Chapter Twenty-Nine: Qian’an Iron Mine

At Zhujiagou in Qian’an County, Yongping Prefecture, construction was proceeding at full steam. A group of burly men, bare-chested, carried large baskets toward the weighing station. Though the wind was chilly, sweat covered their bodies.

The man at the head shouted, “Put in a little more effort, everyone! Our team can definitely take first place today. That ten-yuan bonus is ours!”

The others answered in unison.

Just then, another group of men ran past them carrying baskets, leaving behind a burst of laughter.

“Liu Sihai, today’s bonus is ours! You can wait until next time! Hahaha!”

Liu Sihai roared angrily, “Wang Wu, talk after you’ve actually won it! It’s only three in the afternoon. What are you in such a hurry for?”

Then he turned to his companions and said, “Ignore them. They can’t keep running for long. We don’t need to run. As the elders say, one needn’t fear moving slowly—only standing still. We’ll keep our strength steady, and we can beat them.”

Everyone placed the large baskets on the scale.

The supervisor called out, “One hundred and eighty pounds after deducting the basket… one hundred and seventy pounds after deducting the basket… Ten baskets in all, totaling one thousand seven hundred and fifty-five pounds. It will be recorded under Team A-Six. You’re currently in second place. Put in a little more effort, and you might reach first!”

Liu Sihai asked, “How much more does Team C-Three have than us?”

The supervisor glanced at his ledger before replying, “One thousand nine hundred and fifty pounds more—the equivalent of one load. They’ve also made two more trips than you.”

Liu Sihai turned and looked at the clock atop the distant tower. It was exactly a quarter past three. Two hours and forty-five minutes remained before the end of the workday. They ought to be able to catch up with Wang Wu’s team.

He waved his hand and said, “Just watch us! We can definitely beat Team C-Three. The title of fastest mining team at the Qian’an Iron Mine isn’t won through empty boasts. That ten-yuan bonus will be ours again today!”

The Qian’an Iron Mine was now the largest iron mine in the Great Ming. In his previous life, Zhu Youxiao had happened to hear of it. One reason he had settled the people of Liaodong in Qian’an was to provide the mine with an ample labor force. Thus, he summoned Yao Siren, Minister of Works, and ordered him to organize an expedition to Qian’an for a survey.

Yao Siren, however, said, “Your Majesty, I do not know that there is iron in Qian’an, nor do I know how Your Majesty learned of it. I would like to ask where this information came from so that it may be questioned and verified.”

Looking at the old minister with his head of white hair, Zhu Youxiao could only sigh.

“Minister Yao, whether there is iron or not, you need only send people to survey the area to find out. Why concern yourself with who said it?”

“Your Majesty, the Ministry of Works must conduct all its affairs according to established procedure. Without solid evidence, forgive me, but I dare not send men to survey the area, lest we waste labor and funds.”

Zhu Youxiao was so furious that smoke seemed to pour from his seven orifices, yet there was nothing he could do to the stubborn old man. He had no choice but to turn around and seek out Wei Zhongxian.

The moment Wei Zhongxian heard that iron had been discovered, his eyes lit up.

“Your Majesty, there is no need to trouble the Ministry of Works. The Inner Court has specialists who know how to mine.”

“Which office knows how to mine?” Zhu Youxiao asked.

Wei Zhongxian replied, “Your Majesty, although the Silverworks Bureau is responsible for crafting gold and silver ornaments, there are men there who know how to extract silver ore. If they can mine silver, surely they can mine iron as well.”

Zhu Youxiao laughed angrily. “Are the two things really the same? If you know how to plant corn, does that mean you must know how to plant radishes? Wait… those really are rather similar. Go and ask whether anyone knows how to mine iron. We have plenty of eunuchs with nothing to do, don’t we? Last time, you even said you wanted to establish an internal drill force within the palace. There you are—send them to work in the iron mine.”

Wei Zhongxian was horrified. If this truly came to pass and everyone learned that he had suggested it, he would never be able to show his face in the Inner Court again. Everyone would despise him.

