Chapter 15: He Lanshan Coal, Wang Family Marries Daughter

At the same time.

Sixteen villas were also built around Taoyuan Villa.

They were Yufeng Villa, Lingyun Villa, Xuri Villa, Xiaoyue Villa, Yinwu Villa, Lingyu Villa, Taxue Villa, Ningshuang Villa, Wanmei Villa, Yunlan Villa, Quanzhu Villa, Yaju Villa, Xichun Villa, Liangxia Villa, Yiqiu Villa, and Zhuodong Villa.

The dozen or so villas echoed Taoyuan City from afar.

A month ago.

Li Shimin saw that Su Liang's fief was being built in full swing.

The 500,000 refugees had all been properly settled and lived and worked in peace and contentment within Su Liang's fief.

So he expanded Su Liang's fief to the surroundings and changed it to a county.

It was beautifully called "Great Tang Model County".

During this period, he also led civil and military officials to visit Taoyuan County many times.

More time was spent visiting the thirty-six workshops of Taoyuan City.

Tiankui, Tiangang, Tianhui, and Tianying workshops were Taoyuan Academy.

Tianxiong, Tianyong, Tianwei, and Tianmeng workshops were large parks.

Tianfu and Tiangui workshops were the East Market.

Tianwei and Tianxian workshops were the West Market.

Tianshou workshop was an old-age welfare home, Tianyou workshop was a children's welfare home, Tiankong workshop was a large medical center, and Tianku workshop was a refugee shelter.

Tianzui and Tianlao workshops were the Taoyuan County administrative management office.

Tianqiao and Tianman workshops were brothels.

Tianqiao workshop, selling art but not body; Tianman workshop, selling art and body.

The other sixteen workshops were residential areas.

The ninth year of Wude, the ninth day of the eleventh month.

Changan City welcomed the first snow of winter.

Inside the inner courtyard of Furong Garden.

Su Liang and others were eating hot pot around the stove, making everyone sweat profusely.

A moment later, Su Liang said indifferently, "Xuance, how many stoves have been built on the Taoyuan County side?"

Wang Xuance said, "After Taoyuan City was built, I arranged for people to build them. With the Young Master's overtime pay, the craftsmen were building them day and night."

"So far, 100,000 have been built."

Su Liang wondered, "Only 100,000? It's not enough for the people of Changan City."

After thinking for a while: he asked, "How many people are currently making stoves?"

Wang Xuance said, "There are a full 20,000 people."

Su Liang immediately said, "Other workshops can be slowed down a bit, transfer another 20,000 people, and recruit some short-term workers in the Capital Region."

"Within a month, make sure every household in the Capital Region uses them this year."

"The weather is already cold, sell the stoves in the East and West Markets tomorrow."

Wang Xuance asked, "Then what is the selling price?"

Su Liang said indifferently, "Just one hundred wen."

"This... this..."

Wang Xuance was puzzled and asked immediately, "The stove designed by the Young Master costs one thousand wen, why is it only sold for one hundred wen now."

Su Liang teased, "You have been with me for more than a month, how can you not understand this point?"

Wang Xuance said, "Xuance knows that the stove made by the Young Master is extremely good, not only can it boil water and keep warm, hot pot and barbecue, but it can also dry clothes, which is more convenient than previous stoves, but I really can't understand."

At this time, Princess Changle, who was eating beef, immediately put down her chopsticks and said, "Brother Su just wants more people to be able to use the stoves made by Brother Su, that's all, you thought too much."

Wang Xuance said, "Xuance also knows that the Young Master cares about the people, but this..."

Princess Changle continued, "Brother Su, this is benefiting the people. When have you seen Brother Su suffer a loss?"

"Brother Su will naturally make up for this hole in other places."

Su Liang touched Princess Changle's head and said, "Changle has grown up, she can see through it at a glance."

Hearing this, Princess Changle proudly puffed out her chest and said, "Humph, when was I ever small!"

Wang Xuance didn't talk when he saw this.

