Tian Qiong pulled back Li Yun who was about to explode. He shook his head slightly to indicate for Li Yun to calm down. He turned to Manager Zhangsun and said, "I am very grateful that the Zhangsun Mansion is willing to help the Xiangfu Family. Manager Zhangsun knows that the two branches of the Mo Family have always had differences. Between the Mo Village and the Zhangsun Mansion, the Xiangfu Family naturally favors the Zhangsun Mansion. But I don't know if Zhangsun Tiexing has a steel suspension cable that can carry millions of jin."
Manager Zhangsun immediately looked embarrassed. He shook his head and said, "This is a top secret of the Mo Family. Zhangsun Tiexing cannot make it."
A steel suspension cable that could carry millions of jin was something that Manager Zhangsun did not even dare to think about before. Naturally, he could not make it.
"Then do you have a steel beam that can support a bridge that spans hundreds of steps?" Tian Qiong asked again.
Manager Zhangsun wanted to say something, but he suddenly thought of Tian Qiong's identity. He knew that he could not hide this from him. He could only helplessly shake his head and say, "Zhangsun Tiexing cannot do it."
Tian Qiong immediately sighed regretfully. He said sincerely, "Manager Zhangsun, as you can see, it is not that we do not want to cooperate with the Zhangsun Mansion. But the Wei River Bridge was built by the Emperor himself. It is also the best opportunity for the Xiangfu Family to surpass the Mo Village. There is no room for any mistakes. I hope the Zhangsun Mansion can understand."
Manager Zhangsun's expression changed. Although what Tian Qiong said was true, this was a huge project that cost 200,000 strings of cash. Once they got the steel supply, how much profit would it bring? How could the Zhangsun family be willing to give it up?
"Is the Xiangfu Family really so heartless and not give any face to the Zhangsun Mansion?" Manager Zhangsun's expression turned cold as he said coldly.
Tian Qiong said mockingly, "Face? Last year, the Old Man taught you the most advanced secret steel-making technique. How did you do it? The steel you made is not even better than the steel of the Mo Village. Do you think the Old Man wants to beg Mo Jiazi? Do you think the Old Man does not want face? But even if the Old Man's face is ruined, no matter how much money you bribe the Old Man, it is not as important as the revival and reputation of the Xiangfu Family. "
"This group of troublesome Bai Clan?"
Shopkeeper Zhangsun's expression immediately turned ugly. These hundred families all had their own beliefs and ideals. If they were ordinary families, they would have long since given in to the Zhangsun family's threats and promises.
He also knew that Tian Qiong was telling the truth. Although Zhangsun Tiexing had mastered the steelmaking technology, the quality of the steel he made was only comparable to the first generation steel of the Mo Family Village, let alone the second generation steel of the Mo Family Village.
"It's not that the Old Man didn't give you a chance, but that you didn't seize it. If your Zhangsun Mansion wants to threaten us, you have to think about it. Our Xiangfu Clan has existed for a thousand years. We're not to be trifled with." Tian Qiong flatly refused.
Shopkeeper Zhangsun couldn't help but pause. He naturally didn't want to make things awkward. Changing his mind, he said, "Even if Zhangsun Tiexing can't make the steel cables and beams, what about the steel on the bridge deck? Can't we do that?"
Tian Qiong thought for a moment and said, "It's not impossible. But the imperial court has allocated two hundred thousand strings of cash for funding. It's not for the Xiangfu Clan to cut corners. The Wei River Bridge will take five years. At least three years later, the bridge deck can be used. At that time, if the Zhangsun Family's steel reaches the strength of the second generation steel of the Mo Family Village, the Xiangfu Clan will naturally lean toward Zhangsun Tiexing."
Shopkeeper Zhangsun's expression was uncertain. After a long time, he looked at Tian Qiong and said, "Then it's a deal. Master Tian, do you know the consequences of deceiving the Zhangsun Mansion?"
Tian Qiong laughed and said, "Between the Mo Family Village and Zhangsun Tiexing, the Xiangfu Clan naturally knows how to choose. Besides, this bridge is only the first show of the Xiangfu Clan. The Old Man believes that there will be a second and third bridge in the future. It all depends on whether Zhangsun Tiexing can seize this opportunity."
Shopkeeper Zhangsun couldn't help but hold his breath. Tian Qiong was right. As long as this bridge was built, all the bridges in the world would prosper. As more and more super bridges were built, there would be an innumerable amount of steel needed. That would be a huge market. Perhaps it was time for Zhangsun Tiexing to invest a lot of energy in the research and development of steel.
"Sorry to disturb you. Goodbye!" Shopkeeper Zhangsun cupped his hands and said.
"Forgive me for not seeing you off!" After Tian Qiong cupped his hands and said goodbye, he let out a sigh of relief when he saw Shopkeeper Zhangsun leave.
"Uncle Tian, why did you promise Zhangsun Tiexing?" Li Yun couldn't help but frown.
Tian Qiong sneered and said, "Do you think the second generation steel of the Village Mo is easy to crack? When the time comes, the Zhangsun family can't make it themselves, so they can't blame anyone. My Xiangfu family has just arrived in Chang 'an City. If we offend the Zhangsun family, do you think we can have a good life?"
"But what if the steel made by the Zhangsun family is comparable to the second generation steel of the Village Mo? Do you really want to use the Zhangsun family's steel? "Li Yun said with a serious face.
Tian Qiong laughed and said, "If three years later, the Zhangsun family can produce good steel, then we will have one more way to balance the Mo family village. Why not? Do you think that in the future, when we build bridges, we will have to rely on the Mo family village? And even if the steel made by the Zhangsun family is slightly inferior, we can still use it when we build bridges smaller than the Wei River Bridge in the future. Isn't it good for us to be on good terms with the Zhangsun family? "
Li Yun said embarrassedly, "This time, the Xiangfu family was able to get the right to build the Wei River Bridge because of Meton. Even the future bridge will be built with the steel and money of the Village Mo. Then why does Uncle Tian still dislike Meton and the Village Mo, and even support Zhangsun Tiexing to fight against the Village Mo?"
There was a deep conflict between the Village Mo and the Xiangfu family, but after all, it had been a long time. However, the two families still behaved like fire and water.
Tian Qiong looked at Li Yun meaningfully and said, "The Xiangfu family must be on the opposite side of the Village Mo. This is the best result for the Mo family. I believe the Village Mo will also understand this point. Of course, some people of the Xiangfu family are close to the Village Mo, but this won't affect the general situation."
Li Yun suddenly thought about it.
Tian Qiong stood up proudly and said, "Zhangsun Tiexing is only the first. Later, there will be a second and a third family. They will pass the message to the steel industry in Chang 'an City. Whoever can reach the quality of the second generation steel of the Village Mo will be chosen by the Xiangfu family. Otherwise, they won't have to come."
Li Yun nodded in agreement. In this way, the Xiangfu family would no longer be disturbed, and they could concentrate on studying the Wei River Bridge.
As the news of the Wei River Bridge and the conditions of the Xiangfu family spread, it was like throwing a huge stone into the peaceful steel industry of Chang 'an City. Who didn't want to participate in the big business of 200,000 strings of cash? And even if they couldn't participate in the Wei River Bridge, how many bridges would be built in the Tang dynasty in the future? What a vast market it would be.
In an instant, all the metal professions began to take action. Back then, the Mo Family had intentionally indulged them and Tian Fei had intentionally spread the secret art of steel, but no one had studied it. Now, because of the Wei River Bridge, it had become a hot topic.
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