Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

The governors during the Taihe era differed from those during the Later Han Dynasty, who focused on supervision, and those during the late Han and early Huangchu periods, who also handled military and political affairs. They were fully responsible for the political affairs of all counties within the entire prefecture and were the direct superiors of the prefects.

The Great Wei currently directly governs as many as seventeen prefectures. The focus of the prefectural governors varies depending on the region.

For governors of northern border states like Liangzhou, Yingzhou, Youzhou, and Bingzhou, it was sufficient to promote education, stabilize the situation, and encourage agriculture. For newly surrendered states like Xiangzhou, Jiaozhou, and Jiangzhou, simply maintaining the people's allegiance and preventing rebellion would be considered a great achievement.

Among the prefectures in Jiangnan, Jiang Ji, the governor of Yangzhou, made great contributions and was awarded the title of Duke for his military merits due to his logistical support, which is different from the likes of Sima Zhi and Xue Ti.

Previously, in preparation for the war against Wu, Jiang Ji's functions were all focused on logistical matters such as procuring and transporting provisions, dredging waterways, allocating laborers, and supervising the settlement of farmland.

After the capital of Yangzhou was moved from Shouchun to Jiangning, almost all of Jiang Ji's previous responsibilities were relegated to a secondary role. He faced only two primary tasks: first, to fully assimilate the Wu region; and second, to mine copper.

Indeed, after nearly a year of rectifying officialdom last year, copper mining has been elevated to the top priority of Jiang Ji's current work.

"Is General Jiang going to Zhongshan Copper Field tomorrow?" Xiahou Xuan frowned slightly.

"That is indeed the case. Therefore, it will be difficult for General Jiang to meet with the Prefect tomorrow. I hope the Prefect will understand." Li Ying, the Prefectural Assistant of Yangzhou, bowed in response.

"Thank you for your trouble, Prefect Li. I have been so kind as to bother you several times." Xiahou Xuan returned the greeting with a cupped hand. "In that case, I will visit you at the prefectural government after Lord Jiang returns."

“That’s all right. I’ll take my leave now.” Li Ying bowed slightly and then withdrew.

Wang Yuanji, who was sitting inside the door, overheard the conversation between Xiahou Xuan and Li Ying. After Xiahou Xuan returned to the hall, she couldn't help but ask curiously:
What kind of place is Zhongshan Copper Field?

“Yuan Ji, you may not know this.” Xiahou Xuan sat in his chair, took a sip of warm water, and slowly said, “All things in this world are either born on the ground or buried underground. And now, for the national economy and people’s livelihood of the Great Wei, the two most important things are grain and copper. Even the importance of salt and iron has to be put on the back burner.”

"The Wuzhu coin circulated for hundreds of years during the Han Dynasty. However, during the chaotic period at the end of the Han Dynasty, warlords fought each other, and people were displaced. As a result, many copper mines in the country were gradually abandoned. Copper mines have always been more numerous in the south than in the north. In addition, due to the frequent wars, the Great Wei Dynasty focused more on mining iron to make weapons rather than mining copper to mint coins. Moreover, the people of the Great Wei Dynasty were poor and had little money to spend."

Wang Yuanji thought for a moment: "The south is all occupied by Wu and Shu, so why does Great Wei have no money?"

"Yes." Xiahou Xuan nodded: "During the Taihe era, His Majesty ordered the Imperial Workshop to mine copper on a large scale in Hedong, Xuzhou and other places, so as to gradually mint Taihe Wuzhu coins. These coins were first promoted in Yangzhou as rewards for military officers and payments to the people."

"Having taken the Wu region, we must naturally regard copper smelting as a top priority."

"How much copper would be needed?" Wang Yuanji still looked puzzled. "Don't laugh at me, husband. I know that I learned all of this at the Imperial Academy, but I only studied the classics at home and don't know anything about practical matters."

Xiahou Xuan smiled and said, "It's alright, I'll teach you."

"During the reign of Emperor Yuan of the Former Han Dynasty, the minting of coins and copper mining caused 100,000 people to stop farming each year. By the time of the Later Han Dynasty, the annual minting of Wuzhu coins had reached a staggering 2 billion coins."