Su Liang looked at Wang Xuance and explained, "Changle is right. Now the monthly money of the Great Tang people is not even one thousand wen. If it is sold for one thousand wen, many people will naturally not buy it."

"Only by selling it cheaply and benefiting the people can it be better promoted to all parts of the Great Tang."

Wang Xuance said, "Then the Young Master shouldn't do this, you can make the blueprints and production methods public to the world, and then people in the world will naturally know the wonders of it."

Ruyan suddenly said, "But that takes time, and the Young Master doesn't want to wait."

"Even if everyone in the world knows the wonders of this stove, facing something that costs one thousand wen, ordinary people will naturally not build it."

"You can look at what is burning in the stove today first."

Then Wang Xuance looked at it.

A moment later.

Wang Xuance exclaimed, "This... this is coal without any black smoke!"

Su Liang smiled, "This kind of coal can be called anthracite, or white coal or hard coal, and there is not a trace of black smoke when burning."

"This coal is the coal with the deepest degree of coalification, containing the most carbon and having high calorific value."

Wang Xuance said, "The Young Master asked Erhu to make anthracite into a honeycomb shape, which is also to allow it to burn fully."

Su Liang chuckled, "This was sent by Erhu yesterday, and the coal mine is also producing in an orderly manner. In a few days, a steady stream of honeycomb coal will be transported to Changan City."

Wang Xuance asked, "Did the Young Master discover this smokeless coal mine when he was traveling in the world?"

Su Liang smiled and didn't speak, which was considered a default.

Where there was anthracite and where there was bituminous coal, Su Liang knew.

When he was traveling in the world, he also discovered several coal mines with shallower coal seams.

It was only recently that he asked Erhu to mine anthracite, and the place he went to was He Lanshan, and the anthracite mined was the "Taixi Coal", one of the five treasures of Ningxia.

Taixi coal has the characteristics of three lows and six highs. The three lows are low phosphorus, low ash, and low sulfur. The six highs are high calorific value, high lump coal rate, high resistivity, high chemical activity, high clean coal recovery rate, and high mechanical strength.

Taixi coal is a rare high-quality anthracite, known as the king of coal, commonly known as Taixi Black Gold.

At this time, the coal mine in He Lanshan had not been mined, so Su Liang naturally would not let it go.

A moment later, Su Liang looked at Wang Xuance and asked, "How is the snow salt side?"

Wang Xuance said, "Everything is going well in the Capital Region, and the people have all eaten snow salt."

Su Liang heard this and immediately asked, "Is the Taiyuan Wang clan making trouble?"

Wang Xuance said, "It is indeed so, the move of the Young Master and His Majesty undoubtedly moved the foundation of the Taiyuan Wang clan."

"Among the Five Surnames and Seven Clans, the official salt business of the Taiyuan Wang clan is relatively large. At the feet of the Son of Heaven, they naturally dare not make trouble openly."

"Progress in other places is not smooth. As long as snow salt flows out of the Capital Region, the aristocratic families will buy it out."

"No matter..." Su Liang waved his hand slightly.

"They are also helpless. As long as they don't touch my bottom line, it's fine."

Then he asked, "How is the price of official salt today?"

Wang Xuance said, "When snow salt was first launched, the price of official salt was 30 wen per catty, and now it has dropped to 25 wen per catty, and still no one buys it."

Su Liang said, "Our snow salt price is 20 wen, so the people will naturally not buy it. When their official salt price drops to 20 wen, we can buy it in large quantities."

Wang Xuance asked, "Buy as much as there is?"

Su Liang said firmly, "Buy as much as there is!"

Wang Xuance said, "With the Young Master's insight, when you were traveling in the world, you should have known about many salt mines, why didn't you take them into your pocket?"

Su Liang smiled and didn't answer the question, "At the beginning, I wanted to set the price of snow salt at ten wen per catty, but now it is set at 20 wen."

Hearing this, Wang Xuance suddenly realized and immediately said.

