Several steel ingots were placed on the table. Zhao Hong picked them up and looked at them carefully. Hu Mengyu, who could not restrain his excitement, introduced them respectfully.
"Your Majesty, this is the latest steel from Daye Iron Works. It is much tougher than the wrought iron from the Jiangnan East Road Arms Manufacturing Department. The forged firearms are also stronger and more durable. It can be said to be as stable as a rock!"
Seeing the joy in Hu Mengyu's eyes, Zhao Hong nodded and said softly.
"Hu Mengyu, you are very good!"
The advent of the Daye Iron Works was hundreds of years ahead of the later Hanyang Iron Works, and the new "iron" smelted was obviously better than the iron works on Jiangnan East Road. Good steel can be used to cast rails and steam engines, and soon they will be trains and steamships.
"Your Majesty, the sword and weapon trade in the Jiangnan Arms Manufacturing Department is booming, and the supply exceeds demand. There are many maritime merchants who are anxious to get it, and some merchants ask if they can buy our Song Dynasty's firearms. They don't care if the price is high. Daye Iron Works is strong, can you replace it? Shared by the weapons manufacturing department?”
Wang Gang, the envoy of Jiangnan East Road, followed suit.
Overseas countries, including Japan's Goryeo, and countries in the South and Indian Ocean, were very interested in weapons forged during the Song Dynasty, especially firearms, which was beyond his expectation.
A dozen artillery pieces were exchanged for a shipload of food, which makes me feel excited when I think about it.
"why not?"
Zhao Hong nodded, feeling excited.
"Whether it is swords, guns, weapons or firearms, they can be sold as long as the price is right. Technology and craftsmanship are the top priority. These things are in our hands. This is the foundation."
He almost said, "Science and technology are the primary productive forces."
"Hu Mengyu, you have made great achievements in steelmaking. You can produce bullet iron. Whether it is a self-propelled gun or a clock, you can try to develop it."
The ministers nodded in confusion, and Zhao Hong smiled slightly.
It seemed that he had to go to the Jiangnan Arms Manufacturing Branch or the Daye Iron Works in person to have face-to-face discussions with the craftsmen.
Wang Gang coughed, and the imperial guards and craftsmen brought in a box of porcelain and placed them on the table one by one.
"Is this bone china?"
Zhao Hong looked at it under the light. It was indeed delicate and transparent, as gentle as jade.
"Your Majesty, this is bone china produced in Jingdezhen. It has been fired twice and contains 40% beef bone powder. Each piece is of high quality. Both our merchants in the Song Dynasty and overseas maritime merchants are very interested in it. "
Wang Gang was a little excited. Since the blue and white porcelain was successfully developed last year, and now bone china has been successfully developed, these are both great tools for making money.
"Wang Gang, you are very good too!"
Zhao Hong praised him and suddenly asked:
"How's the glass? Has it come out?"
"Your Majesty, I'm afraid it will take some time. The glass water has been created and it is transparent, but it may take some time to take shape."
Wang Gang's face turned red and he hesitated.
Zhao Hong pondered for a moment, and some memories from later generations came to mind, and he couldn't help but speak out.
"Can things like bowls, plates and vases be molded in the same way as ceramics? To make flat glass, you can build a tin pool to level the glass, and then transport it out on a hand-operated conveyor belt. After cooling, it is cut and polished."
He remembered that the glass liquid was poured into the mold, cut with scissors, and pressed hard to form. It was basically the same as ceramic roll forming and could be completely replaced by manual machines.
As for the production of glass by the float process, any technical nerd who pays a little attention to the Internet probably knows about it.
Seeing that Wang Gang was confused, Zhao Hong gently warned him that before going to Sichuan, he would go to Jingdezhen to clear up any doubts on the spot.
The transparent glass liquid has been created, how could it be stumped by molding? Maybe he hasn't arrived in Jingdezhen yet, and the craftsmen have already figured out a way.
"Gao Dingzi, you have done the most great credit for the implementation of the New Deal on the two Zhejiang Roads. On behalf of the people of the Song Dynasty, I thank you!"
Zhao Hong looked at Gao Dingzi and nodded appreciatively.
