Affected by the Little Ice Age, the temperature of the world began to drop steadily since the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty.

"It's getting colder. The sun was warm yesterday, but today it feels cold, especially the wind, which blows right into my bones."

Inside the Huagai Palace, the door was closed and a cold wind was howling outside.

Zhu Yuanzhang, wearing a thick fur coat and drinking hot mutton soup, said to his eldest grandson who was having breakfast with him.

It is now the beginning of the morning, which is the regular time of roll call. Going back, Zhu Yuanzhang has already arrived at the Fengtian Hall to start the morning court.

However, at the suggestion of the eldest grandson, it has been postponed for half an hour. As of now, it is still two quarters before entering the hall.

"My grandson has already had sixteen piles of charcoal set up in the Fengtian Hall. I think it should be warm enough now." Zhu Ying also drank a sip of mutton soup and said with a smile.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded. As he got older, he became particularly afraid of the cold.

It was so cold that I felt like an old man who was about to die, as if I would die at any time.

"There is not much coal left in the palace. This winter looks to be much colder than in the past. I am afraid that many people in the capital will freeze to death. I don't know what is wrong with the heavens year after year."

"Why are you torturing our Ming Dynasty like this? It's so cold, and the people have no way to keep warm. What will happen?"

"Oh, big grandson, didn't we hear you say earlier that you have arranged for people to go to Shanxi to mine coal? How is it going? Have you got any news?"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked with some sigh.

He survived the days of poverty, but many people did not.

Every winter, many elderly people would freeze to death because they had no means to keep out the cold, especially the poor people who had no shelter from the wind and cold.

After enduring many severe cold weather, Zhu Yuanzhang finally survived. These memories lingered in his mind.

As the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, he felt very sad when he knew that his people were dying from the cold but he was powerless to do anything.

"It's been nearly two months. There should be news soon."

Zhu Ying replied.

Zhu Ying knew well that Shanxi had abundant coal.

It’s not because he has a very good understanding of the distribution of mineral resources, but simply because in his previous life, coal bosses were generally from Shanxi.

You can't help but want to know.

So he sent craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry who were good at exploring coal mines, along with the Chamber of Commerce and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, to investigate in Shanxi.

The Central Plains dynasties had been utilizing coal mines for a long time, and by the time of the Ming Dynasty, coal mining technology had become more sophisticated.

When it comes to exploration, you can only take your chances. Without any instruments, you can only rely on experience.

"Is there really so much coal in Datong? It can be used for hundreds of years. Grandson, how do you know there is so much?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked doubtfully.

It seemed that in many aspects, the eldest grandson had an extremely unique level of understanding. Some things that were not recorded at all seemed like common sense to him, and his overly confident words also made Zhu Yuanzhang feel a little strange.

The most important thing is that what Da Sun says is always right.

Zhu Ying smiled and replied, "Of course I learned about it from the Western Regions. Grandpa doesn't know that in the Western Regions, because they are not bound by Confucianism, many small countries and people will study according to their own preferences."

"In terms of writing skills, they are naturally incomparable to our Great Ming, but there are always some special people who have peculiar thinking directions. Some tricks that are regarded as ** skills in Confucianism do have unexpected effects."

"The reason why I know about Datong is that I once rescued an old man in his eighties or nineties. He was from Datong and fled to the Western Regions to avoid the war at the end of the Yuan Dynasty."

"I was taken in by a family from the Western Regions, and I learned the art of smelting, and also learned how to prospect for coal mines."

"Looking back to his childhood, he found that some of the records of his fellow villagers were very similar to the coal mines he knew. When he was dying, he wrote about his own story in the book."

"My grandson loved reading at the time, so one of his subordinates handed this book to me, and that's how he learned about the abundance of coal in Datong."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but ask, "Where is the book?"

Zhu Ying said as a matter of course: "Of course it is ruined."

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned at first, and was about to complain, but suddenly he realized something and looked at his eldest grandson deeply.

Zhu Ying pursed his lips.

I just made up a story. Even if it is true, it has to be burned.

If you can't control it, just leave the coal mine in the ground.

But now, we can dig it out and use it.

During the morning court session, Zhu Ying, as usual, once again enjoyed the grateful gazes of the court officials.

