"I……"
Zhang Xiaojing left awkwardly at the end. Lu Xuan was also in a great mood. He quietly went to the villa to see what kind of dance Xu Hezi was rehearsing with the four beauties.
A short while later, Lu Xuan ran back, bent over, and immediately filled a basin with water containing ice crystals to wash his face, finally managing to quell the raging flames.
The Crown Prince secluded himself to reflect on his mistakes, and Li Linfu, having lost his rival, gradually quieted down. The work of the new Jing'an Division naturally didn't require his personal involvement as Right Chancellor; a few trusted confidants could handle it.
This is probably the downside of powerful ministers. To consolidate their power, they can only keep moving forward. Regardless of the position, they must first be one of their own before considering suitability.
Time does not stand still for any reason. And so, Lu Xuan welcomed his fifth Lunar New Year's Eve in the Tang Dynasty.
Xiao Si was also able to take a break and go home for the New Year. The main family members gathered together again. However, this time, the old man and Xiao Si didn't set off firecrackers. Because Lu Xuan had come up with something new.
Speaking of which, we have to thank the Taoist priest Zhang Xiaojing caught a few days ago for refining elixirs for Li Linfu. Since ancient times, Chinese alchemists have been the epitome of invention and creation. Although what that fellow did was utterly heinous and immoral, as a renowned alchemist, his stock still gave Lu Xuan a small surprise.
Because Lu Xuan found sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter in his alchemy material reserves.
Lu Xuan didn't know if the Taoist priest had discovered the exact proportions, but as a modern person, he did.
One part saltpeter, two parts sulfur, three parts charcoal—this is an ancient formula, the formula for the earliest gunpowder. Following this formula, Lu Xuan personally prepared a small amount of gunpowder. Then he made a string of firecrackers.
To be honest, he wasn't very confident. The formula was just too old and not precise. But asking him to experiment with gunpowder proportions was absolutely out of the question. The reason was simple: he was afraid of dying…
Amidst the expectant gazes of the crowd, Lu Xuan lit the fuse. A hissing flame shot out, sending sparks flying. Even before the firecrackers went off, the mere sight was enough to excite the group of women. To them, it was already quite magical.
As the fuse burned out, a loud bang was heard. A somewhat muffled explosion rang out.
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Chapter Seventy-Seven: The Calm Before the Storm
The low, muffled explosion of gunpowder lacked the powerful, jarring sound of later explosions. But Lu Xuan knew this substance would ultimately ignite the history of human civilization. The countless weapons derived from gunpowder in the future completely reshaped human civilization. From then on, the nomadic peoples of the grasslands began to be renowned for their singing and dancing...
To everyone in the courtyard, it was just another novel gadget the host had come up with. They'd seen it all before and it no longer felt new. Xiao Si, who had joined the army, felt like he'd figured something out, but ultimately his knowledge was too limited to fully express his thoughts.
In fact, Lu Xuan had originally wanted to make a few fireworks. However, the awkward thing was that he didn't know how to make them, and he didn't dare to experiment carelessly. You see, throughout history, few who researched explosives had a good ending. Lu Xuan, having transmigrated to this era and experienced several brushes with death, wasn't particularly afraid of danger. He simply couldn't accept this uncertain fate. Therefore, in the end, he sealed the device away, planning to find professionals to experiment with it little by little after gaining power.
The next day, Lu Xuan slowly walked out of the house, supporting his aching back. "Yeah, watching the dance last night was just too tiring. So tired I could only walk by holding onto the wall." But while his back and legs ached, he also felt a pang of longing for last night's 'dance'. Men...
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the complete customs of exchanging New Year's greetings and couplets that we see in later generations had not yet evolved. However, similar habits had already begun to appear. It was normal for relatives and friends to visit each other.
Zhang Xiaojing, Li Fushan, Cui Qi, Chen Yunqiao, and others also interacted with each other. Theoretically speaking, Zhang Xiaojing and Li Fushan were too low in status to be qualified to sit with Cui Qi and Chen Yunqiao. However, strangely, they got along very well, and after a bowl of wine, they were already calling each other brothers. Perhaps it was because of Lu Xuan's presence. Within his territory, all his friends could get along well with each other. This could be considered a kind of innate 'ability' of Lu Xuan.
Neither Cui Qi nor Chen Yunqiao knew a large part of the plan. Their understanding was that the Crown Prince intended to launch a coup on the Lantern Festival. This was not uncommon in the Tang Dynasty; in fact, it could be considered a tradition.
They were all already under the Crown Prince's control, so this matter was something they had to do, whether they wanted to or not. Moreover, the atmosphere in the Tang Dynasty hadn't been very positive in recent years. Li Linfu wielded immense power, and many military officers were suppressed. They too harbored thoughts of change. After all, since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, many military officers had risen to their positions through this means. Therefore, besides nervousness, they felt a strong sense of anticipation.
Of all the people, Zhang Xiaojing actually saw things most clearly. He had the deepest connection with Lu Xuan and knew that this former county magistrate, seemingly unreliable, was actually a shrewd and calculating man, and a man of few words. This so-called plan was likely far more complex than imagined.
After drinking, Lu Xuan walked alone on the streets of Chang'an without anyone by his side.
