Chapter Forty-Five: Coal Three

Chapter Forty-Four: Coal, Part Two

Wang Zhen’s words were truly heartfelt.

Coal is poisonous.

This is the belief held by many in this era.

Zhu Qizhen said, “Rest assured, Grand Eunuch Wang. I will not use coal, but the north is inherently dry, and now, within a hundred miles around the capital, all usable trees have been cut down.”

“It may violate the teachings of the sages.”

The teachings of the sages are the moral pinnacle of this age. Zhu Qizhen had long discovered their exceptional usefulness.

That particular phrase was indeed from Mencius: “If axes and hatchets enter the forests in proper seasons, timber will be inexhaustible.” These were Mencius’s exact words.

But the current situation in Beijing made achieving this impossible.

Firewood is heavy; if brought from afar, the cost naturally rises, making it unaffordable for the common people. Thus, they would rather strip the outskirts of Beijing bare than transport firewood from distant places.

Fortunately, there are still some mountains around Beijing.

Charcoal from the western hills is sufficient to support Beijing’s fuel needs.

Wang Zhen said, “Your Majesty’s intentions are excellent, but you must not risk yourself. Those below may switch to coal, but the palace must not. Otherwise, it would violate proper etiquette.”

Zhu Qizhen replied, “Very well.” He had no desire to waste words on this matter with Wang Zhen; as long as coal mining proceeded, the rest could be handled.

Wang Zhen turned and said, “Little Cao, did you hear His Majesty’s instructions clearly?”

Cao Jixiang immediately replied, “I understand.”

Wang Zhen said, “Go quickly and see to it.”

Zhu Qizhen sent Cao Jixiang away, then turned his attention to the subordinate offices.

He merely passed through briefly, giving a few admonishments.

He understood that matters must be handled one at a time.

Since his focus was on coal, other affairs would have to wait.

Cao Jixiang’s historical reputation is poor, but his ability to get things done is exceptional.

Only those with great wisdom and courage can employ someone of deep cunning and malice.

Anyone who leaves a mark in history must possess extraordinary qualities.

Even Zhu Qizhen had not expected Cao Jixiang to work so swiftly; in just a few days, he had clarified the situation.

Zhu Qizhen immediately summoned Cao Jixiang.

At that moment, Cao Jixiang’s complexion was much darker; in those few days, he had traversed the capital and its surroundings, thoroughly investigating coal usage.

Zhu Qizhen, seeing this, did not let him speak at once but gave him water first, inviting him to sit.

Cao Jixiang appeared deeply grateful, then reported everything he had learned: “Most people in the capital use firewood, but coal is not absent. Coal is used in the vicinity, and since the previous dynasty, most coal has come from the western hills, though now there is a prohibition.”

Zhu Qizhen asked, “What prohibition?”

Cao Jixiang replied, “There are concerns that mining coal could harm the earth’s energy and damage the dragon vein.”

Zhu Qizhen immediately understood; Tianshou Mountain lies just west of Beijing. He said, “Let us set this matter aside for now. Have you determined where coal is produced?”

Cao Jixiang answered, “I have investigated. Most coal used near the capital comes from Mentougou. Since the previous dynasty, Mentougou has been a coal-producing region.”

“In the Yuan capital, all coal was sourced from there.”

“Guo Shoujing, during the previous dynasty, specifically built a river for transporting coal to the capital—what is now the Yongding River. Thus, Mentougou coal can be sent south via the Yongding River, then transported by land, carried by horses into the city.”

“But now, with the newly built Beijing, it cannot fully restore its former state.”

A tinge of shame flickered in Zhu Qizhen’s heart.

He now realized that Beijing’s coal situation was not as dire as he had imagined; rather, it seemed that coal and firewood were often mixed. If not directed by the government,

replacing firewood with coal would be a long process.

Zhu Qizhen asked, “How many coal mines are there in Mentougou? How do they mine coal?”

