C57. Vertical Windmill.
Chu Hechao ran straight out of the manor, as if being chased by wild animals. Chu Hechao didn't dare to stop until he reached a frozen stream by the field.
The cold weather caused his breath to turn into white mist. Chu Hechao stood still for a moment, then crouched by the river, watching the frozen water surface absentmindedly.
The reflection on the water surface looked distressed and frightened. But as the image shifted, it transformed into the face of a man with red lips and white teeth.
Chu Hechao was startled and quickly reached out to break the reflection in the pool.
The shadow shook, the ice water shattered into pieces, reflecting the surroundings.
Chu Hechao expression improved, but he noticed his hand trembling.
It was ridiculous that the warrior of the Northern Zhou Dynasty was trembling because of a young man.
As the sky darkened, Chu Hechao stood still, as if his legs were frozen in place. His mind was blank, and he even broke out in a cold sweat in the middle of winter.
In the darkness, the river in front of him turned into a chaotic abyss.
Family ethics, morals, everything seemed to be transformed into monstrous creatures surrounding and questioning Chu Hechao.
"Are you falling for your brother's wife?"
"What are you thinking?"
"He is your brother's wife."
"Your parents arranged the marriage between Chu Mingfeng and the bride!"
The words of Chu Hechao's opponents, the Xiongnu Chieftain, kept echoing in his mind.
Chu Hechao face showed a mix of emotions.
Despite wanting to deny it, he realized that he did have feelings for Yuan Li beyond those of a relationship between brothers-in-law.
He was tempted to consume and possess Yuan Li, and Chu Hechao, mentally and physically, crossed a line when facing him.
It wasn't just a young man admiration for his brother's wife; it was a man's burning desire to toy with and possess someone.
This malicious thought was clearly not pure.
Moreover, Yuan Li was also receptive to Chu Mingfeng.
Chu Hechao breathed heavily, showing signs of pain. In his mind's eye, Chu Mingfeng appeared, looking coldly at him.
Chu Mingfeng cynically said, "Ciyue, I asked you to take care of my wife; is this how you take care of him?"
Chu Hechao replied, "Get out."
The voice didn't fade, but Chu Hechao closed his eyes.
*
In a few days, Yuan Li's cold had completely disappeared.
The doctor was surprised at how quickly he recovered, attributing it to soaking his feet daily in saltwater with peppercorns. He shared this remedy with Liu Jixin, whose condition also improved significantly.
Yuan Li visited Liu Jixin and the injured soldiers, after he left then Liu Jixin's wife organized the medicinal herbs sent by Chu Hechao to the storage room.
Anxiously, she expressed her concern to her husband, saying, "The young master has sent us precious medicinal herbs, fearing that we may not use them all once you recover from your cold. Some of these herbs are very valuable; is it appropriate for us to accept them?"
Liu Jixin lay on the bed, calmly wiping his nose with a handkerchief, "Don't worry. Since the lord sent them, it only makes sense to accept them."
Seeing his wife still looking anxious, Liu Jixin comfortingly patted her hand, "Relax, the lord has always taken good care of his own people, shown respect to the wise, and been generous. Ever since I joined the lord's household, have we lacked anything in terms of food and clothing?"
Zheng Shi smiled in response.
Liu Jixin continued, "Besides, these medicinal herbs will go to waste if left unused. I've entrusted some to your younger brother. I remember Zheng Rong being weak, and these herbs could help him."
Surprised, Zheng Shi asked, "Is your brother coming to Youzhou?"
Zheng Rong was Liu Jixin's wife's brother, from a merchant family with humble origins. Despite this, he was intelligent, ambitious, and had previously held various positions.
Though once highly motivated, this brother-in-law served as a retainer to many officials. Despite opportunities to showcase his talents, he remained out of favor with his host family.
Disillusioned, he returned home, content with a life of leisure and abandoning any aspirations for grand achievements.
"It depends if he decides to come," Liu Jixin chuckled, stroking his beard. "There's always a need for talented individuals in the lord's command. If he has aspirations, he'll come."
But Zheng Shi doubted this, knowing her brother enjoyed luxury and pleasure, unlikely to venture to a remote place like Youzhou.
"Youzhou is a remote posting, thousands of miles from Luoyang's bustling center. I doubt the boy will be eager to accept."
"Then wait and see." Liu Jixin merely smiled, leaving his wife to ponder his unspoken thoughts.
Returning from visiting Liu Jixin, Yuan Li went to check on the piglets and potatoes.
The potato experimental fields were thriving, with shoots vigorously emerging from the soil, prompting Yuan Li to consider building a vertical windmill waterwheel as he had time on his hands.
Beaming after his visit, Yuan Li returned to the manor to find the courtyard overflowing with a pile of blackened wood blocks. These weren't burnt remains, but rather salvageable wood salvaged from the Chu Palace fire.
While unusable there, the wood itself was of good quality, making disposal a waste. Recognizing its potential, Master Guo Linji had it sent to the manor for repurposing.
The sight sparked a memory in Yuan Li. He'd been wanting to build a miniature vertical windmill and waterwheel. With a free day ahead of him, he gathered his tools and, using his drawings as a guide, began crafting smaller versions to assess their functionality as farm implements.
After experimenting with a miniature version, he planned to have a larger windmill waterwheel made by a carpenter.
Getting started on the windmill as it was simpler, Yuan Li focused his attention, enjoying the process of carving the wood, similar to playing with blocks.
By the third day, he had a prototype of the windmill ready.
