I must say the old blacksmith's craftsmanship was truly excellent; everything from the stove to the tobacco pipe was a perfect fit.
Zhu Ci paid the money very satisfactorily and took all the stoves back, intending to use them right away.
This time they came to the county town and brought back nearly a hundred pieces of briquette coal; the Magistrate and Zhu Ying would each take at most ten pieces, the rest was for his own use.
On the second day, Zhu Ci had Fu Qiulu deliver a calling card to the Magistrate. That very evening, Zhu Ci became the Magistrate's guest of honor, along with Zhu Ying.
However, they did not eat on the boat this time. The weather was simply too cold; while Zhu Ci and Zhu Ying might have been able to endure it, the Magistrate, given his age, certainly could not.
Zhu Ying said with some surprise, "The Young Master is indeed quick to act; you've managed to get it ready in just a few days?"
Zhu Ci toasted him heartily, drained his cup in one gulp, said, "If it hadn't been snowing constantly lately, I actually could have arrived much sooner."
He did not waste any time, directly had Xi Ya and Fu Qiulu bring in two pieces of honeycomb coal for Magistrate Zhang and Zhu Ying to see.
Magistrate Zhang and Zhu Ying were both curious when they saw the unusual shape of the coal. Zhu Ying even reached out to squeeze it, only to find that the coal was actually very firm.
After examining it by hand for a while, the Magistrate said, "The name 'honeycomb coal' is truly appropriate, but I wonder how long it can burn?"
Zhu Ci said, "It depends on how much you use. A single block can last at most one hour, two blocks can last four hours, three blocks can last up to six hours. These are the ideal scenarios, but if three blocks of honeycomb coal are burned together, they can maintain the flame for at least four hours."
This burning time was indeed not short.
Zhu Ying had specifically looked into it before, after finishing the conversion, he immediately asked, "What is the price?"
Zhu Ci said, "The cost of this piece of briquette coal is about one hundred and eighty wen."
The Magistrate frowned after hearing this: "Approximately how much does one piece of this honeycomb coal weigh?"
Zhu Ci immediately understood what he meant: "This piece is probably eighteen taels, which means.. it's less than two.. one and two mace per jin. Currently, one jin of this coal should be two hundred wen. Although the price difference is minimal, in terms of burning time, honeycomb coal is still much cheaper. A piece of coal with the same weight as three pieces of honeycomb coal would last at most two shichen. Even if it's sold for two hundred or even two hundred and fifty wen per piece at that time, people will still buy it."
That was a close call; he almost said it was less than two jin. Fortunately, he reacted in time, realizing that at this time, the unit of measurement for one jin was still sixteen taels.
Fortunately, both Magistrate Zhang and Zhu Ying began calculating the accounts there, paying no mind to his small stumble just now.
As Zhu Ying calculated, he began to feel a bit dazed. He had never been educated and could not recognize a single character. For so many years, he had suffered the loss of having a nephew who had studied a bit and managed the affairs of the gang; now, he deeply regretted not bringing his nephew along.
Even if he had brought him, it wouldn't have mattered; at most, he would have just followed around serving tea and water. At this banquet, his nephew didn't even have the status to sit at the table.
Zhu Ying turned to look at the Magistrate, who was quick to calculate; having already worked it out, the Magistrate said with a smile, "Forget two hundred and fifty wen, even three hundred wen would be no problem at all."
Zhu Ci.. What a profiteer!
The cost of one hundred and eighty wen was originally calculated by him by adding one hundred wen to the cost of all the materials. This was a full one hundred wen; a jin of coal would thus cost only one hundred and eighty wen. This was still the price for a lump of coal; the price for coal dust was nearly one-third the price of a lump, meaning a jin of coal dust would cost at most sixty wen. Even when accounting for various miscellaneous costs, it would not exceed eighty wen.
However, Zhu Ci didn't mind. The target, or rather the initial target, for the honeycomb coal was not the common people. In fact, ordinary people couldn't afford to buy coal for fuel; they were lucky if they could burn firewood.
When a new product comes out, it is certainly the money from the wealthy that is earned first.
Although Zhu Ying couldn't figure out the math, he understood the Magistrate's words. However, he was not particularly enthusiastic and merely asked, "Can the Young Master guarantee that this honeycomb coal can burn for this long?"
Zhu Ci said very generously, "I have already tested it at home. I brought a stove and twenty catties of honeycomb coal this time. The Magistrate and the Chief can try it first to see that what I say is not false; if you are satisfied, we can discuss further."
This Young Master really knows how to behave.
