Drive to the Tang Dynasty, where supplies are refreshed daily!

Chapter 108 Coal Profit Distribution!

Li Shimin even rolled up his sleeves to feel it.

Coal mining is actually not too bad; it's not too tiring.

For safety reasons, everyone is wearing masks.

This is something that cannot be found anywhere else.

This is also one of the reasons why Sun Simiao liked Xiao Ran.

Others wouldn't do this, and wouldn't bother to do it.

It's even more remarkable that Xiao Ran was able to implement it effectively.

Cheng Yaojin and Qin Qiong took a look, and not wanting to remain idle, they joined in the work.

Li Shimin and the other villagers talked about everything from coal mining and washing to the autumn harvest, the yield, and even the planting plans for the coming year.

He would even talk to Li Shimin about things like building houses and buying clothes.

Li Shimin also truly felt that the lives of ordinary people were indeed not easy.

Xiao Ran didn't work; instead, he looked around.

They were afraid of any potential hidden dangers.

Others genuinely didn't understand, and Xiao Ran was also an outsider, but as a transmigrator, he knew a little bit about it.

Li Lizhi didn't understand, but she kept following Xiao Ran.

"Keep the water a little further away, and don't let the fire get too close to the coal. If it gets on fire by accident, it won't be able to be put out."

There's nothing we can do about this in later generations, and there's even less we can do about it now.

Zhang Jialin nodded, "Don't worry, young master, I'll keep that in mind. I'll move the stove a little further away in a bit."

I used to drink cold water, and Xiao Ran told me to drink hot water too.

Burning firewood is wasteful, and it's also troublesome; nobody is used to boiling water.

Xiao Ran had repeatedly warned them that drinking cold water directly could easily make them sick, which is why they started boiling water to drink.

Now that winter has arrived, it's still a bit chilly in the mornings and evenings.

Drinking hot water is a way to warm up.

Zhang Jialin travels to Chang'an City every day. Compared to others, he has seen the world and is considered a member of the management team here.

Xiao Ran gave many instructions.

Li Lizhi didn't quite understand or know anything about it, but she thought it seemed very impressive.

Li Yuan and Sun Simiao were chatting nearby.

The two old people chatted happily, and Xiao Ran didn't know what to say.

Originally intending to just take a look and then go back, Li Shimin became more and more enthusiastic as he worked.

The main point is that it opens up new topics, allowing people to understand real-life issues affecting people's lives.

By the time we were ready to go back, it was already late afternoon and the sun had set.

Li Shimin and his companions washed their hands before mounting their horses.

A group of people left the coal mine.

The setting sun painted the sky with molten gold, the hooves of returning horses shattered the afterglow on the ground, and the black ash from the coal yard was swept up by the evening wind, gradually sinking into the twilight.

Xiao Ran walked at the back of the group, with Li Lizhi beside him.

As I watched the last rays of light disappear into the shadows of the trees in the distant mountain valley, a feeling of "life marching forward" suddenly welled up inside me, and I found myself humming a tune.

Li Lizhi was taken aback when she heard Xiao Ran whistling.

The others who had been whispering fell silent and looked at Xiao Ran.

The sky was dark, the moon was as bright as ever, and I could freely traverse the vast rivers and mountains...

The melody is vigorous and clear, unlike the folk songs sung by villagers or the soft lyrics of Chang'an Fang. Instead, it is like a mountain stream crashing against a blue stone, carrying a crisp force that splits through chaos.

The rhythm rose and fell, sometimes slow and gentle like the beginning of Tai Chi, sometimes abrupt and forceful like a punch breaking the wind, giving everyone a jolt of energy.

The three young maids inside the carriage and Li Yuan lifted the curtain and peeked out.

I was drawn in by Xiao Ran's voice.

The little princess's round eyes widened, and her little head bobbed along with the music, like a puppet being led by strings.

"Having gone through countless hardships, all for the sake of winning your unwavering heart."

As he sang this line, Xiao Ran glanced at Li Lizhi beside him.

