The Princess of Northern Land
Chapter 333: Greenhouse (1)_1

Chapter 333: Chapter 333: Greenhouse (1)_1

Chu Suifeng was genuinely interested in the black powder that Lin Ziyin mentioned. As the master of the Northern Land, he had lived frustrating years. Since he was sent away at the age of six and witnessed the desolation of the Northern Land, despite his tireless efforts to govern, the poverty of the Northern Land had only slightly improved.

Due to the climate of The Northern Land, its vast territory with sparse population, the inaction of the Imperial Court, and the harassment of the Tatars, he was mentally and physically exhausted. His heart was willing, but his strength was insufficient - this was a true portrayal of his daily feelings.

As a man, who doesn’t want to achieve something significant? But unfortunately, too many factors limited his progress. There were also many coastal areas in the Northern Land, with a considerable number of fishermen. These fishermen lived even more impoverished lives.

Chu Suifeng initially wanted to improve the lives of these fishermen, but he lacked the capability for change.

Now Lin Ziyin had given him a glimmer of hope, and he certainly was willing to strive to realize this desire.

"Spare no effort in finding it." He once again gave the order.

"Yes, Prince, I will immediately send out more people." Congyi responded.

Lin Ziyin was somewhat conflicted. If the coal was found, would it be a good thing? After all, coal is a non-renewable resource. If it was discovered, the history of coal usage would be advanced considerably. But then again, the pollution of air and other concerns riddled her mind.

However, without coal, they could only rely on manpower to cultivate the land, and they might not make much progress even with tremendous effort.

"Leave the matter of black powder to me, you just need to think about making a plan." Chu Suifeng said, noticing her conflicted expression.

"Although finding black powder is a good thing, it also causes much pollution to the surrounding environment." Lin Ziyin said softly.

Pollution? This was a new word, but Chu Suifeng could more or less understand what it meant. "What kind of consequences will it have?"

"Firstly, the surrounding water sources will be polluted. Of course, if managed well, and as long as not everyone exploits it recklessly, the problem might not be too big. Secondly, when black powder is burned, it will produce smoke and pollute the air. Therefore, strictly speaking, we shouldn’t use it extensively." Lin Ziyin replied shyly.

"The state’s mineral resources are not freely accessible to everyone. I will make every effort to find it and then assign people to regulate it. Rest assured." Chu Suifeng said.

"Miss Lin, you are overthinking. Who would dare to touch the Prince’s possessions? Even with great audacity, they might not dare to act." Si Jinhan smirked, "Since it’s underground, extracting it certainly won’t be easy, and any mining efforts will undoubtedly create a significant commotion. In this case, we can merely dispatch soldiers to guard it."

"Does the Prince have many people?" Lin Ziyin murmured. He had been complaining about the sparseness of the Northern Land’s population, but now he seemed to have enough people to guard the coal.

Si Jinhan and Chu Suifeng choked on her question. Indeed, the lack of manpower was their biggest concern.

"I’ve selected some people to go to the West to cultivate the wilderness. I plan to establish a city there." Chu Suifeng said.

Lin Ziyin smiled stiffly. The grand matter of establishing a city should not be told to a woman like her. "So, if possible, I would like you to pass on the knowledge and experience of rice cultivation successfully." Chu Suifeng glanced at her and added lightly.

So that was the endgame the Prince had in mind.

Lin Ziyin pursed her lips. It seemed Chu Suifeng regarded her as the chief agronomist, a position she hadn’t even been paid for.

Listening to the Prince, Lou Zheng and Bai Chunsheng grew restless as if agitated by a cat’s paw. The way the Prince spoke, it seemed as if Lin Missy was about to grow rice. But how? With the extremely cold climate of the Northern Land and the short growing season, how could rice be grown? The villagers did indeed plant some rice, but it was only because the Imperial Court required it. They were forced into it. Didn’t they see that the yield was pitifully low?