Ma Jun's face was filled with excitement and he reported: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Ministry of Industry has indeed developed something that will benefit the country and the people."
Wang Can was also a little curious.
He compiled some of the ideas in his mind into a book and handed it over to the people at the Ministry of Industry, and asked Ma Jun, Mo Yan, Pu Yuan and others to start working on it. However, Wang Can really didn't know what to develop. He was busy dealing with the imperial court all day long.
It is impossible for the Central Government to keep an eye on the progress of the Ministry of Industry.
Ma Jun said: "I dare you, Your Majesty, please transfer to the Ministry of Industry!"
"Let's go!"
Wang Can did not interrupt Ma Jun's pretentious thoughts, so he took Dian Wei with him and followed Ma Jun to the Ministry of Industry. Entering the experimental field of the Ministry of Industry, the craftsmen of the Ministry of Industry became excited and saluted Wang Can one after another.
Wang Can said: "Ma Jun, where are the developed objects?"
Ma Jun took two steps forward and asked the surrounding craftsmen to move away, revealing a hard stone slab. He stroked the stone slab with an intoxicated look on his face, and waved his hand: "Your Majesty, this is the result of what was just developed."
Wang Can took a quick look and understood immediately, and asked: "Has cement been developed?"
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Ma Jun bowed and answered.
Wang Can was also quite happy. Cement is the most extensive and important resource in construction. With the cement developed by the Ministry of Industry, it can not only solidify roads, but also strengthen city walls. Once major cities are connected,
, with a dedicated highway. Even if something happens in various places, the news can be sent along the road in the shortest time.
The successful development of cement is crucial.
Wang Can looked around at the craftsmen in the testing ground, looked at Ma Jun, and ordered: "Ma Qing, all craftsmen involved in cement production, regardless of their official position, will be rewarded with ten taels of gold!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
When the craftsmen heard this, they quickly kowtowed and thanked them. They developed cement for research purposes, so even if Wang Can didn't commend him, they couldn't say anything. However, Wang Can alone awarded him ten taels of gold, which was a pretty big reward.
The gold awarded in this era is not real gold. For example, a thousand gold rewards are gold made of brass and cannot be called gold. Only when it is called "gold" alone is it real gold.
Wang Can continued: "The reward of ten taels of gold is just a small fraction compared to your contribution. I have always believed that craftsmen play a big role. I hope that you will continue to work hard, create more, and make more products that benefit the country.
Something that benefits the people.”
"I obey the order!"
Everyone answered in unison.
Wang Can continued: "Ma Qing, the Ministry of Industry has drafted a reward regulation specifically for those who create inventions. Anyone who invents something that is beneficial to Guo Jia and can be useful will be rewarded in accordance with the regulations."
"I obey the decree!"
Ma Jun was even more excited after hearing Wang Can's order.
With Wang Can's arrangement, the Ministry of Works has risen to a higher level. From ancient times, to the pre-Qin Dynasty and the Han Dynasty, the status of craftsmen was not high. Only after Wang Can ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, he established the Ministry of Works alone, which raised the status of craftsmen.
The status of a craftsman is also the reason why Ma Jun follows Wang Can wholeheartedly.
Wang Can asked: "Ma Qing, how long does it take for the currently developed cement to dry hard?"
Ma Jun said without hesitation: "The current cement takes about eight hours to harden. If Wei Chen and the craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry are given another period of time to study, Wei Chen believes that the hardening time will be shortened."
Wang Can said: "Bring a certain amount of cement and follow me into the palace to demonstrate it to the important officials in the court."
"I obey the decree!"
Ma Jun made arrangements quickly, and he assigned three craftsmen. One of the craftsmen was carrying a batch of cement; the other was carrying an iron rod as thick as a thumb; and the last craftsman was carrying a bag of sand and gravel. .
Wang Can asked: "What is the purpose of carrying an iron rod?"
Ma Jun replied: "Your Majesty, in order to reduce the brittleness and increase the sturdiness of the hard stone slabs we made, iron rods were added to the sand and stone when making the stone slabs. In this way, the hard stone slabs produced are not Breaks easily."
"well!"
Wang Can couldn't help but applaud.
In fact, he wrote some methods for making cement, but he did not mention or consider the use of iron rods for reinforcement. In later generations, steel was added to the floor slabs of houses to increase the load-bearing capacity. Wang Can did not It is said that Ma Jun and others thought of it. This is the wisdom of Ma Jun and others.
This made Wang Can extremely happy.
Ma Jun bowed and stood beside Wang Can. He did not speak, but he knew from Wang Can's words that Wang Can was very happy.
that's enough.
The group left the Ministry of Industry and returned to the palace.
Wang Can arranged for someone to summon Cheng Yu, the chief minister of the cabinet, and Xun You, Guo Jia, Jia Xu, and Li Ru of the cabinet to come to the palace for an audience. The group of people were all working in the palace office. After receiving Wang Can's order, they rushed to the palace immediately. coming.
Entering the palace, Cheng Yu took the lead in saluting Wang Can.
Wang Can waved his hand for several people to stand up, and said solemnly: "I called you here because the Ministry of Industry has produced something that will benefit the country and the people, and I specially invite you to come and see it for promotion."
Cheng Yu said: "What object is it?"
Cheng Yu is also looking forward to the items that the Ministry of Industry has withdrawn from in the past two years. Previously, the Ministry of Industry innovated papermaking technology and produced more paper, so that the imperial court no longer used bamboo slips and all memorials were made of paper.
This alone saves countless manpower and material resources. In addition, the promotion of movable type printing also makes the promotion of books faster, and more people in the world can read.
It can be said that the Ministry of Industry has made great contributions.
Wang Can said: "Ma Jun, go outside the hall to demonstrate."
"Here!"
Ma Jun agreed and led Wang Can, Cheng Yu, Xun You and others out of the hall. Outside the hall, three craftsmen were ready. Following Ma Jun's order, the three of them quickly mixed the cement and sand.
Jia Xu and others were puzzled by this scene.
However, they did not do the actual operation and did not ask questions. They just watched quietly as the craftsmen used cement, sand, gravel, and iron rods to make a model of a stone slab.
Jia Xu said: "Your Majesty, what is the wonderful use of this thing?"
Wang Can replied: "This stone slab is soft now, but after eight hours, it will be as hard as iron. Even if it is chopped with a knife, axe, or a sharp weapon, it cannot be cut directly. If a person steps on it, it will not be broken." Impact. The raw material used to make this slate is called 'cement', which was just developed by the Ministry of Industry."
Jia Xu stroked his beard, and after examining it, there was a questioning look on his face. He was also several dozen years old, and he had seen a lot. He had never seen such a magical thing before, and said: "Your Majesty, I am not an old minister. I believe this thing is too incredible, how can it be hard?"
Wang Can said: "Facts speak louder than words. Wait until early tomorrow morning and you will see the truth. I have called you here today to let you know. Wait until early tomorrow morning and come into the palace to see the hardness of this stone slab."
Cheng Yu said: "Old minister, I want to take a closer look."
Jia Xu said: "I am also looking forward to seeing if he can harden."
Li Ru, Guo Jia and others all looked expectant.
After Wang Can made arrangements, he ordered the soldiers to guard the stone slab and asked Ma Jun to take the people away, while he took Jia Xu, Cheng Yu and others to discuss state affairs. After the matter was settled, he let everyone leave. (To be continued)
