Chapter 339: Strictly investigate the dental shop in the capital
Affected by the Little Ice Age, the temperature of the world has been steadily declining since the Yuan Dynasty.
"It's getting colder and colder today. Yesterday's sunshine was still a little warm. Today, when it shines on my body, I feel cold, especially the wind, which is blowing to my bones."
In the Huagai Hall, the door is closed tightly, and the cold wind roars outside.
Zhu Yuanzhang was wearing a thick coat, drinking hot mutton soup, and said to his grandson who was having breakfast next to him.
It is already the beginning of Mao, which is also the date of Mao in the conventional sense. If we go forward, Zhu Yuanzhang has already arrived at Fengtian Hall to start his morning court.
However, under the advice of Da Sun, it has been postponed for half an hour. As of now, there are still two quarters before the time to enter the palace.
"My grandson has asked people to set up sixteen piles of charcoal fires in Fengtian Hall. I think it is warm enough now." Zhu Ying also took a sip of the mutton soup and said with a smile.
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded. As he gets older, he is particularly afraid of the cold.
This cold makes me feel like a dying old man, as if he will die at any moment.
"There is not much coal in the palace. This winter seems to be much colder than before. I am afraid that many people in the capital will freeze to death. I don't know what's going on with God this year."
"How come the Ming Dynasty is tortured like this? It's so cold and the people have no way to stay warm. What should we do?"
"By the way, Dasun, didn't we hear from you earlier that people have been arranged to go to Shanxi to mine coal? How about that? Is there any news?"
Zhu Yuanzhang asked somewhat sadly.
He survived the poor days, but many people did not.
Every winter, many elderly people freeze to death because they have no means to protect themselves from the cold, especially those poor people who have no shelter from the wind and cold.
After enduring many severe colds, Zhu Yuanzhang finally came over. These memories are swirling in his mind.
As the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, he felt very sad when he knew that his people were dying due to the cold, but there was nothing he could do.
"It's been nearly two months, and there should be news in the near future."
Zhu Ying replied.
Shanxi has a lot of coal, which Zhu Ying knew well.
It's not because he knows the distribution of mineral resources very well, it's just because in his previous life, coal bosses were usually from Shanxi.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t want to know.
So he sent craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry who were good at exploring coal mines, along with the Chamber of Commerce and Jinyiwei, to Shanxi to explore.
The Central Plains Dynasty had been utilizing coal mines for a long time. By the Ming Dynasty, coal mining technology had become more and more perfect.
Just exploring this area can only be said to be trying luck. Without instruments, we can only rely on experience.
"Is there really so much coal in Datong? It can be used for hundreds of years, Dasun, how do you know there is so much coal?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked suspiciously.
It seems that in many aspects, Da Sun's level of understanding is extremely unique. Some things that have not been recorded at all are regarded as common sense by Da Sun, and his overly firm words also make Zhu Yuanzhang feel a little strange.
The most important thing is that what Da Sun said is correct every time.
Zhu Ying smiled and replied: "Of course I know it from the Western Regions. Grandpa doesn't know anything. In the Western Regions, because they are not bound by Confucianism, many small countries and few people will study it according to their own preferences."
"In terms of writing skills, they are naturally incomparable with me, the Ming Dynasty, but there are always some special people with unique directions of thinking. Some tricks that are regarded as strange and obscene techniques in Confucianism do have unexpected
Effect."
"The reason why my grandson knows about Datong is that his subordinate once rescued an old man in his eighties or nineties. He was from Datong. Due to the war in the late Yuan Dynasty, he fled to the Western Regions to avoid disaster."
"After being taken in by people from the Western Regions, I learned the art of smelting and how to explore for coal mines."
"Recalling his childhood, he discovered that some of the records of his fellow villagers were very close to the coal mines he knew. When he was dying, he wrote his own affairs in a book."
"At that time, my grandson loved reading, so a subordinate submitted this book, so my grandson knew about the coal abundance in Datong."
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he couldn't help asking: "Where is the book?"
Zhu Ying said matter-of-factly: "Of course it's ruined."
Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned at first, and was about to complain a few words, when he suddenly realized something and looked deeply at Da Sun.
Zhu Ying frowned.
I'm just making up a story, even if it's true, I have to burn it.
If you can't control it yourself, then just bury the coal mine in the ground.
But now, it can be dug out and used.
