CH 229

Chapter 229: The Prince of Northern Hebei Finally Rises to Power

In addition to these prominent families, many merchants and prestigious households have come to Lin Beifan. Although they couldn’t obtain the cement distribution rights, they hoped to rank higher and receive more tax benefits.

As a result, Lin Beifan gained another 5 million taels, making a total of 25 million taels through this city construction.

“Another big fortune, haha!” Lin Beifan felt extremely happy, feeling that the hard work in these days had not been in vain.

Now that he had received the money, he planned to handle things properly. Lin Beifan announced the families that obtained the cement distribution rights and those eligible for tax exemptions. He solemnly stated that as soon as the city was established, all rights would be opened up to support their business and industrial activities.

With this settled, everyone felt relieved. The news spread quickly and shocked the world!

Initially, many forces were waiting to see a joke when the court accepted a million disaster-stricken refugees. After all, these refugees had nothing – no homes, fields, food, or money. Sustaining them daily with food and supplies was an unimaginable burden for the court.

If they continued to support them, it would inevitably burden the court to the point of collapse. If they didn’t support them, it would lead to scattered hearts and deal a massive blow to the court’s reputation. They were waiting for the moment when the court could no longer hold on, and they would rise in rebellion.

But what they never expected was that in less than a month, Lin Beifan managed to activate the situation! Using the miraculous invention of cement, he built a new city outside the capital, solving the resettlement issue of the refugees.

He also attracted prominent families and merchants from all sides through a contribution system, with donations pouring in. This not only resolved the immediate problems of the refugees but also addressed various issues such as food, clothing, and shelter, completely revitalizing the new city!

The most incredible part was that Lin Beifan even managed to benefit the court and make it wealthy as well. It was truly a transformation from decay to miraculous!

As everyone admired Lin Beifan even more, they also became more curious about cement. Was it truly a magical tool for construction? Is that why everyone was eager to get their hands on it?

They dispatched experts to inquire about it. In the end, as Lin Beifan had expected, cement had no significant technological barriers; many people could figure out how to produce it with just a glance. By taking samples back and studying them, they could manufacture cement themselves.

In the territory of Northern Hebei, in the royal mansion.

The Prince of Northern Hebei looked at his excited strategist, Zhuge, and asked anxiously, “Strategist, how is the situation? Is it true?”

“Replying to Your Highness, I’ve sent people to investigate, and the situation is entirely true!” Zhuge said excitedly, “The top scholar has indeed used the incredible invention of cement to build thousands of houses in just a few days! Moreover, he has truly attracted prominent families and wealthy merchants through cement, resolving the food, clothing, shelter, and transportation issues for a million disaster-stricken refugees! The court… has also become much wealthier!”

The Prince of Northern Hebei breathed heavily and said, “Is cement really that miraculous?”

“Absolutely, Your Highness!” Zhuge, the strategist, replied with a serious expression.

The Prince of Northern Hebei became even more anxious and said, “Then quickly get in touch with Lin Beifan and obtain the method of making cement! Whatever money he wants, we’ll give it!”

Zhuge smiled calmly and said, “Your Highness, there’s no need. The method of making cement has already been brought back by our people!”

“Really?” The Prince of Northern Hebei widened his eyes, finding it hard to believe.

“How could I deceive you, Your Highness?” Zhuge arched his hand and smiled, “The method is straightforward, and our people learned it at a glance! So, Your Highness, this time we don’t need to contact the top scholar, and we don’t need to spend money; we can produce cement ourselves!”

“Really? That’s fantastic! Haha!” The Prince of Northern Hebei was overjoyed.

Amid the laughter, it was unclear how much bitterness and suffering were hidden.

Do you know how much he paid to obtain the two inventions from Lin Beifan initially? Not only did the royal mansion become impoverished, but the entire economy of Northern Hebei also suffered.

And now, you’re telling me we don’t need to spend money? We can produce cement ourselves?

It’s hard to imagine!

The Prince of Northern Hebei felt like he had broken free from a cage. He didn’t have to be exploited anymore, nor oppressed; he felt the sense of becoming the master!

“Hahaha!!!” Joyful laughter spread through the royal mansion.

Even the strategist, Zhuge, secretly wiped away a tear; he was crying tears of happiness.

After the laughter subsided, the Prince of Northern Hebei’s mind became active.

Since Lin Beifan could raise resources and accumulate wealth through cement sales, could he do the same?

After all, he was very poor now and desperately needed food and money!

So, he immediately shared his thoughts.

“Your Highness, I think it’s very feasible!” Zhuge smiled and said, “We can completely emulate the top scholar and implement a contribution system! Whoever contributes enough food and resources will be given the right to sell cement. This way, we can not only raise sufficient resources but also continuously earn money, which benefits our grand plan!”

