Chapter 58: All Set

Wang Jinyuan reached out his hand, swore an oath, and looked so earnest and sincere, especially with that look of admiration on his face, that even Fang Jifan began to wonder if his reputation was actually improving.

Anyway, with Wang Jinyuan joining, the Zhenguo Coal Industry was halfway to success. After all, he had long experience in business, had many connections, and was very knowledgeable. Both Zhu Houzhao and Fang Jifan were more suited to stay in the background and let such a professional handle things.

Fang Jifan was the big boss, Wang Jinyuan was the General Manager, and as for the Crown Prince, he naturally became the most suitable spokesperson.

When he heard the word “spokesperson”, Zhu Houzhao tilted his head and racked his brains trying to recall anything related to the term. In the end, he only half understood. “Is the spokesperson bigger, or is the big boss bigger?”

Fang Jifan gave a thumbs up. “Same big!”

“Oh.” Zhu Houzhao then beamed with joy. “Although the name isn’t imposing enough, This Palace thought about it and decided it’s fine. In business, it’s good to be approachable. Spokesperson… sounds like it won’t easily scare people either. But, what does a spokesperson do?”

Fang Jifan grinned and looked at Zhu Houzhao. “To advertise our coal far and wide, representing the image of our Zhenguo Coal Industry.”

Zhu Houzhao immediately became energetic and spirited, his eyes shining. “This Palace is dashing and heroic, it’s simply perfect! You still understand This Palace best!”

Fang Jifan immediately gave a thumbs up. “Your Highness’s image is majestic, it really matches our Zhenguo Coal Industry perfectly.”

In his heart, he couldn’t help but curse, Shameless!

…

The Grand Secretariat was located in a rather inconspicuous corner of the Forbidden City.

But although it was inconspicuous, it was the very center of the entire world.

Countless memorials from across the world would first be sent here for the Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat to review. After these Chief Ministers provided their Draft Comments on the memorials, they were then sent for the Emperor to see.

The so-called Draft Comments were the suggestions of the Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat. For example, if an official from some place reported on some matter, the Grand Secretary, after reading it, would write his recommendation at the bottom of the memorial based on his experience. It was then sent before the Emperor. The Emperor would first read the content of the memorial, then look at the Grand Secretary’s suggestion, and make the final decision.

Out of respect for the Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat, their suggestions were generally adopted under normal circumstances. Therefore, the Emperor only needed to draw a red circle at the bottom of the memorial, and the matter would be handled according to the Grand Secretary’s intention.

It was precisely because of this power of Draft Comments that the Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat in the Great Ming were called Chief Ministers. Although they were not Chancellors, they held the same status and power as Chancellors.

The Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat Liu Jian, Grand Secretary Li Dongyang, and Grand Secretary Xie Qian would enter the palace every morning, then pay respects to the Emperor, and discuss affairs with the Emperor in the Warm Pavilion.

Afterwards, they would return to the Grand Secretariat to draft comments on memorials. By noon, the three old fellows, who were both colleagues and close friends, would gather together in the Tea Room next to the Duty Room to drink tea, have some pastries, and casually discuss their respective views on recent events.

Outside this warm Tea Room, snow fell heavily, and the accumulated snow was already a foot deep. It was still the Mid-Autumn season. Such a strange natural phenomenon was enough to make the three Grand Secretaries worry.

Liu Jian took a sip of tea, put down the Tea Cup, sighed, and then said, “I don’t know why, but since the ninth year of the Hongzhi era, the weather suddenly turns cold every Mid-Autumn, so that spring doesn’t seem like spring, and autumn doesn’t seem like autumn. Reduced grain harvests are one thing; these past few years, His Majesty has been diligent and striving for good governance, and the storehouses have enough old grain reserves, so it’s not a problem for the imperial court. But the common people suffer. I heard many Refugees are still on the streets, not to mention so many poor common people don’t even have anything for heating. Gentlemen, if it’s like this every year, what are we to do?”

Xie Qian sighed mournfully, losing even the heart to drink his tea. “This old man hears rumors. Has the imperial court done something lacking in virtue?”

