Chapter 281: Chapter 281

Everyone didn’t know what Shu’er was talking about, but they didn’t question it.

At this time, there wasn’t this novel thing called a kang, so Shu’er drew a diagram for everyone, then braved the severe cold to mix cement.

Then she set to work, determined to make the kang herself.

Seeing this, everyone couldn’t help but speak up.

"Young Madam, let us do it."

Shu’er smiled, "You don’t know how to do this, let me demonstrate it for you."

She had personally seen others make a kang before, and seeing how cold it had been recently, she remembered this skill.

She had always been meticulous in her work, and the kang she built looked like a piece of art.

After installing the kang, she also explained some precautions that needed attention. She had already explained enough beforehand.

Everyone followed Shu’er’s method to build it themselves, although they didn’t know what the kang was for.

But they knew that the Young Madam always had her reasons, and it could also be used as a bed, saving a lot of wood, right?

Once they made up their minds, they started constructing the kang.

The kangs they built always had one problem or another.

Shu’er patiently guided them, her tone gentle, easing much of their embarrassment and tension.

With improved efficiency and fewer mistakes, Shu’er still pointed out errors and praised the well-done parts as usual.

After it was finally done, Shu’er instructed them to lightly roast the kang with a small fire, telling them not to sleep on it yet.

Wait until the moisture inside evaporates completely.

Once everyone entered the house, they suddenly felt it was warmer than before. Although not quite like spring, it was much better than the chill from earlier.

When they touched the kang, their eyes couldn’t help but brighten.

"This... this is so warm."

"If a whole family could sleep on such a kang, then nobody would have to feel cold."

Kangs were installed in every room of the stone house, ensuring that in the future, everyone wouldn’t be as cold.

Shu’er said, "Practice the skills of making a kang well, we will definitely need it in the future."

Nobody dared to neglect Shu’er’s words, as countless facts have proven she was right most of the time.

These past few days have been extremely cold, and the snow has been falling heavier, turning everything into a vast white expanse in no time.

In other places, numerous people had frozen to death, some who were fine before bed, but found stiff and blue when they woke up the next morning.

Some died from the cold while hunting, their bodies already rigid within moments, their blood frozen.

Seeing such scenes, panic spread around everyone. Those with more timid personalities even cried out in fear.

The moment they cried, their tears immediately froze, leaving icicles even at the corners of their eyes.

Nobody dared to cry again, but fear was unavoidable.

When will this winter finally pass?

Yet, the people of the Deserted Mountain and Lin Mountain discovered that this winter wasn’t as hard to endure as they had imagined.

It was Lin Mountain’s first year at Gulan Mountain, but they had also experienced cold in other places.

Now with this kang, they felt much warmer.

The people of Deserted Mountain were reluctant to get off the kang, knowing too well how cold the mountain could be, the chill penetrating to the bone.

Now, they almost ate all their meals on the kang, taking off their shoes, placing a small table on the bed, and eating right there.

The warmth felt unlike Gulan Mountain Range’s winter, but rather like a warm spring.

People used to fear winter the most, because it always meant death, going to sleep and possibly not waking up.

Their clothes weren’t as thick as they had imagined, almost wearing several layers together, and they didn’t have proper cotton-padded clothes.

If they went out wearing those clothes, it wouldn’t be surprising if they fell ill from the cold.

Now with the kang, there was no need to go out hunting; the cellar had enough food, so they naturally went out less if they could avoid it.

This life was even more comfortable than celebrating the New Year.

Except for those who were on duty at the city gate.

But even at the city gate, there was a kang, though to avoid any urgent matters going unreported, they were not allowed to take off their shoes.

This was already the best treatment, nobody had any complaints.

What’s more, they were guarding their own families.

The families in Third House were also warm, even the servants frequently gathered around the fireside to warm themselves.

And they were burning the finest charcoal.

This charcoal solved their urgent needs this winter.

The Madam said it was something she traded for during her market errands.

Actually now, who even had charcoal? Especially with winter approaching, everyone was saving it up, who would trade it away?

This was actually something Shu’er took out from her space. Anyway, with the variety of trades recently, others couldn’t necessarily tell what was what.

After breakfast, Shu’er took Lin Yu and Lin Hong out.

Lin Yu used his Inner Strength and called out loudly, "Gather in the stone house."

Everyone hurried over, wanting to see what the Young Madam had arranged.

Shu’er smiled and said, "Right now, the Gulan Mountain Range is covered with snow, this is exactly the time we need kangs. Is there anyone willing to go make kangs for others in exchange for supplies?" Fınd the newest release on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝙣𝙚𝙩

As soon as she said this, everyone finally understood why Shu’er previously asked them to get familiar with the craft.

Everyone was tempted; after all, the items they had previously hunted and gathered weren’t quite enough.

Winter would only get colder, making it impossible to go out foraging.

If they could exchange for some supplies now, even firewood would be good.

Behind Lin Mountain and Deserted Mountain, they had already gathered all available resources and had no choice but to head elsewhere.

However, other people’s territories weren’t places you could just enter.

Shu’er said, "Let’s start with Heqing Dam; the people there are the easiest to get along with, and the houses are solid earth, suitable for making kangs."

Shu’er led the people over.

Before reaching Heqing Dam, they saw not a single person outside.

They knocked on doors house by house.

Shu’er discovered that many of these people already had frostbite.

There was always a pile of wood burning in front of them, but it wasn’t warm, and the fire only warmed the front.

As for the bed, it only got colder the longer they laid in it.

Shu’er explained about making kangs to a short man, who cautiously looked at the visitors and didn’t want to open the door.

Shu’er smiled and said, "Don’t worry, the kang is much warmer than this, and it saves more firewood. We’ll make it for you first; if you think it’s good, you give us supplies. If you don’t think it’s good, then you don’t pay."

As soon as she said this, the man was skeptical yet tempted; he could easily say it wasn’t good and then dodge giving supplies.

More importantly, how could anything be warmer than this fire in such cold weather?