Chapter Seven, Tianming goes alone without a path

She is... if we consider blood relations, she should be regarded as my younger sister Li Xi sighed deeply and said

Uncle Chen, brother-in-law. Chen Jiao is also following suit

Gently covering his mouth, she said: "We have been married for many years, and I have always been very clear about your way of dealing with people. However, your behavior towards my sister is truly unusual. Even while she was still in a coma, you were already in a daze. I specifically kept her here because of your odd behavior."

Li Xi reached out and touched Chen Jiao's head, saying: "Jiao'er, since you have acknowledged Cui Cui as your elder sister and stayed in our home, from now on, we are one family"

Upon hearing Li Xi's words, Chen Jiao suddenly felt an urge to cry

Looking at Chen Jiao's expression, Li Xi paused for a moment. For him, whether to engage in this business or not was inconsequential. However, with Chen Jiao by his side now, he felt compelled to exercise a bit more caution in his actions. Although the coal business could yield a profit, the key point for him was to remain inconspicuous. Reflecting on this, Li Xi shook his head and said, "After all, it's just a winter's business. The Li family does not lack this money, so let's just forget it."

"Are you still unwilling to tell me what is troubling you?" After Zhang Cui finished speaking, she clearly felt her husband's body tremble.

Chen Jiao had no choice but to explain to Li Xi the significance of these Arabic numerals, particularly the inclusion of the digit "0." It is important to note that prior to the 8th century AD in China, the digit "0" was not in use; people only utilized the digits 1 through 9. Although the concept of zero was understood when a person had nothing, its mathematical significance did not exist.

This is it. Chen Jiao pointed to an object in a basin at her feet, which contained dark coal.

At the moment when she smiled and sent Li Xi on his journey, Chen Jiao suddenly felt that the Li family, composed of Li Xi and Zhang Cui, truly had become her home in this time and space, and that the two of them were her real family members

Husband," Zhang Cui said with a worried expression, "Since my sister remembers nothing, let us forget about this matter as well. In the future, we should minimize her contact with the officials.

Chen Ying, therefore, was the magistrate of Dongyang, residing in the county. He was known for his integrity and became a respected elder. When a young man from Dongyang killed the magistrate, thousands gathered, wishing to appoint a leader, but no suitable candidate was found. They then requested Chen Ying. ... Ying declined, stating he was unable, but they insisted and forcibly established him as their leader, with followers in the county numbering twenty thousand. ... Chen Ying's mother said to him: "Since I became the wife of your family, I have never heard of any noble ancestors. Now, having suddenly gained great fame, it is inauspicious. It would be better to have an affiliation; if successful, you may receive a noble title, but if you fail, it is easy to lose everything. This is not a name that the world recognizes." ... Thus, the crowd followed her advice and pledged their troops to Xiang Liang. Chen Ying's mother said to him: "Since I became the wife of your family, I have never heard of any noble ancestors. Now, having suddenly gained great fame, it is inauspicious. It would be better to have an affiliation; if successful, you may receive a noble title, but if you fail, it is easy to lose everything. This is not a name that the world recognizes." ... Thus, the crowd followed her advice and pledged their troops to Xiang Liang.

Note 2: The ancients became aware of the utilization of coal during the Western Han Dynasty; I shall tentatively consider this to be in the early years of Emperor Wu of Han, when they were still unaware of it

"Get up, everyone." Chen Fu looked at the two with great kindness. Li Xi had already detailed Chen Jiao's situation to him on the way here. He was originally an old family member of the Chen family, having been an orphan adopted by the Tangyi Marquisate in the past. He was loyal to the Chen family and naturally had a good impression of this legitimate young lady. Moreover, Zhang Cui was clever and charming, and had been in a long-term relationship with Chen Fu. Previously, he felt that the only flaw was that Zhang Cui had not given birth to an heir. Now that Zhang Cui was already pregnant, it was indeed a great blessing.

Ah? This time, Zhang Cui was truly taken aback. She had known Li Xi for nearly twenty years, yet she had never heard him mention his blood relatives. To Zhang Cui, Li Xi seemed like an orphan. But now, Li Xi unexpectedly told her that this Chen Jiao, who had suddenly intruded into their lives, was his sister

This item is truly remarkable. It is bound to become a coveted possession among wealthy families. Li Xi smiled, keenly recognizing the business opportunity within it

Indeed. Those who endure will survive. Those who cannot will simply pass away. Anu, who had been following Chen Jiao closely, also spoke up, saying, "I originally had a younger brother, but he couldn't endure..." She suddenly stopped mid-sentence, lightly tapping her mouth, and said, "Look at my mouth, how can I speak of such unfortunate matters in front of the young lady."