Cao Jixiang replied, “I have seen them—about a hundred. All are contracted pits, where locals enter to extract coal, using bamboo slips as tally. I calculated: one person can mine about fifty pounds of coal a day.”

“Some miners work year-round, but others only come during slack farming seasons.”

Zhu Qizhen pondered for a while before understanding.

Even if these mines are not open-pit, the coal must be shallowly buried. It could be said that mining is merely a side occupation for the locals.

Without referencing the future state of Beijing’s coal mines, Zhu Qizhen judged from his present knowledge that these mines would surely flourish in time.

For the population of Beijing will only grow.

And the available firewood around Beijing will only diminish.

Zhu Qizhen asked, “Can tax be levied on this coal?”

Cao Jixiang replied, “No. Usually, a city gate tax is collected when coal enters Beijing, but nothing more.”

Zhu Qizhen asked, “Does the dynasty not tax mining?”

Cao Jixiang’s heart stirred. “Your Majesty, only the authorities may mine. When you ascended the throne, the Grand Empress Dowager suspended all nonessential matters, including mining of gold, silver, and copper across the land.”

“All eunuchs from those regions have been recalled.”

Zhu Qizhen was surprised. “Is that so?”

He had only recently become acquainted with state affairs, and at his accession, he understood little.

He had not realized that the Grand Empress Dowager’s suspension of nonurgent matters included this.

Wang Zhen hurriedly explained in Zhu Qizhen’s ear.

Zhu Qizhen then understood: this had been a consistent policy of the Ming court, not something begun with the Grand Empress Dowager.

Zhu Yuanzhang regarded grain and agriculture as the highest priority; all else was secondary, sufficient if adequate. During Zhu Yuanzhang’s reign, mining had been suspended several times.

When the court’s weapon supply was insufficient, mines were opened for iron; when there was enough, the mines were abandoned. In Beijing there was a particular iron mine—Zunhua Iron Mine—which was opened and closed intermittently.

Private mining was not permitted.

This was a lesson learned from the fall of the Yuan dynasty.

The Yuan’s collapse was attributed to overly lax governance.

They failed to properly restrain the populace; assembling too many laborers for the Yellow River works led to the rise of the Red Turban Army.

Thus, Ming was strict in managing private gatherings, especially mining, which brought together many able-bodied men to labor collectively.

It could be said that, with weapons, such a group could instantly form an army.

Let alone that miners could forge their own weapons. Therefore, Ming’s attitude toward private mining is understandable.

Yet many things cannot be blocked simply by prohibition.

Civilian needs must be met somehow. In fact, Zhu Qizhen did not know that civilian mining was thriving, though the court relied solely on official mines and rarely taxed private mining.

Iron mining was growing fastest. Mentougou was but a microcosm.

Zhu Qizhen was momentarily at a loss for words.

He made note of the matter, but now was not the time to address it, nor was he certain whether the Ming had a specialized department for mining management.

In Han times, this fell under the Lesser Treasury.

Now, to whom did it belong? The Ministry of Works, or the Inner Court? If the Inner Court, which of its offices oversaw it?

Zhu Qizhen asked, “Can the people afford coal from Mentougou?”

Cao Jixiang replied, “I believe, generally, they cannot.”

Zhu Qizhen asked, “Why?”

Cao Jixiang replied, “Though firewood is scarce near Beijing, there are still some shrubs and trees in odd corners, and people plant some in their own courtyards. Thus, the common folk would rather spend labor than buy coal.”

Zhu Qizhen said, “I misjudged.”

For the truly poor, labor costs nothing, but coal must be bought.

Anything that costs money is unaffordable.

Zhu Qizhen had not visited Mentougou, but imagined these mines used the most primitive methods, certainly not industrial-scale production. Coal prices likely matched those of firewood.

Thus, who could afford coal? People would rather sell a few bundles of firewood in times of shortage than buy coal.

Zhu Qizhen realized that replacing all firewood in Beijing with coal would not be easy.