At the beginning of the founding of the Xia Dynasty, the Zhongshu Province was abolished, and the six ministries no longer needed to go through the prime minister, and even the six ministers could report directly to the emperor.
After the emperor issued a decree, it was directly handed over to the six ministries for execution. In terms of participation in decision-making, the six ministries, especially the Ministry of Personnel, play a leading role in activities such as court promotion and court discussions. If the emperor discusses government affairs with the lower ministries, the ministry will directly propose decision-making plans to the emperor.
Although the Taizong Dynasty established a cabinet, the auxiliary academicians had the power of prime minister even though they did not have the title of prime minister. However, in the operation of government affairs, except for major matters that need to be reported to the emperor and the cabinet for approval, each ministry can handle daily affairs by itself.
Since the six departments divided a large part of the prime minister's power, the power of each department within its jurisdiction has been greatly expanded, among which the five departments of officials, soldiers, households, rituals, and punishments are the most prominent.
Look, the power of the remaining five of the six ministries has been greatly expanded, leaving only the Ministry of Industry.
The Ministry of Industry had the lowest status among the six ministries, and some ministers and ministers were craftsmen, so they were ignored by Qingliu.
Under the Ministry of Industry, there are four divisions: Yingzhen, Yuheng, Dushui, and Tuntian. The Secretary of Camp and Repair is in charge of business and construction, Yu Heng is in charge of the harvesting and cultivating of mountains and rivers, the Secretary of Dushui is in charge of rivers and lakes, bridges, boats and carts, weaving, etc., and the Secretary of Farming is in charge of planting, fuel charcoal, labor, and mausoleums. .
Jia Cong remembered that when he first went to the Ministry of Industry, both officials and craftsmen in the Ministry had a miserable life.
Anyone who is an official in the capital can go to the Ministry of Works to show off his power and prostitute the craftsmen from the Ministry of Works to work for his family without even taking care of his food.
At that time, the life of craftsmen in the Ministry of Industry was probably better than that of landless tenant farmers.
One of the things that impressed Jia Cong the most was that in order to make a flintlock gun, he went to the craftsman's workshop to visit a skilled craftsman. The craftsman had three sons, but he only had one pair of trousers...
He is still a master craftsman from the Ministry of Works, and he can receive some money and food from the Ministry of Works every month. One can imagine how miserable ordinary craftsmen must be.
…
The carriage creaked slowly on the official road. The winter cold had not passed yet, but green wheat seedlings were already growing in the fields on both sides of the official road.
The emperor felt friendly when he saw the green wheat seedlings in the fields. Winter wheat and potatoes were cultivated alternately, and the people of Gyeonggi Province no longer lacked food.
"I have always believed that the craftsmen of the Ministry of Industry are the most indispensable talents for the development of the country. Moreover, the tools and techniques developed by the Ministry of Industry are the secrets of the imperial court. Therefore, after discussing with Mr. Duan, I assigned each department to be responsible for research and development. People, all move out of the capital..."
The emperor, who left the palace incognito, could already see the battlements of the arrow tower appearing in front of him from a distance.
The mysterious Mo City is located in the center of the two camps of Donggong Liuliu and Shenwu Youwei.
Under the indirect protection of a total of 40,000 troops, unless there is a disaster that destroys the country, the safety of Mo City can be said to be foolproof.
As one of the main people in charge of Mo City, Jia Cong naturally passed the guards one after another with a clear face.
As soon as he led the emperor into Mo City, he suddenly heard a shocking loud noise, and then the earth shook and the mountains shook. The dragon guards were so frightened that they nervously protected the emperor in the center.
"There should be progress in firearms research and development. This is a test of the cannon."
Jia Cong, who often comes to Mo City for walks, is very clear about this.
As the status of the Ministry of Industry increased, coupled with abundant research and development funds, the group of master craftsmen worked hard to study the improvement and innovation of firearms.
This time, as soon as he returned to Beijing from Jinling, someone put the R&D application for the Daxia version of the Sky Monkey... No, the Daxia version of the rocket launcher was placed on his desk.
boom!
There was another loud noise, and Jia Cong led the emperor to the firearms testing site with ease. When he saw it, he saw a dozen craftsmen having a heated discussion around a huge cannon that was still smoking.
hiss! What did this group of people create?
The length of the barrel, the caliber of the cannon...
"Uncle is here, let's let him comment on this theory..."
Several gray-haired old men walked towards Jia Cong with pale faces in a hurry, arguing as they walked. After a few words, Jia Cong also understood the reason for their dispute.
It turns out that this giant cannon looks mighty and domineering, but in fact it is quite useless due to the limitations of the barrel material.
This thing can't fire many rounds at all. According to the test firing record of the previous one, about twenty rounds is the ultimate.
