My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

The group hurriedly arrived at the Liangyi Hall.

Li Shimin had been waiting inside for quite some time.

He looked at the brightly lit Liangyi Hall, but he was dissatisfied with it no matter how he looked at it.

Even though I've lit so many lights, it still feels less impressive than a single ceiling light in the store.

Ever since he stayed in a modern hotel, the more he looked at himself, the more he felt that he was no good enough!

It can't compare to that place in any way!

We'll see if we can get Mr. Chen to help install a few later.

Li Shimin thought to himself.

Just then, almost all the ministers arrived.

"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects!"

"My esteemed ministers,"

Li Shimin didn't beat around the bush at all.

"Today, I... received a divine instruction and glimpsed a glimpse of what the future would hold."

Everyone looked at each other, completely bewildered.

Only Fang Xuanling vaguely understood what he wanted to say.

Li Shimin glanced at everyone, nodded to Fang Xuanling, and continued speaking.

"In later generations, there will be something called productivity. Do you know how powerful this productivity is?"

Everyone shook their heads.

Li Shimin smiled slightly.

"Then let me ask you, do you know how much iron my Great Tang Dynasty can produce in a year?"

Changsun Wuji pondered for a moment before speaking.

"If the government and the people work together, and the weather is favorable, the annual production of refined iron... could reach a million catties."

Li Shimin nodded and smiled again.

"Do you know how much iron can be produced in a year in later generations?"

The ministers shook their heads again.

Li Shimin didn't beat around the bush any longer and spoke directly.

"Then the annual iron production in later generations..."

Li Shimin paused deliberately.

"2.6 trillion jin."

"How many?!!"

The hall fell into a deathly silence.

Fang Xuanling nearly dropped his official tablet, and Changsun Wuji was completely dumbfounded.

Even Wei Zheng, known for his uprightness and outspokenness, widened his eyes, thinking he had misheard.

Li Shimin smiled as he looked at the group.

"That's right, you all heard me correctly, 2.6 trillion catties of iron."

"Our Great Tang Dynasty is not even a fraction of their size."

Everyone fell silent, exchanging bewildered glances.

"His Majesty!"

Finally, Wei Zheng, the number one critic of the Tang Dynasty, stepped forward.

"The number Your Majesty just mentioned, '2.6 trillion catties,' is truly unprecedented and an astonishing amount."

"We are foolish and cannot imagine that such resources exist in this world."

Wei Zheng cupped his hands in greeting, his eyes sharp.

"Your Majesty, I dare to ask—where does this number come from, and how was such a large amount of iron produced?"

Li Shimin naturally knew that Wei Zheng would speak up, otherwise he wouldn't have called Wei Zheng over.

His gaze swept over the several important officials below the stage, and he slowly began to speak.

"I know that you ministers must also have this question in your hearts, but please wait for me to explain it to you one by one."

After a moment of contemplation, Li Shimin slowly spoke.

"From the time of Yao and Shun to the present day, the people of China, except for times of war and natural disasters, have enjoyed an increasingly prosperous life. I believe none of you, my esteemed ministers, would disagree with this?"

The high-ranking officials looked at each other and nodded in agreement.

"So, have any of you ever thought about what makes each generation better off than the last?"

Li Shimin looked at his ministers.

Changsun Wuji pondered for a moment, then tentatively asked.

"Could it be etiquette and moral education?"

Li Shimin smiled, but shook his head.

"No, etiquette and moral education can indeed improve people's character, but it cannot improve people's quality of life or the production of various things."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuanling pondered for a moment.

"So...is it because the population is increasing?"

Li Shimin shook his head again.

"Population growth does increase production, but it also increases the consumption of food and land, so it can't really be considered as such."

Li Shimin looked at his ministers and smiled.

"The main reason why our Great Tang Dynasty is so prosperous today and our lives have improved significantly compared to before is due to our tools and technology."

"Tools and techniques?"

Changsun Wuji and the others frowned, their faces showing confusion.

"Excellent! For example, there have been improvements in agricultural tools, iron smelting techniques, and the efficiency of waterwheels."

Li Shimin paused.

"It is these things that enable us to produce more and more things, and this is the development of productivity."

Having said that, Li Shimin directly stated his own thoughts.

"...Therefore, I have decided that from this day forward, our Great Tang Dynasty must take a step forward on this path!"

Li Shimin's gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on the officials from the Ministry of Works.

"In the past, the skills of craftsmen were often regarded as lowly."

