Chapter 164
164 Blinded by Benefits
Luo Cheng realized it quickly, but his first reaction was to look around and sense what was going on.
After confirming that only the three of them had seen this scene, Luo Cheng heaved a sigh of relief.
“Ziyang, go and guard the area nearby. Don’t let anyone get close!”
Luo Ziyang also knew the importance of this matter. He nodded and walked out of the kitchen to guard outside.
“Xiaoran, remember what I said today! Don’t tell anyone that you know how to make ice with saltpeter in the future. Even if someone asks, you can’t say a word!” Luo Cheng said with a serious expression.
“Just because saltpeter can make ice?” Li Xiaoran understood something.
“That’s right. This is a profitable thing! Saltpeter might not be useful for commoners, but it’s very easy for those n.o.bles to obtain. Once someone grasps this formula, they can earn a lot of money as long as it’s not made public. If you know this method, the other party might even kill you to silence you!” Luo Cheng explained the seriousness of the matter.
Li Xiaoran thought for a moment and said, “Why should we be afraid? If we announce this method and everyone knows how to make ice, there won’t be such trouble!”
Luo Cheng was stunned when he heard Li Xiaoran’s words.
“Actually, I think it’s better to publicize this method! Then, everyone can make ice, and ice can be used in many places in the future. For example, when the lychees in Jiangnan ripen, they can be placed on carriages with ice and transported to the capital to sell. There are also other places that produce lake seafood, which can also be preserved with ice and transported elsewhere. A lot of delicious fruit can also be preserved by using the low temperature of ice and be transported back and forth between the south and north to facilitate the development of business!” Li Xiaoran voiced her idea.
It had to be said that the prospects described by Li Xiaoran were very tempting, but Luo Cheng also knew very well that it was not easy to do this.
“Wife, you’re thinking too simply!” Luo Cheng said earnestly, “Money is tempting, while greed is bewitching. You also know how much benefits there will be after ice is made available. Don’t you think that some people will go crazy and kill everyone who knows about it after they get the method? Perhaps, before this method is spread, many people will be killed because of this method. Is this outcome something you can bear?”
Luo Cheng’s words made Li Xiaoran come to her senses.
As the saying went, a precious stone would land its innocent possessor in jail.
If the benefits were huge enough, they could make some people do crazy things.
The possibilities Luo Cheng mentioned would definitely happen.
At this moment, Li Xiaoran felt a sense of bone- chilling coldness that made her uncomfortable.
Perhaps sensing Li Xiaoran’s fear, Luo Cheng walked forward and hugged her.
“Don’t be afraid, I’m here! Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you!”
At this moment, Li Xiaoran realized that if this method of making ice spread, her family would be the first to suffer.
At this moment, Li Xiaoran felt extremely clear-headed and her back was covered in cold sweat.
If someone else found out about her method of making ice today, that person might have killed her.
Fortunately, she hadn’t met anyone like that.
“Husband, thank you!” Li Xiaoran said in a hoa.r.s.e voice, “Thank you for protecting me wholeheartedly!”
“What are you saying?! Fool!” Luo Cheng heard said, “You believe me with all your heart, so I naturally can’t let you down!”
As Luo Cheng spoke, he reached out and touched Li Xiaoran’s smooth black hair.
“If you think of anything in the future, think about it carefully in your mind first. Don’t say it out loud! Wife, I’m actually very afraid. I’m so afraid that others will see how outstanding you are, because those people will definitely think of ways to s.n.a.t.c.h you away from me. Therefore, in the future, please hide your talent for me and your family. Don’t show how outstanding you are in front of others!”
Li Xiaoran did not expect Luo Cheng to say that. It sounded ridiculous, but on careful thought, it was very likely to be true.
At this moment, Li Xiaoran actually realized something.
The s.p.a.ce-time here was completely different from that of the modern city she had lived in. She could not think about things in this s.p.a.ce-time with modern thoughts.
In this place, imperial power was supreme. The royal family and the rich and powerful were much stronger than the commoners.
If she wanted to live a simple and happy life, she couldn’t reveal everything she knew.
If Luo Cheng had not reminded her this time, she probably would not have thought of this at all. She definitely would have caused a lot of trouble in the future.
Li Xiaoran thought for a moment and said, “Husband, I understand! Don’t worry! In the future, I won’t show off my abilities! However, if you have any problems that you can’t solve in the future, you can tell me. Perhaps I can solve your problem!”
“Alright! If there’s a need, I’ll definitely ask you to help me!” Luo Cheng promised solemnly.
“Then what should we do now?” Li Xiaoran pointed at the bucket of ice in front of her and said.
Luo Cheng thought for a moment and said, “Since you’ve already told me, I naturally have to make use of it! But don’t worry, everything will be done in secret! In a while, I’ll go to a place not far away and build an icehouse. We can put the dumplings in there and freeze them tonight!”
Li Xiaoran thought for a moment and said, “Then put the extra meat in the ice cave to refrigerate! It won’t taste good if it’s all made into cured meat. Put some fresh pork there and we’ll finish it slowly over the holidays!”
“Alright! Leave these things to me!” Luo Cheng nodded and agreed to Li Xiaoran’s request.
For the rest of the night, Li Xiaoran did not see Luo Cheng again.
Li Xiaoran was really sleepy and could only lie down and sleep.
Luo Cheng did not return to his room until the rooster crowed in the morning.
Looking at the sleeping Li Xiaoran, Luo Cheng rubbed his cold hands and returned to his own room to sleep.
Because everyone had been busy all day yesterday, they woke up late the next morning.
Fortunately, it was only noon, so it was fine even if they woke up later.
It would take another two days to finish digging the fruit trees in the orchard, so Luo Ziyang remained at home to count the trees and pay the person who dug them.
When Li Xiaoran saw that Luo Cheng was sleeping soundly in his room, she knew that he must have been busy last night, so she did not disturb him.
Luo Ziyang thought of something and reminded her, “Sister-in-law, the shop is almost ready! We can move the noodle stall to the shop. Anyway, we’ll only be selling knife-cut noodles at noon. Why don’t we take this opportunity to move the stall to the shop?! It’s getting colder every day. It’s better to sell knife-cut noodles in the shop!”