Because of his sixth brother Zhao Hongzhao, Zhao Hongrun was no longer in the mood to interfere with the progress of diplomatic negotiations. After all, no matter what agreement Du You, the Minister of Rites, signed with Huang Er or Tian Dan, in his opinion, it was not as good as his sixth brother who was about to go to Qi again.
The country concerned him even more.
You know, the last time I went to Qi, I was away for more than half a year, but this time I went to Qi, and I couldn't tell when I would be able to come back.
That night, Zhao Hongrun tossed and turned and couldn't fall asleep. He decided to go to Yafeng Pavilion again to have a good chat with the sixth brother and discuss some more in-depth and sensitive issues.
It's a pity that Zhao Hongzhao is in the Mei Palace of his mother-in-law Wu Guifei tonight, enjoying family affection with Emperor Wei, Wu Guifei, and his newlywed wife Ji Wen. It would be quite rude to disturb him at this time.
Therefore, even if he couldn't sleep, Zhao Hongrun could only endure it.
However, after enduring it for a while, because he was still not sleepy, Zhao Hongrun simply got up from the bed, put on his coat, walked to the outside room, and sat down behind the desk.
He thought, since he couldn't sleep anyway, he might as well do something practical.
For example, consider the livelihood of the Metallurgical Bureau. After all, it is impossible for such a large department to be supported by him alone.
Although he currently holds more than 300,000 yuan in his hands, to be honest, this amount of money is not much to support a department, not to mention that he has to continue to invest large sums of money in order to obtain new technologies.
Bureau.
Just relying on those 300,000 pieces of silver is a waste of money. Sooner or later, it will be used up.
Therefore, Zhao Hongrun must make plans early.
"Your Highness?" Zong Wei's low voice asked in the room.
According to convention, as a prince, Zhao Hongrun would be protected by at least one loyal Zongwei wherever he was, even in a heavily guarded palace.
Today, it’s the turn of planting.
And the sound of Zhao Hongrun getting out of bed, even though he was very careful, still woke up Zhongzhi who was in a light sleep state.
"It's okay. I just can't sleep. Get up, read a book, and think about something... You go back to sleep."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Despite Zhongzhao's answer, the loyal Zongwei still got off the couch. Putting on his clothes, he walked to the candlestick in the outer room and lit all the candles on the palace lantern to make the room as bright as possible.
some.
The reason is that Zhao Hongrun once accidentally said to the Zongwei: Using your eyes with concentration in a dark place can easily damage your eyesight.
Zhao Hongrun was moved by this but also a little helpless. After all, the reason why he did not add more candles was because he was afraid that it would affect his rest. Who would have thought that this loyal Zong Wei would get down on his bed and light the candles in the house for him?
Already.
"Your Highness is in a bad mood, is it because of His Highness Sixth Highness, no, is it because of His Highness Prince Rui's affairs?" Zhongzhao asked.
Zhao Hongrun didn't hide anything and nodded. After all, he had nothing to hide from his clan guards, unless it was something that would affect the judgment of his confidants because the clan guards were too loyal to him. For example, his true relationship with Mi Jiang.
"Sixth brother plans to live in Qi forever. To be honest, I don't really agree with it." Facing Zong Wei, whom he trusted, Zhao Hongrun finally told his true thoughts.
In this regard, Zhongzhao could only advise His Highness to think on the bright side. After all, he was just a Zongwei around Zhao Hongrun. He had no position and was not qualified to evaluate the decisions of other Princes and His Highnesses, like the decision of the Sixth Prince Rui Wang Zhao Hongzhao.
, and only Zongwei, Fei Wei and others around him are qualified to persuade or make suggestions.
"Forget it, you go and rest, I'll sit here for a while."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Zhongzhao put on his coat and went to rest on his small couch, leaving Zhao Hongrun sitting alone behind the desk in the outer room.
Regarding the livelihood issues of the Metallurgical Bureau, to put it bluntly, we want to find a way to make money for the Metallurgical Bureau, using the exquisite craftsmanship of the craftsmen in the Metallurgical Bureau to earn and improve the treatment of the officials and craftsmen in the department, and at the same time, earn money.
Funding for research into new technologies.
After all, Zhao Hongrun had separated the Metallurgical and Manufacturing Bureau from the Ministry of Industry, and even built a money bank privately. He would not be able to get away with it if he went to the Ministry of Industry or the Ministry of Household Affairs to ask for funds.
When it comes to the craftsmanship of the Smelting Bureau, Zhao Hongrun can honestly say that the craftsmanship of the officials and craftsmen under his command can definitely be regarded as the top of the Wei Dynasty. However, these people really do not know how to manage and turn their skills into reality.
He was rich in gold and silver, so much so that despite mastering the top craftsmanship in the country, he lived even poorer than the ordinary people in Daliang City.
Recalling a certain news in his memory, a high-tech chief engineer of a certain era sold tea eggs in front of the Science and Technology Bureau after get off work in order to support his family. Zhao Hongrun was a little confused: Is it the top talents in these countries who dedicated all their brain power? Thanks to technological research and development, even ordinary people are inferior to them in terms of life.
Could this be what is called informality?
Zhao Hongrun smiled bitterly and shook his head. No matter what, now that he has taken charge of the Smelting Bureau, he will definitely not let the craftsmen of the Smelting Bureau fall to that level.
But when it comes to making money from the Smelting Bureau, the first thing Zhao Hongrun thinks of is to improve craftsmanship and take over the country's military industry list. Simply put, it is to seize the jobs of the Military Casting Bureau. After all, the Military Casting Bureau builds six garrison battalions every two years.
