Chapter 879 A Dream of Youth 411
The wind blows snowflakes like falling flowers, the moon shines on the ice patterns like a shattered mirror.
If Xie Ning only had some suspicions at first, she finally realized that it was a scheme deliberately set up by Yan Xi after Princess Huihe's marriage was arranged and the news of the Noble Consort Xian and the Noble Consort Jing dividing the power of the harem came out.
It wasn't just because of the discord between the deceased Empress Dowager He Jinggui and the conflicts between the two princesses.
Yan Xi is raising wolves.
Princess Huihe may not be very clever, but her status and the power behind her are strong enough. And who says you can only raise one wolf? Princess Huihe is just the first one.
Even though Yan Xi has not yet fully secured her throne, it does not hinder her plans for the future. Yan Xi is consolidating the emperor's power, and when the emperor's power reaches a certain level, the emperor's eyes and ears will be veiled.
Therefore, she needs external motivation to keep her alert.
Upon hearing Xie Ning chuckle, Mr. Ye couldn't help but ask curiously, "Does Your Excellency have some good news?"
"It's a good thing. I used to worry that His Majesty would have a hard time adapting to life now, but now it seems that His Majesty is more clear-headed than many emperors in history."
Mr. Ye did not know what Xie Ning was talking about, but he still offered his congratulations.
Regardless of what happens in the future, Xie Ning is now completely on Yan Xi's side. Yan Xi is strategic and wise, which is naturally the best thing.
"Sir, the data has been compiled and I would appreciate your review." Mr. Ye handed over information on seasonal temperature changes in various dynasties.
These materials were borrowed by Xie Ning from the Imperial Observatory.
The data shows that from ancient times to the present, winter temperatures have become increasingly lower, and the area covered by severe winters has become increasingly larger. Winters in the Huai River basin and even the Yangtze River basin are often covered in ice and snow.
Throughout history, the most common problems that have plagued people are hunger and cold.
The imperial court is now vigorously promoting cotton cultivation so that the people can withstand the cold winter. But besides clothing, there is another thing the people use to keep warm: fire, firewood, and coal.
At low temperatures, the demand for fuel has surged. Not to mention the reduction of forest resources, firewood and charcoal are huge in volume and difficult to transport over long distances under current transportation conditions.
Even in the capital and other major cities of the Great Zhou, large numbers of people froze to death, not to mention those in more remote and underdeveloped areas.
Under such circumstances, coal development became particularly important, and the Great Zhou Dynasty did indeed attach great importance to coal mining. It could be said that all the households in the capital relied on coal, and no one burned firewood.
Nowadays, the Great Zhou does not prohibit private mining, but rather collects taxes on it. The government also has officials in charge of coal mining, while other mines are often seized by nobles and powerful families.
Based on Mr. Ye's information, Xie Ning wrote a memorial to the throne, prohibiting powerful monks, Taoists and other officials from occupying mines and coal fields without authorization, hoping that the court would promulgate this law to restrict them. Then there were some suggestions and regulations on mining safety.
Mr. Ye hesitated, then asked, "Aren't you afraid of offending those people, sir?"
Cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents, and Xie Ning himself owns two mines. Isn't he just blocking his own path?
Xie Ning set the paper aside to dry, then got up and pulled a thick notebook from the bookshelf. "I know that, but I think they would be willing."
She's just imposing restrictions; they can still legally own mines, but they'll have to pay taxes and there are quantity limits.
"How so?" Mr. Ye sat up straight.
"A new method of charcoal making by nature."
She was familiar with the entire process back then, so improving the quality and yield of the coal and reducing production costs through technical means was not a problem.
Xie Ning did not elaborate, and Mr. Ye did not see any actual results, but he still took a deep breath because he knew that Xie Ning was not a person who spoke without reason.
If Xie Ning can say that, then it proves that she really has that kind of skill.
But, "Is Your Excellency willing to part with it?"
If such technology were kept in his own hands, and Xie Ning also owned mines, even Mr. Ye couldn't imagine how much money Xie Ning could make under such a monopoly!
"Mr. Ye, you must have forgotten that the imperial court has promulgated a patent law." So even if she publishes the technology, she can still make a profit; it's just a matter of how much.
"Moreover, I am an official."
Her starting point was never simply to make money; she would only truly profit if she could fundamentally improve coal refining technology.
Because this is her political achievement.
"It's because I'm attached to appearances."
Mr. Ye felt somewhat ashamed. He was not young, and besides Xie Ning, he had followed other masters before. Therefore, his thoughts had always prioritized the interests of his master over those of himself.
It seems I'll have to change this habit in the future.
Xie Ning placed the book on the table, and a few snowflakes drifted in from the window, dampening the paper.
“Mr. Ye is thinking of me. I don’t blame him. But as an official, one should care about the people.” Xie Ning pushed another book in front of Mr. Ye.
"I heard that Mr. Ye has a great understanding of the Shangzi. I am very busy, so I would like to trouble Mr. Ye to organize it for me and expand on some examples applicable to various dynasties for explanation."
When Xie Ning taught Yan Xi, he chose to teach her from "The Book of Lord Shang".
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