Chapter 57: Heavenly Punishment

The location near the Western Hills was close to the Capital. That was why Fang Jifan was brimming with confidence. There were many smokeless coal veins, especially in Shanxi, which included areas like the current Xuanfu and Datong. However, those places were too far away. Mining there and then transporting the coal to the heavily populated Capital region would be costly.

The Western Hills were different. They were barely ten miles away from the densely populated areas of the Capital. Coal could be mined anytime, undergo simple desulfurization, and be molded into coal balls or honeycomb briquettes. These could be delivered to the Capital on the same day with minimal shipping costs. Plus, these were shallow coal deposits that didn’t even require mine shafts; open-cast mining worked just fine.

About dozens of workers had already been hired at the Western Hills. They surveyed the mineral veins, and some coal had been successfully mined. After processing, the first cartload of coal was sent to the House of the Crown Prince. Zhu Houzhao examined the coal and excitedly danced around. “Brother Fang, can coal be sold for money? This Palace… this coal looks good. Good stuff.”

Liu Jin couldn’t bear to tell Zhu Houzhao the truth: that coal was plentiful near the Capital and essentially worthless. Nobody would even pick it up for free. Of course, he dared not say a word.

At that moment, a gleam shone in Fang Jifan’s eyes. He spoke with resolute confidence. “Your Highness, it is time to get rich.”

Zhu Houzhao rubbed his hands together, excited. “It hasn’t been cold enough these days yet… and it hasn’t even snowed…”

Fang Jifan couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Of course, you don’t feel cold, darn it! You’re wrapped up in padded jackets and cotton clothes, bundled up head to toe! Go take a look at the refugees on the streets! Every morning, Shuntian Prefecture collects dozens of frozen bodies! And ordinary people aren’t much better off!

Still, as the major shareholder, one had to treat shareholders with spring-like warmth. Fang Jifan forced a smile. “Your Highness, it will snow soon. And not just that—the rivers might even freeze over. Once that truly deep cold sets in, you won’t be able to avoid making a fortune.”

Nodding enthusiastically, Zhu Houzhao said, “Brother Fang, once we get rich, what do you want to do?”

Fang Jifan hadn’t expected the Crown Prince to ponder such long-term questions. After some thought, he answered, “Make even more silver coins. Earn respect from everyone, Your Highness.”

Zhu Houzhao laughed. “Truly, great minds think alike. This Palace is the same.”

Beyond mining, they would need a proper shopfront in the city to finalize business deals. After recruiting a team to get the mining going, Fang Jifan also had the shop at the Eastern Market renovated. Soon, the first batch of smokeless coal balls was transported into the shop’s backyard warehouse.

For business, you needed a solid name. Fang Jifan thought long and hard and finally ordered a signboard to be raised above the shop: ‘Zhenguo Coal Industry’.

The “Zhenguo” (Guardian of the State) part was suggested by the major shareholder, Zhu Houzhao. He was the Crown Prince and had invested nearly half the funds. Naturally, he had the final say.

A name? Check. Coal balls? Ready. Everything seemed set.

Next came organizing the structure of Zhenguo Coal Industry. Fang Jifan was naturally the head owner. But who would handle sales?

Fang Jifan suddenly recalled someone: Wang Jinyuan.

Wang Jinyuan was basically dragged to the Fang family.

He’d been a plump man before, but had lost a huge amount of weight—many kilograms—in just a few days. Had he not looked so utterly exhausted, Fang Jifan might have suggested he become a fitness coach!

Upon seeing Fang Jifan, Wang Jinyuan began to wail, waving his hands frantically. “Young Lord Fang… Young Lord Fang, please… have mercy! Spare me! I can’t take this anymore! Heavens…” He clutched his chest and howled at the sky, “What sin did I commit?! I ran around for you, collecting ebony with partners. I worked so hard finding buyers! Barely got rid of it and then—wham!—The Crown Prince sticks a three-chi long greatsword at my neck! Forced me to buy his treasures! Begging did nothing! I handed over two hundred thousand taels of sycee silver! Bought that huge chest of Imperial Palace treasures—calling them ‘rare treasures’ and ‘the gems among gems’! But I’m a coward! Even if I dared sell those Imperial gifts, who would dare buy them?! I can’t sell them! I even live in terror that something might happen to them! What if the Palace remembers these items and wants them back… accusing me of the Crime of Deceiving the Emperor?!”

Tears poured down his face like rain. He started shrieking again. Raising both hands to heaven, he wept so pathetically that even Fang Jifan felt a twinge of sympathy.

