However, no matter how good the technology is, it is only a leader in productivity. In the early Qing Dynasty, China was also ahead of the world, but it only took one Qianlong to go from leading to falling behind.
No matter how good your foundation is, you can't stand it...
However, these need to be dealt with after Zhao Kuo returns to Handan. After all, that is the center of the Zhao Kingdom.
"Lead the way." Zhao Kuo said calmly to the leader. It is not Zhao Kuo's usual style to make assumptions about the existence of things without seeing or hearing them.
"Yes." The leader immediately agreed.
Immediately, the group of no more than a hundred people went into the mountain again.
While walking, Zhao Kuo began to tell Zhao Wei the purpose of his trip.
"All the troops here were sent by my general to find coal and iron ore." Zhao Kuo slowly said to Zhao Wei beside him: "Shangdang Thalassemia is difficult to be self-sufficient. Although it can be obtained strategically, Advantage, but it will drag down the people's livelihood of Zhao State. Therefore, we are specifically looking for coal and iron mines, hoping to enrich the party with the benefits of coal and iron."
Salt and iron have always been important economic pillars of ancient dynasties. The reason why Han State was able to establish itself as one of the Seven Heroes in a mere place is also related to its iron weapons, while Qi State was founded on salt. However, success is also an iron weapon, and failure is also an iron weapon. When Yingzheng came to power, he used the price of iron to induce the people of Han to abandon their roots in farming and pursue the benefits of iron smelting, which led to a great famine in Han and then its destruction by Qin. Of course, in the final analysis, the country of Korea is too small and has too few people.
But no matter what, the benefits of salt and iron are an indisputable fact.
Zhao Kuo slowly said his thoughts, and of course Zhao Wei understood Zhao Kuo's intentions. However, after hearing Zhao Kuo's thoughts, although Zhao Wei's face was calm, his heart was filled with turmoil.
Although Zhao Wei didn't quite understand what "coal" was, he didn't quite understand Zhao Kuo's so-called "making the party rich with the benefits of coal and iron." But what Zhao Wei knew clearly was that while he and others were still pursuing victory in the Shangdang battle, the general was already thinking about what would happen after he won the Shangdang battle. The general's calculations are indeed unparalleled in the world!
Zhao Kuo also seemed to see the confusion in Zhao Wei's heart. His voice became lower and lower, and he said slowly: "Coal means charcoal. If charcoal means charcoal, if you burn it, the firepower will be even greater than that of charcoal. After a little processing, , use it to make iron, and the iron will be better than usual, there will be more."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Wei's eyes lit up instantly. As a military general, he knew the importance of a good weapon to generals and soldiers. It can even be said to be the second life of the soldiers.
If it is, it really can defeat ordinary iron weapons, it doesn't even need to be more, even a little bit, on the battlefield, it is the difference between life and death.
While talking, the group of people came to a cave. It was said to be a cave, but in fact it was not very deep. Standing at the entrance of the cave, they could already see the situation inside - it was completely dark.
Zhao Kuo looked at the cave in front of him, but he was extremely excited in his heart - he was also the owner of a mine at home.
Without even waiting for the leader to lead the way, Zhao Kuo walked straight into the cave, reached out and broke off a piece of black soil from the cave wall, and gently rubbed it in his hands. The soil broke into pieces and fell to the ground with a rustling sound. Kuo continued to gently rub the particles in his hand. The familiar touch felt like something other than coal.
He broke off another piece, quickly walked out of the cave, found an open space at random, and ordered his soldiers to sweep away the fallen leaves. He dug another small hole, threw the black soil into it, and put a lot of dry thatch on it. Be a kindling thing.
"Huo Zhezi." Zhao Kuo stretched out his hand and said.
A soldier immediately handed over the fire seal. Zhao Kuo took it, pulled off the cap, and blew lightly. Seeing the red fire, he reached into the pile of black soil.
The thatch was quickly ignited by the high temperature of Huozhezi, and then the dry black soil underneath quickly glowed red, and the flame became more and more intense.
With a long sigh of relief, Zhao Kuo was finally able to confirm that this was indeed a good coal mine.
The reason why he came in person was because he was afraid that his soldiers would find the wrong thing. As for the iron ore, Zhao Kuo was not prepared to check it. After all, the ancients may have known more about iron ore than he did.
Zhao Kuo then waved his hand and the group walked back.
very
Soon, everyone returned to the valley. After closing the door, the soldiers were sent out by Zhao Kuo. Zhao Kuo could only let Zhao Wei know the next words.
"I will return to Handan in the near future." Zhao Kuo said slowly: "I have told General Xu Li about the land of Hanoi, this is the land of Shangdang."
Zhao Kuo paused for a moment, looked at Zhao Wei aside, and continued: "I want to entrust it to you, are you willing to take it?"
Zhao Wei was slightly startled. He originally thought that Zhao Kuo wanted to make iron here by himself, but how could he turn into saying that he wanted to hand over Shangdang County to him?
But soon, Zhao Wei came to his senses from his daze. Since the general thought highly of him, what else could he say? He immediately clasped his fists and said, "I don't dare to invite you."
Zhao Kuo looked at the energetic Zhao Wei and felt very satisfied.
"Three things for Shangdang!" Zhao Kuo immediately began to assign tasks: "The first is to make iron."
As he spoke, Zhao Kuo took out a silk letter from his arms, slowly handed it to Zhao Wei's hand, and said, "This is the method of smelting iron. Keep it carefully so that no one else can see it."
"Yes." Zhao Wei nodded and took the silk book with both hands: "I will protect it to the death."
"The ancient book obtained by this method is not a complete method. It needs to be tested by craftsmen before it can be implemented." Zhao Kuo continued: "After returning to camp, I will recruit the most capable craftsmen from among the generals to you. We must test it out as soon as possible." method."
"Yes!" Zhao Wei nodded.
"This place is naturally closed. It is the best place to hide people's eyes and ears. It is also close to the mineral deposits and can be used as a smelting place." Zhao Kuo continued to order: "The second one is to build troops. Two miles away, all the villages and towns we passed by will be Among them, the common people moved to Hanoi, and their towns were converted into military towns and troops were stationed to defend them. The top-grade iron ore smelted here was sent to the military town to make ordnance for our army. The bottom-grade iron ore was transported to Hanoi to replenish the iron. Necessary for building troops."
"Yes." Zhao Wei continued to nod in agreement.
"Third, defend the territory." Zhao Kuo continued to order: "I regard you as the captain of the Shangdang County and the craftsman as the captain. Externally, we need to be careful to prevent the Qin army from coming back, and internally, we need to prevent the county guards from interfering in the Shangdang's military affairs. Even if there is a king's order. When I came, I listened to the tune but not the announcement."
"Do you understand?" Zhao Kuo looked at Zhao Wei deeply.
"Yes, I will understand!" Zhao Wei agreed without any hesitation.
It's not that Zhao Wei didn't understand the deeper meaning of Zhao Kuo's words, it's just that Zhao Wei didn't need to choose or think about it at all.
For Zhao Wei, any bullshit imperial court is just fart.
