Chapter 70: The difference between courtiers and unruly women on the street.

Coal is a good thing.

In the “Classic of Mountains and Seas”, it is recorded: “On the mountain of Nü Chuang, there is much scalet copper on its south side, and much alunite on its north side”; “At the head of the Min Mountains, there is a mountain called Nü Ji, where there is abundant Alunite”; “Further east by 150 li, there is a mountain called Fengyu, where there is much white gold on its upper part and much alunite on its lower part.”

The term “Alunite” mentioned here refers to coal.

During the Wei and Jin periods, the name “Alunite” gradually changed to “Graphite”. In the Tang and Song periods, it was also called “Coal(石炭)” or “Coal(煤炭). During the Ming Dynasty, it was mainly referred to as “Coal(煤炭)”

As early as the Tang Dynasty, coal-coking technology emerged.

By the Song Dynasty, coal-coking technology had become more mature.

In the Northern Song Dynasty, there were dedicated “coal yards” and “official coal sales”. Coal seams were referred to as “coal veins”. Coal mining had become a major industry, gradually replacing firewood and becoming an important fuel for ordinary households.

The statement “Millions of households rely on coal and none on firewood” may be an exaggeration commonly used by literati, but it does reflect the abundance of coal in the capital city of Bianjing during the Northern Song Dynasty.

According to the “Annals of Yuan Dynasty”: “Coal is produced in Dagu Mountain, 15 mile west of Wanping County, with more than 30 black coal mines. There are also more than 10 white coal mines in 50-mile southwest of Peach Blossom Valley.”

To manage the buying and selling of coal, the Yuan Dynasty established a dedicated coal market in Yuan’s Capital Dadu.

In the Ming Dynasty, with the increase in population, the reduction of forests, and a certain degree of urbanization, people wanted to have hot meals and take hot baths. It was not feasible for everyone to go to Purple Mountain every day to chop firewood. Therefore, coal became the main fuel for the livelihood of the capital city.

The palace and various government bureaus also had significant coal consumption, especially during winter. Although the climate in the capital city was not as harsh as in the northern regions, winters in Nanjing were still difficult to bear.

Coal was also needed for heating in the palace. Although the Ming Dynasty did not consider palace maids and eunuchs as human beings, but in order to make people work, they should not freeze to death.

For example, the Palace Laundry Service required 40,000 catties of firewood, charcoal, and coal. the Directorate of Imperial Accouterments required 200,000 catties of firewood, charcoal, and coal; and the Palace Armament Bureau required nearly 1,000,000 catties of coal, lime, and water for firearms production last year.

The use of coal in the palace was a common occurrence, and incidents of poisoning were not unheard of. However, an incident of group poisoning of this scale was unprecedented.

This is not surprising considering that in the daily operations of the various palace bureaus, work was primarily done during the day, and they rested at night. During the day, with people coming and going, there were individuals responsible for managing the fire pots and charcoal stoves, and with fewer people, there were generally no major issues. At night, the number of lit coals was also limited, and the living conditions in the dormitories for palace maids and eunuchs were not ideal, with drafts and poor insulation.

The sleeping quarters of the empress and concubines were spacious enough and not afraid of small braziers and stoves.

But it was different in the Chengqian Palace.

It had become the center for producing medical gauze, and even at night, there were over a hundred people weaving. With the cold weather and closed doors and windows, along with the addition of many braziers for warmth, it led to the poisoning accident.

Zhu Yunwen was clear about the cause of the accident and thought of a solution.

However, it would take time.

After dealing with matters in the Chengqian Palace, Zhu Yunwen and Ma Enhui returned to the Kunning Palace. They only rested for two hour before it was already daylight.

Ma Enhui helped Zhu Yunwen put on his court attire and frowned, advising, “Your Majesty, you didn’t get enough rest last night. How about taking a day off from the court and focus on taking care of your health?”

Zhu Yunwen shook his head and sighed, “As long as the land dispute issue is unresolved, I cannot take a day off from the court. Empress, please visit Lady Luo on my behalf, and instruct the Directorate of Palace delicacies to prepare for the evening banquet. When the King of Yan and his consort arrive, we will hold a family banquet in the Kunning Palace to entertain them.”

Ma Enhui nodded in agreement.

A real court assembly was not like what was depicted in modern TV dramas, with everyone orderly and each person taking turns to speak while others listened attentively, giving their agreement or opposition.

