Where there are desires, there are weaknesses; where there are desires, there is room for exploitation.
Even in later generations, there were plenty of those who could pull off scams without any capital, let alone Zhu Ci, who was even more authentic than those swindlers—he could indeed produce the Crown Prince's imperial decree.
Zhu Ci watched Fu Chunsheng and Xi Ya playing around while pasting the Spring Festival couplets, began to think seriously: where would be a good place to choose the factory site?
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Author's Note: Zhu Ci: Never mind how this imperial decree was obtained, just tell me if it is the Crown Prince's decree or not. The kitty pressed a red paw print on the decree. jpg
Won the God of Wealth on the fifth day! Wishing everyone great wealth in the New Year. There are red envelopes dropping in this chapter~
Next update at twelve noon~
Chapter 36
Zhu Ci thought it over and decided that choosing a location in Xialiang would be better.
Although the population of Xialiang was not large, its area was not small. The low population was also due to the poor harvests in recent years; in the summer, it was either drought or floods, in the winter, it was strangely cold, causing deaths every year.
As the New Year approached, several families were still holding funeral services.
Zhu Ci was already familiar with this place, not to mention that the villagers here currently held both respect and gratitude toward him.
He also had a good relationship with the Baochang, so it shouldn't be too difficult for him to secure two pieces of mediocre land.
The most important thing is that he can recruit people nearby when the time comes. The work at the coal plant is a bit dirty and tiring, but both men and women can do it, even the children from the families can work there.
If he could produce a good amount before the spring plowing season, it wouldn't be a problem to close the coal factory during the busy farming season.
Zhu Ci calculated this and went directly to the Baochang Xi Ping to ask for three plots of land; they didn't need to be particularly good, but being close to the village would be best.
Xi Ping was naturally willing to be accommodating, but he still asked a question: "Your first two plots are for the coal production factory and the coal stove factory; what is this third plot for?"
After asking, he added, "Please do not think I am being talkative; these all must be reported, so I wouldn't dare fail to record them."
Zhu Ci said very reasonably, "I understand what you mean. I can tell you, but you must not speak of it casually."
Xi Ping immediately struck a listening pose, then he heard the Young Master lean in and whisper, "That area is intended for firearms."
"Firearms?" Xi Ping was instantly shocked.
Zhu Ci nodded slowly. "Exactly. Only with firearms can we deal with the Sea Bandits. To be honest, the Imperial Court can no longer spare the hands to suppress the bandits. If we keep waiting for the Court to send people, I fear.."
How could Xi Ping not understand this? The Sea Bandits had been rampaging for so many years, every time they reported it, the Imperial Court never sent anyone. They could only live in constant fear every day, terrified that the Sea Bandits would arrive.
This latest ordeal in Lishui Village left the villagers in a state of panic.
Xi Ping said with some concern, "But.. but this is breaking the law."
Zhu Ci laughed loudly. "What are you worried about? If the Crown Prince hadn't given his consent, I wouldn't dare do something that could cost me my head, even if I had eight hundred times the courage."
Yes, he was the Crown Prince, speaking on his own behalf.
Xi Ping's eyes instantly lit up: "The Crown Prince.. the Crown Prince allowed it?"
Zhu Ci nodded and said, "Yes, I wrote a letter to His Highness previously. The Crown Prince was also very angry about this matter. After all, this is the ancestral home of the Empress. Setting aside other things, my family's ancestral graves are located here; what would happen if we let the Sea Bandits wreak havoc? However, the Crown Prince cannot go to war just because of the Sea Bandits right now, so he could only allow me to act according to the circumstances. I thought about it for a long time and concluded that only firearms could deal with the Sea Bandits. Using large quantities of blades, spears, clubs would be too conspicuous, they would require long-term training to use effectively, whereas firearms would be relatively easier."
Of course, he also had his own selfish motives; blades, spears, clubs, sticks could not stop the Qing Army, of course, firearms might not necessarily be able to stop them either.
They have received supplies from Beijing, so for now, one can only take things one step at a time.
These things couldn't be told to Xi Ping; having spent his whole life in the village, he knew that knowing about such matters would serve no purpose other than causing him worry in advance.
