Chapter 171 It’s Not Alarmist
"After you handed me the note, I went to the palace to see the emperor. He said, 20 wen for 100 jin!"
"What? He's crazy!" After hearing Zhu Biao's words, Zhu Chong suddenly stood up from his chair, his mentality completely collapsed.
"How can you talk like that! Sit down!" Zhu Biao looked like he had a headache and waved his hands at Zhu Chong.
"Twenty cents for one hundred jin. Father thinks your price is too high for the common people, so..."
"That won't do either! How can you do this?" Zhu Chong interrupted Zhu Biao directly. In front of his elder brother, Zhu Chong didn't have so many scruples. "Isn't he just fooling around? He really thinks this is a vegetable market and he can bargain!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Chong with a strange expression on his face. He was a little puzzled as to why Zhu Chong reacted so strongly. In his opinion, even if coal cost twenty cents per hundred catties, it would still be profitable. Why did it seem like Zhu Chong was going to lose money?
But Zhu Biao didn't ask so directly, "Second brother, the emperor has already spoken, and it's a golden word. I've calculated it, and the price is actually not a big deal. I'll just follow the emperor's orders."
Zhu Biao's meaning was very simple. This matter was decided by Zhu Yuanzhang. He was the emperor, and his word was final. Besides, Zhu was the major shareholder. What he meant was that there was no need to create trouble.
Zhu Chong shook his head. "Brother, I can't listen to you on this matter. You have to listen to me. Forget it. Come with me into the palace again. I will explain everything to you all!"
"Second brother, is this necessary?" Zhu Biao frowned when he saw that Zhu Chong was serious.
"It is necessary!" Zhu Chong said firmly and didn't say anything else. The reason why he didn't explain to Zhu Biao now was not because he didn't want to explain, but to save time. Anyway, he would say the same thing when he got to Zhu Biao.
Seeing Zhu Chong's serious expression, Zhu Biao knew that he might have missed something, so he stopped insisting, stood up and led Zhu Chong back to the palace again.
In the imperial study, Old Zhu heard that Zhu Chong and Zhu Biao had entered the palace together. After a little thought, he guessed their intentions and his face immediately turned ugly.
"Your son pays his respects to the Emperor!" Zhu Chong and Zhu Biao came in and saluted politely.
"Everyone, get up." Old Zhu fixed his eyes on Zhu Chong. "Prince, Second Brother, what's the important matter that brought you here to see me?"
"Your Majesty, I think the price of twenty cents for one hundred kilograms of coal ore is too low. Please revoke your order!" Zhu Chong did not hesitate at all and directly stated his purpose.
Zhu Biao, who was standing by, immediately broke out in a sweat. He glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang and saw that Zhu Yuanzhang's expression did not change, which made him even more uneasy.
"You mean, our pricing is wrong?" Zhu Yuanzhang said with a double meaning, and the surprise in his eyes was obvious.
Both Zhu Chong and Zhu Biao could hear that Zhu Yuanzhang was setting a trap in his words, waiting for Zhu Chong to fall into it.
Because no matter what Zhu Chong said next, he would definitely say that the price set by Zhu was wrong.
Old Zhu is the emperor, the true dragon emperor, how could he be wrong? Even if he is wrong, he is still right!
But Zhu Chong was prepared. He raised his head and bowed, "Father, may I have a few words to say? How about you listen and then make your judgment?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao hurried to help, "Father, please listen to my second brother. This is a serious matter. Please do not be angry!"
Hearing what the Crown Prince and Zhu Chong said, Old Zhu still had a sneer on his face. He leaned into the dragon throne and said lightly, "Then let's listen."
Zhu Biao breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this, but when he heard Zhu Chong speak again, his heart suddenly began to lift again.
"Father, I understand that you care about the people and want to benefit them, but the issue of coal prices requires comprehensive consideration."
"In the entire Yingtian Prefecture, I'll only count the 300,000 households. Excluding the nobles and merchants, there are at least 150,000 ordinary people who rely on charcoal to survive in winter. I believe your Majesty has no objection to this statement, right?"
Old Zhu was already furious and about to explode when he suddenly heard Zhu Chong ask this question. He was puzzled, thought for a moment, and nodded slightly.
Seeing Old Zhu nod, Zhu Chong quickly said, "Father, since you know that at least half of the people in Yingtian Prefecture used to rely on charcoal for their livelihood, then I boldly estimate that there are no less than 10,000 people in Yingtian Prefecture who rely on charcoal for their livelihood, right?"
Old Zhu nodded again. Zhu Chong's estimate was easy to judge. The registered population of Yingtian Prefecture had already exceeded two million, and it was common for the people to use charcoal, so ten thousand was an underestimate. Naturally, Old Zhu nodded.
Zhu Chong continued, "I cannot say for sure how many of these 10,000 people make their living from charcoal, but I do know that if I and the Crown Prince sell coal to the market at 20 wen per 100 jin,
"The entire charcoal industry in Yingtian Prefecture will suffer a devastating blow. As a result, those people who rely on the charcoal industry for their livelihood will probably be pushed to the brink of extinction!"
"What I say is absolutely not alarmist. And Your Majesty, you must know that to cut off someone's financial resources is like killing their parents. It will surely trigger a bloody storm. Therefore, I implore Your Majesty to reconsider and renegotiate the price of coal!"
Old Zhu opened his mouth wide and sat on the dragon throne for a long time without saying a word. He had not been emperor for long and had spent much more time among the people than as emperor, so he could understand what Zhu Chong said as soon as he heard it.
Therefore, Old Zhu was very clear that Zhu Chong was not exaggerating, but stating the facts. If coal was really sold at the price of 20 wen per 100 jin, Yingtian Prefecture would definitely be in chaos, and the root of the chaos would be himself!
It is impossible for tens of thousands of people to not have public resentment when they suddenly lose their livelihoods, and deaths are a natural consequence.
Zhu Biao, who was listening at the side, also widened his eyes. He now finally understood why Zhu Chong didn't talk to him directly, but instead pulled him to Zhu Yuanzhang to talk.
Because he has no say in the matter, in the end it is still Zhu who makes the final decision.
"Uh..." Old Zhu was a little hot-headed. He looked at Zhu Chong with a gloomy look in his eyes. After a long while, he asked, "Then according to you, what should we do about this matter?"
Hearing that Old Zhu's tone was showing signs of softening, Zhu Chong quickly said, "Father, I think the court should quickly establish a provincial government to manage the sale of charcoal and coal. After comprehensive consideration, they can set an appropriate price."
"But I think the price of coal shouldn't be too low. As far as I know, the price of charcoal in Yingtian Prefecture is generally over 300 coins per 100 catties. So I think the price of coal should not be less than 150 coins per 100 catties."
"Only in this way, even if the price of stone coal is still much lower than that of charcoal, charcoal will not be completely replaced by stone coal."
"Also, the 150 wen per 100 jin of coal that I mentioned is the lowest grade. Different types of coal have different prices. This is the same as the charcoal on the market."
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