In this cold winter season, having a bowl of hot mutton soup can really warm your heart from the stomach.

After entering the Fengtian Hall, I felt warm and comfortable all over.

It seems that the morning court is not so sad anymore.

Twenty-five years.

This was the first time that the ministers attending the morning court felt warmth wholeheartedly.

Although His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has not expressed many opinions in the Fengtian Hall, the hearts of the ministers are now gradually aligning with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

Since you treat my ministers like this, why should I hesitate to repay them with gifts of national honor?

The bustling court formed a sharp contrast with the biting cold wind outside.

After the morning court session ended, Zhu Ying took Zhu Yunhuan to visit the slums in the capital, which was the edge of the handicraft area.

It is difficult to survive in the capital city without a skill.

Ordinary civilians don’t even have their own homes.

"Brother, why do you want to leave the palace on such a cold day? It's too cold. My neck is frozen."

Zhu Yunxun muttered softly.

Zhu Yunhuan was extremely happy during this period. Ever since his elder brother issued an order not to restrict his preferences, Zhu Yunhuan had become completely obsessed with carpentry.

My initial interest was in the matchlock gun, but then it gradually shifted to other areas.

Obviously, he was not very interested in weapons like the matchlock gun.

"It will be even colder when we go out in a few days." Zhu Ying replied casually.

The two brothers walked slowly along the main road towards the southwest of the capital. As they got closer to the industrial area, the crowd became more and more dense.

The plainclothes Jinyiwei about thirty meters away also became more nervous.

However, on the streets, few people dared to approach Zhu Ying and Zhu Yunhuan. After all, they were dressed in gorgeous clothes and had rosy complexions.

This is certainly not because of status, but because of appearance.

The gap between ordinary people and the wealthy class these days is very obvious, and the biggest difference is in body shape and appearance.

Ordinary people would not dare to mess with anyone who looks a little fat or has a healthy complexion.

The people in the capital are not pale and thin, but they all have some paleness on their faces, and their spirit and energy are very different. Poor families cannot afford to offend such people.

"Brother, aren't we dressed too well? Others will be able to tell at a glance that we are extraordinary. I heard that incognito visits usually wear very simple clothes, usually just a linen suit."

As he walked, Zhu Yunhuan couldn't help but mutter to himself.

Because he now has a feeling of being out of place, completely unable to blend in with the crowd on the street, like a crane standing out among chickens.

And many eyes were also secretly observing.

My elder brother said that he would take me to understand the people's sentiments, but how can I understand them according to the current situation?

"Read fewer novels and more books. Who told you that to understand the people's sentiments, you have to wear tattered clothes?"

Zhu Ying scolded.

Zhu Yunhuan didn't dare to say anything more.

When Zhu Ying came here, he really understood the people's sentiments.

The severe winter has arrived. In previous years, many people in the capital have frozen to death. According to the current weather, it is estimated that it will snow heavily soon.

Zhu Ying still cares a lot about the handicraftsmen in the capital.

Artisans who can make a living in the capital are undoubtedly at the top of the industry in the entire Ming Dynasty, and there are also many big names in various markets.

According to Zhu Ying's plan, after demolishing Zhengyang Avenue, the next step is to re-plan the handicraft area, so he must come here to take a look.

The streets are bustling with people and the sounds of hawkers are endless.

"Selling sesame cakes! Freshly baked hot sesame cakes!!"

A burst of fragrance came over him, and Zhu Yunhuan slowed down his pace, as if he could not walk anymore.

Zhu Ying smiled and walked to the sesame cake vendor and asked, "How much are your sesame cakes?"

Seeing that there were two young men in fancy clothes, the vendor bowed and said, "Young Master, a large sesame cake for one penny each."

Zhu Yunhuan looked a little embarrassed when he heard this.

He never had the habit of carrying money, or rather, the habit of using money. When living in the palace, there was no need for him to use banknotes or copper coins.

He had hardly even seen a copper coin.

In desperation, he had to turn his eyes to his eldest brother.

Zhu Ying smiled lightly, took out a purse from his waist, took out two copper coins and said, "Two will do."

He is not out of touch with the world. He has been prepared for such things.

The peddler said "OK" and was about to reach out to take it, but when he compared his somewhat dirty hands with the hands of the two young masters opposite him, the peddler subconsciously took his hands back.

