emerge in their hearts.

As soon as this thought fell, no one knew who led the way, but the bailiffs and servants in the courtyard all bowed and cupped their hands in unison, their voices so loud that the vines under the corridor shook: "Many thanks, Lord Chen Yan!"

"Many thanks, Lord Chen Yan!"

When Lord Chen Yan called them brothers, it was never just empty words; he truly regarded them as brothers.

With such a leader, who wouldn't be willing to serve with all their might?

Loyalty!

Seeing everyone bowing and saluting, Chen Yan raised his hand to press down lightly, and said solemnly and loudly: "You are this official's people, and this official will certainly not treat you unfairly!"

"This official will say it again: in the future, if you perform your duties well, rewards will not be lacking!"

Feng Xiao Yan, Gao Jiong, and others took the lead, and all the officials bowed and cupped their hands in unison, their voices so uniform that the ground seemed to tremble slightly: "Understood!"

The golden glow of the setting sun fell upon them, and even the undried sweat on their foreheads shone with a sense of vigor.

Duke of Wei Mansion.

Study.

Gao Jiong withdrew his gaze and said in a deep voice: "For this period, just stay in the prison and behave yourself!"

Chen Yan sat behind the pear-wood desk, the cuffs of his black casual robe rolled up casually, his eyes closed slightly, his slender fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk, "Hongye, go and bring Chen Zhunxu and Chen Tong to the study!"

Where his fingertips fell was a page of paper filled with the dosage for "saltpeter ice making."

"Yes." Hongye responded, her movements efficient and without the slightest delay, turning and walking quickly out of the study.

Half a cup of tea later, steady footsteps could be heard outside the study.

The wooden door was pushed open gently, and Chen Zhunxu and Chen Tong walked in side by side. Both were dressed in dark-colored martial attire, with short swords at their waists, their postures upright yet carrying a sense of respect.

Walking to a spot a few steps away from the desk, the two bowed and saluted simultaneously, their voices uniform: "Greetings, Master!"

It seemed the speaker was pacing around the table.

"Sit!"

Saying this, he gestured toward the wooden chair opposite.

"Many thanks, Master!" The two responded in unison, pulling out chairs and sitting down with identical movements, their backs still held straight, not daring to relax in the slightest.

Just as they sat down, Chen Zhunxu spoke first, his tone carrying a touch of caution: "I wonder why you have summoned us two here, Master? Do you have any instructions?"

Chen Zhunxu knew very well that this young master could not have called them here for no reason...

It was likely some important matter.

"That's right!"

Chen Yan smiled indifferently and nodded slowly: "I have a rather important errand here that I want to hand over to you to handle!"

As soon as these words fell, Chen Zhunxu and Chen Tong looked at each other immediately, stood up almost simultaneously, cupped their hands and bowed, their backs held straight, even their eyes carrying a sense of determination to risk everything, looking exactly like people ready to face death: "Please give your instructions, Master!"

Chen Zhunxu's voice was loud, carrying a touch of urgency, "Whether it is climbing a mountain of blades or descending into a sea of fire, as long as you give the order, we two will not blink an eye!"

Chen Tong also followed in agreement, his tone firm: "Master, please arrange it; we two will certainly not disgrace the mission!"

Their lives belonged to the Chen family; even if the Master wanted to rebel, they would go with their heads on the line.

What Chief of the Mingjing Si, what Duke of Wei, mere fools waiting to be slaughtered!

He raised his hand to press down, signaling them to relax: "This... it's not that serious..."

"Sit down first!"

"Yes." Chen Zhunxu and Chen Tong responded in unison, sitting back in their chairs with slightly stiff movements.

It was just that their previously tense nerves hadn't fully relaxed; they still sat with straight backs, hands on their knees, even their breathing becoming lighter.

They were clearly sitting in a posture of extreme caution, as if facing a great enemy.

It was obvious they thought their Master was comforting them and had already prepared themselves mentally to sacrifice their lives.

Seeing them still tense, the smile at the corners of Chen Yan's mouth deepened, his fingertips tapping lightly on the paper on the desk, and he asked the question in a calm tone: "What do you think of doing an ice business in such hot weather?"

Chen really didn't know why these two could misunderstand and think in that direction...

He just felt that the private soldiers were too idle in the mansion and intended to find something for them to do!

Chen Zhunxu and Chen Tong were startled at first, then looked at each other quickly, their eyes full of surprise, and they opened their mouths subconsciously: "This..."