I want to say, can you allocate some shares to me in this coal business? Even if the coal business cannot, it doesn't matter; I have another idea. How about we open a snack shop, and you give me some shares? After thinking for many days, Chen Jiao finally decided to make this request to Li Xi. She needed to secure some income and assurance for herself, even though making such a request as a guest who is enjoying free meals seemed somewhat unforgivable.

When His Majesty the Emperor Wen wished to marry off the eldest princess, my grandfather realized that the Chen family had reached the height of honor, and within three generations, there would surely be a calamity. Therefore, he selected me from among my father's illegitimate sons, using my frail health as an excuse to have the family send me out of the residence for treatment. Later, he arranged for me to die away from home.

I just ... ...

Indeed

It is you. Li Xi's face bore an indescribable weariness, yet he immediately walked to his wife's side, embracing her to shield her from the cold wind of midnight

Chen Jiao suddenly became a bit anxious. She argued, "The world is bustling, all for profit; the world is thriving, all for gain. Brother-in-law, why aren't you making money even though you have wealth?" Chen Jiao was indeed somewhat anxious. Although she had already regarded Li Xi and his wife as family, the feeling of relying on others for a living as an adult was always uncomfortable. Therefore, she eagerly hoped to find her own way to generate income as soon as possible

Zhang Cui saw the familiar resilience and deep affection in Li Xi's eyes

The sighs of the couple drifted through the study. However, Chen Jiao was sleeping soundly in her room, completely unaware of the troubles faced by her brother and sister-in-law.

There is no wall that does not let the wind through. If we are to plan for the future, the best approach is to..." Li Xi waved his left hand in the air, then, with a somber expression, said, "However, she is ultimately my sister, and I truly cannot bear to be so cruel.

The bitter voice echoed in the study.

As night fell, Chen Jiao finally got up and left Zhang Cui's room, while Zhang Cui instructed her maid A Yu to escort Chen Jiao back to her quarters. Upon exiting the door, a gust of cold wind swept in, causing Chen Jiao to shiver. She turned to A Yu and said, "A Yu, it seems to be getting windy today. You must remember to add an extra layer for your sister, and also encourage her to rest early tonight, understood?" Her gaze fell upon A Yu's thin outer garment, and she continued, "And you as well. If you don't have suitable clothes, I will have Manager Qiao make a few sets for you tomorrow."

Yes. Later, the year she got married, Uncle Chen and I also visited her home, but no one noticed. It has already been 12 years since then

Chen Jiao still thought he was unwilling, so she hurriedly said: "Brother-in-law, I have come up with such a profitable idea for you; you can't possibly give me no benefits at all, can you? At the very least, give me a small sum of money, and I can start another business."

"My dear husband," she gently placed a kiss on Li Xi's cheek, "you have worked hard."

Husband," Zhang Cui softly called out while leaning in her husband's embrace

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Hearing that Li Xi and Chen Fu shared the same feelings, Chen Jiao was filled with joy. The entrepreneurial spirit that had been dampened by Zhang Cui suddenly revived. She happily walked over to Li Xi and said, "Brother-in-law, do you think so too? Then let's open a shop specifically for this business."

On the second day, she described to Manager Qiao, who came to visit, and indeed, Manager Qiao was also at a loss regarding the things she described. She then began to enthusiastically promote her grand coal business gold mining plan to Manager Qiao. Unfortunately, Manager Qiao was unwilling to agree to help her open a shop; at most, he agreed to assist her in searching for the coal she belonged to and to make a copper stove for household use. She then began to enthusiastically promote her grand coal business gold mining plan to Manager Qiao. Unfortunately, Manager Qiao was unwilling to agree to help her open a shop; at most, he agreed to assist her in searching for the coal she belonged to and to make a copper stove for household use.

Thank you! My husband, I have no regrets either. Truly. There is not a trace of hesitation, only a heart full of emotion

"Uncle Chen, my husband." Zhang Cui was the first to step forward and perform a bow

"Not bad," Chen Fu stroked his beard and agreed, "We just need to make the exterior of the furnace a bit more refined, and we can achieve tenfold profits."