"My hands are dirty, so please place the coins on the table. Sorry for the trouble."

The vendor said with a wry smile.

Zhu Ying was very calm about this, and did not deliberately put it in the vendor's hand to show that he did not care. He just put it on the table as the vendor said.

The vendor took out a wooden clip and wiped it a few times with a towel before picking up the sesame cake and wrapping it in oil paper.

He placed it on the table, which he had wiped several times, and then took the two copper coins.

Zhu Ying twitched his lips slightly. He really wanted to tell the vendor that there were far more bacteria on the towel than on the clip.

At this time, Zhu Yunhuan couldn't wait to reach out and pick up the sesame cake and put it into his mouth.

"Oh, it's so hot, so hot!"

As soon as he took a bite, Zhu Yunhuan almost dropped the sesame cake.

Zhu Ying laughed, picked up the sesame cake, and took Zhu Yunhuan to go deeper.

He needs to take a good look at this handicraft area.

At this time, several eyes were secretly looking at the purse on Zhu Ying's waist.

Judging from the appearance, it feels heavy, which means it must be the person who has a lot of money.

As the two were walking, several people who looked like little beggars were walking towards them.

Zhu Ying was very perceptive and turned around immediately, with a sharp look in his eyes. He stared closely at three little beggars of different heights and thinness who were several meters away.

The three little beggars were immediately panicked.

Their original intention was to take advantage of the opportunity to steal or rob the purse of the young man in brocade clothes, but they were discovered before they even started to act. How could they proceed?

Under the pressure of the gaze, a few little beggars turned around angrily and slipped away from another alley, not daring to stay for too long.

Zhu Yunhuan on the side was completely unaware of this and was still slowly chewing on the sesame cake in the cold wind.

This snack was not worthy of being served in a formal occasion, and naturally, it was not something that Zhu Yunhuan, who lived deep in the palace, had ever eaten.

In this cold wind, I enjoyed eating the hot sesame cakes.

Zhu Ying continued walking and was about to eat a bite when he saw a thin figure in the corner of the alley.

In front of the thin figure was a small broken bowl.

Looking closely, I saw a little girl about seven or eight years old, curled up in the corner, her tattered clothes tightly wrapped around her, her head half buried.

After a slight hesitation, Zhu Ying walked towards the little girl.

He squatted in front of the little girl and handed her the pancake.

When the little girl saw the sesame cake, surprise flashed in her eyes, her throat rolled a few times, and she couldn't help but want to reach out to take it.

But the next moment, the little girl stopped moving, knelt on the ground, and began to kowtow to Zhu Ying, making "ah ah" sounds with her mouth.

It turned out to be a mute girl.

Although she really wanted to eat it, the little girl still took it with both hands carefully after bowing her head, for fear that she would touch Zhu Ying.

After getting the sesame cake, the little girl seemed unable to bear it and wanted to take a big bite.

At this moment, a cough came from a distance along with the cold wind.

Hearing the voice, the little girl shuddered and stopped quickly. A hint of reluctance to the sesame cake flashed in her eyes, but she put it down in her arms and prepared to put it away.

In an instant, a strong hand grabbed the thin arm.

"Eat it here. If you don't eat it, I'll take it back."

As the voice came, the little girl looked up at the big brother in front of her, with mist flowing in her eyes.

He struggled with his arms, but couldn't move at all.

Seeing that the little girl was still a little afraid, Zhu Ying used his other hand to pretend to take it back.

Seeing this, the little girl bit the pancake in a hurry.

Zhu Ying did not let go, but just watched the little girl finish eating, then turned and left.

Looking at Zhu Ying's back, the little girl's moist eyes finally shed tears.

"Brother, why don't you let her take it back? Maybe she has younger sisters and brothers at home, or bedridden parents who are also waiting to have a bite of it."

Zhu Yunhuan asked with some confusion.

Zhu Ying heard this and chuckled, "This world is not as kind as you think."

After saying that, Zhu Ying waved towards the distance, and a captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard quickly came running over.

"Send this order to the Duke of Liang in the Public Security Department. Immediately start investigating the pawnbrokers in the capital and eradicate any illegal transactions. At the same time, investigate street begging and arrest anyone suspected of being part of a gang."