My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 169: Fake Tuibei Tu, Tang Dynasty Gazette
"Can you really do what you said?"

Li Shimin was moved.

According to the prince, if this can really be done, the combat effectiveness of the Tang Dynasty army will be greatly enhanced.

"Of course it can be done. Otherwise, why would I spend so much time and effort mining coal?"

Li Chengqian's tone was very affirmative.

He knew that at this time, he had to give Erfeng enough confidence.

Besides, blast furnace steelmaking could indeed be accomplished in the Tang Dynasty, so it was not a complete pipe dream.

"Okay, in that case, I will leave all the responsibilities of the General Administration to you."

Li Shimin said directly.

The Jiangzuojian was an important official agency responsible for engineering construction and the management of craftsmen.

It brought together a large number of skilled craftsmen who were responsible for the construction of large-scale construction projects such as palaces, cities, government offices, and the manufacture of various types of artifacts.

There were 14 officials, 28 historians, 3 accounting historians, 4 village chiefs, 6 guards, 12,744 short-term craftsmen, 4,634 hired craftsmen, and 260 skilled craftsmen.

Li Dejian was previously the Junior Supervisor of the Imperial Household Department, in charge of the construction of the palace in Luoyang.

Duanfanjiang refers to a type of corvée. According to the regulations of the Tang Dynasty, Duanfanjiang needed to serve the court for about twenty days every year. Generally speaking, they were not provided with food, accommodation, or wages.

Ming Zijiang were technical backbone craftsmen employed by the government. From the perspective of the common people, they were equivalent to master level and could also be called court craftsmen.

The other type is hired craftsmen, who are employed by the government on a long-term basis.

In addition to the Director of Works, there was also the Director of the Ministry of Households, who also managed a number of craftsmen and was mainly responsible for the production of palace supplies, handicrafts, etc.

They were good at making exquisite gold and silver wares, silk fabrics, ceramics, etc., and provided the court with a large number of luxury goods and exquisite handicrafts.

There were also hundreds of craftsmen in Li Chengqian's East Palace, the Prince's Household Temple. Previously, the Prince's Household Temple was responsible for building the prince's four-wheeled carriage, making paper, and woodblock printing.

"Don't worry, Father. It will definitely be accomplished."

With a large number of craftsmen, things become easy.

"The money earned by the coal mine is used to make armor and weapons, so the selling price doesn't have to be too low."

"If you are short of money, just tell me and I will give you whatever money you want from the treasury."

Li Shimin changed his tone.

Making weapons for the army can be considered a contribution from the people of Chang'an.

There is great potential in investing in a coal plant.

Li Chengqian said: "It's enough for now. If you need anything, please ask Father."

"it is good."

Returned to the East Palace.

Li Chunfeng has arrived.

At the same time, Helan Chushi also arrived.

After thinking about it, Li Chengqian first summoned Helan Chushi to meet him.

After all, we still have to keep him stable for the time being and not make any mistakes.

"Greetings to Your Highness."

Helan Chushi bowed respectfully.

"You've gained a lot of weight. It seems that these days in the mansion have been quite good."

Li Chengqian said with a smile.

Isn’t it? How can you not get fat if you eat and sleep, sleep and eat at home every day?

Helan Chushi originally had some thoughts in his mind, but when he heard the prince being so kind, he felt that he might want to quit.

"It made His Highness laugh."

Li Chengqian sighed, "You don't blame me in your heart, do you? I have allowed you to be locked up in the mansion for so many days."

Helan Chushi did not expect the prince to bring up this matter on his own initiative, and immediately said, "I dare not."

Li Chengqian narrated: "Originally, according to my idea, you should go back to the East Palace directly after you come out of Marble."

"Originally, this is not a big deal. Even if it wasn't you who killed the person, it wouldn't matter if it was you who killed the person."

"But you are Shangshu Hou's son-in-law after all, so I went to ask Shangshu Hou's opinion."

"Maybe the Minister Hou loves his daughter very much and feels that he has lost face, or maybe you have offended your father-in-law in some way and he wants to lock you up and make you reflect on your actions."

"This is your family affair, I am not interfering too much."

Helan Chushi's heart moved. He didn't expect that the prince was speaking for him.

