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

Chapter 75 Development of Intellectual Property Cement

Seeing Li Daliang coming in, Li Chengqian immediately waved his hand and said:
"Tea!"

However, Li Daliang came in a hurry not to drink tea in the East Palace.

"Your Highness, do you still have this cement? Can we continue to produce it?"

His eyes sparkled as he looked at Li Chengqian, eager to know the result.

Li Daliang had just been promoted to the Minister of Works, but he was also conscientious in his duties, fulfilling his responsibilities.

The Ministry of Works was responsible for engineering construction across the country, such as city defense construction, water conservancy projects, etc.

Today, when they see cement, they know that this is a historic revolution.

"And how much do you want?"

Li Chengqian put down the teacup in his hand and spoke slowly.

The cement department has also been expanding, but it only produces in vertical kilns, which is still too slow.

But it can also be said that making huge sums of money every day is the main source of income for the Eastern Palace today.

Zhang Jianzhi entered the Ministry of Works with the intention of promoting cement. Now that the Minister of Works has come, it is even better.

Li Shimin was very stingy and did not give him a minting machine to print coins, so he could only get some cement and cash in from the state.

It should be said that it is a transaction.

"It's not about how much I want, but how much the cement will cost. I will report this to Your Majesty so that we can make a good plan."

Li Daliang said.

Cement can be produced indefinitely, but the consumption in today's Tang Dynasty is not too much.

There is no other reason, it is productivity that limits development. Once a large-scale project is started, the people will be unable to farm, resulting in a large amount of wasteland.

"It's not expensive. It's much cheaper than the glutinous rice mortar we use now for construction. However, the firmness is far inferior to that of glutinous rice mortar."

Li Chengqian said bluntly.

"What a miracle! Great success!"

Li Daliang laughed. When he was still in the Martial Temple, he had already conducted a knocking experiment on the cement structure. What Li Chengqian said was indeed true.

"It is a blessing for the Tang Dynasty that the flood can be controlled. It is a blessing for the people."

"Your Highness has made great contributions to the country."

Li Daliang danced and shouted excitedly. As the Minister of Industry, how could he not know the benefits brought by the advent of cement.

It's not his fault, as this was a great advancement in wood construction.

Building palaces is a waste of natural resources. Such sacred objects should be used to build cities and dams to protect peace in the area.

When the city wall was built before, they used glutinous rice, eggs, and animal blood to mix together to glue the stones together. The cost was simply unspeakable.

Even if the national treasury has money, it may not be able to raise enough glutinous rice and eggs.

Floods and enemy invasions are the main causes of people's ruin and death.

Especially as for floods, the Tang Dynasty will no longer be invaded by foreign enemies.

The Xuzhou flood is the most typical example. It was beyond the state's ability to cope, so it had to be reported to the court.

In the Mesopotamian river basin, floods occur every year, but the difference is that the size of the floods varies. However, the losses caused by floods are also innumerable.

A lot of money is invested in new water conservancy projects every year.

This is also the reason for the low output. Li Chengqian racked his brains to research cement, not just to build a martial arts temple, but for the sake of the entire Tang Dynasty.

"In that case, I will go back immediately to write a memorial to the court requesting funding." Li Daliang got the answer he wanted.

"Minister Li, I can give the cement formula to the Ministry of Works, so that we can burn cement wherever the construction is taking place, thus avoiding transportation costs. However, I will charge one penny for each stone of cement produced."

Li Chengqian smiled.

"Your Highness is so kind! As long as Your Highness is willing to provide the formula, everything will be fine." This was beyond Li Daliang's expectations. He didn't know the process required to produce cement. The transportation cost alone would reduce a huge amount of money.

Intellectual property is sweet. You don’t have to do anything and you can earn a lot of money.

But in Li Daliang's view, the prince was thinking and planning for the people of the world.

This is indeed the case.

"However, the formula of cement must be kept secret, otherwise those clans will get wind of it and will do whatever it takes to get benefits from the Ministry of Industry."

In the past, the Ministry of Industry was neglected by both grandmas and uncles, but with the popularization of cement, various projects became possible and large state funds were also tilted towards this side.

"Your Highness, please rest assured that I will never let such a formula leak out."

Li Daliang also said so confidently.

"In addition, we can make it clear to His Majesty that a decree will be issued to prohibit private enterprises from opening cement factories, and those who violate the regulations will be severely punished."

Li Chengqian spoke again, saying that this would fundamentally prevent the large clans from using cement to make money, and by nationalizing it, more silver would return to the national treasury and be distributed by the state.

"Okay, I will follow your advice, Your Highness."

Li Daliang did not think too much about it. What he wanted was achievement. He had just taken office as the Minister of Works and he also had to perform. This was his chance to show his talents.

As for people's livelihood and the outflow of funds, he doesn't care.

In order to restrain the clan, it is necessary to suppress it from all aspects.

"Minister Li, where do you plan to start?"

The output of cement is still very low, and it is still impossible to meet the simultaneous start of major projects. Good steel must be used where it is needed most.

"I wonder what instructions your highness has?"

Li Daliang also came from the Wagangzhai group. He went through many twists and turns before he came under Li Shimin. He was well versed in the ways of being an official.

It's not about where he wants to start from, but where the prince wants to start from.

"The Yangtze River and Yellow River basins are prone to flooding. When floods occur, many grain fields are submerged, making the fertile fields that were originally very productive become barren. Building dams in the two river basins is the top priority."

Li Chengqian said that no matter how small the matter is for the people, it is related to farmland and grain.

"Your Highness is right. Since the previous dynasty, Hejun has repaired water conservancy projects, but the achievements have not been great. Now that we have cement, we will be able to solve the problem once and for all and eradicate the floods."

Li Daliang deeply agreed with this.

The Mesopotamian Valley is rich in grain, but there are also two extremes: either a bumper harvest or a disaster.

"In May, I just visited Xuzhou. The people there are suffering and floods are rampant. If we can build a dam before the flood comes next year, it will definitely save the people of Xuzhou from disaster. It will be a great deed."

In the 16th and 18th years of the Zhenguan reign, there were severe floods in Xuzhou, making life miserable for the people.

This was a minor mention in history books, but for the common people, it was a devastating disaster.

"I understand!"

A light flashed in Li Daliang's eyes. Isn't this the guidance of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?

It is no secret that Xu Jingzong was able to rise to fame overnight thanks to the recommendation of the crown prince.

Li Daliang suddenly felt that his career prospects were bright, and he was determined to do a good job in water conservancy.

"In addition, the court will definitely allocate funds, and I hope that every penny of this money can be used to improve people's livelihood."

There is no doubt that official corruption can never be eradicated.

During the most wise period of Emperor Wen of Han and the most bloody and violent period of Hongwu, corrupt officials were rampant.

This is even more true in other dynasties.

One can even say openly that it is the reward for their hard work.

(End of this chapter)