Chapter 0128 At Forty-Something, It’s the Prime Time to Venture Forth!
“This! This stone can actually burn?”
The two bandits exclaimed in disbelief, using their knives to poke at the pieces of coal. Unexpectedly, the influx of air caused the flames to burn even more fiercely.
Sheng Yiren stared wide-eyed, rubbing her eyes as she nearly thought her vision was playing tricks on her. “Your Highness, is this what you were looking for?”
“Exactly.” Xie Chengze crouched down, reaching his hand close to the flames. The intense heat transmitted through his skin made him curl his eyebrows into a smile. “These pieces of coal can burn for at least three to six hours.”
Sheng Yiren, Er Dangjia, and the bandits: !!!
Three to six hours!
If it were firewood of the same size, it would have burned out quickly. How could these unremarkable black stones be so long-lasting?
Sheng Yiren immediately sensed a business opportunity. This substance was clearly rarer and more durable than firewood, making it highly desirable among the nobility. Moreover, these coal stones were much more brittle than ordinary rocks. If they could be crafted into appropriately sized objects, such as hand warmers, the price would be quite appealing to merchants.
And if they could secure control of an entire coal mine…
No.
Sheng Yiren shook her head again, a tinge of regret and pity rising in her heart.
These coal mines likely couldn’t be privately owned. Given how long-lasting and efficient these coal stones were for burning, they would be ideal for smelting iron. If the imperial court found out, they would undoubtedly take great interest—
It would become a crucial source of revenue for the court’s finances, much like salt and iron.
However, Sheng Yiren wasn’t disheartened by this. Even if she couldn’t own the coal mines, she could still engage in related ventures. For instance, the small hand warmers she had just envisioned—if she could find the right blacksmith, they could be crafted into luxury items and sold to the nobility in the palace.
After all, she was the number one beauty in Jingcheng, setting trends for the entire capital and even the surrounding prefectures.
Whatever she used, there would naturally be plenty of people eager to follow suit and purchase the same. Making money wouldn’t be a problem.
Gently collecting her thoughts, Sheng Yiren quickly grasped the key points.
Back then, the Second Prince had anonymously tasked her with persuading northern merchants to sell grain in Yi Province, all to ensure that the refugees suffering from floods and famine could have food to eat. Later, he had her search for mountains that could spontaneously combust, so…
She stated with conviction, “Your Highness is seeking this coal mine to help the northern people survive the snow disasters, so they no longer have to fear the harsh winters, right? And perhaps, it goes even beyond that.”
If the entire Qiantai Mountain were filled with coal, Sheng Yiren hardly dared to imagine how much silver the court would earn, how rapidly ironware would develop, how Jian’an’s declining military strength would expand, ultimately leading the nation toward prosperity and power.
Xie Chengze glanced at her with a smile. “So much trust in me? What if I were planning to smelt weapons and rebel?”
Sheng Yiren shook her head. “If that were truly the case, you wouldn’t have brought me along.”
Moreover, she believed that even if the Second Prince were to stage a coup and rebel, an emperor who recognized the value of women, did not belittle their abilities, and instead knew how to utilize them effectively, wouldn’t be so bad.
Perhaps, if one day the Second Prince really did rebel, she might even stand by his side…
Beside them, Er Dangjia and the two bandits blinked, their hearts filled with complex emotions.
I never expected the Second Prince to be so devoted to the people. Not only that, but he also has a keen eye for talent. We’ve been on this mountain for so many years and never discovered this black coal, yet the Second Prince found it as soon as he arrived!
The Second Leader thought to himself, what a pity the Second Prince doesn’t have long to live. Since that’s the case, he must help him fulfill that wish of creating one hundred ice sculptures!
——
With the Second Prince’s identity exposed, Hu Lai’s status also rose accordingly.
He wandered around the stronghold, his eyes narrowed to slits as he observed the brothers training at Qianjin Zhai. Occasionally he would stop to feel someone’s muscles, exclaiming in admiration, “Excellent! Young man, these muscles are truly excellent!”
