Although the prisoner sacrifice ceremony was made a farce by Chongzhen, Chongzhen's status in the hearts of the soldiers suddenly became more cordial.These warriors are all rough people, they don't pursue elegance and etiquette like officials, but Chongzhen's bold temperament is more appetizing to them.And the officials now have very low requirements for Chongzhen, as long as His Majesty the Emperor is not drunk, those old and rough military attaches can do whatever they like.However, looking at Chongzhen's posture, it seems that he is not far from being drunk, fortunately, this prisoner sacrifice ceremony finally ended before Chongzhen was completely drunk.All the captives were sent by Chongzhen to dig coal in the Xishan Coal Mine, which has been producing good coal since ancient times.It's just that because of the backward coal smelting technology in ancient times, most of the coal produced is large and poisonous, so coal has not been popularized.In ancient times, only some poor people who did not have firewood to burn would use coal for heating and cooking, and even a large number of poor people were poisoned by coal every year.However, in view of the fact that there were too many poor people in ancient times, although coal was not the mainstream, the sales were also good.There are many coal mines scattered in Xishan, which were originally monopolized by profiteers, and these coal mines contribute a lot of profits to these profiteers every year, but the state does not get a penny of silver.The Wanli Dynasty set up mining taxes, but these mining taxes were not implemented for long under the vigorous criticism of the righteous people and gentlemen.When Chongzhen first ascended the throne, he didn't have time to do this, so he let those profiteers stumble for a long time.Later, after the establishment of the Daming Academy of Sciences, Chongzhen also realized the importance of coal, which was closely associated with the Industrial Revolution in the West.Without coal, there would be no industrial revolution!
After Chongzhen realized the importance of coal, he took strong measures to nationalize all Xishan coal mines.Just kidding, Xishan has been a royal forbidden land since ancient times, and these shameless profiteers have occupied these coal mines for free for so many years, and it is benevolent enough that I did not punish them.After the Xishan Coal Mine was nationalized, Chongzhen invested a lot of manpower and material resources in research and mining.Not only did the quality of coal improve by scientific methods, so that coal entered thousands of households, but also entered the court, military camps, and industry.The scale of mining has been increased, and there are coal mines everywhere in Xishan.It's just that the work of digging coal is too tiring, and the risk is very high, and people die at every turn.Chongzhen really can't bear to let the kind people of Daming do this kind work.Now that so many people have been captured at once, it is just enough to devote themselves to the vigorous coal mining business, which is better than beheading, right?
These days.The climate in the capital is not very good, it has been raining, the roads are muddy and slippery, and it is easy to fall and die if you are not careful.There are not many trees in Xishan, or there were also lush forests here, but after the middle and late Ming Dynasty, most of the trees in Xishan were cut down.The captives trudged through the muddy roads of the western mountains, escorted by a magnificent general.Soon, the group arrived at the mine.Before entering the mining area, everyone smelled a bad smell, which was the smell of black coal mixed with various household garbage, which was sour.Even the captives couldn't help but cover their noses, but the leading general didn't care, as if he couldn't smell the sour smell."
General Xiao Cao has worked hard all the way, please go in with our family and have a thin bar!"
It was a white-faced and beardless man who came out to greet him, and he couldn't tell how old the man was, but he could vaguely tell that this man must have been a beautiful man when he was young.General Cao Zhao clasped his fists and saluted, "Duke Wei Chang is polite, Cao Mou just brought some prisoners over, how can he let Duke Wei Chang greet him personally?"
”It turned out that this person was actually Wei Zhongxian, who had disappeared for a long time.After Wei Zhongxian became addicted to pain-relieving ointment, he was lost by Chongzhen in the western suburbs to quit medicine.These days have not appeared in the eyes of everyone, it turned out that he was actually sent by Chongzhen to manage the Xishan Coal Mine.Wei Zhongxian laughed and said, "Our family is no longer a factory company now, but just the person in charge of a coal mining company, living a peaceful life and doing his best for His Majesty the Emperor.""
Cao Zhao originally looked down on eunuchs.These people are just a bunch of cowards who have lost their eggs, greedy and bad, stupid and slippery.Especially this Wei Zhongxian, who used to be known as nine thousand years old, relied on the favor of the Emperor of the Apocalypse to control the dynasty, and harmed Zhongliang, which can be called a generation of eunuchs.But now?
Cao Zhao was confused, in his impression, any great eunuch who brings disaster to the country and the people must look vicious, or even if he doesn't look vicious, his expression should be that of a vulture.Looking at this Wei eunuch now, it is completely different from what he imagined, and he looks kind and quite elegant and handsome.Even though he is in a filthy place like Xishan Coal Mine, this Wei Da Gelding is still so open-minded and indifferent, and he has the style of a master.Cao Zhao once again bowed respectfully, Wei Zhongxian was much older than him, and this salute was completely Cao Zhao's respect for the elders.He then followed Wei Zhongxian to the mines, while the captives were inspected and registered.Cao Zhao didn't see much absenteeism along the way, only some patrolling soldiers.The Xishan Coal Mining Area is an important place in the country, and military control has long been implemented, so there are patrols day and night to prevent accidents.Soon, Wei Zhongxian brought Cao Zhao and his entourage to the lodging area, which was rudimentary but clean.What Wei Zhongxian took out to entertain Cao Zhao was not a delicacies from the mountains and seas, but just some ordinary meals, and the wine was not good wine, but the kind of muddy wine that the peasants drank.But he is very interested in Cao Zhao's appetite, Cao Zhao doesn't like luxury, so he likes this kind of simple and honest food.What kind of food is not tired of eating, this kind of eating style is in his eyes, and big men should eat meat in large pieces and drink a lot of wine.The elaborate food is also liked by the girls and the sassy people, and he Cao Zhao lost his appetite when he saw it.Cao Zhao looked at the rough pork on the table, and couldn't help but look up to Wei Zhongxian a few points.The pork was not cut very finely, just a large piece was cooked in a pot, and then it was served steaming, with a large steamed bun next to it.Cao Zhao secretly thought: It is said that Wei Zhongxian is not a good person, but seeing that his diet is so simple, he doesn't look like a traitor!
In this way, Cao Zhao had a simple but very satisfying meal at Wei Zhongxian's place, and his opinion of Wei Zhongxian has also changed dramatically.After Cao Zhao went back, Wei Zhongxian did not go to rest, but went to the miners' accommodation area in person to see the newly arrived absenteeism.Although the climate is not cold now, these new absentees are all shivering and huddled together, trying to join the group to keep warm.