Chapter 240 Academy of Sciences

After the controversy over the crown prince's two sons becoming kings, everything is back on track.

Two agricultural officials in charge of hybrid rice research came to report the latest situation to Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian attached great importance to the results of hybrid rice. The results of this experiment would have a bearing on the future.

In the future, there will be various natural disasters in the Tang Dynasty, and the grain production will also decrease. Hybrid rice is very important.

According to the new agricultural report, the hybrid rice research was very successful, and the original production was directly increased by nearly three times.

After Li Chengqian obtained this result, he immediately wrote a detailed report and submitted it to Li Er, asking Li Er to promote it nationwide.

Li Er had heard about hybrid rice before, but he didn't take it seriously. Now after reading the report submitted by Li Chengqian, he was shocked!

The grain production per mu could be increased by nearly three times the original production. Li Er knew what it meant.

Li Er immediately summoned Prime Minister Changsun Wuji and officials from the three provinces to discuss promotion.

The reporter Li Chengqian and Jin Wang Li Zhi also attended the meeting. Li Zhi was becoming more and more active on the political stage.

"You have all read the prince's memorial! The production of hybrid rice is three times the original. The prince asked me to promote it throughout the country, so that the country's grain and grass will increase a lot." Li Er said.

Hybrid rice must be promoted. This time, they were called here just to go through the motions. After all, this promotional edict requires the joint signatures of officials from the three provinces.

"Your Majesty! This is a move to enrich the country and benefit the people. We, the ministers, naturally agree with it." Zhangsun Wuji took the lead in expressing his opinion.

This is not only beneficial to the country, but also to them. None of these people have good farmland at home, and none of them will complain about having too much food at home.

"Then sign your names on the edict!" Li Er said, and ordered Wang Yuan to take out the edict that had been prepared long ago, and let the officials from the three provinces sign it, and then it could be announced to the world.

The officials from the three provinces came forward one by one to write their names, and their efficiency was amazing.

After the edict was issued, Li Er praised Li Chengqian even more, and told Li Zhi to learn from Li Chengqian.

"Father! I need your permission for something!" Li Chengqian said.

"Oh! Chengqian, what do you need my permission for? Just tell me. As long as it is beneficial to the Tang Dynasty, I will approve it!" Li Er said with a smile.

"I want to set up an academy in the East Palace, called the Academy of Sciences." Li Chengqian said.

In the future, if the Tang Dynasty wants to dominate the world and colonize overseas, it must research and develop new technologies.

"Academy of Sciences? What is the role of your Academy of Sciences? Explain it in detail." Li Er said. He was very curious about what the prince was going to stir up.

Li Chengqian didn't know where to start for a while, although he had already made gunpowder and fireworks in advance.

But these can only be used for entertainment. What he needs to do now is to research explosives based on gunpowder.

Not only that, he also needs to research firearms to advance the entire technology by hundreds of years, and to create cotton armor that is stronger and lighter in defense.

There are many technologies to be researched, and any one of them will shock the whole world. By then, who will be the opponent of the Tang Dynasty?

These are just ideas, and it is not so easy to realize them.

Looking at Li Chengqian who was lost in thought, Li Er did not urge him. He was waiting to see if the prince could bring him another unexpected surprise.

"I want to research other new varieties based on gunpowder. Naturally, this academy will not only research these, but also research things that are beneficial to the country and the people's livelihood!" Li Chengqian explained briefly. He was afraid that Li Er would not understand if he said too much, and it would be too troublesome to explain.

"Brother! What is gunpowder?" Li Zhi asked. Not to mention that Li Zhi did not understand what gunpowder was, even Li Er did not know.

Although they would set off fireworks to celebrate during festivals, they did not know that there was gunpowder in the fireworks, and they did not need to understand this.

As long as they could release gorgeous fireworks and let him enjoy and be happy, they did not care at all about what the fireworks were made of.

"Gunpowder is an important component in making fireworks. Without gunpowder, it is impossible to release gorgeous fireworks." Li Chengqian explained briefly.

Li Zhi was stunned!

Li Er was a little unhappy! What is a firework? It's just a toy. The prince actually wants to study it. Is he going to study some new toy?

This is something Li Er absolutely does not allow. This is simply to destroy the will of a toy. However, Li Er knows that Li Chengqian is not a fool.

"What do you want to study with this gunpowder?" Li Er asked.

"To make dynamite! A powerful explosive that can blow up a room as long as the amount is large enough." Li Chengqian gestured to explain to Li Er, trying to make Li Er understand as much as possible.

Li Er and Li Zhi were very surprised after hearing it! If it is really as Li Chengqian said, this explosive is too powerful.

If the Tang Dynasty can have such a national weapon, it will be able to crush anyone and any force at will in the future.

"Da Lang! How sure are you that you can develop such a national weapon?" Li Er asked, his tone a little hurried.

"This..." He lowered his head and thought. To be honest, he had never made explosives before, so he was not sure that he could research explosives.

"I dare not guarantee it to my father! I can only do my best!" Li Chengqian said, a little lacking in confidence. After all, he had touched explosives before.

It is not easy to research gunpowder!

Li Er was silent for a moment. Li Chengqian's attitude showed that he was not sure either. After a moment, he said, "You can do it. I will fully support you."

No matter what, as long as he can research such a weapon for the country, Li Er will fully support Li Chengqian to do scientific research.

Even if there is less than one in ten thousand, as long as there is a chance, Li Er will not give up, and will support Li Chengqian's actions without hesitation.

Li Er will naturally not let go of such a weapon that can strengthen the national strength of the Tang Dynasty.

"Don't worry, father! I already have some ideas. As long as I follow this idea and experiment hundreds or thousands of times, I should be able to research explosives. Not only that, there is still a lot of room for research on gunpowder." Li Chengqian said.

As long as Li Er can support him, he has the confidence to lead the researchers to research explosives and make muskets.

"Well! I just don't know if I will have the chance to see the explosives you mentioned." Li Er sighed

. "Father will surely live a hundred years. Not to mention seeing the explosives, the Tang Dynasty needs Father to witness its prosperity." Li Chengqian said.

Li Er smiled and said nothing. He knew his own situation in his heart. He was afraid that he would not live for many years.