Chapter 18: Council at the Prince’s Mansion

Inside the Residence of the Prince of Yan, in the council hall, Zhao Bin sat upright in his chair. The Prefect Lin Jingtang, County Magistrate Cao Li, Registrar He Miao, Treasurer Yang Guangtai, and Chief Wei Xiang occupied the chairs arranged below him.

It was evident that each of them wore a faint smile on their faces. Zhao Bin took a sip of tea and then calmly said, "Alright, everyone, let’s each report on the matters at hand."

Lin Jingtang spoke first. "Your Highness, after a month’s time, the autumn harvest is nearly complete. We can now begin collecting the grain taxes."

"Previously, tax collection followed the imperial court’s prescribed quotas. But now that Yan City is officially your fief, the tax revenues should belong entirely to your residence. I humbly request your instructions on the percentage we should collect."

Zhao Bin considered briefly and replied, "The prior tax rate was too steep—taking half of the produce. The output itself was already low, and the people had little left after paying taxes. Starting this year, the tax rate shall be adjusted to one-fifth."

"Also, revise the officials’ salaries to a silver currency system beginning next year. The government offices will calculate the pay for all officials at various levels and pay entirely in silver. We must establish this system as soon as possible."

Treasurer Yang Guangtai then raised a concern. "Your Highness, Yan City’s commercial system is underdeveloped, and the annual commercial tax revenue is quite low. I fear the treasury will not have sufficient silver to sustain this in the long term."

Lin Jingtang and Cao Li echoed his concerns. "Indeed, Your Highness. The switch to silver pay can be maintained in the short term, but over time, it will surely be insufficient."

Zhao Bin waved off the worries lightly. "Just follow my orders exactly. As for the silver, I will find a way."

Turning to He Miao, Zhao Bin asked, "How are things on your end?"

He Miao replied, "Your Highness, all the cattle, sheep, and horses from Suhebu have been exchanged. Five hundred horses have been handed over to Captain Qin, and the Prince’s residence retains five hundred more. Half of the cattle have already been distributed to farming households."

"However, according to the registered households under Yan City’s jurisdiction, there are fifteen thousand households on record, and we are still short by over ten thousand cattle if we are to assign one per household."

"As for the sheep, each household is to receive two, one male and one female, to ensure breeding continues. Farming households that have received cattle will not be allocated sheep for the time being."

"During this process, we uncovered a case where a village chief embezzled and seized livestock belonging to others. The culprit has been apprehended by Chief Wei and is now detained in the residence’s prison awaiting judgment."

Hearing of the corruption, a flicker of anger crossed Zhao Bin’s face. He declared, "There is nothing to discuss—behead him publicly as a warning. I despise people like this the most. Make it known: all officials, from prefects to village chiefs, who dare commit corruption or abuse in this matter shall be executed and displayed."

The officials present were startled, a chill running down their spines. Fortunately, none had committed such offenses; otherwise, they would face swift execution without chance for mercy.

"Yes, Your Highness," they replied.

He Miao continued, "Furthermore, Your Highness, Suhebu recently sent word that they have secured the approval of the Xianbei Khan. In a few days, a batch of livestock will arrive in Yan City. Please prepare fine salt accordingly."

Zhao Bin nodded. "Tell them to rest assured about the salt. The Prince’s residence may lack in many things, but salt is plentiful. Also, expedite the progress. No delays."

"I understand," He Miao replied.

Zhao Bin then turned to Yang Guangtai. "How about the agricultural implements? Has their production and distribution been implemented?"

Yang Guangtai answered, "Your Highness, I have ordered the copying of the blueprints you drew and distributed them to the villages and towns."

"Moreover, the blacksmiths and carpenters you assigned to me are well protected. They have been dispatched to teach the crafting techniques."

"Producing so many farming tools is no quick task. Timber is abundant everywhere, but iron is severely lacking," he lamented.

"I understand. I will find a way to secure iron. Meanwhile, you and Prefect Lin handle the tax matters," Zhao Bin instructed.

He had pondered this before—Yan City was not without iron ore. The area was sparsely populated and war-torn, so the vast iron deposits remained undiscovered.

Not far from the Xianbei settlements lay a natural open-air iron mine, later transformed into a park. The old mine pits formed a natural pool known as the "Little Heavenly Pool of Northern Capital."

Zhao Bin had even visited there once in a previous life; it was about eighty kilometers from Beijing’s city center. The surrounding region was rich in mineral resources, not just iron but coal as well.

