The attitude of the Tang Empire gained the understanding of the envoys of various countries. However, these envoys were very eager to build bridges in their own countries. For this reason, they proposed to send their own craftsmen to the Tang Empire to learn bridge building techniques.
Li Longji did not refuse the envoys of various countries. After all, the Tang Empire was very short of all kinds of bridge building talents. If the craftsmen of these small countries came to learn, they would definitely participate in the construction of bridges in the Tang Empire. First, they would be used as coolies to speed up the construction of bridges in the Tang Empire. Then, they would be sent back to China to build bridges to meet the needs of the Tang Empire to send trains to their countries. This would further speed up the expansion of the Tang Empire and make all the surrounding countries become the sphere of influence of the Tang Empire.
Standing at the highest point of the Ezhou Yangtze River Bridge, the top leaders of the Tang Empire and the envoys of the surrounding countries discussed the future development direction of their countries' economies. They reached various cooperation agreements on the spot and even signed a written agreement as proof.
The magnificent momentum of the Ezhou Yangtze River Bridge made the envoys of various countries admire it very much. At the same time, it also made the emperor, ministers, and princes of the Tang Empire feel proud.
The completion of the bridge not only facilitated the economic connection between the two sides of the Yangtze River, but also greatly enhanced the international influence of the Tang Empire. It made the envoys of various countries see that the Tang Empire not only had a strong military force and could quickly destroy Tibet, but also could build super-large bridges to promote people's livelihood.
In other words, if they offended the Tang Empire, they would be attacked by the advanced military force of the Tang Empire. At the same time, if they were friendly with the Tang Empire, they would get many benefits from the Tang Empire, such as these super-large bridges. At present, only the Tang Empire had this technology. Only by being friendly with the Tang Empire could the small countries finally get the technology to build these super-large bridges and promote the economic development of their countries.
Looking at the agreements signed on the spot, Li Longji showed a very happy smile. When the envoys of various countries signed these agreements, it was tantamount to tying their countries to the Tang Empire and officially becoming a vassal of the Tang Empire.
It was just like the Braid Dynasty of the later generations. They signed a series of unequal treaties with Western countries and were forced to open all their markets to Western countries. The treaties signed by the envoys of these small countries were similar to the treaties signed by the Braid Dynasty and the Western powers in the later generations.
However, these small countries were smart people. They knew that submitting to the Tang Empire would bring them a lot of benefits. As for the consequences of going against the Tang Empire, the Tibetan Empire was a good example.
Because the Ezhou Yangtze River Bridge was too magnificent, Li Longji decided to stay here for a few days to appreciate the magnificent bridge. The ministers, princes, and envoys of other countries would naturally stay here to accompany him. They would walk around and admire the crystallization of technology and industry of the Tang dynasty.
Since the Ezhou Yangtze River Bridge was the first bridge to cross a river in the Tang dynasty, the imperial court attached great importance to it. They even set the lighting standards for it.
The so-called lighting standards were the same as the city lights in the later generations. After all, Ang Lee had invented light bulbs and generator sets. They could completely power the Yangtze River Bridge.
Because the bridge was too long, it required a lot of light bulbs. Therefore, a total of four generator sets were prepared. They were located on the north and south sides of the bridge. They supplied power to the entire bridge and the auxiliary facilities on both sides of the bridge to ensure that the bridge was brightly lit at night.
There were special generator sets in the Ezhou Railway Station. Moreover, there were two staggered sets. Even if one of them was broken, the other could be replaced to ensure the operation of the railway station at night.
After dinner, everyone stood in the courtyard of the railway station. They could clearly see the brightly lit Ezhou Yangtze River Bridge in the distance. They all sighed with emotion.
The emperor got in the carriage again to inspect the bridge. The ministers followed him in the carriage. They went back and forth on the bridge twice and stopped at the highest point many times.
Admiring the Ezhou Yangtze River Bridge at night was more pleasant than during the day. This was because the bridge would become more beautiful and majestic under the illumination of the lights. It was easier for people to see the length and shape of the entire bridge.
"Assistant Minister Li, aren't you going back?"
Seeing Ang Lee standing on the bridge, Guo Qiang walked over and asked with concern.
"Of course I have to admire such a beautiful bridge for a while. Are you sleepy?"
