"Oh, I've heard of it before. It has always been used in Tibet. Why did you bring it here today …" Li Longji pondered for a moment and realized that he had never seen such a thing before. Thus, he wasn't sure why his son brought it here.
Li Ying took a sniff. The pork shoulder in the pot smelled very fragrant and replied, "This pressure cooker is different from the ones in the past. It uses electricity. Other than the pressure cooker, there's also an electric rice cooker. I intend to promote this in the capital. In the past, the Ministry of Works produced more electricity than the demand, and they required a lot of firewood and coal every day. It was very difficult to transport and clean them. "
Li Longji suddenly understood. He couldn't possibly check on the sanitation of the capital in the morning, such as the empty chamber pot and the leftovers from the previous day. Thinking about it, the people around wouldn't feel good if there wasn't a car passing by.
Nodding his head, Li Longji praised, "My son is able to think of working for the welfare of the people in the capital. I'll keep the pork shoulder. What else do you want?"
"I still want to manage a project." Li Ying said nervously. He was afraid that he would be rejected by his father if he went to earn money as the Crown Prince.
Li Longji didn't say anything. When he was talking about power, his son said that it wasn't necessary. Now, he wants a project? What project is it?
"I've discussed with my brothers and sisters. We intend to sell the pressure cooker and electric rice cooker to Japan so that the people in Japan can enjoy life together with the people in Great Tang."
Li Ying had learned how to do things under the banner of world peace.
Li Longji frowned. He knew that if he wanted to use electrical appliances, he had to have some first. It was only because the Ministry of Works had built a few power generators that the people in the capital could use.
However, the power generation technology wasn't perfect yet. The power generators in the Ministry of Works were built with money and couldn't be popularized. Otherwise, they would have been sent to various places for the people in Great Tang to enjoy.
In Japan, would they use thermal power, hydraulic power, or wind power? Would the technology be learned by the Japanese? This probably wouldn't happen. Even if the Japanese were to take a closer look and didn't understand the principles, they wouldn't follow suit. Furthermore, without the foundation of the industry, they wouldn't be able to produce the parts.
"Could it be that the power generation technology can be popularized?" Li Longji asked.
Li Ying shook his head vigorously. "No, only small hydroelectric generators can be tested in various places. What I want to use is thermal power. I will help the Japanese build a few more thermal power plants, and I will only take the cost. Send a batch of rice cookers, pressure cookers, and light bulbs to them at the beginning. When they use them, sell them for money. "
Hearing his son's words, Li Longji was even more perplexed. Gao Lishi was also perplexed, and he asked, "If you can build a power plant elsewhere, why don't you build one in our Great Tang so that the common folk can enjoy it as well?"
"That's because the new thermal power plant that the Ministry of Works is a big plant. It generates a lot of electricity. The blueprints have just been designed, and the components are about to be produced. They haven't been assembled.
There were two problems involved. One was that when burning coal, there was too much ash. They had not thought of a solution yet, and the burning was not enough. The other problem is that the performance is not stable. The transformer is easy to burn, and at the same time, it is easy to blow up the furnace. "
Li Ying explained. It seemed that he had thought of this idea after going to the Ministry of Works.
Li Longji and Gao Lishi suddenly realized that the Li Ying in front of them was no longer the same as before. At the very least, he now knew how to scheme against others. What he had just said was definitely not his final objective. There had to be a deeper reason behind it.
Harrumphing coldly, Li Longji asked with a dark expression, "Tell me the truth, what are you all trying to do? Why aren't you all obediently staying in your own territories and insisting on interfering with business and administration? Don't tell me that you're thinking of harming the common folk for your own benefits? "
"Father ~! Who would dare to do that? It was Xiao Bao who supported us to come out and do this. Their fief is already on the verge of collapsing, and the money provided by the fief can't compare to what they earn by doing things themselves. They intend to return their fief to the royal court and take a sum of money to learn while doing things. This way, the common folk won't always call them vermin behind their backs.
As the crown prince, it's natural for me to take the lead. I don't feel comfortable relying on the royal court for money. What others can do, we of the royal family can do as well.
In the past, I thought that there was only so much wealth for geniuses. If we were to compete with the common folk when doing business, I now know that the world is vast, and wealth can be created. "
Li Ying found a reason. In truth, it was because Zhang Xiaobao wanted them to take back their fief and gradually take back the land of others. This was to avoid land annexation and make it easier to control the agricultural production and infrastructure in the country.
In the future, the surrounding areas would be colonized. They wouldn't be sending people far away all at once, as that would result in the gradual independence of the various regions.
