Drive to the Tang Dynasty, where supplies are refreshed daily!

Chapter 89 Coal Mining Cooperation!

Having come a few times, I've become familiar with the place, and the carriage stopped directly in front of the courtyard.

Upon seeing Li Lizhi and her companions' carriage, someone had already informed Xiao Ran and Zhang Erya.

People who ride in carriages or on horseback are all people of high status.

Xiao Ran and Li Lizhi also came out of the courtyard to greet them.

I just happened to see Empress Zhangsun getting out of the carriage.

Xiao Ran strode over, "Madam, Fifth Sister."

Empress Zhangsun smiled gently, "Young master, you've come to bother us again."

"Madam, you're being too polite!"

The little princess eagerly stretched out her tiny hands, "Little Nangjun, hug me!"

Xiao Ran quickly carried the little princess off the carriage, and San Niang and Xiao Hei also ran over.

Upon seeing Empress Zhangsun arrive, Xiao Ran guessed her purpose.

Naturally, he sought treatment from Sun Simiao.

This miracle doctor truly treats everyone equally, not just the powerful and wealthy.

Empress Zhangsun entered the courtyard and saw many people queuing up, including Sun Simiao, who was at the very front.

Sun Simiao also noticed Empress Zhangsun. The two smiled at each other and nodded in greeting.

"Hongxiu, go and line up!" Empress Zhangsun did not make any exceptions.

“It’s Madam!” Hongxiu walked to the back of the line.

Empress Zhangsun went into the main hall and sat down to wait.

It's not just for medical treatment; it also involves scraping the frost off persimmons.

Li Wu was still responsible for collecting persimmon frost and paying the money.

Empress Zhangsun sat inside the room drinking tea while waiting for Hongxiu to line up.

There are significantly fewer people today compared to before.

Empress Zhangsun decided not to go herself, letting others see the patient before she went to Sun Simiao for treatment.

The patient didn't leave until almost noon.

"Sir, thank you for your trouble!" Empress Zhangsun walked into the courtyard and sat down.

"Madam, you're too kind!"

Sun Simiao closed his eyes and concentrated for a moment, his white beard moving gently with his breathing.

After a long while, he opened his eyes, his expression calm yet somewhat solemn: "Madam's illness has a deep-rooted cause."

He slowly withdrew his hand, his voice steady: "The pulse is floating and not firm, it becomes hesitant when exposed to cold and rapid when exposed to dryness. Compared with before, it has not worsened, but it has not eased either. Such symptoms accumulated over the years are like the deep roots of an old tree, and it is difficult to eradicate them in one day."

Empress Zhangsun remained calm upon hearing this, as if she had expected it: "Please speak frankly, sir. I will listen to everything."

"Don't worry, Madam," Sun Simiao stroked his beard and said, "Fortunately, we have this persimmon frost now. It is cool and moist in nature, enters the lung meridian, and can clear away stagnant heat and resolve phlegm, which is just right for Madam's symptoms."

“The previous recipe was more gentle and nourishing. Now I’ve added some persimmon frost, along with fritillaria cirrhosa and almonds, to make it more suitable for the times, as it balances gentleness and nourishment.”

“But you need to be patient with the treatment.” Sun Simiao said earnestly, “You need to avoid wind and cold, avoid getting angry, drink some pear soup in the morning to soothe your throat, and take a half-hour walk in the evening to relieve your anxiety. Medicine is just a guide, but the key is for your body to recover naturally.”

After saying that, he took out paper and pen, dipped them in ink and wrote down a new prescription. His handwriting was neat and steady: "Use this prescription first. Come back for a follow-up visit in ten days and we will make minor adjustments according to your pulse."

Sun Simiao didn't know how long he could stay here, or whether he would be able to have a follow-up appointment.

Empress Zhangsun had no shortage of imperial physicians.

"Okay, thank you very much, sir!"

"Madam, you're too kind!"

Li Lizhi took the prescription with both hands and looked at it; it was different from the one Zhang Baozang had prescribed before.

Since it's for medical treatment, you naturally need to prepare money.

Sun Simiao didn't ask for too much, knowing that it was for the imperial family and they weren't short of money.

Sun Simiao accepted more than he was entitled to, but he declined the gifts that had been prepared.

As noon approached, Zhang Jinhe and Zhang Erya prepared the meal.

Princess Yuzhang, never one to sit still, was also interested in Xiao Ran's culinary skills.

I'd also like to help.

Although Princess Yuzhang didn't do these things in the palace, she was a skillful person and could easily help out in the kitchen.

The experiment with coal went well, so now we've started burning coal on the kitchen stove.

This stove has a chimney, which makes it more suitable.

There is absolutely no need to worry about sulfides or carbon monoxide.

Princess Yuzhang, who had originally intended to help add firewood, looked into the stove and her eyes widened.

"Hey, Jinniang, this isn't charcoal, is it?"

Zhang Jinhe said with a smile, "No, this is coal."

"Coal? Isn't that poisonous and deadly?" Princess Yuzhang was shocked.

"No, look, there's no pungent smoke, and it's burning quite well. This was processed by the young master, so it's perfectly usable." Zhang Jinhe said, expressing his sincere admiration for Xiao Ran.

