Zhao Ce said: "The official position is not needed for the time being."

"Let's get back to business."

Not only Ji Zhong, but also Liu Jian and others looked at Zhao Ce with some disappointment.

Is it because the cakes they drew were not big enough and not fragrant enough?

As the Minister of Household Affairs and the cabinet's academicians, it is understandable to save money for the imperial court.

But Zhao Ce didn't want to eat their cakes at all, and insisted on drinking his own porridge.

Emperor Hongzhi tried again: "If you sell this technology to the imperial court, it will be Jiangshan Sheji's contribution."

"How about you report to the imperial court and have your title upgraded?"

Zhu Houzhao pursed his lips, thinking that each of these old guys was better at speaking than the last.

Not to mention, the leader of this group of old guys is not a vegetarian either.

These temptations come one after another, and only His Highness the Crown Prince can remain indifferent after listening to them. No one can resist the others!

Zhao Ce beside him still shook his head.

"It doesn't make much difference if the title is upgraded to a higher level."

"Well, I've already bought this coal mountain and put it into production."

"The state capitals within the Northern Zhili area will all use the coal developed from my coal mountain until my coal mountain is developed."

"At the same time, you persuade the court to buy my washed clean coal and medium coal for forging steel."

"As for the coal mines outside Beizhili, how about using my technology to develop coal mines?"

Zhao Ce asked someone to take a look at it.

This coal mountain can produce about two million tons of coal.

Clean coal, honeycomb briquettes, etc. can probably make a profit of four to five million taels for myself.

In addition to Mr. Zhu’s investment of one hundred thousand taels, everyone can still get a lot.

If coal was popularized in the Ming Dynasty and the imperial court used its own coal to build weapons, then the consumption would gradually increase.

By then, all residents will be using coal for cooking, and if charcoal is eliminated, the population of all state capitals within the northern Zhili area will be able to consume all the coal in about one or two years.

Of course, Zhao Ce is not greedy, nor can he be greedy.

In the ancient days of salt and iron government, once coal was developed and widely used, the imperial court would soon take it back to the government.

After all, this thing may be closely related to iron-making.

My requirements are not high, I just need to sell all the coal in my coal mountain.

This requirement is too much to say the least, and certainly not too much to say the least.

If the imperial court wants to take a tough stance, it will of course give up.

However, Zhao Ce believed that given the current emperor's character, he probably would not behave like this.

Zhao Ce's words made several people present a little dissatisfied.

In other words, within the next two years, their court will have to spend money to buy coal from Zhao Ce's coal mountain.

But think about the many people in the Ming Dynasty capitals outside of Beizhili.

And it seems like this suggestion is indeed a good one...

Zhu Houzhao immediately said: "This is good!"

"Uncle Yongxi's proposal is the best, and it is much more practical than your official position!"

"Anyway, the price we sell to the people will never be increased arbitrarily."

"There doesn't seem to be much difference between government-run or private companies at the moment."

"It's just a mountain of coal. If that doesn't work, wouldn't it be better if the court paid for it and bought all the coal we produced?"

One word awakens the dreamer.

Emperor Hongzhi suddenly looked at his son, with a burning light in his eyes.

Feeling this light, Zhu Houzhao looked at his father with some suspicion.

Emperor Hongzhi smiled and said, "My son is right."

Zhu Houzhao was suddenly praised, which was a bit baffling.

"ah?"

Emperor Hongzhi still smiled and said: "It's okay, you are so sensible. I am very happy as a father."

Although Zhu Houzhao was also happy to receive praise from his father, he was still a little baffled.

Why does it feel like this compliment is a bit strange and is included in it?

However, before he could think about it carefully, Emperor Hongzhi said directly: "In that case, I will do as you say."

No one expected that he would suddenly make a decision so readily, and they looked at him with some suspicion.

Emperor Hongzhi was in a good mood and said with a smile: "We'll talk about it when we get back."

Everyone had no choice but to suppress their doubts.

After all was said and done, the business was saved.

Zhu Houzhao said happily: "Uncle Yongxi, what delicious food is your wife making?"

"I was brought here right after school, and I didn't have time to eat anything."

Zhao Ce looked at his greedy look and said with a smile: "My wife is frying some snacks for the New Year. I think they are almost fried by now."

"By the way." Zhao Ce turned to Li Dongyang: "My wife said that Master Li is quite satisfied with our cakes."

"Recently, I have made fresh cakes every day for Mr. Li to come to my door."

"I wonder if you want to taste a little?"

Last time Li Dongyang came here, he took a few bites of the soft cake and praised it a few times. Unexpectedly, Mrs. Yongxibo remembered it.

He felt warm in his heart, touched his beard, and said with a smile: "Then let's have some."

Zhao Ce then said to the others: "Mr. Zhu and a few old gentlemen should also stay and taste some. I'll have someone arrange it."

Emperor Hongzhi smelled this smell when he entered.

Thinking of the taste of the hot pot, he readily agreed.

The emperor agreed, and several ministers did their best.

Zhao Ce quickly went down to make arrangements.

There were only a few monarchs and ministers left in the house.

Xie Qian suddenly realized and said: "No wonder Li Gong helped Yong Xibo speak for him again and again. It turned out that he was so familiar with his family."

Li Dongyang said cheerfully: "Double-sided fate, double-sided fate..."

...

Zhao Ce went to the kitchen in person.

Su Cai'er was sitting at the table near the door, with a pot of charcoal fire beside her.

Seeing Zhao Ce come in, she happily picked up a piece of still warm vegetarian meatballs and handed them over.

"Husband, have a taste."

Zhao Ce took the ball and bit it into his mouth without paying much attention to his manners. While eating, he said vaguely: "There are many guests outside."

"You made a lot of cakes and bread today and took them out to greet the guests first."

"Make some more in the oven and take them back."

Su Cai'er handed him another glass of warm water and asked curiously: "How many guests are here?"

"Is it Young Master Zhu and Master Zhu?"

Zhao Ce swallowed what was in his mouth and explained: "Well, they brought a few old gentlemen to the door."

"Mr. Zhu's family and four other old gentlemen."

"You ask someone to prepare it."

Su Cai'er nodded and quickly asked people to prepare food.

Because the fabrics of Master Zhu's clothes were unusual, Su Cai'er also put some thought into the food they gave them.

Soon, portions of food were divided and delivered.

There were two pieces of cake on the plate and a bread platter cut into half pieces.

On the side of the plate, there is white mayonnaise and some other jams for them to dip into.

There are two bowls, one is a small bowl with some fried food, and the other is a bowl of sweet water with only lotus seeds and lily.

Looking at the well-matched food, several people observed it curiously.
Chapter completed!