Because of the wrath of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the Jinyi guards all over the Ming Dynasty learned the news of His Majesty's quiet departure from Beijing within half a month.

For a while, there was no movement on the surface, but in private, there were already countless people quietly looking for the traces of His Majesty the Emperor.

In the direction of Wuchang City, after Zhu Yunxi guessed that the old man was likely to let Wuchang come, he not only sent all the Jinyi guards in Wuchang City to look for them downstream along the Yangtze River.

also took advantage of the 50,000 Beijing troops to enter the city, and secretly sent thousands of people, like casting a fishing net, to net in the direction where Zhu Yuanzhang might come.

But no one knows.

How happy Zhu Yuanzhang is at this moment.

Zhu Yuanzhang, who took his two eldest grandsons, stayed in Huangmei County for three days, listened to the play to his heart's content, and then continued to rush in the direction of Huguang Road.

A few days later, Zhu Yuanzhang had quietly left Beijing with his people, crossed Guangji County and Qizhou County in Huangzhou Prefecture, crossed the Yangtze River by riverside fishing boats, and entered the territory of Daye County, Wuchang Prefecture.

Daye County is adjacent to the Yangtze River, the territory of water and land is longitudinal and horizontal, is already the hinterland of Huguang granary, coupled with the rich mineral deposits in Daye, since ancient times there have been mining silver, copper and iron, making Daye more rich than other places.

It's just that in the past, this wealth belonged to wealthy families and eunuchs, and had nothing to do with the people.

Zhu Yuanzhang chose to cross the border from Daye and go to Wuchang City, first to see the extent of the implementation of the Hongwu New Deal in Huguangdao. The second is to see what the life of the people under its jurisdiction is like in a rich place like Daye County.

Tieshan Town is only thirty miles northwest of Daye County.

As an important iron ore production area of the Ming Dynasty in the Jiangnan region, Daye undertakes almost half of the production volume.

Tieshan Town, in Daye County, is responsible for about seventy percent of the entire Daye iron ore output.

It is a town that already has a primary industrial base.

Standing at the southeast corner of Sifeng Mountain, looking towards Tieshan Town in the northwest corner.

Located in the southwest corner of Sifeng Mountain, Tieshan Town is a bare chunk compared to the lush Sifeng Mountain.

Large tracts of land were cleared and plots were lifted.

Mine caverns are large and small all around Iron Mountain Town.

A huge coal pile is piled up in a corner of the town that connects to the river.

Every day, countless coal mines would be sent from all over the country and then sent into those smelting furnaces, providing the imperial court with a steady supply of steel raw materials.

When outsiders get closer to Iron Mountain, their noses will be filled with the strong smell of coal and sulfide.

The small rivers around us no longer flow clear water, but a cloudy liquid filled with metal precipitates.

Such a place is no longer suitable for growing crops.

Farther away from Iron Mountain Town, you can see crops growing in the fields in the wild.

If you are human, you will not feel that this is a good place.

The same is true of Zhu Yuanzhang.

Even though he knew that Iron Mountain was a mining area, he still felt uncomfortable with the environment here.

Standing on the way into the town, Zhu Yuanzhang looked up at the workshops in the town that were stacked on the mines, and the chimneys that were spewing smoke day and night, like a forest.

Zhu Yuanzhang's brows furrowed slightly: "Looking at the chimneys here, they are somewhat similar to those workshops outside Yingtian City." ”

When he was in Yingtiancheng, Zhu Yuanzhang, who often slipped out of the palace and walked around in the past two years, was very familiar with the chimney in front of him.

This question Zhu Gaochi will.

He took a step forward, got behind the old man, and explained in a low voice: "When the imperial court began to implement the new policy, one of them was to re-explore and renovate the local mining areas and mines.

Daye County is an important copper and iron producing area along Huguang Road and even the Yangtze River in the south of the Yangtze River, and Tieshan Town is within the scope of reconstruction.

Today, the ore mined in Tieshan Town can be thoroughly smelted directly in the town, and then transported all the way down the Yangtze River to Jingshi.

