As the saying goes, since ancient times, famous detectives have always been accompanied by an old Chinese doctor.
This is called card face!
However, Li Sheng was a little doubtful whether this old Chinese medicine doctor was as good as him. After all, he had just signed up for two illustrated books some time ago, and now I am afraid that all the doctors in the world combined are not as good as him.
After this day's meeting, Li Er naturally continued...
Steelmaking!
The previous refugee camp was located in the west of the city, but this time the steelmaking plant was located in the north of the city.
Because Li Sheng said so.
In this steelmaking plant, the furnaces are burning so hard that when the smoke and dust fills the sky, I'm afraid Chang'an won't be able to withstand it.
Fifty miles away to the north of the city, the population is relatively sparse, the impact is smaller, and no one pays attention...
…
Li Er and Li Sheng had a meal and drank, and then returned to the palace...
In the blink of an eye, another half month passed.
Li Er was already a little hungry and thirsty.
He has a background as a soldier, and now he can't wait to complete his great cause.
There are only four big words running through my mind every day - Fenglang Juxu!
Li Er went to court that day, but did not return to his study.
Manna Hall, meeting!
"Keming, Xuanling, pharmacist, and Xuancheng are starting to collect food at this time. What do you think?"
Now, the steel problem has been solved.
The new "standard steel" is much harder than all the fine irons of the past.
The precious swords from the Western Regions, the Damas Valley sword, some of the things that were praised as magical in the past, are like clay in front of this standard steel.
Naturally, there is no doubt that the Turkic offensive plan, which was originally thought to be postponed, has now been restarted.
And...it will be ready in no time!
When the four ministers heard this, they looked at each other and made eye contact.
"Well, Your Majesty, the steel-making is almost half-finished right now. We have just started collecting food. I'm afraid it's still not stable enough..."
Fang Xuanling reminded with some worry.
When Li Er heard this, his face immediately turned dark.
According to the latest report given by Duan Lun, the production capacity of blast furnace steelmaking is extremely amazing.
The production capacity of the first ignition is not its peak production capacity. In fact, the production efficiency is low due to the preheating process.
As for subsequent steelmaking, this problem does not exist because steelmaking is started continuously.
Isn’t this stable enough?
"No, Xuanling, how stable do you want it to be? You also know that the original gap of 150,000 kilograms of steel has now been completed at 70,000 kilograms, and the production capacity continues to increase."
"I'm afraid that the production of new weapons and armor can be completed in less than a month, no, within twenty days."
"What's wrong with gathering food and grass now to prepare for the army's expedition?"
Li Er frowned more and more as he spoke.
The ministers of the Tang Dynasty are not the trash of the Wei and Jin Dynasties who can only sing well. They are all generals and prime ministers who read military science.
Why, after staying in Chang'an for a long time, these people became civil servants and became cowardly?
"Isn't it good to start preparations earlier? I'm not worried. Why are you so nervous?"
"Your Majesty, don't forget the lessons learned from the past." At this time, Du Ruhui also spoke, "In order to cause trouble for Your Majesty, some people... Well, what can't they do?"
Li Er was stunned.
I wipe it, it’s really...
but……
"However, this food and grass problem must be solved sooner or later. I heard about it a few days ago, because potatoes and sweet potatoes were announced in the spring. There were also chemical fertilizers, and Quyuan plows were sent to the people...
All the big households with a lot of grain in their homes are selling grain one after another."
"In the market today, the food that used to cost seven or eight cents a bushel a while ago has now dropped to three cents. Not to mention that we are going to fight, but even if we are not going to fight, we should pay a higher price for the food to avoid the loss of potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Farmers."
Li Er felt that collecting grain and grass at this time could not be more perfect.
But at this moment, Wei Zheng suddenly smiled and said,
"Your Majesty, collecting food and grass at this time is not a bad idea, but there is a better idea!"
"Oh? What's your idea?"
Li Er was slightly surprised. Is there anything feasible in this matter?
As long as it is harmless to the people and can maintain the operation of the national treasury, he naturally does not mind exchanges.
"Keming, just say it, it doesn't matter!"
"Your Majesty, why not sell some steel first and then collect food and grass?"
"Sell some of the steel first?"
When Wei Zheng said this, Li Er was stunned on the spot.
"We are about to use troops. A few days ago, we were frustrated by the steel problem. At this time, you want me to sell part of the steel?"
"Xuancheng, are you so smart???"
…
Being complained about by Li Er, Wei Zheng did not blush and still smiled.
"Your Majesty, why don't you listen to what I have to say?"
"First of all, now all the aristocratic families, especially the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes, are hoarding fine iron. Your Majesty also said that buying appropriate high grain prices can protect farmers, so the same is true for iron tools."
"Secondly..."
"Your Majesty, you know that most farmers are now selling food. But... the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes are not doing much."
"These people are still based on land and food, so they won't move easily."
"However, if Your Majesty is willing to secretly sell steel first, these people must think that there are other hoarders beyond the five surnames and Qiwang who cannot hold back the profits from the high iron prices and will spend all their money in order to eat more.
of steel, they must sell grain!”
When Wei Zheng spoke to the end, his tone was decisive.
When Li Er heard this, he immediately fell into deep thought.
If you think about it this way, it really makes sense.
It’s not just the aristocratic families that are against the common people, the larger aristocratic families will also be against the smaller ones!
Just like the Eastern Han Dynasty, Cao Cao's father, Cao Song, was also a Taiwei of the dynasty, ranking among the three princes.
But because the whole ancestor was not "four generations and three princes", but only one generation and three princes, the young people in Wuling in Luoyang did not want to see him, and isolated the young Wei Wu. Later, in order to become famous on a TV show, he almost led an army.
After a fight, Yuedan Ping, who was still controlled by a group of aristocratic family members, was denounced as a traitor to Qingping.
Nowadays, the same goes for the Five Surnames and Qi Wangs. This fine iron business is an internal benefit of the Five Surnames and Qi Wangs. How can an ordinary noble family be qualified to get involved in it.
So soon, Li Er discovered...
What Wei Zheng said really makes sense.
Selling some steel at this time can mislead the five surnames and Qiwang into thinking that there is still refined iron in stock among the people. In this case, they will have to find ways to continue to raise funds and continue to devour the refined iron on the market.
So how to raise this fund?
That’s right, it’s selling food and grass!
Li Er couldn't help but laugh,
"Xuancheng, Xuancheng... As expected, I have treated you so well for so many years, and you have certainly lived up to me, hahahaha!"
When Wei Zheng heard this, he smiled sheepishly.
"Your Majesty is so ridiculous. You are just trying your best for the people of the Tang Dynasty. Besides, this is also a good lesson from His Highness. The humble minister is just..."
"Um?"
Wei Zheng said modestly, but when he heard the keyword, Li Er's eyes widened instantly.
