"Um."

Zhao Jun nodded and said, "What's your name?"

"My name is Li Cheng. Since I'm the second oldest child, everyone calls me Li Erlang."

Li Cheng answered honestly.

"good."

Zhao Jun said, "From now on, you will be the Ninth Rank Gunpowder Supervisor of the Firearms Department. From today on, only you are allowed to know the gunpowder formula. Even if others want to prepare the gunpowder, you must let them do it separately."

Li Cheng was overjoyed at first, because although this position of supervisor was just a squad leader, it was also a rank. He was not a clerk or a craftsman, but a real official. He would be able to wear the blue official uniform in the future.

But he turned around and said, "Master, this gunpowder process is very simple. Even if the steps are separated, an experienced person can probably make it just by looking at the raw materials. If you come across someone who is interested, you can ask the craftsmen who make each process, and the ingredients can be gathered."

"Hmm."

Zhao Jun thought about it and realized that it was indeed the case.

There are only three raw materials for pure black gunpowder, and the ratio is fixed. Even if it is separated into three processes, with one process for preparing saltpeter, one for sulfur, and one for charcoal, the workers know the ratio and can just ask them separately.

The Liao Kingdom and the Western Xia had many spies in the Song Dynasty. Once black gunpowder showed its capabilities on the battlefield far exceeding those of previous Song Dynasty firearms, it would probably be discovered by the enemy soon.

Unless the craftsmen are locked up and not allowed to contact the outside world.

Thinking of this, Zhao Jun turned to Zeng Gongliang and said, "Mr. Mingzhong, is it possible to open up an independent courtyard complex in the East Workshop to house the craftsmen and their families, with the army guarding the perimeter and preventing them from leaving, while forming a self-contained market within the workshop?"

"Does the Magistrate mean to gather the craftsmen together?"

Zeng Gongliang asked.

"Um."

Zhao Jun nodded. "All supplies will be delivered from outside, and no news will be sent in or out. The court will provide food, clothing, housing, and transportation for the people in the ward. They can even build schools and provide free education for the workers' children."

This is the factory model of later generations.

In the 1970s and 1980s, many old factories were independent kingdoms with all facilities. Workers did not need to go out. There were also attached kindergartens, primary schools, junior high schools, and high schools, which almost covered all the workers' needs.

"good."

Zeng Gongliang nodded and said, "It's just the cost."

"I'll ask Prime Minister Cai to approve it."

Zhao Jun said.

Military equipment and supplies are also part of military expenditure. Military expenditure of the Song Dynasty accounts for a large part of it, so this amount is not a big deal.

With Zhao Jun's promise, Zeng Gongliang said, "I will take care of this matter."

"Then it's Mr. Lao Mingzhong."

Zhao Jun nodded.

Afterwards, under the leadership of Zeng Gongliang, he inspected other places of the Firearms Bureau.

Due to the attention of the imperial court, the Firearms Bureau was separated from the Arsenal and directly under the Council of Political Affairs, and a lot of territory was allocated to it on the basis of the original one.

In addition, many departments have been added, such as raw materials department, R&D department, manufacturing department, demonstration department, etc.

There was even military protection on the periphery, which shows how much importance the Constitutional Yuan attached to firearms.

Basically, after we have black powder of relatively high purity, we will also develop muskets and artillery in the future, and we will be able to produce more and better new weapons.

After inspecting the Firearms Bureau, he returned to the Constitutional Council at around 1:00 p.m.

The morning's official business had been mostly completed. After lunch, the old men were either resting or continuing to work. The Constitutional Yuan was as quiet as a leisurely summer day.

However, the weather has not been very good recently. It is gloomy and looks like it is going to rain. Even in the middle of the day, the sky is covered with dark clouds. It is not as hot and stuffy as in summer.

When he returned to the yard, Fan Zhongyan came to greet him. Zhao Jun knew that he might have something to say to him, so he stopped packing his laptop and preparing to go to the back garden to teach the children, and walked with him in the yard.

Although the Constitutional Court is located behind the Daqing Palace, it has large courtyards on each side, known as the East and West Wings. There are also small courtyards in the courtyards, and the trees in the courtyards are towering. The two people walked slowly together under the corridor.

"Things have almost been done. Now the evil forces in Bianliang have been almost wiped out, and the remaining people have all gone into hiding underground."

Fan Zhongyan put his hands behind his back and spoke like a little old man.

Zhao Jun nodded and said, "The soil these people live on above has been cleared, and it's time to start working below."

"How are you preparing?"

Fan Zhongyan asked.

He didn't arrange these things as thoroughly as Zhao Jun.

At least he didn't send any undercover agents.

Now I am completely in the dark and don't know anything about what is happening below.

Zhao Jun said, "My people have drawn up a lot of maps and sent them up. All the strongholds have been clearly marked, and the places where the victims are being held have also been found. Things are not peaceful down there right now, and there's a lot of infighting going on among them."

"Are they also fighting among themselves?"

Fan Zhongyan was surprised.

Zhao Jun laughed and said, "They were all swept downstairs. The supplies inside will be in short supply."

“What about the victims?”

Fan Zhongyan sighed.

Zhao Jun said, "According to my people, there's nothing serious going on right now. The victims are their cash cows and their hostages. They're hoping to stir up trouble once the news dies down, and won't immediately harm others. But if things drag on for too long, that won't be a sure thing. Once supplies become so scarce, even they won't have much to eat, let alone ordinary people."

"How much longer can they hold out?"

"I estimate they'll be fine for two to three months. They say there's a shortage of supplies, but they actually have plenty of food stored down there, so surviving a year or two won't be a problem. It's mainly because those who just went down were unprepared. With tens of thousands of people fleeing in such a hurry, it's bound to put pressure on food stocks."

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