Chapter 91

Zhang Han sighed, reflecting on history. It was like this: at the most critical moments, there were coincidences, but from a broader perspective, the rise of the Jurchens step by step was due to Emperor Shenzong's incompetence, a necessity intertwined with chance, ultimately leading to a great tragedy.

"Enough of this," Kong Minxing stood up and smiled, "This banquet has been very pleasant. When you two come to Datong, I'll treat you to a meal."

"Of course," Li Shenming smiled, "I'll send you some chili peppers and we'll have this fish head again."

"Haha, that's fine, that's fine."

Kong Minxing smiled and asked, looking at Zhang Han, "Do I need to talk to Zhu Kejiu about this matter?"

Zhang Han smiled, "No need, it's just a local rich man. It's a small matter, no need to trouble you."

Kong Minxing frowned, "Han Tong is indeed a despicable person, and I've heard of his misdeeds in Datong. However, his cousin, Han Qi, is not someone to be trifled with. You need to be careful."

"Indeed, that's what I'm worried about. This time, I'm using a different method."

Kong Minxing subconsciously asked, "What method?"

After speaking, he realized and smiled, "Do as you please, I won't ask."

Zhang Han smiled, "It's indeed a bit underhanded, but for such people, being a bit underhanded is justified. If I reveal it now, it would lose its charm. I'll tell you the plan, the process, and Han Tong's reaction after the incident, for your amusement."

Kong Minxing smiled, "I'll wait for the good news."

...

In the evening, the rain stopped, and a red sun hung in the sky. Cai Jiu and others were carried back to the ironworks on stretchers, having returned from the mountain path.

Zhang Han and Li Shenming talked for the whole afternoon. Li Shenming was somewhat anxious. The relationships in the Ming Dynasty were already taking shape, but Zhang Han had not yet gone beyond the Great Wall to negotiate with the northern tribes, which was a matter of great urgency.

Of course, there was no problem with the silver ingots, but they could only represent the Huang Taizi faction of the Tumet tribe, not even the entire Tumet tribe, let alone the many northern tribes.

If the negotiations with the northern tribes were not settled, all the plans would remain like flowers in a mirror or the moon in water.

"The matter here will be settled in about ten days," Zhang Han was not anxious, smiling, "Although the eastern tribes are fighting fiercely, they haven't occupied much territory yet. The pressure on food supplies is not severe. I estimate that the disasters will worsen in the next few years, and the eastern tribes will capture more territory. With the population growing and the disasters becoming more severe, the price of grain will rise sharply! There's no need to rush. We will definitely head to the outer regions within a month."

Li Shenming thought for a moment, then shook his head and smiled, "Wenlan, you are a god. You must be constantly thinking about the eastern tribes, the court, and the northern tribes."

"As merchants, we must pay more attention to these matters."

Li Shenming knew Zhang Han was right. The court's gazettes were copied every few days, and special people were sent to Beijing to wait for the gazettes and reports from various regions, especially from the Jizhou and Liaodong areas. Zhang Han was particularly attentive to these. When the gazettes arrived, Zhang Han would lock himself in a small room and study them with the Nine Border Maps provided by Li Shenming from the General's Office. He wouldn't come out until he had thoroughly understood the reports. Li Shenming was very impressed. The reports were related to military affairs, and the various forts, platforms, and watchtowers mentioned in the reports were difficult to locate on the maps. After finding them, he would analyze the text and the maps. The Ming Dynasty's maps were so crude that Zhang Han's eyes would turn red, but he never gave up. Li Shenming once joked that even the generals and deputy generals, who were in charge of troops, might not be as proficient in map studies as Zhang Han. Zhang Han's response was that wealth and treasure move the heart. If the generals could earn a lot of silver for winning a battle, they would also be more attentive.

"Master, I have failed in my duties. I have no face to continue as the manager of this ironworks."

Cai Jiu had taken a dozen people out today, later splitting into three groups. He had only three people with him, posting notices at various mountain passes. The treatment at Yusheng was good, with better food and accommodation, and the monthly pay was about 30% higher than at the Han family and Dongshan Association. Of course, this was not explicitly stated in the notices to avoid criticism, but anyone who asked would be given detailed information about the ironworks. Within an hour, many people had recorded their names and origins, ready to find guarantors and come to the ironworks for a trial. The situation was very promising, and Cai Jiu was happy when the Han family people came to obstruct him. Cai Jiu had intended to leave peacefully, but some people in the crowd started cursing and attacked him. This naturally led to a fight.

"Master, there's something fishy here. I suspect someone is trying to use us as a pawn." Cai Jiu was not seriously injured, but the mental blow was significant.