After the Grand Secretariat and the Six Ministries officials reported their respective matters, it was a time for free discussion. Some officials stood with hands on hips and noses in the air, while others tilted their official hats and rolled up their sleeves, appearing like street ruffians and troublemakers.

Scholars should maintain some elegance, not imitate military officers who would easily blurt out phrases like “your mother’s this and that.” Instead, they should ask with a concerned expression, “Your father is old and toothless, his words are muddled. Brother, why is your speech also unclear, unable to explain the origin of the land clearly?”

Well, scholars had a way with words.

With just one sentence, they not only inquired about the other person’s father but also insulted their unclear background. If your father was already eighty and you were only forty, it meant you were either a late-born child or had a connection with the neighbors. Like the origin of the land, it was unclear and unknown.

Without a solid foundation, one might think the other person was expressing concern, thank them with a smile, and then find out that their ancestors’ graves had been insulted.

But the court officials were not like rowdy market women.

When market women quarreled, they could freely use all sorts of insults and could go as far as their imaginations allowed. There were no rules or limits. After hours of cursing, they would remember that it all started because the other person glanced at them in the crowd.

Greeting among court officials had a higher level of difficulty.

No matter what, it couldn’t be separated from the issue at hand. If you greeted someone’s uncle, it had to be related to the land. Private matters were not allowed.

In summary, they had clear viewpoints and a clear theme.

Jing Qing of the Censorate and his colleagues advocated for the freedom of land transactions, known as “not disturbing the common people, relying on contractual and customary laws.” Huang Zicheng of the Ministry of Revenue led a group of people who supported the inspection of land transactions to “curb the trend of entrusting the land and protect the court’s tax revenue.”

Unlike the previous debates, the top officials of the Six Ministries finally expressed their stance after remaining silent for a few days. The Ministers of the Ministry of Personnel Qi Tai, the Ministry of Works Zheng Ci, the Ministry of Justice Bao Zhao, the Ministry of Personnel Chen Di, and the Ministry of War Ru Chang, all supported Huang Zicheng of the Ministry of Revenue.

With the top officials revealing their positions, officials who had been observing the court situation began to take sides.

As officials, those with a solid foundation would stand and speak wherever their roots were. Those without a foundation would naturally go wherever the wind blew.

Although no definitive conclusions were reached during the morning court, the overall situation had been determined, and the direction of the court gradually became clear.

After the morning court, some officials began writing letters to be sent back to their hometowns, instructing their families to take possession of the land they had seized and finding ways to silence any objections. If they couldn’t stop the objections, they would hand over land deeds and let others cultivate the land themselves.

Once the court was determined to rectify the land disputes, it was possible to establish a few exemplars. No one wanted to become a “symbolic figure” representing land disputes. It was better to resolve the matter as soon as possible.

Three Mountain Gate Dock.

Xie Jin, Ru Chang, Xu Huizu, and other prestigious figures from the Five Army Commandery stood at the dock, preparing to welcome the fleet escorting Zhu Di back to the capital. The one in command of the fleet was Zheng He, the Vice Commander of the Navy.

The flags fluttered on the warships.

Zheng He looked at the news that had arrived from the capital and turned to enter the cabin, reporting to Zhu Di and Yao Guangxiao, “The fleet is about to arrive at Three Mountain Gate Dock. There’s news from the palace that His Majesty and the Empress are holding a banquet in the Kunning Palace to entertain the King of Yan and his consort.”

Zhu Di raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

Yao Guangxiao smiled and said, “Very well.”

The Kunning Palace was part of the inner palace, and the banquet there was not a court banquet but a family gathering.

Entertaining the King of Yan and his consort with a family banquet indicated that Zhu Yunwen did not want to assert dominance over Zhu Di as ruler and subject, but rather to reunite as family members and nephews, catching up on old times.

From this arrangement, it could be seen that Zhu Yunwen trusted and respected Zhu Di.

“Your highness, let’s get ready to enter the capital.”

Yao Guangxiao stood up and made the suggestion.

Zhu Di laughed heartily and got up, walking into the adjacent room.

Zhang Yu, Zhu Neng, and Qiu Fu also stood up and paid their respects as Zhu Di entered.

Zhu Di looked at the three old generals who had been with him for many years, his expression solemn as he said in a deep voice, “We have arrived in the capital. Let us go together to beg His Majesty for forgiveness.”

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