People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 557, The Productivity Revolution
"Zhao Gao, take men to the Imperial Palace and invite the two Grand Masters, Gongshu Chou and Xiangli Guan, here!"

After a brief moment of shock, Ying Zheng did not hesitate and immediately gave the order to Zhao Gao, his tone revealing his urgency.

"promise."

Zhao Gao dared not be negligent in the slightest. Carrying Ying Zheng's orders, he quickly walked out of the court and headed towards the Imperial Palace as fast as possible.

Inside the Imperial Council Hall, Xu Qing surveyed the astonished officials, and especially after noticing the change in the way the military officers looked at him, he knew that his position as Prime Minister was absolutely secure.

The method of assessment did indeed affect the interests of the military, but it was not absolute. Not everyone is born a general. Among the descendants of these military families, many abandoned military service for civil service. The most famous example is Meng Yi, the youngest son of Meng Wu and the younger brother of Meng Tian.

The military merit system can indeed greatly boost the morale and courage of soldiers, but if there were no other options, who would want to risk their life on the battlefield?

Therefore, in the long run, the method of assessment for major tasks is also beneficial to military generals.

At first glance, it seems that the civil officials would benefit the most, so he had to offer something that would satisfy the interests of the military officers, thus balancing their interests.

"Your Majesty, it will take some time for the two ministers, Gongshu Chou and Xiangli Guan, to arrive. Until then, I think we should continue to discuss who should serve as prime minister."

Xu Qing turned to look at Ying Zheng and bowed again.

At this moment, Ying Zheng was in no mood to continue discussing who should serve as prime minister. According to his and Xu Qing's plan, he should indeed take advantage of the fact that the civil and military officials were still in shock and finish today's performance with Xu Qing.

However, Ying Zheng never expected that Xu Qing would actually produce a mature iron smelting method. As a result, his mind was no longer on the position of Prime Minister. He was now preoccupied with finding out whether the iron smelting method Xu Qing presented was genuine or not, since this matter was far too important for the Qin state.

If iron tools could truly become widespread in the Qin state, it would mean an immeasurable transformation in every aspect of Qin, from military to agriculture.

For Ying Zheng, who wanted to unify the six kingdoms and create an unprecedented capital, the method of iron smelting was extremely important.

"No rush. We'll discuss it after Gongshu Chou and Xiangli Guan arrive and confirm that the smelting method you proposed, Lord Zhaoming, truly surpasses that of the six states," Ying Zheng said, waving his hand.

The assembled officials, seeing Ying Zheng's somewhat anxious demeanor and Xu Qing's presence in the center of the hall, gradually recovered from their astonishment. Their gazes towards Xu Qing shifted, eventually revealing only a sense of感慨 and helplessness.

“What Your Majesty says makes sense. We should first determine whether the method of iron smelting is genuine,” Meng Ao added.

The other generals were both expectant and nervous, eagerly awaiting Zhao Gao to bring Gongshu Chou and Xiangli Guan to produce finished products that could prove Xu Qing's smelting method.

The civil officials looked at Xu Qing with some emotion. Since the start of the court meeting today, their mood had fluctuated dramatically three times.

From initially uniting to oppose Xu Qing's appointment as prime minister, to unanimously deciding to support Xu Qing's appointment after the proposed assessment method, and now to being surprised upon learning of Xu Qing's ambitions.

They thought Xu Qing's proposed method of assessment was a complete break from the military generals, but now his proposed method of smelting was undoubtedly a way of dividing up the benefits among the military generals.

This means that Xu Qing did not want to be a civil official like Lü Buwei, but rather to become the head of all officials with the support of both civil and military officials, a true figure second only to the emperor.

Although Xu Qing's ambiguous relationship with military generals still worried many civil officials, intelligent people such as Yao Jia, Chang Wenjun, and the Minister of Agriculture no longer opposed Xu Qing's appointment as prime minister.

A prime minister who can unite the civil and military officials, scholars, and members of the royal family of Qin can not only promote the implementation of the assessment system, but also minimize internal strife within Qin, thereby uniting all forces to support Qin's ambition to expand eastward.

That would mean unifying the world! If this grand goal were achieved in their generation, no matter how mediocre they were, their names would surely be recorded in history. As for those with talent, they would undoubtedly leave a significant mark on history.

Thinking of this, the ministers felt a surge of excitement, their eyes burning with fervor as they looked at Ying Zheng and Xu Qing.

