Chapter 484 Shen Lanxi visits the factory under her supervision!
The court officials had no objection to this, and even if they did, it was suppressed by Shen Lanxi's next sentence.
"We'll definitely get battle reports soon. Let's check the progress of the reports and then discuss it further!"
Zhao Zheng said anxiously, "Your Highness, if we don't make arrangements now, it will be too late if something really happens in the Southwest."
Shen Lanxi said coldly, "The Southwest Army consists of the former troops of the Prince of Zhennan. The Prince of Zhennan is the God of War of our Great Zhou. If his troops were so easily defeated by the barbarians, wouldn't that be a laughing stock?"
Zhao Zheng looked speechless again.
"That's settled then. We'll discuss the war in the southwest later. Let's talk about opening a factory in the suburbs of Beijing first!"
The mention of this roused the court officials.
This factory is an oil refinery, and its raw materials are soybeans imported from the Moon Kingdom, as well as grain paid by various regions.
They had all assumed that the grain was being sent to various garrisons as provisions, but they never expected that Shen Lanxi would use it to refine oil.
Moreover, this type of soybean has a higher oil yield than rapeseed oil. Both lard and rapeseed oil are very precious. Now that soybeans can be widely cultivated, the people of Da Zhou may have oil to eat.
After much discussion, Shen Lanxi decided to visit the oil refinery outside the city the next day.
Watching Shen Lanxi resolve the government affairs in no time, Zhou Ruyuan felt a surge of unease.
Her every move now affects the court; she can't just leave whenever she wants.
The Imperial Observatory had calculated the number of envoys, the Ministry of Rites had prepared a list of accompanying officials, the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs had prepared imperial robes and brocade boots, and the Imperial Guards had rehearsed the route in advance to eliminate any possible dangers.
Although only one day had passed, she had no fewer than a thousand people working tirelessly behind the scenes for this trip.
At the oil refinery, the head of the Ministry of Works personally explained the factory structure, personnel arrangements, and production schedule to Shen Lanxi.
"Some parts of the factory are still not finished. We have recruited 200 workers so far and are still recruiting. Two-thirds of the 1,500 catties of soybeans delivered yesterday have already been used. The plan is to finish before noon. The Ministry of Revenue will send over more soybeans after noon."
Shen Lanxi listened as she walked, followed by officials, censors, and historians.
The official in charge of the Ministry of Revenue took over: "The Ministry of Revenue has been checking the oil produced. The first batch has already been sent to oil shops inside and outside the capital for sale. The imperial merchants have already placed orders for this batch, and it will be transported to Ancheng, Yuzhou and other places after the production is completed."
When Shen Lanxi arrived at the oil refining site, all the workers stopped working and knelt down to worship her.
Shen Lanxi raised her hand: "Don't stop, keep doing what you're supposed to do, don't delay the progress!"
The workers glanced at the foreman, who waved his hand, indicating, "Go on with your work!"
Shen Lanxi continued walking, accompanied by people from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works, who continued to provide explanations.
Upon reaching the storage area, Shen Lanxi specifically reminded everyone of safety precautions.
The Ministry of Works official said, "Soldiers guard and inspect all areas entering and leaving the factory. Open flames are not allowed. No open flames are permitted within 100 meters of the factory. The workers' dining areas are all 200 meters away."
Shen Lanxi nodded, and added, "The storage containers also need to be improved. It's best to find ones that are not easily damaged, as collisions are inevitable during transportation."
The official in charge of the Ministry of Works respectfully replied, "I've already had people making improvements, and notices have been posted to gather everyone's opinions!"
Shen Lanxi: "We might as well set the reward higher. If they can really provide a good method, we can appropriately broaden the conditions and recruit people into the Ministry of Works."
The official in charge of the Ministry of Works noted it down.
As Shen Lanxi walked, she said to the officials behind her, "This place can be used as a pilot site. If the court can profit and the people can also benefit, officials from all over the country can be arranged to come and learn from our experience. We cannot only make the capital prosperous; other places are also part of our Great Zhou."
