I think back then, this was how Great Qin played. The Qin crossbows and bows of Great Qin were famous all over the world. Although the crossbows contributed to this, it is actually inseparable from the fact that Great Qin had already begun to play with assembly lines to make arrows. This has something to do with firearms. It's the same truth. No matter how awesome a firearm is without bullets, it's just a fire stick.
And Li Ke has now evolved the production of arrow shafts from assembly lines to machine tool production. This efficiency is not at the same level at all.
Then just play with fire coverage.
In fact, although the nomads use bows, they actually don’t have many arrows. Almost all the arrows of the nomads are cut out bit by bit by the herdsmen themselves with knives. It doesn’t matter how accurate such arrows are. , even the efficiency is much lower. If there are craftsmen specializing in making arrows in the Tang Dynasty, there are almost no nomadic countries.
Of course, the reason why there are almost none is because everyone can do it, but it is also because everyone can do it, so they never think about advancing technology and always adopt the most primitive solution.
In terms of arrows, there are very few iron arrows. Although most of the iron arrows can be recycled, recycling is always the exclusive condition of the winner. The loser does not have the right to recycle, so the arrows are constantly being worn out.
In addition, the nomads themselves have little iron, and they are reluctant to use most of the iron to make arrows. Most of the arrows are made of stone, bone, animal teeth, etc.
"Oh? Tell me in detail." Li Shimin looked at Li Ke and asked.
"Actually, my craftsmen now have begun to develop large-scale steelmaking technology." Li Ke shocked Li Shimin with just one sentence.
Steel and iron are two different concepts. If it weren't for the emergence of Li Ke, it would have been very difficult to smelt iron in the Tang Dynasty, and it was strictly prohibited to sell it to the surrounding nomads in large quantities. Steel? Li Shimin never thought that this thing could be smelted on a large scale.
"Are you sure?" Li Shimin was a little unbelievable.
"Of course, according to the current improvement progress of craftsmen, it will not take long to complete. Although it cannot be as fast as smelting pig iron, it will at least be much faster than the current progress. By then, most of the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty will have weapons. It can be replaced with a sharper steel knife, and even armor can be made of fine steel." Li Ke nodded.
"Now it seems...you have done nothing wrong in the honor system of craftsmen!" Li Shimin sighed with emotion. In just such a short time, these craftsmen have made so many achievements.
"Of course, there is actually a second step to this." Li Ke said with a smile.
"The second is that the amount of materials imported to Tibet by the ministers is actually strictly calculated. In other words, if Tibet is immersed in attacking and plundering countries such as Tianzhu, they will soon fall into a vicious cycle. "
"Because the invasion will bring about one thing, that is, the Tubo slavery system will encounter local opposition after plundering and attacking Tianzhu and other countries, and will establish its own enemies. In this process, Tubo wants to maintain its own military strength. If we have an absolute advantage, we must purchase more iron tools and more materials to expand our combat power."
"But the quantity of gold, silver and other items needed by the children to sell supplies is limited in Tubo. If they want to buy more, they need to grab more gold and silver, and the gold and silver they grab can only be exchanged. If they want to expand, they need to continue to grab the materials needed to maintain their rule.”
"More importantly, during this process, Tubo will show a false prosperity, because all the wealth of Tubo is in the hands of the nobles, and the slaves at the bottom will not change in any way. When the nobles have After receiving some funds, they will gradually engage in luxurious consumption, that is, buying expensive silk, food and other materials."
"During this process, all the Tubo nobles will feel that their lives are better, and they will become more dependent on the Tang Dynasty. The prerequisite for relying on the Tang Dynasty is to draw the blood of Tianzhu and other regions, deepening the conflict between Tubo and Tianzhu. This will This contradiction made Tibet even more afraid to be hostile to the Tang Dynasty."
"At the same time, it is also weakening Tubo and Tianzhu at the same time."
"In the later stage, Tubo will inevitably have a large number of damaged armor, arrowheads and other iron tools, but Tubo lacks enough craftsmen. Erchen can ask them to pay a sum of money to transport the scrap iron back, and Erchen will resmelt and process it for them. Collect some of the money and we make a profit again.”
