Chapter 285: The Skyrocketing Price of Coal

"That's right, three million shi." Zhao Xu's gaze was piercing.

This is the annual ration for one million people.

The reason he needed so much was that he had thought it through carefully.

First, the commoners coming over from Jinzhou number nearly three hundred thousand.

This number is still growing.

Second are the craftsmen and Wangfu Army entering the Workshop.

They only consume grain and do not produce it.

Finally, there is the current situation Yanzhou is facing.

In his view, Yanzhou's external wars will not cease in the future, which will lead to constant grain consumption.

Storing three million shi of grain as a reserve is absolutely necessary.

Otherwise, once Yanzhou faces a grain shortage and the powerful clans join forces to cut off his source of grain, Yanzhou will fall into chaos without a fight.

"It's just that this is truly too much; I must return to discuss this." Xie Lan wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Her Ladyship said that the official side can only make decisions on grain within one million taels of Silver."

Zhao Xu nodded.

This one million taels worth of grain is the sincerity the Xie Family is offering him.

In a place like Yanzhou, grain is expensive and can sell for one tael per shi.

But in Jiangnan, rice is cheap, and one tael of Silver can buy more.

This one million taels of Silver is equivalent to one million three or four hundred thousand shi of grain.

Thinking of this, he said, "This Wang will certainly not make things difficult for you. How about we use Artillery to cover the remaining grain?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Lan breathed a sigh of relief. He said, "This time, the Xie Family wants to buy three hundred and fifty Artillery pieces from Your Highness."

The number of Artillery pieces the Han Family and the Liang Family purchased is no secret.

His Xie Family is not as wealthy as the Liang Family, but they certainly cannot lose to the Han Family.

Therefore, they want fifty more than the Han Family.

Zhao Xu smiled lightly, "Since that is the case, when you return, tell Empress Xie that the three hundred Artillery pieces are for cash, and the fifty are for grain.

Before the attack on Xiliang, this Wang hopes that three million shi of grain will arrive in Yanzhou."

Upon hearing this, Xie Lan gasped.

Fifty Artillery pieces are only worth four hundred thousand taels of Silver.

Adding the one million taels of Silver promised by Empress Xie, Yan Wang wants to buy three million shi of grain for one million four hundred thousand taels of Silver.

This is basically equivalent to making the Xie Family sell him grain at half price.

However, he thought this in his heart but dared not say it.

The Xie Family was already haggling with Yan Wang.

This matter was not something he could decide. "This matter, I will report truthfully to Her Ladyship."

"Mm, good. This Wang has already written the memorial and prepared generous gifts, which will be sent to Jingshi immediately. The day the Xie Family agrees, these gifts will be delivered to the Crown Prince's Mansion, and this memorial will appear in the imperial court." Zhao Xu threw down a bargaining chip; it remained to be seen if the Xie Family would take it.

"I will remember this." Xie Lan stood up, bowed to Zhao Xu, and turned to leave.

Zhao Xu watched Xie Lan leave and quietly finished the tea on the table.

Just as he was about to return to his sleeping quarters, Feng'er walked in, complaining as she walked: "Your Highness, it is time to do something about these unscrupulous merchants in Yancheng. These Coal Cakes are getting more expensive by the day; it's truly daylight robbery."

Ever since he officially handed the responsibility of managing the Wangfu to Feng'er.

The current expenditures of the Wangfu's internal affairs were naturally managed by Feng'er as well.

Upon hearing this, he said, "You say Coal Cakes are rising in price?"

Feng'er nodded. "This servant ordered the house servants to buy some back to burn in the Boiler, but I never expected the Silver required would be double the usual amount."

Zhao Xu's expression darkened.

Fortunately, he had purchased a large amount of coal when he was selecting officials for the trading firm.

This coal was all piled up in the warehouse of the Armory.

Otherwise, he would have to buy coal at a high price now.

Doing so would inevitably drive up the costs of all kinds of commercial goods.

However, even if there is no problem for the moment.

This does not mean there won't be problems in the coming months.

After all, his Armory is manufacturing Flintlocks in Da Song.

There are also huge orders for Artillery, all of which require large amounts of steel, and steelmaking requires burning coal.

"This Wang knows. Send someone to the trading firm and have the trading firm officials summon the coal merchants of Yancheng," Zhao Xu said.

Thinking Yan Wang was going to reprimand the coal merchants, Feng'er went off happily.

Half an hour later, more than ten coal merchants arrived at the Wangfu under the guidance of the trading firm officials.

