Capítulo 1015: Chapter 1013: Flourishing Because of This
Liu Chengzhi pressed on: “Your Majesty, since ancient tis, reading and understanding reason is the way of the sages. If one disregards the way of the sages and can obtain a high position simply by using a skill for personal livelihood, how will the scholars and Confucian students, who pursue sagehood, find their place? This phenonon is likely to shake the very foundation of the nation and make scholars question their future and the way of the sages.”
The two believed their words to be logical, sincere, and earnest, with a burning hope that the Emperor might pause this idea that could destabilize the nation’s core.
Jinrong’s face darkened repeatedly; he wanted to argue, but the Emperor spoke first.
The Emperor seed not to hear them, or perhaps their words suddenly reminded him of sothing, and he completely ignored the two standing there, instead addressing Cheng Dahui: “Whatever others say is re conjecture and speculation. Beloved Minister Cheng has worked in the chanical Workshop for several months now. Please tell these gentlen about the craft skills in the chanical Workshop and how they conduct their work.”
Cheng Dahui understood the cue and repeated to the others what he had previously told the Emperor, highlighting the significant contributions of Ye Xinyan.
After Cheng Dahui finished speaking, fearing further questioning from the Cabinet ministers, he bowed in humility and said, “We, the officers of the Imperial Workshops Bureau, have been drawing the court’s salary for years, yet neither our diligence nor our skills match those of the craftsn and managers of the Qi Family chanical Workshop. I admit my skills and engineering knowledge pale compared to Wong Qiao and Shi Yin.”
This concluding remark made the Emperor nod, Jinrong express approval, and Han Yanhui show an enigmatic expression. The others, including Liu Chengzhi, were greatly surprised.
The dignitaries of the Cabinet, though having worked through various levels of Yan to reach their high positions, being academic officials by background, lacked professional understanding of handicrafts and devices.
In their view, the officers and craftsn within the Imperial Workshops should be the top experts in the land.
As for why these top experts hadn’t developed new devices, in Liu Chengzhi’s view, one reason was that the court didn’t require new products, and could still dominate the nation, so they didn’t care about these things. Consequently, the craftsn weren’t inclined to exert effort in this area.
Another reason might be a lack of opportunity. According to Cheng Dahui, simply giving a large amount of air blast to the Iron-slting Furnace could increase its output and reduce iron impurities. Such a simple thod might just be a lucky coincidence, an occasional idea, not surprising.
However, for the Director of the Imperial Workshops to willingly admit inferiority to civilian craftsn, truly astonished these officials.
If those drawing a court salary are lesser than craftsn of the chanical Workshops, then perhaps it makes sense for the court to provide so official salary and treatnt to craftsn.
For a mont, although Liu Chengzhi and the others still disagreed internally, they did not know how to refute.
The Emperor watched Liu Chengzhi’s face settle, then began: “I almost forgot; craftsn can be rated and receive court comndations and official salary. However, as a woman, Madam Jiang Ye cannot be rated in the craftsman’s category.”
As he spoke, the Emperor turned to Jinrong: “What do you think, Prince Yu? Although Madam Jiang Ye is a woman, her contributions in the field of devices over recent years have greatly benefited the court. For such deeds benefiting the nation and the people, the court must offer comndation to gain the trust of the common people and craftsn.”
Upon hearing the Emperor’s question directed at Jinrong, Liu Chengzhi and the others all felt a chill. The relationship between Prince Yu and the Jiang Family, Qi Family is evident to everyone. Having Prince Yu give his opinion is akin to the court directly bestowing benefits on Ye Xinyan, and the more, the better.
This ti, the Emperor’s proceedings was different from before. In the past, although decisions were always made by the Emperor, he would at least listen to the ministers’ opinions. But this ti, the Emperor had simply gathered these senior ministers to directly arrange matters and incidentally give them a shake-up.
Having Cheng Dahui introduce the usage of slting and blast furnace, show them experintal data, and have each write a morial was to inform these powerful dignitaries that his forced decision this ti had justification, leaving no room for objection.
…
Upon leaving the Imperial Study Room, Liu Chengzhi did not follow Han Yanhui to look at those materials, but instead trudged back heavily to his own office in the Cabinet.
His personal aide, Li Qinhong, upon learning of his return, brought over a stack of docunts to discuss.
Entering the room, at a glance, Li Qinhong saw Liu Chengzhi’s face heavy, his brow tightly furrowed. Though he glanced towards him, he still held his tea cup silently, a look of unrest.
Li Qinhong placed the docunts in front of Liu Chengzhi, sat in a chair nearby, and asked, “Is there any trouble at His Majesty’s place? The Master seems to be in a bad mood.”
Liu Chengzhi had noticed Li Qinhong coming in earlier but, absorbed in his thoughts, and since Li Qinhong was his aide and practically his advisor, they were very familiar, he subconsciously did not pay much attention.
Upon hearing Li Qinhong’s question, he returned to his thoughts.
“Ah,” Liu Chengzhi sighed deeply before speaking, “The blast furnace newly made by Prince Yu’s workshop… It works very well.”
Li Qinhong didn’t understand the aning behind Liu Chengzhi’s words, thinking, hasn’t the Pri Minister been aware of this for days? Why now such deep reflection?
Liu Chengzhi shot him a glance and continued, “The Emperor wants to comnd the Qi Family chanical Workshop and rate several craftsn. According to the Emperor’s intent, the court may rate that old craftsman Shi Yin and Wong Qiao as top craftsn.”
Though the Emperor ntioned officially using it after the new year and rewarding post-success, according to the information from the Ministry of Works and the Sltery Workshop, the operation of the blast furnace and steam engine was very stable, making success nearly assured. Rating craftsn is surely inevitable.
Li Qinhong said: “The blast furnace truly isn’t ordinary. Rather than attempting to block His Majesty’s proposal, the Master should align with His Majesty’s intention using it to gain trust. With the ease of managing the Ministry of Works, the Master could acquire this technique personally.”
Liu Chengzhi instantly thought of Cheng Dahui’s ongoing involvent, possessing familiarity with steam engines and blast furnace usage, and enjoying the Emperor’s favor. So how could he have the opportunity to intervene?
He feared overreaching would rouse the Emperor’s suspicion, even implicating Prince Fu, damaging the serene image built over recent tis.
He shook his head: “Prince Yu suggested publicizing the operational thod and chanical structure of steam engines, allowing any industry seeking profit to purchase this patent from the court, with no limit on the sale of steam engines. Once steam engine technology is announced, it won’t be controlled by any individual.”
If steam engines can perform as efficiently as the Iron-slting Furnace in other industries, it won’t be long before such machines are widely used in various sectors. What worries is, the Craftsmanship Sector and craftsn will prosper because of this.”
That is Liu Chengzhi’s fundantal reason for strongly opposing the rating of craftsn.
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