North of Luoyang, a long transport team of about four thousand people was heading towards Luoyang.

"Was that... a caravan?"

The dozen or so soldiers guarding the city gate and the people outside the city were also shocked; it was the first time they had ever seen such a large caravan.

In their eyes, the procession stretched for at least three miles from beginning to end, with nearly six hundred two-horse carriages, each accompanied by six transporters.

Inside the carriage at the front of the procession, Zhao Zhong sat with his eyes closed, resting. After more than ten days of travel, the team led by Zhao Zhong, transporting coal stoves and coal, finally arrived outside Luoyang City.

"We're finally back! I wonder how His Majesty has been doing lately!!"

Inside the carriage, looking at the majestic city of Luoyang before him, Zhao Zhong couldn't help but feel his eyes redden and his nose tingle as he thought about the end.

"Get into the city quickly!"

Thinking of His Majesty waiting for him in the palace, Zhao Zhong hurriedly urged the guards beside him and then pulled down the carriage curtain.

After verifying their identities, Zhao Zhong led his team, carrying dozens of coal stoves and more than 500 carts of coal, slowly into the city under the shocked gazes of the city gate guards.

"What are they carrying in their truck?"

"I don't know, those dark things look like stones?"

"And those iron barrels, are they some kind of new weapon?"

After the last carriage entered the city, the surrounding people couldn't help but point and whisper curiously.

Before long, Zhao Zhong's team arrived at the square outside the South Palace.

"You all wait here, I'll go see His Majesty first!"

"promise!"

After giving an order to the guards, Zhao Zhong jumped off the carriage.

Afterwards, Zhao Zhong took out his identity token and showed it to the Tiger Guards guarding the palace gate. He then eagerly entered the palace and ran towards the Deyang Hall.

As he ran, Zhao Zhong's face broke into a happy smile, because he had just found out that Zhang Rang and Jian Shuo had not yet returned.

Soon, Zhao Zhong jogged through Deyang Gate and arrived in front of Deyang Palace.

"Oh, Attendant Zhao is back?"

When the Imperial Guards outside the palace saw Zhao Zhong running over, they couldn't help but go up and greet him.

"Yes! Is His Majesty here?"

As Zhao Zhong breathed softly, he kept glancing into the hall.

The guard nodded. "Yes, His Majesty is handling state affairs in the palace. Please wait a moment while I go in and inform him."

Zhao Zhong cupped his hands in greeting to the guards and said with a smile, "Very well! Thank you for your trouble, sir!"

Then the guards pushed open the palace doors and entered the Deyang Palace, bowing respectfully to Liu Hong on the throne.

"Your Majesty, Zhao Zhong, Attendant Zhao, has returned! He is waiting for an audience outside the palace!"

"Oh? Zhao Zhong is back?"

When Liu Hong, who was reviewing memorials, heard that Zhao Zhong had returned, he assumed that the coal and coal stove had also arrived. Liu Hong stopped what he was doing and a smile appeared on his face.

"Summon him in!!"

"promise!"

Zhao Zhong lowered his head and jogged into the hall, then knelt down on the ground with a thud.

"This servant greets Your Majesty!..."

At this moment, Zhao Zhong's eyes were red, and his voice trembled slightly with excitement.

Seeing Zhao Zhong's appearance, Liu Hong couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.

"Heh~, get well soon! Didn't I tell you, don't kneel around unless it's absolutely necessary!!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!!"

Hearing the emperor's kind words, Zhao Zhong was overjoyed and quickly got up with a smile on his face.

"Um?"

When Zhao Zhong saw Song Dian standing behind the emperor in his current position, his smile froze on his face. Song Dian, on the other hand, squinted and grinned as he nodded at Zhao Zhong.

Liu Hong looked at Zhao Zhong and asked, "How much coal and coal stoves did you bring back this time?"

Upon hearing the emperor's question, Zhao Zhong snapped out of his reverie and quickly replied respectfully:

"Your Majesty, this servant has brought back three thousand coal stoves and nearly seven hundred thousand catties of coal!"

"Great!! Excellent!"

Liu Hong nodded in satisfaction, then turned to look at Song Dian beside him.

"Go and fetch Lü Qiang!"

"promise!"

Song Dian accepted the order and then quickly ran out of the hall.

"How is the coal stove manufacturing situation in Xuzhou?"

After Song Dian left, Liu Hong looked at Zhao Zhong and began to inquire about the situation in Xuzhou.

"Your Majesty, Governor Zhang and the Mi family of Xuzhou are working diligently on production, but due to a shortage of crude iron, I'm afraid...!"

Finally, Zhao Zhong cautiously raised his head and glanced at the emperor, then stopped speaking.

"Hmm, I see! Is the same situation in Jizhou?"

Zhao Zhonggong replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, the same is true in Ji Province!"

Liu Hong, sitting on the throne, couldn't help but frown. Because a large number of curved plows had been produced, the current stock of crude iron was insufficient, and therefore the coal furnaces could not meet the current demand.

"Your Majesty, in my opinion, there is no rush in Xuzhou, but we need to hurry up with Jizhou!"

Liu Hong nodded. Jizhou is adjacent to Youzhou and Bingzhou, and the demand in those two places is huge, so they need to be prioritized for supply.

Liu Hong then said, "Hmm! I remember that the Engineering Academy produced quite a bit of crude iron a few days ago. Go find Sikong and have him sell it to the Zhen family! You must urge the Zhen family to expedite the manufacturing!"

Zhao Zhong was overjoyed and quickly said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, this servant has taught the Zhen family a method. As long as there is a sufficient supply of crude iron, we can produce it quickly and in large quantities!"

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