"Master, Mr. Dou, please come this way. His Majesty is waiting for you two."
Pei Meng and Mr. Dou went to the palace to meet the emperor together.
The eunuch led the two to Xingqing Palace, and after being informed, they were taken into Zhengyang Palace.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you!" Pei Meng said loudly, with full energy and neither humble nor arrogant.
Mr. Dou was very respectful. "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you!"
The two people's completely different attitudes attracted Liu Zhao's attention.
He smiled and dropped the pen in his hand. "My dear ministers, please don't be polite. You are meritorious officials of the court. Please take a seat!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Pei Meng sat down on the chair with his majestic posture.
Mr. Dou was in a lower position, respectful and doing his duty as a subject.
Pei Meng's attitude was clearly one of sheer determination. He was willing to fight to the death or negotiate, whatever. He wasn't afraid! Naturally, he wouldn't kowtow.
Liu Zhao smiled faintly, "General Pei seems dissatisfied?"
The first thing he did was to accuse me. This is not good!
Mr. Dou was a little nervous.
Pei Meng bowed slightly. "I dare not express any dissatisfaction! I am just curious about what you want to discuss."
"We can talk about anything!" Liu Zhao answered perfunctorily, looking at the two of them with a smile.
Pei Meng frowned slightly, unable to make up his mind for a moment.
Mr. Dou quickly said, "I have been in the northwest for many years, and I know everything about it. As for the south, I went there when I was young, but it was a quick visit and didn't leave much impression."
"Lord Dou, why don't you talk about the Northwest?"
"I dare not show off my skills in front of His Majesty."
"That's fine! I want to hear what Mr. Dou thinks the Northwest looks like."
Mr. Dou couldn't refuse, so he said thoughtfully, "The Northwest is truly poor and miserable, but it's also a good place! However, ever since the cement road from Beijing was built, conditions in the Northwest have improved somewhat over the years."
"If you were to take charge of Northwest civil affairs, where would you start to improve things?"
Mr. Dou was startled and glanced secretly at Pei Meng.
Pei Meng looks at his nose with his eyes and his heart with his nose. All his thoughts are hidden behind his eyes.
Mr. Dou calmed himself down and said, "Your Majesty, you suddenly asked this question. I'm sorry, I can't answer it!"
Liu Zhao laughed heartily. "Just say whatever comes to mind. Lord Dou, don't be nervous."
Mr. Dou considered it over and over again, "Perhaps we can start with water conservancy projects to improve the water supply problem in Northwest China."
Liu Zhao nodded. "My dear minister, you have an idea! What if there is no sufficient water source?"
this……
Mr. Dou was speechless for a moment.
Liu Zhao smiled and looked at Pei Meng. "General Pei, what do you think of the Xiliang army's combat effectiveness?"
Pei Meng's eyebrows moved slightly.
Liu Zhao always called him General, which seemed to have a deep meaning.
He said in a serious tone, "They come and go like the wind, and their soldiers are fearless and unafraid of death. They are a formidable enemy."
"What are the chances of the Northwest Army winning against the Western Liang Army alone?"
Pei Meng raised his eyebrows slightly, "It depends on the specific situation."
"The Northwest Army is mobilized in full force to fight a battle for national destiny with Xiliang. What are the chances of victory?"
Liu Zhao's question was terrifying.
Mr. Dou quickly stepped forward and said, "I would like to ask, Your Majesty, are you determined to continue the war with Xiliang? Beirong is also a formidable enemy and we must be on guard. We must be careful that Beirong will resurge."
"As for Beirong, Lord Dou, there's no need to worry. I only want to ask General Pei, if the Northwest Army were to mobilize in full force to fight a battle for the fate of the nation against Xiliang, what are the chances of victory?"
Pei Meng said with a serious face: "If the logistics can be replenished in time, there is a 60% chance of winning."
Liu Zhao smiled with relief, "Very good! Since you two dear ministers have just arrived in the capital, I imagine you don't know much about the changes that have taken place here over the years. Qian Fu, take you two dear ministers out for a walk."
"I obey your command!"
Is that it?
Mr. Dou looked confused.
Don't you want to talk?
Pei Meng also frowned, but said nothing.
He had enough patience and wanted to see what Liu Zhao was up to.
Qian Fu led the two of them out of Xingqing Palace.
I thought I was just going to take a stroll, but I didn't expect that my schedule for the next few days would be fully booked.
Head south, through the demolished and rebuilt streets and markets, and out of the city.
I went to Wenqing Bookstore, experienced the streaking scene, and went to Shanhe Academy.
I visited Baigong College and the huge industrial park and felt the power of craftsmen.
Afterwards, we went to the construction site of the Imperial College.
The school building is built on the mountain.
The four or five-story building is amazing.
"Why is the house built so high? Can the foundation bear the weight?"
"Because the school building is nestled against the mountains and near water, we need to consider fire and moisture protection. Building it higher will effectively prevent moisture. As for the foundation, sir, please go this way. Nowadays, new building technology is used, using reinforced concrete mixed with steel. This foundation is more load-bearing than traditional foundations and can easily support a three- or four-story building."
"These are all steel bars? Steel bars are used to build houses?"
"Exactly!"
“How much does it cost?”
“Compared to traditional wooden houses, the cost is on par.”
"How is that possible?"
"The cost of wooden houses varies greatly depending on the type of wood used. Take the Imperial College in the city, for example. It uses a lot of brick, stone, and redwood, so the cost is naturally more expensive than ordinary houses. Currently, Universal Steel is working hard to reduce costs, and construction costs should be able to be brought down in the future."