What happened? After casually closing the door of m.hetushu.com, Li Xi helped his wife inside

Tomorrow, I will set off to Dongyang to bring Uncle Chen here for the New Year celebrations. In the next few days, take good care of your sister

I do not regret

When my great-grandfather refused to raise an army, his esteemed elder once remarked, "To rely on military force is to entrust oneself to others; if successful, one may reap some benefits; if unsuccessful, the calamity will have its consequences." My great-grandfather kept this lesson in mind throughout his life, which enabled him to survive the struggles between Chu and Han. My grandfather, having experienced the turmoil alongside my great-grandfather, firmly adhered to the principle of never standing at the forefront of danger.

As her explanation deepened, Li Xi's gaze became increasingly profound. The inquisitive look in her eyes made Chen Jiao feel somewhat unable to meet her gaze. However, she could only force a smile and say: "These are just random thoughts of A Jiao, meant for her own convenience. It's fine if brother-in-law has seen it."

"So, it can be said that my husband is aware of my sister's identity." Zhang Cui used an affirmative statement

Husband, who exactly is she? I have examined the gold and silver ornaments on her, and they are not something an ordinary family can afford. During this period, she has indeed considered selling those items, but each time I have secretly ordered them to be retrieved. Otherwise, if these items were to circulate, who knows what trouble it would bring

"Alright, Jiao'er, your brother-in-law understands now," Li Xi said with a smile in his voice, "there's no need to open any restaurants; this entire coal business is yours."

"Are you A Yu or A Nu?" Chen Xi had followed Chen Fu since childhood and knew that the Li family rarely had maidservants. This woman must be one of the new maidservants added by Li Xi to take care of Chen Jiao and the pregnant Zhang Cui. He smiled and said, "Young Master and Master Chen have arrived; you should go in and announce them."

Li Xi tightly embraced Zhang Cui, his face displaying a myriad of emotions that constantly shifted.

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During the Han Dynasty, the New Year was celebrated in the tenth month of the lunar calendar. Therefore, even though the autumn winds were just beginning to rise, the festive atmosphere was already quite strong here. Chen Jiao took great interest in learning embroidery from Zhang Cui, accompanying her in laughter and discussions about customs and anecdotes from various regions. Sometimes, she would also use her knowledge, which was two thousand years ahead, to astonish Zhang Cui, secretly delighting in her look of astonishment.

Why is it so warm here, Jiao'er? After the formal greetings, Li Xi asked Chen Jiao, his eyes filled with a smile, brimming with affection

Sigh! Li Xi rested his head on his wife's shoulder and gently recounted the beginning and end of the matter.

A bluish-gray carriage stopped in front of the Li residence, leaving two winding tracks on the ground

The wooden door was gently pushed open, the sound startling Li Xi in the study

Li Xi smiled upon seeing her so obediently agree and said, "At most in seven days, my brother-in-law will be back. This household will be entrusted to you."

Note 1: Chen Ying, a native of Dongyang. In his youth, he cultivated virtue and was well-regarded by his fellow townsmen. During the great turmoil at the end of the Qin dynasty, the people of Dongyang wished to support Ying as their leader. His mother said: "This is not advisable. I have been your family's wife, and I have seldom seen poverty and hardship. If one day you become wealthy and powerful, it would be inauspicious. It is better to entrust your military efforts to others; if they succeed, you will benefit little; if they fail, the misfortune will not fall upon you."

After the establishment of the Han Dynasty, Chen Ying was granted the title of Marquis of Tangyi and later served as the Prime Minister of the State of Chu. Although Chen Ying had made significant contributions to the Han, he could not be compared to figures like Han Xin and Ying Bu. He was also known for his cautious speech and conduct, which allowed the Chen family to remain unscathed during the bloody purges of the meritorious officials carried out by Liu Bang and Empress Lü. However, after the death of Empress Lü, the Chen family became one of the few remaining families of meritorious officials, thus enjoying increasing favor from the emperor.

One cannot sever this root of calamity; all methods are merely palliative rather than fundamental solutions. Li Xi sighed deeply, saying, "However, in the affairs of the world, there are always times when things do not go as one wishes, and we can only proceed as such"

Ayu felt her eyes redden upon hearing Chen Jiao's words of concern and said, "Thank you, Miss. Actually, it’s nothing. We poor folks are used to it. In previous years, we endured even colder winters in the same way."