According to the plan of the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Households, this side will be further renovated, and strive to improve Tieshan Town from an ore mining and smelting place to a production area that includes mining, smelting and forging in recent years. ”

Zhu Yuanzhang looked curious, with a little doubt in his eyes: "Just like the coal mine reconstruction that has begun on Shanxi Road?" ”

Since the rebellion in Shanxi Province was pacified, the Jin merchants were completely wiped out by the imperial court, and a new reform began in Shanxi Province.

As the most important coal producer in the Ming Dynasty, Shanxi Province is undergoing a major industrial reform.

With the Ministry of Industry as the mainstay, several important coal producing areas in Shanxi Province began to integrate manpower and material resources to integrate the mining, cleaning and production of coal mines.

The purpose of the imperial court is to strive for the coal mines in Shanxi Province to be the core in recent years to supply the heating consumption of the entire northern Ming army in winter.

Zhu Gaochi nodded and said, "It's about the same." It's just that here in Daye County, the Ministry of Industry will probably only send the agricultural tools, copper and iron products needed by the people, as well as some of the swords and guns needed by the army to Tieshan Town.

As for the more important bows, crossbows, armor, and firearms, they will still be made in Yingtianfu. ”

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, he had a more detailed understanding of Tieshan Town.

At this time, he saw a group of people coming out of the town.

At this time, it is not yet summer, and the temperature is not cold, but it is not hot either. But these people are all wearing only short-sleeved shorts, and under their feet are a pair of thick-soled cloth shoes.

The people wore strips of cloth around their waists, a burden on their shoulders, and an empty basket hanging from front and back.

"Hello fellows, I don't know where you're going?"

Zhu Yuanzhang, as he had met people elsewhere, stepped forward to stop the group of people and asked with a smile.

The people looked at Zhu Yuanzhang's appearance and tone, and knew that this old man must be from a wealthy background, so they stopped one after another, and even more respectfully hugged their fists.

"Back to this master, the little ones are going to the mouth of the river in front of them, pick up coal and get off the boat."

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his eyebrows and pointed to the east: "But the river under the mountain in front of you?" ”

One of the leading men nodded, "That's over there." ”

Zhu Yuanzhang looked back at Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Shangbing at this time.

As usual, Zhu Gaochi stepped forward with a smile on his face, and led Sun Gou'er to give each of these people a piece of broken silver.

"Excuse me, my family is doing that iron for a living, knowing that the imperial court is now rebuilding a lot in our Tieshan Town, my old man wants to come and see it in person."

This is pretending to be the merchant's house.

When the people saw it, they also felt that it was very different.

Otherwise, ordinary people, who will have a lot of money, have nothing to do, and will give out silver when they meet someone.

Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang's gang seemed to have something to ask, the man in the lead nodded at his companions, and then looked at Zhu Yuanzhang: "Old man, the boat pulling coal at the mouth of the river is about to arrive, we are very short of time, if you always have anything to ask, just ask, as long as we know, we will definitely tell you to listen." ”

Zhu Yuanzhang showed a smile on his face, and even stepped forward to pat the man's shoulder: "It's strong and tight." ”

The man smiled: "If you are not strong, you can't do our job." ”

Zhu Yuanzhang had already led a few people to sit on the side of the road, and then continued to ask: "Who are you all working for?" ”

I'm afraid I have to find the owner of the iron mine so that it is convenient to do business.

The man said: "Who else can you work for, naturally you will work for the court and the government." Now who dares to occupy the mine and open the mine without permission. If the county official knows, it will be a big crime to rob the family and destroy the clan. ”

From the beginning of the country to the present, the Ming Dynasty has never let go of the private iron industry, and everything involving iron ore mining and smelting must be run by the government.

It's just that all the laws of the imperial court are often ignored by those who are not greedy enough, and secretly explore, mine and smelt iron ore in private.

Zhu Yuanzhang was instantly interested, and raised his eyebrows: "Oh? So, there were still private mines here? ”

The leading man immediately closed his mouth and looked at Zhu Yuanzhang very scrutinically for a while.

The companions beside him also looked at Zhu Gaochi and the others vigilantly.

After half a ring, the man smiled and said, "Old man, this kind of thing naturally can't be forbidden in the past. Even though several large iron mines in our Tieshan Town were run by the government in the past, there are still people secretly mining them in remote places.

It's just that since a few years ago, it was said that the imperial court was making some new policies, and the officials in the county had changed a lot, so we were arrested and beheaded by those who secretly mined in Tieshan Town.

