Xia Zhongshi bowed gratefully and said, "Brother Tang is so kind, I'm not hiding it, I really do have this in mind."
After a pause, Xia Zhongshi continued, "Your Majesty mentioned the salt policy, which shows that he attaches great importance to it. I have thought about it and think that if I can come up with a good policy, it may please His Majesty."
There is nothing shameful in catering to the emperor's preferences. It is not flattery, but offering advice to the country.
Tang Mo was stunned for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said, "Old Xia, you've picked up a hot potato! The salt business involves the interests of so many powerful and wealthy people. If there is a good law that benefits the country, you will cut off their financial resources!"
"Cutting off someone's financial resources is like killing their parents." Xia Zhongshi laughed, but it was a sarcastic sneer. He said, "I am not afraid of what others say, nor of the bad reputation I will receive in history. With a wise ruler on the throne, it's time for great reforms."
Tang Mo nodded slightly and said, "Yes, the reform has already begun, but some people are still trying to stop the chariot with a mantis arm for their own interests. Old Xia, just go ahead and do it. I will lend you a hand."
Xia Zhongshi hurriedly bowed and thanked him again, "Brother Tang, I thank you for your generosity. Besides, I have a few words from the bottom of my heart. I hope Brother Tang will not take offense if they are unpleasant to hear."
Tang Mo waved his hand and said in a feigned displeasure, "Who do you take me for? Since it's from the bottom of my heart, how can I not listen attentively and keep it in mind?"
Xia Zhongshi smiled and nodded, his expression became serious. He leaned over slightly and spoke to Tang Mo in a low voice.
The emperor's plans were beyond the comprehension of ordinary people, and the underlying meaning of each move was unknown. Yet, no one dared neglect the emperor's errands, and this was true for merchants and officials alike.
For example, Sun Yuanhua was listening to the emperor's narration in a daze, trying hard to imagine the shape and function of this machine in his mind.
The cultivation, production, and manufacturing of tobacco have been put on Zhu Youxiao's agenda and have begun to be implemented one after another.
Before the Little Ice Age, tobacco cultivation in the north was also fruitful. Although the quality wasn't as good as in the warmer south, with the advent of new things, who would be so picky about the quality of tobacco leaves as to think Yuxi tobacco was better than Huangguoshu?
This is a huge source of wealth, Zhu Youxiao can be sure of it.
The wars in Liaodong and the southwest, the expansion of the navy, the increase in officials' salaries, and the implementation of the "official transfer" system, etc., were all tests for the court's finances.
Without ample finances and sufficient funds, it would be impossible to even survive, let alone reforms that would benefit the people and eliminate disadvantages.
Zhu Youxiao was not surprised seeing Sun Yuanhua's somewhat dazed expression.
First, it would be difficult to understand without a model or sample to show; second, Sun Yuanhua had no impression of the size and thickness of the cigarettes, and no one in the Ming Dynasty might have seen one.
Since he was not surprised, Zhu Youxiao must have been prepared. You know, in addition to being the number one emperor, he was also probably one of the most skilled craftsmen in the Ming Dynasty - Zhu the Carpenter!
Zhu Youxiao took out a flat wooden box from the drawer of his desk, which was the kind of personal cigarette-rolling device used in later generations.
"Sun Qing, please see carefully." Zhu Youxiao put the cigarette in paper, then pressed it hard. The belt rolled up and a cigarette appeared in front of Sun Yuanhua.
Zhu Youxiao handed the cigarette to Sun Yuanhua for a closer look and said, "This is a cigarette. This small device is called a cigarette rolling machine. Sun Qing, you can use it as a reference when you want to build a large machine."
"Yes, I obey your order." Sun Yuanhua bowed and took the cigarette and cigarette rolling machine from the palace maid.
Naturally, this little gadget didn't need to be made by Boss Sun himself. Zhu Youxiao summoned him to give him instructions, and the skilled craftsmen would be able to use their ingenuity.
Sun Yuanhua also understood what the emperor wanted to know. Sitting on the embroidered cushion, Old Sun began to report on his work.
The production capacity of the Arsenal and Gunpowder Bureau was gradually increasing, and the quality of its products was becoming increasingly stable. In addition to the increasing proficiency of the craftsmen, another important factor was the use of machinery.
Zhu Youxiao had previously drawn up some unrealistic regulations, such as standardization and assembly line production, but the results were disappointing. This was because the production, which was mainly handmade, could not meet the required conditions at all!
The human factor is difficult to overcome, and to solve the problem, we can only rely on machines. This is the truth that Zhu Youxiao figured out.
Although more complex machines are out of the question given current technological conditions, some simple ones can still improve efficiency and ensure uniform regulation.
For example, the pedal-operated machine tools that existed a long time ago were changed from wood to iron, and some gears and crankshafts were added, and they were standardized with more precise scale units. They already had many characteristics of modern machine tools.
"We need to increase the number of machines and make greater use of water and animal power." Zhu Youxiao listened to a section and then began to give instructions. "The parts casting experiment you just mentioned is a very good idea."
Casting is a one-time molding process. If the precision is high enough, it can indeed minimize the error between cast products and perhaps meet the needs of standardized and assembly line production.
"Craftsmen who can come up with reasonable suggestions or even create practical machines should be rewarded generously." Zhu Youxiao paused, frowning slightly as he thought.
After a while, Zhu Youxiao asked uncertainly, "Sun Qing, aren't you being too strict? The three civilian titles of Righteous Merchant, Diligent Worker, and Warrior can be relaxed a bit at first, like the example of buying a horse's bones for a huge sum of gold."
Sun Yuanhua hurriedly bowed and said, "I understand. The list has been drawn up and will be submitted tomorrow. Your Majesty, please select and confer titles."
Zhu Youxiao laughed and nodded, "Let's set a few examples first. As for the warriors, I'll have each military garrison draw up a list. Of course, Liaozhen and the Southwest should have more. Add in Sun Qing's hard work, and it will be complete."
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