Chapter 24: The Troublesome Lead Block

Huang Bai did not expect the hot potato to land in his lap so quickly.

The imperial court had strict regulations regarding the circulation of lead. While copper, iron, and tin shops were permitted to sell lead, transactions in these places could not exceed fifty jin. Large-scale trades required an official permit issued by the government.

"Your Highness, there are no lead mines in Xijing. Even if I were to issue you a permit, it would be of no use," Huang Bai stated.

Shen Jifeng raised an eyebrow. "Are you telling me that in such a vast city as Xijing, there isn't a single place to trade lead?"

"Xijing's casting industry is not well-developed. There are only a few blacksmith shops, and they only stockpile small amounts of lead, primarily to sell to rouge shops or to craftsmen for patching and sealing. To call their supply a drop in the ocean compared to what you need would be an understatement."

Huang Bai deliberately steered clear of the mess Zheng Peiye had made and leaned in toward Shen Jifeng, lowering his voice. "I will speak to you with complete candor. Salt is something every household requires; even with an imperial ban, it is impossible to fully suppress the private salt trade. But lead is primarily used for smelting, forging, and minting coins. Very few commoners have any use for it, so it can only be purchased through official channels."

Shen Jifeng grew impatient. She already knew all of this. "I understand the situation, which is why I want you to help me issue a permit. If I cannot buy it in Xijing, I will buy it elsewhere."

"Does Your Highness realize that the nearest lead mine is in Ganzhou, two thousand li away? Lead is a heavy material; the round trip would take at least a month and a half. Can you afford to wait that long?"

Shen Jifeng had not previously considered the distance and the time required for travel. In the Great Ning Dynasty, lead was neither a precious nor a scarce metal, but she had not expected to face a situation where distant water could not quench a near thirst.

"Is there really no other way?"

"The Liyang Mint," Huang Bai mentioned a name Shen Jifeng had never heard before. "It is a coin mint located in Weizhou. They mint no fewer than fifty thousand Yuanchang Tongbao coins every day. They have massive stockpiles of lead that would be more than enough for your needs. However, there is one condition."

"I need to ask my Imperial Grandfather for an order to transfer supplies."

Huang Bai bowed deeply. "Your Highness is truly brilliant."

On the way back, Dongyang was deeply puzzled. "Your Highness, since the lead provided by the Ministry of Works is problematic, why don't we take the evidence to the Emperor? Ever since we took over the silver mine, they have tripped us up more than once. We should take this opportunity to teach them a lesson."

"It is not that simple," Shen Jifeng replied, looking back at the Xijing prefectural office. She slowly exhaled the stifled frustration in her heart. "The materials from the Ministry of Works must have been fine at the time. Back then, Imperial Grandfather had not yet spoken about opening up private mining rights, and the Ministry of Works went to great lengths to send the gathered craftsmen to Xijing. Think about it: if the Ministry of Works could foresee the future, why send the craftsmen here in the first place?"

"So, the materials were swapped after they arrived in Xijing," Dongyang realized with a start.

Shen Jifeng toyed with the reins in her hand. "The person who did this is, in all likelihood, this Magistrate Huang."

"Let's go find him!" Dongyang was incensed, feeling the humiliation of having his mistress played for a fool.

"What is the rush?" She hadn't noticed it while at the manor, but Dongyang’s temperament was quite similar to her own when she was younger—reckless and impulsive. He should spend more time with Li Leqi to hone his character.

The guards at the silver mine were all officers from the Xijing Prefectural Office. It would be impossible for anyone to swap the goods under their noses without being noticed, which meant the only answer was that the guards were the thieves.

Although Huang Bai acted with feigned respect whenever he saw Shen Jifeng, she knew full well how perfunctory he was. The Prefect of Xijing was a third-rank regional official, while the current acting Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, Wang Huaxiu, was only a fourth-rank official. How could he possibly command Huang Bai?