"With His Majesty's support, I don't dare to be greedy for credit! It's just that some officials in the court are very restrictive, which gives me a headache!"
Compared with the time in Sichuan, Gao Dingzi lost a lot of weight and seemed to be overworked.
"The two Zhejiang roads are at the feet of the emperor, and the resistance is naturally the greatest. Do you want me to share the burden for you?"
"That's not necessary. Give me three months, and I will definitely deal with all the monsters and monsters!"
Gao Dingzi said decisively, generously and boldly.
"Okay! However, I can't just watch my ministers work on state affairs while I remain indifferent."
Zhao Hong looked at Gao Dingzi and his expression became serious.
"Gao Dingzi, you must always be prepared to be promoted to the governor of Lin'an and the pacifier of Liangzhe Road, so as not to be caught off guard. I will not let any of you fight alone!"
Some things really need to be settled.
Gao Dingzi was greatly shocked and quickly accepted the order.
"I am not a ruthless person, but whoever dares to obstruct the New Deal and ignore the interests of the Song Dynasty for his own selfish purposes, no matter who he is, I will never show mercy!"
Zhao Hong said in a cold voice that all the ministers were frightened. It seemed that the emperor could not bear it anymore. It was not enough to kill Hu Ju, a counselor and political minister, and he wanted to take action against the ministers who were constraining the government.
Zhao Hong glanced at another dark, thin but energetic official with admiration in his eyes.
"Du Fan, I used to be disrespectful to you at the Ordnance Institute, and I apologize to you. You are in Liuqiuli, helping the people, building water conservancy, cultivating and reclaiming wasteland, and opening factories and mining. You have done a good job! You can serve me in the court. Officer!"
In the first year, Du Fan expanded the cultivated land area in Liuqiu to more than two million acres, built an iron factory and a coal factory, and produced sucrose to supply the inland of the Song Dynasty. Sulfur mines also made up for the lack of gunpowder production.
"Your Majesty, Shi Miyuan has exclusive power, and I was just dawdling around in the military department. Your Majesty gave me a warning that day, and I was enlightened. I have done something for the country and the people today, and your Majesty deserves the most credit."
Du Fan's half-truth and half-false compliment made Zhao Hong burst into laughter.
"Du Fan, Liuqiu opened a government office and built a mansion. It will also be the hub for the navy of the Song Dynasty to go north and south in the future. In less than three to five years, Liuqiu Mansion will be Liuqiu Road. If you work hard for a few more years, I will be of great use!"
Zhao Hong was proud and raised his voice.
"Bring it up!"
Wine, meat, tea, silk, and stacks of banquets were brought up. This is Zhao Hong's usual trick and the way he likes it.
"Dear gentlemen, the Song Dynasty is in ruins and needs to be revitalized, and the national treasury is tight. These rewards, as well as a thousand guan per person, are my thoughts. Thank you all for your efforts and contributions to the Great Song Dynasty."
Zhao Hong looked at everyone with profound meaning.
"I still say the same thing, your salary and your salary are the blessings of the people; serving as an official will benefit a place. If your family is short of money, just come to me. Don't be greedy, let alone commit crimes. Doing that will not only hurt you. If you violate the righteousness of the king and his ministers, your family will be implicated and you will be infamy for eternity."
"I sincerely follow your majesty's teachings! Thank you for your grace!"
All the ministers stood up together, bowed and saluted, and everyone was in awe.
The emperor had given instructions to them, but they dared not to remember them.
After the ministers left, Zhao Hong sat on a chair and meditated. The sound of firecrackers came from outside, and the festive atmosphere of New Year's Eve was exciting.
"I don't know if the soldiers who are reinforcing Xixia are well fed and clothed?"
Zhao Hong leaned on the back of his chair and said something leisurely.
"Your Majesty loves the soldiers as much as his sons and cares about the world. He is truly a blessing to our officers and soldiers of the Song Dynasty!"
Dong Songchen complimented the emperor and carefully expressed his opinion.