Then what Lu Zhijie said was a little hard to believe.

In his heart, Helan Chushi still believed in the prince more. After all, he had followed him for so many years and the prince had always been very good to him.

"It is my fault that I made Your Highness worry about me."

Helan Chushi felt a little ashamed and felt that he might have misunderstood the prince.

Li Chengqian nodded: "Let's not talk about this anymore, it's good to be back."

"In a few months, we will attack Goryeo. I want to ask you what you think. Do you want to stay in Chang'an or join me in the expedition against Goryeo?"

Helan Chushi's face became serious: "Of course I will follow Your Highness to conquer Goryeo."

He also has the idea of ​​achieving great things.

How can the protection from my father-in-law Hou Junji be as justified as my own merits?

If I could accomplish something great, why would I be completely controlled by my father-in-law and his wife like I am now?

"it is good."

Li Chengqian said: "In this case, it is just right for you to go with Li Dejian to help me train the palace soldiers."

"But since you just came back, there's no rush to rest for two days."

Helan Chushi immediately said: "I have rested long enough, and I can go for training tomorrow."

Li Chengqian nodded slightly: "Okay, let's do this."

Helan Chushi bowed and said, "I will take my leave."

After everyone left, Li Chengqian frowned and asked the eunuch Wen Zhong, "How did Helan Chushi get out?"

According to what Hou Junji told him, he had to be imprisoned until the expedition to Goryeo, but now he was released in only February.

Wen Zhong said, "I heard that Hou Changyan and Hou Junji had a quarrel a few days ago. Maybe Hou Changyan felt that keeping Helan Chushi in prison was hindering his future."

Li Chengqian nodded: "Go and tell Li Dejian to take Helan Chushi with him. Going to the battlefield is no joke."

"You need to learn all these things, tactics and military strategies. I will personally assess you from now on. If you don't make any progress, I will hold you accountable."

Since Hou Junji couldn't control his daughter, he released Helan Chushi.

Then give Helan Chushi more things to do.

If we leave it with the palace soldiers, there will be more surveillance.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Call Li Chunfeng."

Following the announcement, Li Chunfeng arrived at the East Palace Hall.

Li Chengqian also met Li Chunfeng in person as he wished.

Unlike the imagined immortal, Li Chunfeng was wearing official uniform, had a thin face and bright eyes.

There is also a strong bookish atmosphere.

"Your Highness, Li Chunfeng, pays respect to His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince of Nongze Shengrui."

This is a more formal title.

Li Chunfeng has a steady voice and a restrained temperament.

"Give me a seat."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Li Chengqian asked curiously, "I heard that you and Yuan Tiangang collaborated to create Tui Bei Tu. Is that true?"

Li Chunfeng was stunned: "Tui Bei Tu? I don't know where Your Highness heard this news from. I have never drawn Tui Bei Tu."

"As for Yuan Tiangang, I wonder if Your Highness is referring to the magistrate of Huojing County. I did get to know him during my trip to the southwest, but the Tui Bei Tu that Your Highness mentioned is completely fictitious."

Now it was Li Chengqian's turn to be surprised.

Didn’t Li Chunfeng collaborate with Yuan Tiangang to create the Tuibei Tu?

So how did the later Tuibei Tu come about?

Is it that the time has not come yet?

"When will Yuan Tiangang return to Chang'an?" Li Chengqian asked again.

Li Chunfeng still didn't understand: "I don't know about this. After County Magistrate Yuan dealt with the situation in the southwest, he returned to Huojing County."

"County Magistrate Yuan is old, and it is not easy for him to come to Chang'an."

Li Chengqian was a little puzzled.

Therefore, the Tui Bei Tu in later generations was completely a forgery of the two people. In fact, Li Chunfeng did not cooperate with Yuan Tiangang to create Tui Bei Tu.

Unofficial history is indeed not authentic.

Seeing the prince's disappointed expression, Li Chunfeng also felt a little disappointed.

He originally thought that the prince wanted him to join the compilation of Tiangong Kaiwu, but he didn't expect that he was just asking about this rumor that came from nowhere.

Where did the rumor come from?

Rumors from a thousand years later.