"So, you are now divided over whether you should continue to develop large-caliber artillery?"
Jia Cong holds his forehead, is there any need to think?
"Caliber is justice, and the dignity of the country is only within the range of the cannon. If there is a problem with the material, then the material must be improved. The development of artillery can never stop. As for gold and silver, don't think about how to save extraneous things. Money, the money earned by the Ministry of Industry every year is enough for you to make a lot of money."
"Jia Cong, let me try it again. It's best to display all the new firearms that have been recently developed. I want to see if the money is worth it."
ah? I? It's the emperor!
With a crash, everyone who was still arguing fell to their knees, bowed in submission and shouted long live.
Grandpa Tian, the Holy Emperor has arrived, and we humble people are lucky enough to meet Tian Yan!
The current emperor has always been tolerant towards the people. He stepped forward to help the elders and asked them cordially about their work and life. Instead, he threw Jia Cong aside and asked him to arrange the cannon test.
By the time Jia Cong arranged for artillery and guns of different sizes and styles to be arranged, the craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry had been fooled by the emperor, and their faces were all red. They were all so excited that they wanted to fight for the great cause of the empire. Sea of fire.
He curled his lips and handed a pair of earplugs to the emperor: "Your Majesty, you'd better wear these earplugs. Although we are not close to the gun position, the sound is indeed deafening."
Are you looking down on me?
"Take it, take it. I am also the emperor. What scene have you not seen before? Fire it for me. I want to see how powerful my Yuanyou cannon is!"
Xia Shouzhong on the side wanted to persuade him, but the eunuch, who was familiar with the emperor's habits, knew that this was the emperor's stubborn temper rising again.
The officials and craftsmen of the Ministry of Industry were all working hard to show off in front of the emperor. The first shot at the beginning was the largest new cannon.
Several people lifted up the huge cannonball, stuffed it into the barrel and filled the powder bag.
As soon as he pulled the handle, there was a shocking sound, and the cannon's emplacement seemed to sink a little, and then thick dust was raised, which did not dissipate for a long time.
The emperor, who had been stubborn and refused to wear earplugs just now, could no longer hear sounds from the outside world.
After the huge roar, the mountains in the distance trembled, and after a long time, a raging fire broke out.
Rear-mounted, large caliber, with a range of several miles, accurate... I can't say this for now, because it is still in the experimental stage. After two shots, the range and power far exceeded their expectations, and the craftsmen didn't know how this thing should be used. How to calculate the accuracy.
"Is this an artillery piece?"
To be honest, the emperor was really shocked this time.
Just put a few more of these giant cannons outside the capital, and no matter how high the city wall or the number of defenders are, they won't be able to defend the city.
"The weapon that controls the country, the weapon that controls the country!"
The emperor murmured to himself, and after a moment the focus of his eyes slowly returned.
He smacked the hand dangling in front of his eyes and said angrily: "Jia Cong, what are you doing? You're dangling in front of me, blocking my sight!"
"Your Majesty, can you hear me? Can you hear what I am saying?"
Huh? This kid opens and closes his mouth, why doesn't he make any sound? Are you lip-talking with me?
Jia Cong spread his hands and said to the anxious Xia Shouzhong: "It will probably take a while. Your Majesty is suffering from temporary deafness."
Fortunately, there was no shortage of paper and pen here. When Xia Shouzhong hurriedly called for the imperial doctor, Jia Cong explained his current situation to the emperor in writing.
The emperor didn't care much. Instead, he happily let people continue to practice artillery and musketry. Since they were all "deaf" anyway, he would be "deaf" all at once.
What real man doesn’t want to have a strong and strong weapon?
boom! boom! boom!
From the Yuanyou Type 1 to the Yuanyou Type 11 modification, there are a total of 17 large and small artillery models, as well as the first generation version of the Daxia Type 1 rocket launcher. The craftsmen of the Ministry of Industry combined the experience left by their ancestors to make the artillery perfect.
There are several styles of artillery shells, including submunition projectiles, explosive projectiles, armor-piercing projectiles, and incendiary projectiles.
…
"This rocket launcher needs to be improved. The accuracy is too poor. The fireworks set off during the Chinese New Year were too accurate."
The emperor, who finally recovered, led Jia Cong for a leisurely stroll in Mo City with his hands behind his back.
Even now, his ears were still ringing, but he could still hear other people's voices clearly.
The practice and test shooting of various firearms made him, the emperor of Great Xia, very satisfied. With this kind of firepower, he is confident that he can lead Daxia Erlang across all directions.
"Big companion..."
Xia Shouzhong took half a step forward: "I'm here, old slave."
