The Mansion's Steamworks and the Strain on Its Treasury; Chui Yu's Rail-Car Plans

The side chambers lay west of the rear sleeping quarters, divided into eight large rooms. Once Qingluan and the other palace attendants arrived, they would live here.

North of the inner courtyard was the rear courtyard. It had no well; instead, a Steam Water Pump drew water from the Ming River. Faucets had been installed at several points throughout the courtyard to ensure an automatic water supply.

While pumping water with steam, the system also put the leftover heat to use boiling water, ensuring hot water was available all year round.

The kitchen stood east of the rear courtyard. Its roof was a single-eaved, overhanging gable roof, and its chimney was built of bluestone, taller than those of ordinary homes to keep smoke and cooking fumes from drifting into the inner courtyard.

The kitchen was stocked with every kind of utensil. It had everything one could need; it was just that the cooks nowadays fell far short of Chui Yu. The best one could say was that their food was edible.

Beside the stove lay a pile of chopped pine and cypress wood. It gave off little smoke when burned, along with a faint pine fragrance.

Outside the rear courtyard lay the service quarters. On the left was the "Left Storehouse," the armory. Its door was wood covered in iron, with bronze beast-head ring knockers.

Stored inside were the weapons and armor used by Zhao Cheng's personal guards, for fighting off anyone who broke through the city walls and invaded Lord Wuwei Mansion.

Though given the strength of Wu'an City's defenses nowadays, they probably wouldn't have much use for them.

Even if impregnable Wu'an City really fell, how many enemies would have the nerve to attack Lord Wuwei Mansion?

On the right was the "Right Storehouse," the treasury for grain