Each of them stood tall and straight, with robust physiques—perfect for training into the Second Prince’s “death warriors.”
The bandits he praised felt both somewhat shy and proud. After all, the First Leader was highly skilled in martial arts, and to survive, they had learned some techniques themselves. Even if they weren’t as formidable as the First Leader, they were still much stronger than ordinary escorts.
Moreover, influenced by the First Leader, they were particularly disciplined.
Unaware that in Hu Lai’s eyes they had already become servile tools destined to lose their personal freedom, they modestly replied, “Not at all, our First Leader is the truly remarkable one.”
Hu Lai was naturally very satisfied with the First Leader too. Such a mighty warrior ought to charge into battle for the Second Prince at the front lines. Perhaps he could even help the Second Prince subdue the Xiongnu tribe and achieve historic feats.
However, a tall tree attracts the wind. The Second Prince had been too active lately, which could easily draw suspicion. This matter could be set aside for now.
After finishing his stroll around the training grounds, Hu Lai wandered over to Shen Yuan’s place with his hands clasped behind his back.
He still remembered the need to pursue both avenues simultaneously. Now that Su Qinghe had already become one of the Second Prince’s men, all that remained was to recruit Shen Yuan, who was highly regarded by Emperor Jian.
The Second Prince was ultimately too reserved—this matter required Old Hu to step in and mediate.
Arriving at Shen Yuan’s room, Hu Lai stood at the door and pressed his ear against it.
He could faintly hear Shen Yuan and the First Leader talking inside, catching words like “amnesty” and “siege.” So Hu Lai simply knocked directly.
The voices inside fell silent. After a moment, the door opened. Shen Yuan looked at Hu Lai standing outside and raised an eyebrow slightly. “You are… Hu Lai, the Second Prince’s retainer?”
“Oh? Lord Shen has actually heard of me?” Hu Lai’s eyes lit up. He had always acted discreetly—no, low-profile—and wasn’t particularly famous among the retainers. How had Shen Yuan heard of him? Could it be the Second Prince who mentioned him?
“Lord Hu… is highly resourceful. The Second Prince often praises Lord Hu in my presence.”
Watching Hu Lai’s expectant, admiring eyes, Shen Yuan’s lips twitched almost imperceptibly.
In his previous life, this Hu fellow had constantly set obstacles in his path, employing nothing but sinister and ruthless tactics. He was extremely vigilant and slippery as an eel, making him hard to catch.
Right after being reborn, Shen Yuan had been contemplating how to capture Hu Lai and eliminate him without anyone noticing, to prevent him from becoming the Second Prince’s asset again.
Unexpectedly, in this life Xie Chengze had arrived, and this major nuisance had instantly turned into an ally.
Such a reversal left Shen Yuan feeling both amused and exasperated.
Hearing Shen Yuan’s words, Hu Lai couldn’t help feeling pleased. “So the Second Prince thinks so highly of this humble official. It seems I can ask for a higher monthly salary when I return to the capital!”
“Might I ask why Lord Hu has come here…?” Shen Yuan gestured with his eyes.
Hu Lai glanced left and right before leaning close to Shen Yuan’s ear and whispering, “Is Lord Shen troubled about the pacification matter?”
Shen Yuan’s pupils contracted. It appeared Hu Lai had overheard the conversation inside earlier.
“Lord Shen, I have a plan…” Hu Lai began wearing a mysterious expression.
Shen Yuan: …
Shen Yuan didn’t want to hear it, because he knew Hu Lai’s ideas were bound to be either heinously immoral or cunningly detrimental to merit.
So he pressed his hand on Hu Lai’s shoulder and said meaningfully, “Lord Hu, wouldn’t it be better for you to enjoy your paid leave at Cheng Huan Palace? Why involve yourself in these troublesome matters?”
Hu Lai was taken aback, thinking to himself: Why is Shen Yuan just like the Second Prince, both wanting him to take paid leave at Cheng Huan Palace without doing any work?
But forty was precisely the age for strategists to make their mark—how could he lie idle!
He felt he could still work for another twenty years!