The peasant girl has a private space, and her husband is handsome.

Inside the Xuanwu Hall, Emperor Qi Jing beckoned, and imperial guards carried in a furnace filled with black stones and placed it in the center of the hall.

The ministers were wondering why His Majesty had ordered the clay stove to be carried into the palace when they heard Emperor Qi Jing speak.

"Today is a day of great joy. In addition to winning the battle, Miss Su discovered a kind of black stone. She named this black stone 'coal.' It is said that this black stone burns very well, lasts longer than charcoal, and has a stronger flame."

It is the dead of winter, the coldest and most firewood-scarce time of the year. Officials need charcoal for heating in every household, so they use up a lot of charcoal every day.

Charcoal is becoming more and more expensive, so heating requires a lot of money.

So when Emperor Jing of Qi said that black stone burns longer than charcoal, the ministers' eyes lit up.

I never expected that Miss Su would have time to find such a novel stone during her spare time from fighting.

Everyone curiously crowded around and peered into the mud stove.

The civil and military officials surrounded the area three or four times over; it had never been so lively before.

Only a few officials and those of the highest rank could squeeze into the innermost part to see what the black coal looked like, while other officials of lower rank could only stand on the outermost part and listen to the people inside describe what the black coal looked like.

"This stone is really black."

"This rock is really hard."

"Who would have thought that stones could be used as firewood? It's simply unbelievable!"

Emperor Qi Jing rarely smiled. "Miss Su said that the only thing to be careful about is that this kind of black coal, like charcoal, cannot be lit with the doors and windows tightly closed, otherwise it may cause fainting, and in severe cases, it may even lead to death."

The ministers were not afraid of this, since burning charcoal would be the same, and closing the doors and windows could still lead to death.

The black stone had been lit, and the ministers noticed that the furnace was burning brightly red, a fire that was indeed more intense than that of firewood.

Moreover, the smoke that comes out is particularly warm.

The emperor has been very stingy lately, even refusing to burn charcoal in the imperial study, let alone in the Xuanwu Hall where the morning court is held!

But now, with the burning black coals, the hall quickly became warm.

The ministers, who were shivering from the cold, beamed with joy.

"How warm! Your Majesty, this black coal will bring blessings to all people."

The Duke of Anguo stroked his beard and nodded approvingly, saying, "This black stone is truly excellent; it's especially warm. Miss Su's discovery will benefit all the people of the world."

Prime Minister Feng thought to himself, "With so many people crammed together, it would be strange if it weren't warm."

What a load of rubbish about benefiting all living beings! They've elevated that little girl to the heavens over such a trivial matter.

He had to keep a closer eye on things; he couldn't let Emperor Qi Jing act rashly and grant that young girl an official position.

Prime Minister Feng picked up a piece of unburnt black stone, about the size of an apple, and found that the stone was indeed very hard, which stained his fingers black. What bad luck!

Emperor Qi Jing casually remarked, "Miss Su has sent all three thousand-plus captured rebel soldiers to mine black stone."

Prime Minister Feng was very surprised to hear this. So many people went to dig, which meant that the reserves were very large.

Blackstone is used for everything from cooking to heating, and its daily consumption is huge, so it's bound to be a lucrative business.

How could such a good business be monopolized by that young girl surnamed Su? It's just not right.

Prime Minister Feng, holding his jade tablet, exclaimed to His Majesty, "Your Majesty! We can only feel at ease if these matters concerning people's livelihoods are in the hands of the court!"

Emperor Qi Jing is currently short of manpower even for fighting wars, so where would he find the energy to manage the Black Stone Mine?

"Let's leave the Black Stone Mine to Miss Su for now. She needs money to support her troops. Besides, the Black Stone Mine is near the Prince of Huainan. The situation in Huainan is unclear right now. I'll consider taking back the Black Stone Mine after the rebels are completely wiped out."

After the morning court session ended, many people surrounded Dong Yong, offering their congratulations.

"Congratulations, Lord Dong! Congratulations! Your son has received His Majesty's personal praise; his future is sure to be bright!"

"Congratulations, Lord Dong. His Majesty greatly appreciates you."

Prime Minister Feng looked disdainful, wrapped a small black stone in a clean handkerchief, put it in his pocket, and left.

For him, the Black Stone was of paramount importance, a key factor concerning the abundance or scarcity of the Great Qi treasury, and he had to reclaim the Black Stone mine from that young girl as soon as possible.

Prime Minister Feng knew perfectly well that mining black stone would be very profitable. Just yesterday morning, His Majesty the Emperor was still worried about the empty treasury, since the fighting on the northern border was fierce and war was very expensive.