Vertical windmills bear a resemblance to the later invention of revolving doors. Unlike their horizontal counterparts, these windmills boast eight sails that can capture wind from any direction.
The wind's force rotates the sails, which in turn drive a vertical shaft. This shaft transfers the power to a millstone or waterwheel below, grinding grain or drawing water for irrigation, respectively.
The key components of a vertical windmill are its flat gears and the vertical sails. The most challenging aspect lies in the precise meshing of the large, flat gear with a smaller vertical gear.
Achieving a perfect fit requires meticulous craftsmanship, as even slight imperfections in the wooden components can significantly hinder performance.
The main challenge lied in crafting the internal gear mechanism to ensure precision and functionality, which consumed Yuan Li's time and attention.
As he worked on the gears, Chu Hechao approached, catching Yuan Li's attention.
Having not seen each other in several days, Yuan Li greeted him, "General?"
Chu Hechao paused, then walked over calmly. He looked down at Yuanli, who sat amidst the debris. "What are you doing?"
The young man was covered in sawdust, his hair dusted with snow, resembling a weary carpenter.
"It's been a while since I saw you," Yuan Li remarked curiously. "Have you been busy?"
Chuhé "Chao" responded briefly.
Noticing a hint of coldness in his demeanor, Yuan Li inquired further, "General, you interrogated many people recently. Did you extract any valuable information?"
"Some information was obtained, but there were still doubts that needed to be clarified," Chu Hechao stated coldly. "To be safe, I've ordered for all these people to be executed."
These individuals had varying degrees of contact with Xiao Ce. Even though Xiao Ce was dead, they couldn't be left alive near him.
Yuan Li had reservations about Chu Hechao decision but nodded in agreement before returning to his woodwork.
As Chu Hechao attempted to leave, he found himself unable to move. After a moment of silence, he asked nonchalantly, "What are you working on?"
"A vertical windmill," Yuan Li replied, handing him the blueprint while explaining the principles of its function.
Understanding the concept of the windmill, Chu Hechao quickly grasped what needed to be constructed. After a brief inspection, he remarked, "You're not doing it right."
Yuan Li sighed, "I have a feeling it's not right. The gears aren't meshing properly."
Suddenly, Chu Hechao reached out, "Give it to me."
Reluctantly, Yuan Li handed it over, cautioning, "General, can you handle this? Please be careful."
Seating himself, Chu Hechao remarked, "Why do you think everyone so foolish?"
Yuan Li chuckled, waiting for this "clever man" to make a mistake.
Surprisingly, Chu Hechao handled the gears competently, using a knife to adjust the details meticulously. His serious expression and focused demeanor added to his handsome appearance.
As sweat beads formed on his face, Yuan Li found the gears more captivating than Chu Hechao's appearance. Suddenly, he remembered, "General, He Lang asked me to arrange a marriage with one of the Yushi sisters. I spoke with the eldest sister, who is willing to leave with He Lang. Could you confirm when He Lang plans to bring her home?"
After a moment of reflection, Chu Hechao inquired, "When is Wu Kai's wedding?"
"On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, just before the New Year," Yuan Li replied with a smile. "It's only a week away."
Without realizing it, the New Year was approaching quickly.
Reflecting on the past year, Yuan Li found it incredibly fulfilling.
Sighing, he began to consider if he had everything prepared for the upcoming festivities.
With provisions, new clothes, and gifts already taken care of, he felt confident in his preparations.
Chu Hechao decided, "Let He Lang return in a couple of days and have them collect the bride on the same day as Wu Kai's wedding."
Yuan Li responded, "Okay."
"What about the other one?" Chu Hechao abruptly asked, "Are you going to continue looking after her?"
Yuan Li explained, "Her sister wants to take her away, but she prefers staying here. She hopes to remain here and assist me in the future."
Chu Hechao savored the words "assist me" on his tongue, giving a smirk as he didn't quite understand the implication.
After this conversation, Chu Hechao fell silent. Yuan Li found this unusual silence unsettling, "General, you are unusually quiet today."
Chu Hechao simply responded with a faint acknowledgment.
Not only was he quiet, but Chu Hechao seemed to scrutinize Yuan Li.
Suspicious, Yuan Li observed Chu Hechao closely. Chu Hechao lazily remarked, "Stop looking at me and focus on the gear in my hand."
Yuan Li obediently lowered his gaze and noticed the gear in Chu Hechao hand becoming clearer. Intrigued, he leaned closer to get a better look at the gear.
In his curiosity, his hair brushed against Chu Hechao face, causing him to almost damage the gear with a sudden movement. In a critical moment, Chu Hechao swiftly pulled away the knife, avoiding any damage to the gear.
Chu Hechao veins bulged on his hand, his forehead furrowed with irritation. He became hyper-aware of Yuan Li's every move and growled, "Stay away from me!"
Confused, Yuan Li turned to look at Chu Hechao and then sniffed at his own shoulder, "Is there something wrong with how I smell?"
The scent of soap and wood wafted from Yuan Li's skin, nothing unpleasant, but it made Chu Hechao feel uncomfortable.
Taking a deep breath, Chu Hechao turned Yuan Li's head away and continued inspecting the gear with impatience, "You're blocking my view."
Yuan Li obediently replied, "Oh."
As time passed, the two worked on the vertical windmill in silence. Chu Hechao seemed to relax, but he couldn't resist casting a few more glances towards Yuan Li.
Realizing his actions, he quickly averted his gaze with a neutral expression.