Datang: Rebirth of Li Chengqian, the beginning of the treason interrogation

Chapter 42 Preparing to Develop Gunpowder
The sun gradually set, and Li Chengqian slowly walked out of the room with tired steps.

"Oh my! How could I have forgotten to give money to Dr. Meng?"

He had been extremely busy these past few days, and it was only at this moment that Li Chengqian suddenly remembered that there was still an important thing he had not done.

"Your Highness, the craftsmen have been transferred from the Ministry of Works."

Wang Xiao and a dozen craftsmen were standing in the middle of the courtyard. When they saw Li Chengqian coming, they all bowed to him.

"Okay, wait here for a moment."

Li Chengqian turned around hurriedly, trotted back to the bedroom, and took out the paper he had carefully drawn.

"Just follow this model and build it as quickly as possible."

The leading craftsman was named Hongren. He took the blueprint and examined it carefully, then nodded to Li Chengqian to show that he understood. Then he said:

"Your Highness, please rest assured. We will do our best to produce a mold before sunset tomorrow."

The process is not complicated and they can finish it quickly.

"Okay, you guys go down and rest first!" Li Chengqian waved his hand.

"Your Highness, the Ministry of Works said that the salaries of these craftsmen need to be paid by the Eastern Palace."

The same is true for craftsmen, who are only paid when there is a deadline for their work.

"How much is the salary of a craftsman?"

Li Chengqian was also scratching his head. Li Shimin had cut off the salary for the Eastern Palace. There were so many people in the Eastern Palace, and they had to provide for their food and drink.

"Five hundred coins a month!" said Wang Xiao.

This price is not low. You can buy a pig for more than 200 yuan.

The monthly salary of a first-rank official in the court was no more than a hundred taels of silver, but they also had extra income, which was the salary of a certain number of households in their fiefdom.

"Let them work with peace of mind. The Eastern Palace will give them one thousand coins per month." Li Chengqian said.

Of course, the Eastern Palace also had its own fiefdom, and not all of its income came from salaries.

"Also, Commander Wang, go to the treasury and take out one hundred silver coins and give them to the genius doctor Meng Shen." Li Chengqian thought for a moment and then gave the order.

One hundred taels, or one hundred thousand coins, can accomplish a lot of things. Opening a clinic will also be a great contribution to future generations.

Wang Xiao retreated, and Li Chengqian continued to go to Beiyuan.

Finally got half a day of leisure.

"Chumo, is there any progress on the workshop?" Li Chengqian went to the Archery Hall and found Cheng Chumo and the others.

"Yes, we have discussed it, but the rent they want is as high as one hundred taels per month, so it has not been finalized yet. It would be better if each of our dukes' mansions could provide a workshop."

Cheng Chumo said, one hundred taels is only his father's monthly salary, he couldn't sit still.

"Okay, each of us will offer a workshop, and I'll take 30% of the transaction amount as rent."

Naturally, what Li Chengqian wanted to open was a wine shop. The most they could do now was cloth and silk.

This is hard currency. Cloth and silk can be used instead of money. When the court has no cash, cloth and silk will also be given as a reward.

"Also, I will be going to Xuzhou soon, and the development of the winery will require your attention." After all, Li Chengqian cannot do everything by himself.

"Your Highness, are you going to Xuzhou? There was a major disaster there last year, and I'm afraid a major epidemic has occurred now." Li Zhen said worriedly.

"Sun Simiao is in Xuzhou, so I have to go. Doctor Meng also said that only his master can cure my foot disease." Sun Simiao even ignored Li Shimin's imperial order. Whether he wanted to come to Chang'an depended on his mood.

"In that case, I will go down with His Highness. At least I can take care of him. If I manage the workshop, won't I lose money?"

Cheng Chumo chuckled and said that he was not capable of doing such delicate work.

"Yes, let Wenmin, Luo Binwang and others do it, and we will accompany Your Highness to Xuzhou." Li Zhen also echoed.

Managing the workshop was indeed not suitable for them. Afterwards, Li Chengqian explained everything that needed to be explained to Gao Wenmin and Luo Binwang before returning to the palace.

……

"Commander Wang, this is the formula of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal. Find the person you trust most to adjust them one by one. If you can make it explode, I will reward you handsomely."

Li Chengqian handed another drawing to Wang Xiao.

He has no one to use now and can only trust these Dragon Guards. Even if they betray him, they will only betray him to Li Er.

"Yes!" Wang Xiao did not dare to slack off. He took the drawing with a serious look on his face. Although he did not know what it was, he was sure that Li Chengqian attached great importance to it.

"In Yichun Palace, you will mark out an area for yourself. No one is allowed to approach. As for the person in charge of configuring this thing, I believe you also know how to deal with it. What I want is top secret."

Gunpowder is of great importance and played a very important strategic role in the Tang Dynasty.

Although it could not play a decisive role in a short period of time during the era of cold weapons, the situation was different after more than ten years of development.

"Your Highness, please rest assured that no news will leak out." Wang Xiao said.

"However, if Your Majesty wants to know, you can tell Your Majesty." Li Chengqian pondered for a while before speaking.

Now the Bad Guys and the Dragon Guards are all Li Er's men, so it is unlikely that he can hide it from Li Er.

"Your Highness, please rest assured. From the day when His Majesty asked us to pledge our loyalty to His Highness, we are all His Highness's people."

Wang Xiao thought this was a test from Li Chengqian.

"Go ahead. I trust you. Otherwise, I would not have entrusted you with this important task. I also want to tell you that once this thing comes out, it will change the current situation."

"Also, let the bad guys go among the people and look for smart people to train. I want people from poor families. All expenses will be paid by the East Palace."

Li Chengqian is making plans, but this game will not take off until ten years later.

"I will definitely live up to your highness's important responsibility. The bad guys have already arrived in Xuzhou. Your highness, don't worry about this trip. However, the epidemic is ruthless, so your highness must be more careful."

Wang Xiao replied that as a guard, he needed to remain vigilant at all times, eliminate all possible security risks, and ensure Li Chengqian's safety.

"For this trip, let Commander Wang Xun and I go to Xuzhou."

Li Chengqian waved his hand, indicating that Wang Xiao could leave. He was fully prepared for this trip.

He had already made sufficient arrangements for the necessary arrangements in Chang'an, including manpower, material resources and other aspects.

As for gunpowder, it is a very important strategy that can drive the progress of an era. After careful consideration, Li Chengqian decided to try it himself.

After all, the field of firearms must continue to improve.

Although the recipe for elixir and firewood in Sun Simiao's hands has certain value, it cannot be fully relied upon to promote the development of firearms.

Only through your own efforts and practice can you truly master the essence of firearms.

Although he has knowledge in this area, it is all theoretical knowledge. There is still a long way to go before he can transform it into real weapons.

(End of this chapter)