Is this what the First Emperor did?
While the two were quarreling, Li Shimin fell into deep thought.
If I want to surpass Qin Emperor and Han Wu, I naturally have to catch up with him in this aspect!
But...what about money?
Not long after the founding of the Tang Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty continued to fight for years, not to mention paying wages...
Even taking care of the food is difficult.
The most uncomfortable thing is that since he ascended the throne, natural disasters have directly penetrated his imperial career.
God is unfair...
After thinking about it, Li Shimin couldn't help but glance down.
Xiaowei.
Now that this brat has brought it up, he must have some ideas.
"Ahem..."
A chrysanthemum-like smile bloomed on Li Shimin's face again: "Shu Yu, in fact, I very much agree with what you said about the payment of wages to corvees."
"But you also know that the Tang Dynasty has been fighting for years, and the treasury is not that rich."
“If we pay the corvees, we may not be able to make ends meet.”
"If the Ministry of Commerce can come up with any good ideas..."
Here we go again, here we go again...
All the ministers looked down upon him.
Just talk about how you can recruit so many talents...
Smash your face in front of the opponent, and everyone will have to bow down obediently.
"Your Majesty, I still disagree!"
At this moment, Fang Xuanling stood up.
"What do you have to say, Aiqing?" Li Shimin said with a smile.
Don't be afraid.
I have Xiao Wei.
Xiao Wei will convince them.
"Pay wages to corvees..."
"If this hole is opened, it will be difficult to close it in the future."
Fang Xuanling raised her fist towards Li Shimin and said, "Your Majesty, the Tang Dynasty is flourishing."
"But if one day Datang falls into financial crisis."
"If the corvees are recruited but cannot be paid, what will happen if the people do not work?"
Li Shimin also frowned.
This is not impossible.
No one can guarantee that their country will always be prosperous.
Even now.
Once war breaks out in many places, Datang will also be in crisis.
"Uncle Fang's words make sense."
Wei Shuyu nodded in agreement: "But let's change our thinking..."
"When the Tang Dynasty is in crisis, if you continue to forcefully recruit people, aren't you forcing the people to rebel?"
Um?
Fang Xuanling frowned.
This is not unreasonable.
The Tang Dynasty was in crisis, and under the instigation of thoughtful people, the rate of rebellion among the people was too high.
"What do Xuan Ling think?"
Li Shimin said with a smile.
"His Majesty."
Fang Xuanling bowed and said, "Shu Yu's answer is actually not entirely convincing."
"I thought that we could argue and argue over this matter, but nothing could come of it."
"In the final analysis, there is only one question..."
“Where does the money come from?”
“The corvee is not a year, but a year.”
"With the current income of the Tang Dynasty, it is simply unable to support the annual expenditure of the corvee."
The ministers nodded.
This amount is too huge.
Accumulated, it will be a huge amount.
"Uncle Yu..."
Li Shimin shouted softly.
"His Majesty."
Wei Shuyu bowed and said: "Because of this, Datang needs a stable income to maintain this expenditure."
"I think the coal mine is the most suitable!"
Coal mine?
All the ministers were stunned.
I almost forgot about this.
Hunger and cold are the most fatal thing for the people.
If you use cold to maintain this income...
"I'm afraid this isn't enough?" An official frowned.
"about there."
Wei Shuyu smiled and said: "Not everyone participates in corvee labor. There are still many rich people in the Tang Dynasty."
"And the corvee lasted only twenty days, but the winter lasted for three months."
The ministers whispered.
If the coal mine can really cover this expenditure, it is not impossible.
It doesn't affect their interests anyway.
"Where is the Minister of Industry?"
Li Shimin suddenly asked.
"I'm here."
“Has the problem of toxic soot been solved?”
"Return to Your Majesty."
Duan Lun bowed and said: "There is no solution to the problem of tobacco poisoning!"
Wow.
If there is no cure for the poison of tobacco, wouldn’t this policy be aborted?
Then Li Shimin must be unhappy again.
Looking up, I saw Li Shimin's face was dark and scary.
"However, under the guidance of Dr. Wei, we have mastered part of the production method of anthracite."
Duan Lun said again: "The production is a bit complicated, and the price may be much higher."
Li Shimin's face still looked ugly.
Coal is mainly sold to the people, so what if the price is too high?
"Where's the cheap coal?"
Li Shimin asked in a deep voice.
"The only cheap coal...is poisonous coal."
Duan Lun sighed: "Everyone in the Ministry of Industry racked their brains, but came up with nothing. We thought it would be more appropriate to make a fire pit."
"what for?"
Li Shimin frowned.
There were fire pits in the Tang Dynasty, but they were not popular.
"It's just... it's like making a fire to cook."
“In the past, it was food that was cooked, but now it’s people that are warmed.”
"Just blow the smoke out the chimney and that's it."
Damn it.
So simple?
The officials were stunned.
"It won't be cooked, right?" Cheng Yaojin asked with eyes wide open.
"What idiot is so stupid that he doesn't run away after being cooked?" Duan Lun rolled his eyes.
"..."
It really makes sense.
"Is it complicated to make this fire bed?" Li Shimin continued to ask.
"It's complicated but not complicated."
Duan Lun said slightly embarrassed: "Just ask the folks in the village to help build one."
"It just requires a certain amount of skill if you want it to be heated evenly."
Hearing this, Li Shimin's frown finally relaxed.
It doesn't matter if it's even or uneven.
He was worried that the people would freeze to death, as long as they could survive the winter.
"Can you get some anthracite and test it on the spot?" Li Shimin asked.
"Your Majesty, this minister's entourage is with him," Duan Lun replied.
"oh?"
Li Shimin was overjoyed: "Hurry up and bring it up for testing."
Next…
A large group of hungry courtiers burned coal in the court hall.
After anthracite burns, there is a thin smoke, but it is almost negligible.
Li Shimin was very happy.
With this coal mine, no people will freeze to death next year.
Another addition to the credit list!
"Ha ha……"
Li Shimin laughed heartily: "Duan Aiqing solved a big problem for Datang."
"Wang De, prepare a decree."
"Duan Aiqing was rewarded with thousands of pieces of silk for his merits in making anthracite coal and discovering fire pits, and was awarded the title of Doctor Guanglu..."
As Li Shimin finished speaking, the officials began to flatter him again, saying "God bless the Tang Dynasty, Your Majesty is a saint".
"Your Majesty, I dare not take credit."
Duan Lun said in fear: "This is all led by Mr. Wei, I am just helping from the side."
Xiao Wei.
Li Shimin glanced at Wei Shuyu.
I have already reinstated your official position, but you still want to give you a reward?
Eat your shit!
"What Ai Qing said is absolutely true."
On the face, Li Shimin smiled and nodded: "But this is the credit of your Ministry of Industry, so don't be modest."
"As for the Ministry of Commerce..."
"When they sell coal mines all over the world, I will reward them all."
Li Shimin looked at Wei Shuyu: "Shuyu, are you confident?"
"I will fulfill my mission."
Wei Shuyu bowed and responded.
"Um."
Li Shimin nodded with satisfaction.
When Xiao Wei is not irritating, he is still quite cute.
Look at this cute look.
That's all the charm of golden rattan...
I made up my mind to make the golden rattan overnight.