He hurriedly said, “Your Majesty, it may be somewhat difficult for palace eunuchs to mine ore. First, they are unfamiliar with the work. Second, most eunuchs are physically frail. After only a few days in the mine, they might lose their lives. Your Majesty, I beg you to show mercy.”

Zhu Youxiao thought for a moment. Most palace eunuchs were indeed in poor health. Perhaps it had something to do with their endocrine systems.

He changed his mind. “They need not do the mining themselves, but surely they can supervise the work and keep the accounts. Go and ask. Once we find someone experienced in mining, everything else will be easy.”

Wei Zhongxian hurried to the Silverworks Bureau. The eunuch in charge of the seals welcomed him inside, but Wei Zhongxian pushed aside the tea offered to him.

“Do you have anyone here who knows how to mine?”

The eunuch in charge smiled. “Director, of course we do. The Silverworks Bureau has a small silver mine west of the capital, and we mine it ourselves.”

“I’m not talking about silver. I mean iron. We only need to extract the ore. Smelting is not our concern—that belongs to the Arms Bureau.”

The eunuch in charge smiled even more brightly.

“Director, in that case, we truly do have someone. One of our foremen comes from a family that once operated an ironworks. He was in charge of mining the ore there. Later, his family got into trouble, and he gritted his teeth and entered the palace. You certainly won’t go wrong asking him.”

Wei Zhongxian was delighted.

“Bring him here. I’ll question him myself. We cannot afford any mistakes, or we will never bear His Majesty’s anger.”

The eunuch in charge summoned the foreman. When Wei Zhongxian saw that he was a young eunuch barely in his twenties, he immediately flew into a rage.

“Li Jingming, you’ve grown bold! How dare you deceive your grandfather!”

Li Jingming dropped to his knees.

“Director, my own grandfather, how would this humble one dare deceive you?”

“You said this man had managed mining operations at home. He’s barely twenty years old. What experience could he possibly have in mining iron?”

Only then did Li Jingming relax. Still kneeling, he continued, “Director, please calm yourself. Chen Xiu only looks young because his face is youthful. In truth, he is already over thirty. Before entering the palace, he already had a ten-year-old child.”

Chen Xiu also knelt.

“Director, I entered the palace more than a year ago. I am thirty-five this year, and I managed an iron mine at home for twelve years. I beg you to investigate the matter carefully.”

Wei Zhongxian confirmed it once more. “You are truly thirty-five?”

“Indeed, I am thirty-five.”

Only then did Wei Zhongxian smile.

“Rise, both of you. Why are you still kneeling? It seems I wronged you. Chen Xiu, is it? If you were now ordered to open and operate an iron mine, would you understand all the work involved?”

Chen Xiu smiled confidently.

“I cannot speak for others, but after working in iron mining for so many years, I can at least claim to understand a little of it.”

Wei Zhongxian smiled. “Good. Find several men who understand the trade and make the preparations. After I report to His Majesty, you will go and mine for me.”

“Director, is this an existing mine?” Chen Xiu asked.

Wei Zhongxian thought for a moment. “From what His Majesty said, it should be a new one. The Ministry of Works refused to conduct the survey, so the task has been handed to us.”

Chen Xiu grew anxious and hurriedly said, “Director, a new mine must be surveyed first. Otherwise, it would be troublesome if there were no ore, or if the deposits proved too meager.”

Wei Zhongxian laughed.

“Do not worry. If His Majesty says there is an iron mine there, then there is certainly an iron mine there. Never doubt His Majesty’s judgment. My principle in conducting affairs is this: if the Emperor says iron can float on water, then it certainly can. If it sinks, that only means we failed to do the work properly or made some mistake. His Majesty’s words, however, can never be wrong. I have followed His Majesty for these past several years and have never once seen him say anything incorrect. Therefore, all we need do is go there, find the right place, and begin mining.”

Many thanks to everyone for your support!