The place where the head was cut off is still smelling of blood, who would dare to open a mine secretly. ”

My second child is fair and strict!

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but approve in his heart.

Obviously, the head of Daye County must have been cut by Zhu Zhang, the king of Qin.

Zhu Gaochi asked on the side: "So you are all working for the government now?" Can you still farm? ”

The man squinted at Zhu Gaochi.

This chubby young man is all looking at the face.

The man had a smile on his face, very hearty, and clapped his hands and legs and said: "It's not all for the government to work in the mines, everyone is busy from the beginning of the year to the end of the year all day, where is there time to farm."

Our Tieshan Town is different from other places, and most of the original land is now mined, or factories are built, and ores and coal are piled up.

In the remaining land, the elderly and children at home do not have to be as busy as in the past and can't straighten their waists, so the family doesn't have to go out to buy rice to eat. ”

When the man said that the fields in Tieshan Town were now occupied by mines and stockpiles, Zhu Yuanzhang's brows were obviously wrinkled.

But soon he was relieved.

Zhu Gaochi also noticed the instantaneous change in the old man.

The old man is in nature, and he only thinks that the people still have to have the land in their hands to live and farm in order to keep their lives.

It's just that the old man probably saw the smiles on the faces of these people, so he didn't feel that their lives were bad.

Zhu Gaochi immediately asked again: "Then you are now working for the government, how much is this salary?" Can the whole family be fed? ”

"Not really!"

The man's voice immediately lengthened, and the smile on his face grew stronger.

The companions around him laughed one by one.

Obviously, these people work in the mines and make a lot of money!

It was only at this time that a smile appeared on Zhu Yuanzhang's face again.

And the man went on to explain: "We don't know how to count, so we asked the little teacher in the town to calculate that this year, the money we have earned from working in the mines has been much more than what we have earned from working in the fields for a whole year......

Speaking of this, the man naturally closed his mouth and just laughed vigorously.

Zhu Gao blinked.

This is very much in line with the appearance of these people.

No matter how much they earn, it is impossible for them to name a specific number.

Zhu Yuanzhang was very happy.

As long as he hears that the people say that they make more money and live a good life, he will be happy from the bottom of his heart.

Zhu Yuanzhang clapped his hands: "Then those mines in this town, will there be managers who will deduct everyone's wages?" Or are you in arrears? ”

The man paused obviously at this time, and stared at Zhu Yuanzhang again.

A weird smile appeared on the man's face, and he squeezed his eyes at Zhu Yuanzhang: "Old man, are you really here to do business in our Tieshan Town?" ”

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately raised his eyes: "Can this still be fake?" If it weren't for the fact that these little ones were still careless, why would I, an old man, run out on my own. ”

The man didn't believe it, and laughed twice: "Old man, you don't seem to be here to do business...... It's like ...... It's like those officials in the government, who came out in disguise to investigate the case. ”

This old man is the official master of the official mansion.

Those two young people must also be officials, and as for the other one who is older, he is probably the master of this official master. As for the rest, they must be the servants of the government.

The man felt he had guessed correctly.

Zhu Yuanzhang was about to explain.

The man waved his hand and said, "What is your identity, we don't dare to ask." But you don't have to worry about someone deducting your wages. ”

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately showed curiosity: "Why is this?" ”

This old man must be an official in the public gate!

Men are becoming more and more affirmative.

But he still explained: "In the past, our Tieshan Town also sent people from the county and the government to keep an eye on it, and we were often not here.

But now it's different, since many officials in the county have been beheaded. Now the people sent by the government and the county are staring at the mine all day long, and they don't dare to leave during the New Year's holidays.

We also heard that there are officials from other places in this mine who are staring, but I don't know which yamen they belong to.

Before, there was a steward who went home to deal with the loss because his old father died, so he paid us a day late, and when he heard that he came back, he was beaten with ten sticks and fined for several months. ”

This is a repetition.

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but turn his head and glanced at Zhu Gaochi behind him.

Zhu Gaochi couldn't help but subconsciously touch his nose.

If according to the people's words, then his tax office must have sent someone to keep an eye on this Iron Mountain Town.

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed, patted his leg and stood up.

"Good! It seems that everyone is having a good time! ”

………………

Commuter Pass Recommendation (End of this Chapter)