Once the money in the national treasury is exhausted, His Majesty the Emperor will surely turn his attention to the civil and military officials, forcing them to donate money enthusiastically.

However, if the Black Stone Mine could generate more silver for Emperor Qi Jing, he probably wouldn't have led his ministers to donate silver.

Vice Minister Luo and Prime Minister Feng had different focuses. He stood aside, listening to everyone's praise of Dong Yong, and felt particularly envious that Dong Yong's son could earn fame and fortune in Qinghe County.

Dong Yong only had one son, yet he was very successful. His Luo family had countless sons and grandsons, but none of them were any good. It seems that the key to having many descendants is not quantity, but quality.

If Miss Su were a descendant of the Luo family, he would surely wake up laughing every morning, but unfortunately she isn't.

The King of Huainan has been expanding his territory, but he hasn't attacked Qinghe County. I believe he's wary of Miss Su.

This gave Minister Luo a special idea.

After returning to the Luo residence, he brought up the idea during dinner that his grandsons Luo Minggeng and Luo Mingxin should go to Qinghe County to join the army and earn merit.

"...Although it was a bit dangerous, the children of the Minister of War and his eight or nine families have been staying in Qinghe County for some time now, and they are all safe and sound, with none of them having any accidents."

"...Fortune and honor are found in danger. Ming Geng and Ming Xin are not yet married, so this is the perfect time for them to establish themselves."

Minister Luo launched into a long and eloquent speech, which successfully terrified Madam Luo and her eldest son, Luo Kang.

Luo Kang choked on the tea and coughed incessantly.

Recently, Su Dachuan, who claims to be his elder brother, has been coming to him asking for money. He has also threatened to let the Luo family know the truth about the child swap if he doesn't give them money, and that he will let the Luo family know that he is a fraud.

Therefore, Luo Kang has been extremely troubled lately. When he hears Vice Minister Luo repeatedly mentioning the name Qinghe County, he becomes as easily startled as a bird startled by the twang of a bow.

Madam Luo slammed her hand on the table in anger and stood up, saying, "As long as I am alive, I will never allow my two grandsons to take such a risk."

What should have been a pleasant dinner turned into a battleground for the elderly couple.

Even when Madam Luo smashed cups and bowls, she couldn't frighten Minister Luo.

Madam Luo then threatened suicide, saying, "Fine, fine, you surnamed Luo, if you dare send your precious grandson to his death in Qinghe County, I'll kill myself right now."

Vice Minister Luo refused to back down, eager to ensure his grandsons would have a bright future, just like Dong Yong was enjoying himself in the main hall today.

Sons and grandsons should be sent to the front lines; only through rigorous training can they become truly capable.

Vice Minister Luo made a harsh statement to his wife, saying, "Even if you die, your two grandsons must go to Qinghe County to join the army."

Luo Minggeng had long wanted to go to Qinghe County. Qin Changfeng, the grandson of the Minister of War, wrote back to the capital, boasting that he had met a genius painter and even received a painting from him, which was truly enviable.

Moreover, once he went to Qinghe County, he could see the legendary masterpiece of the painting master, as well as the finest crystal orchids.

"Thank you, Grandfather. I'll go back to my room to pack now." Luo Minggeng was very happy to hear that his grandfather wanted him to go to Qinghe County, so he went back to his room to pack his luggage before he had even finished eating.

Because it was getting late, Luo Minggeng planned to set off early the next morning.

The next morning, Luo Minggeng was about to leave the mansion with a simple bundle on his back and his horse when he was stopped by Mama Fan.

"Young Master Geng, the old lady said that if you dare to go to Qinghe County, she will commit suicide."

Luo Minggeng was so angry that he threw down his bundle and went back inside.

I really can't understand why my grandmother would be so extreme as to threaten her own grandson with death.

The Minister of Rites and the Minister of War are of higher social standing than the Luo family, yet their children can go to Qinghe County.

That morning, Madam Luo refused to eat breakfast.

After all, Madam Luo was old, and after three days of fasting, she collapsed in bed and couldn't get up.

After the doctor examined the old lady's pulse, he said that her life was in danger, so Vice Minister Luo gave up the idea of ​​sending his grandson to Qinghe County to earn a degree.

Luo Kang was relieved; he was really afraid that the Luo family would find out he was an imposter.

Because he looks remarkably like Ming Geng, and he looks so much like Su Dachuan, the Su family member who came to Beijing.

He was particularly worried that the Luo family would find out he was an imposter and kick him out of the Luo residence.