Chapter 431 Meritorious Service of the Ministry of Works

Did the First Emperor do that?

During a lull in their argument, Li Shimin fell into deep thought.

If I want to surpass Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han, I must naturally catch up with them in this aspect as well!

But... what about the money?

The Tang Dynasty had only been established for a short time and was engaged in wars year after year, so paying wages was out of the question...

Even providing meals is a struggle.

What's most distressing is that since his ascension to the throne, natural disasters have been a constant feature of his imperial career.

God is unfair...

As he pondered this, Li Shimin couldn't help but glance down.

Xiao Wei.

Since that brat brought it up, he must have some idea.

"Cough cough..."

Li Shimin's face broke into a chrysanthemum-like smile again: "Shuyu, actually, I strongly agree with what you said about paying wages for corvée labor."

"But as you also know, the Tang Dynasty has been at war for years, and the national treasury is not so abundant."

“If we pay wages to those who perform corvée labor, we may not be able to make ends meet.”

"If the Ministry of Commerce could offer any good solutions..."

Here we go again, here we go again...

The courtiers all expressed their disdain.

I was just wondering how you managed to attract so many talented people...

If you just shove your face in front of the other person, they'll have to obediently bow down and submit.

"Your Majesty, I still disagree!"

Just then, Fang Xuanling stepped forward.

"What do you have to say, my dear minister?" Li Shimin asked with a smile.

Don't be afraid.

I have Xiao Wei.

Xiao Wei will be able to persuade them.

"Pay wages to those who perform corvée labor..."

"Once this door is opened, it will be difficult to close it later."

Fang Xuanling clasped his hands in a fist salute to Li Shimin and said, "Your Majesty is wise and sagacious. The Tang Dynasty is now flourishing."

"But what if one day the Tang Dynasty falls into a financial crisis?"

"If the conscripts for corvée labor cannot be paid, what can be done if the people refuse to work?"

Li Shimin also frowned.

It's not impossible.

No one can guarantee that their country will always prosper.

Even now.

If war breaks out in multiple regions, the Tang Dynasty will also be in crisis.

"Uncle Fang is right."

Wei Shuyu nodded in agreement: "But what if we try a different approach..."

"When the Tang Dynasty is in crisis, you will still forcibly conscript people. Wouldn't that be forcing the people to rebel?"

Um?

Fang Xuanling frowned.

This makes sense.

The Tang Dynasty was in crisis, and the rate of popular rebellion was too high due to instigation by certain individuals.

What does Xuanling think?

Li Shimin said with a smile.

"His Majesty."

Fang Xuanling bowed and said, "Shuyu's answer is not entirely convincing to me."

"I believe that arguing about this matter will not lead to a resolution."

"It all boils down to one question..."

Where does the money come from?

“The corvée labor was not for one year, but every year.”

"With the current income of the Tang Dynasty, it is simply not enough to support the annual expenditure of corvée labor."

The ministers nodded.

This amount is enormous.

When accumulated, it will amount to a massive sum of money.

"Shuyu..."

Li Shimin let out a soft exclamation.

"His Majesty."

Wei Shuyu bowed and said, "That is precisely why the Tang Dynasty needs a stable income to cover this expense."

"I believe that coal mines are the most suitable!"

Coal mine?

The courtiers were all taken aback.

I almost forgot about this.

Hunger and cold are the most deadly things for ordinary people.

If we have to rely on the cold to maintain this income...

"I'm afraid this isn't enough?" one official frowned.

"That's about it."

Wei Shuyu smiled and said, "Not everyone participates in corvée labor. There are still quite a few wealthy people in the Tang Dynasty."

"Moreover, the corvée labor only lasts for twenty days, but the winter lasts for three whole months."

The courtiers whispered among themselves.

If the coal mine can really cover this expense, then it's not impossible.

Anyway, it doesn't affect their interests.

Where is the Minister of Works?

Li Shimin suddenly asked.