A moment later, Chen Zhunxu steadied himself, his gaze glancing secretly at Liu Mu Zhi standing beside Chen Yan, his fingers clenching his hem unconsciously, before he looked up cautiously to probe: "Master, may I speak the truth?"

Chen Yan smiled, his fingertips tapping lightly on the desk, his tone carrying a touch of ease: "There are no outsiders here, speak freely!"

After phrasing his words, Chen Zhunxu straightened his back and spoke: "I think the ice business is not very advisable..."

He paused, organizing his language to continue: "Although there is no worry about sales, storing it from winter to summer is a very large cost!"

It cannot be denied that the business is indeed a good one, but ice is chiseled from the river in winter and hidden in ice cellars, and this storage lasts for more than half a year...

Not only do you have to hire people to guard the ice cellars, but you also have to check them constantly to prevent melting; calculating it all, it is a very large expense.

Moreover, to get a share of the pie, the fastest you can start is from this winter, so you can't eat the hot stuff...

"That's right!"

Chen Tong immediately nodded in agreement: "The ice business has also been divided up by those few families; there is no market left for us!"

Saying this, he looked at Chen Zhunxu, and the two cupped their hands simultaneously, their tone carrying a touch of earnestness: "Please think twice, Master!"

The extreme realistic problems placed before them were that ice cellars needed to be built, and customer resources were still lacking.

Lowering prices to engage in a price war would result in no profit, making it thankless work.

"Hmm!"

Hearing this, Chen Yan nodded with satisfaction and smiled: "You two still have a very good business mind; your judgment is extremely accurate..."

He paused, a curve hooking at the corners of his mouth, and asked with profound meaning: "Then what if we don't need long-term storage and can produce ice in large quantities instantly?"

"And, there is no great cost involved..."

Chen Zhunxu blurted out almost subconsciously: "Then that would be very promising!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, he suddenly realized something was wrong, his brows furrowed instantly, and he muttered to himself: "But... but how is this possible? How can one make ice in summer just like that, without storing it?"

Chen Tong beside him also nodded, his eyes full of disbelief.

Chen Yan smiled indifferently and said decisively: "As long as there is saltpeter, one can produce ice in large quantities!"

Saying this, he reached out and pushed the paper on the desk filled with the steps and dosages for ice making forward, "These are the detailed production steps, take a look!"

Chen Zhunxu hurriedly leaned forward to pick up the paper, his fingers trembling slightly as he pinched the edge of the paper, his gaze scanning the handwriting on it bit by bit, the shock on his face almost overflowing, his voice even carrying a tremor: "Master, this... this... can this really be done?!"

"Of course!"

Chen Yan nodded slightly and smiled: "In the afternoon, I already demonstrated it on the spot at the Wannian County Yamen..."

Saying this, he looked to the side, "Muzhi was on the scene!"

Liu Mu Zhi nodded solemnly.

Chen Tong suddenly seemed to realize something, his eyes lighting up instantly, all the previous shock replaced by excitement, and he asked: "Master, does that mean you intend to hand over this ice-making business to us two to handle?"

If one could really produce ice at a low cost, it would undoubtedly be the most lucrative business in summer!

And the Master's intention just now was clearly to favor them...

What a great trust this was!

Chen Yan stood up from behind the desk, his black robe swaying slightly with his movements, and walked slowly to the side of Chen Zhunxu and Chen Tong, who were sitting in their chairs.

He leaned over and raised his hands, placing them on the shoulders of the two respectively, the warmth of his palms passing through the fabric, smiled indifferently, and said loudly: "Exactly!"

"This is a business with ten thousand times the profit, so naturally it must be handed over to one's own people who can be trusted!"

【"When the Founding Emperor was the Magistrate of Wannian, it was the height of summer, the heat was scorching, and the sun was burning people; the officials and subordinates all suffered from it.

The Founding Emperor pitied the exhaustion of the masses and thought of solving their distress, so he personally researched an unprecedented ice-making technique and tested it in public, and it was a success. On the day the ice was made, it was crystal clear and cold; the officials saw it and were all amazed and admired it, all praising his wisdom, and all said: The Founding Emperor is truly a divine person!

The Founding Emperor did not treat the ice as private property and distributed it all to his subordinates without any partiality. The officials were moved by his benevolence and generosity, and thinking of his broad-mindedness, they were all convinced and willing to serve to the death, vowing to follow him without two hearts!"】

——"History of Wei", Annals of Emperor Wen, the Founding Emperor