Chapter 41: Practical Talent

The lunch box was quite interesting; underneath it was actually a hand warmer, with charcoal burning inside and half of it filled with ashes. Some wood shavings could be seen burning tenaciously in the ashes, ensuring the temperature remained warm. This method of keeping food warm truly demonstrated the ingenuity of the people in the Ming Dynasty, often solving many problems with very simple methods.

Chen Xie, being the highest-ranking person here, ate a special meal. However, this was the perfect opportunity to show off, and he couldn't miss it. Seeing a young woman holding her child to breastfeed, Chen Xie said to Yu Huan, "Go, take this to her. She must have had a hard time carrying her child to bring the meal. Women need to eat well when breastfeeding."

Chen Xie's special meal was just a plate of dumplings and a bowl of soup. Even this small amount of food was something ordinary people in the Ming Dynasty couldn't afford even during the New Year. Yu Huan, feeling reluctant, glanced at the young woman feeding her child under a tree, and from this angle, she could see a plump white steamed bun.

"Hmph, is the steamed bun delicious?" The young girl, who had just turned sixteen after the New Year, was quite jealous. Her question had a double meaning, and Chen Xie indeed glanced a couple of times, which was quite natural.

"What do you think?" The doctor shamelessly countered, walking with his hands behind his back to the large pot, where meat bones, white radishes, and dried vegetables were boiling, filling the air with a rich aroma. The young men around couldn't help but sniff, their mouths watering.

Yu Huan, following Chen Xie's wishes, brought the dumplings to the young woman. After some hesitation, the woman accepted the lean meat, mushroom, and radish-filled dumplings, which she wouldn't normally eat even during the New Year. She ate while feeding her child, tears streaming down her face.

Seeing Chen Xie return, Yu Huan asked, "The soup isn't ready yet?" Chen Xie noticed her pouting and chuckled, pulling out two cans of fish from his backpack and shaking them. "I have something good hidden. Let's eat it together in secret."

This made Yu Huan happy, and she nodded vigorously. The sardine cans were incredibly fragrant. Chen Xie also took out two aluminum lunch boxes and handed them to Yu Huan. "Take these, use them to carry the soup and the steamed buns."

Returning with a steaming bowl of meat soup, Yu Huan's face was full of smiles. She felt that Young Master was closer to her, keeping the good food hidden until she came to share it. She would tell Yu Zhu later, just to make her jealous.

Breaking open the steamed bun, Yu Huan used Young Master's knife to spread some fermented black beans on it, then added a fried fish. Taking a bite, the oil filled her mouth, and it was incredibly delicious. Drinking a sip of the bone soup with ginger, it was a rare delicacy.

Of course, this was Yu Huan's opinion; Chen Xie wouldn't think so. The canned fish with fermented black beans wasn't very nutritious. Opening two cans, they each ate one, and the remaining one was given to Wang Qian. As Chen Xie's first bodyguard, his treatment had to be improved.

Wang Qian, looking at the fish in the can, tried to eat a steamed bun like Yu Huan. After a long while, he began to chew slowly. The tall man, over five feet, had tears streaming down his face. No one else had this treatment, and although it was earned through hard work, how much was a life worth in the Ming Dynasty? Initially, he just wanted to repay a favor, but after being scared by bullets, he developed a deep respect. Getting the telescope made him feel trusted, and now, he didn't know what to say.

The telescope case was tied to his waist. Seeing his mismatched cloth belt, Chen Xie, who had already finished eating, rummaged through his backpack and pulled out a utility belt, a military knife, a pair of sneakers, and a crossbow. After a while, seeing Wang Qian eat ten steamed buns and three bowls of bone soup, he patted his stomach, looking satisfied.

What a glutton! Chen Xie could only define him as such! Each steamed bun was at least two ounces, and he ate ten. Being able to eat a lot meant he could fight well.

Chen Xie waved his hand, and Wang Qian, seeing this, immediately ran over. When he approached, Chen Xie pointed to the items in front of him. "These are yours. This is a utility belt, use it like this, watch carefully. You know how to use the rest. By the way, go to Miss Yu Zhu and get a set of clothes and daily necessities, and wash them well. It's not that I think you're dirty, but being dirty can make you sick. Wash your hair well too, and if you have lice, get rid of them and grow new hair slowly."

Wang Qian was not at all polite, quickly grasping how to use the items and packing them into the backpack. Wearing it like Chen Xie, he officially became the doctor's first bodyguard.

After eating their fill, not a drop of soup or a steamed bun was left. Many people were so full they were burping. A few teenagers were still gnawing on bones. This meal was better than the New Year's feast.