The cost of replacing military equipment would even make the officials of the Ministry of Revenue who control the treasury shed tears. One can imagine what a huge figure it is.
It would be great if we could get the Bingzhu Bureau over...
Although it was just an idea, Zhao Hongrun could not be more excited.
You must know that the craftsmanship of the craftsmen in the Weapon Casting Bureau is not only no less than that of the Smelting Bureau, but also the number of experienced craftsmen is greater. If the Weapon Casting Bureau can be obtained, merged with the Smelting Bureau, and establish a new department,
For example, the Foundry Bureau, etc. This means that this new department will replace the previous Weapon Casting Bureau and Smelting Bureau and become the department with the most advanced technology in the Wei Dynasty.
It's a pity that the Ministry of War will never let go of Bingzhu Bureau, because it is their lifeblood. If the Ministry of War loses Bingzhu Bureau, what is the Ministry of War?
As for grabbing Bingzhu Bureau's job, that's out of the question.
It is no exaggeration to say that if Zhao Hongrun dares to grab the job of the Bingzhu Bureau today regardless of the authority assigned by the imperial court, tomorrow the Bingzhu Bureau's bureau chief Li Jin will dare to lead the officials and craftsmen in the Bingzhu Bureau to destroy the Smelting Bureau.
However, Zhao Hongrun could not accuse the other party.
After much deliberation, Zhao Hongrun still felt that for the time being, he could only start with civilian crafts and ask the craftsmen of the Smelting and Manufacturing Bureau to make some daily utensils.
Something small that would not offend the rest of the court.
For example, candles mixed with some salt are believed to be able to burn more fully and extend the duration of the candle flame. They will definitely replace the original candles and become the mainstream in the market.
But, for this kind of thing, you have to say hello to the Yu Department of the Ministry of Industry in advance and share some benefits with the other party. Otherwise, you will occupy other people's market for no reason. Moreover, we are from the Ministry of Industry in the past and have a close relationship with their Smelting Bureau.
Good Yubu, Zhao Hongrun will also feel sorry for him.
Should we put the stamp of the Smelting Bureau on it?
Zhao Hongrun touched his chin and thought about it. He knew the effect of the brand, so he naturally understood the importance of the brand. If he did it properly and the quality of the civilian handicrafts produced by their smelting bureau was high, I believe it would not take long for the entire Wei Dynasty to
People will only buy handicrafts marked with the Smelting Bureau's mark.
Well, I'm afraid Yubu will be unemployed by then.
But it doesn't matter. Zhao Hongrun has already thought about the next step. After all, no matter how high the production is, the Metallurgical and Manufacturing Bureau will not be able to take over the entire Dawei market. When the time comes, they will find the Yubu OEM. Even, as long as it is a trustworthy private
Workshops can take over the OEM work of the Smelting Bureau, thereby cultivating some folk workshop crafts and stimulating the process of light industry in the Wei Dynasty. This is not a bad thing.
While thinking about it, Zhao Hongrun listed the civilian projects that he thought could be mass-produced as soon as possible to make money on the list, and wrote detailed notes under each project so that Wang Fu, Chen Dan and others could understand what he was doing at a glance.
Don’t be confused about what you want to build.
As for manufacturing, Zhao Hongrun is not responsible for it. He is only responsible for proposing projects and design drawings. As for manufacturing those things, I believe that the skilled craftsmen of the Metallurgical and Manufacturing Bureau will complete the tasks assigned to him well.
While Zhao Hongrun was writing and painting, the sky gradually became brighter. Even Zhao Hongrun himself was very experienced. He used to be restless, but this time he really worked on his business for a whole night.
At this time, Zong Wei's tactics were also up. When he saw that His Highness was still sitting at the desk, he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment. After all, His Highness had never been so immersed in business before.
"For a quick move, send someone to deliver this thing to Wang Jucheng of the Smelting Bureau and ask him to start arranging it as appropriate."
Zhao Hongrun folded the papers in his hand that were filled with future plans for the Smelting Bureau, put them into a wooden box on the table, and then handed it to Zong Wei Zhongzhao.
"Yes, Your Highness." Zhongzhao took the wooden box and was about to turn around and leave the room when he suddenly heard Zhao Hongrun calling him again.
"Wait... I'll try my best to ask someone to go to Yafeng Pavilion and ask if Brother Six has returned from Mei Palace."
"Yes, Your Highness...Does Your Highness have any other instructions?"
Zhao Hongrun shook his head: "It's okay, you can go."
"yes!"
Zhong waved and left the room holding the wooden box. Not long after, another Zong Wei, Mu Qing, walked into the room and accompanied His Highness in his place.
Not to mention what arrangements the Smelting Bureau made after receiving several money-making projects sent by Zhao Hongrun, let’s talk about the palace.
Originally, Zhao Hongrun hoped to find another time to have a good talk with his sixth brother Zhao Hongzhao, but unfortunately, Zhao Hongzhao's schedule these days seems to be full: meeting with the Emperor Wei and his mother and concubine Wu Gui in Mei Palace.
After chatting with his concubines all night, Zhao Hongzhao did not go back to his Yafeng Pavilion, but went straight out of the palace to visit his close friends in Daliang.
For example, the members of the Yafeng Poetry Club.
This made Zhao Hongrun feel a little regretful. After all, he really wanted to have a good talk with Zhao Hongzhao to see if he could persuade the sixth brother to give up the decision that Zhao Hongrun considered very incomprehensible. (