"Now most of the salt mines are in the hands of the Five Surnames and Seven Clans. The Young Master just doesn't want to be so troublesome. He wants to borrow their hands to mine crude salt, and when the price drops, the Young Master will buy it and make it into fine salt."

Su Liang smiled slightly. As expected of Wang Xuance who destroyed a country alone, he understood it at once.

Then he said, "Alright, what is the situation on the workshop side?"

Wang Xuance said, "The process of soap is mature and can be mass-produced in a few days."

"The glass workshop, the warehouse has been built, and it can also be produced."

"The clothing workshop needed to make work clothes some time ago, and now it has been completed, and it can make underwear."

"Other workshops are also under construction, also because they have to build Taoyuan County and arrange refugees recently, so they were delayed."

Su Liang heard this and said, "After soap and clothing workshops are produced, put them in the warehouse first, don't rush to sell them."

"On the glass side, make some crafts first, and proceed according to the original plan for others."

"Some crafts are not in a hurry to be made public, wait until you earn more silver, and do a good job of confidentiality."

Wang Xuance said, "Understood, when His Majesty wanted to see it at the beginning, I didn't let him in."

Su Liang chuckled, "He brought so many officials, how could I let him see it? If everyone learns it, how can I make money."

"Li Shimin has 30% of the shares with me, he understands this truth."

At the same time.

Changan City, inside the Taiyuan Wang Mansion.

Wang Xing, the patriarch of the Wang clan, was listening to the report of the gatekeeper.

Then he sent someone to summon the elders of the clan.

Half an hour later.

Inside the back hall of the Wang Mansion.

Wang Xing and the four elders in Changan City were sitting there.

Wang Xing, who was sitting in the first seat, looked at the four and said, "The salt price has dropped to 25 wen today, and still no one buys it. What opinions do the four elders have on this?"

Great Elder Wang Shouyue said, "Now Su Liang's snow salt is only 20 wen, and the taste is better. If we don't lower the price, I'm afraid no one will buy it."

"Humph, does the Great Elder mean that if the salt price drops to 20 wen, people will buy it?" Wang Xing snorted coldly immediately.

Then he looked at the Third Elder and asked, "What ideas does the Third Elder have?"

The Third Elder Wang Shouren said, "We have already sent people to buy all the snow salt sold to other places. Except for the Capital Region, there is no fine salt in other places. Now the official salt business affected is only in the Capital Region."

"Su Liang only has a small salt mine in his hand. According to the current situation, if Su Liang has no other salt mines, Su Liang will have no salt to sell in three months. As long as we firmly hold the heavy salt mines, it is fine."

"The patriarch can unite with other aristocratic families and not sell salt mines to Su Liang."

Wang Xing looked at the Third Elder and said, "Other aristocratic families are not our Wang clan. They can still be the Five Surnames and Seven Clans without official salt business. Only our Wang clan, Third Elder, you know this point."

Sixth Elder Wang Shouyi suddenly said, "As long as we have the fine salt refining method, it's fine!"

Wang Xing stared at the Sixth Elder with burning eyes and said, "Sixth Elder, are you trying to steal Su Liang's fine salt refining method?"

Wang Shouyi said, "It is said that there is no wall that does not leak wind, and there is always a way to think of it."

Wang Xing stared at the Sixth Elder with interest and said, "What high opinions does the Sixth Elder have? Su Liang not only has the White Robe Guard permitted by His Majesty, but also has many good hands in secret. I have also sent people to inquire, but found nothing."

Just at this moment.

Ninth Elder Wang Shouyan, who had been silent, said in a deep voice:

"Don't forget who Su Liang is. He is a knife for His Majesty to deal with our aristocratic families. When the pension case happened, there were few of our aristocratic family's gatekeepers who died?"

"What can let us know, will naturally let us know; what can't let us know, will naturally not."

"Either we can reach a cooperation with Su Liang, or..."

Wang Shouyan then made a gesture of wiping his neck.

Seeing this, Wang Xing hurriedly waved his hand

Wang Shouyan immediately made a throat-slitting gesture.