Alright. I understand. Chen Jiao nodded obediently. She was the kind of person who would return kindness tenfold; as soon as Li Xi showed her goodwill, she immediately resembled a cat that had been stroked the right way.

Ah? Chen Jiao was taken aback upon hearing this, and then she remembered that Li Xi, being an ancient person, had no idea what shares were. Therefore, she painstakingly explained once again what shares were, and then emphasized, "Brother-in-law, I am investing my technology, so it does not count as taking advantage of you"

--- "Records of the Grand Historian: The Biography of Xiang Yu, Chapter Seven"

What is this? '' Li Xi asked, pointing at the object in the stove

Severing ties with the family and living alone outside, all for the sake of leaving a trace of bloodline for the impending disaster that may never come. Zhang Cui sighed at the Chen family's caution while feeling deep pain for her husband. After all these years, even though they were as close as a married couple, Li Xi had kept this matter to himself, bearing this heavy secret alone.

"Husband, my sister says she has no memory of past events. If she truly had any connection with you, can you honestly tell me now?" Zhang Cui looked at him steadily.

In the winter of that year, a shop named Pengcheng Coal Company opened in an inconspicuous corner of Pengcheng

"Hehe, these things are so strange. If Cui Cui could manage to create them, after so many years of being married to her, I would have seen them long ago," Li Xi said with a smile, gently tapping her nose.

"The world is bustling, all for profit; the world is thriving, all for gain..." Upon hearing her words, Li Xi was momentarily taken aback. Looking at Chen Jiao's determined expression, he sighed inwardly and decided to relent. He said, "Since you are so eager to open such a shop, then your brother-in-law will help you establish one. You will manage it yourself, but you must agree to wear a mask whenever you enter or exit."

Good. Chen Jiao received Li Xi's approval and was extremely happy, finally taking the first step towards her rehabilitation

Zhang Cui recalled the various moments spent with Chen Jiao during this period, and thought of her ignorance regarding many common aspects of life, which made her feel somewhat relieved. Indeed, a girl who has been raised in the depths of the palace since childhood, attended by others, and has never done any work, would naturally be unfamiliar with hairpin styles, cooking, and the intricacies of worldly affairs. However, such a phoenix from the inner palace has now fallen to the mortal realm; is this a blessing or a misfortune? Zhang Cui sighed deeply and said, "If that is the case, then does it mean that my sister is the current Empress? Why has she been staying with us for the past two months?"

However, due to the words of his ancestors, his great-grandfather repeatedly declined the offer of sudden wealth and fortune. Later, when the King of Chu and his uncle sent letters to establish contact, his great-grandfather conferred this esteemed position upon Xiang Yu. He himself was then granted the title of the Pillar of the Upper State of Chu. Li Xi held his wife close and slowly recounted the history of the Chen family.

"It is nothing. My mother was merely a servant of the Tangyi Marquisate, and she passed away shortly after giving birth to me. Even if I had remained in the estate, I would have ultimately been just a nominal young master. Leaving has allowed me to live better. " Li Xi placed his wife's hand to his lips and kissed it, "Moreover, I have met you."

Sigh, do not make wild guesses. There is nothing between her and me. Even if she remembers the past, she probably won't recall who I am. " Li Xi sighed, "She is merely someone I thought I would never see again.

"Jiao'er," Li Xi looked at her anxious expression and finally spoke, "Could you first tell me what shares are?"

Tears unknowingly slipped from the corners of her eyes as Zhang Cui gently leaned against his shoulder

"Jiao'er, what is this?" Li Xi first stood behind Chen Jiao and observed for a while, then pointed at the wooden piece and said

Alright. That settles it. Li Xi waved his hand, indicating that the matter was decided, leaving no opportunity for Chen Jiao to object

After discussing with Zhang Cui, Li Xi's attitude towards Chen Jiao became less cold. In order to alleviate her boredom, he would sometimes bring back some account books for her to calculate. His only request of Chen Jiao was to go out less. One day, Li Xi bought some small trinkets from outside, intending for Chen Jiao and Zhang Cui to play with them. Upon arriving at Chen Jiao's room, he found the account books he had given her scattered on the bamboo table, while Chen Jiao was busy carving something on a pile of small wooden pieces with a knife and pen. One day, Li Xi bought some small trinkets from outside, intending for Chen Jiao and Zhang Cui to play with them. Upon arriving at Chen Jiao's room, he found the account books he had given her scattered on the bamboo table, while Chen Jiao was busy carving something on a pile of small wooden pieces with a knife and pen

Ah?