After Zhu Ci coordinated with Xi Ping, news arrived from Magistrate Zhang's side, stating that he would provide his full support.
Mm, the so-called imperial decree from the Crown Prince he received earlier was about the firearms factory, which was much the same as what Xi Ping had said, except that he told the Magistrate there would be an opportunity to take the initiative, that the credit for suppressing the bandits would be split equally between Zhu Ci and the Magistrate.
After Magistrate Zhang saw the imperial decree, some of his previous doubts were resolved.
He said that no wonder the Count's son would travel to this remote corner of the mountains during the New Year; he must have come for this merit, as suppressing bandits was much easier than fighting rebels and Tartars.
However, the Crown Prince specifically emphasized that he only needed to provide full cooperation and did not need him to do anything.
Who wouldn't love a situation where they could gain merit just by turning a blind eye? Magistrate Zhang not only cooperated but even took the initiative to ask if anything was needed.
Zhu Ci rejected him directly, stating that the Crown Prince had already made the arrangements.
In reality.. even if he had made arrangements, it wouldn't matter, because he is currently very short-handed.
The coal processing plant and the coal furnace plant can both be opened openly by recruiting locals, but the firearms factory requires extreme caution; it is impossible to use these villagers.
Zhu Ci thought for a moment and directly ordered the Magistrate to prepare a batch of death row inmates and criminal slaves, to be sent over once the workshop here was completed.
Thinking about these things, he took out the previously drawn firearms diagrams and began to consider whether some modifications could be made.
Fu Qiulu saw him staring blankly through the window and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Is something troubling you, Young Master?"
Zhu Ci shook his head; there were some things he still could not tell Fu Qiulu.
He looked at Fu Qiulu's hesitant expression and asked, "What is it?"
Fu Qiulu sighed and said, "Young Master, a married couple went into the mountains to chop wood and hunt in the west, they're gone. Now, in the middle of the New Year, only an eight-year-old child is left. What is to be done?"
Zhu Ci was somewhat surprised: "Hunting in the mountains? What is there to hunt in this bitter cold?"
"I heard it's because the family is simply too poor, unable to even put food on the table during the New Year. On top of that, the weather hasn't warmed up lately; instead, it's getting colder and colder. Their family didn't have enough firewood, the children were nearly frozen to death, so they discussed having the women chop wood and the men go hunting. They never expected to run into a large tiger out looking for food. Sigh.." Fu Qiulu couldn't help but sigh as she spoke.
It was already tragic enough, with only eight days left until the Lunar New Year's Eve, such devastating news had arrived.
Zhu Ci fell silent for a moment, momentarily unsure of what to say, could only sigh, "What about the child? How will they be taken care of?"
I don't know. They are currently keeping vigil, a few relatives are staying with them, but it looks like once the couple is buried, they'll likely end up living off the charity of others, just like Xi Ya.
“Nonsense!” Zhu Ci said two words before he could say anything more.
Back then, Xi Ya was about the same age as this child. Aside from his fate as a cursed orphan, no one could afford to raise a young boy. If there had been landholdings, it might have been different, but unfortunately, neither Xi Ya's family nor the family involved in this incident had any land, so they couldn't gain even a small benefit, even fewer people were willing to take him in.
Zhu Ci sighed and said, "Forget it, have Chunsheng come here."
After Fu Chunsheng arrived, Zhu Ci took out two taels of silver and said, "Go find the Baochang. This is a funeral offering for that family. Tell him this money must be used to bury that couple. Also, once the seventh day after the couple's passing has passed, bring that child to me."
Fu Chunsheng didn't think much of it when he heard the first part, but he was startled by the last sentence: "Young Master, that absolutely cannot be done. How can one visit a house in mourning?"
Zhu Ci looked at him expressionlessly: "Why not? Don't give me any of that talk about whether it's auspicious or not; just do exactly what I tell you to do!"
Fu Chunsheng saw him angry, his heart skipped a beat.
Their Crown Prince rarely lost his temper, almost never flew into a rage, but every time he wore this expression, it meant he was already very unhappy and impatient; if provoked further, he might resort to violence.
Fu Chunsheng had no choice but to turn around and find the Baochang, immediately after, Xi Ping came to his door personally to persuade him.