"From this day forward, anyone who can improve agricultural tools, weapons, looms, boats, vehicles, or any other implements or methods that contribute to the people's livelihood and national strength, regardless of their background, will be richly rewarded upon verification!"

Li Shimin paused.

"He may be granted an official position or a noble title!"

Upon hearing this, several officials from the Ministry of Works showed excitement on their faces.

Officials, Revenue, Rites, Military, Justice, and Public Works.

The Ministry of Works held the lowest position.

This has led to many people, especially talented and well-connected individuals, being unwilling to come to the Ministry of Works.

Most of them went to the Ministry of Personnel, which controlled the promotion and demotion of officials, or the Ministry of Revenue, which controlled finances...

As for the Ministry of Works, it's because they really had nowhere else to go.

Who would want to go to that place?

Is this situation finally about to change?

Several Ministry of Works officials were extremely excited.

Now, is it finally time for their Ministry of Works to rise to prominence?

Finally, Li Shimin's gaze fell upon several officials of the Directorate of Works.

"I wonder if there's a machine you could build?"

Li Shimin recalled the steam engine blueprints he had seen at the inn and roughly sketched out a schematic diagram and a simple model of the steam engine.

"That's pretty much it."

Li Shimin showed the steam engine design to everyone.

"This thing is called a steam engine. It is powered by steam, which is converted into other forms of energy to drive its internal mechanisms, generating tremendous force to propel heavy objects."

Li Shimin paused.

"Or it could be made to run on its own wheels, so it could move without the need for oxen or horses."

……

On the other side, the Ming Dynasty

"Ministry of Revenue! Calculate for me, if we could improve farming tools, how many more bushels of grain could be harvested per mu? How much more tax revenue could be generated for the court? If you can't calculate it, you can go back home and farm!"

"And the Ministry of Works! Focus your efforts on improving our tools!"

"We've already sent the craftsmen to work on the steam engine. You need to keep an eye on it for us, and provide the necessary funds and manpower."

"But if we find out you've embezzled the artisans' rewards, or done a shoddy job—"

A cold glint flashed in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes.

"We just told the craftsmen that if they can't build it, they'll have to bear the consequences! But it's different for you!"

"If you dare to cause trouble, you can take your skin and report to the lower levels."

"Don't worry, your families will be with you too."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled.

"After all, a family should be together, shouldn't they?"

Upon hearing this, the officials from the Ministry of Works turned deathly pale, but they could not say anything and could only bow in response.

Then, Zhu Yuanzhang looked towards the Ministry of Personnel.

"Ministry of Personnel! In the future, when evaluating officials, don't just look at whether they can write articles or whether they can flatter."

"Add another point: Have the agricultural tools and looms been improved under his rule? Have the craftsmen been valued?"

"Has the improvement in people's lives been due to the advancement of technology? If not, then forget about receiving any awards!"

"Local officials! Go back and keep an eye out for any skilled craftsmen or useful new methods you may find, and report them all to the capital!"

"Those who hide their abilities, those who pretend to be heroes—if we find out, we will not let them off easily!"

Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment, and after confirming that he had nothing more to say, he spoke.

"Did you all understand?!"

The officials were stunned by the orders and complained bitterly.

But in front of the ruthless Hongwu Emperor, they really didn't dare to complain.

They could only bow and respond in unison.

"We...understand."

"If you understand, then get back to your seats and figure out a solution!"

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand impatiently.

"We need to see tangible results! And quickly!"

Therefore, the officials left the Fengtian Hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent for a while, then muttered to his crown prince Zhu Biao beside him.

"Biao'er, see that? That's how we do it! If we don't teach them a lesson, these old foxes will just try to fool us!"

Zhu Biao was somewhat amused and exasperated, and he cautiously offered his advice.

"Father, developing... productivity is indeed a good thing. But isn't it a bit too fast? Shouldn't we slow down and proceed gradually?"

Zhu Yuanzhang rolled his eyes.

"Slow? We think that's too slow! Rules? Our word is the rule!"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao and said earnestly.

"Biao'er, you're good in every way, except sometimes you're too kind and weak!"

"Sometimes we should be benevolent, but sometimes we shouldn't."

"As an emperor, you must know how to get your subordinates to do things."

"Otherwise, am I the only one doing the work? What if the subordinates just lie around and fool us? That would be terrible!"

As Zhu Yuanzhang spoke, his eyes widened, and he pointed to an official who was leaving outside the palace.

"Don't be fooled by their sweet talk. If you're really nice to them, they'll just think you're easy to bully."

