Chapter 0010: On the Shoulders of Giants

Otherwise, with the poverty of this land, even if he were to be a reincarnation of Yao and Shun, in a couple of years he would still meet his end under the butcher's knife of the barbarians

Call in Qian Dafu, he asked: "Dafu, how much silver do we have left in the Qi Wangfu?"

The lathe, as a culmination of craftsmanship, also serves as the foundation that triggered the Industrial Revolution

Even so, he still has to spend money and effort to resist the barbarians. Just yesterday, he captured thirty barbarian cavalry, suffering considerable losses. The Armaments Department has run out of funds to produce arrows, and he hopes to receive some assistance

In the workshop, thirty craftsmen sat on the ground, while Xiao Ming stood before them, speaking eloquently.

However, through the technology database, Xiao Ming learned that Shandong Province has always been a major producer of graphite mines in contemporary times. By accurately locating the position of the graphite mines, he can send people to search for these graphite mines

On the eve of the Industrial Revolution, it was the birth of these tools that produced precise mechanical components, and the manufacturing of precise mechanical parts led to the creation of qualified steam engine cylinders

Your Highness, along with the silver brought by Lady Zhen, we in the Qi Wangfu still have approximately 1,000 taels of silver

The steam engine further enabled the automation of lathes, leading to the emergence of more precise components and making more machinery possible

Xiao Ming has basically considered all the ways to raise funds, and the only option left is the local wealthy families.

After some thought, it seems that a forceful approach would likely be unsuccessful. However, it is quite simple to make them part with their money. These prominent families either hold official positions or engage in trade; as long as there are goods that pique their interest, one need not worry about them not spending money to make a purchase

However, recalling the capricious nature of King Qi, he did not dare to ask further. He thought to himself that perhaps King Qi was merely acting on a whim. Nevertheless, since he had given such an order, he could only respond: "As you command, Your Highness"

One thousand taels?" Xiao Ming frowned

During the Warring States period, primitive lathes had already appeared in China. These lathes were generally used for cutting round logs for waterwheels, and this craftsmanship has been preserved to this day

Xiao Ming's primary task now is to have the craftsmen manufacture various tools

However, a truly effective lathe requires high-quality steel, so that the machine tools can be securely fixed and various instrument components can be processed

Qian Dafu, after listening, hesitated for a moment before taking out five hundred taels in silver notes to give to Xiao Ming

Therefore, one or two taels of silver is essentially equivalent to six hundred yuan in modern currency

Due to the lack of information, Xiao Ming is also unclear.

Overall, in the Great Yu Kingdom, one tael of silver can purchase two shi of rice. According to his experience, one shi in the Great Yu Kingdom is equivalent to one hundred and twenty jin in modern measurements

By that time, he would be able to fire crucibles, achieving large-scale crucible steelmaking

This one thousand taels of silver may seem like a lot, but it is merely sufficient to cover the expenses of the royal residence, as the servants, grooms, and cooks within the palace all require their wages.

Chen Wenlong's words are quite ambiguous, yet this is indeed the actual problem that Xiao Ming is currently facing

Of course, before manufacturing the lathe, Xiao Ming still has one more task to accomplish, which is to teach these craftsmen how to smelt steel

For example, Qian Dafu's annual wages amount to twenty taels of fine silver, while the expenses for green radish and purple aster come to fifteen taels. Additionally, when accounting for food and other living expenses, the remaining amount is also quite limited

Xiao Ming observed the steps taken by these craftsmen in forging weapons. Strictly speaking, these craftsmen are still employing the traditional steel casting method, and the steel produced by this method can still be used in machine tools.

If Xiao Wenxuan still values familial ties, he might be willing to allocate some funds; however, if Xiao Wenxuan is heartless, then this letter will simply serve to disgust him.

Qian Dafu displayed a frugal demeanor, fearing that Xiao Ming would squander money again as he had in previous years

However, he knows that the historical event of the Mongol conquest of Europe seemingly did not occur, and if Europe had attained a period of stability at that time, he could not predict the current state of European civilization.

However, Xiao Ming will not let them off easily; these wealthy families are like fat sheep, and Xiao Ming is someone who takes advantage of every opportunity, especially when it comes to such plump targets

This time, I am dealing with serious matters, not indulging in frivolous pursuits" Xiao Ming said with a disdainful curl of his lips

The Qi Wang Mansion is short of funds, and it is difficult for the Equipment Department to work miracles without resources. Forcing able-bodied men into service is also not feasible; otherwise, it would provoke public outrage, and the image he has just established would collapse again

As the saying goes, "A workman must sharpen his tools if he is to do his work well," which refers to the tools of a craftsman

Now that he stands on the shoulders of giants, there is no need to follow the lengthy steps of the pre-industrial revolution, but rather to get straight to the point

After analyzing the knowledge in the technology repository and combining it with the experiences of the First Industrial Revolution, Xiao Ming believes that the foundation of the Industrial Revolution is the lathe, which includes boring machines, milling machines, grinding machines, drilling machines, gear processing machines, and so on

One or two taels of silver can buy two hundred and forty jin of rice, while the modern average price of rice is approximately two yuan and fifty cents per jin

During this period, the lathe was constructed of wood and operated by foot power, with the machine tools being fixed quite unsteadily

Chen Wenlong looked at the frowning and deep in thought Xiao Ming, feeling puzzled and confused. The Instrument Bureau had never been valued in the Great Yu Kingdom, and today, Prince Qi seemed to have committed some blunder.

Qian Dafu has become numb to Xiao Ming's strange behavior in recent days, and he immediately instructed the servants to prepare the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

However, he originally intended to teach them the crucible steel-making method, but the people here have no idea where to find the graphite material for the crucible

Accepting the banknote, Xiao Ming said to Qian Dafu: "Prepare the writing materials, I need to send a letter to my father, the emperor"

He instructed Chen Wenlong to gather the carpenters and blacksmiths in the city, while Xiao Ming was deep in thought about how to raise money to return to the Wangfu

Take out five hundred taels for me" Xiao Ming extended his hand

"The matter is yours, but the money is mine." Xiao Ming gritted his teeth; he was determined to consolidate this equipment department even if it meant selling everything he had. This was his only chance to turn his fortunes around

In the past, Xiao Ming did not possess the ability to make money, but he certainly had a talent for spending it. He frequently squandered the silver he received from the relief fund for the beloved concubine, and he was well aware of the prices in Qingzhou City.

Your Highness, this is the annual silver allowance that the Empress has just issued this year, and it has all been delivered to you. Please be sure to spend it wisely

It is now the end of the seventeenth century, and the Great Yu Kingdom remains oblivious to the changes occurring in the outside world, much like the period at the end of the Ming Dynasty and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty.

"Hurry up and send it to Chang'an!" Xiao Ming glanced with satisfaction at the lengthy one-thousand-word essay on poverty and casually tossed it to Qian Dafu

In the following three days, Xiao Ming spent all his time at the Equipment Division. The influx of five hundred taels of silver made the Equipment Division extraordinarily wealthy, with daily purchases of timber, coal cakes, and iron ore coming in and out, transforming its previously desolate appearance.

His purpose in writing this letter is certainly not to reminisce with Xiao Wenxuan, but rather to lament his poverty. The general meaning of the letter is that the land is impoverished, and the common people are on the verge of starvation

However, these cunning individuals will certainly not be willing to part with their money; they would rather see the Qi Wangfu in a state of near collapse, as this would allow them to live freely and comfortably

These thirty craftsmen essentially represent all the craftsmen in Qingzhou, primarily carpenters and blacksmiths. What Xiao Ming is explaining to them now is something they have never heard of before— the lathe.