Chapter 275: Copper Ore Shortage

Hongwu Fourteenth Year, May 10.

Yingtian Prefecture has already become hot.

In the Qianqing Palace, several ice basins were placed, cool and refreshing, yet Dan Anren was still drenched in sweat.

The Minister of Works, this year sixty‑three, has more than half his hair turned white; he usually walks at a leisurely pace, but now he sits restlessly, the Memorandum in his hand trembling repeatedly.

"His Majesty, I truly have no recourse; the copper ore, the copper ore is insufficient," Dan Anren knelt on the ground, his voice choked with sobbing.

Zhu Yuanzhang furrowed his brow: "Insufficient? Hasn't Yunnan's copper ore been continuously mined?"

"Answering His Majesty, Yunnan's copper ore is indeed still being mined, but output declines year by year; in the tenth year of Hongwu, a year could yield eighty thousand jin of copper, but last year it was only fifty thousand jin.

This year is worse—only fifteen thousand jin were produced in the first four months."

Dan Anren wiped his brow and continued: "But the places that need it are increasing—Flintlock Guns require copper for ammunition, steam‑engine pipes need copper, cement‑plant equipment needs copper, and the generator that the Crown Prince recently had the Ministry of Works prototype, which also demands large amounts of copper wire and copper core."

He looked up at Zhu Biao sitting beside him and said, "Prince, do you agree?"

Zhu Biao nodded, his expression solemn: "Imperial Father, Minister Dan's words are true; over at the Ministry of Works, I have inspected several times, and it is indeed a tight spot."

Especially the alchemical diagrams that second brother gave, which require refining high‑purity copper; the raw material demand is even greater—ordinary copper ore yielding thirty jin of high‑purity copper from a hundred jin is already considered good.

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a moment, then looked at Zhu Yong beside him.

Zhu Yong was holding a tea cup, sipping tea; when his father looked over, he gave a simple grin: "Father, I'm also helpless—copper, if it's not in the earth, it simply isn't there."

Moreover, even if copper ore were discovered, we have no one to use it; Great Ming's population is still too small.

"We know that, but this thing must exist; Biao Er said that generator—if it truly works, Great Ming won't need to light candle‑oil lamps anymore.

And other places, other manufacturing factories—none of them can do without copper?" Zhu Yuanzhang sighed, stood, and paced the hall.

Dan Anren nodded repeatedly: "Your Majesty's wisdom is evident, but copper ore isn't something you can just find; I have had the Ministry of Works scour every local gazette and sent people for on‑site surveys, and indeed no new copper ore has been discovered."

Moreover, Prince Wu was just right; we truly have no manpower to use it—the military, and the peasants who farm, iron ore… sigh…

"We could pull a batch of people from Wa Country to use for now; as for copper ore, keep searching! The world is so vast, how could we still fail to find a few copper mines?" Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Dan Anren, with a grim face, said: "Your Majesty, I have already dispatched over three hundred men north to Liaodong, west to Gansu, south to Yunnan, and have searched everywhere."

But copper ore isn't a crop; you can't plant it and have it grow—if it can't be found, it simply can't be found.

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Zhu Biao's brows knit tightly, clearly also pondering solutions.

Zhu Yuanzhang walked back and forth with his hands behind his back, his complexion growing ever darker.

Zhu Yong held his tea cup, sipping slowly, but his gaze fell on the cabinet in the corner of the wall.

That was the place in the Qianqing Palace where he stored the "treasures" he had signed for.

The World Map, the globe, the Loom Diagram, the salt‑and‑sugar recipes, the cement formula… were all locked inside.

He set down the tea cup, stood, and said, "Father, I have an idea."

Zhu Yuanzhang halted his steps: "Speak."

Zhu Yong walked to the cabinet, opened its door, and took out a scroll.

It was the World Map obtained in the third year of Hongwu.

He spread the map on the imperial desk; Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao gathered around, and Dan Anren also stood up, peering in.

"Father, elder brother, look—this is our Great Ming," Zhu Yong said, his finger landing on Great Ming's spot on the map.