Seeing this, Wang Xing hurriedly waved his hand and said, "Unless absolutely necessary, we cannot act in this way. Does the Ninth Elder not remember who Su Liang is?"

"Hehe..." Elder Wang Shouyan chuckled.

He then said, "Currently, Su Liang is only producing salt in Taoyuan County; we can buy out the snow salt sold to other regions. If Su Liang begins producing salt elsewhere, what should you all do then?"

"Do you all really think Su Liang only has one salt mine in his hands?"

"If the price of snow salt remains at 20 wen, it is fine; at worst, our Wang clan will earn a little less and develop some other businesses to make up for it."

"But if the price of snow salt drops further... how will our Wang clan fare then?"

"Given time, we will surely be reduced to a second-rate aristocratic family!"

"Enough!" Wang Xing immediately slammed the table and stood up.

He then shouted, "Can you not use your brains? Why not think of other methods?"

"Why can we not create what Su Liang can create?"

"If we could think of just one of Su Liang's methods—the summer ice-making or the wine-brewing—why would our Wang clan need to be in this state?"

"With just the wealth earned from the summer ice-making method, given time, our Wang clan would surely be able to replace the Cui clan!"

Everyone was speechless.

After a long while.

Wang Xing slowly spoke, "Send word down: any member of our Wang clan who can develop a fine salt refinement method may become the tenth clan elder."

"As long as they can develop the fine salt refinement method and present it to our Wang clan, regardless of their background, they may marry a woman of our Wang clan."

Upon hearing this, the First Elder, Wang Shouyue, immediately said, "Since ancient times, our Wang clan has only had nine elders; there has never been a tenth."

"Enough!"

Wang Xing immediately interrupted.

"Rules are meant to be broken; they are certainly not as important as the rise or fall of our Wang clan."

Seeing this, the First Elder, Wang Shouyue, did not want to dwell on this issue.

A moment later, Wang Shouyue continued, "Allowing anyone regardless of background to marry a woman of our Wang clan is likely inappropriate. If the person who develops the fine salt refinement method is an old man, I hope the clan leader will set a rule to avoid being mocked by the world."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xing was silent for a long time before saying, "Those who achieve great things do not fuss over small details."

The next morning.

The news that anyone who could refine fine salt could marry a woman of the Wang clan spread throughout Changancheng.

Furong Inner Courtyard.

Su Liang, lying on the sofa, was left speechless by this move from the Wang clan.

He then looked at Uncle Fu, who was to the side, and said.

"Uncle Fu, why don't you remarry?"

Upon hearing this, Uncle Fu immediately chuckled and said, "It's not impossible, as long as Er Hu agrees."

He paused and continued, "I'm just afraid of delaying the Young Master's affairs."

Seeing that Uncle Fu had finally caught on, Su Liang laughed and said, "Er Hu's side is easy; I'll make the decision for him."

"Is there any young lady you have your eye on?"

Uncle Fu shook his head slightly.

Su Liang continued, "I heard Wang Xing's youngest daughter is quite good; she is proficient in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and is also a little beauty."

"Uncle Fu could marry her back; you could play the zither and chess in your spare time, saving you from running to Pingkang Quarter so often."

"How about I take you to propose marriage today?"

"Hehe..."

Uncle Fu laughed awkwardly upon hearing this.

Uncle Fu was only just forty this year; ever since moving into Furong Garden, he had become increasingly youthful, and seeing Su Liang surrounded by beauties all day, he felt a restless itch in his heart.

A moment later.

Uncle Fu stroked his beard and said slowly, "Don't trouble yourself, Young Master. That Wang Xing will only choose a woman from the imperial clan to put on a show; how could he easily marry off his own daughter?"

"Instead, Young Master, you could take her into your chambers. I have heard that Wang Xing's youngest daughter is even willing to be your concubine."

"How about I accompany you to propose today?"

"Cough, cough..."

Su Liang coughed twice, then looked at Princess Changle to the side.