Your Majesty, please beg for mercy. The prince's rebellion was successful.

Zhou Zheng had a smile on his face when he saw Liu Fei implement his idea without hesitation.

"Your Highness..."

Gong Tan and others looked at Zhou Zheng with embarrassed expressions.

"Although we have some money now, it is quite difficult to spend millions of taels of silver at once."

Sighing lightly, the tens of millions of taels of silver supported by the Su family were running out.

Once what Zhou Zheng said was to improve the plow and spread it, this would be another astronomical sum.

She had always supported Zhou Zheng's decision, but now that money was flowing like water, no one could bear it.

"Now the focus is no longer about money."

"It's just that there's not enough iron..."

Meng Sheng frowned slightly. Mass production of plows requires a staggering amount of iron ore.

With the current situation in Xiang County, it is simply unsatisfactory.

Meng Sheng and Liu Fei were old friends, and they knew Liu Fei's temperament very well.

He is stubborn, and even ten oxen can't pull him back from what he has decided.

If Zhou Zheng breaks his promise, not only will he lose the head of the farm family like Liu Fei, but farmers in Xiang County and even Dazhou may even avoid Zhou Zheng.

After hearing Meng Sheng's words, everyone also fell into deep thought.

"Not enough iron ore?!"

"If I remember correctly, don't we have three iron mines in Xiang County?!"

"Why, isn't this enough?!"

Zhou Zheng frowned slightly, this was the first time he heard about iron deficiency.

"Your Highness does not know. There are indeed three iron mines in Xiang County, but they do not belong to us..."

Gu Jiang shook his head and then explained.

It turns out that the three iron mines in Xiangjun have always been controlled by the Yin family.

In the past, when the major families did not block Xiangjun, the Yin family sold the mined iron ore normally.

But since the Yin family, Ji family, and Han family took action, the three iron mines have completely stopped mining, and they will not be easily sold to the outside world.

Therefore, let alone forging iron plows at this time, even Xiang County's normal iron demand cannot be met.

This is the power of aristocratic families.

Almost all businesses in the Great Zhou Dynasty are monopolized by aristocratic families. This is also the reason why the imperial court will not take action against aristocratic families easily.

Pull the hair and move the whole body!

"The Yin family?!"

Hearing this name, there was a hint of chill in Zhou Zheng's voice.

"No wonder Zhou Qiao had a good supply of weapons when he rebelled. It seems to have a lot to do with these three iron mines."

Zhou Zheng closed his eyes slightly, as if talking to himself.

"Master Gu, what are you still hesitating about?!"

Zhou Zheng turned to look at Gu Jiang and shouted in a low voice.

"What does the prince mean?"

Hearing the implication of Zhou Zheng's words, Gu Jiang's heart was slightly shaken, and then he cautiously asked.

"Your Highness, this is inappropriate!"

Gong Tan quickly stood up and shook his head.

How could she not know Zhou Zheng's thoughts and plans at this time, but this matter was far from that simple.

"Let's not talk about the seizure of iron ore, which is unreasonable."

"There are many interested parties involved behind this iron mine alone."

Gong Tan smiled bitterly. As the former deputy commander of the Imperial City Department, Gong Tan naturally knew the powerful relationship.

Iron ore is a hugely profitable industry, and even if aristocratic families want to eat this cake, it is unrealistic.

Because opening an iron mine requires not only capital and technology, but also the court's approval.

Therefore, behind any iron mine, there are figures from the imperial court.

Every year, the aristocratic family will distribute the profits from the iron mines to the people behind it.

Over time, the iron ore has become a mature interest chain, and even the emperor knows the key to it. As long as the iron ore pays taxes normally, he will turn a blind eye.

If he was an ordinary official, Zhou Zheng wouldn't have to care.

But the three iron mines in Xiang County are not just ordinary people involved!

"Oh!?"

"I would like to see which giant Buddha is behind you."

Zhou Zheng tapped his fingers on the table, a hint of curiosity flashing in his pupils.

"King Runan!"

Taking a deep breath, when Gong Tan slowly said these three words, the hearts of everyone present suddenly accelerated.

Even Zhou Zheng's expression changed slightly.

In today's Great Zhou Dynasty, only a handful of people have been crowned kings.

King Runan is one of them.

He was still an absolute supporter of Tianjing back then, so after Emperor Tianjing ascended the throne, he decreed that Zhou Nan be the King of Runan!

In addition, King Runan was given the privilege of raising 30,000 private soldiers.

This shows the status of King Runan!

Over the years, King Runan has long withdrawn from the court disputes, but his influence remains.

Even Emperor Tianjing would specifically discuss certain national affairs with King Runan.

It can be said that King Runan is still one of the most powerful figures in the Zhou Dynasty!

In terms of seniority, Zhou Zheng would bow to him when he saw him.

In terms of status, they are truly royal family members, brothers and sisters of emperors.

In terms of strength, he has an army of 30,000 men.

In terms of power, his disciples are all over the government and the public!

Who dares to provoke such a person! ?

The man behind his three iron mines is none other than King Runan!

"No wonder the Yin family is so bold..."

With this relationship, no one in the world dares to easily provoke Xiangjun's iron mines.

This is why the relationship between the Yin family and Zhou Zheng is so troubled, and why they are not worried about these three iron mines.

This is the truth behind being confident.

"The relationship between King Runan and the Yin family is not just about interests."

"Three years ago, King Runan also regarded Yin Ji as his godson."

Gong Tan continued speaking in a low voice.

Yoongi? !

Hearing this name, Zhou Zheng thought of the young man in white who was by the lake that night in Jingxiong City.

However, Zhou Zheng's impression of Yin Ji was not much better.

Everyone turned their attention to Zhou Zheng. They didn't continue to speak, but their eyes showed their attitude, that is, no one wanted to touch these three iron mines.

"Who is taking care of these three iron mines now?!"

"Yin Fen."

"The Yin family is quite capable, otherwise the Yin family would not have let him take care of these three iron mines."

Gu Jiang didn't know why Zhou Zheng asked the same question, but he still responded honestly.

“Where is the nearest iron mine?!”

"It's more than two hundred miles away from Yancheng. If you work hard, you can reach it in one day."

Gong Tan already felt a vague sense of ominousness in his heart at this time.

"Tomorrow, I will go there in person."

Sure enough, when Zhou Zheng made this decision, everyone's hearts suddenly sank.

"Your Highness..."

Biting her red lips, Gong Tan showed a trace of hesitation and worry in her eyes.

This time the situation is different from other times.

Once King Ruyang is angered, it will definitely not be a good thing for them.

"With me here, what are you afraid of!?"

Zhou Zheng disagreed.

The iron ore problem must be solved!

Because this not only involves the issue of the iron plow, but also involves Zhou Zheng’s many subsequent arrangements!

If the Yin family thinks they can be unscrupulous with the support of King Runan, then Zhou Zheng will let them sober up this time!