The status of craftsmen in this world was low. Among scholars, peasants, and merchants, they were only a little higher than merchants.
But businessmen make a living by doing business, and most of them are relatively wealthy.
Therefore, the social status of craftsmen is the most humble.
These craftsmen, who could not even see the county magistrate on weekdays, were naturally extremely nervous when they were suddenly brought to meet the prince.
"You don't have to be afraid. Just answer Gu's questions honestly and I won't make things difficult for you."
Ji Lie smiled slightly and said softly.
Seeing his warm attitude, the old craftsman gradually relaxed.
"Your Majesty, the common people have been learning blacksmithing from their father since they were young. There are no common farm tools, kitchen knives, etc. that the common people can't make."
Speaking of this, his tone was rather proud.
"Then you talk to Gu, how to make a kitchen knife?"
Ji Lie said casually.
"This is simple to say, just heat the pig iron until it melts..."
When talking about blacksmithing, the old craftsman was not only no longer nervous, but also beaming and talking freely.
Ji Lie nodded slightly while listening.
When the old craftsman finished speaking, he smiled and said casually, seemingly casually,
"Can you make weapons and armor?"
"This... Your Majesty, it is illegal to build armor!"
The old craftsman waved his hand quickly.
"Then do you know how to do it or not?"
"No……"
The old craftsman opened his mouth to say that he didn't know how, but saw Ji Lie raise an eyebrow.
He was frightened. He originally wanted to change his story, but he was afraid of being held responsible, so he could only look at Yang Dehou with a sad face.
"Dr. Yang, do you think I can do it or not?"
Yang Dehou couldn't laugh or cry immediately, and said patiently,
"Craftsman Lu, the prince has a kind heart, just tell the truth!"
"Don't hide it or make the prince thunderous and angry!"
After hearing what he said, Craftsman Lu gritted his teeth and nodded, saying,
"Report to the prince, the prince, the common people... can make armor."
"In order to make some money, the common people once repaired a pair of armor privately, and they only made more than a thousand dollars in total."
"The common people are willing to take out all the money. I just ask the prince not to pursue it..."
It only costs more than a thousand to repair a pair of armor. Isn't the other party too shady?
Ji Lie curled his lips and smiled nonchalantly,
"It's just this little money, keep it for yourself."
"Let me tell you the truth. Gu asked Dong Yang's family to find you because they want you to help Gu build armor."
He made a sign to Laifu who was standing aside.
Laifu nodded knowingly, picked up the box on the side, stepped forward, and opened the box.
Inside the box, I saw a heavy ingot of silver.
Craftsman Lu and others had never seen so much silver before, and they couldn't help but be stunned for a while.
"As long as you nod and agree, I will be paid one tael of silver per month in the future."
"If we can recruit more people, I can increase your salary to ten taels and let you serve in the palace!"
As soon as these words came out, all the craftsmen present were stunned.
Be good.
With a salary of ten taels of silver, I can still work as an errand in the palace.
Why does this sound like a fantasy?
"Why, could it be that Craftsman Lu is unwilling?"
Ji Lie smiled deliberately.
"Of course I am willing, villain!"
Craftsman Lu came to his senses, his face flushed with excitement.
joke.
That's ten taels of silver. Even if you swing the hammer and smoke and make farm tools, you may not be able to earn enough ten taels of silver throughout the year.
Not to mention being able to change his identity and work as an errand in the palace.
This is a matter of honoring the ancestors!
From Craftsman Lu's words, it is not difficult to judge that he has profound attainments in blacksmithing.
This is exactly the talent Ji Lie needs, so he gives Craftsman Lu such good treatment.
In addition, Ji Lie also thought of the usefulness of buying horse bones with a thousand gold coins.
"By the way, what do you call Craftsman Lu?"
Ji Lie said with a smile.
"A villain with a low reputation is afraid of insulting the prince's ears."
Craftsman Lu blushed and whispered,
"The common man is called Lu Goudan..."
Ji Lie was stunned for a moment and almost laughed.
Most ordinary people in ancient times were illiterate, and they were superstitious about nicknames to make a living, so they had names like Goudan, Tiezhu, and Sledgehammer.
"Such a name is indeed not worthy of elegance."
Ji Lie thought for a while and said softly,
"From today on, you will change your name to Luban."
"Luban?"
Lu Goudan was slightly startled.
Yang Dehou on the side couldn't help but remind him,
"What are you doing, Craftsman Lu, standing there in a daze? Why don't you thank the prince for the name?"
Lu Goudan, oh no, should be called Luban now.
Only then did he react and hurriedly saluted Ji Lie.
"The common people thank you, Your Majesty, for the name!"
Given Lu Ban's status, being named by Ji Lie can be said to be a supreme honor worthy of being recorded in the family tree or even the county annals.
"Your Majesty, how should we arrange these people?"
Yang Dehou pointed to the other craftsmen.
Seeing Lu Ban's sudden transformation and working as an errand in the palace, earning a monthly salary of ten taels, these people were envious and jealous of him.
After hearing Yang Dehou's words, they quickly puffed up their chests and looked at him eagerly.
"Let them all stay, each of them will be paid one or two dollars a month."
"If you have outstanding talents, you can recruit other craftsmen and they can serve as stewards."
Although the remaining people are all carpenters, stonemasons and the like, and are not as good at making armor as Lu Ban, they will be of great use to Ji Lie's future development.
After all, building a territory requires a variety of craftsmen.
Ji Lie plans to set up a craftsman's workshop to house these craftsmen from all walks of life.
Among them, those with the most profound skills, like Lu Ban, were promoted to stewards.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Lu Ban and others saluted Ji Lie and then left happily.
After they left, Yang Dehou said hesitantly,
"Isn't the prince's treatment of these craftsmen... too good?"
"Very good?"
Ji Lie shook his head and said with a smile,
"Gu also feels that the treatment given to them is far from enough."
As an ancient man, Yang Dehou was influenced by the contemporary concepts and felt that these craftsmen had a low social status and were not worthy of such generous conditions offered to them by Ji Lie.
But Ji Lie, as a time traveler, naturally understands that science and technology are the primary productive forces.
"To Gu, these craftsmen are worth thousands of troops!"
Seeing that Yang Dehou was a little confused, Ji Lie laughed and didn't explain too much.
…
As the saying goes, there must be a brave man under a heavy reward.
The day after meeting Ji Lie, Lu Ban and other craftsmen came to the palace to report.
For Ji Lie's promised stewardship, they tried their best to bring over almost all the craftsmen in Youzhou City.
The palace was crowded with people, probably around a hundred people.
Seeing this situation, Ji Lie was quite satisfied.
"I've met the prince!"
Lu Ban saluted Ji Lie respectfully.
Other craftsmen also followed suit.
