Chapter 29: The Science of Charcoal

Stepping out of the palace gates, Shen Jifeng caught sight of Wei Xiao leaning against the carriage. His posture was lazy and casual, showing none of the unease or fear that ordinary people felt when entering the Imperial City.

She had wondered more than once how a simple hunter could possess such a composed aura, as if he could face an army of thousands without a flicker of concern.

"The good news is that the incident with Feng Da was purely a matter of a young woman’s petty jealousy; there is no deeper conspiracy involved, so I can focus my energy on the silver mine with peace of mind."

"And the bad news?" Wei Xiao sensed there was more she hadn't said.

Shen Jifeng spread her hands, looking innocent. "The bad news is that she hates me to death now. Before, we could at least keep up appearances, but now the mask has been completely torn off."

Petty jealousy? The words rolled through Wei Xiao’s mind several times. He hadn’t heard of Princess Zhaoyang being betrothed to anyone, and since the other party was in the palace, it was clearly one of the princesses. Could it be that they had both taken a fancy to the same man?

Observing his expression, Shen Jifeng knew he had misunderstood.

"Women don't just fight out of jealousy over men."

This remark shattered Wei Xiao’s previous understanding. Growing up, the only women he had contact with, besides his foster mother, were Shen Jifeng. His knowledge of women was limited to distinguishing between beauty and ugliness.

"Before some women are married, they like to compare their looks, family backgrounds, clothes, and jewelry. After they are married, they compare their husbands and children. As long as there is something to compare, it can be used to compete. It’s no different from you men comparing your essays, your strength, or your stamina."

Wei Xiao involuntarily recalled the countless ribald jokes he had heard in the military camp over the years. His earlobes grew slightly hot, and he turned his head away with a light cough, muttering, "What... what nonsense are you talking about?"

Seeing his reddened ear tips, Shen Jifeng said, puzzled, "I'm talking about myself and my aunt; why are you so embarrassed?"

Stepping into the carriage, Shen Jifeng instructed the driver to head to the Shen Family Trading Firm on Maxing Street. Upon hearing the name "Shen," Wei Xiao’s spine stiffened.

"What does the Princess need to buy? This subordinate can do it for you."

Shen Jifeng’s voice came through the carriage curtain. "I need to buy charcoal; can you do that for me too?"

Wei Xiao then remembered that besides procuring lead, their mission upon returning to the capital included purchasing charcoal. Silver smelting required a vast amount of charcoal, and it had to be high-quality, low-ash charcoal; otherwise, the silver extraction rate would drop.

"Is the Shen Family Trading Firm a place that specifically sells charcoal?" Wei Xiao asked, knowing the answer.

"The Shen firm doesn't sell charcoal, but I need to go there to fish for some information."

The Shen Family Trading Firm was located at the entrance of Maxing Street. It was a two-story building with a plaque hanging under the eaves bearing the characters "Shen Family" in gold on a black background. The calligraphy was vigorous; with Wei Xiao’s discernment, he could not tell whose hand it was.

"You stay outside and wait for me," Shen Jifeng commanded, then lifted her skirt and stepped into the shop.

From the doorway, Wei Xiao watched as a man who appeared to be the manager led Shen Jifeng toward the back door. Looking around and seeing no one, Wei Xiao vaulted over the wall beside the shop and jumped into the back courtyard of the Shen firm.

"Uncle Wu, I want to buy twenty thousand catties of charcoal. Do you think it’s more cost-effective to buy from the government-run charcoal pits, or should I choose between the Che family and the Li family?"

"Princess," a middle-aged man’s voice replied, "the quality of charcoal from the government pits is not as good as the Che or Li families'. Those two families charge one coin more per catty than the government. Since you are a major client, they will certainly offer you a discount; you should be able to negotiate a price equal to the government's."

"Everything is expensive here in Bianjing, and charcoal is no exception. If the Shen firm were to ship it from other prefectures, how much could the costs be reduced?"

