The Ming Dynasty started with caution

Now, it is winter, even if there is coal in Hunhe, Mentougou, and Xiangshan.

It will take more than half a month to dig up the coal seam.

Yan Chengjin plans to take over two official kilns and one private kiln in Wanping County.

In the later Shanxi, coal bosses are rich enough to rival a city.

But not in the Ming Dynasty. Coal is not as good as silk and porcelain, and is a cheap business.

After reading the yellow book, Yan Chengjin said: "Sir Wu, can you tell me about the supervision of official kilns and coal kilns?"

Wu Jian's heart moved, and he said it readily, and then pleaded: "If you are an official in the court, can you take care of the mountains and forests in Wanping?"

The barren mountains here were bought by an official in the capital. The people are not allowed to cut down trees on the mountains. If they go in, they will be fined.

Changning Bo rented all the barren mountains and cut trees for burning charcoal. Yan Chengjin knew it.

Yan Chengjin shook his head: "I never meddle in other people's business. You can submit your own memorial."

"Hmph, so ruthless, I think you are also a dog official who is in collusion with the gentry, otherwise, you asked me what the coal mine is for!" Wu Jian said coldly.

The assistant officer was terrified and hugged Wu Jian's waist, fearing that he would rush up to fight.

Yan Chengjin said: "I am really a scumbag, Lord Wu, please lend me the yellow book." As he said, he handed it to Wang Shouren.

"..." Wang Shouren's face was stiff.

Yan Chengjin handed it to Wang Shouren: "Brother Bo'an, please help me write it down."

"What do you want to write down, Brother Gao?"

"Uncultivated wasteland."

During the Qing Dynasty, more than 100 coal mines were opened in Wanping County. He guessed that they were found in wasteland.

If someone is sent to detect and it is confirmed that there is a coal mine, the land will be rented.

Wang Shouren has a photographic memory and helped him draw a map.

…

Changning Earl's Mansion,

Zhou Yu learned a lot of business experience from the salt administration.

If you want to make money, you have to monopolize!

He happened to have power and money, and suddenly felt that Yan Chengjin, the dog official, was a genius in business, and his previous meals were eaten in vain.

"Is there any place in the capital that is not my Changning Earl's?"

"The Imperial Palace!"

Zhou Yu kicked him and cursed: "You can say such words, aren't you afraid that the master's head will be chopped off!"

The housekeeper felt wronged. The master had bought or rented all the barren mountains in the capital, and there was only the Imperial Palace left.

"Tomorrow, the price of charcoal will be raised to eighty coins per catty."

The housekeeper secretly spat, bah! The profiteer raised the price by two times.

…

Forbidden City, Guangting.

Xiao Jing was holding Yun Zhan and was about to go back to the duty room to rest, but was stopped by a light shout.

He turned slightly sideways without leaving any trace, and saw out of the corner of his eye that it was indeed Yan Chengjin!

He must have asked him to escort him out of the palace again, and he left quickly as if he had seen the god of plague.

But Yan Chengjin was faster than him, and blocked his way in the blink of an eye.

Xiao Jing snorted coldly: "Lord Yan, do you want us to escort you back to the mansion in broad daylight?"

"No, I want the coal mine in Wang Xie's hands." Yan Chengjin said.

Wang Xie is the mine supervisor of Wanping County.

All eunuchs are under the supervision of the Ministry of Rites.

Xiao Jing said: "We must report to His Majesty first, and dare not make decisions on our own."

...

In the East Warm Pavilion, the cold wind penetrated through the cracks in the door and tiles.

Emperor Hongzhi was so cold that his body was tense, and the heat of the basin fire reflected on his face. After sitting for a long time, his face was a little painful, but his back was shivering with cold.

Just like shrimps on a hot pot, hot on one side and cold on the other, it is more comfortable to burn a ground dragon.

"Did Yan Chengjin really settle down in the Censorate?"

Xiao Jing nodded: "Reporting to Your Majesty, he has started digging.

Yan Chengjin bought a coal mine in Wanping.

Just now, he wanted to buy the official kiln from me, saying that he would pay twice the mining tax."

The mining tax is one in thirty, which is not much money.

What Emperor Hongzhi cares about is: "What does Yan Chengjin want this coal mine for?"