It was truly a blessing from heaven that Qin had a wise ruler and a capable minister!
"Is this the foundation of Taoism, the leader of all schools of thought? If this complete method of iron smelting is real, then Qin might produce another Zhang Yi, a prime minister who has the full support of both civil and military officials."

Looking at Xu Qing, Meng Ao couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Xu Qing had no idea what Meng Ao and the court officials were thinking. He felt a little uneasy under the expectant and enthusiastic gazes of the court officials.

Xu Qing naturally understood the significance of a complete iron smelting method, but the reactions of Ying Zheng and his ministers still exceeded his expectations.

"A bunch of country bumpkins!"

Standing atop thousands of years of human scientific and cultural heritage, Xu Qing couldn't help but feel smug. Although he couldn't compare to these elites in specific governance matters, in terms of understanding the world, everyone in the world combined couldn't match him.

This is the confidence of someone from the best era in thousands of years.

However, seeing so many people waiting, Xu Qing naturally didn't continue speaking and waited along with them for the output and the mutual connection.

In the blink of an eye, the once bustling and lively Chaoyi Hall fell into a deathly silence. Everyone, including Xu Qing, stared at the entrance of Chaoyi Hall, hoping that Zhao Gao would arrive with Gongshu Chou and Xiangli Guan.

Half an hour later, hurried footsteps were heard outside the silent Imperial Council Hall.

A glint of anticipation flashed in the eyes of Ying Zheng, Meng Ao, and the others. They all looked up at the outside of the hall and saw Zhao Gao, Gongshu Chou, and Xiangli Guan walking quickly towards them. They couldn't help but feel excited.

As the footsteps grew closer, Zhao Gao and his two companions entered the Imperial Council Hall.

This was the first time that Gongshu Chou and Xiangli Guan had come to this palace, which represented the highest power in the Qin state. Especially with the ministers staring at them like this, they couldn't help but feel a sense of fear. Their breathing slowed down, and they walked with a trembling gait.

The two people, each carrying a box, walked slowly through the hall, their eyes pleading as they looked at Xu Qing.

Xu Qing looked at the two frightened people and nodded slightly to them, indicating that they didn't need to worry.

Seeing this, the two felt a little more at ease, and they walked with a more respectful demeanor to the center of the hall, no longer trembling.

"Your subject Gongshu Chou (Xiangli Guan) pays respects to Your Majesty." The two men bowed, holding the boxes in their hands.

"No need for formalities. Lord Zhaoming said that you two can verify whether the iron smelting technique he presented is genuine. Is this true?" Ying Zheng was also anxious and did not care about etiquette, so he asked directly.

“What Lord Zhaoming said is true. Your Majesty, we two do have a way to prove it. Please wait a moment, Your Majesty.”

Xiangli Guan and Gongshu Chou took a deep breath, opened the box in their hands, and took out two shiny iron blocks. "Your Majesty, these two iron blocks are what we smelted yesterday, following the method taught by Lord Zhaoming, over a day and a night. Because it was our first time smelting iron, we were a little unfamiliar with it, which is why it took so long."

"But this has not affected the quality of the iron block. Whether in terms of hardness or other aspects, we two can guarantee that this iron far surpasses the ironware smelted by the six states of Shandong!"

Xiangli Guan raised the iron block in his hand and said loudly.

“I can vouch for the entire population of my Gongshu clan that Lord Zhaoming’s metallurgical methods far surpass those of the six states of Shandong, and are extremely mature and complete. If these methods are promoted, the strength of our Qin army will surely be further enhanced.”

Gongshu Chou followed up with his own words.

After the two finished speaking, Ying Zheng and his ministers all looked at the iron blocks in their hands. Even from a distance, they could tell that these two iron blocks were different from what they were used to.

Ying Zheng nodded to Zhao Gao, who understood and stepped down the stairs. He took the iron block from Xiang Liguan and carefully presented it to Ying Zheng.

Touching the heavy, hard iron block in his hand, Ying Zheng's eyes gleamed, and a smile spread across his face, impossible to suppress.

"Lord Zhaoming has truly made another great contribution to our Great Qin! With this smelting method, our Great Qin will undergo earth-shattering changes! It will bring unprecedented benefits to our Great Qin!" Ying Zheng said happily, holding the iron block in his hand.

Seeing Ying Zheng so enamored with the iron block, Meng Ao immediately stepped forward and took the iron block from Gongshu Chou's hand, examining it closely and weighing it carefully.

"A divine object! This is simply a divine object! I have never seen such a divine object before!" Meng Ao exclaimed with delight.