"This is a continuous process. During the whole process, Tubo's national power seemed to be increasing, but in fact it was constantly weakening. Moreover, they had one of their biggest enemies, Tianzhu. After Tianzhu attracted Tibet's main fighting force, we A steady stream of gold and silver can be extracted from the rear. After a few years, the Tang Dynasty will be able to use gold, silver and copper coins to completely change the current situation of using silk and other silk fabrics as currency. And if Tianzhu really can't bear it, I will Then sell weapons to Tianzhu through the countries in the Western Regions." Li Ke explained in detail.
In fact, this already involves a higher level of proxy war and economic control. Without Li Ke's Li Daitao Zombie Plan, Tubo could actually be defeated, but it would take a longer time.
With Li Daitao's plan, it means that Datang can just harvest from behind.
In fact, Li Ke has a more ruthless plan! For example, during the war between Tubo and Tianzhu, the northern territories of Tubo suddenly rebelled. However, the Tibetan nobles in these territories who were "loyal" to Songtsen Gampo led their troops to follow Songtsen Gampo, and the herdsmen in the north rebelled. They all "defected" to the Tang Dynasty.
Under this situation, Songtsen Gampo did not dare to fall out with the Tang Dynasty, but Li Ke "conceded" at the right time and provided him with a huge amount of supplies, so that he could defeat Tianzhu and seize a larger territory in Tianzhu. .
Compared to the harsh environment on the plateau, would Songtsen Gampo choose the more fertile Ganges plain after weighing the pros and cons?
At that time, the entire Qinghai-Tibet Plateau will belong to the Tang Dynasty, and northern Tianzhu will belong to Songtsen Gampo, and then step by step...ahem...
But he didn't say it now, mainly because Li Shimin might not believe it. Moreover, it would be more troublesome if Li Shimin believed it, because if Li Shimin believed it, then Li Ke couldn't go to the Western Regions again after the New Year! That's too miserable.
Li Shimin's expression was somewhat weird. To be honest, the methods involved in these strategies were completely unheard of by Li Shimin. The main reason was... Thinking about it carefully, this is simply too cruel, and what's more terrifying than cruel is that it's more of a conspiracy. ! Once you step in, you won't be able to resist even if you know it.
Considering the nobles in Tubo who have basically no culture, they want to refuse? Can't refuse at all.
"About these plans, please write a detailed memorial and propose them in court." Li Shimin pondered for a moment and said.
"Wait a minute, Father, I won't be able to attend this memorial." Li Ke shook his head quickly.
"Huh?" Li Shimin was stunned for a moment and looked at him doubtfully.
"I'll go find my eldest brother and let him write it. Give this reputation to my eldest brother." Li Ke said calmly.
Li Shimin was stunned, and so was Chang Lin.
"Say it again?" Li Shimin felt that he heard wrongly.
"I said that my eldest brother should come here for this reputation. As a prince, he needs prestige." Li Ke shook his head, "My reputation is actually quite good in Chang'an. Although I have offended most of the family members, I am not afraid of my eldest brother misunderstanding. If I continue to gain popularity, even if my eldest brother doesn’t misunderstand me, there will definitely be people who will stir up trouble, and there will be a lot of people who will drive a wedge between brothers and fathers.”
"So I have to build up my eldest brother's reputation to prevent villains from stirring up trouble. It would be too bad if my eldest brother is provoked to have random thoughts." Li Ke shook his head.
Li Shimin's expression was weird. Although he was used to Li Ke saying anything, opening his mouth to rebel and shutting up Xuanwumen, etc., this time Li Ke's words did not just mention rebellion, but had real substance.
"Do you really think so?" Li Shimin paused and couldn't help but ask. To be honest, Li Shimin had really hesitated in his heart during this period, hesitating whether to make Li Ke the prince.
"What else? Do you think I want to be the emperor? If you write me an abdication edict like last time, I won't stop you this time. You abdicate, I will take the throne, and then my eldest brother will become the emperor. I'll take you to the brothel to drink wine." Li Ke said with a smile.
Chang Lin: "..." My Lord, I have been comfortable for half a year. Really, I have been comfortable for only half a year.