"I heard that you have improved the Qimin Yaoshu, which involves a lot of agronomy, and are good at arithmetic and various craftsmanship."

Li Chengqian asked.

Li Chunfeng was shocked and said, "Your Highness is too kind. I am just doing my best to share the worries of Your Majesty and Your Highness."

Li Chunfeng was an outstanding astronomer, mathematician, and calendarist in the Tang Dynasty, and he also had in-depth research on instruments.

For example, the armillary sphere. The armillary spheres used in the early Tang Dynasty had many omissions, so he made the armillary sphere ecliptic. The armillary sphere added Liuhe to the armillary spheres before the Tang Dynasty, forming three rings, the outermost being Liuhe, the inner being Siyou, and the middle being Sanchen. This solved the problem of the correspondence between the ecliptic ring and the ecliptic in the sky, and could also directly measure the degree of the celestial body's entry into the constellation.

They also created a celestial ring, and punched holes in it to make it easier to move the ecliptic ring, so that the ecliptic coordinates, equatorial coordinates and horizontal coordinates could be measured, making the armillary sphere, which had been traditionally manufactured and used throughout the ages, a relatively complete astronomical observation instrument.

This is a truly all-round talent, a scientist in the true sense of the word.

"I asked the Eastern Palace to compile Tiangong Kaiwu. Doctor Li has heard of it, right?"

Li Chunfeng's current official position is Doctor of the Tai Shi Bureau. According to the Tang Dynasty's naming convention, he is Doctor Li.

"I have heard that your Highness compiled Tiangong Kaiwu, which is really a blessing for the people."

Li Chunfeng took advantage of this opportunity to come.

Li Chengqian nodded: "The general content and chapters of Tiangong Kaiwu are almost complete. After reading it, I have some new ideas."

"Some of the contents in Tiangong Kaiwu can be popularized, but dynasties throughout history have not paid much attention to them."

"So I plan to open a college of 100 technologies to study the reform and innovation of various tools."

"Just like how Dr. Li improved the armillary sphere and I designed the curved plow."

Li Chunfeng agreed: "This will definitely be a good thing that will benefit the Tang Dynasty."

Li Chengqian said: "It's a good thing, so I called Dr. Li here."

"The affairs of Baigong College will be handed over to Dr. Li."

"However, the Hundred Crafts Academy has no official position yet. I will temporarily appoint you as a scholar of the Chongwen Academy. After the Hundred Crafts Academy is gradually completed, I will then appoint you to an official position."

"Would Dr. Li be willing?"

Li Chunfeng was overjoyed when he heard this, and immediately bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your grace."

He was originally a doctor in the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, an official of the ninth rank.

The Bachelor of Chongwenguan is of the upper fifth grade.

This is equivalent to the prince transferring a grassroots clerk to the deputy department level with just one sentence.

Of course, there are still procedures to follow in order to officially take office, and one must pass the assessment process of the Ministry of Personnel. However, Li Chengqian can let Li Chunfeng take office first and then go through the process slowly.

Anyway, Hou Junji from the Ministry of Personnel is one of our own, so His Majesty won’t hold up the approval.

"Master Li, I have something to ask you. Please come with me and give me some advice."

Li Chengqian stood up and said with a smile.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Outside the palace, the eunuch Wen Zhong arranged several fine horses.

When Li Chengqian traveled around the Eastern Palace, he usually rode a horse.

The Prince's four-wheeler is good, but it's too slow.

The East Palace is very big, and pushing it slowly would take too long.

Li Chunfeng naturally knew how to ride a horse, or it could be said that almost most people in the Tang Dynasty knew how to ride a horse.

After a while of running, they soon arrived at the Prince's Jialing Temple.

Upon receiving the news, the prince's steward hurried out to greet him.

"I have met His Highness the Crown Prince."

Yang Qifan was born into a small or medium-sized aristocratic family in Guanzhong. He entered the officialdom through family connections, but he still had talent and ability.

The Prince's Household Manager is responsible for coordinating and managing the affairs of the entire Prince's Household Manager's Temple, including the Eastern Palace's prisons, food, storage, and many other matters.

Yang Qifan was able to handle everything Li Chengqian arranged in an orderly manner.