The Magistrate and Zhu Ying exchanged a glance and immediately raised their wine cups with smiles.
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Author's Note: Zhu Ci: Doing business always requires a trial version. *Cat paws blooming by the fire. jpg*
Next update at 6:00 PM~
Chapter 34
"Young Master, why is there still no news from the Magistrate and that Canal Gang Chief? We should leave soon; if we don't, we won't make it home in time for the New Year." Fu Qiulu frowned as she glanced toward the courtyard gate.
Zhu Ci smiled and asked, "Why so formal? Are you not calling me Father anymore?"
Fu Qiulu gave a huff and said, "If it weren't for the fact that my brother and I had served you, Magistrate Zhang would never have accepted us as his foster son and daughter."
Zhu Ci looked out the window and said, "At the latest by tomorrow, he should send someone to pick you up and take you to the Zhang Mansion."
Fu Qiulu was just about to say something when there was a knock at the courtyard gate.
It was the servant from the Magistrate's house, claiming that the Madam missed the Young Lady and wanted her to return for a visit.
Fu Qiulu looked at Zhu Ci in shock. "Young Master, that was incredible."
Go on." Zhu Ci smiled and said, "Take some New Year gifts with you. If anyone asks about Chunsheng, just say I wouldn't let him come.
Although Fu Qiulu was somewhat puzzled, she still nodded earnestly, then took the New Year gifts and left in a small sedan chair.
After Fu Qiulu left, Zhu Ci waved at Xi Ya and said, "Come, let's continue learning sign language."
Xi Ya walked over with a look of confusion and expressed her doubt through sign language: "Is the Young Master not in a hurry?"
Nowadays, Xi Ya has learned many signs and can already express some ideas briefly; never mind Xi Ya, even Fu Qiulu has learned some.
Zhu Ci said nothing, instead using sign language to indicate, "They are researching the formula for briquettes."
Xi Ya watched with a look of confusion, so Zhu Ci finally explained it once more.
Xi Ya stared with wide, shocked eyes. "They aren't afraid?"
Zhu Ci sneered, "They aren't stupid; they won't act alone directly, but will choose to work in secret. They'll cooperate with me while simultaneously procuring goods to sell on their own. They are all local snakes; it is incredibly easy for them to hide, so who could possibly find out?"
Xi Ya thought for a moment and used sign language to express haltingly, "Young Master, don't fear them!"
“Right, don't fear them. They can't analyze my formula, at least not in the short term.”
After hearing this, Xi Ya looked at Zhu Ci with eyes full of admiration, looking like a German Shepherd in the police force from years ago.
Zhu Ci could not help but reach out and pat her head, then said, "Come, learn a bit more. Later, I'll have Chunsheng, Qiulu, the others learn as well, then you'll be able to communicate."
Xi Ya was actually very smart; if he hadn't been born disabled, he could have done much more.
After Xi Ya had learned another dozen words, Fu Qiulu returned, she brought the Magistrate's son with her.
He had come to offer New Year's greetings in advance, because Zhu Ci was going to spend the New Year in the countryside and the Magistrate was unable to get away, so he sent his eldest son to come ahead of time.
This was also normal. Although Zhu Ci held a high status, he did not currently hold any official position, so for the Magistrate to personally come to visit for the New Year was a bit too solicitous; it was more appropriate to have Zhang's Eldest Son come instead.
Magistrate Zhang's eldest son, Zhang, was actually quite a bit older than Zhu Ci. He had originally thought he was just dealing with a teenager, but for some reason, after a few words, he felt as if he were communicating with a peer—and a very difficult peer at that.
No wonder Father told him to be careful with his words, so as not to accidentally offend the other party.
Thinking of this, Zhang became even more cautious and did not dare to speak recklessly. After sitting restlessly for a long time, he finally saw Zhu Ci lift his teacup.
He took his leave immediately as if granted a general amnesty. As he stepped out, the wind blew against the sweat on his back, he couldn't help but shudder.
After he left, Zhu Ci looked at Fu Qiulu and asked, "Did you suffer any grievances at Magistrate Zhang's house?"
Fu Qiulu let out a huff. "How would they dare wrong me? They're just hoping I'll steal a recipe from you, Young Master."
Zhu Ci laughed, "You're selling out the Magistrate that easily?"
Fu Qiulu looked at Zhu Ci: "Young Master, do you know what he wants to say to me?"
Zhu Ci let out a yawn and said, "It's not hard to guess. Alright, pack up your things; we're heading back tomorrow."