The Mentougou district west of the Western Hills housed abundant coal mines, though at the time it was called "stone coal." The charcoal used by the blacksmiths in Yan City mostly came from this area.

After a brief pause, Zhao Bin addressed County Magistrate Cao Li. "Cao, tell me about your progress."

"Yes, Your Highness. The two merchants you asked me to find have been located. Both are local residents engaged in business within the city."

"One runs a restaurant—his name is Zhang Guide. The other is a grain merchant named Li Youcai. They are waiting outside now."

"Though both are businessmen, their characters differ somewhat. Zhang Guide runs his restaurant and is known for building good relationships and honest dealings."

"But Li Youcai is a sly merchant in the grain trade, often shortchanging the common folk. Many citizens hold grievances against him, and he is rather cunning," Cao Li reported carefully.

Zhao Bin chuckled. "In business, who isn’t a little cunning? No trickery, no trade. That’s normal. Honest folk rarely make much money."

Cao Li continued, "Additionally, the northeast area of the city has been vacated. The original residents have been relocated elsewhere, so currently no households remain in the two streets there."

"This location was chosen for two reasons: the prevailing winds to prevent dust from settling in the city, and a river running through the northeast corner, allowing us to dig a canal to bring water. This will provide water and power for smelting iron and refining salt."

"Good. Here are several blueprints. Take these and begin transforming the area into various factories. Prioritize building iron smelting plants and saltworks."

"Since the autumn harvest is mostly done, the people should have little else to do. Households that received cattle or sheep will send one laborer each for corvée labor."

"Some will construct the factories; the rest will mine stone coal in the west. The coal can be piled outside the city," Zhao Bin instructed.

"Yes, Your Highness. I will arrange manpower tomorrow," Cao Li responded.

"Old Wei, I have a tough task for you. Once completed, I will reward you handsomely," Zhao Bin said, looking at Wei Xiang.

"Your Highness, please command. I will accomplish it," Old Wei pledged with a confident pat on his chest.

"I will sketch a rough map for you. Tomorrow, take thirty men and two blacksmiths to the area I mark to search for iron ore. If you find any within half a month, all the men will receive two months’ pay as a reward."

"If needed, you may get two guides from Suhebu to avoid getting lost in the mountains. But do not let them know we’re searching for iron," Zhao Bin ordered.

"Your Highness, rest assured. If I don’t find iron, I will not return," Wei Xiang vowed firmly.

Zhao Bin smiled and said, "Very well, that concludes today’s meeting. Cao Li, stay behind. Everyone else, prepare to leave. Old Wu, fetch Tian Qi and Wang Dayong from next door."

Wu, standing silently behind Zhao Bin, nodded and departed.

Soon, two men, sweating profusely, followed Wu into the hall.

They bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Your Highness."

"No need for formalities. You have both worked hard these days. Please, sit," Zhao Bin gestured.

"Thank you, Your Highness," they replied, sitting down without hesitation.

"You were once the Emperor’s guards and came with me to Yan City. Sending you to practice salt refining is a disservice to you," Zhao Bin said with some regret.

With them, Zhao Bin dropped his royal self-reference and spoke more familiarly, referring to himself simply as "I."

"Your Highness, you honor us. We shall do our best," they replied.

"I had no choice but to assign you to salt refining. This matter is of great importance, and I cannot trust outsiders."

"But soon, you will no longer need to refine salt. Once Cao Li builds the factories, your role will be to guard them. Also, I want both of you to return to the capital."

"Return to the capital?" The two exchanged surprised glances.

Tian Qi asked, "May I inquire the reason for your order, Your Highness?"

"Some time ago, we made copper pots, and you have eaten the hotpot. To ensure the people live well, the tax revenue alone is insufficient; we need to find other sources of income."

"The salt we refine cannot be exchanged only with the Xianbei. Therefore, Cao Li found two merchants to open restaurants in the capital to earn silver coins. But since they are outsiders, I want you two to accompany them."

"On the surface, it is for protection, but in truth, it is to watch over them and prevent any ill intent. If mistakes occur, our losses would be great," Zhao Bin explained.

"I understand, Your Highness. When do we depart?" Wang Dayong asked.

"The day after tomorrow. Returning to the capital will involve setting up the shops and managing many affairs. Also, have Chunxi accompany you then. Suhebu sent some old mountain ginseng and fine furs—these should fetch a good price in the capital," Zhao Bin said.

After this discussion, the two men withdrew. Zhao Bin then summoned Zhang Guide and Li Youcai.

