Xu He didn’t know much about iron processing, but he knew salt and iron were state-controlled. With the earlier talk of smuggled salt still fresh, he whispered, “If people find out we have iron ore, won’t the mountain be confiscated?”
“Our family may not rival the great merchants of Suzhou or Jiangnan, but in Siyang, we’re a respected family. Ruijin has a bright future in the imperial exams, and our wealth is enough if we don’t squander it. There’s no need to risk smuggling.”
Zhang Fangyuan chuckled at Xu He’s earnest warning and pinched the back of his hand. “Even if I dared risk myself, I’d never endanger you or our children.”
Knowing Xu He was unfamiliar with iron regulations, he patiently explained: “If private land yields state-controlled minerals, 20% is confiscated, 40% is sold to the court at official prices, and the remaining 40% can be sold privately.”
Xu He was stunned. “Then let’s see how much ore there is!”
“Now that we’ve found it, there’s likely more than just this. I’ll send trusted men to survey it first. Once we have an estimate, we’ll report it to the court at the right time for official mining.”
Xu He’s eyes gleamed with curiosity. “How much silver can we expect?”
“Hard to say. The 20% confiscation is gone, and the 40% sold to the court won’t fetch much. But the remaining 40% will be profitable.” Zhang Fangyuan leaned in. “At the very least, over ten thousand taels.”
“The exact amount depends on how much there is and how it’s handled.”
Xu He drew a sharp breath. This was a windfall, enough to multiply their investment in the mountain.
Though thrilled, he kept his composure, wary of attracting envy. Only after the court officially mined the ore would their fortune be secure.
The couple tacitly agreed not to discuss the matter further, pretending the western slope was simply infertile and unsuitable for planting. The overseer redirected the farmers elsewhere, and no one questioned it.
Back home, Zhang Fangyuan soon took trusted men to confirm the discovery. The news was good, but it brought new concerns.
Reporting the iron ore would require notifying local officials, who would then relay it upward. Each layer of bureaucracy would seek a share of the benefits. While higher officials were beyond his control, Zhang Fangyuan particularly disliked the idea of the Siyang magistrate profiting from their mountain.
If reported directly to the county government, the magistrate would undoubtedly benefit, both financially and politically. The discovery would fill state coffers, earning praise and career advancement for officials at every level.
Given past grievances, Zhang Fangyuan had no intention of letting the magistrate leech off them again. So despite his excitement, he delayed reporting the find, waiting for the right moment before the court sent miners.
Since the family wasn’t in urgent need of money, and the ore wasn’t going anywhere, Zhang Fangyuan decided to keep the discovery under wraps for now, in no hurry to report it to the magistrate.
Just as he was pondering how to bypass the magistrate by connecting with higher officials, a message arrived from the Jiangnan salt merchants. It stated that due to unstable salt prices in Siyang, the court had decided to appoint a local merchant to manage the salt trade under official license. The Salt Commissioner would soon arrive in Siyang to evaluate potential candidates.
[Salt Commissioner (盐政): A high-ranking official overseeing the state monopoly on salt production and distribution.]
Zhang Fangyuan and the other merchants who had previously hosted the Jiangnan salt delegation were among the first to receive the news. The information was explosive, instantly stirring excitement among the merchants.
“Is this reliable? Can it really be true?”
Xu He felt there was some logic to it, but the news was so thrilling that it almost seemed too good to be true.
“Those Jiangnan salt merchants have been in the business for years, they must have extensive connections. Given their regular dealings with the court, the information is likely accurate.”
Zhang Fangyuan mused, “He must want to get the salt permit for Siyang himself, but the imperial court prefers the local merchants in Siyang. The Jiangnan salt merchant thought that since he has property in Siyang, he did a favor to the merchant who accompanied him to the banquet. No matter who is lucky enough to be chosen by the imperial court, he will have to thank him for the favor in the.”
Xu He thought it over and realized the salt merchants’ motives made sense.
He glanced at Zhang Fangyuan. “Should we try for this opportunity?”
“If we don’t, I won’t sleep well until the salt commissioner decides on the candidate!”
____
By late April, Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He finally received a letter from Ruijin.
This year’s provincial exams had been held in March. The letter was written when Ruijin first arrived in the capital and found lodging, but the courier had encountered delays. By the time it arrived, Ruijin had likely already finished the exams.
Had this letter been any later, the next one might have beaten it home.
Ruili read the letter aloud to his parents. Ruijin was usually sparing with words, but perhaps to reassure them, he wrote more than usual - describing the journey’s sights, the capital’s bustle, his accommodations, and even expressing nostalgia for Xu He’s cooking.
The letter spanned two full pages. After finishing, Ruili flipped through the sheets and pouted. “Big Brother wrote so much, yet didn’t mention me once. How heartless.”
Finally hearing from their son eased the couple’s minds. Xu He chuckled. “Didn’t he talk your ear off before leaving?”
Ruili folded the letter with a grumble. “Since he misses home-cooked food, I’ll have the servants prepare some preserved dishes to send with the next merchant caravan. He mentioned his address, if he passes the metropolitan exams and stays for the palace exams, he might still get to taste them.”
“How thoughtful. But the metropolitan exams are no small feat, the competitors include the nation’s brightest and nobles’ sons.” Though Xu He downplayed it, he didn’t stop Ruili. “Yout brother loves preserved eggs, remember to bring more.”
“Yes, Little Dad.”
Xu He waved him off. “Enough chatter, go prepare.”
Thanks for the update!!! ❤️❤️❤️💞💞💞💞
ReplyDelete