"Yang Jialing, lead the way to my papermaking and printing factory."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Li Chengqian did not dismount either, but rode slowly, while the others dismounted and walked.

Under the leadership of Yang Jialing, they soon arrived at a large courtyard.

Li Chengqian dismounted and said, "This is my scholar from Chongwenguan, Li Xueshi. You lead the way and introduce him to me."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Yang Jialing led the way, entered the courtyard, and began to introduce.

"The papermaking and printing factory is operating according to the regulations given by His Highness."

"This is the soaking hall. The young bamboos are cut and then soaked in the pond. It takes about a month."

"This is the steaming hall. The soaked bamboo is put into the steaming pot, which makes it purer."

"This is the pounding hall, where the steamed bamboo is pounded into fine pulp."

"This is papermaking. There are three processes: troughing, papermaking, and pressing."

"Finally, the paper is made here. After being pressed, the paper is pasted on the brick-built alley to dry, and then it is sorted and cut. In this way, bamboo paper is made."

The house was filled with large piles of bamboo paper.

Although Li Chunfeng already knew that the prince had lowered the price of paper, he was still very impressed when he saw such a complete process for the first time.

And the prince's rules seemed different from what he had seen before.

Everyone performs their duties and does not interfere with each other. Everyone only needs to complete the steps they are responsible for, and it seems very smooth.

Further ahead, there are several large houses, all filled with carpenters carving woodblocks.

There are about two hundred people, and each has a separate carving table.

"Originally, there were only a few dozen people. Later, His Highness asked me to recruit a hundred people, and only then did we reach this scale."

"As far as the entire Chang'an City is concerned, the engravings from the East Palace are definitely the fastest and best."

Yang Qifan, the prince's household steward, said this with great pride.

Continuing on the path is the printing area, which is also divided into 200 areas and has about 200 people working on the printing, color matching and binding.

"At least 350 volumes of various books can be produced here every day, and the selling price is only 100 coins per volume. Various classics and historical books are in short supply in the East and West Markets."

"Thanks to this favor, all the students in Chang'an praised His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

The classics and historical books in the early Tang Dynasty were mainly handwritten, with one volume containing one thousand words.

Li Chengqian made bamboo paper and set up a joint printing factory with almost zero cost, mainly labor. The entire joint factory had a scale of about a thousand people, and all of them were paid.

With three hundred and fifty volumes, he earned 3.5 coins every day, and more than one million coins a month. After paying hundreds of thousands of wages, he would still have hundreds of thousands left.

Making money is extremely easy for Li Chengqian.

The common people are also willing to come to the East Palace.

In those days, the annual income of an average farmer was only two or three thousand coins, but in the Eastern Palace the annual income could generally reach five thousand coins.

During the Zhenguan period, rice prices were low, so money was more valuable.

After watching the entire process, Li Chunfeng was somewhat shocked, but also somewhat confused. He wondered why the prince brought him here to see this place.

Li Chengqian said at this time: "I plan to create a Chang'an newspaper, and set up a newspaper office in each of the 108 districts."

"The court reports are roughly divided into six areas: court affairs, border conditions, agricultural production, business and trade, poetry and academics, and anecdotes."

"This newspaper is one foot and eight inches long, one foot and three inches wide, can be folded into three squares, and is priced at ten coins."

"The whole book is written in simplified Chinese characters and plain language, which is easy to understand and published monthly."

"People who buy it can understand the real situation of our Tang Dynasty, and they can also use it to read and learn characters."

Publishing newspapers was an idea that Li Chengqian had long had, and it was a powerful weapon to control the hearts of the people.

It helps to implement government policies and strengthens the central government's management and control over local governments.

Bypass the officials who deceive their superiors and let the people know the laws of the Tang Dynasty to ensure the stability of the Tang Dynasty's political order.

To spread the ideology and values ​​of the Tang Dynasty, unify thoughts, and enhance people's identification and support for the Tang Dynasty, thereby maintaining the stability of the rule.

Publishing information such as officials' behavior, rewards and punishments can also play a certain supervisory role on officials.

Of course, what Li Chengqian cares most about is guiding public opinion.

This point is particularly clear in the memories of previous lives.

(End of this chapter)