The yellow line in the middle of the road was naturally the dividing line. It was designed to prevent head-on collisions between opposing vehicles. It was said that since the yellow line in the middle of the road was introduced in later generations, the traffic accident rate had decreased a lot and it was soon popularized on a large scale.
Although the vehicles in the Tang dynasty were all carriages, which traveled at a relatively low speed and the probability of head-on collisions was relatively low, the road regulation work still needed to be done in advance. After all, steam freight vehicles had already been put into use. In the future, steam passenger vehicles would also appear. In this way, they would definitely be faster than carriages. Once a collision occurred, it would be a relatively serious accident.
In addition, when there was no middle line rule, the dignitaries often occupied the entire road when they traveled. The oncoming vehicles and pedestrians had to retreat to the side of the road or even into the fields beside the road, causing great damage to the crops in the fields. This situation must be stopped.
"Your Majesty, the yellow line in the middle of the road is the dividing line for pedestrians. The pedestrians and vehicles leaving the city should walk on the right side of the yellow line, while the pedestrians and vehicles entering the city should walk on the left side. People and vehicles on both sides should not cross the yellow line. In this way, many accidents can be avoided. It can also prevent the dignitaries from fighting with the common people. It shows the imperial court's love for the people."
Ang Lee explained.
"Well, Assistant Minister Li, this yellow line is well set. In this way, the occurrence of fighting for the road can be reduced. Pass my decree. In the future, officials and nobles are not allowed to fight for the road with the common people. Everyone should walk on the right side. As long as the road is wide enough, they should not cross the middle line."
Li Longji issued the imperial edict. The ministers hurriedly responded.
The rules of the middle line and walking on the right side could only be well implemented near the metropolis. After all, in many remote areas, the road could barely accommodate one carriage. If one walked on the right side, it would be difficult for the carriage to move. Of course, this was a different situation. With the gradual popularization of cement and concrete, in the future, many main roads in the Tang dynasty would be paved with concrete. Moreover, as long as it was a road above the county level, it must be more than three carriages wide to accommodate two carriages going in opposite directions.
The concrete road was very solid. With the current Tang dynasty's carriages, pedestrians, and horses, even if they traveled on it day and night, they would not cause the slightest damage to the concrete road. Such a hard road could be maintained for hundreds of years without damage. Small cracks, subsidence, and bulges could be quickly repaired.
As the following steam freight vehicles drove on the road, the road might be damaged more. However, the manufacturing capacity of the Tang dynasty was very limited..............................................................................................................................................................
After walking a few hundred steps, Li Longji and the ministers stepped onto the wide concrete bridge.
Many steel materials were added to the bridge's skeleton. It was far stronger than ordinary stone bridges. The design was more elegant and luxurious. In addition to the necessary stripes to prevent thermal expansion and contraction, there were also a large number of dragon and phoenix patterns carved on the bridge. It looked quite spectacular. Most of them were in the middle, which could be used to separate pedestrians.
On both sides of the bridge were concrete guardrails. The sides of the guardrails were also carved with a considerable number of patterns. On each column at the top of the guardrails were carved lions and various divine beasts. It looked very domineering.
Of course, what surprised Li Longji and the other ministers the most was that such a large concrete bridge was completed in just half a month. Moreover, whether it was the quality or the size, there was nothing to say.
"This concrete bridge is much faster than the stone bridge. It was completed in only half a month."
"It was built so quickly. Will there be any problems with the quality?"
The ministers discussed with each other. Li Longji looked at Ang Lee and motioned for Ang Lee to introduce the concrete situation of the bridge.
"Your Majesty, concrete bridges are not only fast to build and save costs and manpower, but also much stronger than stone bridges. They can bear more weight without collapsing. It is very suitable to replace stone bridges. In addition, with this technology, bridges can be built over the Yellow River and the Yangtze River. Thus, the natural moat can be turned into a flat road. In the future, the railway can be paved directly to all the provinces and counties of the Tang dynasty."
Ang Lee introduced.