Li Lizhi blushed slightly, feeling a little embarrassed.

She had grown up listening to court music and folk songs, but had never heard such music before.

There were no elaborate words, no lingering sentiments, just the phrase "When the blood runs dry, it turns to dust and dirt," which reminded her of Xiao Ran's gaze as he stared at the crack in the coal yard, his stubbornness as he taught the villagers how to boil water, and the profile of his face illuminated by the firelight by the glass stove.

Li Shimin slowed down, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the saddle, his eyes filled with a hint of inquiry.

This tune is wild, yet it's wild in a frank and open way, much like Xiao Ran himself—unconventional yet possessing a trustworthy honesty.

Sun Simiao stroked his beard, a look of enjoyment on his face. He really liked the lyrics and murmured to himself, "Inviting the moon to spend the night deep in the green mountains."

Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao's eyes also lit up.

Xiao Ran became the focus of everyone's attention.

Perhaps he was too engrossed in the moment and didn't notice the reactions of others.

Still humming "Where the dream ends, the road comes from," her steps were light and quick.

Dusk is inherently heavy.

The setting sun cast its last rays into the distant treetops, and the road home was gradually being stained with ink. Even the wind seemed weary, lazily swirling coal dust along its path.

But as soon as Xiao Ran's tune came out, it was like throwing a spark into the fading twilight, and with a "boom," it ignited a blazing light.

The tune didn't follow the gentle rhythm of dusk; instead, it carried a pioneering spirit—the lines "The sky is dark, but the moon is bright" sounded more like someone packing their bags and setting off on a journey than someone taking a break.

The moment the lyrics "I can fly across a thousand miles of rivers and streams" were uttered, even the withered grass by the roadside seemed to straighten up, as if it could truly follow the song to cross mountains and rivers.

The atmosphere within the team had changed.

The fatigue from coming out of the coal yard was mostly dispelled by this tune.

The horse's hooves pounded on the dirt road, and before they knew it, they were following the rhythm with vigor. The "clatter" sound was no longer dragging, but rather seemed to be responding to the rhythmic beat.

Farmers returning home late on the ridges of the fields stopped hoeing, straightened up and looked this way. The weariness on their faces was swept away by the song, and a strange warmth was added to it. It was as if the hoes in their hands became heavier, but also more steady.

Even the twilight itself seemed to be pushed forward.

The afterglow, which was about to sink, was held aloft by the melody of "When the blood runs dry, all is dust and earth," and lingered in the sky for a moment longer.

The rising evening breeze carried the song, blowing past the carriage curtains and the swaying reeds by the roadside, bringing with it a vibrant, ever-renewing energy.

No one spoke, but everyone was listening.

The question of "who is the hero?" echoes in the twilight, as if asking everyone on the road.

So even the return journey is no longer the end, but rather the beginning of another journey.

The soil beneath our feet is still the same soil, and the moon in the sky is still the same moon, but after this song, even the twilight exudes a vigorous spirit that rushes forward.

Li Shimin smiled slightly, looking into the distance, deeply moved.

Just like the Tang Dynasty today, everything is in ruins but it is thriving.

They got back a little late, but that didn't stop them from going fishing.

Li Shimin wanted to try the fish soup.

The group took their fishing rods and bait to the pond and let Xiao Ran choose a suitable fishing spot.

There are many people here, so it won't affect the area even if we don't prepare a fishing spot.

The three little girls ran to the pond to watch some people fishing.

Li Lizhi and Princess Yuzhang found Zhang Erya and asked for paper and pen.

I want to write down the lyrics from before.

love it.

Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao watched the fishing for a while, then ran to find Li Ke and Zhang Dalang. Xiao Ran had previously said that they didn't need to go to mine coal, but could follow Zhang Dalang to burn glass.

Compared to coal mining, glassmaking is more technically demanding.

As night fell, the courtyard became exceptionally lively.

