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Ang Lee felt that he was being watched, so he naturally felt uncomfortable. However, he did not have the ability to resist. The moment he offered the black gunpowder to the imperial court, he had expected such a result.
After all, as the emperor of a country, Li Longji would not allow any accident to happen to such an important talent of the Tang Dynasty. Only when everything was under his control could he be at ease.
In fact, in addition to Emperor Li Longji, many ministers of the Tang Dynasty were escorted by groups of guards. Right Minister Li Longji had as many as a hundred guards when he went out. Their mighty march seemed to be able to prevent all assassins from attacking. The fatso of Pinglu Provincial Governor, An Lushan, was even more exaggerated. He actually led a thousand elite Pinglu Army guards. His carriage was even wrapped in iron armor, so his safety was higher than Li Linfu's.
Ang Lee's current importance to the Tang Empire was no less than that of Li Linfu and An Lushan. The issue of safety could not be neglected. Ang Lee had always liked to be alone, which made Li Longji very worried. It was reasonable to send elite guards to protect Ang Lee. Moreover, they could also monitor Ang Lee, understand his every move, and firmly control him.
As the emperor of a country, the most important ability was the way of controlling people. It was their specialty to control their ministers for their own use. Taizong's words, "All the talents in the world are in my grasp", showed the emperor's superior mentality to control the people in the world.
There were fifteen to sixteen guards following right behind him. It would be inappropriate if he didn't take the initiative to greet them. Li An pondered for a moment before he reined in his horse and slowly stopped. He then turned his head to look behind him.
Seeing Ang Lee stop, Zhao Liu immediately stopped. The guards behind him also reined in their horses and lined up. They looked at Ang Lee calmly.
"I'm Duan Xiushi of the Yulin Military Academy. I'm here to protect Assistant Minister Li under the order of His Majesty."
A young officer held his head high and his chest out as he clasped his fists and bowed.
"Duan Xiushi?"
Ang Lee thought for a while and finally remembered. Wasn't Duan Xiushi one of the famous generals in the middle of the Tang dynasty? This person studied when he was young and began to practice martial arts when he was older. He had made many military achievements in Anxi and was promoted several times after the An – Lushan Rebellion. When he was appointed Jiedushi of the Four Towns, Tubo did not dare to invade the borders of the Tang dynasty for many years, and the people were able to live and work in peace.
However, according to Ang Lee's memories, Duan Xiushi had initially joined the army in Anxi. In the fourth year of Tianbao's reign, she had rendered meritorious service in suppressing and protecting the Mi Kingdom and was even acknowledged as a special general of Anxi Prefecture. Shouldn't she be joining the army in Anxi now? Why was he in the capital?
"Lieutenant Duan is a man of striking appearance. His future is limitless. If you go to Anxi, your luck might be even better."
Since Ang Lee already knew that Duan Xiushi would have a bright future, and that he had made his fortune in Anxi, his attitude was naturally very warm, as if he was conversing with an old friend.
"How does Assistant Minister know that this lowly official wants to go to Anxi?"
Duan Xiushi was shocked. He was extremely intelligent and could tell from Ang Lee's eyes that Ang Lee seemed to have a deep understanding of him. However, he had never interacted with Ang Lee before, and his status was very low. He was only a lieutenant of the Imperial Guard, so Ang Lee shouldn't have known about him.
"Oh, Lieutenant Duan is really going to Anxi?"
Ang Lee found it strange. Why would someone who was about to leave the capital be sent to protect him?
"Replying to Assistant Minister, it was this lowly official who offered to join the army in Anxi, but I am still waiting for the Bureau of Military Personnel's approval.
I have yet to depart, "Duan Xiushi truthfully replied.
"Haha! This official knows that Lieutenant Duan is in such a hurry to go to Anxi because the capital is too peaceful and there aren't many opportunities to make contributions. But Anxi is on the border, so there are many opportunities to make contributions. If you want to make a name for yourself, going to Anxi is the right choice. "
Ang Lee's words exposed Duan Xiushi's thoughts.
"Assistant Minister Li is correct. This lowly official truly is thinking this way."
Duan Xiushi did not try to hide it and directly admitted it. Having great ambitions was a good thing, and there was no need to hide them.
"Mm, Lieutenant Duan is very sincere. It is truly a pity for a talent like you to remain in the capital. However, if this official were to keep you here, would you be angry?"
Ang Lee probed. He wanted to see just how ambitious Duan Xiushi had been when he was young.
