Yu Wengui acted relatively safely. Knowing that Li Mu was going to announce something, he arranged for people to build a temporary high platform early in the morning. As expected, this move was quite satisfactory to Li Mu and gave him a smile for the first time.
Yu Wengui seemed to have got some treasure, smiling from ear to ear. Li Mu had a lot of things to do these days. When there were many things, he often became impatient and disliked everyone. Officials from the Ministry of Industry, except Li Daliang,
In addition, he basically scolded him all over. Although Li Mu is no longer the minister of the Ministry of Works, everyone knows what is going on, and no one in the Ministry of Works dares to mess with him.
Li Mu came to the high platform and nodded to Li Chongyi below. Li Chongyi took off his bearskin cloak, handed it to Dugujiu to hold for him, and bent down to carry a long pole.
This long pole, which is three feet long, was cut from a whole tree. Yesterday, two skilled carpenters spent a whole day cutting it down and polishing it, so that it now looks even in thickness.
Li Chongyi carried the flagpole and came to a huge boulder. Two craftsmen helped tie the flag. Li Chongyi shouted, erected the flagpole and inserted it into the hole in the middle of the boulder. This hole was also dug out yesterday.
The masons worked in shifts for ten hours. The flagpole was put in just right, and the gap was closed with soil. No matter how strong the wind was, it was impossible to blow the flagpole.
The flag is flying in the wind.
Everyone looked up and looked, and some who knew how to read subconsciously said: "Ren Xian?"
Li Mu heard clearly from the high platform, raised his loudspeaker and said: "Everyone, look up at this flag. The words on the flag are His Majesty's personal letters. In other words, this flag is equivalent to an imperial edict. The two words on it are
Let me read this word to everyone."
"Ren! Xian!"
"This is a Renxian flag!"
"Some people may ask why I asked Your Majesty for a Ren Xian flag to be placed here! Prick up your ears and listen carefully! I asked Your Majesty for this flag, and the purpose of raising this flag is to tell you.
All officials of the Ministry of Works, craftsmen, technicians, laborers, and the children who are new to the Ministry of Works. Your good days are coming. From the moment this flag is erected, the reform of the Ministry of Works has entered a new stage.
Here, I want to announce a rule to everyone. The Ministry of Industry, from now on, just like the word 'Ren Xian' on this flag says, only those who are qualified will be promoted!"
"As long as you have the ability, as long as you have contributed to the Ministry of Industry, congratulations, you will receive generous rewards, even... officials can do it!"
"You should still remember that His Majesty once granted me the power to appoint and remove officials below the sixth rank of the Ministry of Industry, so what I said was definitely not a lie to you!"
"A living example is right in front of you, me! I am an example! I dedicated the Zhenguan plow, the printing press, and the horseshoes to His Majesty... You know how your Majesty treats me!"
"How Your Majesty treats me, I will treat you! From today on, as long as you are good enough and show your talent, you can change your destiny, from a lowly craftsman to a lowly craftsman.
, become a wealthy household with money and property, even become a landlord, become the director of the Ministry of Industry, a bright future is in front of you, it only depends on your ability!"
When the craftsmen heard this, their breathing became heavy, and the hot breath they exhaled was like mist. It has to be said that what Li Mu said hit the pain point in the hearts of the craftsmen. They are craftsmen, and craftsmen in this era are
Lowly. Being driven by others has no dignity!
There is a saying that 'the one who is covered with silkworms is not a silkworm breeder'. This is the portrayal of craftsmen!
Weavers cannot afford to wear satin.
Those who build houses cannot afford to live in new houses.
This iron law will remain accurate even a thousand years later.
But now, Li Mu pointed out a way for them and gave them a chance. Let them see hope. As long as they work hard, they also have the opportunity to become rich, or even... become officials!
This is something I never dreamed of!
Some people couldn't hold it back, pulled their necks and shouted: "Master Hou, just tell us what we will do! We will do what you say! We all listen to you!"
Soon, the voices became one.
This is really not the shill that Li Mu is looking for. Li Mu's status in the hearts of the craftsmen has almost reached the level that these people will believe whatever he says. Because what he said has been fulfilled so far. It is he who has turned the craftsmen from
He rescued the shantytowns and allowed them to live in the new houses he built. It was also he who allowed these craftsmen who were doing corvee work to earn money in addition to their corvee work. Those who saved some now have a small savings. For example, those at the technician level, many
No matter what, I still have seven or eight dollars.
This money may not be much in Chang'an. But if they return to their place of origin, seven or eight guans of money will be enough for them to build a house and buy a few acres of land. Men will farm and women will weave for a lifetime!
Li Mu was in their hearts, and his words were more effective than Li Shimin's imperial decree! Because what he gave to the craftsmen was actually right in front of them, but Li Shimin's imperial decree was of no use to them.