Not many people know about this now.

Princess Yuzhang squatted down and stared into the stove, where coal briquettes were burning.

Just to be on the safe side, I added clay and other materials.

"What was added to this? Otherwise, it wouldn't be like this," Princess Yuzhang asked curiously.

“It’s clay. The young master said it works better this way,” Zhang Erya said from the side.

Princess Yuzhang belatedly realized what was happening and recalled Xiao Ran's earlier reaction.

Li Lizhi privately complained that the land Li Shimin gave Xiao Ran was not good, and now she understands why Xiao Ran was unwilling to exchange it with Cheng Yaojin.

Princess Yuzhang also knew that if coal could be burned, the value of that land would be immeasurable.

It's more valuable than fertile land.

"Young master is truly a divine being!" Princess Yuzhang couldn't help but exclaim.

Zhang Jinhe and Zhang Erya smiled.

I strongly agree with this.

I really admire you. You know so much, and it's all very useful.

Zhang Jinhe also had important business with Xiao Ran.

Because they scrape persimmon frost here, and the scraped persimmon frost is then sold to Zhang Jinhe.

Soon, several dishes were served one after another.

Smelling the aroma of food, the three little girls in the yard also ran back.

There is fish and mutton.

There was even pork.

Xiao Ran hadn't eaten the pork before; it was stored in the refrigerator.

I can't let go of it anymore.

The main problem is that there aren't many, and even copying them every day doesn't yield many results.

"Wow~ This is so delicious~" The little princess was very excited when she ate the braised pork.

Soft and chewy, perfect for little princesses who love meat.

The braised pork was also a little sweet, which suited the little princess's taste even better.

"Young master says this is braised pork!" Third Sister also likes it.

Because it's rare to eat meat normally.

For ordinary people, eating meat is a luxury.

Princess Yuzhang thought it was pretty good when Zhang Erya did it before.

Now that I've tasted it, I'm still shocked.

"Young master, what kind of meat is this?" Li Lizhi tasted it and found it delicious, but then realized she couldn't tell what kind of meat it was.

Pork in this era was not tasty; it was something the rich looked down upon and the poor couldn't afford.

That's a bit awkward!

Pork was not only considered unpalatable, but also regarded as a lowly meat, and people of high status disdained to eat it.

However, the current yield of pork is low, the cost is relatively high, and the price is not cheap. Ordinary people don't mind, but they can't afford it.

Li Lizhi and the other princesses had never eaten pork before.

"That's not important, we'll talk about it later." Xiao Ran kept it a secret and didn't say anything.

I'd probably be disgusted if I said it now.

Sun Simiao and Empress Zhangsun also tasted it.

You really can't tell the difference. Sun Simiao did eat pork, but pork from over a thousand years later was vastly different from pork from the Tang Dynasty.

Even Sun Simiao couldn't tell the difference.

Xiao Ran doesn't like to eat mutton because he thinks it has a strong gamey smell, and he can't just eat beef indiscriminately.

Xiao Ran had already started thinking about raising pigs for the coming year.

We must achieve meat freedom.

The breeds are different, and they may not be as good as those from over a thousand years ago, but after castration, the meat yield and taste should be much better.

When the house was being built, the pigsty was already planned.

The three little girls' faces were covered in oil from eating.

The little princess has added braised pork to her list of favorite dishes, making it as popular as scrambled eggs with tomatoes.

Thinking of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, Xiao Ran had other plans.

Since there was a coal mine, Xiao Ran wanted to try making glass.

If the glass is of good quality, you could try building a greenhouse in Datang.

This way, fruits and vegetables can be grown even in winter, and many crops that cannot be grown nearby can be grown in the greenhouse.

Every time Xiao Ran thinks about this, he regrets not having prepared more fruit and vegetable seeds in the RV.

Watermelon, strawberries, and tangerines are all very good, but unfortunately they weren't available.
After the meal, Li Lizhi approached Xiao Ran and said, "Young master, how about we go for a ride?"

Xiao Ran wasn't interested in this before; he rode it once with Cheng Chumo and the others but never rode it again.

Now that Li Lizhi had brought it up herself, Xiao Ran became interested.

"it is good!"

The two men went into the cowshed and led the two horses out.

Although Li Lizhi was a woman, she still learned how to ride a horse.

You don't need to be an expert, but knowing a little won't hurt.

Seeing Xiao Ran and Li Lizhi about to ride out, Cheng Tiehuan looked at Princess Yuzhang and asked, "Sixth Sister, should I go with them?"

Princess Yuzhang smiled meaningfully.

"Forget it, it's quite safe here." Cheng Tiehuan also felt that it was inappropriate for her to go.

"There's no problem here. I heard the young master is quite skilled, so he'll be fine."

Knowing that Xiao Ran had just learned to ride a horse, Li Lizhi even led the horse for Xiao Ran so that he could get on first.

The two of them slowly walked outside.

"Young master, do you have other plans regarding coal?" Li Lizhi had thought about this question when she got back.

Xiao Ran's reluctance to change likely stems from a significant need for him.