This winter has been exceptionally good for the people near Chang'an. The stoves, heated brick beds, chimneys, and other essential winter home furnishings developed by Lu Xuan have already spread throughout the area surrounding Chang'an thanks to the promotion by the Crown Prince's residence. It will take some time for them to spread throughout the entire country. However, the people of Chang'an have already begun to praise the Crown Prince's virtues.
With the widespread use of coal, heating became much easier. This meant that only a few dozen people froze to death that winter in the area surrounding Chang'an. It sounds horrifying—only a few dozen. But in previous years, that number would likely have been more than ten times higher. Don't doubt it; life was indeed this cruel for ordinary people in feudal times.
The people's well-being is naturally a political achievement. And this is especially true considering it's located near Chang'an. Li Longji was naturally overjoyed. Therefore, he ordered that this year's Lantern Festival be celebrated even more grandly. For a moment, Lu Xuan didn't know whether what he was doing was right or wrong.
Within Chang'an, the impact was even greater. Lu Xuan's thin iron wok and cooking techniques had already spread throughout the city. His tavern's more refined dishes had successfully dominated Chang'an's catering industry, and were even beginning to spread nationwide. There's no way around it; the Chinese people's dedication to food far exceeds imagination.
The main reasons for the short life expectancy during the Tang Dynasty were poor medical and sanitation conditions and poor living conditions. Poor living conditions meant an inadequate diet. Most children didn't get enough oil and fat from a young age, hindering their health. By fourteen or fifteen, they were expected to be the pillars of their families, doing heavy labor, earning money to support their households, getting married, and having children. Yet, they were only given dry rice and vegetables every day. Under such circumstances, how could people possibly have a long lifespan?
In the medical field, Lu Xuan knew absolutely nothing. Aside from knowing to use alcohol for disinfection, he couldn't offer any valuable insights. However, he did make significant changes to people's livelihoods. At least this year, pork was very common in Chang'an. Although the gamey smell hadn't been completely eliminated as he had imagined, it was now edible.
As scientific chicken farming methods were promoted, the initial effects began to show. The egg-laying rate of hens increased significantly, and egg prices became cheaper. Naturally, more people were able to eat eggs, especially young boys. Eating more eggs is crucial for building a strong foundation for their health. Lu Xuan even noticed a significant increase in the number of active children on the streets.
Unbeknownst to him, he had already changed this era in many ways. This further strengthened Lu Xuan's resolve. For the sake of everything before him, the Tang Dynasty absolutely could not fall.
As Lu Xuan walked through several neighborhoods, he could faintly hear the sounds of singing and dancing. It looked like many floats were rehearsing intensively. This annual grand event was a time for countless people to express their emotions.
After a long while, Lu Xuan looked up and found himself standing before the imperial city. A Dragon Martial Army soldier in front of him was already watching him. Lu Xuan casually showed his token, indicating that he was a captain in the Crown Prince's Guard. The soldier clearly didn't like Lu Xuan's identity, but at least he stopped paying attention to him.
Lu Xuan wandered around, bypassing the main gate of the imperial city, and arrived at the side. From here, he could see the Hua'e Xianghui Tower inside the imperial city more clearly. At this moment, he could even see many craftsmen busily working on it. It was said that Li Longji had gone mad this year, and in the last half month, he wanted to double the number of lanterns on the top of the Hua'e Xianghui Tower.
The original lantern was already over ten meters in diameter, the result of months of painstaking work by countless craftsmen. But now, with a single word from the emperor, the size had to be doubled. Mao Shun could only lead a hundred apprentice craftsmen to work overtime through the night. In feudal dynasties, a single word from the emperor could often determine the fate of hundreds or even thousands of people.
The only good news was that this order allowed Mao Shun to legitimately bring dozens of ants into the palace. The most difficult hurdle in the original plan had now been resolved by the emperor himself.
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Chapter Seventy-Eight: At 9:00 AM, the curtain rises.
On the fourteenth day of the first month of the third year of the Tianbao era, at the hour of Si (9-11 AM
Chang'an City, Chang'an County, West Market.
The spring chill lingered, but the sun shone brightly. The sky above Chang'an was cloudless; it was a beautiful day.
With a heavy creak, the two heavy gates of the West Market were slowly pushed open, revealing an enlightened banner hanging high in the center of the lintel.
A dozen or so camel caravans had already gathered on the main street. These were the last caravans to enter Chang'an before the Lantern Festival. Most of them came from distant lands like Fulin and Persia, traveling day and night to arrive before the festival and participate in this most important celebration of the Tang Dynasty.
You should know that starting tonight, the Lantern Festival will last for three days. During these three days, there will be no curfew, and Chang'an will transform into a city that never sleeps. At that time, the nobles of Chang'an will not hesitate to spend money.
Because of the special occasion, the West Market opened half an hour earlier than usual. Most of the officials at the gate were somewhat impatient, working quickly, probably eager to finish their work and return home for the festival.
The Imperial Guards stationed around the area were also growing impatient, and their inspection of the goods became somewhat rough. The merchants watching felt their hearts bleed. However, faced with these fully armed soldiers, they could only swallow their anger and remain silent.
The caravan passed by in turn, and nothing seemed amiss. Neither the old officials nor the soldiers noticed anything unusual.
The Dali Temple, the newly established Jing'an Division. A group of personnel were carefully examining all the recent travel documents. By the way, the Jing'an Division has now been renamed the Imperial City Division. When Lu Xuan first heard this name, he almost burst out laughing. In his memory, this seemed to be a department that only existed in the Song Dynasty.