Kong Hongxu, whose courtesy name was Yijing and whose name was Nanxi.

The sixty-first generation descendant of Confucius, who succeeded Yan Shenggong during the Yingzong period, was the first rank, and was the leader of the civil servants of the Ming Dynasty.

Later, because he committed a crime, he was stripped of his title by Emperor Chenghua.

Although Kong Hongxu was a Qianyan sage and made many mistakes, his life was still enjoyable.

The mansion he lives in is on East Street, and it takes as long as a cup of tea to go from the door to the reception area inside.

When we got inside, the charcoal fire was burning brightly.

Zhao Ce took off his cloak and handed it to Xu Fang behind him.

Not long after, an octogenarian old man was helped out.

Although the visitor is old, one can still see his tall figure.

An old man of his age, passing in front of Zhao Ce, was only half a head shorter than the young Zhao Ce.

It’s just that this person gave Zhao Ce the feeling...

Not very good.

It stands to reason that the descendants of Confucius should also have studied the sage's books since childhood.

These words and deeds are bound by the behavior of a saint, and are at most rigid.

The Qianyan Shenggong in front of him gave Zhao Ce the feeling of being dressed like a beast.

The man supporting him looked to be in his forties or fifties, and he was not dressed as a servant.

This man's feeling was somewhat different from when he supported Kong Hongxu.

But the difference is only in status, internally...

I heard that there were a lot of dirty things happening to wealthy families in ancient times. Could it be because of this?

Zhao Ce glanced at it and quickly lowered his head.

After Kong Hongxu sat down, he looked at the young man in front of him.

"You want to buy our Kong family's mountain?"

As he spoke, there was a trace of scrutiny in his eyes.

Zhao Ce cupped his hands and said: "Confucius is good, this is why students are here."

Kong Hongxu observed Zhao Ce for a few times.

Outside, he was wearing the uniform uniform of the Imperial College, and there was no discernible material.

But there is a piece of exquisite embroidery on the skirt, which looks like it was made by a good embroiderer.

Since he was a student of the Imperial College, he must have read a lot of books by sages.

Kong Hongxu's expression softened a little and asked: "You are a supervisor of the Imperial College. Which family are you from?"

When Zhao Ce came here, he was naturally prepared to have his household registration checked.

"The student is from Lingnan. He just entered the Imperial College last month. He is Yongxibo who was just canonized by the Holy Spirit this year."

After hearing Zhao Ce's words, Kong Hongxu was finally a little satisfied.

This man has a clean family background and a good background.

Buying their Kong family's mountain is barely enough.

Kong Hongxu nodded and said calmly: "My mountain is a coal mountain."

"This mountain was given to me by Emperor Xianzong."

After speaking, he glanced at Zhao Ce.

So this is a coal mountain?

Generally speaking, if it's a barren mountain, it's either because the mountainous area has been over-exploited and nothing can grow for the time being.

Either that or it contains a lot of minerals that are not suitable for plant production.

No crops could be grown in Meishan on the outskirts of Beijing, and the Kong family was too lazy to develop it.

After all, there are a lot of coal mines in Ming Dynasty now.

Over there in Shanxi, there is so much coal that we can’t even use it all.

Even on the outskirts of the capital, there are many coal mountains.

Coal is basically used by the imperial court to refine weapons.

The conditions for use are also harsh, and special ventilation ducts and stoves need to be built.

And even if it is used to refine weapons, apart from the same advantages of temperature, the weapons produced are not as good as charcoal.

Because there was no coal washing technology in this era, coal contained too many impurities.

Therefore, even if the Kong family took this mountain of coal, it would be of no use at all.

But because it was a gift from the emperor, the Kong family couldn't handle it casually, so they could only let it lie idle.

But recently, the Kong family has made some other moves, and Kong Hongxu needs to make some noise.

That's why Kong Hongxu leaked the news about betraying the mountain.

As for the people who buy mountains, they naturally have to strictly control it.

After all, not everyone can easily climb into the Kong family.

This mountain is of little use to the Kong family, but it is useful to Zhao Ce.

When I was in my hometown, Zhao Ce did not have such similar minerals.

But since he has it, it is not impossible for Zhao Ce to find some way to wash coal and make some briquettes to make a little money.

Zhao Ce asked: "Is that so? How much money can Confucius sell this coal mountain for?"

Kong Hongxu explained the origin of this mountain clearly, and after speaking, he glanced at Zhao Ce.

But the young man didn't take the opportunity to flatter him, and just asked blankly how much money he sold for.

Eager for quick success!

Really too eager for quick success!

The mountains of their Kong family are beyond the reach of ordinary people even if they want to buy them!

Kong Hongxu touched his beard and said unhappily: "What do you want with this mountain?"

"I promised in advance that this is a coal mountain and cannot grow crops."

Zhao Ce nodded: "Confucius said it very clearly, and the students all know it."

"Huh? You know it's a coal mountain, but you still want to buy it so eagerly?"

Zhao Ce smiled and said: "Confucius, what the student originally wanted to buy was the cheap barren mountain."

Kong Hongxu suddenly became a little confused.

Iron is owned by the government. What else can the coal from this coal mountain be used for, besides making iron?

This man is just a newly promoted nobleman of the imperial court. He wouldn't be stupid enough to think about buying a coal mountain on the outskirts of the capital to smelt iron illegally, right?

This is definitely not right...

In this way, there is only one reason why this young man wants to buy his own mountain!

The reason is what I have always thought about!

This is a mountain that belongs to their Kong family!

This newly promoted nobleman bought their Kong family's mountain, and he will be proud of it when he says it!

Kong Hongxu thought of this and finally figured out the key.

He looked at the young man in front of him, and the good impression he had on him had diminished a bit.

Kong Hongxu snorted softly: "I'm afraid what you want to buy is the barren mountain of our 'Kong' family, right?"

Zhao Ce was silent for a moment, feeling that there was something in this man's words.

But doesn’t this mountain belong to their “Kong family”?

What's going on with this guy?

Whether it is for sale or not.

Zhao Ce was getting a little impatient as he kept going around with him.

Just as Zhao Ce was about to ask him whether he wanted to sell it, he saw Kong Hongxu wave his hand.

"That's all. Our Kong family is the leader of scholars in the world. It's normal for you, a scholar, to yearn for it."

"Since you are studying in the Imperial College and worshiping me as the ancestor of the Kong family, I will sell this mountain to you."

"About a thousand taels."
To be continued...