“You’re right, you’re right! You said it well!” The Prince of Northern Hebei beamed.

“Moreover, Your Highness, now is the perfect opportunity!” Zhuge said excitedly, “On the top scholar’s side, they need to build a new city before they can sell cement, which will take two to three months. But we can produce cement right now! With this advantage, we can attract the merchants before they do!”

“You’re right, you’re right! Very reasonable! Let’s get ahead and attract those merchants!” The Prince of Northern Hebei became even happier.

“Besides cement, the top scholar has also introduced a series of tax incentives, which have received positive feedback among the merchants! Your Highness, shall we…”

The Prince of Northern Hebei frowned, “Reducing taxes for merchants? Isn’t that giving away money? I’m still trying to collect more taxes; so, let’s forget about this policy!”

“Understood, Your Highness!” Zhuge nodded.

His thoughts were the same as the Prince of Northern Hebei’s; the tax incentives were just giving away money and were entirely unnecessary.

With the construction wonder, cement, who wouldn’t be attracted to the merchants?

At this moment, they both seemed to see food and money rushing towards them and couldn’t help but smile at each other.

“Strategist, I’ll rely on you for the next steps!”

“Rest assured, Your Highness!”

Then, Zhuge energetically went to take care of the matter.

They announced that they could produce cement, and now they were attracting investments from outside, hoping for ambitious individuals to come and join them.

They made a grand spectacle, as if they were competing with the court!

Even Wuxi Duke, Prince of Southern Jiang, and others were not willing to be left behind. They all announced that they could also produce cement and welcomed major wealthy merchants to invest; they were very enthusiastic about it.

Even other vassal kings were doing the same!

The whole Great Wu was caught up in a cement fever!

During the morning court session, the Empress called on her officials to discuss a response.

Only Lin Beifan remained calm and composed, saying, “Your Majesty, there’s no need to worry about this matter!”

The Empress was puzzled, “Minister, why do you say that?”

“I have said it before. The method of making cement is not difficult, and they will eventually steal it. But to make money through cement, it won’t be that easy. They simply don’t have the necessary conditions!” Lin Beifan said with a proud smile.

“Minister, don’t keep us in suspense. Can you explain it in detail?” The Empress urged.

“Of course, Your Majesty!” Lin Beifan stood tall and confident and explained, “First, to produce cement, one needs clay, limestone, and iron slag. All three are indispensable! Clay and limestone are easy to obtain, but iron slag is another story!”

“You see, the iron mines are under the control of our court, and private mining is prohibited! Iron slag is the waste left after iron processing. So, the truth is, only our court possesses a significant amount of iron slag. Other vassal kings simply don’t have this condition, which restricts their production!”

Everyone nodded, and the Empress said, “Minister, continue.”

“Secondly, even if they find these three materials, production cost is an essential factor!”

Lin Beifan smiled proudly, “My cement workshop is less than five li to the south, where we can obtain a large amount of limestone. Less than three li to the west, we have access to high-quality clay. Less than seven li to the north, we can get iron slag. Moreover, there are rivers throughout the route, enabling water transport, saving time and effort. As a result, production costs are significantly reduced!”

“But where can other vassal kings find such advantageous geographical conditions? So, the cement they produce will undoubtedly have much higher costs than ours, how can they compete with us?”

The Empress laughed, “Minister, you’re right. Is there more?”

“Thirdly, their market is not viable!”

Lin Beifan explained confidently, “Cement is mainly used for building houses. To make money, those houses need to be sold! These houses are considered luxury items, and only relatively wealthy people can afford cement houses! In other words, only when the common people are prosperous can they afford to buy houses!”

“But look at the region of Northern Hebei. It experienced the previous bandit disaster, and many people fled; the economy has declined. Who will they sell the houses to?”

“Look at the region of Southern Jiang. Although it’s relatively affluent, it has suffered from floods and food supply issues! They haven’t even solved the problem of food; who will be concerned about housing?”

“As for Wuxi’s territory, forget about it! The Wuxi Duke has always been involved in constant warfare and seized everything he could. Merchants are struggling just to protect themselves; how can they dare to do business there?”

“As for other regions, the markets are too small to support them! Merchants want to make money; who would engage in unprofitable deals?”

“Only our court can sustain the enormous market for cement!”

“The capital is nearby, gathering the wealthiest people in the country! When people have money, they are more willing to spend it on houses. The cement sales will be no problem!”

“Moreover, over the past year or so, the territory under our court’s rule has been peaceful, with no wars. The people have recuperated, and they have disposable income; they naturally will spend money on houses!”

Lin Beifan spread his arms and said excitedly, “This is our court’s biggest advantage! We have the broadest market, and they don’t!”

The Empress applauded, “Well said! Absolutely right!”