Right now, they were gradually sending people to the neighboring regions and providing them with land tax relief. In the future, when transportation and communications were more developed, they would be able to colonize even further places, such as the various large islands. At that time, as long as the central army controlled them well and didn't make the difference in income between the various regions too great, the other regions wouldn't be able to become independent.
Li Ying's words were very moving, but Li Longji and Gao Lishi were unmoved. They continued to look at Li Ying, waiting for him to explain further.
"Fine, fine, actually … how should I put it? We feel that we should quickly bring Japan into our Great Tang's territory and add fuel to the fire. After some research, we realized that Japan will be very happy if we build power plants there. Then, we'll send many polluting departments that require electricity there, polluting Japan.
Furthermore, Japan lacks natural resources, so the coal needed for power plants has to be transported from our Great Tang. Shouldn't we build roads? Shouldn't they spend money to buy coal? Shouldn't we build more fleets? Shouldn't their electrical appliances break down quickly when the voltage isn't stable?
In order to squeeze every last bit of profit out of Japan, we'll start by changing their living habits. When they rely on our Great Tang for their daily lives, that will be the time when their regime will be wiped out. "
Li Ying revealed his ambitions. Personally sending an entire dynasty to the execution ground was a very meaningful matter.
"Aren't you afraid that after they learn more in the future, we'll take a liking to their capabilities and change the crown prince?" Li Longji tried to scare Li Ying.
Unexpectedly, Li Ying chuckled nonchalantly.
Looking at Li Longji and Gao Lishi, Li Ying said confidently, "While they're learning, your son is also learning. Furthermore, they've hinted to your son that they don't want to be the emperor. In the past, you don't have much contact with the outside world, so you feel that authority in the royal court is very important.
Now, you know more, and there's still a large area overseas that you haven't conquered. Instead of staying in the palace, you might as well think of ways to go out and help Great Tang conquer more land and educate more people.
Targeting Japan is our first attempt. After we succeed, they'll want to go out. Some will travel by land, and some will take ships. They'll bring many people and guards with them, as well as Great Tang's products. They'll go out and have a look. They'll set up trading companies and realize the value of their lives just like Xiao Bao and the others. "
When Li Ying spoke, his eyes were filled with yearning. It was as though he wanted to go out and see how exciting the world was. In the past, he wanted to be the emperor so badly that he went crazy. Then, he saw Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. Even if the two of them didn't become the emperor, they still held a lot of power and could roam the world.
Moreover, the sea merchants from Lu Zhou to the capital had also said that the outside world was huge, and the land was filled with uneducated people. The land outside was fertile, the trees were tall, there were animals that had never been seen in the capital, and there were delicious fish in the sea.
There were countless mineral deposits. As long as a few pieces of porcelain, silk, and delicious seasonings were shipped over, the locals would even help the merchants mine the ores. A set of porcelain bowls and plates that were only worth five copper coins in the Great Tang could be exchanged for a ship full of cedar. In truth, that set of porcelain wasn't bought from the locals, but from the locals.
According to Zhang Xiaobao's words, this was an era of gold everywhere. Go out and help the people of other places obtain better living conditions, help them enjoy life, and then bring back the valuable things for the people of Great Tang to enjoy.
If he were the emperor, he would at most travel around the Great Tang, and he would have to listen to the advice of his officials. That was far too boring.
Li Longji was surprised. He hadn't expected his children to have reached an agreement in private. Xiao Bao had probably instigated and tempted them a lot. But he was right. With the current technology and weapons of the Great Tang, there was no danger in going out unless one fell ill.
In the outside world, there were far fewer restrictions. They could do as they pleased, and the capital of Great Tang couldn't send specific orders.
If they were tired, they could come back and enjoy themselves for a few days before going out again. If they stayed in a certain place for too long, the Great Tang would send people to take them back, and they could move on to the next place. They could treat the process of fighting for territory and resources as a vacation. They could realize the value of life, enjoy the fruits of their labor, and create wealth.
"We permit it. You can go and play, but you are not allowed to make yourselves kings in the future. Otherwise, it's hard to say who will rule that place in a few generations. This is precisely why Xiao Bao doesn't support colonizing the islands."
Li Longji felt that it was a good idea to let his children go out and fight for territory, so he nodded in agreement.
Li Ying happily left to make arrangements for the Japanese.
Turning back, Li Longji said to Gao Lishi with the same yearning, "In truth, We also want to go to the places where there are koalas. Koalas are too delicate, and we need to transport fresh eucalyptus leaves from Lu Zhou. Fortunately, we transplanted a lot of them, or else the koalas would have starved to death in the capital.