"Assistant Minister Li wants to build a bridge over the Yellow River and the Yangtze River? How is this possible?"
"The Yellow River and the Yangtze River are several miles wide, even more than ten miles wide."
"How can a bridge stand on the surging Yellow River?"
The ministers were shocked. They all thought that Ang Lee was crazy. Even if concrete bridges were stronger than stone bridges, he couldn't be so arrogant as to think that he could build a bridge over the natural moat like the Yellow River and the Yangtze River. It was too difficult.
Li Longji also looked solemn. He looked at Ang Lee and asked, "Assistant Minister Li, do you really think that you can build a bridge over the Yangtze River? How confident are you?"
"Your Majesty, as long as there is enough manpower, materials, and technology, it is completely possible to build a bridge over the Yellow River. However, it will take a lot of time to accumulate the technology and materials. It will take at least three to five years to build a bridge over the Yellow River and the Yangtze River. I think that concrete bridges can be built over the Luo River, the Grand Canal, the Ji River, and other rivers that are not too wide to accumulate the technology. At the same time, it will be convenient to pave the railway to Lai Zhou and Mi Zhou to the east of Mount Tai. In this way, if Your Majesty wants to go to Mount Tai, you can reach there in a few days. "
Ang Lee introduced the next step of the plan to pave the railway. It would start from Luoyang and pave it all the way to the east. After crossing a large number of water systems, it would reach the border between Mi Zhou and Lai Zhou.
There was a very large bay there that was very suitable for a harbor. It would be the Jiaozhou Bay in the future. Ang Lee chose to pave the railway to Jiaozhou Bay because he planned to build a large harbor there to build large steam ships for the next step of the ocean strategy.
"So Assistant Minister Li's next step is to pave the railway to Mi Zhou and Lai Zhou. It would be great if it could be built."
"Whether the railway can successfully pave the way to Mi Zhou and Lai Zhou depends on whether the bridges along the way can be built."
"Yes! If we can't build these bridges across the rivers and canals, it will be very difficult to pave the railway to the east. "
"I'm afraid it won't be easy! Although the Luo River and the Grand Canal are not as wide as the Yangtze River, they are not narrow either! It won't be easy to build a bridge over them. "
"I think it's possible. Since Assistant Minister Li is determined, these bridges should be able to be built."
"Even if the bridges can be built, how can we guarantee the passage of ships? The Grand Canal in particular is the most important part of the water transport. If the bridges block the passage of ships, the water transport will be wasted. The gains will not make up for the losses!"
"Oh, since Assistant Minister Li has already proposed to build these bridges, he must have already considered this point. It will definitely not affect the water transport."
"Yes, yes, yes. When has Assistant Minister Li not surprised us? This time, he will definitely be able to pave all the bridges."
When the officials heard that Ang Lee wanted to build a large number of bridges along the way, they all began to whisper to each other.
"Assistant Minister Li, these rivers along the way are not narrow. Just how confident are you?"
Li Longji solemnly asked.
Other than the Yangtze River, the Luo River, the Grand Canal, and the Ji River were not narrow, especially the Ji River. Its downstream was nearly two li wide. It would not be easy to build a bridge over it. At the very least, Li Longji did not even dare to think about it. He was shocked and puzzled by Ang Lee's plan.
"Your Majesty, this lowly subject is one hundred percent confident that these bridges can be built. First, we will build the narrowest bridge to accumulate experience. The last step will be the Ji River Bridge and the Huai River in Jiangnan. In the future, we will also build bridges over the Huai River in Jiangnan."
Ang Lee confidently replied.
Of course, the reason why Li An could speak so confidently was because he had the strength to back it up. Concrete, steel, and all kinds of basic machinery had already been produced. As long as they spent time researching, it wouldn't be a problem to train a bridge construction team.
"Since Assistant Minister Li is so confident, I also hope that bridges can be built over these rivers. However, they must not interfere with water transportation. This must be guaranteed."
Li Longji was quite supportive of these big projects. After all, these projects could benefit generations to come. The Tang Dynasty also had such national strength at present. Of course, they should be built.
