Daqin: A buff of incredible comprehension

Afterwards, several people came to Chen Yuan's study and stared at the long scroll on the table with bated breath. When it was unfolded, a complex but well-organized pattern was revealed.

"Madam, please take a look—this is the salt farm plan I've been conceiving for a long time. It will revitalize the nation and benefit the people," Chen Yuan explained, pointing to a hand-drawn map. "It will produce tens of thousands of kilograms of salt annually, enough to supply the people of Xianyang and bring long-term prosperity to our family. This is far more important than my soap and mirror manufacturing, because salt is a necessity of life. As long as the Qin Empire stands, this wealth will be passed down."

The ladies all nodded in agreement, and the atmosphere became much more harmonious than before. Liu Wan'er, who had been a little dissatisfied at first, blushed and expressed her support.

Wang Yun was puzzled by the mystery and stared at the drawings for a long time without understanding. However, after others explained it to her, she could only sigh and admit her own ignorance.

Finally, everyone walked out of the study, feeling satisfied, and agreed to have dinner together. At this point, everyone's relationship had become much more harmonious. Xiangli Qingling slowed down her pace and walked side by side with Chen Yuan. When no one was around, she whispered a suggestion: "Husband, you might as well spend more time with the women around you to avoid unnecessary troubles."

Chen Yuan couldn't help but smile bitterly when he heard these words...

We hope you enjoy the new adaptation. If you need any more revisions or have any other requests, please let us know!

Crown Prince Li Hua sat upright on a shiny chestnut horse, looking heroic and radiant.

"fine."

Chen An waved his hand and shouted to Zhang Ming, who was riding back in front of him, "Stop turning around and come and rest. You're not afraid of being tired, but Marco is out of breath."

Meng Tao next to him couldn't help laughing.

This kid is really useless. If it weren't for his master, he would have to be taught a lesson.

"grown ups."

"The road ahead is clear, nothing unusual."

Zhang Ming, though young, blushed bright red as he stood upright beside the saddle, reporting diligently. His mother had repeatedly urged him to give his all in the palace and not let down the care of the governor. Consequently, he took everything very seriously, a fact that seemed somewhat ridiculous to Meng Tao.

"Drink some water."

Chen An handed over the water bag and said, "Outside Xianyang City, there's no need for suspicion. Just be vigilant at ordinary times."

"You're new here, so learn more and see more."

"Your Highness is eager to seek talents and will not bury your talents."

Li Hua smiled and nodded at Zhang Ming. Honestly, if it weren't for Chen An's strong recommendation, it's hard to imagine Zhang Ming becoming a prominent general. Xianyang City was filled with talented individuals, and he wasn't particularly outstanding. However, since Chen An was so confident, Li Hua gave him full trust and respect.

"Yes."

Hearing this, Zhang Ming seemed to be greatly encouraged. All the fatigue in his body was swept away, and he continued to move forward at the end of the team.

“Young people are so nice.”

Li Hua said with a smile, smoke and dust were rising in the mountains ahead, and the faint sound of forging was getting closer and closer. It was not far from the iron smelting workshop.

"Your Highness, these are newly forged plowshares. Use them to plow the fields, and the soil will naturally separate on both sides."

"Using two together, you can dig a trench two palms wide."

"Below is the plow blade. It has a sharp design and has been repeatedly polished, making it much easier to break the soil than the previous official version."

Craftsman Tian Wen was busy and sweating, but he still explained to the prince enthusiastically.

A vast expanse of thatched huts stretched along the riverbank, and hundreds of hammers pounded the piles of iron, creating a spectacular scene. It was Zhang Ming's first time seeing such a large-scale industrial center, and he marveled at the strength and progress of the Qin Dynasty.

The towering blast furnaces, scalding hot iron flowing like waterfalls, are a breathtaking sight. Next door, a taller and larger blast furnace has begun construction, reaching a height of more than two people. Its scale is even greater than the previous one, conjuring up visions of a future of steel piled high into mountains.

He gathered his thoughts and followed the group. The unification of the six kingdoms by the Qin Dynasty had become a reality. If he wanted to change the fate of the Zhang family, he had to make a difference in front of Crown Prince Li Hua.

"The ice and snow have melted, and once the ice floes have been pushed away, the waterwheel can be started."

"The forged plowshares and coulters are hammered together and then quenched before use. We've already completed over a thousand sets, and the efficiency will be even higher going forward."

When everyone reached the end, the pile of ironware in front of them attracted everyone's attention.

A dozen workers were loading and counting goods, and the heavy pressure left deep marks on the ground. Tian Wen handed Li Hua a set of samples:

“Compared to previous versions, this one is more refined and compact, and its durability has been greatly improved.”

Li Hua examined it again and again, marveling. "It used to look like a lump of iron, but now it's high-quality steel. Even if I hadn't participated, someone else would have come up with such an innovation sooner or later."

"No, sir, you are too modest."

Seeing that Li Hua was interested in the larger iron plow in the corner of the straw hut, he further introduced it:

"The regular version is loaned out free to the public; the one over there is a premium model specially made by skilled craftsmen."