"I don't know, Your Majesty, will you give me the double mining tax?" Xiao Jing wanted to give it, but only a fool would not give it.

With Yan Chengjin's personality, he dare not evade taxes. If he really dares to evade taxes, it would be good.

Emperor Hongzhi stroked his smooth beard.

This guy doesn't know what he is doing to me, and he doesn't come to report to me.

"The capital is as cold as an ice cave, I wonder how the northern border is?"

The further north, the colder it is. The Tatars use cow dung to burn fire to keep warm.

But the soldiers of the Ming army rely on clothes to keep warm, and most of them can't afford charcoal.

Emperor Hongzhi raised his head slightly: "How is the price of charcoal in the capital?"

Xiao Jing was somewhat afraid to say anything. Recently, the Zhang brothers were away, and the Earl of Changning became more and more arrogant.

"It has risen... It has risen to 80 wen per catty."

On weekdays, charcoal only sold for 20 or 30 wen, and it was even cheaper in summer, only a few wen. Now it has risen to 80 wen.

It seems not expensive, but it has to be burned every day, and the people feel like cutting flesh.

The face of Emperor Hongzhi was full of clouds. He stood up, walked a few steps in front of the emperor, and turned back and said: "Yan Chengjin asked me to set up an economic department to manage prices. Does he know?"

"I don't know if he knows it, or I ask him to come?"

Before Emperor Hongzhi could answer, the chief clerk of the Ministry of War came in in a panic and reported: "Your Majesty, Lord Qin is on leave, and there is an urgent letter from Liaodong. I sent it to you."

Qin Hong took a three-day leave and had not attended the court because of illness.

Before Emperor Hongzhi finished reading the memorial, his expression gradually became serious: "Call the cabinet and the six ministries, and call Yan Chengjin as well."

Soon, officials from the cabinet and the six ministries arrived one after another, but Yan Chengjin was nowhere to be seen.

Emperor Hongzhi frowned and looked at Xiao Jing, and said coldly: "Where is Yan Chengjin?"

Xiao Jing greeted Yan Chengjin's ancestors. This dog official refused to take duty before the ground dragon was repaired.

He was disliked by His Majesty for nothing.

Xiao Jing smiled and said, "Your Majesty, Lord Yan has left the palace. Today, he only came for a short while."

His Majesty looked like this, and there must be something wrong in the Nine Borders. Li Dongyang asked, "Your Majesty, is it a sign of war?"

"No, I guessed it right. Prince Rong asks for 200,000 taels of silver for relief."

Prince Rong Zhu Youshu was in Liaodong, which was originally the territory of the Jurchens. It was extremely cold, so he asked for relief silver to provide porridge and charcoal to the people.

After reading the urgent report, Li Dongyang's face became solemn. It was not suitable for Han people to survive there.

Yan Chengjin advised to build a defense city there. Now that the city has been built, it is difficult for people to survive.

Emperor Hongzhi looked at Xiao Jing and said, "Send Qin Hong to the palace."

Li Dongyang said, "Qin Hong, please retire. I haven't had time yet. I'll present it to your majesty."

...

Liangxiang,

Yan Chengjin wrote and drew on paper, while Xie Pi and Song Jing stood by, knowing that Lord Yan must have a new idea.

Coal burning easily produces harmful compounds of sulfur and carbon, which need to be crushed and washed with water to be refined into anthracite.

In ancient times, coal was the largest resource besides iron ore.

It is also a resource that the Ming Dynasty travelers will definitely develop, and it will become a basic package for travelers along with shower gel and soap.

"What is this, sir?"

"Anthracite, now the Economic Department can hardly control the price of charcoal, but once this thing comes out, charcoal will be worthless."

Yan Chengjin can arrest Zhou Yu and put him in jail.

But, Queen Mother Zhou is about to die. If Queen Mother Zhou is angry to death, I'm afraid your majesty will blame him for the rest of his life.

The most reliable way is to use anthracite to bankrupt Zhou Yu.

At this time, outside the courtyard.

A fast horse stopped at the gate of the School of Science. The factory guards dismounted and rushed into the courtyard: "Master Yan, His Majesty summons you to the palace."

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