You, a tyrannical ruler, roam the heavens; you cannot understand my joy.

Several days later, at dawn.

Yingtian Prefecture, the inner hall of the Imperial Study.

[Missed the morning court session; cultivation level +53.]

[Enchanted by beautiful women, cultivation level +36.]

[Excessive indulgence in lust, bonus reward: Cultivation +29.]

As soon as Lu Zuo opened his eyes, the prompt from his cheat system appeared right on time.

"Once I've finished my business, it's time to indulge in debauchery and earn more attribute points."

"after all……"

"This level of strength is not enough to unify the world."

Just as I was pondering this, a very soft, husky voice came from behind me, carrying the unique softness and huskiness of someone just waking up.

Lu turned to look and saw that Li Qingzhao had already woken up and was lying on her side in the brocade quilt, supporting her chin with her hand.

Her long, jet-black hair was slightly disheveled, with a few strands clinging to her cheeks. Her phoenix eyes were half-open, their gaze shimmering with a misty, watery light.

A beautifully rounded shoulder, gleaming with a warm, pearly luster in the morning light, exudes a mature beauty and relaxation naturally revealed after being nourished by rain and dew.

Lu Zuo's heart stirred slightly. He reached out and wrapped his arm around her slender waist, which seemed to fit in one hand. "Qingzhao, you must be exhausted from managing government affairs these days?"

Yesterday, after returning from the Jianghuai region and receiving important officials to handle urgent matters, I am here in this inner palace…

Perhaps it was the long separation, or perhaps it was my mood, but I did indulge myself somewhat.

Li Qingzhao gave him a charmingly disdainful look: "Your Majesty also said..."

"No matter how tired I am, it's not as tiring as last night..."

As she spoke, she even frowned slightly, seemingly genuinely, and said reproachfully, "My back is still aching."

Lu Zuo laughed and said, "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore."

"During my absence from the capital, have there been any significant developments in the court?"

When the conversation turned to business, Li Qingzhao straightened up slightly and replied earnestly, "Your Majesty, the overall situation in the court is relatively stable."

"The newly promoted officials are all diligent in their duties, and the operation of each department is basically smooth."

She paused, then continued, "There are new developments in the case of Qin Hui's traitorous associates."

"Under the joint investigation by the three judicial departments, more than a dozen more officials involved in the case have come forward with their names in the past few days."

"Two of them were on the list previously approved by His Majesty for 'slightly lacking evidence, to be temporarily detained pending investigation,' and now this has been confirmed."

"There are also a few local officials who have financial dealings with Qin Hui's faction or have provided them with convenience in their local affairs."

"I have already organized the case files and lists, and placed them on the top shelf of the desk in the outer room, awaiting Your Majesty's decision."

Lu Zuo hummed in agreement, his gaze slightly narrowed.

The lingering influence of Qin Hui has indeed not been eradicated.

He pondered for a moment and said, "Those with conclusive evidence should be dealt with severely according to the law. As for those people in the local area..."

"Have the Censorate secretly verify this. If they are indeed Qin's faction members, arrest them all, but be careful in the manner to avoid causing local unrest. I will look at the list later."

"Yes, I understand," Li Qingzhao replied.

Lu Zuo said no more, lifted the brocade quilt and got up. Li Qingzhao also quickly got up, first taking the warm, bright yellow undergarment from the side, and carefully dressing Lu Zuo in it and tying the belt.

She then helped him put on his dragon-patterned robes, smoothing out the wrinkles. Afterward, she knelt down and helped him put on his silk stockings and soft-soled boots.

Finally, she led him to the copper basin, wrung out a warm towel to wash his face, and offered him salt and willow branches.

Lu Zuo accepted it calmly, while pondering the matter of Qin Hui's remaining followers.

Just as he finished washing up and tying his hair up, Li Fu'an's voice came from the outer hall:

"Your Majesty, this servant Li Fu'an requests an audience."

Lu Zuo sat down behind the imperial desk in the outer room, casually picked up the top list of Qin Hui's remaining followers, glanced at it, and then put it aside, saying in a deep voice, "Summon them."

A moment later, Li Fu'an entered with her head bowed and her steps light and quick. She knelt a few steps in front of the imperial desk and said, "This servant, Li Fu'an, greets Your Majesty."

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Stand up and answer."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Li Fu'an nimbly got to his feet, bowed respectfully, and said, "Your Majesty, this is a momentous occasion!"

"Thanks to Your Majesty's great fortune, those two treasures you entrusted to me are selling like hotcakes!"

"Oh? Tell me more." Lu Zuo leaned forward slightly, showing interest.

"yes!"

Li Fu'an swallowed hard and quickened his pace: "Let's talk about the imperial chicken essence first."

"Nowadays, among the noble families, wealthy merchants, and high-ranking officials of Yingtian Prefecture, it has practically become a symbol of status!"

"If a family hosts a banquet and doesn't serve dishes enhanced with this 'Imperial Chicken Essence,' people will secretly laugh at them, thinking the host isn't sophisticated or generous enough!"