When Cheng Yaojin proposed an exchange, Xiao Ran refused, which can be understood as Xiao Ran not wanting Cheng Yaojin to suffer a loss.

However, it is rather suspicious that Xiao Ran was in such a hurry to make the order, fearing that Li Shimin might change his mind.

Li Shimin, holding a telescope, was also afraid that Xiao Ran might change his mind, and both of them wanted to settle things as soon as possible.

Xiao Ran nodded, "I guess so! Fifth Sister, let's go take a look."

"Really?" Li Lizhi had only asked casually, but she didn't expect Xiao Ran to actually be able to use it.

"Yes, this is a good thing. I won't hide it from Fifth Sister. It's a mountain of gold."

Li Lizhi looked at Xiao Ran in surprise, "Jinshan?"

Xiao Ran nodded, "That's right!"

“There’s plenty of coal in Taiyuan, but nobody’s ever used it. Using it could easily lead to death. I’ve checked a lot of books, and they all come to the same conclusion. Does the young master have any other methods?”

"That's right! This can burn like charcoal, but it's more durable than charcoal."

Li Lizhi looked at Xiao Ran, who seemed normal.

Xiao Ran's things are all unique, and so are the things he does.

"Fifth Sister, do you know how much charcoal costs?"

“I’ve heard before that the usual price is about 5-7 wen for 10 jin, but in the cold winter, 10 jin of charcoal can sell for about 12 wen. It depends on the situation.”

Coal is denser than charcoal; the same volume of coal is heavier.

Xiao Ran can offer a lower price.

That's an astronomical figure.

Xiao Ran never intended to keep this fortune for himself.

Although he knew Li Shimin and others, he couldn't afford such things because of his status.

Coal was worthless before, and nobody cared about it.

However, once its value is discovered, some people will inevitably become envious.

That's when troublemakers come along; it's the same in every era.

When one's social status and wealth are mismatched, one becomes a target in the eyes of others.

Everyone wants to take a bite.

People like Li Shimin, Li Lizhi, Qin Qiong, and Cheng Yaojin can help Xiao Ran once or twice, but they can't protect Xiao Ran forever.

That doesn't make sense.

The best solution is to find a partner and relinquish some of the profits.

You can take only a portion for yourself.

Xiao Ran knows people like Li Shimin, but their relationships aren't very deep.

"Fifth Sister, are you interested in cooperating?"

Actually, it wasn't a collaboration with Li Lizhi, but with Li Shimin and the Li Tang royal family.

If problems arise and Li Lizhi can't solve them, she'll definitely have to turn to Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun.

In Chang'an, Li Shimin still held a voice.

Even the most powerful families of this era cannot go too far.

"Cooperation? What do you mean by that?"

“I’ve tried it. Coal is usable and more durable than charcoal. It can be mined and sold. I don’t have any connections or channels to sell it in Chang’an.”

"I'm in charge of mining and processing the coal, and Wu Niang is in charge of transporting and selling it. We split the profits 50/30."

"532?" Li Lizhi didn't understand.

"Fifth Sister takes half, I take thirty percent, and twenty percent goes to everyone in Kaolao Village."

“Cooperation is definitely not a problem, but this is not reasonable. How about 40/40/20?” Li Lizhi felt that splitting it equally was better.

It's understandable that Xiao Ran would give 20% to Kaolao Village, since Xiao Ran is from Kaolao Village and the coal mine is located within Kaolao Village's territory.

"No need, 30% is fine."

"Fine then! We won't cooperate!" Li Lizhi said, feigning arrogance.

Xiao Ran smiled and said, "Fifth Sister, I don't plan to develop the coal mine at all without your help. I'll just keep some for myself."

"Young man, don't overthink it. Just split it 40/40. You've helped so much before, so it's only right that you take more."

In fact, Li Lizhi had other plans.

Since the coal here can be used, then other types of coal can also be used.

Even if Xiao Ran couldn't distinguish between them, Li Lizhi was still willing to help.

Li Lizhi wanted to find a way to wash coal.

In this way, the Tang Dynasty could make use of other coal resources.

Compared to the coal washing technology, Li Lizhi felt that these profits were really insignificant.

Although this is also a huge sum of money, the technology that Xiao Ran possesses is clearly more valuable.

Li Lizhi was well aware of this.

“Okay, let’s split it 40/40/20. We’ll need quite a few people. I’ll start making preparations. We’ll start selling coal before winter comes.”

"it is good!"

While they were chatting, the two arrived at the location of the coal mine.

This is an open-pit coal mine, which is very easy and convenient to mine.

Li Lizhi didn't think much of it before, but after learning that it could be used, her feelings about coal changed completely.

Previously, due to coal mining, this area was unsuitable for farming and had to be abandoned; now it has become a goldmine.

Li Lizhi bent down, picked up a piece of coal, and sniffed it. "Young master, is this the smell of poison?"

"This odor is also very harmful, but it's not the main one. What's more likely to kill people is a colorless and odorless gas called carbon monoxide. It's colorless and odorless, making it difficult to guard against."

"Carbon monoxide?" Li Lizhi had never heard of it and found it very strange.

(End of this chapter)