His finger moved south, crossing the South Sea islands, finally stopping at a massive land outline: "Here, called Australia. I recall White-bearded Old Man saying that this continent holds abundant copper ore, iron ore, and coal ore."

Dan Anren's eyes brightened: "Copper ore? In abundance?"

Zhu Yong nodded, his finger moving east, crossing the Great Ocean, landing on another continent: "And here, South America, with even more copper ore.

White-bearded Old Man said that over there is a place called Qiu Kikamata, where copper ore is so plentiful you could pick it up off the ground."

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at the map, silent for a long while.

Zhu Biao was also dumbfounded.

He knew the world was vast, but had never imagined that the places marked on the maps could be such treasure lands.

"Second brother, how far are these places from us?" Zhu Biao asked.

Zhu Yong thought for a moment, his finger tracing the South Sea: "We already control this side of the South Sea; from Champa heading southeast, after a few months' sail, we should reach Australia."

"A few months, that far?" Dan Anren inhaled a cold breath.

"It's a bit far, but nearer than South America, which is even farther; departing Great Ming and following the currents would take perhaps half a year, and Australia's other minerals are also abundant," Zhu Yong said.

Zhu Yuanzhang kept his gaze on Australia on the map, silent for a long time.

After a while, he looked up at Zhu Yong and said, "Yong Er, are what you say reliable?"

Zhu Yong gave a simple grin and said, "Father, the map from White-bearded Old Man shouldn't be deceitful; besides, whether Australia's copper ore is abundant can be known by sending a ship to check."

Moreover, the natives there are also fine; they can be used directly for mining, without involving Great Ming's own people.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao and said, "Biao Er, what do you think?"

Zhu Biao pondered briefly: "Imperial Father, I think it's feasible. We have already secured the South Sea islands; departing Champa, heading southeast, there are many islands along the way for resupply.

Even if we fail to find copper ore, scouting the route is still beneficial."

He paused, then added: "Moreover, second brother's Australia, being a continent, would have other advantages even if it lacks copper ore.

Iron ore, coal ore, even arable land—any of these would be useful to Great Ming."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, then looked at Dan Anren and said, "Minister Dan, what is your view?"

Dan Anren rubbed his hands, his face flushed with excitement: "Your Majesty, I think it's doable—indeed, as long as we can locate copper ore, even if it's only half of Yunnan's output, the Ministry of Works could finally breathe a sigh of relief!"

Zhu Yuanzhang mused briefly, then suddenly smiled.

"Good! Then it's settled. Biao Er, you're in charge of arrangements—select a few reliable men, prepare a fleet; Yong Er, tell us, does Australia have any other… aspects?"

Zhu Yong scratched his head, thought, and said, "White-bearded Old Man said that in Australia there's a creature called a kangaroo, oddly shaped, that moves by hopping.

There's also a tree called the eucalyptus; its leaves can be refined into oil and are quite effective for treating coughs."

"Kangaroo… eucalyptus… forget it, forget it; once you bring the copper ore back, whatever kangaroo or eucalyptus you want to see, it's up to you." Zhu Yuanzhang listened, his expression dazed, and finally waved his hand and said.

Zhu Biao laughed, "Imperial Father, this matter is of great importance; I, your son, think we should dispatch a capable person to command the fleet."

"Well, who do you think is suitable?"

Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Yong and said, "Second brother, what about you?"

Zhu Yong was startled and said, "Me?"

"Yes… you're familiar with the South Sea region. From the South Sea to Australia, you know the island routes best. Moreover, if there are rebellious natives in Australia, your hammer can keep them in check." Zhu Biao nodded.

Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment, nodded, and said, "Makes sense, Yong Er, will you go?"

Zhu Yong scratched his head, gave a simple laugh, and said, "If Father sends me, I'll go. But we have to wait a few months, set out in autumn. It's May now; the sea is rough and unsafe."

"Alright, then in autumn. Biao Er, arrange people to ready ships and supplies, stock more food and fresh water. Dan Anren, select a few craftsmen who understand mining to go with us; once we arrive, conduct thorough exploration."

Zhu Yuanzhang gave his final approval.

"Your command is obeyed!" Dan Anren exclaimed, his beard trembling with excitement.