"Your Majesty, the Sichuan frontier troops are reinforcing Xixia, and the ministers of the DPRK and China have trouble sleeping and eating. Once this matter is known to the Tatars, the conflict between the Song Dynasty and the Tatars will definitely intensify. The soldiers who are reinforcing the Xia Dynasty are definitely not Good thing!"
"Who knows, will this matter reach the ears of the Tatars?"
Zhao Hong shook his head and sneered.
"Official! He is indeed a good official for me in the Song Dynasty!"
Fortunately, Xixia was thousands of miles away, separated by the Golden Realm. Otherwise, no minister would be able to reveal the military information of the border army's reinforcements to Xixia to the Mongolian army.
"Have the gifts for the Sichuan border troops been distributed to the border troops during the festival?"
The New Year gifts given to the northwest frontier troops were higher than those of Hanxiang and Huaidong, but they were nothing more than an extra pair of new clothes and two or three kilograms of salt. The officers were better off and only had two bags of tea.
Compared with the exploitation suffered by the Song Dynasty officials and soldiers in the past, Zhao Hong's move was intended to reflect the court's emphasis on the border troops and enhance the military's sense of superiority and honor.
The sense of superiority and honor are most needed and indispensable in the military.
"Your Majesty, Xianggong Fan reported three days ago that the military rewards have been shipped to the major camps of the border army. If you want to know whether they will be distributed, I'm afraid you have to wait until after New Year's Day."
Dong Songchen's words made Zhao Hong smile awkwardly.
As soon as he thought about it, he was too obsessed with the matter in the northwest.
"Dong Songchen sent an order to Cao Youwen, asking the Lizhou two roads, especially the Lizhou west road, to step up preparations for war. Once the Tatar army enters the Jin territory, they will immediately fortify the walls and clear the country to prepare for any eventuality."
Now that Xixia has been reinforced, it must be prepared for the upcoming war.
Historically, the Mongolian army directly invaded the Southern Song Dynasty without declaring war. With the Mongolian army's consistent arrogance and killing, history will not change.
"In addition, send an order to Cui Yu, Fan Zhong, Cao Youwen and others to report the military situation in Sichuan at any time. Tell them that the Chengdu Camp and Lizhou Camp are on standby and I will arrive in Sichuan at any time."
Full of worries, Zhao Hong made arrangements step by step.
Undercurrents were surging between the government and the public, so they simply postponed their trip, allowing Cao Youwen, Cui Yu and others to deal with it on their own, and also giving the officers who had graduated from the martial arts hall a chance to practice in actual combat.
Lizhou West Road is surrounded by steep mountains. Cao Youwen and his men are defending the city and are assisted by firearms. There should be no problem, right?
"Dong Songchen, I am very happy that the Zhejiang Road, Sichuan Road, Jiangnan Road, etc. have implemented new policies this year, and the imperial tax has been greatly increased."
Remembering that the New Deal was being implemented in an orderly manner, Zhao Hong also relaxed.
Although he was a layman, he finally managed officials with an iron fist and relied on a group of "upstarts" in the court to accomplish something.
"Your Majesty has given many rewards to Wang Gang, Gao Dingzi, Hu Mengyu, Cui Yu and other officials. Under the grace of the king, everyone has done their best to repay the Holy Lord."
Dong Songchen's compliment made Zhao Hong laugh.
"Dong Songchen, I will reward you with two jars of royal wine, two bags of good tea, and a thousand dollars. You will go back to your hometown tomorrow to spend time with your family and come back after the Lantern Festival. You must remember that you must not seek personal gain with power. You can't accept bribes, let alone serve as ministers' eyes and ears. They have many ways to trick you. Do you understand?"
Dong Songchen was from Lin'an Prefecture. Moreover, the Song Dynasty attached great importance to the Lantern Festival and looked down upon New Year's Day (the first day of the Lunar New Year).
"I thank Your Majesty for your grace! I will obey Your Majesty's teachings!"
Dong Songchen was sweating profusely and quickly bowed and thanked him.
As a servant of the emperor, it is inevitable to accept some bribes. The emperor warned him like this, how could he have the courage to do it again?
The emperor wants to punish corrupt officials. If he gets involved, the emperor will be disgraced and he will be punished mercilessly.
You can't do such stupid things.