Li An had personally designed this magnificent bridge, so he had a lot of feelings for it. Now that he was in front of the bridge, of course, he had to appreciate it for a while. The shape and design of the bridge, as well as the lighting effects deployed on it, were all Li An's masterpieces. It was a wonderful feeling to see the product he designed get the approval of everyone. It was very comfortable.
"Yes, Assistant Minister Li is right. The bridge is very impressive. However, it's enough to take a look. There's no need to look at it for so long!"
Guo Qiang was a rough person. He did not have the leisure to carefully appreciate the beautiful scenery in front of him.
"Of course we have to appreciate the beautiful scenery for a while. If you're sleepy, go back and rest first! His Majesty will stay here for many days. Your troops have to be responsible for security. It's a heavy burden. "
"It's okay. With so many armored artillery vehicles guarding here, no thief dares to act presumptuously. I'm not tired. I'll accompany Assistant Minister Li for a while!"
Guo Qiang said heroically.
"Assistant Minister Li, I'm the envoy of the Stone Kingdom."
An envoy suddenly came over. He did not leave with the other envoys. He also stayed to admire the scenery. Anyway, the two sides of the bridge were full of soldiers of the Tang dynasty. There was no danger.
"Envoy of the Stone Kingdom? Oh, what can I do for you? "
Because there were too many small countries that had submitted to the Tang dynasty, there were too many foreign envoys in Chang 'an. Therefore, Ang Lee could not remember who was who. However, because Ang Lee was too famous in the Tang dynasty, these envoys all remembered Ang Lee.
"Actually, it's nothing. I just saw that Assistant Minister Li was quite leisurely, so I came over to chat."
The envoy of the Stone Kingdom was very sincere. He said whatever he wanted to say.
"Chat? Well, it's good to chat! I also like to chat very much. "
Li An gave him a kind smile.
"Assistant Minister Li, let me first express my admiration for you. In my opinion, Assistant Minister Li is the greatest person in the entire Tang dynasty. Many of the great things of the Tang dynasty were made by Assistant Minister Li. If it were not for Assistant Minister Li, the Tang dynasty would not have become so influential."
The envoy of the Stone Kingdom said in a flattering tone. However, he seemed to be quite sincere.
"You can say these words in front of me, but you can't talk about it everywhere! The reason why I am so capable is that His Majesty has given me this opportunity. Everything in the Tang dynasty is under His Majesty's control. Without His Majesty's full support, I can't do anything big. You should know that this bridge alone needs tens of thousands of laborers. These are His Majesty's people. They were mobilized by His Majesty to build it. Without the Emperor of the Tang dynasty, there would be nothing in the Tang dynasty. "
Ang Lee opened his mouth to brainwash the envoy of the Stone Kingdom and let him understand that the Emperor of the Tang dynasty was the master of the Tang dynasty. This was also for self-protection. If he let the envoys of other countries think that he was the greatest person in the Tang dynasty, it would be troublesome. The Emperor would be jealous, and the jealousy would turn into anger. It would not be good for the Emperor to be angry. At least, Ang Lee had to control this point of view and not let these envoys of small countries talk nonsense.
"But many things of the Tang dynasty were invented by Assistant Minister Li. Assistant Minister Li is as great as the Emperor of the Tang dynasty. At least, in my heart, I admire Assistant Minister Li very much. When the people of the Stone Kingdom heard that those rare things were invented by Assistant Minister Li, they all admire Assistant Minister Li very much. Many people of the Tang dynasty only know Assistant Minister Li, but they don't know the Emperor of the Tang dynasty."
The envoy of the Stone Kingdom said sincerely.
"As great as the Emperor? You can't say this carelessly. If His Majesty knows about it, it will be a capital offense. Even if you have ten heads, they won't be enough for you to chop off. You can't say this carelessly. "
Ang Lee warned.
In the Tang Empire, no one could be on an equal footing with the Emperor. The words of the envoy of the Stone Kingdom were very disrespectful and unforgivable. However, this envoy of the Stone Kingdom should have stayed in the capital of the Tang dynasty for some time. How could he not know the national conditions of the Tang Empire? How dare he say such disgraceful words?
"Haha! I do think so in my heart. Of course, I don't dare to say it casually. But after meeting Assistant Minister Li, I unconsciously said it. I hope that Assistant Minister Li won't blame me. "
The envoy of the Stone Kingdom said with a smile and a respectful expression.