"Assistant Minister Li, if this lowly official were to remain in the capital, there would be no place for him to display his abilities."
Although Duan Xiushi did not express any dissatisfaction, his expression clearly showed his displeasure.
"Hahaha! This official was only joking. Lieutenant Duan is wholeheartedly intent on going to Anxi to make contributions, so how could this official stop you? Come, let's go take a look at the workshops outside the city. "
Ang Lee was only joking. He had no intention of keeping Duan Xiushi. Moreover, keeping him here would not be of much use. The capital was the core of the Tang dynasty. There was no threat there, and there was no war to be fought.
The gunpowder workshop was only ten li outside the southern gate of the capital. As soon as they exited the city gates, they could see a dense crowd in the distance. It did not take long for them to arrive at the site of construction.
Unlike the several thousand people from the previous night, when Ang Lee arrived, more than ten thousand people had already gathered nearby, and even more were on their way.
It was clear that the Imperial Court had used all the resources available to them to complete the gunpowder workshop as quickly as possible. In addition, the spring plowing was not far away. If they did not take advantage of this opportunity to complete the gunpowder workshop as quickly as possible, once the spring plowing began, the common people would have to return to farm work. After all, ancient empires were founded on agriculture. Food was the most important thing to the people. Once the farming season was delayed, the common people would not be able to eat their fill, and the country would become unstable. Not violating the farming season was the most basic rule of every dynasty. 【Love ↑ Go △ Xiao ↓ Say △ Wang
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There were many people working, but there was not the slightest bit of chaos. They were all working in an organized manner. Some were in charge of mixing mud, some were in charge of transportation, some were in charge of building walls, some were in charge of compaction, and some were in charge of inspection and guidance. In short, the distribution of work was very reasonable, and there was not the slightest bit of slacking off. It was clear that the Ministry of Works was very capable.
"Assistant Minister Li, this lowly official pays his respects to Assistant Minister Li."
A sixth-ranked official from the Ministry of Works ran over with large strides and explained, "The assistant minister and a few doctors worked hard the entire night yesterday. They only closed their eyes in the wee hours of the morning and are sleeping in the tent next door. Why don't this lowly official go over now..."
"Oh, there's no need. Let them sleep a little longer! This is the blueprint for the workshop. Just take it. "
Ang Lee handed the blueprint to the official from the Ministry of Works. Then, he urged his horse around the perimeter of the walls a few times to examine the topography and soil quality of the area at close range. He also wanted to confirm that the positions of the various buildings he had designed were appropriate.
"Commandant Duan, do you know what is being constructed here?"
Ang Lee reined in his horse and turned to look at Duan Xiushi.
"The black gunpowder that Assistant Minister Li created shocked the entire court. I'm afraid that everyone in Chang 'an City knows that the workshop that is being constructed here is specifically for the production of black gunpowder."
Duan Xiushi felt that Ang Lee was asking the obvious. After all, the huge explosion in Daming Palace was too shocking. He was on duty in the palace at that time and thought that something big had happened. He quickly led a group of soldiers and horses to the scene at top speed. However, all he saw was a scene of devastation.
It could be said that the power of the black gunpowder had greatly shocked Duan Xiushi. It had completely changed his understanding of the power that humans could create.
"Haha, so the black gunpowder is so famous."
Ang Lee smiled and continued to ask, "Then in Commandant Duan's opinion, what can black gunpowder be used for?"
"Black gunpowder is very powerful. Of course, it can be used for war. Using catapults to throw it into the enemy group can cause huge losses to the enemy. This should be the reason why the imperial court wants to build a workshop!"
Duan Xiushi did not think of mining. After seeing the power of the black gunpowder, he reflexively thought of using it for war. As for mining, he did not even think about it.
"Commandant Duan is right. His Majesty also has this intention. However, the use of black gunpowder is not only limited to mining. It can be used for mining, building roads and paving bridges."
Ang Lee added a few more functions.
"Assistant Minister Li is right. I am ashamed of my inferiority."
Ang Lee smiled and said, "Commandant Duan just said that after the black gunpowder is ignited, it can be thrown into the enemy with catapults. However, how far can the catapults be thrown? Does Commandant Duan know?"
"It should be able to be thrown hundreds of steps away."
"That's right. It can only be projected a few hundred steps away. The deterrence is still too weak. I'm currently researching a weapon that can project black gunpowder thousands of steps away. All the enemy troops within sight will be within range of attack."
