Chapter 69: Why Not Eat Meat Porridge

From the Mid-Autumn Festival to early winter, the Western Hills had already attracted over a thousand refugees. Wang Jinyuan was not in a hurry to start large-scale production. Instead, following Fang Jifan’s instructions, he slowly began teaching a group of once-disorganized refugees the procedures. Of course, they also needed to purchase a large amount of mining tools.

However, most of the pickaxes used for mining were not very handy. Moreover, in this era, the tools made by the Bureau of Manufacture were mostly shoddy. Ordinary blacksmith shops had artisans of varying skill levels, and their output was low, making it impossible to supply tools on a large scale. Fang Jifan also wanted to manufacture coal stoves, preferably even making kettles along with them. Doing one job to earn several portions of money was the right way.

Fang Jifan then urged Zhu Houzhao to go and petition Emperor Hongzhi for permission to establish an iron workshop at the Western Hills Coal Mine.

Emperor Hongzhi did not immediately agree to this matter. In fact, when it came to large-scale forging of production tools, the imperial court had always been quite cautious.

In this era of salt and iron monopolies, iron mines were almost entirely monopolized by local governments. Private individuals were not allowed to smelt iron on a large scale, especially since such materials could be used to make tools as well as weapons.

Since the attitude from the Imperial Palace was unclear, Fang Jifan had no choice but to wait patiently.

Zhu Houzhao, who had been busy running around for him, began to complain. He sighed and looked as if he were a maltreated young wife. The root cause, after all, was the lack of money and motivation.

For this reason, Zhu Houzhao and Fang Jifan sneaked off to the Western Hills again. In the heavy snow, the journey was sparse with pedestrians. However, at the foot of the Western Hills, simple work sheds had already been set up, forming a small, rudimentary village. Smoke rose from the chimneys of the sheds as women began picking rice to cook.

The men had already gone to the mines, so the “village” was populated only by a few ragged, snot-nosed children playing in the snow.

This scene greatly disappointed Zhu Houzhao. He had originally thought that he and Fang Jifan were engaged in a grand endeavor—it shouldn’t be so shabby and dirty. Even though it couldn’t be as splendid as the Forbidden City, it should at least present a scene of prosperity.

Zhu Houzhao wanted to go to the mine, but Fang Jifan stopped him. After much persuasion, they only wandered around the foot of the hill.

As they were about to leave, they encountered miners coming off their shift, carrying pickaxes. The miners were dressed in tight-fitting clothes, their bodies covered in black grime. However, these strong men exuded rugged masculinity, and the snowflakes above their heads melted from the heat of their sweat.

“Benefactor…” Someone with sharp eyes actually spotted Fang Jifan and Zhu Houzhao.

One of them rushed toward Fang Jifan and Zhu Houzhao, pickaxe in hand, startling the guards behind Zhu Houzhao, who immediately reached for their sword hilts.

Without hesitation, the man knelt down and, with tears in his eyes, said to Zhu Houzhao and Fang Jifan, “This humble one pays respects to the two Benefactors…”

In fact, Fang Jifan was quite startled because this guy charged over with a pickaxe. Based on his rich life experience, people rushing toward him were usually seeking revenge—after all, he was a wastrel. Who knew how many enemies the former Fang Jifan had made? Fang Jifan had no doubt that one day, while walking down the street, he might get knocked out from behind.

So his first reaction was to run.

Only when the other party called out “Benefactor” and knelt in the snow did he breathe a sigh of relief.

The miners became excited and swarmed forward. Many whispered, “It’s these two Benefactors. Manager Wang said it himself—our employers are two young men, both handsome and clear-featured. It must be them. Thanks to the Benefactors, we have jobs here in the mine.”

In a matter of moments, the snow-covered ground was filled with kneeling people, making Fang Jifan start to question his life.

Zhu Houzhao was even more dumbfounded, seeing these dark-faced individuals now looking at him with tearful eyes.

