Both Li Ling and Kou Zhengda had vaguely heard that the King of the Northern Territory had the ability to turn stones into gold, and they had also heard that those mines were chosen by the King of the Northern Territory when he wanted to enclose the land for something, but he ended up discovering minerals.
Regarding this rumor, basically everyone is between belief and disbelief.
Later, Liu Tan shifted his focus to other places and handed the site selection to his subordinates. No more minerals were discovered in the Northern Border Country, so in the past two years, everyone has basically forgotten about this matter.
Unexpectedly, the King of the North’s Midas Touch has returned, and is still as accurate as ever.
Kou Zhengda had someone bring a tray with a white stone on it. The stone was warm, white and transparent.
Liu Tan took it and touched the smooth tentacles and asked, "Is this... jade?"
Kou Zhengda nodded excitedly, "Yes, I asked someone to take a look, and it's very similar to Hetian jade, almost indistinguishable from the real thing!"
Liu Tan touched the stone and thought carefully. He vaguely remembered that Dunhuang did produce Dunhuang jade, but Hetian jade was softer and had an oily luster on the surface, while Dunhuang jade was glassy. To put it simply and roughly, Hetian jade is nephrite, while Dunhuang jade is jadeite.
Dunhuang jade is not well-known in later generations, mainly because it appeared too late. It was not excavated until after the millennium, when Hetian jade had already been passed down for thousands of years.
Now that it has been unearthed so early... Liu Tan feels that it can challenge the dominant position of Hetian jade.
After all, today's Hetian jade is entirely imported from the Western Regions or paid as tribute, and ordinary people cannot afford it.
The Silk Road has not yet been fully established. If Dunhuang jade can be made into the national jade...
Liu Tan thought about this and asked, "Have you found the approximate scope of the mineral deposit?"
Although Kou Zhengda suppressed his emotions, he was still very excited: "The three places Your Highness pointed out are all connected, and they all have production, and they are still exploring, so there should be more."
Liu Tan's expression was dull. Finally, he sighed and said, "I don't have time. I'll send someone to choose a place later."
Kou Zhengda tasted the sweetness and said quickly, "Your Highness, the officials of the Imperial Court have come. Please choose a few more places."
Liu Tan learned Liu Che's method and stared at Kou Zhengda.
Kou Zhengda immediately shut up. Liu Tan looked away and said, "Dunhuang doesn't have many people. Even if there are a lot of minerals, we don't have the capacity to mine them all. The Huns are watching covetously outside the Great Wall. We should take our time."
Kou Zhengda's heated mind gradually calmed down. He nodded and said, "Yes, yes, let's take the Hetian jade first..."
"What Hetian jade? It's Dunhuang jade." Liu Tan interrupted him and said, "This is the Han Dynasty's own white jade. It has nothing to do with Hetian jade."
Kou Zhengda hesitated. "But... no one has heard of Dunhuang jade. What if they don't buy it?"
Liu Tan said, "First, you mine a batch of the best quality jade and send it to Shuofang. I'll do the initial work, and the rest is up to you."
Kou Zhengda was stunned for a moment: "Minister? Your Highness won't send someone to look after him?"
Liu Tan was a little confused: "Why would I send someone here?"
Kou Zhengda was bewildered: "This is His Highness's jade mine."
Liu Tan finally understood what he meant. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Find someone to help me watch over it first."
He originally wanted to refuse, but then he thought it was inappropriate to hand over the jade mine to the Dunhuang County Government. The main reason was that Kou Zhengda had no experience in this area and could easily be deceived.
If it were in the past, it would be fine. Seeing that Guanshi was about to open, many businessmen would gather here. Those people have traveled all over the country for many years and have dealt with people from home and abroad. They are all shrewd people.
What's more, mineral resources these days are basically in the hands of wealthy families, and the state-run salt and iron industry was only changed after Liu Che came to power. All things considered, he had to find an owner for the jade mine.
Thinking of this, Liu Tan simply said, "Forget it, let's survey first and find someone to protect the place first. I'll find someone to take over."
Kou Zhengda was honest and didn't say a word. He knew that the jade mine would definitely not fall into his hands. He was excited before because with the jade mine, the people of Dunhuang would have a way out. Mining also requires people.
The most important thing is that taxes must be paid on the sale and processing of jade mines. If you are lucky, the processing may also be carried out in Dunhuang, which provides another way out.
Although Liu Tan said on the surface that he still needed to find someone to take over, he actually already had the best candidate - Liu Ju.
Liu Ju felt a little wronged as the crown prince. In order not to arouse Emperor Liu Che's suspicion, he never dared to amass wealth. Now his brothers either had fiefs or started businesses to make a fortune, but he was the only one who was still waiting for pocket money from his father.
The most important thing is that Wei Zifu, who was originally going to become the queen, is now just a lady. Although her status is not low, she only has the title of the prince's mother in the harem. She is not as good as Liu Tan who receives subsidies from his biological mother from time to time. In addition, Wei Zifu's background is not good, and she does not have a lot of dowry like Chen Ajiao, so she has no way to subsidize Liu Ju.
Previously, Liu Tan felt that his brother had a hard time, so he shared part of the copper mine's profits with him. However, because Liu Tan was worried that too many Wuzhu coins would easily cause inflation, he had been suppressing production, which resulted in not much dividends.
Now it’s just right, the jade mine has been given to Liu Ju.
Compared with the minerals discovered by Liu Tan before, jade mines are the least sensitive, and even if they are given to Liu Ju, no one will suspect anything.
