Crown Prince of the Empire, I quit!

"Why is 30%?"

Qin Ming was a little surprised.

It has been nearly half a year since the troops were deployed outside the northern border, but in such a long time, various projects have not been completed.

This is somewhat inconsistent with the efficiency of their corps construction.

However, he did not blame Qian Cai and others. After all, it was the Construction Corps who went there in person, and they only did 30% of the work.

If someone else were to do it, they might not even be able to accomplish 30% of it.

"It's mainly because it's too cold. They just came to me to talk about keeping warm, but the court may not always be able to buy them charcoal."

"How about this, we can build some stoves and burn coal to keep warm."

Qin Ming thought of anthracite.

Coal mining has now begun in the north. As a resource-rich region, the coal reserves here are also astonishing.

Make some anthracite, use it with a stove, and heat it in the house to help the workers there keep warm.

“Is it expensive?”

As the Minister of Revenue, Qian Cai immediately asked about his job and wanted to control costs.

Qin Ming shook his head and said:

"There are costs, of course, but the stoves and anthracite we make can be sold. Besides us, there are many other indigenous people in the north who will need them."

The stove Qin Ming was talking about was more like a fireplace.

By adding anthracite to it, a lot of heat can be dissipated through the extended pipes, thereby increasing the temperature in their room.

It can help keep them warm while resting indoors.

It also burns much longer than regular charcoal when used for construction outdoors.

"This is a good idea."

Qian Cai was stunned for a moment, and felt that His Majesty had thought it through thoroughly.

"All of you, come with me and go back to the Ministry of Works to find some blacksmiths."

Qin Ming pointed to several master chefs on the scene, and they immediately nodded.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Soon, they arrived at the Ministry of Industry.

After Qin Ming briefly introduced to them the method of making anthracite, everyone understood it.

"This is not difficult, Your Majesty."

As they followed Qin Ming for longer periods of time, they learned a lot and acquired some modern knowledge base.

Therefore, when I heard Qin Ming talking about the production technology of anthracite, I quickly understood it.

"Actually, I've done this before in Lingnan. The factory over there was converted into a temporary arsenal due to the war, and since there was no concept of furnaces yet, I never asked you to do it."

Qin Ming chatted with them, but he never stopped working with the pen and paper in his hand.

A drawing was quickly drawn.

The thing on this drawing is the stove they need.

"Your Majesty, is it that simple?"

Several master chefs came over and asked curiously.

Qin Ming's stove is just a metal box with a long iron pipe on top.

When needed, you can throw anthracite in and light it.

Heat can be transferred through the stove, and the pipe can be connected to the outside world to act as a chimney to prevent people from poisoning.

"if not?"

Qin Ming spread his hands and said:

"This is the best stove. It's cheap and works well. It's also convenient for us to make it."

"makes sense."

Everyone nodded.

It's just a big iron box with a chimney pipe to conduct heat and disperse smoke.

The cost will inevitably be reduced a lot.

The price can also be reduced, and coupled with the mass production of anthracite, part of the heating problem in the north can be solved soon.

It is impossible to really allow them to resist ice and snow anytime and anywhere.

But there is no problem in alleviating the severe cold.

With the advent of the stove, more people will be able to live in the north in the future.

In the evening, Qin Ming returned to the palace with the things.

The autumn wind was bleak, and when the cold was felt outside the northern border, it was already late autumn in the capital.

The setting sun cast long shadows on the palace walls, and Chen Shimao appeared in the shadows with a hunched back.

"His Majesty."

"Teacher, why are you here?"

Qin Ming was a little surprised. Looking at Chen Shimao, it seemed as if he had been waiting for him here all the time.

Chen Shimao walked forward slowly, looking hesitant.

But after thinking about it, he said to Qin Ming:

"Your Majesty, I would like to talk to you."

"Teacher, you are too polite. Why don't you go sit down inside the hall and talk?"

Qin Ming's heart moved, and he guessed that the other party might be about to say something important.

Unexpectedly, Chen Shimao shook his head.

"Let's talk here. There are so many people in the palace, it's not convenient."

"That's fine."

Qin Ming immediately became serious and waited for the other party to speak.

Chen Shimao suddenly sighed.

"Your Majesty has been conquering the world for so long, and you still don't have any offspring?"

"Ok?"

Qin Ming had rehearsed many possibilities in his mind, but he was still a little stunned when the other party opened his mouth.

According to modern people's thinking, Qin Ming is still very young and there is no rush to leave offspring.

But this is Daqian, an ancient dynasty.

As an adult emperor, Qin Ming was always fighting outside, which was extremely dangerous.

There wasn't even a single descendant left behind.

This is inappropriate no matter how you look at it.

After a long time, rumors would even spread within the palace.

Only then did Qin Ming suddenly realize why Chen Shimao would find a place where there were no outsiders to talk to him about this matter.

"I have long wanted to advise Your Majesty on this matter, but due to your busy schedule, I have never had the opportunity. Now that I have returned, I finally have the opportunity to raise this matter. I hope Your Majesty will consider it."

Chen Shimao said earnestly.

Qin Ming immediately expressed his opinion upon seeing this:

"Teacher, you are right."

"Then... I won't bother Your Majesty."

Chen Shimao nodded seriously. In his eyes, the inheritance of the royal family was the top priority.

Qin Ming responded with a smile, personally escorted her out of the palace gate, and then returned to the harem.

Another night of passion, and then it was time to leave.

Qin Ming came to the secret guard early in the morning, and Liu Yueli was already waiting there.

The main goals of the Secret Guard when it was first established were to collect intelligence and to protect Qin Ming.

Now that Qin Ming has returned from Yan Dynasty, Liu Yueli, the leader of the secret guards, naturally returned to Daqian as well.

"Your Majesty, General Liu's 50,000 troops are expected to reach the west coast in about seven days."

"General Chang's 30,000 elite troops will take another two days to reach the east coast due to the long distance."

Qin Ming wanted to seize several shipping routes of Yan Dynasty.

A total of 200,000 troops were arranged to go to Yan Dynasty.

This is not the most troublesome part. The biggest expense is actually on ships and weapons and equipment.

The overall investment is definitely greater than a normal war involving millions of people on land!

It is for this reason that Daqian must obtain these shipping routes.

By then they will connect all directions and make huge wealth.

Thinking of this, Qin Ming asked:

"By the way, after the Yan Dynasty opens its shipping routes to trade, can the goods brought over be used to supply the small countries along the way?"