"Go and send an order to the Governor's Mansion to transfer the two guards, Zuo Wu and You Wu, to the north and south sides of Mo City. They will form a circle with the Sixth Commander of the East Palace and the Shenwu Right Guards to lock up all sides of Mo City."
In the past, I had always heard Jia Cong talk about the importance of the craftsmen in the Ministry of Industry and the so-called technology. What I just saw now really made the emperor realize what it means to be a powerful weapon for the country.
These are just firearms. According to Jia Cong, what is really expected to make Daxia take off is still in the steam workshop near the Yuhe River ahead.
Wuwu~chi~chi~chi~
Before entering, Jun and his ministers heard strange sounds coming from the wall.
As soon as you step into the door, the heat hits your face.
What you can see are steel machines of various sizes, one after another. Next to each machine, there are several people operating and recording.
Add coal to add coal, add water to add water, record to record...
There is also a fairly small wooden boat in the Jade River. It has no cabin and is equipped with a slightly smaller steam engine. There is a person working on it next to it.
"Burn Geng, Your Majesty is here."
The emperor and Jia Cong stood behind the man for a while. The man had not responded yet and kept focusing on the steel machine in front of him.
Jia Cong had no choice but to pat Niu Geng on the shoulder. The only scholar in the Niu Geng family finally returned to reality from the world of technology geeks.
The emperor interrupted the burdock's worship and asked directly about the experimental application of the steam engine.
"Under the guidance of Uncle Yongfeng, I and other masters have produced seven types of steam engines with different specifications."
Niu Geng put down his work and took the emperor to a small steam engine. He pointed at the machine that was not running and said: "This is a prototype of a textile steam engine. I have sent one to the textile factory for testing. Yesterday it was reported that I received a message back that after one day of operation, there were no faults. The textile factory has placed an order for the Ministry of Industry to manufacture the first batch of ten machines to expand textile production."
Jia Cong suddenly interjected: "Compared with manual labor, how efficient is it?"
Niu Geng smiled slightly: "One can defeat a hundred, and he will never sleep."
"Huh? Then wouldn't it mean that the people have no work to do and have lost the livelihood to support their families?"
The emperor's first reaction was that the replacement of labor by machines would have an impact on the people's livelihood. This made Jia Cong admire him very much.
This emperor, who can practice the people-oriented political philosophy in every word and deed, is worthy of being a man who will be the emperor for eternity.
"Your Majesty, the textile industry in our country is just at its beginning. As the industry expands and develops, more manpower will be needed. Steam engines only replace manpower, and skilled workers still need people to operate them. Those free manpower, textile The factory will arrange for you to work elsewhere."
Jia Cong explained the operation of the steam spinning machine to him, then took a step closer and whispered: "Now this woolen fabric is unique to our country. The application of steam engines can not only expand the development of the textile industry, but also Costs have been further reduced, and the Ministry of Industry is still waiting to go to the West to get money back."
After saying this, the emperor understood, if you can make money, then that's fine!
"Is this the steamer you told me about before?"
Jia Cong looked at the beggar's version of the steam engine ship in front of him and couldn't complain.
It was Niu Geng who answered: "Your Majesty, this is a prototype ship that I made based on Uncle Yongfeng's description. It is still in the installation and testing stage."
"Maybe on a trial basis?"
Seeing Niu Geng shaking his head honestly, although the emperor was a little disappointed, he still encouraged him to do it boldly and rewarded the entire steam engine workshop craftsmen on the spot.
After the emperor understood the principle and function of the steam engine, he finally believed what Jia Cong had said before.
This thing is really the foundation for Daxia's take-off. The steam ships and steam locomotives alone are enough to increase the radiation distance of Daxia's military power by more than several times.
…
Jia Cong took the emperor to visit various workshops in Mo City, including both military and civilian aspects. The craftsmen of the Ministry of Industry demonstrated their great role with practical results.
The emperor had to re-examine the Ministry of Industry. Compared with the other five ministries, the Ministry of Industry has always been at the bottom.
That is to say, under Jia Cong's leadership in the past two years, the Ministry of Industry was able to make money, and officials in the DPRK took a high look at it.
"Jia Cong, Jia Cong, I made the right move by placing you in the Ministry of Industry!"
The emperor put his hand on Jia Cong's shoulder, feeling pleased and proud.
At the beginning, I felt that the Ministry of Industry was the least important. I threw Jia Cong in there and let him do whatever he wanted. Even if something went wrong, it wouldn't be too difficult to deal with.
Unexpectedly, this boy was allowed to inadvertently create such a shocking palace.
"You have made such a great contribution, how should I reward you appropriately?"
Monthly ticket recommendation ticket
I’ll stop here tonight and continue tomorrow. Good night!
(End of chapter)
