Songzhou City.
“What did you say? County Princess Linghui bought all the coal mines in Songzhou?” Gu Zhongxun gripped the memorial in his hand, his face full of disbelief.
Although the imperial court did not concern itself with who owned the coal mines, the main fuel for smelting iron was coal. Given the unique geographic position of the Southwest Province, Gu Zhongxun had specifically instructed that large-scale transactions be monitored.
Gu Huaiyuan, the Prefect of Songzhou, nodded.
“The person who came was a guard of County Princess Linghui, whom I’d seen before at home. I heard they also bought coal mines in other places.”
Gu Zhongxun’s anxious heart eased, but he frowned in confusion.
“Why is she buying so many coal mines? This thing doesn’t make much silver.”
Aside from doing business, Gu Zhongxun could think of no other reason.
Gu Huaiyuan stood on tiptoe. “Should we send someone to check?”
Gu Zhongxun shook his head and handed the memorial back to him.
“Wait a few more days. Zhao Jinmin, the Magistrate of Qingxia County, is on his way to Songzhou. We’ll go together once he arrives.”
Gu Huaiyuan opened the memorial, surprise flickering in his eyes.
“It’s a scholar from Anyang Prefecture.” The Song family had originally come from Anyang Prefecture.
Gu Zhongxun nodded slightly, a hint of emotion in his expression.
“A new jinshi this year, with a rather high rank. What a pity.”
Gu Huaiyuan silently closed the memorial.
This person must have offended someone; otherwise, he wouldn’t be so unlucky.
Without family connections or backing, officials sent to the Southwest were almost never transferred away. His own father was the most typical example.
Even though Gu Zhongxun now held a high position, with no one in the Southwest outranking him, he still harbored a lingering resentment over failing to be transferred to the capital when he was younger.
Zhao Jinmin arrived quickly. Ten days later, he was in Songzhou.
Gu Zhongxun saw the anticipation in his eyes, took a deep breath, and patted Zhao Jinmin on the shoulder.
“Do your best in Qingxia County. It’s far better there than it was half a year ago.”
“Lord Song is a man of action, and since you’re both from the same hometown, he will certainly look after you.”
Zhao Jinmin smiled and bowed with clasped hands.
“Not just from the same hometown—when Lord Song achieved top scholar in Anyang Prefecture, I was in the same exam session. Later, we were even classmates.”
Gu Zhongxun raised an eyebrow in surprise.
He hadn’t expected their relationship to be so close. He had thought they were merely fellow townsmen who didn’t know each other.
“What a coincidence. After all these years, you’ve come together again.”
Though the gap between them was wide—one a prefect of the fifth rank, the other merely a magistrate of the seventh rank.
…
The people sent to purchase coal mines across the Southwest soon returned to Suining City.
In total, there were one hundred and seventy-two coal mines, large and small. The transfer documents, when stacked, stood taller than a table.
Song Jinzhao said, “Dig while repairing. Mine as much as possible while ensuring safety. This winter, I plan to make a big push.”
Although the shops opened in the capital, Anyang Prefecture, and Suining City made money every day, Song Jinzhao was also spending a great deal.
To accomplish great things, one needed tens of millions of taels of silver. Recruiting soldiers and buying horses—none of it came cheap.
Song Qiming walked in excitedly, holding a transfer order.
“Ah Jie, the new magistrate of Qingxia County is finally coming. It’s Zhao Jinmin. He passed the imperial exam and became a jinshi.”
Song Jinzhao looked up, trying to recall.
“Is that the classmate who left to observe mourning after only a few days of study?”
Song Qiming nodded slightly.
“For four generations, his ancestors were all artisans. Back then, he wanted to visit Ah Jie, but a sudden tragedy struck his family. Not only did he miss the visit, but it also delayed him for three years.”
Song Jinzhao raised an eyebrow. “Assigned to Qingxia County? Did he do poorly on the exam?”
Song Qiming shook his head meaningfully.
“He ranked thirteenth among the second-tier jinshi. With that ranking, even if he couldn’t stay in the capital, places like the Jiangnan water towns were his for the asking. Something must have gone wrong along the way.”