Xiao Ran asked Zhang Jinhe to invite Zhang Mingde over. Zhang Huaicai, Qin Shi, and Zhang Jinnian had already returned to Chang'an City and were no longer in Kaolao Village.

Although he knew that Li Shimin and his ilk were extraordinary, he felt less reserved once he got to know Zhang Mingde.

Sun Simiao smiled and said, "Old village head, come this way."

Sun Simiao, Li Yuan, and Zhang Mingde were about the same age, so it would be appropriate for them to be grouped together.

"Good, good, good!" Zhang Mingde hadn't expected it to be so lively today. Zhang Jinhe had said there would be a lot of people, but he hadn't expected this many. The kitchen was mainly occupied by Zhang Erya, Princess Yuzhang, and Xiao Yu. Zhang Erya's cooking skills were getting better and better, almost on par with Xiao Ran's.

Princess Yuzhang, influenced by what she saw and heard, was no less accomplished.

There are too many people now; there really aren't enough seats at one table.

We can only sit separately.

Cheng Chumo rubbed his stomach. "It smells so good, I'm so hungry!"

I wasn't very hungry before, but the aroma made me hungry.

"It'll be soon," Li Wu said with a smile.

Although the weather was getting colder, the three little girls were sweating profusely from running.

The laughter and chatter in the courtyard never stopped.

It wasn't until Xiao Ran called out, "Sizi, Third Sister, Fanyin, dinner's ready!"

The three little ones held hands and ran back to the living room.

Xiao Ran was the head of the family, and he sat at the same table as Li Shimin, Sun Simiao, Li Yuan, and others.

Empress Zhangsun and Empress Xiao sat at a table with several princesses and girls.

Li Ke and Zhang Anan went to the third table on their own initiative, and Li Wucheng and Chu Mo ate together.

"Brother Li, try this." Zhang Mingde served food to Li Yuan, who had never been here before.

Zhang Mingde could never have imagined that the old man in front of him, who was about the same age as himself, was the retired emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

"Good, good, good, it looks pretty good." Li Yuan was like an old man, without any airs.

“Second Sister has learned the young master’s cooking skills, and the food is very delicious,” Sun Simiao praised.

Zhang Erya, sitting at the next table, felt quite proud upon hearing this.

This means I've been recognized, and I can say that I have a skill.

The little princess, holding a small bowl, squeezed between Xiao Ran and Li Shimin, calling out, "Little Princess Qi again~"

The food on all three tables was actually the same, but the little princess preferred Xiao Ran to serve her food.

"Okay!" Xiao Ran thoroughly enjoyed feeding the little princess.

The little princess has arrived, and Princess Chengyang and Third Sister also squeezed in.

Li Shimin and the others couldn't say anything about the three young girls.

They all looked at him with doting expressions.

The dog joined in the fun, squeezing in and lying down on the side.

It was already dark, but no one was in a hurry to leave.

After Zhang Jieyu arrived, she spent most of her time holding the cat.

As a result, Li Lizhi has never had a chance to hug the cat.

Not only did Zhang Jieyu and Li Lizhi like it, but Princess Yuzhang Zhang Jinhe and Zhang Erya also liked it.

The dog stayed with Third Sister and the two little princesses, so Li Lizhi and the others could only hug the cat.

When we left, both little princesses were asleep.

The little princess has a regular sleep schedule and gets sleepy at a certain time.

This time, the flashlight finally worked.

After Li Shimin, Li Yuan, Empress Xiao, and others left, the place suddenly became quiet and deserted.

Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao stayed behind and lived next to Li Ke.

Li Shimin rode his horse beside the carriage, lost in thought, but said nothing, afraid of disturbing the two little princesses.

Upon returning to the Lizheng Hall, Li Shimin called out to Li Lizhi.

"Girl!"

"Father, what's wrong?"

"Don't sell the coal. Sell it to the royal family at the market price and send the money to Xiao Ran as soon as possible."

Xiao Ran was not short of money, as Li Shimin knew.

However, the people of Kaolao are short of money.

