Chapter 438: Why Didn’t I Think Of It!
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The weather was hot, and the fish meat was almost cooked when it entered the mouth, causing the texture to be much worse.
If the fruits in the ice bucket were replaced with fish, it would definitely taste good after drinking a few gla.s.ses.
Unfortunately, even with this ice bucket, it was useless without ice.
Madam Zhang sighed. “We can’t make ice either. If only we could make ice.”
Zhang Tiantian said, “Why don’t we just buy some ice?”
“The weather is so hot. It takes four hours for your father and brother to eat a meal of fish. How much ice does that cost? You’re really wasteful. You don’t know how expensive wood, rice, oil, and salt are.”
Zhang Xiu smiled and said, “If you want to buy ice in the future, you can deduct it from my monthly allowance.”
Madam Zhang waved her hand. “How can I spend your money? If you want to eat fish, we can tell the kitchen. It’s just that we have to buy this ice in advance.”
Madam Zhang sounded strict but she was soft-hearted. The two children looked at each other and couldn’t help but laugh.
Master Zhang learned about the use of the ice bucket from his son. It had been a long time since he had eaten fish, so he instructed Madam Zhang to buy ice in advance.
Madam Zhang wanted to ask the housekeeper to buy 10 buckets of ice, but the dessert shop did not specialize in selling ice. At most, they could only sell five buckets to them.
The servant carried it back and a bucket of ice had even melted on the way.
There were still four buckets left. Madam Zhang hurriedly got someone to put them in the newly dug cellar, afraid that the ice would melt when the father and son returned from school.
They sat and waited. Master Zhang and Zhang Xiu had yet to return. There were only three buckets of ice left in the cellar. If they did not return soon, it would really melt away.
Just as Madam Zhang was about to send someone to Qinghe Academy to see why they had not returned, the servant said happily, “Madam, the Patriarch and Young Master are back!”
Madam Zhang hurriedly informed the housekeeper to prepare the fish.
When Patriarch Zhang heard Madam Zhang’s instructions, he said, “Wait a moment before preparing.”
Madam Zhang hurriedly said, “If you don’t eat now, the ice we bought will melt.”
Patriarch Zhang said calmly, “It’s fine. We also know how to make ice.”
Madam Zhang was stunned and suspected that there was something wrong with her ears. “You know how to make ice?” Seeing her son nod energetically, she asked in surprise, “Did the Great Empress teach you? Or did the Cui family tell you?”
Ice was so expensive in the summer. Cui Muzhi’s dessert shop was profitting so much. How could the Cui family bear to teach it to everyone so easily?
Patriarch Zhang said, “Yes, the Great Empress got someone to write it in a book. Let’s give it a try.”
Madam Zhang had just thought that since their Zhang family knew how to make ice, they would build a few large ice storage cellars and store all the fruits, vegetables, and seafood in the season. They would be able to earn more money by selling them every few days.
Unexpectedly, the Great Empress actually wrote in a book.
If everyone knew how to make ice, how much money could they earn?
Madam Zhang had just been happy for a while when it was like a bucket of cold water was poured over her.
Fortunately, she did not have to worry about eating fish without ice in the future.
Patriarch Zhang and Zhang Xiu were focused on experimenting it and did not notice Madam Zhang’s thoughts at all.
They were late because they had gone to buy saltpeter.
Fortunately, Zhang Xiu was young and fast, so he only managed to s.n.a.t.c.h 25 kilograms of saltpeter.
Madam Zhang said in surprise, “Isn’t saltpeter used to make gunpowder?”
Patriarch Zhang said impatiently, “Aiyah, why are you asking so many questions? Just watch!”
After a while, the servants brought over two containers, one big and one small. Both containers were filled with some water.
Zhang Xiu placed the small container into the larger one. Patriarch Zhang added saltpeter bit by bit according to the exact ratio.
Everyone craned their necks curiously, unable to take their eyes off it.
