Our family has been rebelling for generations, and you've become the top scholar in the imperia

More than half a month later.

Xishan Coal Mine.

Qin Feng, dressed in coarse cloth, was watching the workers laying the wooden tracks.

With the help of these nobles in the capital, timber is no longer a problem at all. It must be admitted that having connections makes things easier.

These nobles may not have other skills, but in this kind of matter, they can definitely play a significant role.

"Lord Qin is truly a good official. He has been overseeing the laying of the wooden tracks for several days now. Every day, whenever we arrive, Lord Qin arrives at the same time and doesn't leave until it gets dark."

far away.

Several workers, watching Qin Feng roll up his sleeves and help lift the wooden rails, couldn't help but sigh with admiration.

I've never seen an official like this in my entire life.

"Stop talking and get to work. Before, we didn't have enough timber to lay the floor, but now we can't even finish laying all the timber. Since Lord Qin is here in person, we must finish laying it as soon as possible. Let's not delay Lord Qin's important business and make the most of the high wages we get every day."

The man at the head of the group waved.

The group continued working, carrying the logs. After the wooden tracks were laid, the workers pushing stones on both sides immediately piled the stones up.

"Sir, please take a rest!"

Cao Liang followed behind, having also changed into coarse cloth clothes.

"Okay, it should be finished in about two days at the latest. Hurry up and tell the workers that they will work overtime tonight and get double pay. Try to finish it as soon as possible."

Qin Feng wiped away his sweat.

Looking back at the laid wooden tracks, he nodded in satisfaction.

The matching frame is being made by craftsmen, and people have already been sent to test it. One of these carts is worth at least several of the old donkey carts.

The key point is that this thing, when paired with wooden rails, only requires a few horses to pull it, unlike before when each cart needed two donkeys.

Not only is it slow, but it also has limited capacity.

"Understood, I will go and give the order immediately."

Cao Liang nodded and hurriedly went to make the arrangements.

He truly admired Lord Qin's ingenuity; how he came up with this method of transporting coal. If it were ever completed, it would surely astound everyone in the capital.

The amount transported in half a day is more than what I used to do in a whole day.

Based on this calculation, the future revenue of Xishan Coal Mine will be at least more than double what it used to be.

Qin Feng wiped his hands and took a carriage to the foot of the Xishan Coal Mine.

In just half a month, this place has completely changed.

What used to be just a few shacks has now been transformed into a bustling market.

There are all kinds of stalls, from snack vendors to wineries to clothing stores.

no way.

Working at Xishan Coal Mine is a good job these days. Not only do they receive a month's wages in advance, but they also get off work after only four hours a day. What are many single men doing when they're idle?

They eat at the coal mine and live up there too.

Most people would go downstairs for a stroll after work.

Over time, a market was gradually built up.

"Have you finished making what I asked you to make?"

Qin Feng arrived at the bottom of the coal mine.

Inside a workshop that had been set up.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, it has been made. Paired with the stove you provided, it burns for a long time; three pieces can keep the fire burning for most of the day. It works very well."

Looking at the honeycomb briquettes neatly stacked in the corner.

Qin Feng nodded in satisfaction.

Coal mines suffer huge losses, especially various kinds of coal slag, which are cleaned up almost every day. Seeing the money being wasted, Qin Feng simply asked a blacksmith to make a honeycomb briquette stove to try it out.

If this path can be followed.

If sales are good in the future, it will be another way to make money.

"Yes, you've been working hard lately!"

"It's not hard work!"

Qiu Tuizi grinned and waved his hand hurriedly.

Although he has to keep an eye on things here and gets covered in dust every day, the adults said...

If this business goes through, he'll be able to get a 10% stake.

He personally tested the stove he made; it was small, easy to move, and clean. Most importantly, it burned much longer than the old method of burning charcoal directly.

It might be toxic, so you must open the windows at night.

"In the next few days, we'll find a shop in the capital, hire a few helpers, and start selling from a cart. Do you know how to sell?"

Qiu Tuizi was stunned, then shook his head blankly.

Upon seeing this situation...

Qin Feng's lips twitched.

He simply explained to his enemy.

In the future, this guy will likely be primarily responsible for selling honeycomb briquettes, and I heard he's recently started learning to write at night.

This is a good sign.

"Located near the Xishan Coal Mine, these honeycomb briquettes are made from residue, so there's practically no cost. Aside from the workers' wages, everything else is profit. You have to understand, the furnaces aren't the main source of profit. There are only so many people in Beijing; the furnaces will eventually run out!"

"Honeycomb briquettes are the way to go!"

"Everyone who has a stove at home will buy their honeycomb briquettes from here in the future."

Qiu Tuizi stared wide-eyed and nodded repeatedly.

"When you have the workers sell them, just stipulate that if they buy 2000 honeycomb briquettes, they'll give you a free stove."

"Given away for free?"

For an instant.

Qiu Tuizi immediately understood.

The 2000 honeycomb briquettes will eventually run out, but I will definitely buy them again in the future.

Besides, who doesn't like to get a bargain!

The people of Beijing might not necessarily buy the stoves they were introducing, but it was better to say that you would buy honeycomb briquettes and get a stove for free.

Without a doubt, there will be a lot of people buying it.

"Good, get to work!"

Qin Feng patted Qiu Tuizi on the shoulder before leaving the workshop.

Xifang is gradually getting on track, and once the wooden tracks are laid, the profits will at least double.

He carefully calculated the accounts.

The coal mines paid most of their profits to taxes and the palace, with the remainder going to the Ministry of Works.

As for the money earned from transportation and from honeycomb briquettes...

But they're all mine.

"Judging by the time, if the Duke of Ma and his noble families can hold out for half a month without asking, they're probably so anxious they're practically tearing their hair out at home."

Touching his chin, Qin Feng couldn't help but laugh.

The timber arrived just in time, and he paid an extra ten percent as a reward for these valuable contributions.

but.

The other party has been able to tolerate this for so long without asking about business.

This truly surprised Qin Feng.

"Where is Officer Li? Tell him to come here..."

Thinking of this, Qin Feng waved, signaling to call Officer Li over.

It's time to talk to these dignitaries about future business collaborations.

……

The Duke's Mansion.

"Father, should I go take a look? Half a month has passed. Although Qin Feng gave us ten percent of the silver, with so many families dividing it, each family will only get a small share!"

"His wooden tracks will be laid in the next couple of days. Has he forgotten about us after we've used them?"

"Oh dear, this is so frustrating!"

Duke Ma stared at his son with annoyance.

He paced back and forth inside the mansion.

Don't talk about his son.

Other dignitaries have also been coming to ask every day these past few days.

Even he himself is now a little worried.

The timber has been delivered, and the wooden tracks that Qin Feng wanted to lay are almost finished.

But the other party didn't even mention this transportation business.

"Take it easy, wait a bit longer... Qin Feng shouldn't be that kind of person, he's different from the other scholars."

The voice just fell.

Inside the courtyard.

The old butler rushed over.

"Sir, Lord Qin has sent someone to inform you that he has invited you and other family members to the Xishan Coal Mine the day after tomorrow morning for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the commencement of the timber rail transport operation!"