"May the world be peaceful!"
After the exhibition ended, everyone couldn't calm down for a long time. Before this, it was widely accepted that military ink techniques were killing techniques, and everything was for the sake of war. But this exhibition had once again subverted everyone's worldview.
Military ink techniques were not only killing techniques, but also could be used for civilian purposes. For a moment, everyone could no longer stand on the moral high ground and criticize the military ink techniques developed by the House of Mo.
Because these military ink techniques were the most advanced ink techniques. Even if a little of it leaked out from the fingers, it would be enough for civilian purposes to benefit a lot.
"Zipper, stainless steel! Matches! "
Outside the venue of the Mo Skills Exhibition, it was the Mo Family's latest ink skills exhibition stage. The latest style of ink clothes with zippers, shiny stainless steel tableware, and a pack of matches that cost one copper coin immediately attracted the attention of the crowd. Fortunately, the Mo Family's village had prepared in advance, so there was sufficient supply.
"A pack of matches that cost one copper coin! I didn't expect the House of Mo to produce such cheap products. "In the booth of the exhibition, Li Shimin couldn't help but sneer at the crazy crowd.
Meton beside him couldn't help but smile awkwardly and said, "Your Majesty, you have misunderstood the House of Mo. Matches are something that benefits the people, so naturally it can't be sold at a high price. The House of Mo can just break even!"
Matches were the best example of the House of Mo to prove that military ink techniques could be used for civilian purposes. Naturally, the House of Mo would use the best price to promote it to the world.
Li Shimin thought of the lighter that Meton showed in front of him. He understood that the House of Mo must be trying to make money from the lighter to break even.
Li Shimin took out a match and lit it gently. Smelling the familiar smell of gunpowder, he asked again, "Match gunpowder really won't leak the formula of gunpowder."
Meton said confidently, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. The main characteristic of match gunpowder is its flammability. The main ingredient used is phosphorus, which is totally different from gunpowder. It is impossible to make gunpowder. We purposely described match gunpowder as a weaker version of gunpowder. The main purpose is to take the opportunity to lure out the spies from other countries who are spying on the formula of gunpowder in the Tang dynasty."
"I see. As I said, gunpowder can't be used for civilian purposes." Li Shimin was relieved.
Meton said with a guilty conscience, "It's not impossible."
"Can it really be used for civilian purposes?" Li Shimin was shocked and looked at Meton in disbelief. The greatest function of gunpowder was its lethality, how could it be used for civilian purposes?
Meton nodded and said, "Your Majesty, the Foolish man who moved the mountains."
"The Foolish who moved the mountains!" Li Shimin's heart skipped a beat. Who didn't know that the Foolish Old Man had moved the mountain? Especially the Foolish Old Man's spirit, which had inspired generation after generation.
Moton sighed. "There are too many mountains in the world that are similar to Wangwu Taihang. Many people have difficulty traveling. Now that the Tang Empire can build bridges and solve the problem of rivers blocking traffic, I think it's time to solve the problem of mountains blocking traffic. Gunpowder is the key.
...........................
. Meton said proudly, "As long as there is enough gunpowder, it is not impossible to blow up the mountains! Of course, we can't be so wasteful. With gunpowder, we can blow up the rocks and open a road along the mountainside. We can also build bridges to pass through low-lying areas. If we encounter high mountains, we can also blow up caves and dig tunnels. From then on, there will be no mountains in the world to block traffic. Our Tang dynasty's traffic will be unimpeded. "
"This …" Li Shimin suddenly felt a surge of excitement. He didn't expect gunpowder to be so useful. Mountains blocking traffic was a problem for thousands of years. Now that it was solved, how could he not be excited?
"How much will it cost? Why do I feel that you have been cheating me? " Li Shimin couldn't help but look at Meton suspiciously. Before he met Meton, the Tang dynasty's treasury was abundant. Since Meton appeared, although the Tang dynasty made use of the School of Mo's ink skills to prosper, they had to spend more money. Although their wealth increased year after year, they still couldn't make ends meet. Now, Meton proposed to use gunpowder to build roads. The cost would be astronomical.
Meton was almost exposed by Li Shimin. He felt guilty and refused to admit it. "Building roads is a matter of contemporary merit and benefits for generations to come. Emperor Shi built the Great Wall. Emperor Yang of Sui built the Grand Canal. They also spent a lot of money. But in the end, they were built with the power of the whole country. Now, the Tang dynasty still benefits a lot. It is the same with building roads."
Li Shimin glared at him and said, "How dare you compare me with those tyrants? How dare you!"
Meton spread his hands and said, "Although Emperor Shi and Emperor Yang of Sui were tyrants, they were not fatuous. They did make mistakes, but no one can deny the achievements of the Great Wall and the Grand Canal. Now, if the Tang dynasty builds bridges and clears mountains to make the world unimpeded, Your Majesty's achievements will be comparable to theirs. "
"The cost of building roads is probably comparable to that of the Great Wall and the Grand Canal. Aren't you afraid that the Tang dynasty will end up like the Qin and Sui dynasties?" Li Shimin frowned. Of course, no one could deny the achievements of the super project. If it was built well, the country's strength would multiply. If it wasn't built well, the world would rebel.
"That's because the two dynasties didn't value the school of Mohism and didn't have the advanced Mohism technique to support it. They relied solely on human lives, which caused the world to rebel. And now that the Great Tang's Mohist technique has been widely promoted, with gunpowder and all sorts of Mohist machinery to aid in the excavation of mountains and roads. As long as Your Majesty is not impatient for quick success, there will be no harm in it, "Moton said with a smile.
Li Shimin's expression relaxed. Meton was indeed telling the truth. One person using Mohism machines was more than ten people working together. Some of the heavy work could be replaced by machines, and there wouldn't be too many casualties. Naturally, there wouldn't be a situation where the people of Qin and Sui were filled with resentment. Of course, the only disadvantage was that it would cost a lot.
"You really deserve the title of a prodigal. Even I don't know how to spend money like you!" Li Shimin thought of the huge amount of money needed to build roads and mountains, and couldn't help but feel his heart ache. Ever since he ascended the throne, he was extremely self-disciplined and couldn't even bear to build a palace. Mo Jiazi, on the other hand, easily spent tens of thousands of strings of cash, or even more. He was even more generous than him, the emperor.
Meton heard Li Shimin's reprimand, but he didn't take it to heart. Li Shimin only felt his heart ache for spending money, which meant that Li Shimin was moved. And what an emperor didn't lack the least was money.
"As for the matter of gunpowder splitting open the mountain, you should write a report! Take advantage of the year-end imperial court to discuss it. " Li Shimin was finally moved. The construction of brick roads showed the Tang dynasty the benefits of convenient transportation, and the construction of the Wei River Bridge meant that the Tang dynasty had found a way to conquer rivers. Now, it was time to conquer mountains.
"Yes!" Meton said solemnly. He was the Firearms Supervisor and controlled all the gunpowder in the world. Building roads and mountains required gunpowder, and he was the most suitable person to write a report.
The Mohism exhibition was only for the common people. This time, he wanted to let all the officials see how amazing the Mohism was when it was used for civilian use.
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