----------------------------------------
"Then His Majesty agreed?"
Liu Deng's eyes shone with excitement.
"I agreed, and not only will I issue it in the form of an imperial edict, but I will also make this rule a family motto, and future generations will not be allowed to go back on it without any reason!"
After all, Liu Deng paid such a high price, and all he wanted was such a small thing.
It can be said that the emperor took a huge advantage in this matter.
It's just a false name, and the profit the court can make every year is at least tens of millions.
What's more, with these unparalleled weapons, the combat effectiveness of the imperial army will increase exponentially from now on.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Liu Deng felt relieved. He had been planning these things for a long time, and today they were finally implemented. The remaining things would be much easier to handle.
"No need to thank you. I have actually taken advantage of this matter. Just from the bank alone, the court can earn countless profits every year... Do you have any other requests? As long as it is reasonable. Within the scope, I agree!"
Liu Qi patted Liu Deng's shoulder again. Anyone who didn't know the inside story about this matter would probably think that the emperor was determined to swallow up Liu Deng's property.
"Other requests... If uncle feels bad about it, why don't you transfer some shipbuilding masters from the supervisor to me?"
This is a good opportunity to take advantage. If you don't speak up at this time, you would be a fool.
Liu Deng, the famous bell maker in the palace, was not going to return them. Likewise, Liu Deng had been coveting the shipbuilding masters in the prison for a long time.
The news from Du Ziteng two days ago was that the progress of shipbuilding had suddenly slowed down.
As for the keel, it was because of Liu Deng's participation that there was considerable progress in both materials and tools, so it could be completed as soon as possible.
However, even with the nails, when it came to the cladding work, the progress of the processing was still unbelievably slow.
This is really not the fault of the craftsmen, because for a ship, a streamlined hull is the best choice, which can minimize the resistance of the ship.
But in this day and age, it is really not an easy task to process qualified boards entirely by hand.
Ordinary craftsmen are simply not competent, and only those old craftsmen can lead their apprentices to process them piece by piece.
Even though the scale of the ship used for experiments has been reduced a lot, it is still a huge job.
Based on the current work alone, let alone completion before the end of the year, it is estimated that whether it will be completed by this time next year is another matter.
"A shipbuilder?"
The emperor couldn't help but frown.
"Is there any place in your country that needs shipbuilding?"
The emperor was really reluctant to let go. There was indeed a group of old craftsmen who were good at shipbuilding in the prison.
But if they are all pointed out to Liu Deng, then I am afraid that the court's shipbuilding level will suddenly retreat a lot.
"I just want to build a sea-going ship, but the progress is really slow now. Don't worry, uncle, these guys are just borrowing it for their own use. Once it's completed, it will be returned to Zhao in perfect condition!"
Liu Deng immediately repeated his old trick and said that if he wanted it directly, the emperor was a little reluctant to ask for it, so that would be no problem.
Anyway, apart from myself, it is estimated that no other villain in this Han Dynasty would be willing to spend such a large amount of money on a sea ship.
The bumpkins in Chang'an City are becoming more and more savvy now, and it is becoming more and more difficult to get money out of their hands.
In the past, if Liu Deng just said a few words, there would be a lot of people taking out the copper coins, crying and shouting, trying to deliver them to him.
But this thing is different. These people have absolutely no knowledge of overseas countries.
Only after Liu Deng completed the first batch of voyages could these people take out the money.
The people of the Han Dynasty seemed to have a special fear of the sea, but this kind of thing was considered normal.
After all, these country bumpkins all grew up on the Loess Plateau, and most of them would feel dizzy for a while even if they saw a larger puddle, let alone the sea.
If you expect them to throw their money into the sea, you might as well kill them.
"These people are important military weapons of the imperial court. As promised, you must return them after you finish the work!"
The emperor hesitated for a moment and then agreed. After all, he had taken such a big advantage, so it was right for him to spit something out for Liu Deng.
What's more, it's just a loan now. Anyway, the imperial court has no new shipbuilding plans in the past few years, it's just routine maintenance.
It wouldn't be a problem to lend Liu Deng three or two years.
It's just that Liu Qi is still too naive. When did Liu Deng spit out the meat he ate in his mouth?
"Of course, of course, your Majesty, don't worry!"
Liu Deng smiled. With their participation, the shipbuilding work must be accelerated. Maybe he will be able to see this ship in front of him before the end of the year.
After it is actually tested in the sea, the rest will be much simpler.
When the next batch of ships is built, two or three ships can be built at the same time, and problems discovered during this shipbuilding process can also be quickly solved.
In order to accumulate valuable experience in building giant ships, the entire Han Dynasty has been completely blank in this aspect until now.
Even though Liu Deng probably has a direction in his mind, he is still crossing the river by feeling the stones now.
To put it into detail, crossing the river by feeling for the stones is really a scary thing.
Because you don’t know whether your next step will be a deep pit or a reef. If you step into heaven or hell, you will have to start all over again if you are not careful.
Moreover, it is likely that dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of lives will be lost.
If it weren't for those vague cognitions in his mind, Liu Deng wouldn't have dared to do such a thing.
Crossing the river in complete darkness, until now, Liu Deng only knew about Taizu from later generations.
"The position of Prime Minister of Dai has been vacant for a long time. I would like to ask your opinion on this matter!"
Sure enough, when the emperor feels guilty, he will usually compensate with benefits first.
It's just that Liu Deng didn't expect that this benefit would come so quickly and be so big.
This is the real highlight!
The position of the Prime Minister determines the direction of the next court policy.
"This is within the scope of His Majesty's authority. I dare not say anything more!"
Of course Liu Deng wanted to know the emperor's thoughts most. Isn't this the best opportunity?
It's also a good time to see who the emperor's prime minister is in his mind.
"Who do you think is more suitable, Feng Jing or Dou Ying?"
Liu Qi's brows jumped, and then he said casually.
The corner of Liu Deng's mouth twitched. This emperor is really a bad learner. It has only been a few days, and now he has already begun to use the emperor's mind.
