But the Emperor had certain people he must see, and Bi Maokang was one of them. No matter when they came, no matter what the Emperor was doing, the Emperor would summon them and would never delay.

"Let him in." Zhu Youxiao opened his eyes and said slowly.

Not long after, Bi Maokang walked in from outside.

Upon seeing Zhu Youxiao, Bi Maokang quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am Bi Maokang."

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "Alright, no need to be polite."

When Bi Maokang stood up, Zhu Youxiao stretched his muscles and bones, then stood up and said, "My dear minister, why are you rushing into the palace? What's the matter?"

"Your Majesty, there is a result from the Academy of Craftsmen!" Bi Maokang said hurriedly, with a look of great joy on his face.

After hearing this, Zhu Youxiao's face also showed joy, and he said, "Then tell me about it."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Nodding, Bi Maokang quickly said, "Ever since Your Majesty visited the Hundred Craftsmen's Academy last time, everyone in the Hundred Craftsmen's Academy has been working tirelessly, hoping to have the product completed before the New Year."

"Thanks to your Majesty's grace, the Hundred Craftsmen's Institute finally finished its work before the New Year. The rocket carts are ready, and there are three different weight levels: 15 jin, 25 jin, and 45 jin. They can be pulled by horses, and rockets can be loaded into the carts before launch. Each cart has nine launch ports, capable of holding nine rockets. After lighting a fuse, all nine rockets can be launched directly."

"In addition, we have also manufactured the hand-cranked machine guns that Your Majesty mentioned. However, due to the firing pin problem, the cost is too high. Each one costs 80 taels, and the scrap rate is really too high."

"It only costs thirty taels to make a flintlock rifle. The cost of a hand-cranked machine gun is too high! It would be very difficult to reduce the cost in a short period of time."

"It's good as long as it's made." Zhu Youxiao looked at Bi Maokang with a smile on his face and said, "If you can make the product, I will feel much more at ease. As for the cost of 80 taels, I accept it. I will allocate 800,000 taels from the inner treasury to you, and you will first make 10,000 for me."

After hearing this, Bi Maokang almost peed his pants.

Ten thousand?

This is not about money anymore.

Bi Maokang quickly said, "Your Majesty, under current conditions, we can only produce twenty guns per month. Casting ten thousand is impossible. If we want to expand the production scale, we will need more money."

Zhu Youxiao understood this principle, which was to establish a new, unified and complete production line from iron smelting to casting.

Building a production line costs money. After thinking for a moment, Zhu Youxiao said, "How much does it cost to build a production line that can produce 200 machine guns per month?"

"I need to go back and do the math." Bi Maokang almost couldn't hold it in and said hesitantly.

He had never really thought about this. After all, the production of such guns still required a matching bullet production line. From gunpowder to bullets, there was still a process in between.

The mining of raw materials is still a problem, which requires a lot of manpower and material resources, and it requires a lot of money.

The specific supporting facilities needed and how much money will be spent need to be recalculated; a rocket production line also needs to be built, which costs money.

Bi Maokang felt a little disappointed. Not to mention other things, just the money alone might not solve the problem in a short time.

Your Majesty has been supporting the Academy of Crafts for such a long time and has invested a lot of money, but if it continues to burn, I am afraid Your Majesty will not be able to accept it.

Zhu Youxiao looked at Bi Maokang and nodded.

Bi Maokang was so cautious for a reason. He certainly couldn't boast in front of the emperor. It was important to say what he thought. If he hadn't calculated it, then he hadn't calculated it.

Zhu Youxiao admired his attitude of not talking big but doing practical things.

Zhu Youxiao said, "Then go back and do the math. I need a production line that can produce 500 flintlock rifles per month, along with matching bullets. I also need a production line that can produce 100 hand-cranked machine guns per month. In addition, we need to produce 100 rockets per month. How much money will this cost? Go back and calculate it yourself, and then report your needs to me."

"You must keep this matter confidential and not let anyone outside know about it. Do you understand?"

Hearing Zhu Youxiao's words, Bi Maokang quickly agreed, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Although he hadn't calculated it, Bi Maokang had an idea in his mind. According to His Majesty's demands, even steel and gunpowder production would have to be expanded. This would require a tremendous amount of money, and by that time, it would be difficult to handle.

Bi Maokang also knew why this matter had to be kept secret. If the news got out, it would be even more troublesome, and there would definitely be people outside who would object.

In fact, His Majesty has invested so much money in the Hundred Craftsmen Academy that some people have begun to oppose it. This is not a good sign.

Bi Maokang had no choice but to accept this, as he felt a complicated situation. He knew the court was short of money, but some of it really needed to be spent.

Zhu Youxiao didn't go to see Bi Maokang. He also understood Bi Maokang's concerns. He waved his hand and said, "Alright, you can leave now. Go back and do your work. There are some things you shouldn't worry about. Just manage the Hundred Workers' Academy well and do what needs to be done. That's enough. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Bi Maokang quickly agreed, "I understand."

After Bi Maokang left, Zhu Youxiao sighed, his mood instantly became depressed, and he no longer had the heart to bask in the sun.

Turning to look at Chen Hong, Zhu Youxiao asked, "How much money is left in my inner treasury?"

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