The Young Dragon of the Ming Dynasty: Bound to an Industrial Blueprint from the Start

After arranging the response to the official orders, Zhu Zhanji walked into the courtyard. Looking at the figures working in the distance and the rising smoke, he knew in his heart that there probably wouldn't be many more days like this when he was "on the front line".

Now that the world is at peace, as the Crown Prince, he will be coveted by many. It is likely that he will soon be taken back to the palace to be specially trained, taught by dedicated teachers, and strictly supervised.

Sure enough, a few days later, one morning, the Crown Princess's entourage, surrounded by dozens of imperial guards, arrived at West Mountain Villa in a grand procession.

Under the old locust tree at the entrance of the village, Eunuch Wang led all the villagers in kneeling on the ground.

Zhang did not make a big show of it; he entered the estate with a small entourage and went straight to Zhu Zhanji's courtyard.

She was dressed casually today, but her brows conveyed an unmistakable concern and an undeniable determination.

"Your subject greets Mother." Zhu Zhanji bowed respectfully, his small face showing just the right amount of joy.

Madam Zhang stepped forward and embraced him, looking him over carefully. She said with heartache, "You've lost weight and gotten darker. This estate is nice, but it's not a place to stay for long. You're getting older, and your grandfather in Nanjing often thinks of you."

Your father also believes that you should return to the palace to properly study and practice archery and horsemanship, which is the right thing to do.

Spending all day with charcoal miners, in the end…” She thought for a moment, swallowing back the words “improper,” and instead offered gentle words of comfort, “Besides, the outside world is not as safe as the palace. Why don’t you come back with me?”

Zhu Zhanji understood that he had already established his reputation as a "child prodigy" and "benevolent and filial," and that staying away from the political center for an extended period would be detrimental to his safety and his future "great cause."

He nodded obediently: "I will listen to my mother, but I am a little reluctant to leave the estate and Master Sun and the others."

"My son is kind and gentle." Madam Zhang patted his head with satisfaction. "The estate is still your estate. Eunuch Wang and the craftsmen will still work for you. If you miss it in the future, you can come and visit often."

That being said, Zhu Zhanji understood that once he returned to the palace, it would be difficult for him to leave again.

He had to make sure everything was in place before he left.

That afternoon, under the pretext of "taking a look at the charcoal yard and giving some instructions before leaving," he made a final "inspection" of the charcoal yard and experimental shed, accompanied by Zhang Shixu, Li Wei, and Chun Tao.

Subsequently, he secretly instructed Chun Tao to summon Sun San, Eunuch Wang, Li Wei, and Manager Guo, who had just returned from the city by fast horse, to meet that evening in the secret room of his residence, which was actually a hidden room behind a wall that Li Wei had modified.

The oil lamp flickered, illuminating five faces with different expressions.

Sun San was nervous and reluctant, Eunuch Wang was apprehensive, Li Wei was silent as iron, and Manager Guo appeared shrewd and cautious, his gaze quickly sweeping over everyone present before finally settling on the young but frighteningly quiet master.

"I will return to the capital with my mother tomorrow." Zhu Zhanji got straight to the point. Although his voice was still young, it carried an undeniable determination. "From now on, the business inside and outside the manor, as well as in the city, will all depend on you all."

His gaze swept over them one by one:

"Master Sun, you are in full charge of the charcoal yard, the furnace workshop, and all production and research and development."

I only require three things: exquisite craftsmanship, strict adherence to the secret methods, and guaranteed quality. If you encounter technical difficulties, you can report them to me through Chuntao, but you are responsible for the daily operations. The wages and pay must never be unfair to the craftsmen and miners.

Sun San kowtowed deeply: "This humble servant will do his utmost to live up to Your Highness's trust!"

"Eunuch Wang, you will be in charge of the daily affairs of the estate, the official accounts, and dealing with routine inquiries from the palace. Everything will proceed as usual, but you must be more careful and meticulous. The lives of the villagers must be kept stable."

Eunuch Wang prostrated himself on the ground: "This servant obeys! I will manage the estate in an orderly manner so that Your Highness will not have to worry."

"Li Wei, security, transportation, and communication are your responsibilities. Select loyal and reliable young men from the village to form a guard team to openly protect the village and secretly safeguard the passageways."

All key supplies, personnel, and information traveling between Xishan Manor and the city must be handled with absolute certainty. At the same time, keep an eye on any unusual activity around the manor and among traveling merchants.

Li Wei knelt on one knee and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "I guarantee with my life that the road will not be blocked, the trust will not be broken, and everyone will be safe."

Finally, he looked at Manager Guo.

The middle-aged man immediately bowed, his posture extremely submissive.

"Manager Guo," Zhu Zhanji said slowly, "from today onwards, you will be the general manager of 'Xishan Industry.' Within Beiping City, you will be in charge of all aspects of charcoal business operations, negotiations between officials and merchants, market research, money circulation, and even any new businesses that may be added in the future."

On the 5th and 20th of each month, submit a detailed report to Chun Tao, including income and expenditure, orders, market price fluctuations, official movements, and changes in industry peers. For urgent matters, you may submit an emergency report. Are you capable of this task?

Manager Guo was deeply shaken.

"Xishan Industrial Office!" He took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, and said in a deep voice:

"Thank you for your trust, Your Highness. I, Guo, will serve you with my life! I will manage all affairs in the city well, keep a close eye on things, look after the household, and help Your Highness make money!"

"Alright." Zhu Zhanji nodded. "Seven-tenths of the profits will be used for reinvestment and operational maintenance, and three-tenths will be allocated by Chun Tao. Do you all understand?"

"Understood!" the four replied in unison.

Zhu Zhanji had Chuntao bring out four pre-prepared contracts that clearly defined responsibilities and included strict confidentiality clauses and agreements for generous rewards beyond the norm.

Sun San, Eunuch Wang, and Li Wei pressed their fingerprints. Manager Guo carefully read through the terms, a complex light flashing in his eyes, before finally pressing his fingerprint solemnly as well.

The following day, Zhu Zhanji set off to return to Beijing.

As the carriage drove out of Xishan Village, many villagers who had received favors spontaneously knelt down by the roadside to see them off. Han Shitou helped his old father, and Sun San, along with several craftsmen, stood bowing.

Zhu Zhanji lifted the carriage curtain and looked back. The once barren mountain village was now filled with the smoke of cooking fires and was gradually becoming more popular.

Chuntao sat down beside him and whispered, "Your Highness, don't worry, this servant knows what to do."

Zhu Zhanji closed his eyes, and the light spots on the resource map in his mind flickered slightly. The areas in the technical drawing library that had not yet been unlocked seemed to be beckoning to him.

"Sigh! They're still too young. They need to wait until they're at a suitable age before they can step in on their own."

Back in the Crown Prince's residence in Beiping, Zhu Zhanji's life was put back on "normal".

Every morning, senior scholars from the Hanlin Academy would come to teach "Elementary Learning" and "The Analects"; in the afternoon, retired military officers would teach basic martial arts and archery.

Zhang was very strict with him, but also very caring. His daily life was taken care of meticulously, but he rarely had the opportunity to leave the mansion.

However, despite appearing intelligent, quiet, and not good at talking to people, the Crown Prince often secretly sent Chun Tao out of the manor every five days under the pretext of "buying novel items for the young prince" or "going to the Crown Prince's estate to fetch some fresh fruits and vegetables" to meet with Manager Guo.