Daming Town Haiwang

Chapter 53, why not use coal?

Emperor Hongzhi discussed with Liu Jian, Li Dongyang, and Xie Qian for several hours, and even had lunch together at Qianqing Palace.

"The weather is indeed a lot, a lot colder. According to Zhou Jing, hundreds of people have died of freezing just here in the capital. I don't know how many people will be frozen to death in this world."

After discussing the business, Emperor Hongzhi also looked out of the window. At this time, it started to snow. Thinking of what the Household Minister Zhou Jing said in the early dynasty, Emperor Hongzhi seemed even more worried.

"The minister is incompetent, unable to share his majesty's worries and relieve the people's difficulties, I am really ashamed!"

Hearing what Emperor Hongzhi said, Liu Jian said helplessly that he could feel Emperor Hongzhi's concern for the country and the people, but facing this natural force, he had nothing to do.

"It's the same with me, the destiny cannot be violated!"

Emperor Hongzhi shook his head and said, facing this natural force, even he, the emperor, felt helpless.

It is quite normal for people to freeze to death in winter. People freeze to death every winter, but this year seems to be particularly high. It is only October. Before the coldest time, hundreds of people in the capital were frozen to death. It was really cold.

"Why don't we go around the capital to have a look together?"

Emperor Hongzhi suddenly suggested.

"Your servants should accompany you."

Liu Jian, Xie Qian, and Li Dongyang naturally agreed quickly. It is a rare opportunity to go out with the boss for private visits and activities together. There is no reason to miss it.

……

In a charcoal shop in Chongnanfang, Langdong, Beijing, Liu Jin and Zhao Erhu were wandering casually in the charcoal shop.

"My lord, what kind of charcoal do you need?"

Seeing that Li Jin was dressed as a scholar, the children in the store approached and asked enthusiastically. Most of these scholars are rich, and they often need charcoal to keep warm when reading and writing.

It was freezing cold, and without charcoal for warmth, there was no way to write, because the hands would freeze, and even the ink would freeze.

"I see that your store has a complete range of charcoal, can you tell me about it?"

Liu Jin looked around the charcoal shop very casually, and found that there was a big difference between the charcoal and the charcoal, even a layman like him could tell it at a glance.

"Young Master has good eyesight. The charcoal in this store is the most complete in Beijing. Whether it is ordinary miscellaneous firewood, high-quality tinplate, or black charcoal, white charcoal, long-packed charcoal, etc., we have it all. There are even the top-level poplar and long firewood specially used by the inner court."

The shop waiter gave Liu Jin a thumbs up, and then began to introduce all kinds of charcoal in his shop.

Because of the different logs fired, the material of this charcoal varies greatly, and it is also divided into many varieties.

"The original name of this Makou Chai is Shunchai. It is called Makou Chai because it is produced in the deep mountains around Mashuikou. The characteristic of this Makou Chai is that it is pure and white without black spots. It is also the most expensive, 900 Wen for a load of tinplate.”

"The quality of this long-packed charcoal is also very good. It is made of hardwood in the mountains in Yizhou. It is durable, gray and white without bursting. A load of long-packed charcoal costs 700 Wen."

"Of course, if you don't have any special requirements, the miscellaneous charcoal is also very good. It is made of forest trees in the north near our capital. It is very durable and only costs 550 Wen per load."

The waiter in the shop patiently explained to Liu Jin the origin, characteristics and price of their respective charcoals, which also opened Liu Jin's eyes. It turns out that there is so much knowledge about this small charcoal.

"This charcoal is really not cheap~ ordinary people can't afford it at all!"

After listening to the introduction, Liu Jin couldn't help sighing, the cheapest offal charcoal costs 550 Wen a load, but the tinplate charcoal costs 900 Wen a load, which is really too expensive.

You must know that the price of a big rooster in this era is only about 15 renminbi, and this load of charcoal can be sold for hundreds of renminbi. This ordinary person simply cannot afford such expensive charcoal.

"It's really too expensive~"

A voice sounded from the side, it sounded a little familiar, Liu Jin hurriedly looked over, and suddenly the Emperor Hongzhi he met in Wangyue Tower that day was still dressed as a master, and Xiao Jing next to him was dressed like a housekeeper, as for Liu Jin Jian, Xie Qian, and Li Dongyang also changed into the clothes of ordinary people, so that it is impossible to tell that they are important cabinet ministers.

"So it's Mr. Zhu~"

Liu Jin hurriedly saluted Emperor Hongzhi. Although he already knew the identity of the other party, but before Emperor Hongzhi said it, Liu Jin would not point it out. What's more, once he knew that the other party was the emperor, he would have to kneel down. Could he not kneel? Naturally, it is best not to kneel, and Liu Jin wished he would never have to kneel.

"I didn't expect to meet Mr. Liu here."

Seeing Liu Jin, Emperor Hongzhi was also in a good mood, and said with a smile.

"This is Mr. Liu whom I told you about. The Golden Continent, Australia, Europe, Africa, etc. are all mentioned by Mr. Liu. If you are interested in anything, you can just ask him face to face."

Then Emperor Hongzhi also introduced Liu Jin to Liu Jian, Xie Qian, and Li Dongyang. The three of them squinted their eyes and looked at Liu Jin carefully at the same time. Their eyes were sharp, as if they wanted to see through Liu Jin thoroughly.

"Meet three gentlemen."

Although Liu Jin still couldn't figure out the background of these three people, most of the people who could follow Emperor Hongzhi should also be important officials in the court, so he had better be polite.

"Well, not bad."

Li Dongyang squeezed his mustache and nodded and said, he is very handsome, he was a handsome guy when he was young, Liu Jin is not bad, he has a good skin, it is more suitable for Li Dongyang's appetite.

"I heard that Mr. Liu came to the capital to participate in the autumn and winter poetry meeting. Why don't you go to the poetry meeting, but come to this charcoal shop instead?"

Xie Qian looked at Liu Jin, thought for a while and asked.

"Hey, there are people on the street where the wine and meat stink to death, and the rich students are all singing to the snow and the wind and the moon, saying that the snow is good and it's just in time, but if they see that the street is so cold When a shivering beggar sees his face flushed and his hands cracked, will he be in the mood to recite poems, anyway, I am not in the mood to participate in such a poetry meeting."

Liu Jin sighed, looked at the falling snowflakes outside, and looked worried.

Of course, this is also one of the reasons why Liu Jin didn't go to the poetry meeting. I really can't understand those people, and more importantly, Liu Jin is from later generations. Better not to go.

Hearing Liu Jin's return, Emperor Hongzhi, Liu Jian and the others looked at each other, and they were all slightly surprised. They didn't expect Liu Jin not to attend the poetry meeting for this reason, which was a bit surprising.

This Liu Jin, like the others, also noticed that many people were frozen because of the too cold weather, and even came to this charcoal shop to learn about the market of charcoal.

"The price of this charcoal is high, but the weather is very cold. I wonder if Mr. Liu can solve the heating problem for ordinary people?"

Emperor Hongzhi thought of the scene where Liu Jin was talking about the world outside of Mingyue Tower that day, and asked with a hint of expectation.

"Actually, the problem of heating is easy to solve. Charcoal is expensive, so why not use coal?"

Liu Jin replied almost without thinking.

　Please collect, please collect~~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)