I Build an Aircraft Carrier in the Ming Dynasty

Wudian, coal mine distribution area.

There are many open-pit coal mines here, which are easy to mine.

Today, there are more than 30 coal mines in this area, with nearly 15,000 miners working here.

Including other people who do laundry, cook, manage, and purchase, the population here is no less than a small county town.

In this wild country ridge, this small place has formed an alternative prosperity.

The miners who work here are both lucky and unfortunate.

Luckily, working here pays more than farming. Unfortunately, the bosses earn more than them, they are exploited badly by the government and the bosses, and the gap between the rich and the poor is even wider.

These miners have long had resentment in their hearts, but they couldn't fight against those businessmen and officials, so they could only swallow this bad anger and hold it in their hearts.

At this time, several foremen who had benefited from Wu Jun began to do things.

While they were eating, they said to the other miners, "Do you know how much one hundred catties of coal sells in Nanjing?"

Everyone shook their heads, these honest miners had no news channels at all.

"Fifty cents, a full fifty cents. As for us, we only have six cents to mine a hundred kilograms of coal."

said the foreman.

When these words came out, everyone was stunned.

They had chatted on weekdays before, and they had guessed how much this dark coal could sell for. However, what they never expected was that they could sell so much.

In this way, for every 100 kilograms of coal they dug, they had to contribute 44 cents to the coal boss and the government.

And in this mining area, at least five or six million catties must be dug out a day. In other words, the government and those coal miners will earn more than 200,000 taels of silver on this day.

The government did nothing, and the coal boss only enjoyed the land and provided some tools, but made most of the money. And those who work hard in the coal mines can only make some hard money.

This makes them reconciled and convinced.

"Damn it, the more you do it, the more frustrating it is."

"It's better to ask the boss to process money, plus one or two cents for every 100 catties."

"Well, let's forget it. People are under the roof and have to bow their heads. If they are irritated and fired, they won't be able to get food tomorrow."

There was a lot of discussion, some said they wanted to resist, and some said they wanted to swallow it up.

At this time, the provocative foreman waved his hand to signal everyone to be quiet. Then he continued: "I'll tell you the truth. Recently, I got a batch of knives and spears. There are more than 400 pieces in total. With these weapons, we united to resist, took up the coal mine, and sold it ourselves."

As soon as these words came out, everyone was shocked again.

Hundreds of knives and spears, this is not something you can get casually.

Some clever people have already smelled an unusual smell.

However, some people whose brains have been flooded with hatred and resentment, stood up without thinking to show their support.

If you can take these coal mines as your own, your income will skyrocket six or seven times.

"However, isn't this the same as a rebellion? What if the government sends troops here?"

someone asked.

"I'm afraid, now the Qing army is beaten by the southern army and dare not leave the city, they only dare to hide in the city. As for the Wu army, we created a rebellion against the Qing army, they will not blame us, in order to recruit security, maybe They will also reward us with these coal mines."

The foreman continued to fudge, and his words sounded a little bit reasonable. If it is true, then rebellion is very attractive.

As long as the government's army doesn't come out, they really have nothing to fear.

The organization of tens of thousands of miners is also a terrifying force.

"Don't hesitate, let me tell you the truth, not only our mine will do this, but other mines are also doing this. If we don't follow suit, the mine will be owned by them in the future, and we will have no share."

The foreman once again released heavy news, which further strengthened the determination of these miners to rebel.

Not suffering from poverty but suffering from inequality, before everyone was a miner, and they all took the same money, and there was no such big resentment in their hearts.

But if other miners succeed in rebelling and can take the coal mine as their own, wouldn't they lose out?

"Damn it, I've done it, I don't want to be poor for a lifetime."

The miners are more courageous than the farmers. At this time, a huge opportunity was placed in front of them, and many people were very excited.

The rest of the people who are not assertive can only follow the flow of others and work together.

Some key members transported the weapons and distributed them to everyone.

People with weapons are much more courageous.

The crowd rushed forward, beat up a few overseers, locked them up, and then announced to the businessmen who came to buy coal mines that these coal mines had changed owners.

And this kind of thing happened one after another in the surrounding coal mines.

Those foreman got together, carried out a strict organization, and made the momentum especially loud.

Soon, there were people who escaped from the coal mining area and returned to the county town to report to the prefect, Lu Jinyan.

"What, the coal miners rebelled and took the coal mine as their own. There is no reason for this."

Lu Jinyan slapped the table sharply. Those coal mines were his money bags. Every month he got tens of thousands of taels of silver from coal mines.

He has been an official for so many years, and this is the first time he has encountered such a good opportunity to make money.

The coal miners rebelled at this time, not against the imperial court, but against the ruthless.

Afterwards, Lu Jinyan immediately went to the barracks in a hurry and asked the garrison Chi Muqing to send troops to suppress it.

"Master Lu, the Wu army is eyeing Bengbu, I can't just split up and go to Wudian."

Chi Muqing complained bitterly, he also received a lot of benefits in the coal mine. In normal times, he may be more active than Lu Jinyan.

But now, Wu Jun is on one side. What if Wu Jun takes the opportunity to attack the city if they divide their troops and go to Wudian?

"Lord Chimuqing, those miners are just useless misery haha. They can't waste much energy. Besides, those coal mines are lost and they can't receive any money. How can you maintain your huge army?"

What Lu Jinyan said is very realistic. Coal mines are related to their money bags and cannot be ignored.

Chi Muqing was still hesitating, but Lu Jinyan continued to persuade him: "If you are worried, you can send more spies out to find out the movements of the Wu army. If you find that the Wu army is coming to attack, you can withdraw the army in time.

Moreover, if Wu Junzhen is determined to attack the city, it is still a question whether you can hold the 20,000 people. It is better to rely on this crackdown and force a batch of miners to join the army as coolies, which can be more or less useful when defending the city. "

This.......

Chi Muqing hesitated, and Lu Jinyan's words made some sense.

The income of coal mines cannot be lost. It is not easy to defend Huainan with only 20,000 people. Changes are required.

"All right."

Akagi Qing said helplessly.