Iron Dynasty Novel Chapter 711

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“Within three years, establish three large official steel workshops, including the Qingzhou Steel Workshop, Laiwu Steel Workshop, and Kaiping Steel Workshop, to achieve an annual steel output of three hundred thousand tons.”

Pang Yukun read out the content. The unit of weight “ton” was sothing he had learned at Bowen Academy, but he still had no real concept of three hundred thousand tons. So he muttered, “What is the current annual output of the Qingzhou Steel Workshop?”

“Less than twenty thousand tons,” Xiao Ming answered Pang Yukun’s question directly.

“So little?” Fei Ji frowned. “Your Majesty, if the Qingzhou Steel Workshop’s annual output is less than twenty thousand, how can it reach three hundred thousand tons in three years?”

Xiao Ming smiled. This three hundred thousand tons was certainly not sothing Xiao Ming fabricated. In fact, contemporary Britain’s annual steel output was around three hundred thousand tons.

With the Besser converter steelmaking thod, he believed reaching this figure in three years was not a problem.

“Elder Fei need not worry. You just need to build the remaining two steel workshops, and the output will naturally reach that figure.”

Fei Ji did not know much about industry, so he said no more.

After a mont of contemplation, Xiao Ming felt it was still necessary to explain this three-year plan, otherwise these officials would remain confused.

So he said, “This three-year plan primarily targets education, industry, comrce, governnt affairs, and the military. Among them, the most important reform in education is to popularize martial spirit and military training in schools. All enrolled students must receive military training in addition to their studies from a young age, such as bayonet combat training.”

Chao Zhengwen nodded, taking down Xiao Ming’s words. He said, “The reason barbarian soldiers are so brave and skilled in battle is because they have been practicing archery and horsemanship from a young age. This is sothing the Great Yu Empire cannot compare to.”

Xiao Ming showed an appreciative look towards Chao Zhengwen. This chief education official was chosen correctly; at least ideologically, Chao Zhengwen was on the sa page as him.

The reason he formulated this plan was to foster a martial spirit throughout the Great Yu Empire.

In the Age of Sail, the world was essentially a stage for brigands. Without ruthlessness, how could one contend with Western armies?

After all, Westerners were tall and strong. In terms of physical strength, this was a disadvantage for the Great Yu Empire’s people. If they didn’t sharpen their bayonet fighting skills, a real bayonet charge could be very brutal.

After a pause, he then spoke of comrce, which was the formal establishnt of the Ministry of Comrce. His order to Li Kaiyuan was to popularize comrcial law in the six provinces within three years, and at the sa ti establish a governntal structure to supervise rchants and collect taxes.

In terms of industry, besides steel, textiles, etc., there was also the expansion of the military workshop. Currently, the military workshop’s output could only cope with dostic rebellions, but it was still far from being able to step onto the international stage. So, within these three years, the military workshop would undergo another expansion, and Lu Tong’s gunpowder workshop would also be rged into the military workshop.

As for governnt affairs, he further refined them. In addition to establishing the Ministry of Comrce, he also strengthened the Imperial Household Departnt, entrusting all industrial affairs of the six provinces to its managent.

Furthermore, Xiao Ming abolished the traditional prefectural yan runners. From then on, the six provinces would only have security bureaus, and the security forces would be responsible for public order in all prefectures, counties, and villages.

However, the deepest reform this ti was the military. After discussing industry, comrce, and governnt affairs, Xiao Ming looked at Niu Ben and the other generals.

First, he had Qian Dafu read out the list of comndations for the generals. Then he said, “The army is a vital instrunt of the state, and I must attach importance to it. From today, I have decided to establish the Grand Council. From now on, all military deploynts will be decided by the Grand Council.”

Xiao Ming had discussed this with Niu Ben long ago, so Niu Ben was not surprised. The Grand Council, simply put, was the highest military office responsible for formulating war plans and issuing military orders.

Officials of the Grand Council were directly responsible to Xiao Ming, and generals under the Grand Council were directly responsible to the Grand Council. This layered managent system had a very simple purpose: to prevent generals from privatizing their armies.

Because the Grand Council was responsible for all military affairs, military provisions and salaries also had to pass through the Grand Council’s review, thereby explicitly telling soldiers that they were eating imperial provisions and taking imperial silver, weakening the generals’ private control over the army.

After an hour of explaining until his throat was dry, Xiao Ming had essentially clarified the matters. To help these officials understand and rember, he also utilized the technology crystal.

“Your Majesty, I understand.”

Pang Yukun now had a clear direction. This three-year plan appealed to him, and he couldn’t help but say happily.

“We, your humble servants, also understand,” the ministers echoed.

Xiao Ming nodded in satisfaction, “Excellent. After this court session, all you beloved ministers will act according to the pamphlets I have given you. I do not wish to be disappointed after three years.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the ministers’ voices were loud and clear.

Having launched the three-year plan, Xiao Ming felt a sense of relief. Today, he had laid out the agenda for the next three years. Now, he could imrse himself in the task of advancing technology, as the subordinate matters could proceed systematically enough.

Having said all he needed to say, Xiao Ming then signaled Qian Dafu to announce the adjournnt of court.

The ministers cheered, “Long live!” and retreated. Xiao Ming and Qian Dafu left the council hall.

However, the two did not imdiately return to the temporary palace but instead took a tour of the imperial palace under construction. In such cold weather, the artisans were still working, over twenty thousand people busily engaged.

Under the diligent labor of so many people, the imperial palace had already largely taken shape. At this rate, it was estimated that they could move in next year. After all, his imperial palace did not pursue the luxury of ancient emperors; it rely aid for simplicity, generosity, and sufficiency.

After inspecting the imperial palace, the two returned to the temporary palace. After today’s court session, he was completely relaxed. He planned to spend more ti on education and technology during this period, and incidentally, enjoy the pleasures of this ancient life.

It had been over five years since he ca to this world, and he had always lived in fear, treading on thin ice, never having a single comfortable day.

Now that the dust had settled and his wings had gradually matured, he was finally qualified to balance work and leisure.

However, while he was idle, Fei Ji and Pang Yukun and the other officials began a three-year nightmare. After the court adjourned, they each returned to their offices, summoned officials for etings with the three-year plan pamphlets, and assigned tasks.

First, they selected a group of excellent artisans from the currently mature workshops. Then Pang Yukun and Fei Ji jointly signed orders to recruit displaced people.

These recruited displaced people would travel with the artisans to the mines, where they would establish coal mines, iron mines, and steel workshops near the mines, ultimately forming a city with the mine as its core.

Besides the mines, a portion of the displaced people would be placed under the Railway Departnt. They would construct a railway network centered on Qingzhou Province under the Railway Departnt’s command.

While the imperial court was extrely busy, the common people also beca enthusiastic at this ti. After the cruel war, a great developnt spanning the six prefecture was about to begin.