The other military officers disregarded court etiquette and surrounded Meng Ao, nervously watching the iron block in his hand. Those who were quick even touched it.

As generals, they dealt with weapons year-round. Although they didn't know how to smelt or professionally distinguish the components of weapons, they could tell the difference between good weapons and good raw materials at a glance.

If the Qin army had the smelting methods provided by Xu Qing and replaced all their weapons and armor with iron, the already valiant Qin army would truly be even more formidable.

The Qin state possessed strong national power, high morale, and advanced weaponry and armor, coupled with a large number of fierce generals and commanders.

The six states east of the Yellow River will no longer be able to compete with the Qin army.

At this moment, they were filled with excitement about the iron smelting method that Xu Qing had brought, and had long forgotten their previous dissatisfaction with Xu Qing.

At the same time, these military officers also realized one thing: they had to maintain a good relationship with Xu Qing. First he was the military doctor, then the ironware expert; who could guarantee that Xu Qing didn't have other unbelievable things in his mind?

Therefore, they must maintain a good relationship with Xu Qing. As for the assessment method, they can accept it as long as Xu Qing does not completely shake the foundation of the twenty-rank military merit system.

"Your Majesty, may I have the honor of examining this iron block?" asked the Minister of Agriculture.

"Ok?"

Ying Zheng and Meng Ao, along with other military generals, all looked at the Minister of Grain Supply, their eyes filled with doubt.

Why would a civil official in charge of money and grain be interested in iron blocks?
"The finished products of Lord Zhaoming's smelting method are so extraordinary. I wonder if they could be used to make agricultural tools? Iron is much harder than bronze, and if the cost is lower than bronze, making agricultural tools would greatly facilitate agriculture in Qin and could increase Qin's grain production by at least 10%!"

Faced with the crowd's doubts, the Secretary of Agriculture slowly spoke.

Today, all agricultural tools in the Qin state are made of bronze. However, bronze agricultural tools are not only expensive to make, but also wear out quickly during use.

If iron tools were used to make harder and more durable farm implements, it would not only reduce the cost of farming for farmers, but also make it easier for them to reclaim wasteland.

The Guanzhong irrigation canal, supervised by Zheng Guo, is about to be completed. With the addition of iron farm tools, Guanzhong will become a fertile land for grain production, and Qin will no longer lack food.

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of light flashed in Ying Zheng's eyes again, and he looked at Xu Qing expectantly, awaiting Xu Qing's reply.

"The question of the Minister of Agriculture is a good question, and I can say that it is not a problem at all. When I taught the Grand Master Gongshu and the Grand Master Xiangli the art of smelting, I had them try to make samples of iron farm tools, which should be done in the next couple of days."

Xu Qing cupped his hands in greeting to Ying Zheng and smiled as he addressed the assembled officials.

Upon hearing this, everyone became even more excited. They were all officials of the Qin state, and although there were internal struggles, their hearts were still loyal to the Qin state.

They were naturally excited about anything that would benefit the Qin state's national strength.

"Doctor Xiangli, Doctor Gongshu, how is the production of iron farm tools progressing?"

Ying Zheng looked at Gongshu Chou and the other man, suppressing his excitement and maintaining his imperial dignity, and asked in a calm and unhurried voice.

"Your Majesty, the sample has been manufactured overnight and is currently being polished. It will be ready for field testing tomorrow," Xiangli Guan reported.

Upon hearing this, the civil officials' eyes gleamed, and their expressions became even more excited.

Iron farm tools are feasible, and with the implementation of the major assessment system, they will quickly produce political achievements after being transferred to local positions. After all, in Xu Qing's brief explanation, local stability, prosperity, and the well-being of the people are all important assessment criteria, and all of these are based on food.

With increased grain production, the people will be well-fed, so who would cause trouble? At the same time, the government's granaries will be full, and wouldn't that boost the government's performance record?

Xu Qingzhen is like a father to them, considering everything so thoroughly, even more so than their own father!

"New iron weapons are also under construction and should be completed by the day after tomorrow at the latest," Gongshu Chou said in a deep voice.

Now it was the generals' turn to get excited. They couldn't help but grin, looking expectantly at Xu Qing and Gongshu Chou, while secretly plotting their next move.

"quiet!"

Seeing the somewhat chaotic court discussion, the Imperial Physician immediately struck the bronze bell beside him and shouted loudly.

The civil and military officials all put away their smiles and returned to their seats, leaving only Xu Qing in the center of the hall.

(End of this chapter)