"They'll use morality and benevolence to pressure you into doing things their way."

"These officials! They're all incredibly cunning!"

"Those who can ascend to this great hall are almost never simple."

"If you really think they're simple and underestimate them, you'll probably get sold out by them and still be laughing all the way to the bank!"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao.

"That's why we said you're still too inexperienced and need more practice!"

Zhu Biao was silent for a moment, then nodded heavily.

"Your subject has learned a great deal!"

Old Zhu nodded in satisfaction.

Suddenly, a palace attendant rushed in.

"Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened! Her Majesty the Empress has fainted in Kunning Palace!"

"Girl! Girl!!"

Before the person arrived at Kunning Palace, their voice preceded their arrival.

Zhu Yuanzhang rushed in like a madman.

"Girl!!"

Zhu Yuanzhang rushed to the bedside, tightly grasped Empress Ma's cold hand, his voice trembling.

Those once powerful hands, which commanded thousands of troops and reviewed countless life-and-death reports, were now trembling uncontrollably.

"What's wrong with you? Look at us! Look at us!"

He turned around abruptly, his eyes instantly becoming bloodshot, staring intently at the several imperial physicians kneeling not far from the bed.

"You bunch of useless trash! What are you all standing there for?! Quickly heal us! Heal the Empress! If you can't heal her..."

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes turned bloodshot, and a chilling murderous aura instantly filled the entire inner hall!

The imperial physicians felt a chill run down their necks and were momentarily speechless.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger! Your Majesty, please calm your anger! We are doing our utmost to treat him!"

"Her Majesty the Empress is probably just feeling weak; there's nothing seriously wrong with her."

"We've already administered acupuncture and medication to stabilize his heart, but... but..."

"But what but?!"

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly stood up and kicked over a nearby embroidered stool with a loud bang.

"We...we'll tell you!"

"Do everything you can to help us!"

"If anything happens to the Empress, none of you will leave here alive!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was more irritable than ever before, and he couldn't help it even though Chen Mo had told him not to threaten him with his life.

Because this is his sister!

His sister!!!

If it weren't for the woman, there would never have been Zhu Yuanzhang!

There would be no Hongwu Emperor as we know him today!

No woman could replace Empress Ma in Emperor Zhu's heart!

One could even say that Empress Ma was the scabbard of Zhu Yuanzhang's sword; without the scabbard, the sword wouldn't be sealed...

Once that knife is drawn, it's impossible to stop!

The imperial physicians looked at each other, trembling with fear.

But there's no other way; we can't leave it untreated.

But the problem is, they don't want Empress Ma to be unable to be cured!

They were well aware of Empress Ma's importance to Zhu Yuanzhang.

However, since Zhu Xiong Ying's death, Empress Ma's health has deteriorated day by day.

It's only been less than a month and it's already turned into this state.

The imperial physicians felt bitter, but dared not speak out.

Finally, Zhu Biao, who arrived later, saw this scene and remained silent for a moment.

He looked at Empress Ma lying on the sickbed, and as if he had thought of something, he hurriedly said to Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Father, why don't we take Mother to Chen's shop?"

"His medical conditions are better than here, so he should be able to cure my mother."

"Yes! You're right! That kid's more developed over there! He can definitely save our girl!!!"

Upon hearing this, Old Zhu suddenly raised his head and addressed Zhu Biao.

"Biao'er, let's take your mother there!"

"His Majesty……"

Upon seeing this, the imperial physician wanted to say something more, but was frightened back by Zhu Yuanzhang's bloodshot eyes.

Zhu Yuanzhang picked up Empress Ma and, without even changing out of his everyday clothes, walked outside in his dragon robe.

Zhu Biao followed closely behind him.

"Bang!"

……

Zhu Yuanzhang violently slammed open the old wooden door of the inn, and the wind chimes made a jarring, chaotic sound.

He rushed into the lobby, about to shout.

"Chen boy! Quick! Help..."

However, before he could finish speaking, Old Zhu was dumbfounded.

"Manager Chen, I'm here again! I've been traveling day and night just to get here as quickly as possible!"

"Come! Let me see that television again, let me see what happened to my Yongle reign!"

There was a person sitting in front of Chen Mo's counter.

The man was tall, and although only his back was visible, an undeniable imperial aura emanated from him.

Most importantly—he was wearing a dragon robe!

It is a dragon robe that only the emperor can wear!

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned not because of the man's appearance, but because he knew the man very well.

"Fourth Brother!!! Why are you wearing a dragon robe?"