A strange thought flashed through Chen Jiao's mind, and she suddenly spoke up: "Anu, Ayu, don't you burn coal or anything for heating during the winter here?"

Ah?" Chen Jiao, upon hearing this call, suddenly raised her head and was somewhat startled to see Li Xi's face so close. Having used Arabic numerals for calculations since childhood, Chen Jiao was ultimately not accustomed to using Chinese characters for arithmetic, so she prepared a wooden piece for her accounting.

Among those in the hall, apart from Chen Jiao, no one could comprehend his thoughts. The other two echoed in unison, saying: "It would be best to let this matter rest."

This is precisely what troubles me. Li Xi smiled wryly, although she has been discarded and is merely a former empress. However, it is still not possible to allow her to wander freely outside. For the past two months, I have been on guard against someone investigating and implicating us. Yet, it has been calm and quiet, leaving me with no way to prepare.

Chen Jiao could not help but be speechless. She knew that coal might not necessarily be called coal in this era, but after describing it for half a day, both Anu and Ayu remained utterly confused. The more Chen Jiao thought about it in her room, the more she felt that perhaps in this era, people did not even need such things for heating. Because in the relatively affluent Li family, she had not discovered any heating appliances like charcoal basins.

Without waiting for Chen Jiao to respond, Li Xi picked up one of the wooden pieces, gazed at it for a moment, and said: "There seems to be some connection between these symbols? What you have is ... ... "

That day, after you rescued your sister from the Longshui, you have been acting quite strangely. I do not ask because I have been waiting for you to tell me yourself, do you understand? She lifted her gaze from Li Xi's embrace, and the moonlight illuminated her beautiful face

Li Xi's reaction was one of surprise, as he looked at Chen Jiao in front of him without saying a word

When my grandfather was still alive, I would sometimes be taken by Uncle Chen to see him. As Zhang Cui's emotions gradually calmed down, Li Xi began to continue his narrative, "It was also at that time that I met the younger siblings of Princess Guantao. However, in their eyes, I was merely the grandson of a servant."

Chen Jiao looked up in surprise, not expecting that Li Xi would actually feel at ease leaving his pregnant wife alone beside someone with an unknown background like himself

Ayu glanced at Li Xi, suddenly realizing, and hurried back to the residence, running while saying: "Madam, Miss, the young master has returned"

Later, Xiang Yu relied on this power to become the overlord of the world. Chen Ying, through the ups and downs of various wars, survived by his own intelligence and talent. At the time of Xiang Yu's defeat, Chen Ying timely allied with Liu Bang and was granted the title of Marquis of Tangyi.

"What does it mean to endure?" Chen Jiao asked, somewhat puzzled

Li Xi was the first to jump down from the carriage, followed by an ordinary-looking middle-aged man. He was Chen Fu, who had raised Li Xi. Li Xi instructed the driver, Chen Xi, and then approached to knock on the door. The one who came out to open the door was A Yu, who stared blankly at the unfamiliar person before her, a hint of confusion in her eyes

How could this happen

The shopkeeper Qiao from the pharmacy will visit you every day. If there is anything you need, you can ask him for it. However, you and Cui Cui should not go out easily; even if you do go out, remember to wear a veil, do you understand?" Li Xi said gently, "Previously, we offended the Crown Prince of Jiangdu, and we do not know if he has left someone behind in Pengcheng to capture you. " Li Xi was grateful for the incident involving Crown Prince Liu Jian of Jiangdu, which now provided him with a legitimate reason to prohibit Chen Jiao from going out.

Yes. Li Xi nodded and said, "It is precisely because I know her identity that I do not know how to respond."

On that night, with the clouds thin and the breeze gentle, a crescent moon appeared intermittently among the clouds. Zhang Cui woke up from her bed and found that her husband was not by her side. She sighed, got out of bed, put on her outer garment, and walked outside. Zhang Cui's long hair, which was not tied up, trailed down to her heels, gently swaying in the wind. She passed through the exquisite corridor and the rockery, arriving at the study, where she indeed saw the familiar man quietly kneeling in the room.