"Your subject is present."

Has the problem of toxic coal smoke been resolved?

"Return to Your Majesty."

Duan Lun bowed and said, "The problem of tobacco poisoning is unsolvable!"

Wow.

If there's no cure for tobacco addiction, wouldn't this policy be doomed to fail?

Li Shimin would definitely be unhappy again.

Looking up, one could indeed see that Li Shimin's face was frighteningly dark.

"However, under the guidance of Doctor Wei, we have already mastered some of the methods for producing anthracite."

Duan Lun then added, "The production process is a bit complicated, so the price may be much higher."

Li Shimin's expression remained grim.

Coal is mainly sold to ordinary people, so how can the price be too high?

"Where's the cheap coal?"

Li Shimin asked in a deep voice.

"The only cheap coal available is toxic coal."

Duan Lun sighed, "Everyone in the Ministry of Works racked their brains, but came up with nothing. They felt that making heated kang beds was the most suitable option."

What do you mean?

Li Shimin frowned.

Fire pits existed in the Tang Dynasty, but they were not prevalent.

"It's like...starting a fire to cook."

"In the past, we cooked grains; now we warm people."

"Just vent the smoke out of the chimney and that's it."

Holy crap.

That simple?

The assembled officials were dumbfounded.

"Won't it be cooked?" Cheng Yaojin asked, his eyes wide.

"What idiot is so stupid that they wouldn't run away even if they were being boiled?" Duan Lun rolled his eyes.

"..."

That makes perfect sense.

"Is the construction of this heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed) complicated?" Li Shimin continued to ask.

"It's not complicated at all."

Duan Lun said somewhat awkwardly, "We can just ask the villagers to lend a hand and build one."

"To achieve even heating, a certain level of skill is required."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's furrowed brows finally relaxed.

Whether it is uniform or not is not important.

He was worried that the people would freeze to death; he just wanted them to survive the winter.

"Could we get some smokeless coal to test it out on the spot?" Li Shimin asked.

“Your Majesty, this is what my attendant is carrying,” Duan Lun replied.

"oh?"

Li Shimin was overjoyed: "Quickly have it brought up so we can test it."

Next...

A large group of officials, hungry, were burning coal in the imperial court.

When anthracite is burned, there is a wisp of smoke, but it is almost negligible.

Emperor Taizong was overjoyed.

With this coal mine, no one will freeze to death next year.

Another achievement added to the list!

"Ha ha……"

Li Shimin laughed heartily: "Minister Duan has solved a great problem for the Tang Dynasty!"

"Wang De, draft the imperial edict."

"For his meritorious service in producing smokeless coal and discovering the secrets of heated brick beds, Duan Aiqing is rewarded with a thousand bolts of silk and granted the title of Grand Master of the Palace..."

As Li Shimin finished speaking, the courtiers launched into another round of flattery, praising the Tang Dynasty's divine favor and His Majesty's wisdom.

"Your Majesty, I dare not take credit for this."

Duan Lun said in a panic, "This was all initiated by Physician Wei; I was merely assisting from the sidelines."

Little Wei.

Li Shimin glanced at Wei Shuyu.

I've already reinstated you to your original position, and you still want more rewards?

Eat your own shit!

"What you say is absolutely right."

On the surface, Li Shimin smiled and nodded: "But this is thanks to your Ministry of Works, so don't be modest."

"As for the Ministry of Commerce..."

"When they have sold their coal mines all over the world, I will reward them accordingly."

Li Shimin looked at Wei Shuyu: "Shuyu, do you have confidence?"

"Your subject will certainly not fail in your mission."

Wei Shuyu bowed in response.

"Um."

Li Shimin nodded in satisfaction.

When Xiao Wei isn't being annoying, he's actually quite cute.

Look at how well-behaved she is.

That's all thanks to the allure of the golden rattan...

Having made up my mind, I must finish making the golden rattan cane tonight.