Chapter 46 (All Chapter 46)

October 16th, the third year of Yongsheng.

Su Qing settled the dozen or so weapon craftsmen who had come to seek refuge with him.

For this, she even wrote a letter to General Yan Zhengzhou to express her gratitude.

From the moment she decided to build a weapons workshop, she sought connections everywhere.

Unexpectedly, this general was the most reliable.

The rebels arrived at just the right time.

Then there are weapon craftsmen who can appear on demand.

If we don't thank the General, we'll be utterly heartless.

Su Qing even understood why the Empress Dowager and the Emperor liked to use generals so much.

He's incredibly handsome, and so considerate too.

It's really easy to use.

If Yan Zhengzhou heard this, he would probably say that he wouldn't help just anyone.

Furthermore, this is not helping Su Qing, but helping Shunchang Kingdom.

He had great faith in Prefect Su's abilities and believed he could build a good weapons workshop to alleviate the pressure of war.

Unfortunately, Yan Zhengzhou knew that the craftsmen he had sent had their doubts.

They were all experienced old craftsmen with extremely high requirements for weapons, and naturally they were very picky about the people in the workshop.

If you encounter a boss who doesn't know the ropes, the two sides are bound to argue.

The place I was sent to this time not only had an inexperienced supervisor, but was also a woman.

Can a woman understand weapons?

Does the woman know any technology?

Isn't this ridiculous?

If it weren't for the fact that the local people's lives had improved since she became the prefect, they wouldn't have known.

They won't come.

Even if the general asked them to come, they wouldn't.

Only after entering the city of Guang Le Prefecture did one realize how different this place was.

Unlike other parts of Shunchang Kingdom, the security here is exceptionally good, with constables and police patrolling day and night.

Before even reaching the city of Guangyue Prefecture, soldiers were already patrolling the area.

It is said that the situation is the same in the counties below.

Such round-the-clock patrols naturally brought a rare haven of peace to Shunchang Kingdom.

The ordinary people living in it might find it hard to notice.

But those who come from outside have a deep understanding of this.

However, as a veteran craftsman in the military camp, he knew that such inspections would put considerable pressure on local resource consumption.

Most superiors would not choose such a thankless and laborious approach.

Therefore, when he went to see Su Qing, he couldn't help but scrutinize her a bit more.

Led by Dou Jiaqing, a group of elderly men in their fifties entered the government office. When they first met Prefect Su, they saw a young woman who looked no more than eighteen years old, with gentle features and a beautiful appearance.

Although she wore the official robes of a fourth-rank official, her imposing presence was not condescending; rather, it made it clear that she was shrewd and not easily fooled.

Su Qing smiled and offered him a seat, then had food and lodging arranged.

After they had rested enough, without further ado, he invited Craftsman Dou and the others to take a look at the weapons workshop.

Su Qing led them over and introduced them one by one: "These are the blueprints for a weapons workshop that the Ministry of Works found. They will be built according to the workshops in the outskirts of the capital."

“There are two water sources if you go this way.”

"This place is used as a warehouse, and this place is used to build a blast furnace, but since none of you are here, we dare not make any moves."

After the trip, Craftsman Dou and his team discovered that the weapons workshop had been built, while the workshops with some technical content were left vacant, waiting for them to arrange them.

In plain terms, it means that everything that needed to be done was done.

The rest can be left to those who understand the technology.

Su Qing also stated frankly, "We can only do auxiliary tasks. As for how to make weapons and armor, we will leave that to you."

"However, it was mentioned in advance that another group of craftsmen will be coming next month."

"No matter where the craftsman comes from, as long as he has real skills, Guangyuefu will not treat him unfairly."

"I won't interfere with how it's made, or what kind of weapons and armor it's made."

"Only one point: we cannot waste materials, and we cannot produce shoddy goods. This is the last guarantee for the soldiers, and it is also the key to their victory."

"If anyone tampers with this, don't blame the Guangyuefu for being ruthless. Whoever hired the craftsman will be imprisoned at best, and beheaded at worst."

After he finished speaking, the craftsmen were alright, but the servants and apprentices he had brought to do the work were sweating profusely.

Prefect Su's words were simple.

She doesn't care about how it's produced; she only cares about the quality and the materials used.

If you don't do well, you'll go to jail.

That's too strict.

On the other hand, craftsman Dou and others could not hide their smiles.

Indeed, a weapons workshop should be this rigorous.

Not to mention those in charge, everyone working there is governed by military regulations.

Strict controls must be enforced to prevent smuggling and collusion between insiders and outsiders, which could lead to trouble.

It was actually a good thing that Prefect Su established rules right from the start.

It's better to fix things after something goes wrong.

No wonder the General sent them over.

Prefect Su did not disappoint the General's trust.

Perhaps feeling that this was not enough, Su Qing asked Lian Qianzong for several soldiers who had been wounded in the war to be specifically responsible for supervision.

Furthermore, each rule was written down clearly, and everyone was required to keep it in mind.

Those who partnered with the weapons workshops were also complaining bitterly.

I thought it was a good job.

Who would have thought there were so many rules inside?

This piece of fatty meat is really not so easy to eat.

Even so, many people were still willing to cooperate with the government.

After all, they do follow the rules and make a profit.

They trusted Prefect Su's character more, knowing that if anything went wrong, he wouldn't use his power to oppress people.

By the time the craftsmen Ye Shanming had found arrived, the weapons workshop in Guang Le Fu was already operating smoothly.

Once all the materials arrive, the first batch of weapons and equipment can be manufactured.

Su Qing naturally did not interfere with the weapons workshop based on his experience from later generations.

The workshop has just opened, and what it needs is steady operation. We'll see if her ideas are feasible when the time is right.

Others were naturally not part of Su Qing's plan.

