Stone Charcoal in Great Song had already become a common commodity, not considered rare or precious anymore.
Guo Ruxi couldn't understand why this item was equated with valuable warhorses.
There was plenty of it in Huann Zhou;some places even seemed to have an endless supply beneath the soil.
He didn’t feel elated but rather embarrassed.
Although Qingjian City needed warhorses, it was the pride that kept soldiers motivated after years of relentless battles.
He couldn't allow any weakening of this foundation."Shining gem obscured by dust!People are foolish;they think this coal has no use other than for burning.
For burning, all you get is its ability to burn well, and too much can harm people with the fumes.
That’s why it's discarded like old rags.
In reality, there are countless uses for this material.
After certain processes, it turns into coke, which can be used to smelt steel, making better swords and blades.
The crushed coal dust is also precious;after secret processing, it becomes excellent fuel.Everyone knows that dry firewood burns well, but every household breaks down damp reeds during rainy seasons.
However, even wet stone charcoal can burn.
In Tokyo, firewood costs a lot, with the hills around the city almost bare due to excessive cutting.
With a million people in the city, how much wood would be needed?I heard that water could become a commodity in Tokyo.
My processed coal wouldn’t sell well if it couldn’t fetch a good price;from now on, I won't talk about commerce."Guo Ruxi hesitantly took the coal from Yun Zheng and examined it carefully.
"Is this really true?"Yun Zheng sat down with his legs crossed and chuckled.
"Of course!Five hundred warhorses could fetch a high price in Tokyo.
But wealth is nothing compared to securing a stable, permanent source for my descendants.
So, would ten li of land be acceptable?I'll build a manor there and form a merchant team.
Honorable Prefect, how about we claim some land near Qingyang for that purpose?It's only five hundred miles from Jingzhao Prefecture and one thousand miles from Tokyo.
Due to border threats, the government has constructed wide roads here, which is why I chose Huann Zhou."Hearing Yun Zheng speak with conviction as if it were premeditated, Wu Gui didn't believe Yun Zheng had planned this for a long time;he must have thought of it on the spur of the moment.
There had to be more reasons, just not ones he could share with Guo Ruxi."Since you really have this plan, I'll give you ten li.
As long as you don't encroach on good farmland, you can use it freely without interference from the authorities.
Your merchant team will also not pay taxes in Huann Zhou;that's the most assistance within my power.
If you make money, I swear to protect your safety so long as the Ye family remains in Huann Zhou."Yun Zheng laughed heartily and shook hands with Guo Ruxi three times, sealing their deal.
Guo Ruxi then left to choose warhorses while Wu Gui asked Yun Zheng about his activities."What have you been up to?""Going back might get me a promotion.