Fu Qiulu blinked. She had originally thought the Young Master would ask a question or two, but as it turned out, he said nothing at all.
Does the Young Master trust her this much?
Thinking of this, Fu Qiulu was no longer angry and immediately said with a smile, "Right, let's go back and let them come to the Young Master to beg; after all, we aren't short on money."
Zhu Ci thought to himself, how could he not be short of money? He was penniless, alright? Right now, he was essentially living off his savings.
Even in the countryside, one wouldn't dare claim to be able to guarantee a lifetime of peace and prosperity.
Inflation was truly severe; currently, one tael of silver could be exchanged for five thousand wen. One must realize that during the Wanli Era, one tael of silver could only be exchanged for one thousand wen. With such a massive gap, with many more years of instability ahead, who knows what the future holds?
However, rushing into it would be a bad business move; if he were too impatient, it would instead arouse the suspicion of Magistrate Zhang and Zhu Ying, making it difficult to negotiate anything later on.
Doing business is about business, but it is also about understanding the human heart.
The Magistrate and Zhu Ying tried every possible method to crack the formula, but the results they produced either failed to ignite, produced excessive smoke, or had a burning duration that was too short and a cost far higher than what Zhu Ci had described.
Neither Magistrate Zhang nor Zhu Ying had ever imagined that a tiny, seemingly unremarkable piece of honeycomb coal could be so complex.
The two of them were originally working on cracking the formula separately; Zhu Ying had even resorted to begging his uncle, the Prefect.
Once the Suzhou Prefect found out, he scolded, "Foolish! So what if you know how much money the formula can make? If you can secure a connection with the Earl's Mansion or even the Crown Prince, that is where true, immense wealth lies!"
Zhu Ying said softly, "Nowadays, coal is getting more and more expensive, but anthracite hasn't risen much in price. If this succeeds, it will also be immense wealth!"
The Suzhou Prefect glanced at him, sat down, snorted coldly, "What do you know? Back when the Eastern Palace was established, I had the honor of attending the grand ceremony. The magnificence of the Eastern Palace is something you could never imagine in your lifetime; that single Green Jade Wurtz Tree alone is worth a fortune!"
Green Jade Wurtz Tree.. Zhu Ying asked a few more questions out of curiosity, after learning that the entire tree was carved from high-quality jade, he couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.
Indeed, he had truly never seen such wealth and status before.
He was somewhat puzzled. "Then.. since the Crown Prince does not lack money, why is he doing these things?"
The Suzhou Prefect pondered for a long while before saying, "One can only say that the Crown Prince does not lack wealth and status, but he lacks money."
Zhu Ying was a bit slow to react: "This.. what do you mean?"
The Suzhou Prefect couldn't be bothered to enlighten him; he was merely a leader of the Canal Gang from Jiading Prefecture, he truly possessed no real ability.
“You don't need to think so much. In other words, being able to take this opportunity to send money to the Crown Prince is a benefit that many people would never be able to obtain, even if they tried. Don't only focus on those petty gains!”
Although Zhu Ying did not quite understand after hearing this, he still obediently agreed and immediately had people prepare New Year's gifts, only to find that the small courtyard was already empty when they arrived.
He didn't know who to ask about his whereabouts; he didn't even know where this Young Master's ancestral home actually was!
He had no choice but to seek out the magistrate, Magistrate Zhang broke into a cold sweat upon hearing this. Even the Prefect would not allow his own people to act recklessly; if he truly managed to crack the formula and sell it.. he feared the Prefect would be the first to deal with him.
“I do know where that Young Master resides, but the countryside is remote and the roads are difficult to travel; besides, it is not suitable for me to go there in person.”
The Magistrate was a scholar after all, he had his dignity.
Zhu Ying said, "Then just let my nephew come along with me."
The Magistrate had a bitter expression. When he sent Fu Qiulu back, he had already sent his son to pay a visit once and had even sent New Year gifts. To go again.. it was naturally inappropriate, yet he could not simply not go, or all the benefits would be taken by Zhu Ying. Zhu Ying was not without his own backing; the Young Master simply didn't want to cause any trouble by bringing him along.
In the end, Zhu Ying still made another trip with Magistrate Zhang's eldest son. Of course, the excuse used was that the court was too busy with year-end official business, so there had been no time to discuss business matters.
By the time they arrived, it was already the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month, the village was already filled with the atmosphere of the New Year.
Zhu Ci even commanded everyone to decorate the house from top to bottom.
Before he traveled through time, the flavor of the New Year had actually become very faint, especially since he had been working undercover for several years, spending every year all alone.