The officials were amazed by the high oil yield and readily agreed.
Afterwards, Shen Lanxi visited and inspected the cloth factories and breeding farms outside the city, and spent a lot of money to invite livestock experts from other tribes to train the workers at the breeding farms.
The factories and merchants proceeded in an orderly manner, and ten days later, another battle report came from the Southwest.
“The foreign tribes in the southwest, taking advantage of the terrain, have repeatedly led our southwestern army into the miasma-infested mountains and forests. Although our southwestern army has suffered losses of up to a thousand men, we still ask the Regent to send physicians to provide support.”
Shen Lanxi coldly rebuked, "Are all the soldiers in the Southwest Army incompetent? They've been operating there for so many years, and they don't even know where the miasma is."
No one spoke in the court, but they all harbored resentment towards Zhou Ruyuan in their hearts.
How could the Prince of Zhennan, who had been stationed in the southwest for so long, not know?
Is the Prince of Zhennan truly unworthy of his title?
This is the army of General Zhennan. How should General Zhennan resolve this?
Wu Yanzhi: "This old minister believes that we should still send the Prince of Zhennan to garrison the area. The Prince of Zhennan is the leader of the Southwest Army. Only when the army is leaderless will foreign tribes provoke us."
Zhao Zheng stepped forward to recommend himself again.
"My ancestors also intimidated the southwest, making foreign tribes tremble with fear."
Wu Yanzhi said impatiently, "You said it yourself, those were your ancestors, not you."
Zhao Zheng was speechless once again.
Shen Lanxi has already made a decision.
"Prime Minister Wu is right!"
Wu Yanzhi glanced at Zhao Zheng and returned to his seat.
Shen Lanxi looked at Zhou Ruyuan: "Prince Zhennan, it seems that the trip to the southwest is none other than yours!"
Zhou Ruyuan: "As a military officer in the court, I have an inescapable duty!"
Shen Lanxi's eyes darted around, and she continued, "The capital is short of troops, so all soldiers must remain in the capital to protect His Majesty!"
Zhou Ruyuan had already anticipated that Shen Lanxi would not let him take the troops with him.
"I will only take the former Southwest Army troops with me, as they understand the situation in the Southwest!"
Shen Lanxi: "Granted!"
"I'll give you three days to complete the handover. Is that enough?"
Zhou Ruyuan wished he could leave right now.
"enough!"
Shen Lanxi raised the corners of her mouth: "Your Majesty and the Empress will be waiting in the capital for the Prince of Zhennan's triumphant return!"
Zhou Ruyuan gave a fake laugh in response.
Zhennan Prince's Mansion
Bai Qingling had already made preparations and had instructed people to keep it a secret from Shen Yuantang.
"Your Highness, Consort Shen has arrived again."
Bai Qingling looked at the things prepared on the table and instructed, "Take these things down and put them in the suitcase I carry with me."
"yes!"
Shen Yuantang's face flushed with anger as he looked at the two guards who had suddenly appeared at the door.
In just a few days, the prince has completely disregarded the opinions of everyone in the palace and has shown exclusive favor to Bai Qingling.
"Bai Qingling, come out here!"
Bai Qingling's maid said unhappily, "Your Highness, let's just deal with her."
Bai Qingling shook her head: "She has the Shen family behind her, now is not the time to make a move against her."
If it weren't for her failing health and the prince's need for a child, all the women in the mansion would have been wiped out long ago.
Shen Yuantang rushed up to Bai Qingling and slapped her across the face.
"Bai Qingling, you are only a concubine now, yet you dare to overstep your bounds by having guards stand at the gate. You have no respect for the rules of the Prince's mansion at all!"
Bai Qingling covered her face, a sinister rage flashing in her eyes, which she quickly suppressed.
"Your Highness has misunderstood. Those are not guards, but supervisors. The Prince ordered me to remain in the courtyard, and they are the ones preventing me from leaving."
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