The emperor had never heard these words Zhao Chen said before.
What is hundreds of millions of years ago?
How old is this kid, and he still knows about things that happened hundreds of millions of years ago?
It is also said that trees will turn into stone.
Isn’t this nonsense to yourself?
The emperor's first feeling was that Zhao Chen was lying to him.
Of course he doesn't have any evidence.
It's just that I doubt Zhao Chen's words from both my heart and my mouth.
"Boy Chen, are you lying to me?"
"I've never heard of trees turning into stone. Are you talking about hundreds of millions of years ago?"
"Do you still know what happened at that time?" The emperor looked at Zhao Chen with doubt on his face.
"Just because you haven't seen it yourself doesn't mean he doesn't exist." Zhao Chen replied to the emperor expressionlessly.
Normally, the emperor would definitely ask more questions.
But the purpose of the emperor's coming here today is not to ask these irrelevant things.
What he wants to know is whether the briquette Zhao Chen mentioned can be produced?
And there is no need to cut down the forest.
"Boy Chen, are you sure what you just said is true? These briquettes are... made of stone?" The emperor still hesitated a little.
After all, what Zhao Chen told him in the past two days was something he had never been exposed to before.
When the emperor was speaking, he was even worried that he had made a mistake.
"Of course it's true. There's no benefit in lying to you." Zhao Chen nodded.
These briquettes were actually discovered accidentally by students from Chang'an Military Academy while they were practicing outside not long ago.
At that time, everyone thought it was a black stone and did not want any students to accidentally light it with a torch. However, it shocked everyone and finally reported it to Zhao Chen.
Only then did Zhao Chen realize that what they found was coal in the open air.
Coal is a good thing, especially in today's era.
Replacing wood with coal will be a great progress for society.
Zhao Chen asked Chang'an Military Academy to send people to protect the place where the coal was found, and then asked Niu Jinda to send people to transport the coal back to Chang'an.
He also compiled a "Practical Guide" by himself, specifically writing about the production of briquettes and stoves.
It was also to let the people of Tang Dynasty know the role of coal.
"By the way, there is something I need to remind you, Old Li." Zhao Chen looked at the emperor.
When the emperor heard Zhao Chen say this, he also looked over.
"The production of briquettes and stoves are all written in the book, but the coal must be controlled by the court."
"Are you clear?" Zhao Chen said to the emperor.
The emperor nodded, of course he knew how important what Zhao Chen said was.
If coal is not controlled by the imperial court, merchants from all over the country will inevitably raise prices, and the coal market will be completely chaotic.
What the people need is coal that can be used in daily life.
But if this thing is controlled by businessmen, then this coal will lose its original meaning.
"I know this matter well, so don't worry." The emperor and Zhao Chen assured.
The Chang'an area was originally rich in coal, and the entire Datang territory was also rich in coal mines.
So in the end the cost of coal is also cheaper.
Coal falling into the hands of the people will also become extremely cheap.
As long as the imperial court is in charge of this matter.
Now that the "Practical Guide" has been published, it gives people a way to make their own stoves.
It's just coal, this thing is different.
The profits of the coal monopoly are naturally astonishing. Although Zhao Chen did not say how he would settle the score with the emperor, he actually considered that the emperor spent too much thought on behalf of the people of the world.
And I can only help the emperor with what I can.
…
New Year's Eve is getting closer and closer, but during these two days, the emperor has no time to spare.
The Ministry of Industry built a kang for him in the palace, which made the emperor very satisfied.
All the officials also experienced a sweaty time in winter.
They all marveled at this novel kang.
At the same time, the emperor suddenly issued an imperial edict.
It said that coal would be brought under the government's control and the price would be unified, and no one would be allowed to buy or sell coal privately at a price higher than the unified price.
This imperial decree baffled many people.
After all, they haven't seen coal until now.
However, the emperor's imperial edict also convinced the people of Chang'an to believe what was written in the "Practical Guide".
Before New Year's Eve, Chang'an City is even more lively.
However, this excitement is especially concentrated in the blacksmith shop.
Many people reserve stoves here.
It actually allowed the craftsmen to make a small profit.
The day before New Year's Eve, the briquettes mentioned in the "Practical Guide" finally appeared in the east and west cities of Chang'an City.
As soon as the briquettes appeared, they were immediately snapped up by the people of Chang'an.
If you go a little later, you can only see the briquette marks left on the ground.
Changsun Chong didn't want to trouble Zhao Chen, so he went to Dongshi early in the morning today and finally grabbed dozens of briquettes.
He immediately returned home to use it.
Smokeless briquettes with tea brewed on top are very relaxing.
On New Year's Eve, the emperor issued another decree, saying that yamen across the Tang Dynasty would recruit people to be responsible for digging and transporting coal.
Those who engage in this can be exempted from the corvee for one year and receive five times the usual remuneration.
That night, many people didn't even bother to eat New Year's Eve dinner, so they went to various government offices one after another.
On the contrary, officials everywhere did not have a good year.
…
On New Year's Day, this is Zhao Chen's fourth year in Datang.
Wearing a thick cotton coat, Zhao Chen stood in the snow, looking at the trees with bare branches in front of him, with no expression on his face.
"What's the matter? I'm a little older, so I know that I care about the past and worry about the present?" Niu Jinda walked into the yard and said to Zhao Chen with a smile.
Looking at Zhao Chen's tall and straight figure, Niu Jinda couldn't help but sigh.
There is such a perfect person in the world. It is truly a blessing from heaven.
"Uncle Niu." Zhao Chen saluted Niu Jinda.
Niu Jinda had no heirs, so he spent New Year's Eve at Zhao Chen's house.
"How about it? Do you have time? Let me go out for a walk with the old man?" Niu Jinda and Zhao Chen asked.
Niu Jinda has never invited Zhao Chen out before, but this is the first time.
Zhao Chen nodded, and the two of them left the house.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, people kept going out to pay New Year greetings on the road.
Zhao Chen and Niu Jinda walked on the street and met acquaintances from time to time.
He also kept saluting and returning gifts.
"Boy Zhao, are you going to the border front next?" After walking for a while, Niu Jinda spoke to Zhao Chen.
The time to go to the border front is scheduled for early February, but in fact there is still more than a month left.
"We're ready to go. When the snow melts, it's time to set off." Zhao Chen nodded.
"Gao Changguo, do you have any other plans?" Niu Jinda said to Zhao Chen.
It’s just that I’m talking about Gao Changguo, who was nowhere near Goguryeo.
Zhao Chen didn't quite understand what Niu Jinda meant.
"Why did you suddenly mention Gaochang?" Zhao Chen was confused.
"Old man, I heard that your girl is now in control of the Gaochang Dynasty. Is it true?" Niu Jinda did not answer Zhao Chen, but asked again.
"That's what the news said, but she is just a little girl, so she shouldn't have..."
"You are only a few years older than her!" Niu Jinda smiled, interrupting Zhao Chen.