"Yes, Your Majesty. This lowly subject will set up a team dedicated to building bridges. In the future, all the big bridges in the Tang Dynasty will depend on this team."
Ang Lee happily accepted the task and was ready to set up such a bridge-building team as soon as he went back.
After crossing the concrete bridge, there was a large pavilion on the left side of the road. This pavilion was larger than the others. There were dozens of concrete stone benches inside, which could accommodate more people to rest together. It was more suitable for shelter from the rain.
On the right side of the road, there was a two-story concrete building, which could be used as a living place.
Li Longji and the ministers first walked around the pavilion and asked about the cost. Then, they went to the two-story building and went to the small platform on the second floor to look down at the scenery around.
"Your Majesty, this concrete pavilion and house are much stronger than those made of wood. Swords and knives can only hurt the hair but can't hurt the foundation. The final thing is that the concrete can't be burned. There is no need to worry about it being burned down by fire."
Ang Lee introduced the advantages of concrete buildings.
"A house that is not afraid of fire. Good, very good."
Li Longji was very satisfied with the concrete house. After a pause, he asked, "How many floors can be built with this kind of concrete?"
"Your Majesty, as long as there are enough financial resources, manpower, and materials, there is no pressure to build 100 floors. Moreover, it is very strong and will never collapse."
Ang Lee had to answer.
"100 floors, it can build 100 floors. How is this possible?"
"The pagoda in the temple has only a dozen floors. How can it be built with 100 floors?"
"Assistant Minister Li said that it can be built with 100 floors, so it can definitely be built that high. I believe in Assistant Minister Li."
"I really want to see what a 100-story house looks like!"
The ministers whispered. They didn't even dare to think about a 100-story building. After all, it was too high and beyond their understanding of architecture.
"Assistant Minister Li can really build a 100-story house?"
Li Longji's expression was extremely surprised, and there was a trace of excitement in his surprise. If such a tall house could be built, then wouldn't it be possible to stand on the top floor and see the scenery of the capital? How cool would that be! Moreover, a telescope with a hundred-fold magnification had been developed. As long as there was a vantage point, it was possible to see the scenery of the entire city. Even what the people in the city were doing could be seen clearly.
"Your Majesty, this humble subject wouldn't dare to joke. As long as there are enough materials, it is definitely possible to build a 100-story house. However, building a 100-story house is really meaningless. The cost of materials and manpower is too high."
Ang Lee gave an affirmative answer. At the same time, he pointed out that it was meaningless to build a house that was too tall, so that Li Longji wouldn't be hot-headed.
"There is no need for a 100-story house, but we can try to build a 20-story house. The Taishi Bureau needs a higher position to observe the nebula. When there is a need in the future, I will ask Assistant Minister Li to build it."
Li Longji still hadn't figured out where to build a 20-story house. After all, such a tall building was too conspicuous. He was the emperor of a country, so he had to consider many things. For example, where to build such a tall building to reflect the majesty of the Tang Empire, how to avoid it being used to observe the imperial palace, and how to make it convenient for him to climb to the top of the building to observe the scenery of the capital. All these had to be considered. After all, he was the emperor.
After confirming the huge role of cement and concrete, Li Longji and the ministers all believed that cement workshops should be built throughout the Tang Empire. During the slack time, the counties should organize manpower to build important roads in the territory. This way, all the roads in the Tang Empire could be made of concrete, which would make it convenient for the people to travel and promote the development of the economy.
To promote cement workshops, it was necessary to train talents in cement manufacturing first. Then, they would be sent to the counties to build cement workshops and gradually mobilize manpower to build the main roads in the territory.
Because there were too many counties in the Tang Empire, with more than 300 official counties and more than 1,000 county-level units, it was too exhausting to train talents on such a scale. For this reason, Ang Lee decided to train a small number of talents first. After they learned how to build cement workshops, they would be sent to the counties to build cement workshops. Then, they would be sent to the counties to popularize cement workshops in most counties in the Tang Empire.
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