Now Li Mu drew another piece of cake for them. Although the eight characters have not yet been written, the purpose of 'satisfying hunger' has been achieved.
They believed it!
Once you believe it, it will be easier! Once you have the motivation, it will not be difficult to implement it.
Li Mu raised his hand and pressed it lightly, saying: "Everyone, listen to me!"
It quickly became quiet.
Li Mu continued: "The person who asked just now asked well, there must be rules for how to do it! You have to eat one bite at a time, and you have to do things step by step. Let's start from the beginning and move forward slowly."
"From now until the end of this year, I will first provide you with three ways to get practical benefits."
"First, many children have come to the Ministry of Works recently, and everyone has seen it. After many days of contact, everyone knows the origins of these children. Yes, they are orphans! There was great chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty, and the people were in dire straits. How many
The family is broken up and everyone is killed, it’s so miserable!”
"Most of them are in their teens. They are neither old nor young. They can't work as laborers and are useless as tenants. Their lives are precarious and they are hungry. Before the Minister found them, many of them had already
Being reduced to a beggar and living by begging! How miserable!”
Li Muchang sighed and said: "I witnessed this situation and decided to help. So the first way is to be related to them. All craftsmen, whether you are stonemason, carpenter, blacksmith, bricklayer, etc.
Wait, no matter what your craft is, you can take on an apprentice! The advantage of taking on an apprentice is that in the future, the projects of the Ministry of Works will gradually adopt a contracting system. You are a craftsman under the Ministry of Works. After completing the corvee, you can become a foreman contractor.
. This is a good thing to make money while lying down, but I will give priority to craftsmen with apprentices. For the same job, those with two apprentices will be given priority over those with one apprentice. Those with the same number of apprentices, it depends on you.
No matter how well the apprentice teaches, priority will be given to those who teach well. You don’t have to worry about the apprentice’s eating, drinking, and eating, you just need to discipline him." Li Mu paused, glanced under the high platform, and said, "Do you understand?"
"I understand!"
"Very good!" Li Mu continued: "The second way is more sensitive to talk about, it is about the secret method."
Hearing the word "secret method", many craftsmen began to whisper. Although Li Mu was kind to them, many people were still unwilling to steal their secret method. The key to what a secret method is is the 'secret'. Generation after generation
According to legend, it was passed down from male to female, from elder to younger, so it was difficult to pass it on to myself, so I just gave it away, sorry for my ancestors.
The ancients valued their ancestors extremely highly and would not do such a thing easily.
Li Mu knew the thoughts of these craftsmen very well. As early as when he was in Dingxiang, Li Siwen asked the old iron head to teach him how to make iron, but the old iron head was reluctant to teach him. That was the reason.
Li Mu laughed and said: "Don't worry, everyone, I don't mean to force you at all. I just want to tell you that the Ministry of Industry has established a department called the Patent Department. What does this Patent Department do? For example, Zhenguan Plow
The production method, including the method of making the plowshare, the overall carpentry, etc., is a patent. I dedicated it to His Majesty, and Your Majesty rewarded me. If you also have a secret method, present it to the Ministry of Industry, as long as your secret method is unique
, and if it works, you will also get rewards. Depending on the importance of the secret method, the rewards will be different. A good secret method can directly do the main thing, and the worst secret method also starts from ten coins. This is the fastest rise.
For the passage, you need money, you need money, you need officials, you need officials!"
"Don't force it, you can consider it. If you think it's not cost-effective to sell to the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Industry can also help to make connections and get the maximum benefit for you. I have some respect for the rich and powerful families, etc.
, you are from my Ministry of Industry, I guarantee you will not suffer any loss!"
The reaction was not as big as before. Li Mu had expected it and was not disappointed. He continued to talk about the third way: "Is this the third way..."
Li Mu pointed to the door of the official office of the Ministry of Industry. There was something like a bus station in later generations. Everyone followed Li Mu's finger and looked over. Li Mu introduced: "This place is called a bulletin board. What will happen to the Ministry of Industry in the future?"
Problems will be written out by specialized clerks and posted on the bulletin board. Everyone can see them, not just the craftsmen of the Ministry of Industry. Anyone can read them. The posted problems will be studied and priced by specialized clerks. For example
Say, I want to build a car, but I don’t know how to make the wheels. Post the problem and it’s worth five coins. Then the person who solves the problem will get five coins. I call it a task.”
You get paid for whatever you do, and the price is clearly marked, so everyone understands.
"It doesn't matter if you are illiterate. Every morning and afternoon, there will be a clerk who will introduce the day's tasks. Twice a day, just wait, or ask someone who is literate, the same thing. And, I have to say here again, it is not a job
People from the Ministry of Works can also come to the Ministry of Works to post tasks, and just find a clerk to register. This bulletin board is not only to facilitate the craftsmen to make money, but more importantly to solve problems."