“Ahem…” Li Dongyang coughed. This Xie Qian was argumentative, always ready to have a war of words with anyone he caught, and couldn’t keep things in his mouth. Li Dongyang appeared more cautious. “Lord Xie, please watch your words. Rumors among the common people are not to be believed.”

Liu Jian just shook his head with a bitter smile.

The matters of Heaven were not something the Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat could control.

But just then, Liu Jian noticed someone peeking in from outside the room. Liu Jian lifted his eyelids slightly, revealing a stern expression. “Come in.”

The person who entered was a Young Eunuch, hunched over. When he lifted his face, Liu Jian vaguely remembered him. This person was actually Liu Jin, the chief attendant in front of the Crown Prince.

Liu Jin smiled flatteringly and said, “Greetings to Lord Liu, Lord Xie, Lord Li. The weather changed these past few days, and snow fell suddenly. The Crown Prince was concerned about his three mentors, so he specially sent Your Servant to bring some firewood for the three mentors to warm yourselves.”

Liu Jian, Li Dongyang, and Xie Qian were stunned for a moment, looking at each other.

The Crown Prince usually avoided the three of them, let alone took the initiative to be close. What was going on today? He actually took the initiative to care about the three old fellows.

Liu Jian immediately showed a gratified expression, stroking his beard and nodding. “Good, good, good. The Crown Prince has become sensible.” Liu Jian was not only the Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat but also the Grand Mentor of the Crown Prince. Although the position of Grand Mentor of the Crown Prince was honorary, nominally he was still the Crown Prince’s teacher. As the Crown Prince, showing respect to his teachers was proper.

What did this mean? It meant the Crown Prince had grown up and learned to care for others.

Liu Jian’s eyes sparkled, the corners actually becoming a bit moist. The Crown Prince was the hope for the country’s future! This child had finally become sensible. Such consideration for his ministers actually had the style of his father. It was gratifying.

Xie Qian also grinned. As for Li Dongyang, he seemed to find it puzzling. His expression remained normal as he just said, “Please convey to the Crown Prince that his ministers thank His Highness for the gift.”

But Liu Jin rolled his eyes and still refused to leave, grinning as he said, “His Highness said that Your Servant must watch the three mentors add the firewood before leaving.”

Liu Jian then raised his hand. “Then add it.”

“Alright! The Crown Prince also instructed Your Servant to personally change the brazier for the three mentors.”

Saying this, he happily left the room. Not long after, he came back with another Eunuch from the House of the Crown Prince, Ma Yongcheng, carrying a brazier together. The ‘firewood’ in the brazier was already lit, emitting a sizzling heat.

“Wait a moment!” Li Dongyang was the most meticulous. He always felt things weren’t that simple. His eyes fixed on the brazier, he frowned and said, “This isn’t Charcoal? This is coal!”

It was coal!

Instantly, the Tea Room was like a stirred-up hornet’s nest. Burning coal was no different from suicide! It could kill people, let alone these three old bones of Liu Jian and the others.

Liu Jian’s face changed abruptly. This… was this a joke?

Xie Qian was so angry he almost vomited blood. The Crown Prince, was he trying to kill people? How wicked! At such a young age, to be like this.

The coal of this era was naturally different from that of later times. It couldn’t be refined. The sulfur content in this coal was extremely high. Once burned, it would produce a large amount of sulfur dioxide. Inhaling too much could really kill people.

Burning coal for heating was equivalent to suicide. This was common knowledge.

Xie Qian was furious and about to scold.

But Liu Jin said with a chuckle, “No need to worry, my lords. You won’t get poisoned. This is smokeless coal. It produces no smoke, so naturally it’s non-toxic. Look, is there any smoke here?”

Hearing this, Liu Jian and the others looked closely. Indeed, this coal, when burning, wasn’t billowing black smoke like ordinary coal. It only emitted wispy white vapor. And seemingly… they didn’t smell any pungent odor either.

Huh? Was there such coal in the world?

Xie Qian narrowed his eyes and couldn’t help saying, “This thing must be extremely expensive, right?”

“Not expensive, not expensive.” Liu Jin laughed. “Only a few big coins per pound. Smokeless coal burns for a long time; using it for a whole day is enough.”

When these words came out, Liu Jian suddenly became excited…