"Two billion?" Wang Yuanji's eyes widened in surprise. "So much? I've never seen such a large number before!"

Xiahou Xuan nodded: "The current state of the country is desolate and sparsely populated, all due to the war, which is different from the peaceful years of the Later Han Dynasty. I don't know the exact amount of annual revenue, and the counties and kingdoms of the country do not pay taxes in five zhu coins, but there are a few figures that are clear."

"What number?" Wang Yuanji seemed to have discovered a new and unknown territory, and was very curious. Xiahou Xuan said, "During the reign of Emperor An of Han, the suppression of the Qiang rebellion in Liangzhou cost 24 billion in military expenses. During the reign of Emperor Shun, there was another Qiang rebellion, costing 8 billion in military expenses. There is another number you may not know: After Emperor Huan executed Liang Ji, he sold Liang Ji's property and obtained as much as 3 billion copper coins. Emperor Huan used this to exempt the people of the world from half a year's rent and taxes!"

"How could this be..." Wang Yuanji covered her mouth slightly: "The cost was so high, Liang Ji is so greedy!"

Xiahou Xuan remained calm: "These are all stories from the Han Dynasty. The north has been in chaos for decades, and people no longer use copper coins. If we can restore the prosperity of Wei and give the people money to use, that is of paramount importance!"

"Compared to Jiangzhou, which also produces copper, Yangzhou submitted to the Great Wei earlier, so it is natural that it should take over the heavy responsibility of producing copper!"

Wang Yuanji thought for a moment: "Does Danyang County produce copper?"

“Yes,” Xiahou Xuan nodded, “Among the counties of Yangzhou, only Danyang County produces the most copper. There are eighteen copper mines of all sizes in Danyang County, the closest of which is located at the foot of Zhongshan Mountain, southeast of Jiangning City. In addition to Jiangning, Wanling County and Guzhang County in Danyang County also produce copper.”

"Yuanji, are you aware of the Rebellion of the Seven States at the beginning of the Han Dynasty?"

Wang Yuanji nodded: "I know, I read it when I was reading the Records of the Grand Historian."

Xiahou Xuan said, "The copper mountain of Liu Bi, the King of Wu in the past, was located in Zhangshan, the former county of Zhang. Copper is still produced here today."

Wang Yuanji pursed her lips: "My husband is so familiar with these things related to copper, have you figured out where to start?"

Xiahou Xuan sighed, "How could it not be?"

"Yuanji, you said His Majesty summoned me to Danyang without issuing a single imperial edict. Is he using this to test me?"

Wang Yuanji blinked her pretty eyes repeatedly: "Perhaps that's exactly what he meant. Husband, think about it, Lord Jiang values ​​copper mining so much now, and the copper mines are all in Danyang County. If you have nothing to do with this matter, wouldn't that be throwing away all the credit His Majesty has silently promised you?"

"What other answer could there be? I figured it out last night." Xiahou Xuan sighed. "According to the old rules of Xuzhou, the copper mine should be under the jurisdiction of the Directorate of Works. But for so long, the Privy Council hasn't sent anyone over. I never expected that General Jiang would take over all the affairs of the copper mine without even telling me..."

Wang Yuanji interrupted, "Why would he tell you? Would anyone complain about having made little contribution?"

"Of course not." Xiahou Xuan shook his head: "Like I said, if Yuan Ji hadn't pointed it out, I definitely wouldn't have thought of this connection."

"Then what does my husband intend to do?" Wang Yuanji asked again.

Xiahou Xuan said, “He is, after all, the governor, while I am the prefect. Naturally, I have fewer matters to attend to. Since he can only go to places as close as Zhongshan, I can go to other places myself! With the two-thousand-stone county lord present, who would dare to offend me? All matters, big or small, and all kinds of officials, can be appointed and dismissed directly!”

"Yuanji, this matter should not be delayed any longer. I will set off tomorrow to inspect the ancient city!"

Wang Yuanji nodded: "Of course we can go. But it would be better to ask General Duan for some guards."

"I understand." Xiahou Xuan nodded. (End of Chapter)