Although Chen Jiao very much hopes to have her own career and be self-reliant, she does not have the audacity to forcibly seize someone else's property

"Coal? What is hetushu.com?" Ayu retorted

"Coal, yes. It can be used for burning," Chen Jiao explained

"And my sister, was it also at that time?" Zhang Cui's gentle voice floated in the study at midnight

"Brother-in-law, how did you know it was me?" Chen Jiao's eyes sparkled with a lively glint, appearing somewhat mischievous and undeniably adorable

"Brother-in-law, I have something I would like to discuss with you," Chen Jiao said hesitantly as she walked up to Li Xi.

Astute as Li Xi was, he certainly noticed her deliberate evasion. However, as he did not wish to place any pressure on Chen Jiao and only wanted to care for her well, he did not intend to pursue the matter further. The Great Han Dynasty gathers talents from all over the world for its use; perhaps Chen Jiao learned from certain officials in the palace.

"You may speak," Li Xi said, turning his attention away from the ledger and looking up at his sister, who wore a troubled expression.

Chen Fu ignored the laughter and commotion of the younger generation, and with great enthusiasm, walked over to the bronze furnace. He observed it for a moment; the upper part of the furnace was covered with a metal lid featuring a vent, from which steam was slowly escaping. Chen Fu removed the lid, and a puff of smoke emerged. Expecting to see a roaring fire, he was puzzled to find the red-hot "stones" inside the bronze furnace.

Li Xi and Chen Fu walked into the hall and discovered that Chen Jiao and Zhang Cui were also present. They soon realized that the hall was unusually warm. Both of them were keen observers; after a brief glance around, they identified the key factor: five bronze stoves distributed in the four corners and the center of the hall

***

This coal business is, after all, something that is dispensable for our Li family. It was your idea, so how could I take advantage of you? Li Xi said, in fact, he also noticed that Chen Jiao had been living in a state of gloom while relying on others recently. Thinking further, this sister of his was originally a favored daughter of heaven, always having things go her way, and he could not bear to see her so constrained. He thought to himself, the assets of the Chen family should rightfully include a share for you, and it would not be a big deal to hand over this coal business to you.

Chen Ying, the great-grandfather of Li Xi and Chen Jiao, was one of the founding contributors to the Han Empire. After Chen She initiated the uprising in Daze Township, a young man from Dongyang killed the long history officer appointed by the Qin state, gathering thousands to revolt, intending to forcefully invite the highly esteemed Chen Ying from Dongyang to be their leader. Within a few days, the number of those who came to join the uprising upon hearing Chen Ying's name had reached twenty thousand. At that time, Xiang Yu and his nephew had only about eight hundred soldiers from Jiangdong. If Chen Ying had agreed to this, he would have become the most powerful leader of the uprising at the end of the Qin dynasty.

I have sent someone to Chang'an to investigate. Princess Guantao seems completely unaware of her disappearance. Moreover, the Changmen Palace has been entirely taken over by the Court of Judicial Review for defense. This is quite an unusual action. Various signs indicate that the Emperor seems intent on keeping her disappearance a secret.

What is this? Chen Fu picked up the coal and examined it closely, completely unconcerned about getting his hands dirty. Li Xi also curiously stepped forward.

"I can guess..." Li Xi said with a bitter smile. He certainly knew his own wife; Zhang Cui had never been a warm person. When she suddenly mentioned that she felt a connection with Chen Jiao and insisted on taking her as a sister, Li Xi knew he could not hide anything from her.

Zhang Cui was initially taken aback, but then felt a surge of joy, saying, "So, does this mean that no one will come to investigate my sister's identity in the future?"

Thus, the Pengcheng Coal Company became Chen Jiao's enterprise. After taking over, Chen Jiao deliberated for quite some time and finally determined the final advertising strategy. The coal stoves produced were first presented to the royal palace of the King of Chu at that time, receiving the king's approval. Wealthy families throughout the State of Chu began to compete to emulate this, using coal stoves to get through the winter. Subsequently, the king presented it to the imperial court, and after Liu Che, who enjoyed the convenience of it, praised it a few times, the coal stove began to gain popularity across the land. The coal used in the stoves was still a relatively unfamiliar commodity to people at that time, and other merchants wishing to imitate it could not find coal mines, which allowed the Pengcheng Coal Company to monopolize this industry for several years. Li Xi watched as, under Chen Jiao's management, the Pengcheng Coal Company became renowned throughout the world in just one winter, feeling a mix of emotions. He was both proud and uneasy about his sister's abilities, and could only silently extend his protective net to safeguard her.