"One who is unaccountably solicitous is hiding evil intentions." This was a famous saying in ancient times and at the same time, it was also a famous saying in the future. After all, Ang Lee didn't believe in the so-called pure worship. As for the people who chased idols in the future, they were all people with mental problems and couldn't be classified as normal people. As an envoy of a country, he definitely wouldn't have mental problems and naturally wouldn't have pure worship. Therefore, when the envoy of the Stone Kingdom said that he admired Ang Lee very much, Ang Lee still wouldn't believe it. This was just the polite words of the envoy and couldn't be taken seriously.
"Well, there's no need to say more about worship. Is there anything you need my help with?"
Ang Lee asked tentatively.
"Haha! Assistant Minister Li is easy to talk to. In fact, it's not a big matter. It's just about the light bulb and the power generator. "
The envoy of the Stone Kingdom said.
"The light bulb and the power generator can make the night bright. Why? Does the King of the Stone Kingdom also want to have such light bulbs to decorate his palace?"
Ang Lee seemed to have guessed something and said.
"Assistant Minister Li is really smart. Indeed, the King of the Stone Kingdom likes the lights of the Tang Dynasty very much. Last time, the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty rewarded the Stone Kingdom with a set of power generators and a hundred light bulbs. The King put these in the largest palace in the palace. When night comes, the main hall will be very bright and the King is very happy. However, the King hopes that the entire palace and the city can be equipped with electric lights, so more power generators and more light bulbs will be needed."
As the envoy of the Stone Kingdom said, he was a little embarrassed.
"Why? The King of the Stone Kingdom has a big appetite. He wants to build a small Chang 'an City in the Stone Kingdom?"
Ang Lee suddenly felt the greed of the people. The King of the Stone Kingdom was just the ruler of a small country. Unexpectedly, he wanted to build a city that never sleeps in the administrative center of his rule. It was a good idea. However, the Stone Kingdom didn't have high technology and couldn't make their own power generators and light bulbs. They could only rely on imports from the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty had strict restrictions on the export of these high technology products. Not everyone could buy them.
For example, no one could sell them to the Stone Kingdom. After all, these were the guarantee that the army of the Tang Dynasty could defeat other forces. They could never be sold to others.
Similarly, all kinds of high technology equipment, especially the technology to make these high technology products, could not be sold. As for the light bulbs and power generators, although they could be sold to the neighboring small countries, because of the limited production, many cities in the Tang Dynasty had not been fully satisfied. Naturally, they could not satisfy the neighboring small countries first. Otherwise, the cities in the neighboring small countries would be brightly lit at night, but the night in the Tang Dynasty would be dark. How could that be?
In addition, the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty had already given the light bulbs and power generators as diplomatic gifts to the Tang Dynasty. For the small countries that submitted to the Tang Dynasty, he would reward them with a set of equipment so that the Kings of these small countries could use the light bulbs. If he rewarded them with two sets of power generators, it showed that the Tang Dynasty attached great importance to this small country and valued it more.
At least, in a short time, the Tang Dynasty would not have enough power generators to supply the neighboring small countries. After all, the power generators developed by Ang Lee were relatively small. If he wanted to light up a small city, he would need at least ten power generators. For a big city like Chang 'an, he would need one or two hundred power generators to meet the most basic needs.
At present, the main scientific research force of the Tang Dynasty was leaning toward railways, bridges, and large ocean ships. There were not many resources to expand the production of power generators. Naturally, it was impossible to meet the vigorous demand of the neighboring small countries. This was also the reason why the envoy of the Stone Kingdom came to Ang Lee. This guy must have inquired about the power generators from the relevant departments of the Tang Dynasty. When he did not get a satisfactory answer, he came to Ang Lee shamelessly. His purpose was very obvious. He wanted the power generators and light bulbs.
This was enough to show that the King of the Stone Kingdom had a great desire for power generators and light bulbs, and he had put a lot of pressure on the envoy.
"I know your purpose very well. However, the production of power generators is very limited. It is not enough to meet the needs of the Tang Dynasty. Naturally, I don't have any extra power generators to sell to the Stone Kingdom. Perhaps the situation will be better in a few years."
Ang Lee said truthfully.
"To tell you the truth, Assistant Minister Li, the King has put a lot of pressure on me. If I can't bring back a light bulb, I really can't explain it."
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