"Those nobles are competing with each other, and the price... the price has already been driven up to two thousand taels of silver per catty!"

"Even so, there's often a shortage of available stock; you might not be able to buy it immediately even with cash!"

Two thousand per kilogram?

Lu Zuo raised an eyebrow slightly; this was higher than he had expected.

It seems that once a trend of keeping up with the Joneses takes hold in the luxury goods market, the premium it can command is truly beyond imagination.

"What about MSG?" He was more concerned about this low-cost product that he was preparing to sell in large quantities.

"Your Majesty, the MSG production went smoothly as well!"

Li Fu'an's face lit up, and his voice rose a few decibels: "This servant secretly formed a business association and found a reliable stranger to come forward and add a small amount of that MSG to the real imperial chicken essence."

"They publicly claimed it was a painstakingly painstakingly and luckily imitated inferior imperial chicken essence!"

"The price is set at one thousand taels per catty!"

"Those wealthy merchants, second-ranking officials, and local tyrants who couldn't obtain genuine imperial chicken essence, or who felt that two thousand taels was too much to bear, yet desperately craved this respectable and delicious treat..."

"They're treating this counterfeit like it's a treasure!"

"We control the supply to create scarcity, so we have no trouble selling them!"

"As of now..."

Li Fu'an took a deep breath and announced a figure that made Lu Zuo's heart skip a beat: "Adding both items together, after deducting all costs, the net profit is..."

"It has exceeded 150,000 taels of silver!"

"The silver has been secretly deposited into the imperial treasury designated by Your Majesty, and the accounts are clear. Your Majesty is welcome to inspect them at any time!"

150,000 taels!

In a short period of time, another huge sum of money, comparable to the previous confiscation of assets from the homes of mid-level officials, has been seized!

And this is sustainable, living water!

"Li Fu'an, you handled this matter exceptionally well!"

"Quick-witted, adaptable, and certainly gifted in business!"

"It is my greatest blessing to be able to share Your Majesty's burdens!" Li Fu'an quickly knelt down again, his voice trembling with excitement.

Lu Zuo pondered for a moment, then decided to add some more burden and reward to this useful purse: "I have always been fair in my rewards and punishments."

"You have made an invaluable contribution by opening up such a source of revenue for me when the national treasury was in dire need."

"Effective immediately, you are promoted to Deputy Chief Eunuch of the Inner Palace Secretariat, while still in charge of the affairs I have entrusted to you."

"I hope you will remain humble and diligent in your duties, for I will entrust you with even more important tasks in the future."

Deputy Chief Eunuch!

This is one of the highest positions in the Inner Palace Service!

Li Fu'an felt a surge of heat rush to his head and kowtowed three times, saying, "This servant...this servant thanks Your Majesty for your divine grace!"

"Your Majesty trusts me implicitly, and I will serve you with my life, even unto death, to safeguard the treasury and never fail Your Majesty's high expectations!"

"Okay, go ahead and get busy."

"The accounts must be reported monthly and be clear." Lu Zuo waved his hand.

"This servant obeys the decree!" Li Fu'an kowtowed again before carefully backing away, her steps so light they seemed to float.

As Lu Zuo watched Li Fu'an leave, the smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by deep thought.

With this continuous income, coupled with the confiscation of the huge amount of property belonging to Qin Hui's faction, the financial pressure was greatly relieved in the short term, and many things could be started.

"Qingzhao." He looked at Li Qingzhao, who was standing to the side.

"A sum of money was allocated from the inner treasury, and reliable people were ordered to send it in two routes: one route was to send 500,000 taels to Yue Fei's army in Jiangzhou, and the other route was to send 500,000 taels to Yang Tiexin and Guo Xiaotian in Lin'an."

"He declared that this money came from his private treasury and was specifically for the new army's provisions, armor, weapons, pensions, and extra rewards. It must be used effectively to train a strong army as soon as possible."

"Also, allocate one million taels from the national treasury... no, from the internal treasury, and urgently send it to Han Shizhong's camp in Jianghuai."

"In this great victory, the soldiers fought bravely, but the casualties were also heavy. Rewards, compensation, repair of fortifications, and replenishment of weapons all require money."

Li Qingzhao was shocked. His Majesty had invested almost the majority of the confiscated and commercial proceeds into the army!

Especially since the funds came from the internal treasury, the significance was extraordinary.

She dared not delay and solemnly replied, "Your Majesty, I obey the decree and will proceed immediately. I will select the most capable and reliable person to ensure the safe and swift delivery of the silver."

Li Qingzhao hurriedly left to make arrangements.

The Imperial Study returned to silence. Lu Zuo sat alone behind the large imperial desk, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the smooth surface.

The money problem has been temporarily alleviated, but if we want to truly become a strong nation, relying solely on financial aid and the limited inventions we have are far from enough.

In fact, the level of science and technology in the Song Dynasty was quite good in the history he knew.

In mathematics, there are methods for calculating gaps and circles; in physics, there have been observations and applications of magnetism and magnetic declination.