They were ordinary commoners who had never seen anyone higher than Prefect Lin Jingtang. They were unaccustomed to nobility and were terrified upon entering the prince’s residence, especially Li Youcai, whose guilty conscience replayed past misdeeds in his mind.

As they entered the hall, they immediately knelt and kowtowed. "Commoners Zhang Guide and Li Youcai pay respects to Your Highness."

"Do you know why I have summoned you?" Zhao Bin asked, expressionless.

"We do not know, please enlighten us, Your Highness," Zhang Guide answered cautiously.

"Li Youcai, you do not know either?" Zhao Bin fixed his gaze on him.

At that moment, Li Youcai trembled all over. Hearing the Prince’s direct question, he dared not harbor any hope and knelt repeatedly, "I deserve death, I deserve death, I deserve death."

"Enough. You deserve death. For your usual practice of shortchanging in business alone, I could have you executed here in Yan City. But I do not wish to kill you yet," Zhao Bin said deliberately. "You two may rise and speak."

"Commoners dare not," they hurriedly replied. From the moment they entered, they had not dared to lift their heads and had not even seen the Prince’s face clearly.

At the side, Wang Wu shouted angrily, "What are you hesitating for? The Prince orders you to rise, so rise! Dare to disobey, and I’ll cut you down with one stroke."

Zhao Bin watched Wang Wu’s bluster and gave him a thumbs-up in approval. Wang Wu acknowledged with a knowing look, silently thanking the Prince.

"Commoners dare not. Many thanks, Your Highness," they said before trembling as they stood.

Zhao Bin looked at them and said, "You are both merchants by background. In our Great Xia, merchants are regarded very lowly. You understand this, right?"

"We do," they answered.

"I have not summoned you to investigate past misdeeds, but to ask you to undertake a task. If you succeed, I will appoint you officials within the Prince’s residence. Would you accept?"

Hearing the prospect of official positions, they were astonished. How could commoners like themselves become officials? With trepidation, Zhang Guide whispered, "Thank you, Your Highness. We are willing to serve, but may I ask what task Your Highness has in mind?"

"I intend to open a restaurant in the capital. I summoned you to manage the business there on my behalf," Zhao Bin explained.

Li Youcai, relieved that past issues would not be pursued and official posts offered, boldly said, "Your Highness’s favor is like smoke rising from our ancestors’ graves. We naturally wish to serve you. However, we have never been to the capital and have only dealt in small trades. We fear we might fail Your Highness’s great undertaking."

"One must live a splendid life, travel to places unseen, and witness new worlds. What I ask of you is indeed important. I have given you this chance, but it depends on your courage to try and change," Zhao Bin shifted the topic to the value of life and opportunity.

This surprised them deeply. They had never contemplated such matters before, content with their small trades and modest earnings.

Suddenly, someone told them they were to do meaningful and valuable work. In that moment, they realized they had been living in a cage.

Li Youcai, a cunning man, quickly grasped the point. He knelt again and said, "Commoner thanks Your Highness for your favor and is willing to manage your business in the capital."

Zhang Guide, recognizing this as a chance to transform their status and destiny, also knelt and expressed willingness.

"The capital is a place of great importance, filled with nobles and prominent families. One misstep could bring disaster."

"Of course, I will dispatch personal guards to protect you, and your families in Yan City will also be guarded."

"If you succeed, I guarantee wealth and honor in the future. But I must warn you bluntly."

"To serve me, you must be loyal. If you harbor wicked thoughts, betray me, or defect to others, I will not spare your heads nor the lives of your kin."

"Commoners dare not," they kowtowed in response.

"Very well, rise. For today, you may return and make arrangements at home. Hand over your business to others and come back to the residence tomorrow. We have details to discuss, and the day after tomorrow, we shall depart," Zhao Bin said, signaling them to stand.

"Yes, Your Highness. We take our leave," they bowed and exited.

Zhao Bin turned to Wang Wu and said, "Assign two men to keep watch."

Wang Wu left the hall.

Only Zhao Bin and Cao Li remained. They further discussed the construction of the iron ore smelting plant. Given the current levels of productivity and smelting technology, Zhao Bin had only made some improvements to existing methods to increase efficiency.

They also planned to add a steel refining step. The difference between steel and iron lies mainly in carbon content—steel contains roughly 0.02% to 2% carbon, while iron has a higher carbon content.

Additionally, a casting workshop would be established. Casting tools is much faster than forging them, ensuring mass production of farming implements.

By next spring, they aimed to have iron plows and farming tools distributed to the people to facilitate expanded cultivation.

After finalizing some details, Cao Li took his leave.