When the coal merchants saw Zhao Xu, they performed the salutations, and before Zhao Xu could speak, they began to cry out their grievances: "Your Highness, the price hike of these Coal Cakes really cannot be blamed on us. Jinzhou has been occupied by Xiliang, and there is no one to mine the pits; we are helpless as well."

When they came, they had guessed that Yan Wang was looking for them because of the coal.

After all, the Wangfu has always been a major buyer of coal.

Zhao Xu raised his hand, signaling the merchants to be quiet.

Regarding the rise in coal prices, he had no intention of blaming the merchants.

When Jinzhou was occupied by Xiliang, he had already anticipated that such a situation would arise.

"Do not worry, this Wang does not mean to blame you, I only want to ask if there is still coal coming from Jinzhou," Zhao Xu said.

The merchants breathed a sigh of relief.

One merchant said: "At first there was, but now there is none. Even if there is, it is high-priced coal. After Xiliang occupied Jinzhou, they seized all the coal mines and are even forcing the commoners to transport the coal to Xiliang."

Zhao Xu frowned; resources on the territory of Xiliang have always been scarce.

According to what he knows, the coal and iron in Xiliang were all smuggled over by merchants from Jinzhou.

Now that they have occupied Jinzhou, they naturally want to steal coal and iron ruthlessly.

"What's more detestable is that after Jincheng fell, the Four Great Wealthy Clans of Jinzhou fawned upon Xiliang, acting as accomplices and guiding the Xiliang troops; they forcibly seized many merchants' mines, leaving us with no coal to buy, and then they sold us high-priced coal, which is what caused the coal prices to skyrocket," another merchant said, filled with righteous indignation.

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"The Four Great Wealthy Merchants?" Zhao Xu's eyes narrowed slightly.

Because Jinzhou and Yanzhou are far from the Emperor, the local Rich Clans have always been rampant.

Yanzhou has the Zhang Family, and even the Yuan Family, smuggling to the Northern Di.

These Jinzhou Rich Clans, unable to gain any advantage, naturally set their sights on Xiliang.

It is rumored that over the past hundred years, they have secretly smuggled an unknown amount of coal and iron to Xiliang, becoming incredibly wealthy.

When Zhao Xu was in Jingshi, these Jinzhou Rich Clans once caused a great disturbance.

A descendant of a Jinzhou Rich Clan, relying on his wealth, spent money like water and threw away tens of thousands, actually competing for the favor of a courtesan with a descendant of the Wang Family from a powerful clan.

As a result, the descendant of the Wang Family became enraged and beat the descendant of the Jinzhou Rich Clan to death on the spot.

These Four Great Wealthy Clans of Jinzhou are truly wealthy and influential.

They actually used Silver to open the path to the Dou Family, forcing that powerful clan's descendant to be sentenced to execution after autumn.

Although the Wang Family was dissatisfied, how could they compete with the Dou Family in the imperial court?

They could only swallow their anger.

"It is them; it is said they have put out the word that any coal going to Yanzhou will be marked up five or even ten times the price," the merchants said.

Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Zhao Xu's eyes.

Simply put, this coal matter is because Xiliang occupied Jinzhou.

As a result, the Jinzhou Rich Clans attached themselves to Xiliang and took the opportunity to raise coal prices, wanting to make a profit off him; they really have developed a sense of superiority from being dogs for Xiliang.

"Hmm, this King knows; you may return, this King has his own plans," Zhao Xu said.

The merchants heard this, bowed, and left.

"Jinzhou." As the figures of the merchants disappeared, Zhao Xu softly spat out these two words.

This battle for Jinzhou must be fought, if only for the coal.

It is well known that in the present age, the coal from Shanxi is of the best quality in the country.

Among them, the quality of Power Coal, Bituminous Coal, and Anthracite are all top-tier.

This Power Coal is simply fuel.

High-quality Power Coal produces great heat and is very suitable for burning in a Boiler; Thermal Power Plants all use Power Coal.

Bituminous Coal is suitable for refining Coke, for which the Armory has a huge demand.

Anthracite, as the name suggests, burns without smoke, and because its carbon content is very high, it is commonly used for Blast Furnace injection.

Although he does not need it yet, he will use it in the future as the technology of the smelting industry improves.

At the same time, Anthracite can also be ground into powder to filter water sources.

In short, such an important coal base concerns the industrial lifeline of Yanzhou.

He must control the resources of this place in his own hands, no matter what.