The tunnels used for mining were narrow, dark, and lacked ventilation facilities, not to mention any protective gear.

The mining method used here was primitive and unsafe, breaking coal into large and small pieces, which were then brought out of the shafts.

Due to these limitations, despite the abundance of coal, most heating and daily use still relied on charcoal rather than coal.

However, in reality, there were other possibilities for coal mining within Bingzhou.

Two years ago, during Zhang Yang’s activities outside due to assisting Wu Meng in his actions, Qiao Yan had already instructed him to pay close attention to the situations she pointed out.

In Mayi, located in Yanmen, later within the territory of Shuozhou, there was an astonishing open-pit coal mine.

It was known as the Ping Shuo Open-pit Coal Mine.

Near the city of Meiji, where the Southern Xiongnu resided, there was also an open-pit coal mine located in the future jurisdiction of Zhunge’er Banner.

Under the conditions of the late Han Dynasty, these two coal mines were not easily mined.

Yanmen was often in turmoil due to war, and the area around Xihe County was allocated for the Southern Xiongnu’s settlement and grazing.

However, faced with the urgency of the situation, why continue inefficient underground mining when open-pit operations could be chosen?

These two locations must be controlled!

Considering current productivity, the environmental damage caused by open-pit coal mining was still manageable.

As for differences in coal quality, at a time when iron smelting temperatures were limited, this was not a significant concern.

Moreover, considering the mining skills possessed by the Wang family of Jinyang and most other aristocratic families in Bingzhou, changing mining methods did not seem overly difficult.

This was her optimal solution for now.

Wang Yang watched as Qiao Yan placed a map from under the table onto the surface, the locations marked with red ink annotations particularly prominent.

She pointed to these two locations on the map and said to Wang Yang, “Since I chose to see you first, let’s be frank. These two coal mines on the map only require excavation of the soil layer to be open-pit mined.

However, apart from myself, no one else in Bingzhou can guarantee smooth excavation at these two locations.”

This was the truth.

It was precisely this confidence that gave Qiao Yan’s words a sense of imminent pressure. “If within a year, I can firmly suppress the Xianbei beyond Yanmen—or should I say, beyond Yunchuan—and at the same time completely subdue the Southern Xiongnu to the point where they dare not harbor any rebellious thoughts, Elder Wang, would you dare to make a deal with me?”

Wang Yang asked, “What kind of deal?”

Qiao Yan replied, “Hand over all the miners you have trained so well to me. I will manage the excavation of open-pit mineral resources, yielding more coal than you could mine yourselves.”

After hearing Qiao Yan’s proposal, Wang Yang couldn’t help but pinch his fingertips, pondering deeply.

In this suggestion, it seemed they would only be giving up miners, while gaining significantly more coal resources than before.

But this statement wasn’t as simple as she made it out to be.

In underground mining, there’s often the risk of collapse, and those who work there face the constant possibility of death.

Most of them are hidden by powerful families.

Though Qiao Yan’s actions weren’t exactly aggressive, they undoubtedly bordered on what could be seen as crossing a line.

Before, the special fermentation method for liquor, the deliberate warning before the locust plague, and the hints she revealed about the coal mine—all these actions, along with her early reception of Wang Yang, were forming a fixed impression here.

What she said about profit would definitely not be trivial for them.

So, could it be… that it’s worth a try?

“I didn’t mean for the elder to make a decision right now,” Qiao Yan lightly tapped the table, bringing Wang Yang’s attention back. “Today’s meeting was just to express gratitude to the Wang family for their previous support. As for the open-pit coal mine, let’s discuss it in a few days.”

Wang Yang walked out of the state office in a daze, much like when he arrived.

But just a few steps out, he snapped out of it.

The newly appointed governor of Bingzhou had said they could discuss the coal mine deal in a few days, but during that time, she would definitely be meeting other visitors besides him!

Even before he reached the street corner, he saw Old Tang heading towards the state office with a joyful expression, clearly having received an invitation too.

Previously, Marquis Qiao needed their presence to ensure Leping remained in a safer environment, but now she didn’t have to worry about that.

With the power of the provincial governor in her hands, she could directly win over the Tang family.

The Wangs could hesitate, but what about others?

Decaying noble families with remaining resources and ambitions to rise are most likely to turn against Qiao Yan, especially families like the Tangs who have had past dealings with her!

If he agreed too late, their previous relationship might suffer a serious setback.

“Not good!” Wang Yang’s mind raced, regretting that he lacked Wang Rou’s decisiveness.

But fortunately, he snapped out of it just in time.

As he hurried back to the state office gates, he arrived a step ahead of Old Tang from the Tang family and quickly said, “I was confused earlier. There’s something else I need to discuss with Lord Qiao. Please inform her.”

Qiao Yan, hearing his voice from afar, smiled.

By the time she saw off the Wangs, Tangs, and later the Guos who came to visit the state office, she had already outlined a rough framework for cooperation.

Perhaps things happen in pairs, as she placed the documents into a cabinet, she suddenly heard a system voice that hadn’t been heard for days.

She wondered if all systems communicated as inconveniently as this one she possessed, feeling weary as though it had just endured a long journey.

“I’ve contacted Farming System 043, but… its request is a bit odd.”

Qiao Yan asked, “How so?”

Hearing the number preceding her own system, Qiao Yan guessed the other party was likely experienced.

But the system continued speaking, revealing the host of this farming system was rather extraordinary.

“It’s negotiating chips with us, saying farming to stockpile grain eventually leads to rebellion. But in her environment, she needs auspicious signs for a successful rebellion. So after asking about our timeline, she offered to exchange the farming techniques from her northern books as bargaining chips.”

“Within three years, you need to lend her the Han Dynasty’s Imperial Seal.

She’ll use it for ten years and return it.

The deal will be backed by a contract.

She can deliver the farming books first, but if you can’t provide the seal in three years, she’ll deduct a hundred strategist points and corresponding data bonuses from you, compensating with points on her side.”

This sounded more economically savvy than the previous martial arts system.

Qiao Yan pondered, considering the relationship between the host and the system.

The idea that stockpiling grain could lead to rebellion was intriguing.

“But there’s also risk. If she fails in her rebellion, losing the seal is equivalent to losing it.”

The system calculated the duration of the Three Kingdoms’ timeline and asked, “What if, after ten years, your lord needs this Imperial Seal back? If others think it’s still in your possession, that might pose a problem too…”

“Let’s make the trade!” Qiao Yan decisively cut in, interrupting the system.

“The Han Dynasty’s power has declined, and the Imperial Seal holds little symbolic value now. Even if it’s lost, it won’t be a great loss. On the other hand, if I can get those farming books, implementing their viable strategies in Bingzhou next year could save countless lives.”

“This deal is definitely worth it!”