The jade mine is in Dunhuang, so there is no need to worry about someone using this mine to alienate the brothers. The most important thing is that it can allow Liu Ju to have some understanding of the situation in the northern border country.
The information Liu Ju got now was basically second-hand. Some of it was what Liu Che was willing to let him know, and some of it was what Liu Tan picked out and told him. None of it was objective enough.
Dunhuang is a complex location with a lot of information. Having the prince establish a base here will help him broaden his horizons.
At least Liu Che could still travel around, but when Liu Che was on tour, Liu Ju had to supervise the country, and when Liu Che was not on tour, Liu Ju still had to stay in Chang'an. It was really pitiful.
Liu Tan and his men returned to Shuofang City at lightning speed. Huo Guang, already aware that Liu Che would arrive early, asked, "Your Highness, is there anything you need to prepare?"
Liu Tan said: "Just do your job well, and leave the rest to me."
Huo Guang and the others were silent for a moment and looked at each other. Although having such a prince was much less of a worry, they didn't know why they felt that Liu Tan didn't let them help because he probably disliked them for causing trouble.
But soon Liu Tan slapped his forehead and said, "I almost forgot, is it too late to build a hunting ground now?"
"Hunting ground?" Huo Guang hesitated and said, "There's not much game in the Northern Territory. I'm afraid Your Majesty won't enjoy it."
Liu Tan waved his hand and said, "You guys go ahead and do it first, we'll talk about it after you're done."
Huo Guang was helpless: "Your Highness, it's too late. We can't build a hunting ground around the palace, right?"
Liu Tan said, "Don't worry, just don't go too far. If that doesn't work, we can always stay in a tent. As long as my father finds it fun, that's all that matters."
Huo Guang thought about Liu Che's tolerance for Liu Tan and felt that even if it was not so funny, the Emperor might not be angry.
Liu Tan looked up and said, "By the way, I need a general manager for Tongda City and Guanshi. Do you have any recommendations?"
Although the question was directed at you, Liu Tan was looking at Huo Guang.
Although Huo Guang was not the kind of gentleman that Confucianism had always advocated, his bottom line was indeed much higher than Liu Tan's, and Liu Tan still believed in his vision.
Huo Guang glanced at Jiang Chong and said, "There is someone."
Liu Tan was a little surprised. He originally wanted Huo Guang to help him find one first, but he didn't expect that there actually was a suitable candidate?
Huo Guang said, "He's from the same hometown as Jiang Tingwei."
Jiang Chong said uneasily, "This... I'm afraid it's not appropriate."
Liu Tan knew what he was worried about at a glance. It was nothing more than because Liu Tan had once expressed his disgust for fellow villagers forming factions. If his fellow villager really became the general manager, although it could not be said that he had seized Liu Tan's money bag, it would still be a considerable industry. That fellow villager should have a good relationship with him, so he was uneasy.
Liu Tan deliberately said, "If this man is truly talented, he could serve as an official in the imperial court. It would be a shame for him to be my chief steward."
Huo Guang was helpless: "This person is a little special. He has no interest in being an official and only likes doing business."
Liu Tan looked at Jiang Chong and then at Huo Guang, and asked curiously, "Why are you so familiar with him?"
Huo Guang said frankly: "I have met him a few times, and he is a man with ideas."
Liu Tan nodded: "Then I'll find time to meet him after I finish this period of work."
Jiang Chong wanted to say something, but Liu Tan raised his hand and said, "Don't overthink it. The two of them can't really make a difference."
What's more, Jiang Chong is the Chief Justice. This position has real power, but not that much. Even if he colluded with that person, he probably wouldn't be able to do anything.
More importantly, it was recommended by Huo Guang.
Thinking of this, Liu Tan suddenly asked, "What's his name?"
Jiang Chong said, "Ji Fei."
Ji Fei? He searched his mind and found no historical records of this person, which immediately made him feel relieved. If he was not careful and a famous official was lured by him to become the general manager of a merchant, he would probably become a sinner for all eternity.
Huo Guang and others left after reporting their work.
Liu Tan walked towards the study and asked, "Is the Seventh Prince's full moon coming soon?"
Miao Rui immediately said, "There are still ten days left. I have already drawn up a list for the full moon ceremony. Would Your Highness like to review it?"
Liu Tan took it and took a look. He found that it was indeed valuable. He couldn't help but curl his lips and said, "Why give me such a good thing? Just give me two pieces of jade."
Miao Rui didn't take the Seventh Prince too seriously, so he asked, "What kind of jade does Your Highness want to give? Hetian jade?"
Liu Tan smiled slightly: "No, Dunhuang jade!"
Miao Rui was a little confused: What kind of jade is Dunhuang jade?
Kou Zhengda was very quick and delivered a piece of good quality jade, which was much better than ordinary Hetian jade in terms of gloss and translucency.
Liu Tan had a longevity lock carved for him, and also had a few bracelets and anklets with jade bells, as well as a jade necklace, carved and sent to him.
I have to say, if it is really Hetian jade, this set is worth a lot of money.
Taking the opportunity of giving a full-moon gift to the seventh prince, Liu Tan wrote a letter to Liu Ju, asking him to send someone to take over the jade mine as soon as possible.
Liu Ju was sitting in Chang'an when jade came down from the sky.
Reading the letter made him feel a little amused and helpless. His brother either gave him money or jade mines every day. Was he worried that he was living a hard life in Chang'an?
Unlike Liu Ju's helplessness and joy, Liu Che was very unhappy at this time!
His eldest son received a jade mine, and his youngest son received a complete set of jade ornaments.
Only him, nothing else!
Did his son forget about him?!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