Winter is coming, and I hope the people of Kaolao Village will have a more comfortable life.

Li Lizhi understood Li Shimin's meaning, "Father, I will make arrangements tomorrow."

"Ananda, please help me, buy them all!"

Zhang Anan quickly replied, "It is Your Majesty!"

While the others withdrew, Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun did not rest.

"Xiao Ran's arrival has greatly improved the lives of the people in Kaolao Village, but the suffering of other villages is still far greater."

Empress Zhangsun took Li Shimin's hand, the candlelight reflecting a warm glow in her eyes. Her voice was as soft as falling snow, yet carried a comforting power.
"Your Majesty witnessed the smoke rising from Kaolao Village today, and now you understand even more the true hardships of the people's lives. This compassion is a blessing for all people."

"Plants need to sprout in spring, grow in summer, be harvested in autumn, and be stored in winter. How can they become lush and leafy in a single day?"

Empress Zhangsun turned her head back, a faint smile in her eyes, "In the few years since Your Majesty ascended the throne, you have dredged the waterways, reduced taxes and levies, and had Wei Zheng in the court who dared to speak out against the emperor. Local officials have been diligent in their duties, which is why we have this scene of gradual revival."

"The people of Kaolao Village are still suffering, but compared to before, they are already climbing up the earthen slope, aren't they?"

Empress Zhangsun's words made Li Shimin feel much more at ease.

"If there were more people like Xiao Ran, the lives of ordinary people would be much better."

Yes, there will be more and more.

Back in her palace, Li Lizhi couldn't fall asleep.

Take out the lyrics I wrote before.

Li Lizhi remembered a lot, but it was all incomplete; Princess Yuzhang helped her fill in the gaps.

Upon seeing the lyrics, Li Lizhi began to hum along softly, her voice very low.

Thinking of the scene where Xiao Ran sang it before, I couldn't help but laugh.

"Having endured countless hardships, all for the sake of winning your unwavering heart."

The next day, Li Lizhi went to the coal warehouse as soon as possible to count the weight of the coal.

The current price of charcoal is about 1.2 yuan per kilogram.

According to the price standards in the "Tang Liudian" (Six Codes of the Tang Dynasty), a cartload of charcoal was worth approximately 1200 wen, which translates to 1.2 wen per jin (approximately 0.5 catties).

There are now about 100,000 jin (50,000 kg) of this.

It is also worth 120000 coins.

Xiao Ran and Li Lizhi each received 40%, with each receiving 48000 coins, which is 48 strings of cash.

Kaolao Village is divided into 24 sections.

Li Lizhi and Zhang Anan calculated the money and prepared it, and immediately sent someone to deliver it to Kaolao Village.

Previously, Li Lizhi had been worried that the money was not being delivered and that the people of Kaolao Village were dissatisfied.

Xiao Ran then said that nothing would happen.

Li Lizhi could also see that Xiao Ran was right.

The villagers of Kaolao Village had no complaints and continued to work very hard.

Xiao Ran was not the village head and held no official position, but his influence was not much less than that of Zhang Mingde, the village head.

Princess Li Lizhi of Yuzhang would naturally take advantage of such an opportunity to give money.

Cheng Tiehuan and Li Wu also had to go as escorts.

Regardless of the reason, the two little princesses always accompanied Li Lizhi to Kaolao Village.

This is quite a lot of money, so we prepared a horse-drawn carriage to deliver it.

Hearing the commotion, Xiao Ran and the others quickly came out.

"Xiao Langjun!"

"Fifth Sister!" Xiao Ran smiled, thinking it would be a few days before they could see each other again.

I didn't expect it to be so fast.

"What is this?" Xiao Ran pointed to the box on the carriage.

Li Lizhi smiled and said, "Young master, you'll know once you see it."

Li Wu opened the box and saw the neatly arranged Kaiyuan Tongbao coins. Xiao Ran was stunned for a moment. "What does Fifth Sister mean by this?"

(End of this chapter)