What is Don John willing to pay if the plan succeeds?

Which is included in the radio broadcast to capture the listener's attention that the original text of the story is not able to include

Must read story will give if ! in “perseverance,” which theme is reflected in the lines, “life’s field will yield as we make it / a harvest of thorns or of flowers”? a: life is a field in which flowers and thorns will grow. b: accept what you are given, because you cannot change it. c: your life is the result of the work you put into it. d: working together people achieve their goals in life.

What is meant by “eternally burning black pipes”? what is this implying about the personality of the firemen?