The daily heating fee for these animals who are afraid of the cold is not a small sum. Fortunately, the children who come to the capital and live in the capital like them, especially the koalas.
Lishi, I remember that a few days ago, there was a koala that seemed to be sick, but the people in the medical academy couldn't tell what was wrong with it. They just said that it was very listless and not lively. Has it been cured? "
"Your Majesty, it has been cured. The people in the zoo sent Xiao Bao a message. After Xiao Bao asked clearly, he asked someone to carry the koala, and it was cured. Because the color under the koala's eyes is not pretty, no one usually carries it, and it fell sick. "
Gao Lishi replied.
Li Longji could not help but laugh. "Haha, so it's true. That little thing can fall sick because no one carries it? This is the first time I've heard of this. Sigh, Xiao Bao and the others are really knowledgeable. Ask someone to tell the people in the zoo to put makeup on the koala to make it cuter so that people can carry it."
"Yes, Your Majesty is very thoughtful. Koalas are very cute. Sometimes, when they sit on the tree, they look like pandas. They look like they have been wronged. The only difference is that pandas are very fierce.
The zoo in Baoxin County earns more than the zoo in the capital. The monthly profit of the zoo in the capital is very small, but the zoo in Baoxin County can provide a profit of 1,000 strings of coins. The zoo in Baoxin County earns more than that. "
Speaking of the zoo, Gao Lishi thought of Baoxin County, the place where Xiao Bao and Cuckoo first became officials.
Li Longji had almost forgotten about that county. When he heard Gao Lishi mention it, he asked, "What's the situation there now? Don't tell me that Xiao Bao and Cuckoo left and the new officials ruined the good things they left behind? "
"Your Majesty, do you think anyone would dare to do that? Baoxin County paid a lot of rent taxes last year. Excluding the counties in Lu Zhou, Baoxin County in Great Tang ranked ninth in rent taxes. This was a result that no one dared to dream of in the past.
The local officials are the same as the Sanshui County. They have to post a notice before they start their administration. The monthly income of the county, where it comes from, how much it can be used by the county, and how they plan to spend it next month. Everything has to be made known to the people. If there's something they don't understand, they have to explain it to them.
If the people agree, the money can be used according to the plan. If the people don't agree, the plan can only be changed. If they want to enforce it, it's the end of the official's term. "
Gao Lishi seemed to have a thorough understanding of the situation.
"Good, very good. I'm very happy. However, it's still difficult to promote it to all parts of Great Tang. Not all the people have developed the habit of participating in politics. If there's an unreasonable demand, the decree can't be implemented. Education, everything still depends on education.
In the future, each state will have its own newspaper. Do according to Xiao Bao's method, and don't sell it too expensive. Also, set up reading boards in crowded places and put up newspapers for the people to read for free.
Now, it's usually read by people who attend night school or children who have studied to a certain level. In the future, when the people hear more, they will naturally recognize the words on the newspapers. "
Li Longji really wanted to implement the matter of the people participating in politics everywhere. That way, the local government would make fewer mistakes and not waste money.
Gao Lishi noted it down so that he could urge others to do it. Moreover, he had to control the local newspapers and not write anything casually.
*****
Another three days passed.
Xiaobei and the others had already sent the cement to Weizhou and helped Wenshan County find interested merchants. In a few days, the merchants would personally go to Wenshan County to take a look at the output and transportation situation.
Xiaobei and the others stayed in Weizhou for a day and took a nice bath. Because they were running around outside, they didn't even have the chance to take a bath.
The group set off for Yizhou at dawn to catch up with their brother and sister.
Just as they left the city and walked less than five li, a horse came from the side of the road. The person on the horse looked very tired. When she saw Xiaobei's group, she shouted happily, "Xiaobei, I'm here. My name is Xu Yilong. I'll follow you in the future."
"Is this someone from brother's group? Who is it? "Xiaobei heard the noise and stood out of the carriage to look forward.
The person was checked, mainly to see the certificate written by Zhang Xiaobao.
They didn't find any danger, so they let him in. The person first looked at Xiaobei and then looked at the others. He glanced around and asked Xiaohai, "You, you are Zhang Xiaohai?"
Seeing Xiaohai nod, he said happily, "I finally found you. Let me ask you a question. There are two kinds of candies, one red and one blue. Red candies cost five copper coins per box and blue candies cost three copper coins per box. You bought a total of nine boxes and spent a total of thirty-three copper coins. Ask, how many boxes of blue and red candies did you buy?"
Xiaohai was stunned for a moment and then answered casually, "Three boxes of red candies and six boxes of blue candies."
Xu Yilong, "…"
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