After a while, the water in the container changed. First, some ice crystals gradually formed, emitting traces of cold air.
Everyone was stunned. It was too magical to turn water into ice.
Patriarch Zhang stroked his beard and laughed. “Our family no longer has to worry about having no ice.”
Madam Zhang looked at the ice in the container and was also overjoyed. “So it’s so simple to make ice! The price of saltpeter will definitely increase. We’ll buy more saltpeter tomorrow.”
Patriarch Zhang said, “It’s already sold out. It will probably take a few days.”
Madam Zhang revealed a look of pity. It seemed that she could forget about earning money with ice.
The fish was spread on the ice-covered porcelain plate. It was crystal clear and ethereal. When dipped with a mouthful of hot sauce and accompanied with a sip of wine, and looking up at the bright moon, it was completely like a day for immortals.
Zhang Tiantian had just bought a manual fan that day. She felt that it was very useful and deliberately showed it to everyone. “Father, look at my fan. The wind produced is especially cool. I’ll give you and Brother one each. It’s also convenient to use when you bring it to the academy.”
The structure of a manual fan was very simple. As long as one repeatedly pressed the handle, they could make the small fan turn. It looked more interesting than a hand fan.
Patriarch Zhang took one and tried it happily. The faster he pressed it, the faster the small fan spun. He quite liked it and praised, “Not bad, you’re so considerate. Father likes it very much.”
Zhang Tiantian smiled even more sweetly and looked at Zhang Xiu expectantly. Zhang Xiu held it upside down and pressed it twice. The wind blew against Patriarch Zhang’s face.
With this blow, Patriarch Zhang felt that something was amiss.
Why was it that the small fan that Zhang Xiu had pressed was even cooler than his own?
Soon, he found the reason.
As long as he blew at the ice, the cold air could move and make people feel comfortable.
Realizing this feature, Patriarch Zhang’s mind paused. In a flash, he realized something and was momentarily confused.
Looking at the fan in his hand and the fish in front of him, he fell into deep thought.
Madam Zhang wanted to interrupt. At this moment, Patriarch Zhang suddenly stood up and laughed. “I got it! I got it!”
Madam Zhang asked, “What do you know?”
“I know how to make the room cool! I’ll find someone to build a machine now. If it’s successful, our family can build a workshop!”
As the 30 families of Qinghe migrated, 80% of their a.s.sets were lost.
Everyone had money in their hands, but Carefree City was developing rapidly. For example, Village Chief Zhao’s third family branch had produced two scientific research talents and obtained countless patents. Even if they did not do anything, the Imperial Court would provide them with silver. Moreover, patents could be sold for money for other investments. The Zhao family had long shown signs of becoming a new n.o.ble.
Their Zhang family had always been closely following current affairs, but they did not have any good projects in hand. Their overall income was considered small among the 30 families of Qinghe.
Patriarch Zhang was afraid that the Zhang family would decline in his hands. He paid attention to the children’s studies and also wanted to have a money-making project to maintain the dignity of a large family.
The weather in Baye was very hot. If there were products that could quickly cool the room, they would definitely be able to earn a lot of money.
He did not know how to make it. He told the craftsman about his inspiration and provided the funding for the development. If the development was successful, it would be considered a patent under his name.
The next day, Patriarch Zhang rushed to the research lab, hoping to find a talent to cooperate with him.
However, those who could enter the research lab were all big shots who had already made some achievements. Everyone had their own research projects on hand. Patriarch Zhang returned in disappointment and could only try his luck at the various workshops.
A few people expressed their interest. When Patriarch Zhang asked them to use the fan and ice to make heat-reducing device, everyone was at a loss. In the end, no one accepted the task.
When Patriarch Zhang returned home in a daze, Zhang Xiu suddenly said, “Father, why don’t you find the person who made the fan to try?”
Master Zhang’s eyes lit up as he came to a realization.. “That’s right! Why didn’t I think of that!”