"Alright, everyone, take a half-hour break, then head back. There's an even better meal tonight, so work hard. If I catch anyone slacking off, I won't beat you to death, but I'll leave you just enough breath to see us eat well tonight," Liu Zong's words caused a burst of laughter. This guy had strong organizational skills, and Chen Xie was also smiling.

The imperial examination system in the Ming Dynasty produced scholars who were mostly good at talking. If asked to do something practical, they would be at a loss. In the government, the real work was done by the lower-level clerks.

After studying Ming history for a while and living in the Ming Dynasty, Chen Xie had lost hope in the scholars. For now, he could only use people like Liu Zong, who had some education and strong practical skills. He also needed to cultivate his own talent. Chen Xie's focus was on the school, where he aimed to train students in basic medical knowledge, business skills, and basic military leadership. These were the talents he truly needed.

At night, after a busy day, Chen Xie soaked in a large wooden tub filled with hot water, sighing in comfort. The poor attendant, Chang Sheng, had to keep adding hot water. The living conditions in the Ming Dynasty were unbearable. This was Chen Xie's biggest complaint. Even in the Zhang family's large residence, now the Chen family's courtyard, the best they could do was a large wooden tub. When the Zhang family's master bathed, he had beautiful concubines and maidservants to attend to him.

If Young Master Chen needed it, Yu Huan and Yu Zhu would bring a few junior maidservants to serve him. Such a decadent life was something Chen Xie undoubtedly aspired to. Unfortunately, he hadn't fully adapted yet, and his moral底线 hadn't been completely broken, so he could only use Chang Sheng for now.

Finally washed, Chen Xie got dressed and had to carry his own lantern, with no hope of any leisure activities. His gaming computer was refused by the time machine, leaving his specially configured new laptop and several batteries useless.

If he were in Dengzhou City, he could go out for a night of pleasure. In Zhang Family Village, he could only return to his room to sleep. At this time, Chen Xie could only marvel at why the ancients were so prolific. Once it got dark, there was nothing to do but sleep. At his age, with a wife, he would exhaust his excess energy.

The cold wind blew fiercely, and the sky was pitch black, with no moon or stars. At dinner, many old men were hoping for snow, saying the sky had changed color and that a snowfall would be best. Otherwise, the wheat in the fields would suffer next year.

This year, the heavens were not kind. Since winter, there had been no rain or snow, and the temperature had dropped sharply.

Back in the bedroom, a candle was lit, and the glass lampshade was a necessary "luxury." The lampshade was made by a craftsman from Chunxiang Lou, following Chen Xie's instructions, using a glass cutter and fish glue. It was undeniable that the craftsmen in the Ming Dynasty, though mostly illiterate, were incredibly skilled.

Without a computer, the only thing to do in the Ming Dynasty was to sleep. Strangely, when he entered, he didn't see Yu Zhu in the side room, even though it was her turn to keep him warm at night. She would never give up this duty.

Taking off his coat, feeling a bit cold, Chen Xie quickly climbed into bed. Just as he felt something was wrong, a warm, smooth body pressed against him. Chen Xie was startled, knowing it was Yu Zhu.

Perhaps tired from the day, Yu Zhu was asleep, clinging tightly to him like an octopus. Chen Xie didn't dare move, fearing what she might say when she woke up. In the Ming Dynasty, this was called "warming the bed," and Chen Xie knew it. If he woke Yu Zhu and asked her to leave, she would be unable to face others the next day.

Chen Xie and Yu Zhu rarely had such intimate moments. Before the last穿越, it wasn't cold enough for "warming the bed." Now, with the cold nights, as a dedicated servant, Yu Zhu and Yu Huan had to warm the bed for Chen Xie. If he didn't want them to stay, he had to say so before getting into bed.

The cold wind blew fiercely outside, and Chen Xie's body gradually relaxed. Yu Zhu didn't make any further moves. Gradually, Chen Xie's eyelids grew heavy, and he slowly fell asleep. As his snoring began, a soft sigh echoed in the room.

In the early hours of the morning, Chen Xie woke up, intending to get up to relieve himself. Just as he was about to move, he found a soft body in his arms, and his lower body was pressed into a hollow, feeling almost no barrier through his shorts. Instinctively, he moved a few times, making it even more uncomfortable. With a head on his arm, Chen Xie, feeling uncomfortable, carefully pulled his hand out, got up, put on his coat, and found the chamber pot to solve his problem.

Standing by the window, Chen Xie hesitated, wondering whether to go back. Looking outside, the sky was pitch black, and the wind howled. He decided to stay, biting his teeth, he lifted the quilt and lay down. As soon as he did, a warm body pounced on him.