Hmm…

There was actually a tiny sense of accomplishment.

But… had he really done a good deed? Not really, had he? Old Fang just made them come dig coal, right? Hey, hey, this is clearly just making you do hard labor—what are you grateful for?

One miner choked up and said, “Thank you, Benefactors, for taking us in and giving us the chance to sell our strength here in the mine. Otherwise… in this harsh winter, we might not have survived. This humble one has a son who would have starved to death if we hadn’t come to the mine. I always teach him that when he grows up, he must remember the kindness of the two Benefactors. Now, we have food to eat here in the mine. Not only that, we even get some wages every month—all thanks to the two Benefactors. Benefactors, please accept this humble one’s bow.”

“…” These words were like a bombshell dropped into Zhu Houzhao’s heart.

Could it be… that making them do hard labor was enough to earn their gratitude?

And their demands were so simple—just a full meal. What a humble wish! Yet for them, even this humble desire seemed hard-won.

Zhu Houzhao had never experienced the hardships of life, but today, seeing these miners, he felt at a loss. He couldn’t understand that there were people in this world who would feel such gratitude for these things.

Zhu Houzhao’s face turned red, and he was flustered.

Fang Jifan, however, said, “Alright, no need for such formalities. Work hard.”

The miners’ eyes were just red; some held back tears, some put down their pickaxes and merely kowtowed to Zhu Houzhao and Fang Jifan.

Zhu Houzhao still stood there in a daze. He had too much to process. Only when Fang Jifan pulled him out of the crowd did Zhu Houzhao suddenly have red-rimmed eyes: “Are they trying to deceive us?”

“What?” Fang Jifan was stunned.

Zhu Houzhao took a deep breath: “What This Palace means is, are they trying to flatter This Palace, so…”

It was easy to understand Zhu Houzhao’s suspicion. After all, he was always surrounded by people trying to please him, so in his mind, these people probably wanted to curry favor as well.

Fang Jifan was silent for a moment: “They don’t know Your Highness’s identity, so I think they might genuinely be grateful to Your Highness. Of course, mainly they are grateful to your servant, because for many people, just being able to eat a full meal is already a heavenly blessing.”

Zhu Houzhao immediately became thoughtful.

In the wind and snow, the young Crown Prince felt an indescribable emotion in his heart.

Fang Jifan, meanwhile, inwardly scorned Zhu Houzhao. This guy really was asking, “Why not eat meat porridge?”

When they returned to the House of the Crown Prince, Zhu Houzhao seemed preoccupied. He rested his chin in his hands, gazing at the distant snow. The cunning in his eyes had lessened, replaced by a touch of melancholy.

“Sometimes, This Palace thinks…” Zhu Houzhao said, “if only the snow would stop.”

“…” Fang Jifan glared at him angrily. Crown Prince, just because you can’t get a share of the profits, you want to smash my coal mine’s pot? Are you even human?

Zhu Houzhao sighed again: “Think about it—many people don’t have enough clothes, their faces are chapped from the cold. They are truly pitiful.”

These words suddenly struck a soft spot in Fang Jifan’s heart. He gave Zhu Houzhao a strange look, then looked up at the sky. Snowflakes still fluttered in the sky, and he exhaled a puff of white air: “For many people, it’s not just one snowfall that makes them suffer from the cold. Many lack not only warm clothing—living is very difficult…” He tilted his head back, the corners of his eyes slightly moist. Perhaps a long-lost feeling had struck him deep inside. Fang Jifan took a breath and sighed.

In the distance, Liu Jin waved toward them: “Your Highness, Your Highness, come quickly! The Zhenla Kingdom has presented three tailless monkeys. Ah, they are so rare!”

As soon as Zhu Houzhao heard this, he dashed toward Liu Jin’s direction: “Where, where? Let This Palace see…”

“Your grandfather!” Fang Jifan glared fiercely at Liu Jin in the distance.