Zheng Peiye’s words had reminded Shen Jifeng: who was really in charge of the Ministry of Works? He was the mastermind obstructing her mining project.

"I notice you spend a lot of time with Ma Yao. You should learn from his steadiness."

"Him, steady?" Dongyang was unconvinced. "The other day, when he and I went out to buy tools for the mine, we ran into a wealthy local landlord on the street. As soon as he saw Ma Yao, he grabbed him, accusing him of breaking his word because the wild boar he promised to sell him had never been delivered."

"A wild boar?" Shen Jifeng’s curiosity was piqued.

Dongyang boasted like he was presenting a treasure. "Your Highness, you wouldn't know this, but Ma Yao used to be a hunter. He promised to sell two wild boars to that landlord, but because he happened upon a sow with piglets, he set them free. He thought he would catch more, but one thing led to another, and he simply forgot about it. Your Highness, do you think that’s something a steady person would do?"

Shen Jifeng had always been suspicious of Ma Yao’s background as a hunter. Seeing this, it seemed their meeting in the forest and his arrival at the mine to seek work were both coincidental, and he was not acting under anyone's orders.

Since that was the case, and Ma Yao’s skills were quite good, she could feel at ease using him.

Back at the mine, Li Leqi asked for permission to bring his nephew over, saying that he was getting old and needed a reliable, clever assistant to help run errands.

Shen Jifeng naturally agreed, then informed him that she would be returning to the capital for a few days to secure lead and charcoal.

This time, unexpectedly, Shen Jifeng did not bring Dongyang, choosing instead to have Ma Yao accompany her.

Wei Xiao, not knowing what scheme Shen Jifeng was cooking up, probed Dongyang, "I’ve never been to Bianjing. I’m afraid of making a fool of myself and embarrassing Her Highness. Why don't you go back instead?"

Dongyang was delighted that Her Highness had finally recognized Ma Yao’s talent and was going to put him to good use. "Don't worry. Returning to the capital just means going to the Prince of Qi’s manor. Everyone there is easy to get along with. Her Highness will surely have to enter the palace, but she won't take you with her. Just be obedient and behave. If Her Highness tells you to go east, don't go west. Try to stay in our guard unit in the future; it’s a stable job, much better than being a hunter."

Wei Xiao looked at Dongyang, who was speaking so heart-to-heart with him, and felt a wave of warmth. "Understood. I will be sure to speak less and not cause any trouble once I arrive at the manor."

"Don't be so nervous," Dongyang patted Wei Xiao’s shoulder. "The Little Prince is away right now. If he were at the manor, you would have reason to be nervous; he would investigate your ancestors back three generations."

"Is the Little Prince very concerned about Her Highness?" Wei Xiao continued to probe.

Dongyang was completely oblivious. "Of course. Everyone around Her Highness has been screened over and over by the Little Prince. In our Prince of Qi’s manor, Her Highness is the real boss."

Wei Xiao was thoughtful. If the Prince of Qi was so attentive to Her Highness, why did she keep the existence of the Shen Trading Firm hidden?

When they returned to Bianjing, it was already late, and the city gates had been locked. Shen Jifeng had to use the Prince’s medallion to open the gates, and they traveled unimpeded to the gates of the manor.

Shen Jifeng jumped off the carriage and happened to glance at the neighboring residence, where lanterns were lit. "Is there someone next door? Why is there no plaque?"

The steward bowed. "It was granted to the General of the South two months ago, but the General has never appeared. There are only a few attendants inside, and it has not been renovated."

Even the usually calm and composed Wei Xiao couldn't help but steal a few glances at his own residence. The mottled gates and the firefly-like lanterns appeared even more dilapidated and desolate under the moonlight.

No wonder Chuyi had suggested renovations; it truly was a bit shabby.

"The General of the South, that man surnamed Wei? Why isn't he staying put in Yunnan instead of coming back to the capital?"