However, Yan Xieshou and others in the army were clearly extremely grateful to her.

Look at other people, they receive all the due pay and rations they deserve, not a penny less.

She also got involved in the case concerning winter clothes.

Now even armor and weapons are prepared in advance.

This made the soldiers stationed in Yisong County feel particularly at ease.

Because they knew they weren't all alone in this place.

They have the support of the people of the entire prefecture behind them.

There were officials like Prefect Su behind them, doing logistical work.

The army, which already had a particularly good impression of Su Qing, now trusted him even more.

Fortunately, Su Qing was appointed as the prefect.

No one else could feel so at ease.

Unfortunately, no matter how much praise they received from outside, the local government's household registration office remained dejected.

Why?

Because we're poor.

We've already settled the accounts.

This year's tax revenue is 760,000 taels, and the monthly military expenditure is 39,000 taels.

Grain warehouses were built in various places, not to mention the hoarding of grain.

The investment in weapons workshops now is simply outrageous.

Even though Jiang, the head of the engineering department, tried his best to save money.

But the upfront costs were just too high.

As batches of materials and labor entered the workshop, debts piled up.

Su Qing's opinion was: "Let them owe us if they can, but don't give them any yet."

Both the Hua family and the Ye family are richer than their government office!

Therefore, materials and workmanship are not provided until the weapon is made.

"However, the wages of the craftsmen and apprentices must be paid on time," Su Qing emphasized. "And their daily meals cannot be neglected."

Wu Husi listened to the order, and finally stammered, "Then we don't have enough money either."

She had already done the math.

No matter how frugal we are, the money will only last until March next year.

After March, both the army's food and pay and the maintenance of weapons workshops will become extremely difficult.

Although it's only November, it's always good to be prepared.

After Wu Husi finished speaking, Prefect Su smiled, patted her on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, by then, we'll definitely have money."

Why?

Is it because Nanjiang County will receive a batch of money from selling medicinal herbs at the end of the year?

Of course, that's not all.

Su Qing glanced at the weapons workshop.

Such a chaotic world.

What could be more profitable than selling weapons?

Leaving aside the garrison in Yisong County, let's only talk about the garrison troops in various places outside, as well as the troops attacking the city in the suburbs of Beijing.

If you want high-quality weapons, the Guangyuefu is the only option.

Besides, with this thing, shouldn't they be the ones worrying?

Unfortunately, if these words were spoken, it would seem that her idea of ​​building a weapons workshop was malicious and merely a promise to the head of the household.

Once the first batch of weapons is manufactured.

Their Guangyue Mansion is definitely not short of money!

Su Qing was full of confidence, and even his subordinates looked radiant.

And she was finally able to find the time to see someone.

Su Qing asked Fei Kaiyu, "Is the Education Commissioner free lately?"

Upon hearing this, Scholar Fei immediately replied, "Don't worry, sir, I will absolutely not let him disturb you!"

This year, the government-funded schools have very little budget.

So many students were laid off again.

Bringing in the Gu family couple didn't help much; the education official still hadn't given up.

But Scholar Fei was extremely vigilant and absolutely prevented the education commissioner from getting close.

That way, I won't have to ask for money every day.

Didn't you hear what Wu Husi said? Their yamen is really short of money.

Unexpectedly, Prefect Su said something else entirely this time: "If he has time, he can come and sit in the study."

"Just tell them I've made time to talk about the academy."

What should we talk about?

Prefectural School?

We have no money!

The clerk also asked, "Sir, are you going to give him the money?"

No, it isn't.

She was dirt poor; all the government's money had been invested in the weapons workshop.

Who has the time to give them money?

But with over two hundred students leaving the prefectural school, wouldn't that leave an empty space?

We could recruit some other students.

The prefectural school's academic director ran over happily.

This educational commissioner was none other than the former prefect, Lord Zhao, who came to Guangyue Prefecture.

Before coming, I was definitely very reluctant.

It's not that this place can't produce talented people for the imperial examinations, but rather that Gaoqing Prefecture is eyeing it covetously, and whoever goes there will be in trouble.

Therefore, when Lord Zhao left, Wang Xuezheng also wanted to leave.

There's just no other sucker willing to take it on.

No, judging from the current situation, there is no other capable minister who can take over.

If we really can't leave, then so be it.

Wang Xuezheng is optimistic.

Since his superior is so capable, he can also take advantage of the situation.

It was clear that Prefect Su had appeased everyone, from the local areas to the military.

The entire Guangyuefu became completely different.

Their prefectural school was the most unfortunate one.

They don't get any money.

They never fail to crack down on wrongdoing.

They were particularly ruthless in clearing out students.

Some of the students had even mocked Gu Congsi, saying that he was a weak husband and had a fiancée who was a county magistrate.

What's going on now? Prefect Su will just kick you all out!

Although he held the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the county-level imperial examinations), he was definitely not a student of the prefectural school.

Of course, Prefect Su probably didn't even know who they were or what they had said.

Anyway, no matter what he did, he ended up having fewer and fewer students.

It hardly resembles a prefectural school or an administrative institution.

So he seized the opportunity to meet the prefect.

Let's allocate some money to the prefectural school!

The Emperor highly values ​​the talents selected through the imperial examinations!

Now that Su Qing is calling him, he can't wait to run over.

Wang Xuezheng hadn't expected that Prefect Su's summons this time would actually be related to the prefectural school.

However, Prefect Su said directly, "There are more than two hundred vacant student positions in the prefectural school, and it's not good to waste them."

"I'm thinking of recruiting some more students after the New Year."

"But there are already too many Confucian scholars."

"The other two hundred or so students were recruited from the various schools of thought other than Confucianism."

"Martial arts and military strategy, Mozi and Zhuangzi."

"We want the entire Guangyuefu Academy."