Ang Lee stated his grand ambition. The invention of cannons was the next step of his plan. This advanced weapon would ensure that the Tang dynasty could sweep through the world.
"Several thousand steps away? How is that possible?"
Duan Xiushi was stunned.
"Everything is possible. This official intends to create a specialized black gunpowder unit after inventing this weapon. If you are willing to stay, this official can let you command this unit."
Ang Lee proposed a strategy of enticement. He wanted to see how determined Duan Xiushi was to go to Anxi.
Duan Xiushi frowned in thought, then sternly said, "This official believes that Assistant Minister Li can definitely create this weapon. However, this official still hopes to go to Anxi to develop."
"Duan Xiushi! You think that this official will need a very long time to invent this weapon? You are so impatient that you can't wait any longer! "
Ang Lee had once again struck at Duan Xiushi's intentions, leaving Duan Xiushi rather embarrassed. He could only nod and admit it.
However, Ang Lee would not interfere with Duan Xiushi's dreams. Moreover, he knew that the Bureau of Military Personnel would ultimately approve Duan Xiushi's departure to Anxi, unless he secretly obstructed it.
After confirming that there were no problems with his design, Li An urged his horse to gallop in the direction of the courtyard five li south. Standing in the workshop, he could clearly see the situation in the direction of the courtyard. Although it was not very clear, he could still see the general appearance of the courtyard.
Duan Xiushi and his subordinates had the responsibility of protecting Ang Lee. Naturally, he also urged his horse to follow, protecting Ang Lee as he headed to the villa.
The construction of Ang Lee's villa was progressing rather slowly. In comparison, the manpower was limited. Furthermore, Ang Lee's requirements for the villa were rather high. As a result, the construction speed naturally could not keep up. However, that was not a problem. Ang Lee had a residence in the city, so he was in no rush to finish the villa. He could take his time building it.
After entering the villa, Ang Lee first rushed to the processing factory. He handed over his blueprint to the craftsmen. The first thing he had to make were ten wooden drums and brackets for mixing gunpowder.
The other thing he needed was the railroad tracks and the iron-wheeled carriages that would travel along the railroad tracks. This was the most basic step in developing a train. It was extremely important to the future transportation capacity of the Tang dynasty.
These two things were not difficult for these skilled craftsmen. They had long been accustomed to Ang Lee's various whimsical ideas, so they rarely asked about them.
However, when he heard that Ang Lee wanted to make fifteen li of railroad tracks, a blacksmith could not remain calm.
"Assistant Minister Li, fifteen li of railroad tracks will consume a lot of iron. What's the use of making them?"
"This kind of railroad track is specially used for the iron-wheeled carriages. It is more stable and labor-saving than moving on land. The transportation capacity will be greatly increased. In the future, perhaps the main roads of the Tang dynasty will be paved with such railroad tracks."
Ang Lee was looking forward to the future. However, this was somewhat difficult. Even if the production of iron ore increased tenfold, it would still be difficult to guarantee a large number of railroad tracks. However, as long as the final test of the train was successful, it was completely feasible to lay railroad tracks on several of the most important roads.
"How much iron will it take to pave all the roads with this?!"
The blacksmith was stunned. In his opinion, this was a bit too unrealistic. It was too wasteful of iron.
Ang Lee smiled faintly and did not explain too much. These blacksmiths were all hired by him with a high salary. Even if there was something they could not figure out, they would still do it according to his requirements.
At the thought of being able to lay railroad tracks soon, Ang Lee's heart was filled with excitement. The prosperity of a country could not be separated from commerce, and the condition for commerce to prosper was transportation. If the transportation conditions were bad and the products from one area could not be transported to another, commerce would cease to exist. Once the train was successful, the transportation efficiency would be greatly increased. The commerce would be more prosperous, and the country would prosper.
Of course, Ang Lee's idea of the train came from the thinking of later generations. According to the thinking of the people of the Tang dynasty, they would never have thought of the great role that the train played in economic development.
Dozens of blacksmiths began to work intensely according to Ang Lee's requirements. After inspecting several warehouses, Ang Lee went to the vegetable greenhouse area.
In the past few days, the temperature had risen a lot. The lowest temperature at night was only around zero degrees Celsius. When the sun rose at noon, it gave people a warm feeling. The heating fireplace in the greenhouse was completely useless. Even at noon, some of the silk on the greenhouse needed to be lifted to dissipate the overheated temperature in the greenhouse. At most, it would take another month for all the silk on the greenhouse to be completely lifted.
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