"Stop worrying about external matters for now," Zhang Han smiled, "Focus on the final stages of the project and get the furnace running as soon as possible."

"Yes, Master, I'll ensure the iron is smelted within ten days."

When he mentioned his expertise, Cai Jiu's confidence returned.

For several days, the weather was clear. It was early autumn, and the daytime temperature was still high. Cai Jiu concentrated all the workers on the first blast furnace, working continuously. Once the refractory mud and bricks were completely dry, iron smelting could begin.

Starting a furnace in this era was not a simple task. Cai Jiu hired a specialist who wandered around the ironworks for half a day, calculating with his fingers, before finally setting a date.

Zhang Han did not interfere with these matters, only watching with a smile. It was already the third of August in the 46th year of the Wanli era. In about ten days, it would be the Mid-Autumn Festival. He hoped to return to Xinping Fort before the festival.

In this era, he only had Chang Shi as a relative. Being away for so long, he naturally missed her.

Moreover, Li Shenming was right. The journey to the outer regions could not be delayed any longer. He had been organizing the internal affairs of Yusheng, and now he believed that leaving would not cause any significant problems. Unlike a few hundred years later, when a few hours by car could cover hundreds of kilometers, traveling from Beijing to the grasslands was difficult, with the initial highway being better, but the later roads and dirt paths being very challenging. It was easy to imagine that traveling from Zhangjiakou to the outer regions would take at least half a year, involving many places and tribes. The journey was long and arduous, and it was not advisable to delay any further.

The expected journey would be arduous and potentially dangerous, but for the substantial returns over the next few decades, this trip was necessary.

In early August, Yang Qiu arrived at the ironworks with about twenty capable people. However, Yang Qiu was rarely seen after his arrival, and the people at the ironworks did not know his role, so no one paid much attention.

Today was the scheduled day for the furnace to start. From early morning, the entire ironworks was bustling. Many workers without tasks gathered around the furnace, waiting for the mud plug to be removed and the iron to flow. The blast furnace and the ear room were filled with heat and smoke, and the bellows operators were the busiest. Cai Jiu and some experienced miners supervised to prevent any accidents.

When Zhang Han came out, no one greeted him. Only the Jiang brothers, Li Dayong, and Zhang Xuezeng, who had arrived the previous night and stayed at the mine, were close by. Li Dayong praised the ironworks, comparing it to his own, which seemed like a gathering place for vagrants in comparison. The difference was significant.

Zhang Han listened to the praise, but he knew that his method of running the ironworks increased costs. If the results were not ideal, the other owners would not praise his generosity but would call him a fool.

At the end of the morning, about ten more people arrived at the ironworks on horseback. Zhang Han saw Sun Anle and Sun Jingtong leading them and went to the gate to welcome them.

"Master Zhang, there's no need for such formality," Sun Anle and Sun Jingtong looked around the ironworks, their eyes filled with surprise.

No matter what others said, it was different to see it with their own eyes.

Sun Anle and Sun Jingtong had been to this ironworks before. It was about thirty to forty acres, with several iron ore veins that were easy to mine, a small river, and a good location. The previous owner had been driven away by the people of Lingqiu, and Zhang Han, an outsider, had established himself with his strong influence and financial power. However, they never expected the place to transform into this.

After nearly twenty days of work by nearly two thousand villagers, the original flat land had expanded tenfold. The grass and shrubs were cleared, and some rocks were moved or used as foundations for buildings. The area had grown from less than forty acres to over three hundred acres. A winding mountain path led to the halfway point, then straight into a series of buildings. In the center, near the ore veins, was the designated furnace area, where a twenty-foot-high furnace was emitting black smoke, and a large crowd was busy.

On the left side were rows of brick and tile houses. Sun Anle and Sun Jingtong did not have time to examine them in detail, but from a distance, they could see that they were all brick and tile houses, with rows of tables and chairs between the rooms. Even without a closer look, the scene was enough to surprise them.

Zhang Han greeted them, and Sun Anle and Sun Jingtong, with mixed feelings, dismounted from their horses.

A few middle-aged men, core shareholders of the Dongshan Association, were also present, their faces showing similar surprise. They had not expected the Yusheng ironworks to be in such a state.

After a few pleasantries, a shout came from the furnace area. Sun Anle and Sun Jingtong's expressions changed, and Sun Jingtong said, "The iron is flowing, Master Zhang, please."

Zhang Han was also excited, turned, and led the way. As they approached the blast furnace, they felt the heat. Closer still, they saw the mud plug in the center of the furnace had been removed, and the molten iron was flowing out, following the pre-set tracks continuously.