So Fang Jifan comforted him. “There, there, don’t cry. It’s just two hundred thousand silver taels. We fall down, we get back up. I have a business proposition for you. Be my General Manager. Help me sell coal. It’s a hugely profitable enterprise. Tell you what: take five percent of the annual net profits. We grow rich together. Sound good?”

Wang Jinyuan had never seen Fang Jifan look quite so… kind and benevolent.

Five percent. It wasn’t much. But for him—now utterly impoverished by his recent ruin—it felt like a lifeline.

Wang Jinyuan was actually commercially sharp, someone talented at trade. Had the Crown Prince not ruined him, he wouldn’t be among the richest, but definitely a top merchant in the Capital.

But losing those two hundred thousand silver taels had wiped him out. Back when he could gather a million silver taels for ebony—that hadn’t been wholly his wealth. It came through loans and powerful backers. He’d just been the man in front.

Wang Jinyuan’s tears still fell freely though, like an ongoing flood. Hearing Fang Jifan intended to sell coal only deepened his despair. “S-sell coal?!” he sobbed uncontrollably. “You can find coal everywhere in the world! How could you sell it? N-no… N-no!”

He shook his head like a rattle drum. He’d been conned and played by high-handed nobles one too many times; he was scared. All he wanted now was a quiet end to his remaining days. He was just too tired for schemes.

What did he look like? A fool?!

Fang Jifan half-closed his eyes and sighed. “Come on now, Mr. Wang, we can talk this over nicely. If the business doesn’t suit you, so be it—but we stay friends. You truly won’t cooperate?”

“No,” Wang Jinyuan stated firmly, leaving no room for negotiation.

Fang Jifan sighed again, patted his shoulder, and said, “Everybody walks their own path. I’m not one to force anyone. Ah, that reminds me, Mr. Wang… about the Crown Prince coming at you like that—like a villain? Actually held a huge knife at your neck?”

The memory opened the floodgates again. Wang Jinyuan sniffled. “Don’t mention it. Three-chi blade! Sharp enough to cut the wind! Me… I groveled and begged… but no use! Tragedy! Such tragedy!”

Wang Jinyuan started weeping once more.

Suddenly Fang Jifan bellowed, “Deng Jian! No one gets in my way! Go… fetch that Imperial Sword for me! The one I can even execute the Crown Prince with or slay thieving merchants!”

“…” Wang Jinyuan stared, frozen. Instantly, his tears dried. “Young Lord Fang, what is this?! What does it mean? You just said we stay friends! You just said you wouldn’t force people!”

Fang Jifan beamed pleasantly and calmed him. “Old Wang, don’t be scared. There, there. It’s just a little joke. You know how I love teasing. Everything’s fine. Sit, sit, calm yourself. Have some tea. Tea.”

Wang Jinyuan shuddered. Danger tingled in the air. “Young Lord Fang, you have to explain this! What Imperial Sword? What thieving merchant?”

Fang Jifan said gently, “Relax. Just my humor. Here, drink your tea first. Who do you think I am? Don’t you know me? I joke a lot.”

Fang Jifan looked perfectly calm. Wang Jinyuan, however, broke into a cold sweat. He knew who Fang Jifan was. Everybody in the world did.

Wang Jinyuan wailed, “Murder is illegal!”

“Yes, yes, yes.” Fang Jifan nodded. “I hate violence more than anything. My personal rule? Obey the law. Messy things like that? Too scary. Hey, why aren’t you drinking the tea?”

Wang Jinyuan’s wrinkled face twitched violently. His pupils wildly dilated. Suddenly, he threw his neck forward, slid off the chair onto his knees, and hit the floor hard. “I… fine! I’ll do it! I will do it! For you, I’ll sell that coal. This humble servant… will sell.”

Fang Jifan looked astonished. “Mr. Wang! Are… you sure? Don’t force yourself. You know me… I absolutely detest pushing people like that. Thinking about how the Crown Prince actually forced you into that purchase—using threats and shady tricks? So shameful! I’d be ashamed to share a world with someone like that!”

“Utterly sincere, Young Lord Fang!” Wang Jinyuan took a deep, ragged breath. “This servant… I have long respected Young Lord Fang! It is an honor to serve! How could I not be overjoyed?! And nevermind just managing your ventures… even if you sent me through oceans of fire or onto mountains of blades? If I so much as flinched—I would be worse than swine! If I refused? Heaven itself would strike me down! I deserve heavenly punishment!”