It is impossible for these craftsmen to have the firm willpower to keep the secrets of the treasure banknotes. This is why Handu did not let any craftsmen know all the secrets of making the treasure banknotes. For this reason, the original group of craftsmen was
Divided into two, they are forbidden to pry out information from each other.
Although these craftsmen have not mastered the key to making treasure banknotes at all, even if they are tortured to extract confessions, it is impossible for others to create treasure banknotes through them.
But Han Du was unwilling to lose even the craftsmen, so he asked Lao Zhu to help protect the craftsmen.
After hearing this, Lao Zhu frowned and said: "It's easy to protect the banknotes and the second banknote printing bureau. I just send some soldiers to guard them. But those craftsmen are scattered everywhere, how to protect them? I can't.
Arrange soldiers to guard each of their houses, right?"
This is indeed a problem.
After hearing this, Han Du understood. If there were only one or two people, it could be solved this way. But now there are hundreds of craftsmen involved, and it is simply unrealistic to send soldiers to guard them. If you send too few, it will not work, but if you send too many, it will not work.
Okay, is that too much praise for those craftsmen?
You know, they are just craftsmen. Even the court officials, except for a very few important ministers, are not treated like soldiers and guards.
If soldiers were really sent to guard the craftsmen, if the news spread, it would definitely cause a sensation in the court. Those officials would definitely be dissatisfied.
Lao Zhu knew this deeply, so he used craftsmen scattered everywhere and guards to stop Han Du's mouth.
But is Han Du's mouth so easy to shut up?
"Your Majesty, what do you think of this? Since they are scattered in all directions and it is inconvenient to guard them, the imperial court might as well build some more houses for them to live in the Banknote and Banknote Printing Bureau and gather them all together. In this way, even
The soldiers guarding them are all saved. They only need to send people to guard the banknotes and print the banknotes in the second round. Another advantage is that this can further limit their contact with outsiders and further reduce the risk of leakage of the treasure banknotes.
"
When Lao Zhu heard this, he had to nod his head and thought that what Han Du said was indeed a good idea. Since even the guards were spared, Lao Zhu had nothing to say except agreement. But he still had a question in his heart: "
The method is a good one, but your banknote paper and banknote printing bureau are only so big, how can they fit in so many craftsmen's houses?"
"I am free to take my own approach." Han Du was confident.
What kind of house! What kind of house do you want?
Han Du once knew the craftsmen under Han Du. Although they all claim to be from the capital, none of them can live in the capital. Almost all of them live in the counties below Yingtian Mansion.
Why? To put it bluntly, none of them can afford a house in the capital.
Real estate is not something that modern people can play with. Real estate has been a profitable business since ancient times.
How expensive were the housing prices in the capital city of the Song Dynasty? They were so expensive that even the emperor who wanted to expand the palace could not afford the demolition fees. This shows the housing prices in ancient times.
Although the Hongwu Dynasty has not experienced the situation of rising several times a year, the housing prices in the capital itself are not low. Otherwise, Han Du's father would not have been a second-rank official in the imperial court for so many years. In the end,
I can only live in my family's ancestral home in the outer city. I can't even move to the inner city to settle down.
This is true for second-grade officials. These craftsmen can only dream if they want to buy a house in the capital.
Although the Banknote and Banknote Printing Bureau are outside the city, they are on the edge of the city after all. If they could live in such a place, let alone a house, even if these craftsmen were allowed to live in Tongzilou, they would be willing to do so.
That's right, Han Du had never thought about building houses for the craftsmen, he would only build tube buildings for them.
Han Du believed that the craftsmen would be very satisfied with living in the Tongzi Tower and would not ask for more. What's more, Han Du gave it to them for free. People would rush for anything that cost nothing.
"As long as you can find a way." Lao Zhu nodded.
Lao Zhu didn't care that Han Du didn't say anything about it. As long as there were no problems in the general direction, Lao Zhu wouldn't care about the details of the matter.
After reading the treasure notes, Lao Zhu turned his attention to Xiong Shi who was standing aside.
Looking at the things in the tray, Lao Zhu asked: "What is this?"
Han Du did not speak, but stood behind Lao Zhu and motioned to Xiong Shi to introduce him.
Xiong Shi saw the look in Han Du's eyes and said boldly: "Back to the emperor, this is the printing plate for printing treasure banknotes. On this day only, I followed Master Han's instructions and brought them all."
Lao Zhu turned back and glanced at Han Du. Seeing Han Du's flattering smile, he didn't say anything. He turned back and continued to ask Xiong Shi: "What's your name?"
Xiong Shi's face froze slightly after hearing this. As expected, Mr. Han was right. When he entered the palace to pay homage and introduced himself to his family, the emperor didn't even pay attention to his words. Only then did he even mention his name.
Ignored.
However, Xiong Shi did not dare to be disrespectful in the slightest. He lowered his head and said, "Xiong Shi, a humble minister."
"Xiong Shi?" Lao Zhu listened and nodded. This time he really remembered the name. He reached out and picked up a printing plate. It felt quite heavy. He was surprised for a moment. After taking a look.
Surprised, he turned to Han Du and asked, "What kind of thing is this printing plate made of? Is it so heavy?"
It would be hard for Xiong Shi to answer this.
Han Du brought Xiong Shi here just because he wanted him to show his face in front of Lao Zhu. Firstly, it was because the successful production of the treasure banknotes was also due to Xiong Shi's hard work. Letting him show his face in front of Lao Zhu would have a great impact on his future.
The official career was somewhat helpful. Secondly, it was because Han Du wanted to pave the way for Xiong Shi. If possible, it would be best for him to take over his position quickly.
Han Du never thought about being an official for the rest of his life and working for Lao Zhu for the rest of his life. What Han Du wanted most was to retire early after achieving financial freedom so that he could enjoy life.
During the Hongwu years, it was too easy for Han Du to achieve financial freedom. The only problem was that he had done meritorious service before, so it would be nice if he could avoid being beheaded by Lao Zhu, but he didn't want to achieve any freedom.
But now, since Lao Zhu has eloquently stated that he has pardoned Han Du from all his crimes, Han Du naturally still wants to pursue financial freedom.
After all, I have days where I "sleep until I wake up naturally, and count money until my hands cramp." However, only those with a sick mind would think about the days when I was an official.