Emperor Hongzhi had been discussing with Liu Jian, Li Dongyang, and Xie Qian for several hours, and even had lunch together at the Qianqing Palace.
"The weather is indeed a lot colder. According to Zhou Jing, hundreds of people have frozen to death just here in the capital. I don't know how many people in the world will freeze to death."
After discussing the business, Emperor Hongzhi also looked out the window. At this time, it started to snow. Thinking of what Zhou Jing, the Minister of Household Affairs, said in the morning, Emperor Hongzhi looked even more worried.
"I am incompetent and unable to share your Majesty's worries and relieve the people's difficulties. I am really ashamed!"
After hearing what Emperor Hongzhi said, Liu Jian said helplessly that he could feel Emperor Hongzhi's concern for the country and the people, but there was nothing he could do in the face of this natural force.
"The same goes for me, destiny cannot be violated!"
Emperor Hongzhi shook his head and said, facing this natural force, even he, the emperor, felt helpless.
It is normal for people to freeze to death in winter. People freeze to death every winter, but this year there seems to be particularly many. It is only October, and it has not yet reached the coldest time, and hundreds of people have frozen to death in the capital. This The weather is really too cold.
"How about we go to various places in the capital to take a look?"
Emperor Hongzhi suddenly suggested.
"I will accompany you by myself."
Liu Jian, Xie Qian, and Li Dongyang naturally agreed immediately. They would go out incognito for a private visit with the boss and go out for activities together. Such an opportunity was rare, so there was no reason to miss it.
…
In a charcoal shop in Chongnanfang, Langdong, Beijing, Liu Jin and Zhao Erhu were wandering around casually in the charcoal shop.
"Sir, what kind of charcoal do you need?"
Seeing Li Jin dressed as a scholar, the boy in the store stepped forward and asked enthusiastically. Most of these scholars are rich, and they often need to use charcoal for heating when reading and writing.
It's freezing cold today. Without charcoal for heating, there's no way to write because my hands will freeze and even the ink will freeze.
"I see that your store has a wide range of charcoal types. Can you tell me about them?"
Liu Jin casually looked around in the charcoal store and found that there was a big difference between the charcoal and the charcoal. Even a layman like him could tell it at a glance.
"Young master, you have a good eye. The charcoal in our store is the most complete in the whole of Beijing. Whether it is ordinary offal wood, high-quality horse-kou wood, or black charcoal, white charcoal, long-lasting charcoal, etc., our store has it all. There are even top-notch poplar logs specially used in the inner court.”
The waiter gave Liu Jin a thumbs up, and then started to introduce the various charcoals in his store.
This charcoal is made from different logs and has very different materials, so it is divided into many varieties.
"The original name of this Bahau Chai is Shun Chai. It is called Bahau Chai because it is produced in the mountains near Mashui Kou. The characteristic of this Bahau Chai is that it is pure white without black spots. It is the most used in the palace, and of course it sells for a lot of money. It is also the most expensive, with a load of horse-kou wood costing 900 Wen."
"The quality of this long-loaded charcoal is also very good. It is made from hardwoods in the mountains in Yizhou. It is durable in heating, gray and not explosive. A load of long-loaded charcoal costs 700 Wen."
"Of course, if you don't have any special requirements, this offal charcoal is also very good. It is made from trees in the mountains and forests in the north near our capital. It is very durable and costs only 550 Wen per load."
The waiter in the store very patiently explained to Liu Jin the origin, characteristics and price of each charcoal, which opened Liu Jin's eyes to the fact that this small piece of charcoal actually has so much knowledge.
"This charcoal is really not cheap~ most people can't afford it!"
After listening to the introduction, Liu Jin couldn't help but sigh. The cheapest offal charcoal costs 550 Wen per load, but the Bakou charcoal costs 900 Wen per load. This price is really too expensive.
You must know that the price of a big rooster in this era is only about 15 renminbi, but a load of charcoal can be sold for several hundred renminbi. Ordinary people simply cannot afford such expensive charcoal.
“It’s indeed too expensive~”
A voice sounded next to him, and it sounded a bit familiar. Liu Jin quickly looked over and saw that Emperor Hongzhi, whom he met at Wangyue Tower that day, was still dressed like a gentleman. Xiao Jing next to him was dressed like a butler. As for Liu
Jian, Xie Qian, and Li Dongyang also changed into ordinary people's clothes, so that no one could tell that they were important cabinet ministers.
"It turns out to be Mr. Zhu~"
Liu Jin quickly saluted Emperor Hongzhi. Although he already knew the identity of the other party, Liu Jin would not reveal it until Emperor Hongzhi said it. What's more, once he knew that the other party was the emperor, he would inevitably have to kneel down. How could he not kneel down?
Of course it would be best not to kneel down, and Liu Jin wished he never had to kneel down.
"I didn't expect to meet Mr. Liu here."
Seeing Liu Jin, Emperor Hongzhi was in a good mood and said with a smile.
"This is Mr. Liu whom I told you about. Golden Continent, Australia, Europe, Africa, etc. are all what Mr. Liu said. If you are interested in anything, you can ask him in person."
Then Emperor Hongzhi also introduced Liu Jin to Liu Jian, Xie Qian, and Li Dongyang. The three of them squinted their eyes and looked at Liu Jin carefully at the same time. Their eyes were sharp, as if they wanted to see through Liu Jin completely.
"I've met three gentlemen."
Although Liu Jin still couldn't figure out the background of these three people, most of the people who could follow Emperor Hongzhi should also be important officials in the court, so he had better be polite.
"Well, not bad."
Li Dongyang pinched his moustache and nodded and said, "He is very handsome. He was a handsome guy when he was young. Liu Jin is not bad looking and has a good skin, which is more to Li Dongyang's taste."
"I heard that Mr. Liu came to the capital to participate in the Autumn and Winter Poetry Festival. Why didn't he go to the poetry festival instead of coming to this charcoal shop?"
Xie Qian looked at Liu Jin, thought for a while and asked.
"Alas, people in Zhumen are freezing to death on the streets where wine and meat are stinking. The rich students are singing to the snow in the wind and the moon. They all say that the snow is falling well and at the right time. But if they see the snow on the street is so cold,
Will the shivering beggar be in the mood to recite poems and write lyrics when he sees his face flushed and his hands cracked by the cold? Anyway, I am not in the mood to participate in such a poetry meeting."
Liu Jin sighed and looked at the falling snowflakes outside, looking unfounded and worried.
Of course, this is also one of the reasons why Liu Jin doesn't go to the poetry meeting. He really can't stand those people. What's more important is that Liu Jin has traveled through time in later generations. If he really wants to participate in a poetry meeting, his secret may be exposed, so
It's better not to go.
Upon hearing Liu Jin's return, Emperor Hongzhi, Liu Jian and others looked at each other, and they were all slightly surprised. They didn't expect Liu Jin to not attend the poetry meeting for this reason. This was really a surprise.
Liu Jin, like the others, actually noticed that many people were freezing due to the cold weather, and came to the charcoal shop to learn about the charcoal market.
"The price of charcoal is high, but the weather is very cold. I wonder if Mr. Liu has any way to solve the heating problem of ordinary people?"
Emperor Hongzhi thought of the scene that day at Wangyue Tower where Liu Jin introduced the world beyond the Ming Dynasty, and asked with a hint of expectation.
"Actually, the heating problem is easy to solve. Charcoal is expensive, so why not use coal?"