During the morning court session, Zhu Ying once again enjoyed a wave of grateful looks from the courtiers as usual.
In this cold winter season, having a bowl of hot mutton soup really warms your heart from your stomach.
After entering the Fengtian Hall, I felt warm and comfortable.
It seems that morning is not that sad anymore.
Twenty-five years.
This was the first time that the ministers in the morning court felt warmth wholeheartedly.
Although His Highness Taisun has not expressed too many opinions in Fengtian Palace, the hearts of the ministers are now gradually aligning with His Highness Taisun.
If you treat your ministers and workers like this, why would you regret repaying them with your country's soldiers?
The lively court hall was in sharp contrast to the biting cold wind outside.
After the morning court, Zhu Ying took Zhu Yunxi to visit the slums of the capital, which is the edge of the handicraft area.
Living in the capital city, it is difficult to survive without skills.
Ordinary civilians don't even have their own homes.
"Brother, why do you have to leave the palace on such a cold day? It's so cold that my neck is frozen."
Zhu Yunxi muttered in a low voice.
Not to mention how happy Zhu Yunxi was during this period. Ever since his eldest brother issued an order not to restrict his preferences, Zhu Yunxi was completely addicted to carpentry work.
My initial interest was in the matchlock gun, but then it gradually began to shift.
Obviously, he has little interest in weapons related to matchlocks.
"It will be even colder if we go out in a few days." Zhu Ying replied casually.
The two brothers walked slowly along the main road and toward the southwest of the capital. As they approached the Shou Industrial Zone, the crowd became increasingly dense.
The plainclothes Jin Yiwei about thirty meters away also became more nervous.
However, few people dared to approach Zhu Ying and Zhu Yunxi on the street. After all, they were dressed gorgeously and had rosy faces.
This is of course not because of status, but because of appearance.
The gap between ordinary people and the wealthy class these days is very obvious. The biggest difference is in body shape and face.
Anyone who looks slightly fat or has a healthy complexion is something that ordinary people would not dare to mess with.
The people here in the capital are not said to be sallow and thin, but there are some dishes on most dishes, and the difference in energy and spirit is also very big. Poor people cannot afford to mess with such people.
"Brother, are we dressed a little too well? Others may not be able to tell at a glance that our status is extraordinary. I heard that private interviews in private are usually very simple, and a suit of linen is enough."
While walking here, Zhu Yunxi couldn't help but mutter.
Because he now feels out of place, completely unable to blend in with the crowd on the street, as if he stands out from the crowd.
And many eyes were looking at her secretly.
The eldest brother said that he would help himself to understand the people's sentiments. According to this situation, how can he understand the situation?
"Read less novels and read more. Who told you to understand the sentiments of the people, you have to wear rags."
Zhu Ying scolded.
Zhu Yunxi did not dare to say any more.
When Zhu Ying came here, he really understood the sentiments of the people.
The severe winter has arrived, and many people in the capital have froze to death in previous years. According to the current weather, it is estimated that it will snow heavily in the near future.
Zhu Ying still cared about the craftsmen in the capital.
Handicraftsmen who can make a living in the capital are undoubtedly at the upper level of the industry in the entire Ming Dynasty, and they are also present in various workshops.
In Zhu Ying's plan, after the demolition of Zhengyang Avenue, the next step is to re-plan the handicraft area, so I must come here to take a look.
The streets were bustling with people, and the sound of hawking could be heard all the time.
“Selling sesame cakes! Freshly baked hot sesame cakes!!”
A burst of fragrance hit him, and Zhu Yunxi slowed down and seemed to be unable to walk.
Zhu Ying smiled and walked to the shaobing vendor and asked, "How do you sell these shaobings?"
When the hawker saw the business coming, they were two young men in rich clothes. He quickly bowed and said: "This young master, a generous portion of sesame cakes costs a penny each."
Zhu Yunxi looked a little embarrassed when he heard this.
He has never had the habit of carrying or using money. When living in the palace, there was no need to use any precious coins.
He has rarely even seen copper coins.
In desperation, I had no choice but to turn my attention to my eldest brother.
Zhu Ying smiled softly, took out a money bag from his waist, took out two copper coins and said, "Just two."
He is not aloof from the world, he has already been prepared for such a thing.
The hawker said "Okay" and thought about reaching out to take it, but when his somewhat dirty hands were compared with the hands of the two young masters opposite, the hawker subconsciously took his hand back.
