The main materials used in winter in the Ming Dynasty are charcoal, coal and firewood.

Among them, charcoal provides the best heating experience.

However, it is expensive, and generally only the imperial palace, government offices and wealthy families are qualified to use it.

There was a department in the Ming Dynasty called Xixinsi.

It was in charge of charcoal factories, forests and dedicated woodcutters, and was responsible for purchasing fuel and making charcoal for the palace and government departments.

Every winter, including the officials in the capital, their salaries would include charcoal.

Sometimes there would be a shortage of charcoal, after all, it had to be supplied to the imperial palace first, so there was a subsidy called firewood silver.

Charcoal produced by institutions such as "Xi Xin Si" often has very high requirements for quality. For example, "Hong Luo Charcoal" is the royal charcoal, and its product standards are:

"They are all made from hardwood from the mountains in Yizhou, transported to the red basket factory, cut according to size, woven into small round baskets, and filled with red clay. ... Each log is about a foot long, with a diameter of two or three inches. It is warm and durable, grayish white and does not burst."

Coal has been used since the Song Dynasty, but it was called stone coal at that time.

In the winter of the fifth year of Dazhong Xiangfu reign of Emperor Zhenzong of Song Dynasty, the people of Kaifeng city were short of charcoal, and the price was very high, about 200 coins per scale, with 15 jin making up one scale.

Seeing that the people could not bear it any longer, the government "sold 400,000 charcoals" and took out some of the charcoal under its control and put it on the market at half price. People rushed to buy it, and as a result, the tragic incident of "people being trampled to death" occurred.

In the winter of the fourth year of Jiayou reign of Emperor Renzong of Song Dynasty, it was cold, rainy and snowy, and the prices of firewood, charcoal and food doubled. According to Ouyang Xiu's memorial, "many people died of the cold" in Kaifeng city at that time.

In order to keep warm, ordinary families who could not afford charcoal and coal had to take risks and violated the ban by cutting down mulberry and jujube trees, and even secretly cut down trees around the imperial tombs.

Until now, coal mining is still a government monopoly and not much is produced. Apart from heating, the Gunpowder Bureau also makes a big profit.

So when Zhu Yuanzhang heard that his eldest grandson had taken coal from the Gunpowder Bureau and sold it in the market at a low price, he asked this question.

"My grandson has this idea. Currently, whether it is charcoal or firewood, the demand is huge and it is used up quickly. The trees around are being cut down severely, and many people even cut down trees illegally to keep warm."

"My grandson has carefully read the records of previous years. Every winter is getting colder. In the south, there are many trees and firewood can still be supplied. But in the north, especially in the northwest."

"There is not enough firewood to keep warm, but there is a lot of coal buried deep underground."

"My grandson asked Liu Rixin about this. He said that the world is changing drastically. The winter will be even colder in the future, especially in Liaodong and Nurgan. Therefore, coal mining is urgent."

"So my grandson wants to open a coal mine. It is no longer just a government-run business, but can also be a private one. Only by allowing the people to profit from it can we stimulate enthusiasm and make the entire coal mining industry prosperous."

"It can also provide some protection for the harsh winters in the future. When this industry rises, many merchants will inevitably become wealthy, so the court can also benefit from this."

"Now that crops such as sweet potatoes have begun to be planted on a large scale, there is enough food to eat, and most people can be freed from it. The idle labor can be used for coal mining."

After Zhu Yuanzhang listened, he thought for a moment and said, "So, the reason why Grandson sold coal at a low price on a large scale was to let those businessmen see the business opportunities and never invest in it."

"As long as there is some rumor that the government wants to privatize coal mining, it will inevitably attract the support of businessmen."

"Under such circumstances, I'm afraid you can still collect some benefits?"

Zhu Ying paused slightly.

In fact, he hadn't even thought about charging fees for the clerical service, but the old man had already thought of it.

It seems to be a good option to charge some fees to private businessmen for mining documents.

After thinking for a while, Zhu Ying added: "Underground mining is extremely dangerous. If you are not careful, it will collapse. In terms of compensation and safety, the government should still be the main supervisor. Local officials should bear joint responsibility."

Deaths in mining were very common in later generations, not to mention the current Ming Dynasty.

The necessary charter safeguards must be well planned.

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't have much objection to this.

For example, as for engineering construction, just let the eldest grandson do it without any worries, and nothing serious will happen.

I still have great faith in my eldest grandson's abilities.

…

At the gate of Prince Yan's Mansion, Zhu Di watched his wife Xu Yihua get on the carriage and gradually disappear in the falling snow.

"Zhu Ying, Zhu Ying, you are like someone sent by God to hinder me. Ever since I met you, I have never been happy."

Zhu Di frowned. He was very wary of Zhu Ying now.

Every time I think about it, I feel extremely regretful.

Looking at the palace inside and outside, Zhu Yunwen was nothing but a man taught by a corrupt scholar. At least in his heart, Zhu Di had never been afraid of Zhu Yunwen.

Zhu Ying is different. He has too many methods and they are extremely precise.

As the saying goes, hit the snake at its most vulnerable part. Ever since Daoyan was transferred away, Zhu Di felt very uncomfortable.

It’s not that there are no more counselors, but it’s almost impossible to find someone as outstanding as Daoyan.

Although Daoyan's mind is not pure, his thoughts are basically the same. After all, he has some delusions, but now even the delusions are gone.

Zhu Di strolled into the courtyard and stared blankly in the pavilion in the courtyard alone.

When Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui saw him, they did not dare to disturb him.

They knew that their father must be thinking about something important at this time, and if they disturbed him, he would definitely be scolded.

In the Prince of Yan's Mansion, Zhu Di's authority was quite high, and all his sons were afraid of him.

Zhu Di's mind was a little confused now, including asking his wife to go to the palace to find a way to plead for him to stay in the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Di didn't know whether this decision was correct.

"It would be great if Daoyan was here. He would probably tell me what is the best way to do it."

After losing Daoyan, Zhu Di realized how much of a shame it was. In the future, when making many decisions, Zhu Di had no fear even if Zhu Ying entered the palace.

After all, he had made great contributions, and even the court and his father would not criticize him at will.

Among all the princes, he is the most outstanding except for his eldest brother.

My father has said many times in the court that he is similar to him.

This is also what Zhu Di is most proud of.

The sky was white, and snowflakes fell slowly, gradually entering the lake and merging into the water.

Zhu Di suddenly looked at this scene in a trance, and a sentence appeared in his mind:

The highest good is like water, which benefits all things without contending. Because it does not contend, no one in the world can contend with it.

Zhu Di did read books, although he returned most of them to his teachers.

But these words seemed to pop out of my mind suddenly.

At this moment, Zhu Di suddenly woke up as if he had been enlightened.

"Since I can't win against him, then why should I fight? Just like the snowflakes and water, they merge together. If I can't win against him, then I will surrender to him. He is the eldest son, so it is only natural for me to surrender to him."

"For example, Zhu Gang has Zhu Ying's support, so he can get everything he wants. He can get approval for anything he wants to do. On the other hand, I have to walk on thin ice in everything I do. If I am caught by mistake, I will most likely fall into the abyss."

"It would be fine if we go to Japan now, but even in Japan, it doesn't mean Zhu Ying can't intervene. His Qunying Chamber of Commerce does a lot of overseas trade. If we really conquer Japan, the silver inflow and outflow will probably go through his hands."

If you think about it carefully, Zhu Ying was able to establish the Japanese fiefdom so easily. There must have been some considerations behind this. Given Zhu Ying's personality, he would never do business at a loss.

After thinking about it this way, Zhu Di probably understood the key to dividing Japan.

There must have been a plan for the coveted silver mine long ago. Maybe when the territory was divided, the silver land was used as the midpoint.

The three kings fought together, and no one could monopolize the dispute.

Although Zhu Di felt that he was not inferior to others in commanding the army, Zhu Gang was not someone to be trifled with, not to mention his seventh brother, Prince of Qi Zhu Gui.

The seventh brother, Zhu Gui, was granted fiefdom in Qingzhou and stationed in Kaiping to defend against the Hu people.

Beiping is close to Kaiping, which is where Tangshan is located in later generations.

When various forces were conquering the frontiers, Zhu Gui also participated. Although he acted cruelly, he achieved many victories and made many contributions in the wars.

One side can be suppressed, but if the two sides are added together, Zhu Di will have a hard time controlling them.

There is no need to think too much. With Zhu Ying's means, he will definitely make arrangements far away, use the two kings to suppress himself, seize the silver, and give back to the Ming Dynasty.

"It seems that I must find a way to improve my relationship with Zhu Ying."

While thinking, Zhu Di saw the gate and wall of the backyard and immediately had an idea.

The eldest son has a very good relationship with Zhu Ying.

…

In the harem.

"Yihua, let me take a good look at you. It's been many years since I last saw you. Are you doing well in Peking?"

Concubine Ning took Xu Yihua's hand and asked kindly.

Xu Yihua has lived in the palace since she was a child.

Since it was Empress Ma who brought her there at the beginning, Concubine Ning was naturally very familiar with her.

At that time, the Ming Dynasty had not yet been established, Zhu Yuanzhang was not the strongest and most powerful, and Chen Youliang and Zhang Shicheng were still there.

That year, Xu Yihua was just born.

Xu Da's second wife was Xie Zaixing's second daughter and Zhu Wenzheng's younger sister. Zhu Yuanzhang arranged for Xu Da to marry her.

At that time, all the wives and children of Dajing lived with Empress Ma, including Concubine Ning.

Xu Yihua has been smart and clever since she was a child and is very popular with everyone.

It was not until the ninth year of Hongwu, when she was canonized as the Princess of Yan, that she moved out of the palace.

He followed Zhu Di to Fengyang and then lived in Peking.

Looking at Xu Yihua, Concubine Ning was deeply moved.

"Your Majesty, Yihua is fine. I'm sorry to have worried you." Xu Yihua replied softly.

There was a blazing charcoal fire inside the house, and outside it was snowing heavily.

Looking out the window, Concubine Ning began to talk about the past.

Xu Yihua just sat quietly beside Concubine Ning, listening attentively.

It was unknown how long it took for Concubine Ning to come to her senses.

"Look at me. I'm old now, but I always like to reminisce about the past. Don't think I'm nagging."

Xu Yihua said: "Your Majesty, what are you talking about? I just like to hear these things. In the blink of an eye, more than ten years have passed. Now things are different, and people are different. It's just... it's just..."

Speaking of this, Xu Yihua couldn't help but choke up.

When Xu Yihua was a child, his biological mother, Xie, died early. Because she was arrogant, jealous, and rude in her words and deeds, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered her to be beaten to death.

This is also related to offending Queen Ma.

So when she was very young, Xu Yihua was raised by Empress Ma.