Fang Jingchen felt that this matter was feasible, and the key to whether it would work lay with the common people.
"The common people in Qingzhou Prefecture might comply because they've earned some silver this year, but in the other poorer prefectures, the people don't have much money. They're all staying indoors and not earning anything. I'm afraid they'll be reluctant to spend this money to build kang and fire walls!"
When it comes down to it, it's about sacrificing one's life but not one's silver. The common people don't have much silver to sacrifice.
"Then the prince's manor will cover a large half, and each household will contribute a small half. We must resolve this matter. Otherwise, freezing to death, or the collapse of houses under the snow, crushing people to death—these are all avoidable disasters."
Fang Jingchen knew Zhao Jiaqi's good intentions, but in this way, he feared that some greedy common people would become even more excessive.
"This matter cannot be forced. How about the prince's manor funding a large half, and the common people contributing a small half? Whoever is willing to build, the prince's manor will provide the money. Those who are unwilling will not be forced, but we must explain the consequences so they can choose for themselves! Even if they freeze to death, they can't blame anyone else!"
Zhao Jiaqi understood her godfather's intention. It was indeed so. It couldn't be forced; everything depended on their own will. The prince's manor had done and would do what it could.
In the afternoon, the government posted a notice, clearly explaining the matter. Those who were willing should wait at home, and someone would come to take statistics.
The notice was issued by the prince's manor, and it was even initiated by the princess. At this time, the common people were quite cooperative.
It was mainly because of their own lives. According to the current situation, once they planted grains next year, a good life would come. If they spent some money this year, as long as they could survive the winter, a happy little life would beckon them.
Cheng Yongchao heard that Fan Zehao had sent someone to look for him, and from the messenger, he learned about building kang and fire walls. Without a second word, he led his dozen or so apprentices and went together.
He didn't even mention wages to the people sent. It seemed like he was working for his own family. After arriving in the inner city, five people were directly sent to the military camp by Fang Jingchen.
The remaining people were distributed to the five prefectures, allowing these apprentices to also take apprentices. In this way, more people learned to make fire walls and kang.
Anyone who knew how to do it worked with all their might. Perhaps it was the enthusiasm of these people that infected the common people, and everyone voluntarily lent a hand.
As the saying goes, many hands make light work. In more than half a month, every household had heating measures. When the accounts were settled, the craftsmen directly said that they had learned the skills and it was good enough that they didn't charge the master any money, so where was the reason to charge money?
When this news reached Zhao Jiaqi's ears, she was both pleased and touched.
This showed that not all common people were unreasonable; there were still many good people.
However, this also exposed Cheng Yongchao's secret of earning money. After much thought, she still decided to give him some subsidy.
In mid-December, the snow became heavier and heavier, falling day after day, with the accumulated snow reaching above everyone's ankles.
This winter was unusually cold. Fortunately, the soldiers lived in warm houses and wore thick cotton clothes. When they patrolled, they changed shifts every hour, so they didn't get too cold. For this, everyone was very grateful to the prince and princess.
The common people were also living well. When it snowed heavily, they had to clear the snow from the roofs to prevent the houses from collapsing. This winter, there were no reports of people freezing to death.
Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi were not only supported by the soldiers but also deeply moved the common people. Anyone who dared to speak ill of the princess and prince in this area would definitely be beaten!
The snow outside was not small. The adults were worried, but the children were happy.
The three children played to their heart's content, not only having snowball fights but even recruiting the young servants and maids in the manor to play with them.
Even Pingting, not afraid of the cold, joined in. Perhaps infected by their cheerful laughter, some people who were afraid to play freely became like invigorated warriors, playing wildly.
Zhao Jiaqi looked at the few people serving her. Their eyes were fixed on the people in front, staring blankly, with corners of their mouths turned up in silly smiles. She said, "You all go and play for a while. You have the day off today!"
Qiufen, Xiazhi, Xiaohan, and Chunfen, after exchanging glances, wanted to go but were hesitant, standing shyly in place.
"Princess, aren't you going to play?" Qiufen, who had been by her side the longest, was a bit bolder and voiced their inner thoughts.
Zhao Jiaqi smiled and shook her head, "I'm afraid of the cold. You go and play!"
With the princess's words, the few people became like unleashed madmen, quickly joining the girls' side, and snowballs flew everywhere.
Li Sisi, carefully walking with her hand on her belly, saw this and sat down beside Zhao Jiaqi. The sisters started chatting.
"Big sister, if I weren't pregnant, I would definitely play wildly like them. Look how happy they are laughing!"
She touched Li Sisi's belly behind her and said, "It's cold outside in the middle of winter, and the roads are slippery. Your pregnancy is not stable yet. Why are you in such a hurry to come out!"
Li Sisi shyly pursed her lips and giggled, "I get bored staying in the house all day. Hearing the laughter outside, I just came out to join the fun. Although I can't play, it's still happy to watch!"
A happy little woman. It seemed that Gao Wenbin treated her quite well. Compared to Xiao Ce, who was alone, it was not a sarcastic contrast.
Steward Wang from the front courtyard came to the princess's courtyard and saw the scene. A smile flashed across his stern old face, then quickly disappeared.
"Princess, Granny Gu from the Li family sent a letter. The young servant who served Li Ben this morning said that Li Ben has passed away. When he was discovered, his body was already cold."
Zhao Jiaqi's eyebrows twitched slightly, and a sarcastic smile spread across her lips. Didn't they say that the older the ginger, the spicier it is? How long had Granny Gu been at the Li residence before this person disappeared without a trace?
"Heh, no matter how old the ginger is, it can't withstand the venomous heart of a shrew. Can something more poisonous than the Four Poisons be a joke?"
Li Sisi looked at her big sister's disdainful expression and found it quite strange. As far as she knew, her big sister rarely disliked anyone to this extent.
"What are the Four Poisons? Why do you say women are more poisonous than these venomous creatures?"
Looking at the innocent Sisi, she smiled and gave her a lesson: "The scorpion's tail has a sting, the green snake has teeth in its mouth, the crane has red on its head, and the yellow wasp has a needle at its tail. None of these four are poisonous, but a woman's heart is the most poisonous."
Under the circumstances of a stroke, Li Ben could still turn things around and control Li Yi. However, less than two months after Granny Gu entered the Li residence, he had already returned to the west, and his body was so cold when it was discovered by the servant!
Even if the charcoal fire in the room were warmer, the body would not be so cold when discovered!
Seeing that she was still deep in thought, Zhao Jiaqi gently stroked the head of this silly child. Since she didn't understand, it could only mean that she was living a very happy life now; otherwise, she would eventually understand.
"As a friend of Lady Li, I, as the princess, should still go and see!" Zhao Jiaqi stood up and tidied her clothes.
"Steward, go and call the princess and ask her to change into clean clothes to go to the Li residence to offer condolences and handle matters!"
Even if it wasn't for the monk's sake, one had to consider the Buddha's face. This time, Zhou Baihe's days were finally looking up. The Prime Minister's wife no longer had to worry about this sister.
Pingting changed into a more festive outfit and came over so casually. Zhao Jiaqi's veins bulged on her forehead when she saw her attire.
It was fortunate that the person was completely dead, otherwise, seeing her like this, wouldn't he crawl out of his coffin?
"Even if you dislike that person, you don't have to dress like this!"
Pingting pouted, "Hmph, my going is already a great kindness to Li Ben. If you don't mind me saying it, I wish I could set off firecrackers to congratulate him on his early ascension!"
The more she talked, the more unreliable she became!