"My young master's hands are dirty. Please just put the coins on the table. I'm sorry for bothering you."
The hawker said with a smile.
Zhu Ying was very calm about this, and did not put it in the hawker's hands to show that she didn't care, so she just put it on the counter as the hawker said.
The vendor took out the wooden tongs and wiped them with a towel before taking out the sesame cakes and wrapping them in oil paper.
After placing it on the countertop which was wiped several times, I went to get the two copper coins.
The corners of Zhu Ying's mouth twitched slightly. He wanted to tell the vendor that there were many more bacteria on the towel than on the clip.
At this time, Zhu Yunxi couldn't wait to reach out and pick up the sesame cake and put it into his mouth.
"Yeah, it's so hot, so hot!"
Zhu Yunxi almost lost the sesame cake as soon as he took it into his mouth.
Zhu Ying laughed, picked up the sesame seed cakes, and took Zhu Yunxi deeper.
He had to take a closer look at this handicraft area.
At this time, several eyes were already looking at the money bag around Zhu Ying's waist.
Judging from the appearance, it feels heavy and must contain a lot of money.
As the two of them were walking, several little beggars were already walking towards them.
Zhu Ying was keen and immediately turned around, with sharp eyes radiating from her eyes, staring closely at the three little beggars of different heights and thinness a few meters away.
The three little beggars immediately panicked.
Their original intention was to take the opportunity to steal or rob the young man's money bag. However, they were already discovered before they even started to act. How to do it?
Under the pressure of their gazes, several beggars turned around angrily and slipped away from another alley, not daring to stay too long.
Zhu Yunxi on the side was completely unaware of this and was still slowly nibbling sesame seed cakes in the cold wind.
This popular delicacy was not considered elegant, and naturally it was not something that Zhu Yunxi, who lived in the palace, had ever tasted.
The hot sesame cakes in this cold wind are a real pleasure to eat.
Zhu Ying continued walking and was about to take a few bites when she happened to see a thin figure in the corner of the alley.
In front of the thin figure is a small broken bowl.
Looking closely, she saw a little girl about seven or eight years old, huddled in the corner, her ragged clothes tightly hugged, her head half-buried.
After a slight hesitation, Zhu Ying walked towards the little girl.
He squatted in front of the little girl and handed over the sesame seed cake in his hand.
Seeing the sesame seed cakes, the little girl's eyes flashed with surprise, her throat rolled several times, and she couldn't help but want to reach out to pick it up.
But the next moment, the little girl stopped moving, knelt directly on the ground, kowtowed to Zhu Ying, and made an "ahhh" sound from her mouth.
It turned out to be a mute girl.
Although she really wanted to eat it, after kowtowing, the little girl still took it with her hands carefully, for fear that she would touch Zhu Ying.
After receiving the sesame seed cakes, the little girl seemed unable to bear it and wanted to take a big bite.
At this time, a cough came from a distance along the cold wind.
Hearing this voice, the little girl trembled and stopped quickly. Nostalgia for the sesame cake flashed in her eyes, but she still put it in her arms and prepared to put it away.
In an instant, a strong hand grabbed the tiny arm.
"Just eat it here. If you don't eat it, I will take it back."
As the voice came, the little girl raised her head and looked at the big brother in front of her, with mist flowing in her eyes.
His arms struggled, but they couldn't move at all.
Seeing that the little girl was still a little afraid, Zhu Ying used her other hand to take it back.
Seeing this, the little girl was so anxious that she quickly took a bite of the sesame seed cake.
Zhu Ying did not let go, but just watched the little girl finish eating before turning and leaving.
Looking at Zhu Ying's back, the little girl's moist eyes finally started to drip.
"Brother, why don't you let her take it back? Maybe she has young sisters and brothers at home, or parents who are sick in bed, etc., who are also waiting to take a bite."
Zhu Yunxi asked with some confusion.
Hearing this, Zhu Ying chuckled and said, "This world is not as kind as you think."
After saying that, Zhu Ying waved towards the distance, and Qianhu, a guard in Jinyi, ran over quickly.
"Pass this imperial edict to Public Security Secretary Liang Guogong, and immediately begin a strict investigation of the dental shops in the capital to eliminate any illegal transactions. At the same time, we will strictly investigate begging on the streets, and arrest all those suspected of gang organization."——