The weather is gradually getting cooler.
The sweet potato shops in Dongcheng are doing well again.
Zhao Huan himself was busy roasting sweet potatoes in the backyard.
When Yu Yunwen came in, he saw the emperor busy at work, and when he saw that his sweet potatoes were roasted and looked delicious, he smiled like a child.
Yu Yunwen often felt that the emperor was as innocent as a child.
Perhaps only with such a clean and pure heart can one steadfastly and persistently promote one's ideas.
The emperor has also been subject to countless criticisms, but he has never been troubled by them.
Yu Yunwen mainly reported on the latest developments in Guangnan New Prefecture.
All the rebellions were completely quelled, and the bandits that arose from them were also wiped out.
The administrative efficiency of the Song Dynasty was undeniably fast.
This made Yu Yunwen quite proud, as no central government in any previous dynasty had such strong execution capabilities.
After the rebellion was quelled, public order in Guangzhou was restored.
From attracting foreign investment to new urban planning, everything is proceeding in an orderly manner.
In order to heal the wounds caused by the war, Guangnan New Prefecture plans to build a large opera house and stadium.
Rumors circulated that the imperial court planned to open a new shipping route, starting from Guangnan New Prefecture, which would be the largest shipping route in history.
Naturally, the largest maritime trade office will be established in Guangnan New Prefecture.
Half of the merchant ships of the Song Dynasty will gather in Guangnan New Prefecture.
Whether this is true or not is unknown.
The only basis for this is that the current prime minister, Yu Yunwen, is determined to secure his position by relying on the new Guangnan Prefecture.
"Your Majesty, these are my humble opinions on the new Guangnan Prefecture."
Zhao Huan took the thick booklet, which was filled with dense writing.
This shows that this was Yu Yunwen's painstaking work.
His vision was clearly not just about the development of Guangnan New Prefecture, but about the development of maritime trade throughout the entire Song Dynasty.
This includes the opening of sea routes, trade between countries in the outer seas, monetary policies, and troop deployment policies in certain areas.
"My dear husband, you've worked hard."
Yu Yunwen is very young, only twenty-seven years old, but he looks calm and composed.
"My hardships are far less than those of Your Majesty."
Zhao Huan gave Yu Yunwen a freshly roasted sweet potato.
The emperor and his minister sat on a low stone bench, like two close friends.
"Has the eldest son considered any of these issues?"
"I do not know."
Yu Yunwen was puzzled, wondering what the emperor meant.
"People at sea are prone to illness. How can we ensure the safety of those on long voyages?"
Yu Yunwen was slightly taken aback. He had thought about this before; it was simply a matter of bringing some doctors on board.
“Currently, it takes at least three months, and sometimes as long as half a year, for a ship from the Song Dynasty to be transported to the palace.”
"What have they been eating in the past six months? Has their chance of getting sick increased significantly?"
"If the sea route can make us money, but the death toll remains high, the revenue on paper may increase, but the hidden risks and costs are rising."
The emperor asked several sharp questions in a row, leaving Yu Yunwen at a loss for words.
"Your subject is foolish."
"My lord, there is no need to blame yourself. This matter cannot be resolved by the two of us alone."
Just then, Shao Chengzhang ran over and said, "Your Majesty, Scholar Shi requests an audience."
"Let him in."
Shi Ziming entered and performed a deep bow: "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."
"Today is not a day for court business, so you need not be so polite."
Yu Yunwen bowed to Shi Ziming and said, "Teacher."
"The Grand Master is also here."
"Come and roast sweet potatoes with me."
After a while, Shao Chengzhang came again.
"Your Majesty, Minister Han, Minister Sima, and Minister Chen are all waiting outside."
"Bring them all in."
The people who arrived were Han Gonglian, Sima Qi, and Chen Gui.
"Your subject pays homage to Your Majesty."
"Please sit down. I have summoned you all today because I have some questions on my mind that I need your help to resolve."
Shao Chengzhang presented a copy of "The Shipbuilding Records of the Great Song Dynasty". Zhao Huan said, "I greatly approve of the Grand Chancellor's political views. The sea route is definitely a trade route that must be developed. If everyone overseas uses paper money, Zhao Ding will be laughing in his sleep."
"The Song Dynasty never had to worry about not having money to spend."
"But the ships built in the Song Dynasty are slow and require many people to row."
A group of people sat around a bonfire, and the autumn wind blew, making it quite cool.
"If a steam engine can power a horse-drawn carriage, why can't it power a ship?"
The emperor's words were like a thunderclap, leaving Sima Qi frozen in place.
"If trains on rails have succeeded, why can't ships?"
"Let me give you some calculations."
“If I were a merchant, the monthly wage for a boatman would be 3 strings of cash. If it took 100 people to travel to the port of Zhulian and 6 months to make the round trip, the total labor cost would be 1800 strings of cash.”
"If coal is burned to propel the ship, how much coal would be needed for 6 months?"
Yu Yunwen said, "About 500 strings of cash."
“Therefore, I need a ship that can be propelled by steam.”
"Han Qing, I need it."
"This old minister has done his utmost."
Zhao Huan looked at Sima Qi and Chen Gui and said, "I mentioned this matter last year. Give us another six months. If we can get a prototype out, I will personally try it out on the Bian River then."
"No problem for 6 months."
"Alright, all successful attempts will be compiled and given to Master Shi. Master Shi should theorize all the successful techniques, compile them into books, and distribute them to various universities."
"yes!"
Zhao Huan continued, "Lord Shi, how many places are available for admission to the Academy of Sciences this year?"
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