"Is it okay to build a house like this?"
"The main structure of the building in front has been completed. Would you like to go in and take a look?"
"Since we're here, let's go take a look."
After visiting the Imperial College construction site, Pei Meng took the initiative to make a request.
"My uncle would like to visit Universal Transport and Universal Steel. Can you accommodate me?"
Qian Fuyou said with a smile: "Even if Uncle didn't mention it, we will take you two to visit Universal Transport and Universal Steel.
"Oh! Let's go then."
Pei Meng actively got on the carriage for the first time, full of anticipation.
A group of people came to Universal Steel.
The towering chimneys are amazing.
Thick smoke billowed and fire filled the clouds.
The high temperature burns the skin, but it is reluctant to leave.
The moment the molten steel came out of the furnace, Pei Meng and Mr. Dou held their breath, and were left with only shock.
Unexpectedly, this was just the beginning of the shock.
The Shaofu Jiangzuojian set up a shed at Universal Steel, where craftsmen were testing new weapons.
"Steel knife! Uncle, would you like to feel it in your hand?"
Qian Fu handed Pei Meng a steel knife made by a craftsman, and he couldn't wait to hold it in his hand.
“It’s quite a bit!”
After saying that, he swung the steel knife and chopped at the iron bars.
Bang!
Sparks flying!
There was a noticeable gap in the iron bar, but the steel knife was intact.
Pei Meng aimed at the iron bar again, and cut it again and again, and the iron bar broke.
Mr. Dou exclaimed: "What a sharp steel knife!"
Qian Fu handed over a pair of pliers and said, "Mr. Dou, try these and see if you can cut the iron bar."
Mr. Dou weighed the pliers and found them very heavy.
He gripped the handles tightly with both hands and chose the angle.
I didn't hold out much hope, but unexpectedly, as soon as I exerted force with my hands, the iron bar broke with a clean sound.
Mr. Dou exclaimed, "What sharp pliers!"
"These are called vises, and they're used for cutting all kinds of iron."
Pei Meng picked up the pliers and tried them out, and they were indeed sharp.
"Are these made of fine steel?"
"It's not just fine steel, there's something else added to it, it's called alloy steel."
Pei Meng asked Qian Fu, "The Northwest Army needs steel knives and pliers. Would Your Majesty agree?"
Qian Fu laughed and said, "Don't be anxious, General Pei. This is just the beginning. There is still a lot to see."
"Please lead the way, Eunuch Qian."
Qian Fu led the two of them to the deepest part of the shed.
Three crouching tiger cannons stand in the center.
Pei Meng's eyes widened.
"cannon?"
Qian Fu said solemnly, "In recent years, the Ministry of Works has been researching gunpowder and has achieved some initial success. So, we're using fine steel to build a cannon to test its effectiveness. It's a great coincidence that you and your Excellency have arrived today, just in time for the cannon test."
Mr. Dou stroked his beard and laughed.
I'm afraid it's not a coincidence, but they have been waiting here for them for a long time.
He and Pei Meng exchanged a look.
Pei Meng immediately said, "Please test the cannon. I'd like to see it for myself."
"Please, sir, Mr. Dou, please step back to the wall."
Afterwards, a dozen soldiers dressed as generals came on stage to test the artillery.
Pei Meng narrowed his eyes immediately.
It was the soldiers who tested the cannon, not the craftsmen, which revealed so much information.
When did the capital city have artillery?
How long did it take to cultivate?
What is your level of proficiency?
When was the cannon invented? It's probably not just invented as Qian Fu said, but it has existed for a long time.
As for gunpowder technology, Pei Meng was unwilling to think about it too deeply.
He felt Liu Zhao's intimidation.
The so-called casual stroll is clearly a display of strength and flexing of muscles.
Full of warnings and threats!
It was not as messy as I had imagined, and the artillery movements were uniform and standardized, although they were difficult to understand.
Among them, there are artillerymen holding rulers, seemingly measuring the size?
Pei Meng couldn't figure out what the meaning of this was.
Either it is sensational or it is quite meaningful.
"The target is a hundred paces away, three notches to the left, aim, and fire!"
The fuse was lit and burned with a sizzling sound.
boom!
Deafening!
Mr. Dou covered his ears and swayed from side to side, unable to stand steadily.
Pei Meng stood there, feeling no discomfort except for the pain in his ears.
"Hit the target!"
"Uncle, Mr. Dou, do you want to go and see the effect of the artillery bombardment?"
"Can!"
Following Qian Fu, the two came to a place a hundred steps away.
A huge gap was blasted out in a section of the wall.
"What a siege weapon!"
"When two armies face each other, a single bombardment of cannons essentially decides the outcome of the battle."
"How much does this cannon cost? What materials are used? How many shots can it fire? How much does the shell cost? Are the gunners professionally trained?"
Pei Meng asked a series of questions.
Qian Fu laughed, "Don't worry, Uncle. There are some rare things outside. Please come this way!"
Pei Meng was furious.
He showed them the weapons but refused to answer any questions.
What a show of power!
Mr. Dou whispered to Pei Meng, "Uncle, be patient! Today has really broadened your horizons."
Pei Meng hummed, "Master Ben knows his limits, sir, don't worry."
When they got outside, Qian Fu pointed to a hilltop and said, "Universal Transport is on the other side of the hill. Transporting the steel to the Universal Transport plant requires a long detour, which is very time-consuming. Therefore, the craftsmen built a double-track road."
"What is a double-track road?"
"Look, this is a double-track road!"
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