Li Hua was very interested: "Let's go and take a look."

As they entered the thatched hut, all the craftsmen saluted. Tian Wen demonstrated an advanced plow for Li Hua to try out.

"This is a new version of the '√' shape, which is more structurally stable."

Li Hua pondered the issue of promotion: "It will require more steel production capacity to achieve large-scale popularization, otherwise it will be difficult to achieve at this stage."

"Don't worry. The best is yet to come."

Tian Wen smiled mysteriously and waved outside. Soon, a man hurried over carrying a full metal plow.

This farm tool is complete in shape and looks very crude.

"this?"

"A complete set of plows, all made of iron, and surprisingly light."

No one had ever used expensive iron to make such a tool. "I call it the 'Royal Plow,'" Chen An added.

"Wang Jiali? Not good."

"I didn't contribute anything to its development. If it had to be named, it should be called 'Chen's Plow'."

Li Hua said seriously.

Tian Wen smiled and said, "Your Highness, do you know the price of this plow?"

Li Hua guessed: "At least ten

A dou of rice cost only three wen, a fat rabbit only four wen, and a soldier's equipment cost only a little over a thousand wen. Now, a certain plow is being bid up for eighty-eight thousand wen, ten times more expensive than before! Who can afford it? Didn't they say they were going to lower the price of ironware so that it would be affordable for the people? Why is it getting even more expensive?

"Sir, that's why it's called the 'Big Sir Plow'."

"Spending 88,000 yuan on a Chen-style plow is a waste just thinking about it."

"But if you buy the eldest son's plow, you'll make a killing!"

"Just this name alone will increase the speed of tilling the land by at least 30%."

"I feel heartbroken looking at the selling price."

** said with a clear conscience.

Fusu was at a loss for words: "Can using my name make the plowing speed up?"

"Young Master has plowed the fields before, so you should understand this principle."

**

He smiled meaningfully and said, "You understand how to farm, but you don't understand the psychology of the world."

**A plow is only worth 10,000 coins, but the writing on it is worth 78,000 coins. ** He took the eldest son's plow from Li Zhou and laid it flat on its side.

There are four seal characters clearly engraved on it:

"The eldest son is the producer..."

"I only know a little about iron smelting. How can I take on such a heavy responsibility?" Fusu shook his head. If the rumor got out, wouldn't it lead to public criticism?

"Doesn't it count as supervision if you inspected the entire workshop?"

** explained with a smile. "Eighty-eight thousand plows, can ordinary people afford it?"

Fusu said without hesitation: "I definitely can't afford it!"

"Not only at this price, even the cheaper 18,000 is still unaffordable."

So who benefits from pricing?

** nodded and said, "Those who can afford this price are either wealthy businessmen or officials at all levels."

Merchants, driven by profit, usually don't spend money on luxury goods, but rather on officials and meritorious military nobles, who are favored by the emperor and have great control over land resources.

"A young master's plow worth eighty-eight thousand is strong and durable. Even if its owner dies, it can still be used."

"You care about agriculture and created something like this specifically for the people. Don't you think you're supporting the government, even though you've received so many rewards from the imperial court?"

"Bring it back home and show it off, and let it be honored by your presence. Not only will it be a sure win, but it will also bring honor to our family."

"This loss is for me, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and you. We are losing so much that we are almost crying."

* Deliberately act pitiful.

**

Faced with **'s eloquent speech, Fusu was speechless.

People always try to please their superiors. Doing so might indeed help sell the plow at a high price, but... this approach might lead to suspicions of personal gain. "To reduce the excess and to give to the deficiency is the way of Heaven."

"The greater the sales volume of the Grand Duke's Plow, the lower the overall cost."

For the nobles, tens or hundreds of taels of gold are no big deal, but for the common people, a price reduction of even a penny or a copper coin is a big deal. "Should we prioritize our reputation or the interests of the people?"

** Seriously.

Fusu suddenly became serious: "Of course the welfare of the people is more important!"

** said with emotion: "You are so understanding and perceptive. Therefore, the Grand Duke's Plow must be mass-produced."

** His far-sighted approach is beyond the reach of others. "Thank you for your advice." Fusu bowed solemnly.

Han Xin was deeply impressed.

The Prince's Plow is clearly a rip-off; no one can afford it. I didn't expect it to be so highly praised. Meng Gan praised ** this act of chivalry, which completely resonated with my heart.

Leaving the ironwork shed, everyone toured the iron furnace again. Li Zhou lived up to the reputation of Qin's skilled craftsmen, his innovative ideas surpassing the standards of contemporary technology. While many of his ideas remained elusive, his conceptual framework remained largely unchanged from that of later generations.

** He could not stop praising, "Da Qin is truly blessed to have you, my brother. Once the steel mill is completed, I'll record it in history books for future generations to admire."

Li Zhou quickly refused: "I don't dare to accept it." "I'm afraid of being ridiculed by the world, so I don't dare to seek credit or fame."

** Another round of inspiring words made the other party extremely excited. He said that he would keep it in mind and devote himself to research and development work. He also sincerely bowed to the two of them to express his gratitude.