As the snow melted, sales of anthracite declined, while cement sales began to soar.
More and more households started using cement to build their homes. Even the garden paths outside and inside their houses were being paved with cement.
Not only did it make them look respectable, but it was also sturdier, cheaper, and easier to maintain than bluestone bricks.
“The year’s plans begin in spring.” On the first day of the third month, the prefects of the various prefectures across the Southwestern Province gathered at the Southwestern Administration Commissioner's Office, awaiting Gu Zhongxun’s instructions.
The eleven men stood in two rows, with Gu Huaiyuan and Song Qiming at the front of their respective lines.
Gu Zhongxun sat upright in the main hall. His gaze swept over everyone unhurriedly. He was not fierce, yet his presence made them lower their heads instinctively as their chests grew tight with anxiety.
“The first major matter after the New Year is spring plowing. Last year, aside from Songzhou Prefecture and Suining Prefecture, most of you fell behind on the grain taxes submitted to the imperial court. This year, I hope every one of you will collect the full amount. Jia Ding Prefecture in particular.”
Zou Shoushan, the Prefect of Jia Ding, immediately stiffened, and his palms began to sweat.
In previous years, Suining Prefecture had always ranked last, with Jia Ding Prefecture second from the bottom. But last year, these two unfortunate prefectures had suddenly risen to the top, leaving him in last place.
Gu Zhongxun continued, “You should also learn from Prefect Song. If you collect only half again this year, even I won’t be able to protect you.”
A bead of cold sweat dripped onto his shoe. Zou Shoushan clasped his hands and knelt to admit his mistake.
“This subordinate will certainly learn from Prefect Song and follow his methods.”
Only after applying both persuasion and pressure for a full hour did Gu Zhongxun finally dismiss them. When they left the office, many of the men’s legs were trembling, and their feet had gone numb.
“Lord Song!” Zou Shoushan called out, and three or four prefects immediately crowded around him.
On their way into the city, they had seen constables repairing the roads. After asking around, they learned that the new roads were made of cement—and that the cement came from Suining City.
“Lord Song, I’d like to buy some of the cement used to repair Songzhou City’s roads as well. I heard it costs fourteen wen per sack. Could you make it any cheaper?”
“Lord Song, how could you keep such a wonderful thing to yourself instead of telling us sooner? Hiding it away isn’t the conduct of a gentleman.”
“Lord Song, I’ll take ten thousand sacks to start. We need to repair our roads in Yueyang Prefecture too.”
“…”
They chattered on without pause, making Song Qiming’s ears ring. The other prefects had also stopped to watch.
Song Qiming raised a hand and called out loudly, “Gentlemen, gentlemen.”
Once they quieted down, Song Qiming smiled faintly. “It’s not that I wanted to keep it from you. The truth is, there simply wasn’t any stock to sell.”
“Most of the cement produced before the New Year was bought by the Administration Commissioner. What remained was only enough to sell within Suining Prefecture. But rest assured—the cement factory has been working overtime during the New Year holiday and has produced quite a lot. If you want to buy some, send someone to place an order at the shops that sell anthracite in each prefecture. Your goods should arrive within a few days.”
Then he deliberately lowered his voice. “The cement factory is my elder sister’s private business. She already sold most of it to the Administration Commissioner at a loss. It definitely can’t be any cheaper; in fact, the price will probably have to be higher.”
The Prefect of Yueyang exploded the moment he heard that.
He grabbed Song Qiming by the arm, slipped an arm around his shoulders, and whispered, “Brother Song, the people of Yueyang Prefecture are poor, and so is the government office. Fourteen wen is already an astronomical price for me. It absolutely can’t go any higher. I’ll place an order as soon as I return. You have to make sure County Princess Linghui sends someone to deliver our shipment first.”
Looking at the Yueyang Prefect’s three wisps of beard and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes—there were so many that he could have been Song Qiming’s father—Song Qiming had no idea how the man could bring himself to call him “Brother Song.”
“To my knowledge, Yueyang Prefecture’s annual tax revenue is second only to Songzhou Prefecture’s, ranking second among the eleven prefectures.”
The Yueyang Prefect’s eyes widened. “What good does ranking second do? Which of the eleven prefectures in the Southwest isn’t poor?”
That one sentence left Song Qiming speechless.
It was true. They were all poor. At best, some were merely better off compared with the other prefectural cities in the Southwestern Province.
Bring in any prefectural city from another province, and it could crush them in every respect.
Zou Shoushan’s eyes grew slightly moist as he said to Song Qiming from the bottom of his heart, “This old man is not as fortunate as Lord Song. A sister as clever as County Princess Linghui is a rarity seen only once in a thousand years. When I have the opportunity, I shall personally pay her a visit and behold County Princess Linghui’s incomparable beauty.”
Several contemptuous gazes fell upon Zou Shoushan.
What a bootlicker. He just had to show off!
