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

Before the lingering heat of summer had subsided, news of Zhu Di's ascension to the throne in Nanjing and the change of the reign title to Yongle spread like wildfire all the way back to Beiping.

After the initial shock, this important northern city was quickly enveloped in a state of excitement.

In the streets and alleys, people whispered among themselves, their eyes reflecting both awe of the unpredictable power of the emperor and a sense of bewilderment and anticipation after their change of allegiance.

Although the original "Prince Yan's Mansion" lintel was not immediately replaced, the demeanor of those entering and leaving was completely different. The officials and generals who remained stood up straight, and their actions and words showed more of the composure and busyness of "the former residence of the emperor".

Prices in the market fluctuated slightly. Red fabrics, symbolizing good fortune, sold faster in silk shops. In taverns and teahouses, people's conversations always revolved around the war in the south and various rumors about the new emperor.

Amidst this wave of change, Xishanzhuang, like a forgotten corner, still retains its inherent barrenness and tranquility.

But the village head, Eunuch Wang, went to the city even more often, and each time he returned, his expression became even more cautious.

The farmers continued to work, but when they gathered together in their spare time, they would inevitably whisper about things like "The world has changed" and "The young prince will be a true imperial grandson from now on," their tone a mixture of simple loyalty and vague unease about the future.

Zhu Zhanji's life seemed to remain largely unchanged.

He continued to read every day, and occasionally strolled around the manor with Chun Tao and Li Wei.

However, the books and writing materials sent were noticeably more exquisite, and occasionally there were also trendy items or southern pastries sent from Nanjing, carrying the moisture of a distant land, showing that the mother, Zhang, was always thinking of her child.

On this day, autumn was in full swing, and the leaves of the jujube tree in the courtyard began to turn yellow and fall.

Zhu Zhanji was flipping through a notebook from the previous dynasty about agricultural affairs when Chun Tao entered carrying an exquisite carved red lacquer box, her face beaming with a smile: "Your Highness, the Empress has sent someone to deliver something again. This time, in addition to the usual gifts, there is also a letter."

Inside the lacquer box, besides clothes, stationery, and a few exquisite southern candied fruits, there was indeed a letter written in Zhang's own handwriting.

The letter inquired in great detail about her son's life on the farm, including his diet, daily routine, study progress, and any discomfort he might be experiencing. She talked on and on, her words filled with the love of a mother.

At the end of the letter, she mentioned that the weather in Beiping was getting colder and urged him to wear more clothes. She also sighed that although the palace had prepared silver frost charcoal, the smoke from the charcoal was dry and she had been coughing recently, and her old illness seemed to be recurring.

Zhu Zhanji looked at the letter, and his heart stirred slightly.

He looked up at Chun Tao and said, "Sister Chun Tao, my mother is coughing. I'm afraid she's feeling cold and dislikes the smell of coal. Aren't those coal briquettes that Sun San from our village supposed to produce less smoke and be warmer?"

Pick out the best quality items, along with the instructions for using the fuel-efficient stove, and carefully wrap them up. Next time someone from the manor comes, ask them to bring these to Mother.

"I've told you that the farmers, grateful for your kindness, devised this simple method. I've tried it and it works; it might produce less smoke than charcoal. Please, Mother, try it; it's just a small token of my filial piety."

Chun Tao agreed and went to select coal briquettes. She then found Sun San and asked him to write down the key points, such as stove ventilation and coal briquetting, in the simplest terms on a piece of paper.

A few days later, a box containing about twenty glossy black "Xishan coal cakes" and a piece of paper with instructions on how to use them, along with a few words of concern and greetings from Zhu Zhanji, was brought back to the Eastern Palace in Beiping, which had been upgraded to the "temporary capital".

When Zhang received this unremarkable "local gift," she didn't pay much attention to it at first, only feeling that her son was filial, even thinking of her when the villagers made things for him.

She was troubled by a cough caused by the continuous autumn rain. Although the best silver charcoal was burning in her bedchamber at night, she always felt stuffy from the charcoal and her throat was uncomfortable.

With a try-it-and-see attitude, she instructed her personal maid to build a small, somewhat peculiar brick stove in the small warm room outside her bedroom, as instructed on the paper, and lit it with the coal briquettes her son had sent.

The next morning, Zhang woke up and was surprised to find the warm room cozy, but without the usual lingering smoky atmosphere of the mornings. Her throat, which had been coughing all night, felt much better.

She went to see the stove herself and found that the coal briquettes had burned out, leaving behind a pile of white ash. There was only a very faint smell in the air, similar to burning soil, which was far more than the smoky smell of ordinary coal or charcoal.

"This thing is indeed quite peculiar," Zhang said, somewhat surprised.

She knew that people who used coal often suffered from the toxicity of the smoke, so the one her son sent was clearly different.

She ordered people to continue testing it for a few more days, and the effect was stable. Not only was the heat sufficient and long-lasting, but its almost smokeless and odorless properties were especially valuable in the palace environment.

Thinking back to her son's mention in the letter of "the villagers being grateful for kindness," she felt both warm and comforted. She felt that her son was not only intelligent and filial, but that his trip to the village had truly allowed him to understand some of the hardships and wisdom of the people.

Zhang's cough was relieved by the "new charcoal," and she was in a good mood. During one of her visits to the palace to pay her respects to several dukes and marquises, she casually mentioned:

"The weather has been cold lately, and my old ailment has flared up again. Fortunately, Zhanji is on the estate. Seeing the plight of the villagers, he asked them to figure out some ways to use coal and sent some over. The smoke has decreased a lot, and my cough has gotten better."

He does not mean that.

The Duchess of England and the Duchess of Chengguo present here are all matriarchs from prestigious and elite families. Their households all have elderly members who are afraid of the cold and suffer from the smoky smell of charcoal in winter.

Upon hearing this, they immediately took it to heart and inquired about the wonderful method.

Zhang laughed and said, "I don't know much about it either. It was all done by the servants. It was that maid named Chun Tao who works by Zhanji's side who handled it. The things also came from the estate."

Zhang's words were full of praise for her own child.

A few days later, the first light snow fell in Beiping, and the cold air intensified.

The old lady of the Duke of England's mansion caught a cold and was coughing and wheezing incessantly. Everyone in the mansion was anxious. The Duchess of England remembered what the Crown Princess had said, so she tried to send a letter to the West Mountain Villa, subtly inquiring about whether Miss Chun Tao could spare some of the "low-smoke farm charcoal" for emergency use.

The letter naturally reached Zhu Zhanji first.

Zhu Zhanji looked at the post, a slight smile playing on his lips.

He summoned Chuntao and instructed her, "Sister Chuntao, the Duke of Ying's mansion is a pillar of the nation. Since their matriarch is ill, we should help her. Have Sun San select fifty of the best coal briquettes and pack them carefully."

"Make another detailed instruction manual on the construction and use of the stove, and have Li Wei arrange for a reliable person to deliver it to the Duke of Ying's mansion immediately. Do not accept any payment, just say that the eldest grandson of the emperor heard that the old lady was unwell and respectfully offered his humble skills as a farmer to express his heartfelt wishes for the old lady's speedy recovery."

A deeper meaning, beyond his years, flashed in his eyes: "In addition, you should personally write a short note to the Duchess of England, saying that this item was made by a peasant as a trial, and the quantity was limited. She said she dared not take credit for it, but if the household thought it was acceptable, they could contact you again if needed in the future."

Chun Tao understood immediately. The young prince wanted her to step into the limelight and become the official contact person for this "new charcoal." She was both nervous and excited, and solemnly agreed.