Zhu Ci glanced at Fu Chunsheng, Fu Chunsheng, frightened, immediately waved his hands repeatedly. "Young Master, this lowly one hasn't said anything at all."
Xi Ping rubbed his cane and said, "Young Master, please do not blame this old man for being talkative, it is just that during the New Year, things are indeed quite inauspicious and prone to misfortune."
Zhu Ci was much gentler toward Xi Ping, sighing as he said, "The idea of 'clashing' is intangible and unpredictable; no one knows if it will happen. But leaving that child all alone at home, without firewood or food—what difference is that from letting him wait for death?"
Xi Ping immediately said, "Rest assured, Young Master, this old man will arrange for people to deliver clothes and food to that child; nothing will happen to him."
Human hearts are made of flesh; even though there are taboos, one cannot simply stand by and watch a child die.
Zhu Ci said helplessly, "He is only eight years old."
Xi Ping said with a look of absolute certainty, "He is already capable of holding up the family name."
Zhu Ci..
It was truly absurd; in a later era, he would still be at the age of attending primary school, yet in this era, he was already heading a household.
Zhu Ci was also too lazy to say anything more, merely stating, "Rest assured, Baochang, I know what I'm doing. Setting aside everything else, could I not suppress those monsters and demons with my fate?"
Upon hearing this, Xi Ping said no more.
In this era, being born into a wealthy family was already a sign of a prosperous fate, let alone being born into a powerful and noble household; that was undoubtedly the finest fate of all.
Xi Ping bowed and said, "The Young Master is most kind. This old man thanks the Young Master on behalf of that child."
Zhu Ci helped him up and said, "Aside from that, there is one more thing. Baochang should go back and notify the villagers that I can provide some beehive coal to everyone on credit, without interest, but the repayment must be made before the end of the year. If they come to work in the workshop, they can use their labor to settle the debt."
Xi Ping's eyes lit up instantly as he asked, "Is.. is what the Young Master says true?"
Zhu Ci nodded. "It is naturally true. Baochang, notify everyone and find a time for everyone to sign and make their marks. However, my supply of Beehive coal is limited, so I will set a limit for each household based on the quantity."
Xi Ping immediately said, "This old man will go and notify everyone right away. This is a good thing.. This is truly a good thing.."
After Xi Ping left, Fu Chunsheng looked as if he had something to say but was hesitating.
Zhu Ci had no desire to modify the blueprints anymore, asked lazily, "What else do you want to say?"
Fu Chunsheng asked, "Young Master, is it really no problem to bring that child over?"
Zhu Ci was getting a bit annoyed. "What problem could there be? If you're afraid, just leave after the New Year; after all, your indentures aren't in my hands anyway."
Fu Chunsheng immediately ran off after hearing that; he had worked so hard to stay, so he certainly wasn't leaving.
Zhu Ci watched his back and felt his chest, where the round National Emblem hung steadily.
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Author's Note: Zhu Ci: I've drawn so many maps, they have to be useful! *Cat flicks ink off its paw. jpg*
This chapter still includes red envelopes~
Next update at 6:00 PM~
Chapter 37
When Fu Qiulu entered holding the ledgers, she happened to see Fu Chunsheng fleeing. She asked with some confusion, "Young Master, has my brother offended you again?"
Zhu Ci said helplessly, "He is no longer a child; how is it that his courage hasn't grown? He worries about all sorts of nonsense every single day."
Fu Qiulu asked, "Young Master, do you really intend to bring them over? Are you not afraid?"
"I'm not afraid, not at all. Oh, goodness, why are you all so young yet worrying about so many things? Where is the ledger? Let me see it." Zhu Ci took the ledger from Fu Qiulu's hands and glanced at it.
This records the quantity of ingredients used for Beehive coal and the number of finished products; originally, he wanted to keep these things a secret and did not want Fu Qiulu, Fu Chunsheng, the others to have contact with them.
But on second thought, since he didn't trust them, why bother keeping them around? If they actually leaked the formula, he could just drive them away.
Anyway, even if the formula were leaked, not many people would be interested in this business. More importantly, this business might not last long during times of war, so using the formula to root out the person behind it wouldn't be a waste.