Chapter 406 This is the source of confidence

Shen Qingrui's words stunned everyone present.

Immediately, everyone started buzzing like a hornet's nest that had been poked.

"This is the smallest thunderbolt? If it's this powerful, what would happen with the largest fire thunderbolt? Wouldn't it blow up the entire mountain!"

"My God, if we throw out the biggest fire bomb, it'll blow up an entire city!"

"If we were to use the largest fire bombs to attack the Northern Hu, how many would we need? We don't need to send our soldiers to charge anymore; we can just keep throwing fire bombs at them."

"I think we need to come back again tomorrow!"

"Why do we have to come again tomorrow?"

"Let's see the third young master of the Shen family blow up the biggest fire bomb for us!"

"Well, even the smallest fire bomb can flatten a mountain, so wouldn't the largest fire bomb be even more powerful?"

I think we should keep them. Wouldn't it be better to use those big fire bombs to bomb the Northern Barbarian territory?

"Yes, there's no need to test it anymore. The smallest one already has such good results, so the larger one will definitely be even more effective."

We will definitely believe what Young Master Shen says.

"Keep it to bomb the northern barbarians!"

"Yes, keep them to bomb the Northern Hu!"

......

Everyone was talking about it, and Shangguan Jin, like everyone else, was also shocked.

This kid is something else! With just these fire mines deployed, the border of Dayu will be as solid as a rock!

Emperor Xiao Wu looked at the serious Shen Qingrui and felt his hands trembling.

He could already imagine the power of such fire bombs if they were used on the battlefield.

"Brother Rui...I will certainly reward you handsomely..."

"Your Majesty!" Shen Qingrui suddenly knelt down.

Emperor Xiao Wu was taken aback and quickly gestured for Shen Qingrui to get up.

"Your Majesty, the achievements in the research on fire and thunder are not solely due to my efforts."

The entire gunpowder research team worked day and night, focusing their efforts on how to create more powerful fire bombs.

It's been almost a year, and none of those who went to the North have returned.

They endured wind and rain, devoting themselves wholeheartedly to serving their country.

"Your Majesty, if you want to reward someone, then reward those artisans!" Shen Qingrui said solemnly.

After these words were spoken, everyone fell silent.

In the past, no matter what achievements a department made, the first person to receive a commendation was always the head of the department.

Then, the imperial court will simply approve the list of awards submitted by each department.

Those with official rank will be promoted, while those without will be given small amounts of silver as a reward...

But on Shen Qingrui's side...

Instead of taking credit, they openly stated that it was not their own achievement, but rather the achievement of the entire gunpowder research team.

If Your Majesty wishes to bestow a reward, then we shall all bestow one together...

Emperor Xiao Wu remained silent for a while, then looked at Shen Qingrui, who had a calm expression.

In fact, if it weren't for Shen Qingrui, there wouldn't be this gunpowder research group today.

The biggest credit goes to this kid.

"In that case, everyone should indeed be rewarded."

From this day forward, the gunpowder research group will be placed under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Household Department.

"Rename it the Royal Firearms Workshop, and all artisans will enjoy the title of Royal Artisan, with an official rank of... seventh grade!" Emperor Xiao Wu said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingrui immediately knelt down again.

Excellent, this is a good reward.

The status of artisans is inherently difficult to determine. In the past, rewards were given, mostly in the form of gold and silver.

It's a bit difficult to escape being a nobody.

The emperor not only bestowed the title of royal craftsman upon each member of the group, but also granted them the official rank of seventh grade.

Although none of them held real power, this was already the greatest courtesy one could bestow upon the artisans.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness!" Shen Qingrui said loudly.

The officials who came with Emperor Xiao Wu all froze.

The craftsman was immediately granted an official title...

Our Emperor is truly decisive and has chosen the right moment!

Normally, when His Majesty needs to make these decisions during court assemblies, he will symbolically ask for their opinions.

Of course, they will vehemently oppose it.

If craftsmen can easily obtain official positions, then what is the point of students studying hard for ten years?

Of all professions, only studying is noble!

For those who could have passed the imperial examinations, it was already an extremely competitive process.

Now another batch of artisans are taking up some official positions...

Your Majesty is striking a nerve with all the scholars in the land!

The officials wanted to object, but seeing the jubilant faces of the people around them, none of them dared to speak up.

Public opinion cannot be defied...

But now that His Majesty has loosened restrictions on artisans, will the next step be to loosen restrictions on traveling merchants as well?

After all, the plaque for the Royal Merchants had already been given away.

The traveling merchant was just one opportunity away from escaping his humble origins...

If people from both of these social classes could hold official positions, it would shake the very foundation of the Great Yu!

No, this can't just stay like this; we need to get an explanation.

The officials looked at each other, waiting to see who would be the first to stand up and object, and they would surely follow suit.

But everyone wants someone else to be the one to take the lead, while they just need to go along with it...

Anyone who dares to say a word against it, or that the craftsmen don't deserve these rewards, will be cursed by the people present until they can't even lift their heads.

The development of such a fire-propelled mine is a testament to protecting our homeland and making the greatest contribution to Chongqing.

You're saying they don't deserve it?

Okay, do you deserve it!

He's never even been on the battlefield. His main task every day is to attend court on time and engage in verbal battles with people. What right does he have to object?

Lord Shangguan was also a little surprised.

He knew what the emperor's grandson was thinking.

In the mind of this grandson of the emperor, everyone with ability should be treated equally.

As for the old, implicit yet deeply ingrained notions of the social hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants...

He didn't want things to continue like this.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Left with no other choice, Lord Shangguan had to be the first among all the officials to stand up and echo Emperor Xiao Wu's praise.

Upon seeing this, the onlookers immediately knelt down as well.

"Your Majesty is wise! Heaven blesses the Great Yu!"

Emperor Xiao Wu looked at the kneeling masses of people, then at the other officials who were still frozen in place, and said nothing.

"Your Majesty is wise. Those who have made significant contributions to our Great Yu deserve this reward!" The Minister of Rites finally knelt down as well.

They had no choice but to kneel! Their granddaughter was the eldest daughter-in-law of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion!

If I don't make a statement here, my granddaughter will probably come back crying and complaining.

"They're all related by marriage, and you're not even helping them! Aren't they all noble families, sharing both prosperity and ruin?"

The Minister of Rites had no choice but to bite the bullet and agree.

Immediately afterwards, the military officers, led by the Chang Sheng clan, also knelt down to express their gratitude for Heaven's grace...

Finally, all the officials knelt down...

Shangguan Jin looked at her emperor nephew, who had a calm expression.

Suddenly I understood.

actually......

The one who reaped the most today must be the emperor's nephew!

They acquired a national strategic asset, won the hearts of the people, and incidentally brought their own agenda into the open...

This kid... he was born to be an emperor!