After my soul traveled to ancient times, I don't want to be cannon fodder

"From now on, I'll give you a maximum of two days to test the recipe. You'll need manpower, equipment, and money... Let Hua Rong arrange them... If you succeed, I'll reward you handsomely. If you fail, don't blame yourself. I'll just go find someone from the Ministry of Works."

"It's just that I thought it wouldn't be wise to show it too much before the experiment is successful. I also thought that many masters are among the common people. Since Hua Rong recommended you, I naturally trust his vision."

"Is it possible?"

Su Han and Yao Shan looked at each other. They never expected that Princess Zhaohua would be such a decisive person.

Without even saying a word to them, he handed such an important matter directly into their hands.

"I will obey your orders, Your Highness. Please rest assured!" Su Han spoke first, and Yao Shan quickly followed up, "I will do the same. I will definitely find a way to...test it out."

"Okay, I believe you, go ahead!"

After Zhong Ning finished speaking, he turned his gaze to Hua Rong again, "With you, I am like a tiger with wings. However, there are still too few such talents. I hope that the Dark Chamber will continue to work hard..."

Hua Rong bowed and saluted: "I obey your orders!"

Then, as if she thought of something, Huarong continued:

"Your Highness, although the court is now paying attention to the children involved in the Fang Garden incident, it still damages their reputation... I'm afraid that if they are sent back home in the future, they will be abandoned by their families."

Zhong Ning put down the manuscript in his hand, thought for a moment, and then said: "First check which ones were sold by their families and which ones were abducted by Prince An's Mansion, and then make arrangements."

"After the case is concluded, if anyone wants to return home, we will send someone to escort them back safely. If they don't want to go home, we will send them to live in Huangzhuang Village or take them into the Dark Pavilion for training, depending on their wishes. We will analyze the specific details!"

"Yes, I obey your command!" Hua Rong saluted again, then hurried away with the two of them. Since Zhong Ning asked him to arrange everything, he simply set up a simple experimental field in the side courtyard of the princess's mansion.

All the items and personnel needed for the experiment were prepared. Su Han and Yao Shan each had two subordinates to help. They had to successfully produce the things described on the paper within two days.

In fact, it doesn’t even take two days.

The next morning, a jar of white and fine salt and a large bowl of snow-white sugar were placed in front of Zhong Ning.

"Your Highness, yesterday I bought a batch of crude salt from the street. I followed the steps on this paper and refined it into refined salt step by step. Please inspect it, Your Highness!" Su Han stepped forward and replied first.

Yao Shan also held up a large bowl of white sugar and took credit for it, saying, "Your Highness, I am the same. I have refined the most common malt sugar on the market into white sugar. I have tasted it and it is truly sweet!"

Zhong Ning checked them one by one, and they really lived up to her expectations!

"Well done, very good. I am very satisfied." Zhong Ning encouraged with a smile and ordered the palace servants to bring two trays, each with two bags of silver coins.

There are about ten taels in each bag, and each person gets one as a reward for them.

"However, refining crude salt into refined salt is only the first step. Next, we need to study how to refine mineral salt."

"We have to do things step by step. Shengjing is surrounded by mountains on both sides, and there is a lot of mineral salt."

"There's a small salt mine on the mountain range that encompasses my imperial estate. People think the salt is poisonous and don't dare to try it easily, but I know that if we can extract the salt, it would be a great achievement!"

"I have already prepared the method for extracting mineral salt. I have also ordered people to collect some mineral salt from the mountains. You will have to work hard for the next two days."

"Yes, I obey your command!" Su Han's eyes were excited. This was exactly what he wanted to continue doing. If he could really extract the mineral salt that was generally recognized as poisonous, it would be of great benefit to the people.

At least the price of salt will not be too expensive in the future, and people will not have to go without one or two ounces of salt a month.

"As for sugar, I plan to open a sugar shop and sell some desserts. I will approve the money for you, and you can organize a sugar factory by the way..." Zhong Ning said to Yao Shan.

Yao Shan looked embarrassed, "Your Highness, I have no talent for business..."

"Then, if you train a few talented sugar-making professionals for me, you can escape. I have another important matter that requires your help!"

"Really?" Yao Shan was overjoyed.

Zhong Ning nodded. "I have a few fresh recipes here. After you train a sugar-making talent for me, I will give you a new task..."

"Liang Xin..." Zhong Ning suddenly said, "Arrange a few people to follow Master Yao to learn how to make sugar..."

Liang Xin has always loved eating, and has recently been studying how to make snacks and delicacies. She has long wanted to try what white sugar tastes like.

Now that His Highness has asked her to lead people to learn how to make sugar, it seems that he plans to hand over the management of the sugar shop to her in the future.

Liang Xin was overjoyed, "Thank you, Your Highness. I will arrange for someone right away!"

Su Xin felt a little envious, but then she remembered that she was the most senior maid in the princess's mansion, second only to Lady Ruan, and was following closely behind Her Royal Highness the Princess. What else could she be dissatisfied with?

Thinking of this, she straightened up and was ready to be on duty at any time!

After giving instructions to everyone one by one, Zhong Ning went directly to the Military Equipment Inspectorate with a few prescriptions. Some things still needed to be done in a professional place like the Military Equipment Inspectorate.

The Military Equipment Inspectorate was a unit directly under the charge of the imperial court.

It has the Military Equipment Bureau, the Woodworking Bureau and the Iron Casting Bureau under it.

When the Chief of the Military Equipment Supervisor, Liu Changming, heard that Princess Zhaohua had arrived, he immediately brought people to greet her in person. He wanted to welcome her into the government office and offer her tea and a short rest, but Zhong Ning asked directly, "Take me to the Iron Casting Bureau!"

Liu Changming had no choice but to welcome the person in.

While leading the way, he briefly introduced the situation of the Iron Foundry to Zhong Ning. For example, the iron needed in the Iron Foundry was taken from the iron mines directly controlled by the court.

There are not many iron mines in the world, but because of the fiefdoms granted by Emperor Taizu decades ago, some iron mines are located in the fiefdoms of vassal kings and are not under the control of the court.

In addition, the mining technology was difficult, so the court could not produce much ironware. Every year, it could produce 60 swords and 130 million arrows, crossbows, etc.

There are 20 pieces of various agricultural tools, not to mention the iron tools needed for shipbuilding, copper smelting, coin casting, and iron consumption. About 530 million kilograms of iron are consumed each year.

Although he didn't know why Princess Zhaohua came here, he had heard of her, especially since His Majesty suddenly fell into a coma some time ago and Princess Zhaohua acted as regent on behalf of the emperor. For this reason alone, he did not dare to neglect her.

Walking into the iron foundry, Zhong Ning saw the craftsmen working in full swing. She could only watch from a distance and didn't dare to go near them because it was a busy time. If she suddenly went in, a bunch of people would kneel down, which would only delay things.