"Uh..." Manager Wu clearly had not expected such a question. After a pause, he said, "Although it might be one or two coins cheaper per catty, the long journey, the loss of product, and the transport costs would increase. For a low-priced, heavy consumable like charcoal, it is best to purchase it locally, Princess."

Shen Jifeng had left Xijing in too much of a hurry to inquire about local charcoal prices. Hiring an ox cart to Xijing cost two hundred coins, and for twenty thousand catties, she would need at least twenty carts. That alone would cost four taels of silver—enough to buy nearly another thousand catties of charcoal!

If it were just a one-time thing, it might be fine, but silver smelting consumed a massive amount of charcoal—one catty of ore required about one and a half catties of charcoal. Shen Jifeng shook her head. It was absolutely impossible; she could not waste all her money on the road.

"Uncle Wu, do you know who in Bianjing is good at refining charcoal?"

Shen Jifeng’s question left both Manager Wu inside and Wei Xiao outside stunned. The former was caught off guard by the abrupt shift in topic, while the latter knew someone who was an expert at charcoal refining.

"Princess, you’ve really stumped this old man. Shall I go and make some inquiries?"

"No need." Shen Jifeng left the firm deep in thought. Xijing was no smaller than Bianjing, and buying charcoal was easy. The Tianmeng Mountains stretched for over a hundred miles; if she could harvest materials on-site and open a charcoal kiln near the mine, wouldn't that be more efficient and cost-effective?

Burning charcoal should be much easier than smelting silver.

Seeing Shen Jifeng looking so troubled, Wei Xiao knew she was looking for someone who could burn charcoal. He actually knew someone he could recommend. But how could he bring it up? To say it directly would be to reveal that he had been tailing her and eavesdropping.

"Do you know how to burn charcoal?" Shen Jifeng asked casually.

Wei Xiao’s heart leapt with joy. "I don't, but I have a friend who does."

"You have a friend?" Shen Jifeng was surprised.

Wei Xiao raised an eyebrow. Shen Jifeng smiled. "I meant, is he in Bianjing? Or Xijing? Can I meet him?"

"He is in Bianjing. If the Princess has need, this subordinate can lead the way now."

"Quick! Quick! Quick! I want to see him."

This was an area Shen Jifeng had never set foot in. Muddy, narrow alleys intersected, and low, thatched huts were squeezed together. Worn-out straw curtains hung under the eaves, rustling in the wind. If not for the tip of the Linggan Pagoda shimmering in the sunset in the distance, she might have doubted whether she was still in Bianjing at all.

The air was thick with a damp, moldy smell. Several sallow-faced, thin children were chasing each other barefoot through the sewage-filled alleyway. Upon seeing a stranger approaching, they scattered like startled sparrows. A few ragged beggars huddled in the corners; their hollow eyes brightened momentarily at the sight of Shen Jifeng’s silk hem, only to dim again at the cold glint of the dagger at her waist.

Shen Jifeng’s voice was slightly strained. "I never imagined there were such places in Bianjing."

"Kind sister, can you give me something to eat?" a little girl, her face so covered in grime that her features were unclear, asked timidly.

"Sister has food in the carriage; you wait." Shen Jifeng quickly retrieved the food box prepared by Jinchai.

"It’s all for you, and you can keep the box too. Take it home and eat."

The little girl hugged the box and gave Shen Jifeng a brilliant smile, revealing gums missing two teeth, and turned to run away.

Shen Jifeng fished a piece of broken silver from her purse, pressed it into the little girl’s hand, and whispered, "Don't tell anyone; wait until you are somewhere private to take it out."

The little girl gripped the silver tightly, tears in her eyes. "Thank you, sister!"

Wei Xiao subconsciously pinched his own thigh. Right, he wasn't dreaming!

Shen Jifeng, who was stingy and worked herself to the bone to make money—the same woman who was just inside the trading firm haggling with the manager over a single coin—had just handed a piece of silver to a little girl!