In the field of optics, a qualitative understanding has been gained of the relationship between pinhole imaging, the focal length of a tetrahedron, and imaging.

In acoustics, studies have also been conducted on things like string resonance and the cavitation effect of sound...

"These are all precious seeds of scientific discovery..."

Lu Zuo sighed inwardly, a complex emotion passing through his mind.

People in this era are not without a spirit of exploration and wisdom.

Unfortunately, during the Qing Dynasty, which stifled thought and innovation, these already fragile traditions were completely interrupted, forgotten, and even destroyed.

The brilliant light of Chinese science and technology thus sank into obscurity for hundreds of years...

Even in later generations, when Wang Mang was simply developing technology in a normal way and invented a bronze caliper, he was misunderstood as a time traveler...

The reason is quite simple: because of the large-scale destruction of Chinese technology by the Manchu Qing dynasty, later generations had no idea how advanced the level of technology in Chinese history was.

Some people even believe that the so-called ingenious and whimsical skills of ancient times were actually a limitation on technological development.

In fact, "extraordinary and ingenious skills" refers to creations made for human enjoyment, not practical technology.

Practical technological inventions were highly encouraged by all dynasties except the Qing Dynasty!

In a flash, several terms quickly became clear in his mind.

Allicin, cement, glass.

In this era without modern antibiotics, a common wound infection or a common cold can easily take a life.

The non-combat casualties of the military are even more alarming.

The selection, cultivation, and purification of Penicillium are currently considered a pipe dream. The extremely low original yield and the large amount of toxins mixed in with it make its use tantamount to suicide.

The selection, cultivation, and purification of Penicillium are currently considered a pipe dream. The extremely low original yield and the large amount of toxins mixed in with it make its use tantamount to suicide.

Allicin is different; its processing is so simple it's almost crude.

Simply crush garlic and let it sit to allow alliin to be converted by alliinase, which takes about an hour.

Then it is extracted by soaking in high-concentration alcohol...

Alcohol is easy to handle too.

The technology for distilling spirits at high temperatures is not difficult; you can even use existing spirits directly.

If quicklime can be found, its water-absorbing properties can be used to produce near-anhydrous ethanol, which will be even more effective.

After soaking and filtering, you get an alcoholic solution rich in allicin.

Although the concentration may not be high, in this era where bacteria and fungi have no drug resistance, its broad-spectrum antibacterial efficacy is absolutely "godlike".

More importantly, garlic contains a relatively high amount of allicin precursors, the processing is simple and safe, and there are few harmful impurities.

"In later generations, this thing was mainly used by farms to prevent livestock and poultry diseases, and was rarely used by humans."

"But for people in this world, even veterinary medicine is an irreplaceable treasure as long as it can save lives and reduce inflammation."

"It cannot cure all diseases, but it is enough to pull many infections that would otherwise be fatal back from the brink of death, and its value is immeasurable."

Secondly, there's cement.

Whether it's road construction, city defense, fortifications, or water conservancy, none of them can function without a strong adhesive.

Nowadays, glutinous rice mortar is used for rammed earth construction and wall building, which is costly and inefficient.

Once cement is invented, it will completely change the face of buildings.

"The raw materials are quite ordinary: limestone powder mixed with clay, and it would be best to add some iron powder or slag to adjust the composition..."

"However, true fans are rare, so it's okay not to release them initially."

"The key is in calcination."

Lu Zuo knew that the general process was to mix the raw materials, calcine them at high temperature in a kiln to make clinker, and then grind the clinker with a small amount of gypsum to make cement.

The principle is simple, but the difficulty lies in the calcination temperature, which is as high as 1,400 to 1,500 degrees Celsius.

"Temperature measurement is a big problem."

"Without thermocouples or infrared meters, we relied entirely on the experienced masters to read the color of the fire and their expertise."

"The kiln structure, refractory materials, and blasting technology all need to be explored."

"We can build a small-scale test kiln first and try and fail repeatedly."

"Once the temperature barrier is broken and a stable process is established, it will be a revolutionary change."

"Strong, quick-drying, and water-resistant cement will be used for city walls, fortresses, roads, docks..."

"It will bring about a qualitative leap in even future factory architecture."

As for the glass.....

This product is already available on the market, but the popular type is low-temperature lead-barium glass, which is beautiful but has poor performance and is prone to shattering when exposed to hot water.

While soda-lime glass is not as transparent as lead-barium glass, it is sturdy, heat-resistant, and has a wide range of applications.

"To manufacture practical soda-lime glass, several key raw materials are needed: quartz sand, limestone, soda ash, and feldspar."

"Pure alkali is the bottleneck; natural alkaline lakes have limited production, but they do exist."

"The core of the process lies in high-temperature melting and annealing to relieve stress and achieve uniform melting."

"If successful, its significance will be far more than just a mirror or a window."

"Clear glass windows can improve the lighting in residences, schools, and workshops, and protect the interior furnishings."

"The key is the greenhouse!"